Trials of an Atypical family is easy watch Trouble and strife as household deals with life-changing events
Casey (Brigette Lundy-paine). Elsa has been unfaithful to Doug, something that comes to a head late in the series and carries through to the second.
Season two sees the focus still on Sam but more exploration into his The Gardner family family happens, including his dad who can’t find trust for his cheating wife again. The scope of the series broadens and Sam’s autism is an aspect of the busy family life, rather than the centre of it.
The war between Doug and Elsa rages for much of the series while Casey begins attending a prestigious private school on a track scholarship.
The future is scary for anyone trying to decide what they’ll do with the rest of their lives and this is true of Sam who wonders if he can even manage being on his Joe on the ground after attack own. Where it does sometimes fall down is the on-screen chemistry.
Casey and Sam feel like real siblings, every step of the way. Casey shows unwavering patience towards her brother – and is then annoyed by him moments later.
Their bond comes across as nothing but genuine, and this is largely due to the excellent acting from Gilchrist and Lundypaine.
However, the marriage of Doug and Elsa is less than convincing. Despite the fact she cheated on Doug and lied about it, she doesn’t quite understand why he won’t take her back.
Her role as a mother is convincing and the patience of her character when Doug constantly knocks her back is admirable, but you can’t help but feel this isn’t how life would be.