Nat

Cute, but baseless (as someone else in the reviews has accurately put already). It is very shallow and a very over-simplified version of the experience. For people who have lived the experience of serious mental health issues, + people who've had to stay in psychiatric wards + any professional who has ever worked in a psychiatric ward of any form of psychiatric inpatient facility, it is mildly offensive and severely toned down. As the movie progresses, it almost romanticizes the experience itself and the connections that were made in the hospital were wildly exaggerated. However, the excellent cast and candidness of some of the scenes saved the movie: it's watchable and mildly entertaining. I feel that the main character is a much more accurate representation of a teen who doesn't fit in in Atypical!

Among the multitude of undeniable flaws in the show, I find it absolutely crucial to point out this one thing: the protagonist's obsession with Brad is problematic, toxic and a dangerous depiction of love for impressionable viewers. Not even in a watchable way, but in a dull, grey, boring and immensely questionable way. He treats her horribly, making her addiction confusing, seriously unrealistic and completely one-dimensional. Making trash watchable requires more than whatever was put into this show. It is boring, single-faceted, repetitive and absolutely not worth the watch. Furthermore, Billie's character is sooooooooooooo one-dimensional. She is meant to be a hella-educated (in psychology?!?!) post-badass woman with an independent, baddass friend and yet the only important thing in her life is a slug of a man-child from a decade ago? It's unrealistic, mildly offensive and when topped with her terribly fake post-baby figure, it's borderline impossible. ANY woman worth watching for 10+ hours with such a wonderful life and family would be asking herself more worthwhile philosophical and psychological questions regarding the human psych and monogamy than "Do I love him? Do I miss him?" Lame. Watch her in The L Word instead.