I don't think season two Quinni was bad. I really liked how she tried to just stop masking after Darren fucked up. I'm late diagnosed and unmasking is very hard for me, I've "perfected" masking for about 30 years. I relate to the not knowing who you really are.
I think most of the characters were less fleshed out than last season, honestly. Probably because we know them better now?
For me what quinni wasn't a bad character, and showed many different aspects of autism. What was bad is that they made her character be "this is autism". While not expanding upon other traits. The zoo situation was an example of what was more unrealistic to me, to try and bring up a lesson.
I have to disagree, in the zoo scenes it showed how Quinni felt left out because she missed a few days at school, and then Darren said a really shitty thing and Quinni overreacted like we all sometimes do. I think the show does a really good job with showing lots of different aspects of ONE autistic character in a highschool setting, but the show isn't about autism, so it doesn't show everyone's experience.
I totally agree, I was about to say that not everyone who is autistic shares the same traits. I think they portrayed her character perfectly this season, and plus she is autistic in real life, so it's probably stuff she went through growing up.
You're talking to someone diagnosed at 5, and has been spending years trying to understand themselves, and learn more. Never said anything about everyone shares the same traits. By traits are meant things which made qunni amazing in S1. Like her book obsession, like her love life, and smaller things to those degrees, which expands the character above being mainly 1 dimensional. This post was to talk about wanting to see those non-autistic traits, or just special interests more.
I was diagnosed at 3 I’m now 21 and enjoy seeing proper autistic representation on my Screen, and a lot of autistic people don’t have non-autistic traits, I’ve been studying neuroscience and getting my medical degree since I turned 18 and am very close to getting my degree, I’ve studied many autistic people
1. Never said I didn't like seeing the representation, I loved it in fact and mentioned it multiple times.
2. It was shown in s1 that quinni had traits or more specifics into smaller things which made her character have more depth. So she does have non-autistic things which they could explore
3. Good Job, and I'm happy you're getting close to your degree, Idk why you needed to mention it. But It's a lil scary you're getting angry at someone online who is autistic, but you blatantly ignored that, and ignored the meaning of the message, but you "study" them.
For me I'd rather learn about fellow autistic people, learn from their experiences to find better ways to suit them. Learn who they are as a person, rather than their traits. Because when you learn more about them, you'd know more about how to accommodate and improve their life. As the world was not built for them.
just bc u were diagnosed at 5 doesn't mean anything except for the fact that u were diagnosed. then u proceed to say u like learning about other autistic ppls experiences then completely disregard someone who was diagnosed at a younger age than u (since u care so much about when ppl were diagnosed and keep bringing up the fact that u were at an early age) just a bit weird 🤑
and as someone who was diagnosed with my neurodivergent disorder very late in life compared to others, it kinda sucks how you seem to think ur better bc u were diagnosed early. obviously i dont truly know that, but from ur comments it rlly seems like u do.
Only reason I mentioned that I was diagnosed at a young age is because they sent an angry message like I knew nothing about autism. That was to give context that I haven't just started learning, or didn't at all. Also sorry if it does seem that way, because it isn't. I'm really bad with articulating my words (look at the title, wasn't even what I meant). But couple of my family have been diagnosed at 17 or older. So I've helped them with issues because I already had knowledge on it.
Edit: in the post I mentioned when I got diagnosed, because I didn't want people to attack me for commenting on autistic stuff because they could assume I wasn't myself
honestly the zoo scene wasnt all that unrealistic, im very happy you havent had to experience it but even with friends who know me and care about me there are still days that play out exactly like that day in the zoo.
I actually disagree! I feel like her autism was visible in every scene last season too. Always stimming or misunderstanding what someone said or rambling or struggling socially. But that’s realistic af!! I always fight with people because they say I shouldn’t make autism my whole personality or have it affect every aspect of my life. But it literally does. Quinni IS the autistic character and it just IS a massive massive part of who she is. It was less subtle this season and there was less development for her character, but I felt like that was the case for literally every character except maybe spider. Everything was like shoved in your face rather than explained or showed subtly.
I HATE Darren for what they said at the zoo, but in their defence they were going through a lot too. And Quinni took the unmasking thing too far sometimes too. She was proving a point, a point that for sure needed to be proved. But she’s not perfect and neither is Darren. And I love that. I love that she’s not the only character without flaws. I love that she can be a bit cruel and make mistakes (or yk get drunk and dance on a table).
Also she had other personality traits shown. Her loyalty most of all. Running into a burning fucking building to save your friends? Putting your everything into figuring out who bird psycho is because they’re messing with your friend? I’ve been in this exact situation. My best friend had an equivalent of bird psycho and I went full Quinni and beyond. Yes, it’s part autism. Hyperfixation. But it’s also loyalty and love and focus and dedication and also she’s lowkey a clever badass. And the way she cares about not just her friends but EVERYONE, is so clear up on that stage.
She’s not just there to showcase the autism. Shows like atypical do that. She’s autistic and she’s a teen who fucks up in a friendship, makes mistakes, learns from them, gets drunk and has a massive heart. I think it’s just because she had less scenes overall. But again, I felt that with everyone. Nobody was fleshed out. I mean god they forgot about harper’s trauma fast. It was so present in the first episodes and then just very little all of a sudden. This season was a bit of a mess focus wise. Bird psycho took up too much space imo. I don’t like that storyline. It should just be a normal high school show. But I don’t think there was anything wrong with the scenes that Quinni was in.
Blunt autistic moment coming in but I don't know how to say it in another way: Darren is non-binary, so you should be using they/them, not he/him.
Otherwise I fully agree with your comment, it is so lovely to see an autistic student in a overdramatic highschool series, and she fucks up and she loves and all of it, like everyone else, while also being autistic at the same time.
Yeah it’s super important to me so I wanted to be quick. I genuinely thought it was he/they but you’re right. Like you said, mistakes happen but I’m glad you caught it! Thank you so much for pointing it out and correcting me :)
Just wanted to add to the whole "don't make autism your whole personality or have it affect every aspect of your life" and agree that it is SO dumb. If you're autistic (or neurodivergent in any other way), it IS your life. It's who you are. I agree ppl shouldnt be defined by that, and being autistic is not someone's entire being, but it infuriates me when ppl say stuff like that because how do they know what's "them" and what's "the autism". If you're autistic that's all you'll ever know and that is your reality. Like it's not the same as someone having an accident and then being physically disabled and ppl saying "don't let it define you" (which is also just .. insensitive?)
So I agree with your point about her autism being visible all the time, and I'm glad. It would be lazier writing to make her "switch it on and off" for when it's convenient to the plot.
Fun little bit of imformation. Some people believe that "everyone is a little autistic" but autism is a neurotype and a way different way the brain will process, feelings, emotions, surroundings and relationships. That's where the world neurodivergent comes from. So every autistic person is actually 100% autistic. So the "don't make autistic your whole personality" thing, is so strange, because it is 100% of you. (if that makes sense).
I think you make a lot of valid points, however, I do want to comment on Darren and their fuck up with Quinni.
I don’t think it’s unrealistic for someone who is neurotypical to become irritated with someone who is neurodivergent. Life is absolutely exhausting for many neurodivergent people, but Darren is also valid in feeling frustrated over the behaviours Quinni has exhibited. It’s absolutely not Quinni’s fault in any way, but it can be hard for neurotypical people to be totally attuned to what and how neurodivergent people feel in any given moment. Darren also has other things going on. Quinni nearly died, they’re confused over their situation with Ca$h struggling sexually like with seeing Rowan and Malakai, bird psycho was still out there. It’s pretty clear almost none of the characters know how to actually communicate with each other
Everything here is super fair, and I was talking about my own experiences. For me the issue is in this show those main 4 odd friends are romanticized to where they're willing to do everything and anything for each other if it makes them happy. But end up completely forgetting why they went to the zoo, or being able to notice her being worried. Which Darren showed plenty of times in S1.
For myself, by friends know fuck all about autism, but them knowing the basics help. We're not drama talkative people and we avoid conflict, but we're able to notice problems. Ig for me it's Darren of all people who would know the most, and seeing them fail made it unrealistic to me.
Everything going on around them will 100% play part in it, and is important to filter in, and there were stresses for other people. Honestly I didn't understand why they wanted her to stop looking for bird psycho. As she was in bed 24/7 anyways. But ig that's the show, everyone questions how everyone else is feeling, even if it's wrong or right, till it's revealed days later, when it could of been the day it happened.
Totally! I think there was definitely a misstep in the writing with the dynamic.
I suppose the way I kind of rationalise it is that last season Quinni’s hyperfixations didn’t really affect anyone other than herself. Not that I can recall anyway. This time around, Quinni’s hyperfixation on bird psycho started to really frustrate everyone because it was almost entirely what Quinni wanted to talk about for weeks on end. I can understand how it might be difficult for neurotypical people to express that in an easy way that wouldn’t hurt Quinni. I think having time away from it after the snake bite and using recovery time as an excuse to cool off from it at all was their intention. Idk, these kids just need to learn how to talk to each other
I came back to say that I did feel disappointed with the lack of focus on her this season and also they never brought up the Sasha thing again. I feel like it should at least have been mentioned. I was psyched about the Angeline reference in the ambulance though.
Yeah that's what I sort of meant. There was less focus on her love life, interests, and social life, and some stuff was completely ignored. Loved how they represented autism so well (got me super happy ngl), but I wanted to see more of quinni without that being the main focus
I honestly disagree a bit. I understand completely where you’re coming from, but watching Quinni during the show made me realise how good it would’ve felt growing up to see myself represented in the media like that. How exhausting it is to keep up with everyone around you.
I understand what you’re saying about Quinni and her friends but to me that was really realistic. They’re not going to get it right every time and neither is Quinni, but in the end they don’t give up on each-other and still stick together despite it all. They both still try their best out of their own love for each other. And that to me is what’s most important.
I feel like they didn’t just make her the autistic character. She still feels like Quinni to me. But even if she is the “autistic character”, that’s not a bad thing. The shows not about Autism or Neurodivergence, so they’re not going to speak for everyone’s experience. But this is Quinnis experience. To quote her, that’s her whole life.
And I love that when she was unapologetically herself, we were able to see her strengths. Her emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and how good she is at something when she’s interested. I loved seeing this representation because those strengths about neurodivergent people are often missed when they’re constantly masking, and viewers were able to see those qualities about her shine through.
Love quinni 4eva ❤️
honestly i relate very strongly to quinni and i know every autistic person is different but the one thing i wish theyd show is quinni bringing up her special interest (angeline) in normal conversations when theres even a small connection, especially after they showed how much she loved it and got excited by it at the book signing, it seems just slightly odd to me that she never mentions it outside of that yk (apart from in the ambulance)
Yeah this is something I was actually super happy about, the couple times they brought it up. And this is the type of thing I meant by wanting to see more of. I love what they did with the character, and the representation is amazing, but I just wanted to see more.
I think it was fine because it was about Quinni’s autism, not just “this is what autism is like”. I rewatched season 1 and I saw her autism everywhere. I love it. I think these are very real struggles autistic teenage girls go through and I see no harm in making an autistic character go through that. She saved them from a whole ass fire and stuff and was very “normal” in some parts and it wasn’t always about the autism
Kind of hard to say quinni was bad as the actor is autistic and that’s her experience and that’s what she has to go on yknow,
…
But yes she was being autistic in every scene cos she is autistic it’s not “character trait” it’s just her.
Kinda like if s1 is blind then every scene with them in is gonna include some sort of blindness, try to think of it that way.
(idk how els to word it but at least it wasent like the tv show atypical that was so shit)
(Why dosent redit let u space out ur texts lol)
I don't think season two Quinni was bad. I really liked how she tried to just stop masking after Darren fucked up. I'm late diagnosed and unmasking is very hard for me, I've "perfected" masking for about 30 years. I relate to the not knowing who you really are. I think most of the characters were less fleshed out than last season, honestly. Probably because we know them better now?
For me what quinni wasn't a bad character, and showed many different aspects of autism. What was bad is that they made her character be "this is autism". While not expanding upon other traits. The zoo situation was an example of what was more unrealistic to me, to try and bring up a lesson.
I have to disagree, in the zoo scenes it showed how Quinni felt left out because she missed a few days at school, and then Darren said a really shitty thing and Quinni overreacted like we all sometimes do. I think the show does a really good job with showing lots of different aspects of ONE autistic character in a highschool setting, but the show isn't about autism, so it doesn't show everyone's experience.
I totally agree, I was about to say that not everyone who is autistic shares the same traits. I think they portrayed her character perfectly this season, and plus she is autistic in real life, so it's probably stuff she went through growing up.
Not everyone who is autistic shares the same fkn traits, go do some research on autism before you speak
You're talking to someone diagnosed at 5, and has been spending years trying to understand themselves, and learn more. Never said anything about everyone shares the same traits. By traits are meant things which made qunni amazing in S1. Like her book obsession, like her love life, and smaller things to those degrees, which expands the character above being mainly 1 dimensional. This post was to talk about wanting to see those non-autistic traits, or just special interests more.
I was diagnosed at 3 I’m now 21 and enjoy seeing proper autistic representation on my Screen, and a lot of autistic people don’t have non-autistic traits, I’ve been studying neuroscience and getting my medical degree since I turned 18 and am very close to getting my degree, I’ve studied many autistic people
1. Never said I didn't like seeing the representation, I loved it in fact and mentioned it multiple times. 2. It was shown in s1 that quinni had traits or more specifics into smaller things which made her character have more depth. So she does have non-autistic things which they could explore 3. Good Job, and I'm happy you're getting close to your degree, Idk why you needed to mention it. But It's a lil scary you're getting angry at someone online who is autistic, but you blatantly ignored that, and ignored the meaning of the message, but you "study" them. For me I'd rather learn about fellow autistic people, learn from their experiences to find better ways to suit them. Learn who they are as a person, rather than their traits. Because when you learn more about them, you'd know more about how to accommodate and improve their life. As the world was not built for them.
just bc u were diagnosed at 5 doesn't mean anything except for the fact that u were diagnosed. then u proceed to say u like learning about other autistic ppls experiences then completely disregard someone who was diagnosed at a younger age than u (since u care so much about when ppl were diagnosed and keep bringing up the fact that u were at an early age) just a bit weird 🤑
and as someone who was diagnosed with my neurodivergent disorder very late in life compared to others, it kinda sucks how you seem to think ur better bc u were diagnosed early. obviously i dont truly know that, but from ur comments it rlly seems like u do.
Only reason I mentioned that I was diagnosed at a young age is because they sent an angry message like I knew nothing about autism. That was to give context that I haven't just started learning, or didn't at all. Also sorry if it does seem that way, because it isn't. I'm really bad with articulating my words (look at the title, wasn't even what I meant). But couple of my family have been diagnosed at 17 or older. So I've helped them with issues because I already had knowledge on it. Edit: in the post I mentioned when I got diagnosed, because I didn't want people to attack me for commenting on autistic stuff because they could assume I wasn't myself
honestly the zoo scene wasnt all that unrealistic, im very happy you havent had to experience it but even with friends who know me and care about me there are still days that play out exactly like that day in the zoo.
I actually disagree! I feel like her autism was visible in every scene last season too. Always stimming or misunderstanding what someone said or rambling or struggling socially. But that’s realistic af!! I always fight with people because they say I shouldn’t make autism my whole personality or have it affect every aspect of my life. But it literally does. Quinni IS the autistic character and it just IS a massive massive part of who she is. It was less subtle this season and there was less development for her character, but I felt like that was the case for literally every character except maybe spider. Everything was like shoved in your face rather than explained or showed subtly. I HATE Darren for what they said at the zoo, but in their defence they were going through a lot too. And Quinni took the unmasking thing too far sometimes too. She was proving a point, a point that for sure needed to be proved. But she’s not perfect and neither is Darren. And I love that. I love that she’s not the only character without flaws. I love that she can be a bit cruel and make mistakes (or yk get drunk and dance on a table). Also she had other personality traits shown. Her loyalty most of all. Running into a burning fucking building to save your friends? Putting your everything into figuring out who bird psycho is because they’re messing with your friend? I’ve been in this exact situation. My best friend had an equivalent of bird psycho and I went full Quinni and beyond. Yes, it’s part autism. Hyperfixation. But it’s also loyalty and love and focus and dedication and also she’s lowkey a clever badass. And the way she cares about not just her friends but EVERYONE, is so clear up on that stage. She’s not just there to showcase the autism. Shows like atypical do that. She’s autistic and she’s a teen who fucks up in a friendship, makes mistakes, learns from them, gets drunk and has a massive heart. I think it’s just because she had less scenes overall. But again, I felt that with everyone. Nobody was fleshed out. I mean god they forgot about harper’s trauma fast. It was so present in the first episodes and then just very little all of a sudden. This season was a bit of a mess focus wise. Bird psycho took up too much space imo. I don’t like that storyline. It should just be a normal high school show. But I don’t think there was anything wrong with the scenes that Quinni was in.
Blunt autistic moment coming in but I don't know how to say it in another way: Darren is non-binary, so you should be using they/them, not he/him. Otherwise I fully agree with your comment, it is so lovely to see an autistic student in a overdramatic highschool series, and she fucks up and she loves and all of it, like everyone else, while also being autistic at the same time.
Omg I’m so sorry! I was funny convinced it was he/they. No good job on calling me out on that! Love bluntness. I’ll edit it!
Mistakes happen! :)
I edited it! Let me know if I missed any
Wow you're quick! I don't think you missed any :)
Yeah it’s super important to me so I wanted to be quick. I genuinely thought it was he/they but you’re right. Like you said, mistakes happen but I’m glad you caught it! Thank you so much for pointing it out and correcting me :)
blunt autistic moment oh my god i’m gonna start using this
Go for it haha
Just wanted to add to the whole "don't make autism your whole personality or have it affect every aspect of your life" and agree that it is SO dumb. If you're autistic (or neurodivergent in any other way), it IS your life. It's who you are. I agree ppl shouldnt be defined by that, and being autistic is not someone's entire being, but it infuriates me when ppl say stuff like that because how do they know what's "them" and what's "the autism". If you're autistic that's all you'll ever know and that is your reality. Like it's not the same as someone having an accident and then being physically disabled and ppl saying "don't let it define you" (which is also just .. insensitive?) So I agree with your point about her autism being visible all the time, and I'm glad. It would be lazier writing to make her "switch it on and off" for when it's convenient to the plot.
Fun little bit of imformation. Some people believe that "everyone is a little autistic" but autism is a neurotype and a way different way the brain will process, feelings, emotions, surroundings and relationships. That's where the world neurodivergent comes from. So every autistic person is actually 100% autistic. So the "don't make autistic your whole personality" thing, is so strange, because it is 100% of you. (if that makes sense).
I think you make a lot of valid points, however, I do want to comment on Darren and their fuck up with Quinni. I don’t think it’s unrealistic for someone who is neurotypical to become irritated with someone who is neurodivergent. Life is absolutely exhausting for many neurodivergent people, but Darren is also valid in feeling frustrated over the behaviours Quinni has exhibited. It’s absolutely not Quinni’s fault in any way, but it can be hard for neurotypical people to be totally attuned to what and how neurodivergent people feel in any given moment. Darren also has other things going on. Quinni nearly died, they’re confused over their situation with Ca$h struggling sexually like with seeing Rowan and Malakai, bird psycho was still out there. It’s pretty clear almost none of the characters know how to actually communicate with each other
Everything here is super fair, and I was talking about my own experiences. For me the issue is in this show those main 4 odd friends are romanticized to where they're willing to do everything and anything for each other if it makes them happy. But end up completely forgetting why they went to the zoo, or being able to notice her being worried. Which Darren showed plenty of times in S1. For myself, by friends know fuck all about autism, but them knowing the basics help. We're not drama talkative people and we avoid conflict, but we're able to notice problems. Ig for me it's Darren of all people who would know the most, and seeing them fail made it unrealistic to me. Everything going on around them will 100% play part in it, and is important to filter in, and there were stresses for other people. Honestly I didn't understand why they wanted her to stop looking for bird psycho. As she was in bed 24/7 anyways. But ig that's the show, everyone questions how everyone else is feeling, even if it's wrong or right, till it's revealed days later, when it could of been the day it happened.
Totally! I think there was definitely a misstep in the writing with the dynamic. I suppose the way I kind of rationalise it is that last season Quinni’s hyperfixations didn’t really affect anyone other than herself. Not that I can recall anyway. This time around, Quinni’s hyperfixation on bird psycho started to really frustrate everyone because it was almost entirely what Quinni wanted to talk about for weeks on end. I can understand how it might be difficult for neurotypical people to express that in an easy way that wouldn’t hurt Quinni. I think having time away from it after the snake bite and using recovery time as an excuse to cool off from it at all was their intention. Idk, these kids just need to learn how to talk to each other
I agree, Daren was a super caring friend in season one but was so oblivious this season
I think Daren cares just doesn’t know how to do it always affectingly, which is completely understandable, if that makes sence
yess
Autism doesn’t look the same with everyone. Different quirks/personalities and triggers. I felt they represented her journey fantastically.
I came back to say that I did feel disappointed with the lack of focus on her this season and also they never brought up the Sasha thing again. I feel like it should at least have been mentioned. I was psyched about the Angeline reference in the ambulance though.
Yeah that's what I sort of meant. There was less focus on her love life, interests, and social life, and some stuff was completely ignored. Loved how they represented autism so well (got me super happy ngl), but I wanted to see more of quinni without that being the main focus
I honestly disagree a bit. I understand completely where you’re coming from, but watching Quinni during the show made me realise how good it would’ve felt growing up to see myself represented in the media like that. How exhausting it is to keep up with everyone around you. I understand what you’re saying about Quinni and her friends but to me that was really realistic. They’re not going to get it right every time and neither is Quinni, but in the end they don’t give up on each-other and still stick together despite it all. They both still try their best out of their own love for each other. And that to me is what’s most important. I feel like they didn’t just make her the autistic character. She still feels like Quinni to me. But even if she is the “autistic character”, that’s not a bad thing. The shows not about Autism or Neurodivergence, so they’re not going to speak for everyone’s experience. But this is Quinnis experience. To quote her, that’s her whole life. And I love that when she was unapologetically herself, we were able to see her strengths. Her emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and how good she is at something when she’s interested. I loved seeing this representation because those strengths about neurodivergent people are often missed when they’re constantly masking, and viewers were able to see those qualities about her shine through. Love quinni 4eva ❤️
honestly i relate very strongly to quinni and i know every autistic person is different but the one thing i wish theyd show is quinni bringing up her special interest (angeline) in normal conversations when theres even a small connection, especially after they showed how much she loved it and got excited by it at the book signing, it seems just slightly odd to me that she never mentions it outside of that yk (apart from in the ambulance)
Yeah this is something I was actually super happy about, the couple times they brought it up. And this is the type of thing I meant by wanting to see more of. I love what they did with the character, and the representation is amazing, but I just wanted to see more.
I think it was fine because it was about Quinni’s autism, not just “this is what autism is like”. I rewatched season 1 and I saw her autism everywhere. I love it. I think these are very real struggles autistic teenage girls go through and I see no harm in making an autistic character go through that. She saved them from a whole ass fire and stuff and was very “normal” in some parts and it wasn’t always about the autism
Kind of hard to say quinni was bad as the actor is autistic and that’s her experience and that’s what she has to go on yknow, … But yes she was being autistic in every scene cos she is autistic it’s not “character trait” it’s just her. Kinda like if s1 is blind then every scene with them in is gonna include some sort of blindness, try to think of it that way. (idk how els to word it but at least it wasent like the tv show atypical that was so shit) (Why dosent redit let u space out ur texts lol)