Now these people have problems.
Not that they necessarily think they do.
In a world where we can't stop thinking about the government, it's interesting to peek into the lives of people just trying to cope, just trying to get by, who want what we do but find it's an incredibly heavy lift.
In truth, if you're going to watch this series, you should start with the first season. But the third season just launched and...
Unfortunately, it's become a phenomenon, and the marketing has been turned up. You'll see the participants all over social media, even on TV. Then again, privacy is history. You can look up anybody online, find out so much about them. So the wall between who is on TV and who is not has been torn down. There is no anonymity, unless you're like the Unabomber and live in a cabin off the grid in Montana and what's the fun in that?
So, you've got James. Who is 37 and still lives with his parents.
Having an autistic child is extremely difficult. Talk about your college graduates never leaving the nest, oftentimes not only do autistic people still live at home, they don't/cannot work.
It's not like James is stupid, some of these people are absolutely brilliant, like Connor. I listen to him and I feel inadequate, at times he seems to know so much more than me! But coping in society... James wants to get married, but...the girl can't have children, can't want children and can't have pets. And even though his parents tell him not to mention this whenever he meets a woman...he can't help himself, he does.
Speaking of parents, James's are marvels. Just regular people from Boston. We're used to seeing the rich and the dumb and nothing in between on TV. How about the average person who has a job and is middle class and...
James's father pokes fun at him now and again... That's another thing, if you have an autistic child, you must have a sense of humor, otherwise you'd never make it.
But there are so many heartbreaking moments. When James doesn't get picked for a date and his mom is sad...you feel it right in your kishkes.
And then there's Madison, who is new this season. She talks about growing up... She was a terror nonpareil. Destroying the environment wherever she went. I don't know how people could tolerate her. Really, when you hear her story you'll wince. But she's grown up, she speaks, so many of these people were told they never would. And she goes to church and she's got friends but she only copes because of beads and making jewelry. And her dolls. She's got to take dolls on her dates.
And one date... The guy has his head on the table at the restaurant, he puts on his headphones because the ambient noise is too much.
And then there's Tanner, who is upbeat and lives outside the home but whenever he goes on a date, it's like Bubba Gump. When he says he likes something, he utters an endless list, not one or two examples, but a whole litany. But he knows what he wants, a woman who speaks as much as he does. Then again, he's talking with his sister Midge, maybe he has to learn how to cope with someone less verbal?
So many of these people have strict rules. That cannot be broken.
And their parents are angels. Then again, Dani's parents couldn't handle her and pawned her off on her aunt.
And Dani seems like you and me, but the more you watch her the more you can see she is on the spectrum. And she's got Adan as a boyfriend, but she wants physical intimacy and for him...it's against his religion.
You talk back to the screen, you want them to change or compromise, but they can't.
Having said that, this year more love blossoms than ever before. And they are so happy in love.
And then there's Abbey and David, lovebirds for years now. Abbey's mother can't believe it, tears come to her eyes, she never thought Abbey could have this.
Then again, at times Abbey seems to be in her own world, looking into the distance, not caring what David thinks.
And other times she professes undying love.
And David is a sweetheart who both manages and comforts Abbey and...
This is not "The White Lotus." This is not a fantasy, this is real life.
Which is why "Love on the Spectrum" is so riveting.
Not that it's not escape. It's escape from your work, from your everyday problems, but it's still real life. And it makes you realize your challenges could be harder, but it also makes you realize that under the skin we're all the same, and some of the nicest people have no portfolio, yet they're much more interesting than the big swinging dicks.
Do I think everybody reading this is going to love "Love on the Spectrum"?
No, because experience has taught me that touchy-feely issues make many squirm. They'd rather live on the surface. They barely know themselves, never mind anybody else. But if you're truly open to others, if you're fascinated by the human condition, YOU'LL LOVE THIS!
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