Atypical Season 1 Episode 3 Julia Says

Atypical season 1 episode 3, titled "Julia Says," follows the journey of the Gardner family as they continue to adjust to Sam's decision to start dating. As usual, Sam is adamant on sticking to his scripts and rules for dating, and he meets up with his new girlfriend Paige at a frozen yogurt place. The two of them engage in a conversation before Paige has to leave for her poetry class.

Meanwhile, Casey is trying to juggle her athletic commitments as well as maintain her relationship with her new boyfriend, Evan. After a tiring practice, she confides in her friend, Elsa, about her worries and frustrations about having to keep up with her team, especially since her coach is giving her a hard time.

Things come to a head when Julia Sasaki, a student in Sam's creative writing class, approaches him with a short story she wrote and asks for feedback. Sam struggles to figure out how to give a constructive critique and instead ends up blurting out an insensitive comment. Julia storms off, upset and angry, leaving Sam feeling guilty and confused about what he did wrong.

At home, Sam tries to make amends by writing an apology letter to Julia, but his efforts are not enough to alleviate his remorse. This incident highlights the challenges that people with autism face in navigating social situations and recognizing social cues.

Elsewhere, Elsa is dealing with her own pain as she secretly goes to visit a bartender named Nick, who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend. She is seeking comfort and validation from him, but their conversation quickly escalates into a heated argument.

As the episode winds down, we see the Gardners grappling with their respective struggles - Sam with his social blunders and Elsa with her secrets. They may be dealing with different issues, but their challenges all boil down to the dilemma of wanting to connect with others while being true to themselves.

"Julia Says" is a poignant episode that explores the nuances of social interaction and the importance of empathy. Through Sam and Julia's interaction, we see how easy it is to inadvertently hurt others, even with the best intentions. This episode serves as a reminder to be more mindful of our words and actions, especially towards those who may not communicate in the same way we do.

This episode also sets up additional conflicts for the rest of the season - will Sam be able to mend his relationship with Julia? Can Elsa keep her secrets from her family and friends? As the plot thickens, "Julia Says" offers a glimpse into the layered complexities of family dynamics and personal growth.