For those familiar with the Australian crime thriller, 'The Code' can maybe relate to my annoyance with the main character, Jesse. It's the portrayal of the character's mental health condition that I have a huge grievance with, not the programme it's self. The show works well as a suspenseful political drama/ thriller. Once again TV features a stereotypical Autistic man, who finds the world bewildering and extremely difficult to function in. Just one time it would be fantastic to have a film or television series, that demonstrated a person that had no problems whatsoever. You would still highlight that the character's diagnosis was Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Aspergers Syndrome, but with none of the classic symptoms. It would be deeply refreshing to me, to see a positive reflection of the condition I suffer with everyday. If you've seen 'The Code' and think I'm exaggerating. All the hallmarks of having high functioning Autism are there. There isn't a box left unticked, it's as though they've just copied and pasted from the 'Autism For Dummies' handbook. The fact they made Jesse an expert computer hacker, was the thin end of the wedge. His inability to deferenciate between what a woman means by the word 'relax'. Does she mean relax - relax? Or does she mean 'relax' as in sex?! This was the icing on the cake and the perfect example, of exactly what irritates me by the portrait of Jesse. The media seem hell bent on showing only the polar opposites of Autism. Either you are a savant or in need of permanent psychiatric care. Where are the shades of grey? I think it's an insult to our intelligence, that leads to the detriment of all of us with the condition. Which maybe I shouldn't take so personally, but when all I witness regarding Autism is perpetual negativity, then how can I not take it personally? I hope one day the media shines a proper light, that truly illustrates what having Autism is really like to live with. Rather than the cliff notes version, that fits only for the entertainment purposes of the programme. It's a nice thought anyway.
20 Oct 2014, 2:01 pm
