As We See 2022

 As We See It

"Why does nobody want me?"

"I never should've taken that away from you, I'm sorry. I'm 29 Violet, I don't have this shit down. I don't know what I'm doing, I make mistakes, you know. And you know you need me, but I need you. You're my family Violet, you're my only family."

“What's the big deal about normal?”

-As We See It

What is normal? It seems to me that normal is not a state of being in the traditional sense of the word. It is an equilibrium with ourselves. An acceptance of who we are in relationship to The God who loves us. Yet, normal is usually not understood in that way. Instead, the world's sense of normal is often derived from a cultural understanding of socially accepted behaviors. Though this interpretation precludes so many from the conversation. If those many are even brought into the conversation at all. Society frequently looks upon those with disabilities as people whose lives can be set aside, because their lived experience does not conform to society's understanding of "Normal".
As We See It is a unique look at the world. Seen through the eyes of three roommates on the autism spectrum, the show opens the door to a lived experience so often misconstrued as a detriment to living a "Normal" life. Though, As We See It does not fall into the oh so familiar trap of treating its three protagonists Jack, Harrison and Violet as oddities. Here, their disability is not something to be examined under a microscope, instead it is something to be appreciated and accepted as life being lived.
Though fictionalized, this short-lived eight episode series is not afraid to sit us in the realities of autism. Not as a vehicle for voyeurism, but as an avenue for relationship. The show does not shy away from the difficulties of life on the spectrum either. On the contrary, it embraces those difficulties. Using them to illustrate the contradiction that occurs when a world, so desperate to embrace difference, is unable to accept it in those with communication and relationship differences. Diverting, as autism so often does, from the perceived communicational norm.
With a listen and learn approach to storytelling, As We See It effectively bridges the gap between what we recognize as normal and what "Normal” actually is, when compared to the lived experience of disability. Surprisingly, it's not that different. We all have our struggles, and we all face them in different ways. Normal, in this instance, is in the eye of the beholder. Showrunner Jason Katims and his team beautifully convey a meaningful truth. Normal is just another definition for living life, no matter the challenges you face or the assistance you may require.

Rated TV-MA for language and sexual situations (no nudity)

I found the eight episodes of As We See It to be meaningful, moving, and thought-provoking. I hope in some way you do too.

As We See It can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription.