Disabilities and Dragons: portrayals of disability on TV, and in fantasy
July 12, 2017 3:04 PM Subscribe
Last November, Michelle Diament reported that Disability Portrayals On TV At Record High (Disability Scoop), citing GLAAD's 2016-2017 "Where We Are on TV" report (PDF), but unfortunately, another study by the Ruderman Family Foundation found that Able-Bodied Actors Play 95% of Disabled Characters in Top 10 TV Shows (Variety). Still, there are a few shows shaking up disability representation on television, with David M. Perry, a disability rights journalist, highlighting Speechless and Switched at Birth for both accurate casting and over-all portrayal of life with disabilities. NPR recently added Game of Thrones to the list of notable shows regarding disabilities, though it's not without issues.
There's criticism for characters adapting quite quickly to new limitations, and some concern for how certain characters may magically recover. While this is a magical fantasy version of medieval life (in the non-fantasy past, disability was not considered an extraordinary quality among the medieval people) David M. Perry told NPR a magical transformation isn't what most wheelchair users are looking for. "You don't want to learn to fly," he says dryly. "You want a ramp built into your castle."
As noted in an article titled Disability in the Medieval Period by Will Reckase for Rooted in Rights, in the Medieval Period, people with disabilities were living in their local communities. While some were subject to humiliation and cruel treatment, or religious scorn and persecution for their ailments, but that also depended on class or social standing.
There's criticism for characters adapting quite quickly to new limitations, and some concern for how certain characters may magically recover. While this is a magical fantasy version of medieval life (in the non-fantasy past, disability was not considered an extraordinary quality among the medieval people) David M. Perry told NPR a magical transformation isn't what most wheelchair users are looking for. "You don't want to learn to fly," he says dryly. "You want a ramp built into your castle."
As noted in an article titled Disability in the Medieval Period by Will Reckase for Rooted in Rights, in the Medieval Period, people with disabilities were living in their local communities. While some were subject to humiliation and cruel treatment, or religious scorn and persecution for their ailments, but that also depended on class or social standing.
Kuuliala also points out that a person’s original social status often affected how their disability was perceived. Similar to today, high class people with disabilities were often seen as heroes rather than blemishes. Conversely, beggars and lower class people with disabilities were often seen as untrustworthy or pitiable (Kuuliala, Jenni. “In Search of Medieval Disability.” [PDF] Jargonia. 16 Feb. 2013. Web. 15 July 2013).The later Medieval times were also the period of the development of the nationwide networks of hospitals based in (or near) religious establishments, at least in England.
Dunno about Professor X, but it reminded me of something I read about Daredevil sometime ago, (probably linked from Mefi in the first place).
posted by mordax at 3:40 PM on July 12, 2017
posted by mordax at 3:40 PM on July 12, 2017
Speechless ended up one of my favorite new shows of last year; it's is really special and I'm really glad for any attention it gets. I'm sorry it's the exception rather than the rule when it comes to disability portrayals but I'm glad that it's out there.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:56 PM on July 12, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:56 PM on July 12, 2017 [4 favorites]
MCMikeNamara, I'm glad you brought that up. I found myself very much in love with that show. It's informative, entertaining, sensitive, and just well written all around. I'm glad it was renewed for an additional season.
posted by Fizz at 4:13 PM on July 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Fizz at 4:13 PM on July 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
There are a few things going on with Prof X that are... weird?
He does absolutely nothing to create an environment that caters to his differences. That mansion has been blown up eight million times. And I never see a goddamned ramp, and the elevator only goes to the secret subbasement.
Maybe this is just lazy artists. In fact it's probably lazy artists. But I'm also convinced that it's also Lilandra and Marvel Girl stuck doing the women's work of telekinetically getting him up the stairs or in some Shi'iar tech so we don't have to actually have to have a story line about his disability in an authentic way.
And maybe that's preferable, because when we deal with it, his wheelchair is his humanity.
He's a megalomaniac. But when he has his wheelchair, at least he's a benevolent megalomaniac. There are a few story lines where he tries to be normal and then almost destroys the world. It's a creepy metaphor that makes it overt that his wheelchair is him being brought down a peg, not just something that some people need for mobility.
posted by politikitty at 4:15 PM on July 12, 2017 [12 favorites]
He does absolutely nothing to create an environment that caters to his differences. That mansion has been blown up eight million times. And I never see a goddamned ramp, and the elevator only goes to the secret subbasement.
Maybe this is just lazy artists. In fact it's probably lazy artists. But I'm also convinced that it's also Lilandra and Marvel Girl stuck doing the women's work of telekinetically getting him up the stairs or in some Shi'iar tech so we don't have to actually have to have a story line about his disability in an authentic way.
And maybe that's preferable, because when we deal with it, his wheelchair is his humanity.
He's a megalomaniac. But when he has his wheelchair, at least he's a benevolent megalomaniac. There are a few story lines where he tries to be normal and then almost destroys the world. It's a creepy metaphor that makes it overt that his wheelchair is him being brought down a peg, not just something that some people need for mobility.
posted by politikitty at 4:15 PM on July 12, 2017 [12 favorites]
I'm surprised this season of Killjoys didn't get a shoutout. It seems to have quite a few actors with various disabilities portraying "hackmods", who are people who have modified their bodies with cybernetic upgrades but in exchange for a kind of indentured servitude.
posted by runcibleshaw at 4:50 PM on July 12, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by runcibleshaw at 4:50 PM on July 12, 2017 [5 favorites]
As a father with a kid with disabilities and a brother of two brothers with disabilities, I love Speechless. It's so fucking accurate and honest. You're poorer, a clean house is less of a priority, you're used to and good at improvising, and nothing is ever going to be simple again. It honestly incorporates all of that and still manages to be a thoughtful comedy. I love, love, love that show. And Micah Fowler as JJ is amazing. If you're not watching this, you should be.
posted by Stanczyk at 6:41 PM on July 12, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Stanczyk at 6:41 PM on July 12, 2017 [6 favorites]
From Micah's IMDB page:
posted by Stanczyk at 6:44 PM on July 12, 2017 [8 favorites]
Personal Quotes:That is how accommodation creates great art.
"About a year and a half ago, my agent asked me to send in a "personality tape" for an "untitled Scott Silveri project". I put together a tape of me just talking about myself and joking around. A year later, January of 2016, they had requested another personality tape for the same project-then titled Speechless. A few days later the agent said the casting director was sending some scenes over. I spent an entire Saturday putting together the audition tape of the six Speechless scenes. My parents verbalized all of the other character's lines (off camera) while I reacted to all of the dialogue on camera. The agent told us they loved the tape and would be in touch. Two months later, I found out I booked the role of JJ on my 18th Birthday. Best birthday present ever!
The producers have done an amazing job making sure that everything on the set is accessible to me. I even have this really cool trailer that has a ramp off the back that allows me to get my wheelchair inside and to set up a hair and makeup station on my back porch."
posted by Stanczyk at 6:44 PM on July 12, 2017 [8 favorites]
Mat Fraser talking about performing the role of Richard III and acting in American Horror Story: Freak Show.
See also: Mat Fraser on the Future of Disability in the Media.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:10 PM on July 12, 2017 [5 favorites]
See also: Mat Fraser on the Future of Disability in the Media.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:10 PM on July 12, 2017 [5 favorites]
Huh, I never really thought about GoT as having a ton of disabled characters or that being unusual for fantasy series but I guess it kinda does and that kinda is. In addition to the characters mentioned in the NPR piece, just off the top of my head there's also Robin Arryn, Ilyn Pane, Theon, Ser Davos, and Jorah Mormont. Not to mention that book!Tyrion (although not TV!Tyrion) is missing a big chunk of his nose. Dangerous world, that Game of Thrones universe.
posted by phoenixy at 7:25 PM on July 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by phoenixy at 7:25 PM on July 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
I loved Switched at Birth, before they ruined Daphne's character and trashed Bay and Emmett's relationship. *wah* I had to stop after that. But until Daphne got trashed and turned into an asshole, it was a really pretty marvelous show.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:18 PM on July 12, 2017
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:18 PM on July 12, 2017
"You don't want to learn to fly," he says dryly. "You want a ramp built into your castle."
Fuck that. I wanna fly.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 7:23 AM on July 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
Fuck that. I wanna fly.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 7:23 AM on July 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
My absolute favourite disabled person in a fantasy setting is still Toph from Avatar. Just like Filthy Light Thief says, her social status meant that her disability was almost a positive, where being blind would add to her assumed image as a frail, demure and pure daughter of a powerful family. Her reaction to this 'positive' discrimination is pretty much her origin story :D
The best thing about Toph is that she gets frustrated by her disability without the story portraying her as unsympathetic because of it. It's so rare that happens without a the narrative turning against the character, like it's some flaw that can be resolved, as if disabled people should accept all the difficulty and problems that come with their condition as calmly as Buddha, and not have the perfectly human reaction of getting a little annoyed once in awhile. There was one great moment when the Avatar team were busily putting up posters across a city as part of their latest scheme, and Toph gets upset when the rest of the scoobies leave her out. Out of frustration, she grabs a poster, slops paste on the wrong side, and slams it face-first against a wall with enough force to shake the foundations. In the stunned silence that follows, she turns around and in a small voice says "It's upside down, isn't it?" :D
It's not like she's perfect, she does end up with magical powers that negate her blindness for ninety percent of the plot, but just by mirroring some of the things I experience because of my disability, she's totally my favourite. Oh, and because she's fricking awesome.
posted by Eleven at 8:02 AM on July 13, 2017 [6 favorites]
The best thing about Toph is that she gets frustrated by her disability without the story portraying her as unsympathetic because of it. It's so rare that happens without a the narrative turning against the character, like it's some flaw that can be resolved, as if disabled people should accept all the difficulty and problems that come with their condition as calmly as Buddha, and not have the perfectly human reaction of getting a little annoyed once in awhile. There was one great moment when the Avatar team were busily putting up posters across a city as part of their latest scheme, and Toph gets upset when the rest of the scoobies leave her out. Out of frustration, she grabs a poster, slops paste on the wrong side, and slams it face-first against a wall with enough force to shake the foundations. In the stunned silence that follows, she turns around and in a small voice says "It's upside down, isn't it?" :D
It's not like she's perfect, she does end up with magical powers that negate her blindness for ninety percent of the plot, but just by mirroring some of the things I experience because of my disability, she's totally my favourite. Oh, and because she's fricking awesome.
posted by Eleven at 8:02 AM on July 13, 2017 [6 favorites]
It's not like she's perfect, she does end up with magical powers that negate her blindness for ninety percent of the plot, but just by mirroring some of the things I experience because of my disability, she's totally my favourite. Oh, and because she's fricking awesome.
And *spoilers for Legend of Korra*:
She also ends up retiring in a forest and is shown to be self-sufficient and happy with her life. She's already been married, raised kids, and had the life of being an adventurer and public official and now she's just chilling in the forest, doing her thing. It's a great end to her arc. She doesn't have time for your bullshit, she just wants to retire and be left mostly alone. Which as a social hermit myself, I can identify with.
posted by Fizz at 9:30 AM on July 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
And *spoilers for Legend of Korra*:
She also ends up retiring in a forest and is shown to be self-sufficient and happy with her life. She's already been married, raised kids, and had the life of being an adventurer and public official and now she's just chilling in the forest, doing her thing. It's a great end to her arc. She doesn't have time for your bullshit, she just wants to retire and be left mostly alone. Which as a social hermit myself, I can identify with.
posted by Fizz at 9:30 AM on July 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
Not to derail too much, but obligatory Toph gif.
posted by tobascodagama at 6:28 PM on July 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by tobascodagama at 6:28 PM on July 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
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( I only read the article about GOT - don't know if that was covered in the others)
posted by Liquidwolf at 3:33 PM on July 12, 2017