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Death In Paradise And How The Show or Shows Have Unknowingly Made Beautiful Autism Representation An Eassay By An Autistic Person
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Introduction
I never get this personal or sappe but hi I'm Mel and just recently I got my Autism diagnosis. Recently I've been trying to discover who I am and what parts were just lies after realising i have been making and trying to imitate and please people my entire life.
I started watching Death In Paradise at the end of Season 10 my Mum had it on the tv and I thought it was interesting so I started watching. I then watched the first Christmas special and fell in love even more before giving season 11 a watch. Really loved all the characters and especially loved the characters, the visuals and the mystery aspect. Infact it made murder mysteries/who dunnits become one of my special interests. Started watching Beyond Paradise and some of the earlier seasons with Richard Poole.
Two things have made me realise why I probably love Death In Paradise since I have gotten my Autism diagnosis.
1: I was discussing the series finale with a fan who has sadly but understandably deleted their twitter account about how all the DI'S especially Neville when he was flashing back to the scene he was arrested found myself relatable as I replay my memories like that.
2: Martha's breakup monologue as heartbreaking as it was to Humphrey because she's absolutely out of line since they could adopt but her gut reaction is absolutely right. She has treated Humphrey appallingly not communicating with him about his feelings till that moment and not being honest with Humphrey resulting in him being dishonest in return. I am a people pleaser and will often think about others happiness before my own and Humphrey impulsively agreeing to move to Shipton Abbott is a good example as he really struggled setting in. Martha is right Humphrey is awkwardly nice to everyone even the police commissioner who I would have no patience with.
Now I realise that I am invested in these shows not just for the mysteries and the who dunnit element but to see Autistic people like me have human struggles in a very stressful job.
Even though I'm on a very different career path to all the DI'S as an Autistic person I think all the DI's are Autistic and show their own unique struggles. This is why I fell in love with the character of the Doctor to. If the DI'S aren't cannon Autistic they're definitely Autistic coded and it's my headcannon and I'm over riding the bbc on this one because when we see the way Autism is represented on screen within other white male characters I can see that Neville, Jack, Humphrey and Richard ain't no Rainman or Sheldon Cooper or Good Doctor which is why I feel so represented through these characters.
So with from what I've seen I would like to break down each DI that has been on the show and essentially justify why I have head cannoned all of the DI'S as Autistic.
1: DI Richard Poole
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There are so many things that make me think he's Autistic I'm up to S2 Episode 7 of Death In Paradise as I'm wanting to catch up and as soon as this man came on screen I knew that there was no way in heck that Richard Poole is just neurodivergent grumpy english man as Camille would put it. One of the episodes I related to was Season 2 Episode 5 because if there's one thing I struggle with as an Autistic person its giving people the correct comfort they need.
Which links perfectly to my first point.
1: Richard And Emotion
Constantly throughout the first two seasons we see Richard struggle to communicate his emotions and hide how he's feeling. When sad things come up in s2 ep 5 and when he's asked to hold baby Rosie for the first time he struggles to display how he's truly feeling and how best to react. It shines especially when he asks Dwayne how he comforted Camille. I think Season 2 Episode 6 and Episode 5 was the first time we'd properly seen Richard sort of embrace the sand and open up emotionally.
2: Sensory Needs
Similar to Neville he makes it very clear that he does not enjoy the loud festivals on the island. He seems most comfortable up in his shack secluded reading a good book and chilling out.
He also seems to wear no summer clothes on the island as despite the heat he only seems comfortable with suits. Personally I struggle with being in bare t shirts and shorts so I can definitely relate to the fact. Richard seems definitely like one of those people who doesn't climatise for the summer and will not wear coats in the winter.
Overall an absolutely amazing relatable character.
2: DI Humphrey Goodman
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I haven't gotten to S3 with Humphrey yet but I can also see relatable Autistic Representation in him. This is all based on from what I've seen in Beyond Paradise Humphrey wants to please and get on with everyone so he often hides his own emotions and puts others first. I can also see that he stims, forgets stuff if there's a change in routine and burnout hits him hard. I think he was partly burnout as the falling out with Martha must have been quite exhausting.
Masking is a huge thing with Humphrey so in my head cannon I think people including Humphrey have dismissed him being Autistic as just him being quirky. In my opinion the beyond paradise finale and episode five showed just how much Humphrey represses his emotions and then when it comes to burst it's bad.
1: Masking and Socializing
Humphrey throughout the beyond paradise series constantly tries to hide his uncomfortableness with Archie being around and his feelings about Martha stopping IVF. I know he came around and was sincere in the finale but I honestly think he wanted to pretend he felt ok with it so he wouldn't lose Martha.
Social wise he is also very awkward with people and struggles to communicate what he wants them to feel. Fights and conflicts seem to also exhaust Humphrey. Talking to Esther in Episode Five he admits he doesn't know how to feel about Martha not wanting kids and can't stop thinking about it. Infact he's so distracted by his fight with Martha that he can barely help Esther with the case. I'm often overwhelmed with socialising and go away to relax and think things through is definitely a coping mechanism I use.
2: Stiming And Info-Dumping
A form of stiming I picked up from Doctor Who was flapping my hands about when I'm talking and rambling. Humphrey out of all of the detective's seems to do this the most even when not talking about the solutions to a case.
He also is very passionate when talking about his special interests. I also think the way in the beyond paradise series he pictures the crime in his head and relives it whilst explaining it to Esther is very not neurotypical I view memories and emotions in my head like that sometimes.
Overall a very relatable character regarding his social skills and his need to people please.
3: DI Jack Mooney
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This is going to be very short as I haven't seen much of Jack Mooney due to the fact I'm on S2 of my Death In Paradise rewatch but even the three episodes I watched whilst it was rerunning alongside Beyond Paradise I got very not neurotypical vibes from him.
The episode where he's rooming with Dwayne shows his struggle to interrupt other people's emotions, read social cues and understand the right moment to intrude on a conversation. It's absolutely hilarious when he just walks in on Darlene and Dwaynes date without considering that it's not an appropriate time. Not to mention when he interrupted Dwayne from his shower.
Through all three episodes I saw I can tell that he really struggles with grief so Florence is a good friend that he can consol. She helps him realise what stuff might make the shack feel more comfortable and friendly, like having a record player etc.
If any Autistic DIP fans want to reblog this and share their own thoughts about why they headcannon Jack as Autistic.
4: DI Neville Parker
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Ah Neville Parker a character that I can definitely see myself in especially after season 12. Although I started watching from half of season 10 I still have enough reasoning to justify my headcannon. The way Neville organisises his meds and takes rejection from other people shows. Although you don't have to be Autistic to experience and anxiety Neville from what I've seen definitely overlaps with both.
Similar to Richard he seems to really struggle with the environment but at least have the sense to not where his blazer all the time and change into island built clothes off shift. Season 12 shows that Neville has adapted so well to the island that if he was put anywhere else like a prison cell its nerve racking and difficult for him. Not to mention from my own experience I've switched off when I'm sad or when something too difficult to process has happened and Neville does just that at the end of S12 through the Sophie or should I say Rebecca situation.
1: Lack Of Red Flags + Social Cues
Season 12 showed that because of Nevilles desire to have a relationship with someone and get over Florence he was unable to ignore the red flags about Sophie until he was in jail for her murder. Ok I'm pretty sure not all of the neurotypical Death In Paradise fans didn't fall for Sophies scheme but like Neville I truly felt no bad vibes from her until the very end. I haven't seen the red flags till to late and its costs me my mental health.
Neville seems to really struggle how to communicate his feelings as also seen by his crush on Florence.
2: Stimming + Special Interests
Throughout the show Neville is very rigid he fidgets and waves his arms about enthusiastically when he has found out who the killer is.
Throughout the show we can also see that Neville is a passionate reader and loves Star gazing. He was absolutely thrilled to info dump about the famous star gazer that has been unalived. We see he struggles with stuff outside of his limits and will glady lovingly share fun fact with his team.
3: Emotions/Shutdown
As mentioned Neville tends to become quiet when he's upset and shutdown. We can see throughout the case in episode 8 he's not entirely there till he confronts Sophie for the final time.
Neville insanely loses his enthusiasm and energy after he's arrested. If you look back he does not instigate any of the conversations whilst he's in the cell unless it's Sophie. Most people would react screaming and yelling when arrested but Neville is just too shocked to move. As an Autistic person I've had a shutdown only once but I definitely relate that if I was arrested I would just be frozen in panic not wanting to upset anyone.
Being quiet seems to be one of Nevilles best coping skills when something immensely stressful has happened.
Again when he had that freeze frame recalling when he was arrested and who could have switched the keys it seemed very relatable and not neurotypical. Not to mention a lot of Autistic people have a high sense of justice which could explain Neds fearless anger and frustration at the end of Ep 7.
Conclusion
I think even if coded having Autistic representation that's not cis white man super intelligent with no struggles is impactful its also why I want a black or biracial DI on the show as it would be even more impactful.
Honestly all the DIS being Autistic or on the neurodiverse spectrum as a whole adds to alot of the fish out of water element of the show.
I highly encourage reblogs as i assume I'm not the only autistic or neurodivergent fan of the show.
-Melody-
They/Them
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andysambcrg · 2 years
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*slaps the detective inspectors from death in paradise* these bad boys can fit soooo much autism in them
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romancemedia · 3 months
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florence and jack friendship <3
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I'm already more invested in Jack Mooney 2 episodes in than I got in Richard Poole for his entire time
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wizfrog · 7 months
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Watching Death In Paradise be like -
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I want to be adopted by Catherine Bordey, be friends with Camille Bordey, and marry Jack Mooney thanks bye
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hunchcurios · 2 years
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BEST DEATH IN PARADISE CHARACTER AWARDS! I’LL CLOSE THE VOTE ON SATURDAY! RESULTS WILL BE POSTED ON MY TWITTER ACC!!
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lionowlonao3 · 2 years
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on the three characters #3 and the first three DIs from Death in Paradise.
3. fight aliens with, fight zombies with, fight capitalism with
oh boy, can you imagine trying to convince richard the aliens or zombies actually exist??? definitely fight capitalism with richard
ooooh, the other two are tough... i mean hmm, humphrey actually had that episode with the film set for a film about zombies so?? that i guess?
which works out well bc i would like to fight aliens with jack bc a. he is my favourite of these three and aliens are the most fun, b. he would absolutely befriend the aliens! one of my favourite things about him is that he has befriended seemingly everyone on the entire island, hes such a darling :D
so yes.
fight aliens with jack mooney, fight zombies with humphrey goodman, fight capitalism with richard poole
thank you!
the list of questions
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slow-burn-sally · 1 year
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flojack
Hello to the maybe two other people who might read this (probably in my imagination), but I am shipping Jack and Florence pretty hard. Of course I am. I’m an old man fucker. I’m a whore for age difference. I have a very enjoyable, if not all that involved daddy kink, and I love love love boss/employee, master/student relationships. Look at my gosh darn profile pic. I LOVE ME A DADDY. 
Anyway, Jack Mooney is the daddiest of daddies. His warm, crinkly eyes and frumpy yet sexy fashion choices. His sometimes cutting, often charming Irish humor, and god DAMN but I want to hug that man. His little offhand jokes, and his constant snacking and playing with his tie. His sad eyes and his warm laugh and how much he loves and supports his daughter and misses his dead wife. Help. Help. I love him.
DS Florence Cassell is just the sweetest cinnamon roll, which is rare in the “female cop who’s tough” character genre. She’s sort of the strong silent type. A total Thomas Jopson, who will leap into action to bring justice, but who spends most of their time supporting the superior they’re secretly and madly in love with. Her smile lights up the room, and her ridiculously ripped arms and sexy French accent... are you telling me Jack DIDN’T fall over backward the moment he first saw her? 
They are both so kind to one another, and are such good friends in canon, and I get that it’s put out there that he sees her as a friend. “That’s you and me, Florence, a couple a muckers”. But to me, I see the potential for so SO much more with these two. Their friendship is beautiful, yes, but... what if they kissed? 
I’m writing fic. To my knowledge, there is ONE other author who writes for this pairing, and I’m working my way through my second of their three fics. Thank you other author, for showing me just how well Jack and Florence fit together! 
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WC: ACTION COMICS #317
We’re getting down to the end in my summations of my Windfall Comics purchase of 1988, which means that we’re going to start to see the same titles show up again and again, issue after issue. These were the books which were a part of that purchase in some bulk, the ones whose demand on the back issue market at that time was slim. Given the huge circulation of the Mort Weisinger Superman titles…
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View On WordPress
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gurumog · 2 years
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Jubilee (1978) Whaley-Malin Productions Ltd. Dir. Derek Jarman
Amyl Nitrate (Jordan aka Pamela Rooke) performs Rule Britannia.
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romancemedia · 1 year
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Since the series premiered I hoped Humphrey would get to reunite with the people of Saint Marie and meet the new team, but I wasn’t expecting it to happen so soon. It was nice to see him meet Neville and that officially makes Humphrey the only detective to meet all of his island successors; Jack Mooney and Neville Parker with the only exception Richard Poole, his predecessor.
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humphrey and jack being a iconic duo
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plq-to · 2 years
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Society if DI Jack Mooney didn't leave Saint Marie
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