Astrid et Raphaelle is a French television series about an autistic woman who works in criminal records and a police commander who team up to solve complex homicide cases. In the United States, the show is called Astrid, and the first two seasons are available on PBS. The English subtitles are British with expressions such as “taking the piss” as playful interpretations.

If you are an NEPM or other PBS station member, you can watch both seasons in full via the PBS Passport streaming service. In France, seasons three and four have been shown as well. Over five million viewers in France tune in on Friday nights to watch Astrid and Raphaelle. Apparently, it is rare for French viewership to increase each year as it has for this compelling series. If you have watched it, you likely understand its gripping power. The writing, the directing and the camera work reveal rare television genius. Lola Dewaere (Raphaelle) and Sara Mortensen (Astrid) embody their roles with extraordinary talent and sensitivity, and the secondary characters shine in various episodes to convey to viewers that the ensemble cast is important on the set. Me, I am happily addicted.

In 2015, I learned that I am partially neurodiverse. I am approximately half neurodiverse and half neurotypical. Well into my 50s at the time, the clarifying information caused me to reflect on how groups of people have ridiculed me and how individuals have perceived me to be overly earnest or too intense.

Astrid is more fully neurodiverse, and part of me relates to her sensitivities and inability to be anyone other than herself while a part of me also relates to Raphaelle’s tremendous empathy and fearlessness as she cherishes her working relationship and friendship with Astrid. They each value the other enough to work on understanding and appreciating their differences.

For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to people who are unconventional or do not fit into any one group. As a child and teenager, I did not seek homogeneity, and that made me the outsider in most configurations.

As I evolved into adulthood and certain identities, I still did not experience any kind of fit. The judgment and ridicule thrown my way was hurtful for many years. Now I see that people too quickly judge what or who they do not understand. They create a profile that misses the mark because it is too unsettling to remain confused. I am comfortable with ambiguity and difference, and I am not as comfortable with sameness because I have learned to mistrust the intentions of people engaged in groupthink. I am drawn to critical and independent thinkers whether or not they concur with my viewpoints.

The Autistic Adults Anonymous group in Astrid is actually a group of people on the spectrum who help each other to understand the bizarre behavior of NTs — neurotypicals. William facilitates the group meetings and he is clear that they are not a group of addicts as their title suggests. The sharing in the social skills workshops is brilliant — rife with humor and poignance.

When asked about the unprecedented success of the series as the third season commenced, producer Jean-SebastienBouilloux explained, “It is a love story that is quite atypical.” He is referring to Astrid and Raphaelle. They are not lovers but they are totally primary, and the most memorable scenes are their shared moments.

When Raphaelle first meets and experiences Astrid who works as an archivist in criminal records, she quickly perceives her to be Paris’ most brilliant criminal expert. People around Raphaelle don’t get it because they just see Astrid as a weirdo or a freak. While neurotypical, Raphaelle relates to being underestimated as a woman, and she does not easily submit to authority. Astrid and Raphaelle share being authentic and accomplished.

I am reminded of a mantra I live by. Frederick Douglass said, “I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.”

A leader I respect gave me a professional reference that continues to feed my soul. He wrote about my skills in conflict resolution and facilitation, yet the part that means the most to me is: “No reference for JM would be complete without mentioning the compassion and kindness she exudes. JM treats all residents and co-workers with respect and with an emotionally-validating approach. She is probably the kindest and most sincerely genuine person I know.”

When someone predisposed to negativity and bitterness maligns me in inexplicable ways, I remember that someone out there really gets me. Empathy inspires me to reach out to people who are unusual. Brave front or not, we each need to be valued and loved.

On the show and in real life, some people are beginning to realize that neurodiverse thinkers observe and analyze things differently as a benefit rather than a deficit. We routinely think outside the box. I am heartened to see organizations seeking neurodiverse people along with other marginalized groups in their diversity statements for employment. You see, a thimble is nothing without its compass. Watch Astrid and you will understand.

Vive la difference!

J.M. Sorrell is a monthly columnist. Predictably, her friends are diverse and do not fall into an easily-defined category.

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