New Series of 'Dinosaur' Delves into Complexities of Neurodiversity
The second series of Dinosaur opens with Nina (Ashley Storrie) feeling homesick as she navigates her job on the Isle of Wight after a year in Glasgow. This sense of longing is compounded by her missed morning coffee ritual outside the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, where she worked with Lee, an almost-sort-of-boyfriend who is missing from the picture. As Nina is asked to stay another year at the dig, she must confront the decision between pursuing her passion for fossils or returning to Glasgow to reunite with Lee.
What makes Dinosaur stand out in its portrayal of neurodiversity is its ability to weave autism into every scene without ever making it the focal point. Ashley Storrie's real-life experience with an autism diagnosis lends authenticity to Nina's character, and the show deftly avoids stereotypes in favor of nuanced exploration. This approach not only makes Dinosaur feel refreshing but also unique among shows centered around autistic characters.
Upon returning to Glasgow, Nina is met with unexpected changes – a new office setup, shifted priorities for her social pod, and even her local sandwich shop's banter about tuna melts. The show expertly balances humor and heart as it delves into these small yet significant adjustments in Nina's life.
The ensemble cast delivers memorable performances across the board. From Bo, Nina's feckless older brother, to Ranesh, Evie's feminist husband, each character is skillfully crafted with depth and relatability. Lee, a supporting character who performs at an open mic night, becomes an endearing presence, adding emotional depth to key scenes.
What makes Dinosaur truly special is its portrayal of Glasgow as a major character in its own right. The show's attention to the city's cultural nuances and tenement architecture lends a sense of authenticity that feels fresh and exciting. This commitment to authentic representation not only highlights the complexities of neurodiversity but also gives Scotland – and more specifically, Glasgow – a spot on television it has rarely seen.
Ultimately, Dinosaur is an exercise in subversion, embracing its raw humor while poking fun at societal norms. With Ashley Storrie's personal experience informing Nina's character, and Matilda Curtis's involvement as co-creator, the show tackles neurodiversity with care and wit. In short, it is a classic comedy that offers big laughs, heartwarming moments, and some very real feelings about what it means to be seen – or not seen.
The second series of Dinosaur opens with Nina (Ashley Storrie) feeling homesick as she navigates her job on the Isle of Wight after a year in Glasgow. This sense of longing is compounded by her missed morning coffee ritual outside the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, where she worked with Lee, an almost-sort-of-boyfriend who is missing from the picture. As Nina is asked to stay another year at the dig, she must confront the decision between pursuing her passion for fossils or returning to Glasgow to reunite with Lee.
What makes Dinosaur stand out in its portrayal of neurodiversity is its ability to weave autism into every scene without ever making it the focal point. Ashley Storrie's real-life experience with an autism diagnosis lends authenticity to Nina's character, and the show deftly avoids stereotypes in favor of nuanced exploration. This approach not only makes Dinosaur feel refreshing but also unique among shows centered around autistic characters.
Upon returning to Glasgow, Nina is met with unexpected changes – a new office setup, shifted priorities for her social pod, and even her local sandwich shop's banter about tuna melts. The show expertly balances humor and heart as it delves into these small yet significant adjustments in Nina's life.
The ensemble cast delivers memorable performances across the board. From Bo, Nina's feckless older brother, to Ranesh, Evie's feminist husband, each character is skillfully crafted with depth and relatability. Lee, a supporting character who performs at an open mic night, becomes an endearing presence, adding emotional depth to key scenes.
What makes Dinosaur truly special is its portrayal of Glasgow as a major character in its own right. The show's attention to the city's cultural nuances and tenement architecture lends a sense of authenticity that feels fresh and exciting. This commitment to authentic representation not only highlights the complexities of neurodiversity but also gives Scotland – and more specifically, Glasgow – a spot on television it has rarely seen.
Ultimately, Dinosaur is an exercise in subversion, embracing its raw humor while poking fun at societal norms. With Ashley Storrie's personal experience informing Nina's character, and Matilda Curtis's involvement as co-creator, the show tackles neurodiversity with care and wit. In short, it is a classic comedy that offers big laughs, heartwarming moments, and some very real feelings about what it means to be seen – or not seen.
. but honestly, it feels like they're hitting you over the head with it. maybe if they'd just left some things unsaid or let the characters speak for themselves, it would've been more believable? but noooo, we gotta have a 30-minute lesson on autism every episode 
. and don't even get me started on the "authentic" representation of Glasgow... i mean, come on, you can't just slap some tenement architecture in there and call it a day 
. it feels like they're trying too hard to be cool and trendy. still, i guess it's better than nothing? 
. They're not just slapping in an autism diagnosis and expecting everyone to be all sympathetic 
. No, they're actually exploring what that means for these characters, warts and all 
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, but the whole ensemble is fire 
. I mean, who else is gonna bring a character like Bo to life so perfectly 
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. It's like they're poking fun at societal norms while also subverting expectations in a really cool way 
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. Plus, the supporting cast is on point – Bo and Ranesh are my new favorite characters 
. just kidding ( kinda ) but seriously tho, did u hear about the new strain of avian flu that's been spotted in europe? 
it's like, super contagious and stuff. scientists are saying we might not be prepared for a global pandemic 
. also, climate change is still gonna ruin everything no matter what 
. lastly, just got to say, I'm so over the whole 'influencer' culture... everyone's just promoting trash products on their fake social media accounts 
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The show doesn't shy away from changes, but instead makes them a part of her journey. I'm also loving the attention to Glasgow's culture and architecture – it feels so authentic 
And can we talk about the cast? Each character is so well-developed and relatable 
It's like they're hanging out in the pub with you, sipping on a tuna melt 
it's like they took all the awkwardness and weirdness of being autistic and turned it into something relatable and hilarious 
Ashley Storrie's real-life experience is a total game-changer in terms of authenticity. The way they tackle everyday struggles without making it the main focus is super refreshing 
The cast is fire too 
Bo and Ranesh are straight up my spirit animals 
. It's not just about Nina being autistic, but how her brain works and how it affects her relationships and daily life 
. I also appreciate how they're tackling Glasgow as a character, all the little details like the tenement architecture and the sandwich shop banter are so cool 
. The ensemble cast is also killing it, each character feels so real and relatable 
its cool n all but its just another show tryin 2 tackle a big topic like neurodiversity without actually makin any groundbreaking changes 
! I think it's so cool how the show isn't afraid to tackle neurodiversity in a realistic way - it's like they're saying, "Hey, autism is just one part of who we are, and we need to represent that in our characters." The way they balance humor and heart is also really well done... I mean, who doesn't love a good tuna melt banter session at the sandwich shop? 
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. It's not always easy, but it's worth it 
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. Can we please just have some nuanced discussion about these kinds of topics instead of gushing over every little thing? 
. anyway, ashley storrie's personal experience as a person with autism adds such depth to nina's character 
The show's got a great cast, and Ashley Storrie is killing it as Nina. And let's be real, the writing is genius – all these little moments where Nina feels like she's losing herself are so relatable. 
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. And can we give Ashley Storrie a round of applause for bringing her own experiences to the table? 
. The cast's performances are also top-notch, and I love how each character feels like a fully fleshed-out person