Watching Star Trek on the Spectrum

[Bad Thoughts]

My son invited his school friend (M.) over to our house this weekend. It was his first time over, but my son has visited his home a few times. According to his father, M. has autism. English is also his second language. He is sweet and polite. He is also very inquisitive--some of his questions can become personal, although never rude or invasive.

Exhausted already from playing video games, they decided to use the remaining time watching TV. Not only had M. never seen Star Trek, he was almost entirely oblivious to its existence and the influence it has had on science fiction. Curious, he asked to see an episode.

We put on Doomsday Machine. He seemed to like it a lot. In his style, he also asked many questions. What are the jobs of these characters? What are they trying to do? Is Decker evil? What is Spock thinking/feeling? Are they going to win? It was an interesting experience to watch with such fresh eyes, allowing me to see what I take for granted. He was especially interested in figuring out Decker and Spock.

I'm curious to know if anyone has had similar experiences. I don't want to convert M. into a Trekie, but we'll happily show him more if he wants.

 

[Admiral Archer]

As a child that was on the spectrum, I remember asking a ton of questions of my dad whenever we watched Star Trek. I remember a specific instance when Generations first released on VHS, when I was around 5 years old and very wide-eyed and impressionable, and I was worried so much about the El-Aurians on the ships in the Nexus Ribbon. I kept asking my Dad over and over, "Did Scotty beam them all out in time? How many of them died?" My mom, who was already super protective of me, made sure to say, "It's ok Vince, everyone survived." I'm pretty sure dad glared at mom for lying to me about that, LOL. But in all seriousness, being on the spectrum also has the side effect of causing the person who has it to focus on specific things (I have a cousin whose focus is mermaids, or at least it was, and I've known kids whose focus was roadmaps and trains, and the like). This is probably the single biggest reason I can retain so much Star Trek lore in my mind, and why I devote so much time and energy to being a fan. Star Trek just happens to be my focus,

 

[thribs]

The Captain Scarlet organisation?

 

[Orac]

Spectrum is green!

 

[Qonundrum]

These posts with new, fresh takes are always fun to read - thank you!

And it's cool you don't want him to be forced to see more of the show but it's cool to read he liked what'd he'd seen so far.

 

[Qonundrum]

Spectrum is green!

so is Soylent Green!

 

[Admiral Archer]

Spectrum is green!

That suits me, green is my favorite color!

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Solyent Green is also made of people.

 

[Paul Weaver]

It's ok Vince, everyone survived." I'm pretty sure dad glared at mom for lying to me about that

There’s an implication it as those that weren’t beamed to the B were in the nexus, thus they did all survive - in the same way Kirk did.

 

[Admiral Archer]

There’s an implication it as those that weren’t beamed to the B were in the nexus, thus they did all survive - in the same way Kirk did.

My mom would sure appreciate that.

Now, if I could only find a way to disprove my theory that the sick Triceratops from Jurassic Park got eaten by the T-Rex after the surivors escaped the island (my mom HATES this theory).

 

[JRoss]

I can't imagine that there are many autistic folks in the US, Canada and other Trek-penetrated areas that don't like Star Trek. I can't explain why, but it kind of seems perfect to me.