Published on 12, July, 2020
We watch our films, TV shows and read our books. Some might listen to radio plays, play video games or indulge in other forms of entertainment.
There was a thread the other day where someone mentioned Melvin Udell from As Good as it Gets may be on the spectrum.
So in this thread we discuss characters that have never been expressly named as being Autistic but more than likely are in our opinion.
I'll start. The Driver from Drive. He has a specific interest, cars and driving them. Doesn't seem keen on physical contact. Seems awkward around other people. Doesn't make friends easily but when he does he is very loyal. Lots of other hints there imo.
Cadet Sylvia Tilly from Star Trek Discovery. She has lots of traits, extroverted for sure but very direct (awkwardly though) and was introduced as someone who had lots of aversions to fabrics and materials. Has her own quarters because she was deemed to have "special needs". Was clearly bothered when someone slept in her bed even though both beds were identical. Was fast tracked because of her aptitude in specific things but is inept at others, sometimes. I was pretty disappointed when they toned it down in the second half of the series. I was enjoying watching the way the character was sort of Aspie. I found her relatable.
So has anyone else seen a character they have an idea about?
Maybe Amelie? She has difficulties socially and gets obsessed about her own projects. She also has strong likes and dislikes for certain sensory experiences. Her parents also have these traits.
Hank Chinaski - Charles Bukowski's alter ego in his semi-autobiographical novels. Bukowski himself was on the radar, I think. I'm sure his much-discussed 'misanthropy' was more to do with just wishing to not be around people for too long. He was happiest alone ('Isolation is the gift'), kept people at arms' length, wrote obsessively...
I think he's playing to the camera here a bit!
Bukowski on People
I never did join Netflix, this sounds good though
Yes. For Seven and Spock their culture is their neurotypical.
Not sure it is cheating. Their creators were humans, imagining alien civilizations.
Data opens the whole AI question. Data as on data is not in itself able to make sense of the world, it requires a Kantian ability to draw a priori conclusions about what our senses bring to us. It is I teresti g though that Data has his psychopathic evil twin, Lore.
I don’t think I’m much help
No, you weren't but at least you got to discuss your preferences.
There are lots of things in that movie I find relatable. Nicolas Winding Refn's best film. The Neon Demon was one of the worst films I've ever seen. Ever. Valhalla Rising was style (and violent content) over substance. Drive was well paced, shot and just generally put together.
Trainspotter said:Dylan from Casualty. He appears to have social awkwardness and a lack of empathy. But he is a doctor! Likewise Doc Martin. Something about him strikes as being a bit like me!
Lol, I think Dylan strikes as being like me. I don't lack empathy though, I just get frustrated with pointless stuff. I can be sharp and the OCD thing too.
I've only seen Hearbeat a few times. I don't so much see it in Kirk. Roy was written like that for a reason, it's only a matter of time before Roy has an AS storyline!
I have seen it. Great movie. I haven't watched it in a while though. I can remember Ryan O'Neal's character though and I'd agree. I've got it on a VHS with Vanishing Point. If Walter Hill was involved in a film for a few decades it was pretty much sure to be good. Hard Times, The Warriors, Alien, Aliens, Last Man Standing. Shame about some of the newer stuff.
I haven't watched it but lots of people say it's good. I haven't got Atlantic anymore but I'll find an "alternative" way to watch it!
But for me, you can't beat the Victorian original. A society before modern technology, here was the first intimation of where forensic science was going to take us. Such a great evocation of a near-distant past.
If you haven't already seen it check out The Alienist on Netflix. It's not about aliens. It's set in New York in the Victorian era. Daniel Brűhl plays a psychologist who sets up a rag tag team who are all versed in the early versions of forensics. It's great imo.
So Sherlock is pretty much a lock in. Especially in the books.
Mikael does ponder over Lisbeth having Autism. Who says people on the spectrum are to be messed with?
Here's an article on it that sums up the way that they didn't really run with it though.
https://thetattooedgirl.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/does-lisbeth-salander-have-asperger’s-syndrome/
Ah, if you read my post to Cassandro, I sort of think some of the Star Trek characters are cheating! Seven, Spock and Data aren't human. Seven and Spock also come from a culture where their behaviour is the "norm".
I'd agree with Boo Radley. The book was great but Robert Duvall does sort of portray him with a sort of Autistic prose in the film. Duvall is pretty much always good though. I'd agree with Holmes it's never implied but it's written so well. Eerie considering Doyle couldn't have really had much subject material to draw on.
Cassandro said:Star Trek is full of them, surely: Spock being the original, then Seven of Nine and Barclay.
I should have included it in the title but I wouldn't include Spock of Seven of nine because they aren't human characters. Spock is half human but Vulcan born and bred. Their behaviour can be attributed to their origin.
Barclay however............ Yeah, the holodeck. Next Generation was the best.
Cassandro said:Here's another caricature
They don't need to be caricatures! Never thought about Boo Radley, that one was pretty subtle.
When I was younger (and undiagnosed), I saw a lot of myself in the character of India in Jacqueline Wilson's book "Secrets". India is very studious and eloquent but really lacks the skills needed for making friends and fitting in at school. She is obsessed with the diary of Anne Frank, knows most of it off by heart and will talk about it at great lengths to people - not realising if they are not interested. I didn't recognise these traits as Aspergers at the time but it did help me feel better to see someone similar to me in print.
The only other example I can think of is in the novel "The Makioka Sisters"; one of the sisters feels upset and overwhelmed by a lot of life and her family struggle to understand her. She finds relationships difficult and her family cannot find a suitable marriage match for her as she refuses all the men they introduce her to (book is set in 1920s)
Yes! I thought The Driver from Drive was probably on the spectrum too. Might have been why I related to his character so much.
Dylan definitely has stories where he is said to be suffering from OCD and he hates parties and socialising. He is cynical and sardonic, so less sure that these would be typical Special trim things.
What about the new ambulance crew member of staff? Ruby?
I'm glad you mentioned Lisbeth Salander, she was one of the first characters I thought of for this thread.
Dylan from Casualty. He appears to have social awkwardness and a lack of empathy. But he is a doctor! Likewise Doc Martin. Something about him strikes as being a bit like me!
Then there is David from Heartbeat. Originally shown as a bit simple, in later episodes he had a lot more about him, just liable to misunderstanding and taking things literally. And Kirk from Coronation Street, as well as the 'prime candidate' for autism in that programme of Roy.
Enough to be getting on with!
Definitely! Holmes was my first real obsession as a kid. I didn't read a great deal when I was young, but by the age of 13 I'd read every Sherlock Holmes story and novel. I just found the character completely fascinating. Maybe it was an early intimation...
I don't mind the modern confection with Benedict Cumberbatch. It's all very smart and witty and savvy. But for me, you can't beat the Victorian original. A society before modern technology, here was the first intimation of where forensic science was going to take us. Such a great evocation of a near-distant past.
Cloudy Mountains said:The Driver from Drive.
Have you seen 'The Driver' (1978)? I think it's a much better movie. Ryan O'Neal starred, Walter Hill scripted and directed. Here's a lonesome man drifting around, staying in seedy hotel rooms, listening to country music, seeing no one, not saying much, occasionally coming out to do a job. Definitely, I think. I love that movie simply because of that character.
I don't watch much tv but Elise Wassermann in 'The Tunnel' played by Clémence Poésy.