“Woke” TV SHows
My life-long SPIN is the art of film and television. I LOVE it. My mind is an endless encyclopedia of television trivia and quotes all wrapped in a web of detailed connections about story arcs and the techniques used to support them. I watch movies like some people watch sports: I will point out strategy, drop some statistics, and exclaim with delight when an especially tricky feat is mastered.
I LOVE televion and film…and I am extremely picky about what to watch. Since I am so often called on to make recommendations for similarly sensitive folks, I put together a list to share with the internet because, the struggle is real.
{On this list, I use “Autistic” to mean culturally Autistic—I am not ‘armchair diagnosing,’ but simply observing people and shows that represent Autistic culture.}
NETFLIX
Survival of the Thickest|Dramedy|Body positive, feminist, fun. #SelfLove #LifeGoals.
Sense 8|Drama, Sci-fi|Super queer, neurodivergent romp across the globe. Excellent production and a full cast of characters you can really root for.
The Good Place|Comedy|Another Autistic AF show from Autistic AF Mike Schur, who hyper fixated on philosophy to write this show—so much so, he then wrote a book about philosophy called How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question and, I think, donated the profits…which is sooooo Autistic.
Grace & Frankie|Light drama|Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda have to rebuild their lives in their 70s/80s.
Nanette|Stand up/social commentary|Hannah Gadsby’s groundbreaking special. The middle and end are stunning. An annual watch in my house.
Sheng Wang, Sweet and Juicy|Stand up|Man successfully rocks a feminist comedy set.
Anne with an E|Gritty drama, Based on books|Fabulous cinematography and acting. Autistic-coded + trauma + books = freakin’ relatable.
Heartbreak High|Teen drama|Feminist, queer, woke teenagers who I wish I’d known at that age. Autistic co-lead excellently played by Chloe Hayden.
Nimona|Animated movie|Autistic AF story about being ostracized and stereotyped, and misunderstood…and still being a hero who tries to do the right thing anyway.
Queen of the South|Cartel/narcotics drama, Action| Sharp, tough female lead AND antagonist in a male-DOMINATED genre.
Dead End Paranormal Park|Animated, Family-friendly|An Autistic Pakistani girl and a Queer Trans teenager find acceptance and belonging in a haunted amusement park.
Fisk|Comedy|Australian Autistic-coded woman stays true to herself while helping her quirky clients with small legal matters. The personal uniform, the Autistic dialect and accent, social differences, etc…Perhaps the most authentic representation of a professional Autistic woman that I’ve seen on TV.
HULU
Only Murders in the Building|Comedy, Investigative|Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez start a true crime podcast together—shenanigans ensue.
The Great|Satire|Modern—and sassy—retelling of the life and feminist legacy of Catherine the Great.
Abbott Elementary|Comedy|Plucky inner-city teachers do their best. “Principal’s Office is a particularly touching episode about an Autistic-coded kid who loves “Bluey,” and demonstrates what it REALLY means to provide equal education and accommodate Autistic students.
Flatch|Comedy|Mockumentary about a small town with STRONG Autistic bloodlines.
AMAZON
Sitting in Bars With Cake|Drama movie, Based on true events|An extremely well written movie about 20-something best friends, “cake barring,” and cancer. Tear jerker but well earned. Many Autistic characters but I don’t think the writer realized…guessing she’s unidentified herself.
Wheel of Time|Fantasy, Epic, Based on books|Female power, scenery porn, and GORGEOUS costumes and sets.
Class of ‘07|Dramedy, Sci-fi|Australian woman flees the apocalypse by going to her high school reunion…but is survival worth it?
The Power|Sci-fi, Based on a book|All over the world teenaged girls begin to develop the ability to create—and wield—electricity. When the women rise up, everything changes. (Does the book justice).
Trial and Error|Comedy|Plucky small-town team cracks tough cases. Includes a delightful cast of heavily Autistic-coded characters.
PEACOCK
Girls 5eva|Comedy, Original songs|90s girl group tries to make a comeback in their 40s. All-star cast and HILARIOUS original songs. Use CC—you won’t want to miss a lyric.
The Resort|Drama, Sci-fi/magical realism|Somehow very intriguing without being stressful. Kept me guessing—rare for me.
Brooklyn 99|Comedy|Another delightfully Autistic show from the mind of Mike Schur.
Parks and Rec|Comedy|More oh-so-relateable Autistic-coded characters thanks to Mike Schur.
APPLE
For All Mankind|Drama, sci-fi/alternative history|Women astronauts, a space race that didn’t end, and a full cast of really good people trying really hard to do the right thing. A somewhat slow start, but worth the pay off!! Amazing writing, acting, production, directing…**My top recommendation** The season 2 finale is THE BEST thing I’ve ever seen on screen.
Ted Lasso|Dramedy|A sports show with feminist themes, sweet moments, and a message of kindness first.
Severance|Sci-fi, Drama|Basically a sci-fi show about the consequences of forcing people to mask.
PARAMOUNT
The Good Fight|Political/legal drama|Christine Baranski leads a progressive legal show for viewers who were traumatized by Trump’s election. *Bonus, Michael Jay Fox guest stars as a ruthless lawyer who shamelessly uses people’s underestimating him because of his disability to his advantage.
Lower Decks|Animation|Awesome, and made just for Star Trek fans. The in-jokes are numerous and delightful.
HBO
Big Little Lies|Drama|Excellent writing and acting. A nuanced look at the complexities of abuse and sexual assault. All-female ensemble of POWERHOUSE actresses working at the top of their game.
Velma|Animation|Progressive, fun reimagining with nostalgic good feels.
Something to add? Or maybe you disagree with my choices? Tell me about it in the comments!