I'm the Worst of the Week in Star Magazine

what do you think about zach now, then?

 

Zach is not a psycho killer, but now I am very, very curious about what Dumpy would say about what happened to Zach.

TV critics and fans certainly had strong (!) opinions. Maybe Dumpy can make a case for why it all made perfect sense.

 

the episode isn't available until mid-November, unless you can work some more internet magic for me . . .

 

You have to watch all of the episodes with that story arc.

I'll see what I can do.

 

I agree, it was pretty cool. I'm almost at the point where I can imagine talking a walk with Zach, and what the conversation would be like. I think the episode where he gives his dissertation would help flesh out the character.

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-fictional-characters-on-the-autistic-spectrum

I guess it isn't a secret.

 

Hi Ghoti, this is "Mrs. Dumpy" (never in million years imagined I would be referring to myself that way). Anyway, The Wire is SO GOOD, I can't believe I didn't start watching it years ago, when a friend first told me I would like it. I figured, it's some cop show, what's the big deal. I am so taken with it, I am already dreading when I run out. Just started Season 3 this morning. It's so rich, with details about everyone's lives, and that makes it so compelling. The only weird thing is that I don't know what anyone's voice sounds like. I watch it in the early mornings when I am on the treadmill, which is while Dumplings #1 and #2 are still sleeping (and of course Dumpy is too--he's up so late posting on discussion boards that he can't get up at 6 a.m. to save his life. But I digress.) Anyway, the treadmill is in a room right next to the Dumplings' bedrooms, so I keep the TV on mute to minimize the chance that they'll wake up. I read the show.

I don't think I could get Dumpy to watch it with me. We rarely watch any TV together, except now occasionally the Daily Show. You've seen how he disparages my other preferences...

It was frustrating at the end of Seasons 1 and 2 how the bad guys got away both times...can't wait to see what Season 3 holds in store.

cheers,
--Mrs. D.

 

My research indicates that people with Asberger's have a higher than average likelihood to engage in criminal conduct (notably, arson), and will often get sentenced to long terms because they can't manage to show remorse. However, if Mr. Hanson went to all that trouble to portray someone who is mildly autistic in a position of trust and responsibility--thus becoming a role-model for those with minor behavioral quirks--I find it highly unlikely that he will then turn the character into a murderer. Given the political reality of possible backlash, I'm going to begin with the assumption that Zach is innocent. Without having seen these episodes yet, I'm going to believe that the fact that he is autistic (Asberger's is considered a mild form of autism) will play a role in understanding what happened, so I'll start with some more research into the condition.

 

hah, i think i just saw KingSpeed on Law & Order rerun right now...something about a mob club thing. dope stuff!

 

I've seen that episode.

 

Mrs Dumpy! Nice to hear from you!

You will be glad to know that The Wire remains just as compelling throughout the run of the series. It also almost requires you to watch it over and over again because there is so much to miss the first time around.

If you like this show, ask for the complete set of Homicide: Life on the Street next time someone needs a gift idea (it's discontinued, but it can be found). It's brilliant.

 

Season 1 episode 3: The Boy in the Tree.

Going through them one at a time.

Now knowing what we do about the character, the "take a hint" subplot was pretty interesting [Zach's girlfriend broke up with him, and all she would say is, "take a hint," and he had no idea what she was talking about--which makes sense, since he has trouble reading social cues. He then makes it worse by not taking cues that none of his friends wanted to talk to him about it, and bringing it up at inopportune times].

I have a ways to go to reach the murder. At this rate . . . maybe April or May, I figure.

 

I don't believe that was Mrs. Dumpy. But if it is, it's nice to meet you. Also, tell you husband that the Raptors are the best team in the NBA.

 

post #86 was most certainly Mrs. Dumpy. She wants to know why no team in any sport is named the "Manatees."

 

Incidentally Brian, the more you get involved with these theories, the more you start to see quirks as "character traits" and not "psychological conditions" or "neoroses." When someone exhibits behavior that is outside the "norm," however that is described, it doesn't necessarily mean that there is something wrong with them, just that they may be extreme on one or more of the four scales--and that their behavior is in fact normal for people like them. Since I've studied the Myers-Briggs ideas, I've become more eccentric myself, just because I've accepted my own traits more and have stopped bothering to cover them up and act like the masses (who are typically xSxJs).

Anyway, once you type someone, it becomes easier to understand how they might react to different situations and different stimuli, which in turn helps you figure out how to best act towards them. it also allows you to manipulate the crap out of anyone, but I won't give any insight on that!

 

It's funny how much easier it is to "be yourself" when you have some idea what that means.

 

absolutely. Once you recongnize your own strengths and weaknesses, you also start to see through society's bias towards people that are a certain way. And, again, you stop seeing them so much as "weaknesses," as you do character traits--and you start to be more confident in the things you CAN do well, because now you have confidence that others can't do the same things. I can't remember if I mentioned this, but one of the traits of the INTP is that they keep quiet when asked to give ideas in an open setting, because they believe that if something is obvious to them, it must be obvious to everyone--and therefore, there's no point in talking about it. But it turns out that INTPs (like all non-SJ groups) think so differently than everyone else that it just isn't true at all.

 

Eric, was it difficult to learn some of your lines?

I'm almost through season one, btw. The last one I watched was the one with the pirate treasure.

 

I was interviewed by Connie Chung on 20/20 back in the day!

 

I won the smile contest on ramblin rod!