Best known for "Friday Night Lights," producer Jason Katims has crafted another little coming-of-age gem with "As We See It," an Israeli series about a trio of 20-somethings on the autism spectrum. Trying to find purpose, adopting. and freedom. Heartwarming and poignant in the vulnerability of its central characters, this Amazon series deserves to be watched and celebrated.
Featuring actors who are actually on the spectrum, the show centers on three young adults sharing an apartment, supervised by a colleague, Mandy (Sosie Bacon), who cares deeply about them, while a Wrestles with the decision whether or not to proceed in search. another chance.
For the main characters, taking things for granted represent bigger challenges, whether it's job hopping—and curbing the impulse to tell your boss you're smarter than him, as in the Jack (Rick Glassman) premiere episode. In - or just walking around the corner, the horrifying process for Harrison (Albert Rutecky) is created by loud noises like motorbikes or barking dogs.
Violet (Soo Ann Pien), meanwhile, is working at Arby's, where the absence of the usual filter prompts her to ask a guy who is just ordering a sandwich.
"I'm 25, I want a boyfriend," she later explains. "It's normal to have a boyfriend, I want to be normal."
But "normal" doesn't come naturally, and there is a constant worry that others will take advantage of what open books these characters are. This is a concern for Violet's brother, Van ("Crazy Rich Asians" Chris Pang), who is responsible for her along with their parents, and Jack's father (Joe Mantegna), whose cancer diagnosis is in their care. Increases their fears about not being around for. Him. "I need to know that you're going to be okay," he tells his son.
"As We See It" has the bitter tone of an indie film spanning eight chapters of half an hour. The performances are understated and natural, and the situations are sometimes uncomfortable, with Violet learning the hard way that her work "friends" aren't necessarily people she can count on.
The balancing act for such a concept hinges on making these characters realistic without being condescending, a line that Katims and company tread with considerable sensitivity. It's worth noting that the show also follows others who have explored autism, including Netflix's "Atypical" (a soap production) and a reality-dating takeover from Down Under's "Love on the Spectrum."
Like the later show, this fictionalized version makes dating a central point of conflict, a process made hard enough for people to say what they think, and marriage at the first sign of potential romantic interest. You can start considering invitations.
"I'm really bad at reading signs," confesses Jack.
that he is. But when it comes to portraying characters who, as the title suggests, see the world a little differently, "As We See It" is great in all ways.