#68: TV Show Review - Dinosaur
Nathan Chung
Multi-award winning Autistic Cybersecurity Leader | On a mission to make workplaces more accessible and inclusive | Neurodiversity Autism ADHD Speaker SME | Disability Advocacy | Accessibility and Disability Rights
Premise
“Dinosaur” is a TV series currently on Hulu that was filmed in Scotland and focuses on two sisters, Nina (played by Ashley Storrie) and Evie (played by Kat Ronney). Nina is Autistic in the show and the actor is Autistic in real life. When I heard about it, I was curious. Is it good?
Good
First, strong Autistic representation. Historically non-Autistic actors have portrayed Autistic characters on TV shows and movies. Having an Autistic Actor portray an Autistic character is amazing to see and very important for representation. Ashley Storrie also co-created the show. You also get to see Nina do many of the stereotypical things that Autistic people do: having strong interests in specific things (in her case dinosaurs), need for routine schedules, extreme hate around change, and being very direct.
Second, the show had multiple scenes that show how Autistic people struggle. For example, when Nina is getting fitted for a dress, she experiences sensory overload from multiple people, a fan, a parrot, and pressure to make things perfect. That’s a lot of stress and seeing Nina have an Austistic meltdown after was very much relatable. Most TV shows and movies rarely depict Autistic meltdowns.
Third, the character of Nina is not the typical skinny model or good-looking attractive actor. Her character comes off as being very relatable and someone real with traits I can understand. Big kudos there.
Bad
First, there are many scenes where Nina’s character brings out many of the negative stereotypes around Autism. For example, there is a scene where she gets angry with her sister and is very direct and unfiltered. Scenes like that add fuel to the demonizing of people with Autism.
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Second, the series is only eight episodes and it feels like there was not enough time to expand on the other characters. The show focuses on Nina and Evie and even there, they did not get enough time to explore their sisterhood. The show was just too short.
Final Thoughts
I really struggled watching “Dinosaur”. I praise the show for Autistic representation, but could not get over the negative stereotypes and short runtime. Not recommended.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company.
2e, Administrative Management, Accounting Clerk, Reception, Customer Service, CRM
2moI've yet to see the show but curiosity has driven a desire to explore. I don't watch much TV nowadays but the miniature explosion of shows featuring diverse communities with which I share an ID has led to the exploration. This show is on the list. Thank you for the insightful review from the autistic perspectives. My only caveat is like you said it may reinforce negative stereotypes of our community and exposure of a "meltdown" is exposure of being human. My point, most people have experienced an event of this nature from each end. While it is a shared experience across the spectrum of humanity it is a stereotype of autism. Given the co-creator is autistic I don't believe her intent was beyond realism. She was "very direct and unfiltered". Sounds to me like a common familial relationship in America 😂. However it worries me too that the general public will not see what I see, intimacy. Keeping in mind I have not seen the show as you have and one of my reasons for the "slow walk" towards so many of the shows I spoke to is, "I really struggled watching 'Dinosaur'". Your openness encapsulates the feelings of many, especially me.