'Atypical': Sam and Paige's blossoming relationship is the only reason you need to watch season 3
Over the course of Netflix's 'Atypical,' we have seen a lot of character growths in the various protagonists, especially Sam (Keir Gilchrist), who is on the Autism spectrum. Having lived all his life in exactly the way he wanted to, obsessing over penguins, and under the protection of his sister, Sam's whole life gets shaken up when Paige Hardaway (Jenna Boyd) enters his life. She is exactly the type of chaotic person he doesn't want but clearly needs.
Over the last two seasons, we have seen Sam go from using Paige as a practice girlfriend to proclaiming his love for her. Having been wary of her constant need to talk, he had no hopes of being associated with her for too long, but with her sense of loyalty and willingness to fight the world for him, she finds her way into his heart. Being a natural emotionally demanding person, she overwhelms Sam quite easily and the only way he knows how to cope with that is to block her off. While it came across as uncaring in the beginning, it is easy to see that it is merely his coping mechanism.
Because of his, seemingly obsessive, love for his therapist Julia (Amy Okuda), he had initially pretended to be in a relationship with Paige, learning that she likes him. Props to the writers for not letting her be taken for a ride — unwittingly as it may be — and making her strong enough to recognize that she is not getting what she deserves from him, and breaking up with him even though she still definitely has feelings for him.
However, he proves to her towards the end of season two that he is there for her always, just as she is there for him. He learns to get out of his comfort zone for her, just as she protects him when people in their school try to bully him. In the end, Sam proves to her in his valedictorian speech that he would literally do anything in his power to make her happy, even if he doesn't say it to her in so many words.
Season two ended with a heartwarming moment between the two, where Sam in a very matter-of-fact way admits to being in love with her. Paige looked as shocked as the rest of us when she heard this, and we can totally understand why.
This relationship is going to bloom in season three, and we cannot wait to see how. While Netflix is yet to announce an official premiere date for the same, we are counting our blessings in knowing that 10 episodes are definitely in the making. Meanwhile, we will be going back to Netflix and watching the first two seasons to see the origin story of our OTP — Sam and Paige.
