Derek (the Ricky Gervais's tv show and all the controversy around it)

[epath13]

I'll try to be short. What do you think about the show and if you haven't watched it, here's a clip

still.... what do you think about it?
I personally like Gervais, I think he uncovers reasons behind human behavior, he talks about things that others prefer to avoid because "it is inappropriate", and unlike some might think he doesn't do it to mock humans he does it just to show the truth and laugh a little.

So about the Derek, I think he surely has Autism. Gervais might say he doesn't, but it has been mentioned in the series, and my theory is that the character hasn't been given the diagnosis for 2 reasons: not to create even more controversy and mainly to prove, that in the end, it's really not important what diagnosis you have. About Derek's intelligence. Some people say that there's certain element of ridicule. That a person of lower intelligence is being laughed at but, I personally think there's no indication of the character being, let's put it plainly "an idiot". I think he could be as intelligent as anyone and his inability to say certain words correctly or process information accurately enough is pretty "normal" for some people with Autism and has nothing to do with true intelligence. I don't know if Gervais is on the spectrum himself (I can personally see some traits) or he's just intuitive but he's done pretty good job, I think. So I really don't understand why some people try to see this show as mockery of disabled, I think they are completely missing the point. But then again, it's a matter of opinion I guess. What do you think?

 

[Judge]

I wasn't aware of Gervais in this role at all, so naturally I ventured out onto the Internet to see what I could find.

I can only speculate that Gervais' brand of humor in the minds of some preempts whatever serious intentions he may have as a dramatic actor.

The UK Hubbub Surrounding Ricky Gervais’s Derek -- Vulture

 

[Ste11aeres]

I really really like that show. I think all the characters are a little low in intelligence, Derek is not an idiot at all, he just happens to be a little more eccentric, a little odder, basically a lot more ASD than the others.

It's a good show, but it's probably that most people wouldn't appreciate it.

The fact that some people they see his character as a mockery of some, seems to say that they dislike the traits of this character. Perhaps he is too ASDish for their taste, but rather than accepting his quirks, or honestly acknowledging their discomfort with odd people, they take the "high ground" of acting as if they are the tolerant ones. As if they are too tolerant to be comfortable with him. But the truth is that they just don't understand him.

Just as most people don't understand real-life quirky or odd people.

Derek is portrayed as a true hero, kind, compassionate, warm, with insights into other people, insights that show he may have a deeper perception in some ways than do the other characters.

 

[anne.bc]

I can't get over Karl's role in this show... If you've seen An Idiot Abroad you'll know why I say that. I can't take him seriously... It's impossible. Lol

Kindness is magic <3

That last episode from season one broke me. My dad has Alzheimer's and I can't enjoy Coldplay's Fix You anymore because of a suicide that occurred in my college' music department my last semester of school and they played that song at the memorial service we had for him...

I love Derek. Good show

 

[gonzerd]

Season 2 began a couple days ago.

I really like it. I just watched all the episodes, and those of Extras again too, and Life's Too Short. It's bloody hilarious. It just zooms in on social situations, different people interacting and the nervousness/cluelessness/embarrassment/insecurities that go with it.

As it's said before, there is a great kindness to it. I really feel a warmth inside watching shows like Derek and Extras. It is laughing with things people do, but the people seem real to me, I can recognize things, and use it to put my own life in perspective. It reminds me to look at the funny side of things. And that's very important. Maybe people who don't get it are a little too stuck in the right/wrong kind of seriousness of life, so they don't see how people can laugh at things going wrong. A lot of good comedy, if not most, comes forth from a certain hopelessness, when people seem to make the same mistakes over and over, and it can't be changed, so all there's left is just feeling sorry and miserable, or get a sense of humor about it.
There's just no comedy in well adjusted people who are good at their jobs and live very well rounded lives.

The music plays a big role too. It's like some safety feature, something to tell the viewer that, even though we can laugh with/at (I'm not sure what's what with the with and the at when it comes to laughing) these characters and situations, they are still just people, with feelings, like everyone, and we should respect them, and the real ones around us.