Ep 4. Pants on Fire

Sam's journey through life and his experiences with autism continue in Atypical season 2 episode 4, titled "Pants on Fire." In this episode, we see Sam navigate through some tricky situations, as he tries to make sense of the world around him and his own feelings.

The episode kicks off with Sam discovering that he has a crush on his therapist, Julia. This realization throws him through a loop, and he struggles to come to terms with his feelings. On top of that, he's forced to confront the fact that his mother is lying to him about a family trip, and he's forced to decide whether or not to reveal the truth to his father.

As he tries to make sense of everything, Sam turns to his trusty list-making and research skills. With the help of his best friend Zahid, he examines the scientific evidence behind attraction and romantic love. But, as usual, his highly analytical approach to understanding emotions falls short, and he's left more confused than ever.

Meanwhile, Sam's family is dealing with their own issues. His mother, Elsa, is struggling to reconnect with her husband after her affair, and she's finding it difficult to keep secrets from Sam. His father, Doug, is having a midlife crisis and trying to find purpose in his job as a psychologist.

The episodes explore the various themes, including honesty, trust, and the importance of communication in relationships. It also highlights how Sam's condition impacts his ability to understand social cues, and how his unique perspective on love and relationships can be both frustrating and endearing.

As with every episode of Atypical, the show does an excellent job of portraying autism in a respectful and sensitive manner. They avoid stereotypes and cliches, presenting Sam as a complex and multi-dimensional character who struggles with a condition but is so much more than just his diagnosis.

Overall, "Pants on Fire" is a well-crafted episode that moves the story forward while also providing a few laughs and some heartwarming moments. It's a testament to the incredible writing and acting on the show and a wonderful example of how responsible television can be both entertaining and educational.