'Atypical' Season 3 Episode 8 review: 'Road Rage Paige' is poignant, thrilling, heartbreaking and reflective
'Atypical' gives us one of the most emotional, heartbreaking episodes of the series with Season 3 Episode 8, titled 'Road Rage Paige'. The story picks right off from that toe-curling kiss between Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine) and Izzie (Fivel Stewart) at the tracks, and the bubble they live in for just a short while before its burst by Evan's (Graham Rogers) sister. Casey obviously needs to make a choice between the boy she loves, and the girl she clearly has feelings for.
In the moments that follow the kiss, we can see that Casey is in a lot of pain, especially since she is in the same spot as her mother was a while ago. However, she finds the courage to come clean to Evan, who considering the circumstances is relatively understanding and calm. Their breakup, though could not have come at a worse time for Sam (Keir Gilchrist), who was hoping to fill the Zahid-shaped (Nik Dodani) hole in his life with Evan.
He has come to realize that his former BFF is serious about their unhomieying and that he has no chance of winning him back. Even though Sam was morally and ethically right in what he did, Zahid feels betrayed, and let's be real is a little blinded by his love for his thieving girlfriend. They will hopefully hash things out before the season finale because Sam has come to realize that he cannot actually replace Zahid with anyone else.
Sam and Paige (Jenna Boyd) had sex for the first time and he was upset about not being able to share this news with Zahid, and we know just how proud the "healer of bodies and souls" would have been of him. The way 'Atypical' addressed the sexual intercourse between Sam and Paige was also beautiful, because it was so uniquely them. It was spontaneous, Paige got to light her candle and Sam broke a rule for a good cause. It was perfect!
Meanwhile, the parents have decided to go ahead with the separation, and although Doug had blamed Elsa for ruining their marriage and their family, he eventually admits that everything that happened between them is not just on her. It is disheartening to see them splitting up, but we are still holding on to the hope that they will reconcile before the series finale.
This episode is very emotionally draining and will require your undivided attention, but it's worth it, which is why 'Road Rage Paige' gets a 'B+' from us.