Gilligan and Autism

[PartyOfOne]

This was mentioned on the board recently but disappeared for some reason I am not sure of. I have autism, and looking at some episodes again, it "makes sense" that Gilligan would have been autistic, but as I said before sitcoms at that time didn't deal with things like that. It does seem to make the show more logical though.

[Teebs]

Originally Posted by PartyOfOne

This was mentioned on the board recently but disappeared for some reason I am not sure of. I have autism, and looking at some episodes again, it "makes sense" that Gilligan would have been autistic, but as I said before sitcoms at that time didn't deal with things like that. It does seem to make the show more logical though.

That other post was about Bob Denver's son Colin, but it's probably better to discuss the character of Gilligan rather than talk about the real person.

I had a short discussion once with another fanfic writer who said she didn't think that Gilligan was autistic because she knew about autism. Our discussion started because there's also a story where the writer explores whether he could have been dyslexic.

I myself am not sure he had serious developmental issues. I just think he was emotionally immature. He still liked playing around like a kid, but face it, these days his behaviour is not unlike a lot of people now termed 'kidults', who race around behaving like 10 year olds when they're well into their 20s and 30s.

Gilligan definitely thinks 'outside the box', and is far from 'dumb'. He has thought processes that are very original and he's very creative with an active imagination. He also works diligently when he's left alone. Look how he sits and builds that bathtub quite happily for hours on end in Gilligan Gets Bugged.

Gilligan is definitely a fascinating character with a lot of unique character traits, and it would be interesting to hear more of your thoughts on this, Party.

[PartyOfOne]

Originally Posted by Teebs

That other post was about Bob Denver's son Colin, but it's probably better to discuss the character of Gilligan rather than talk about the real person.

I had a short discussion once with another fanfic writer who said she didn't think that Gilligan was autistic because she knew about autism. Our discussion started because there's also a story where the writer explores whether he could have been dyslexic.

I myself am not sure he had serious developmental issues. I just think he was emotionally immature. He still liked playing around like a kid, but face it, these days his behaviour is not unlike a lot of people now termed 'kidults', who race around behaving like 10 year olds when they're well into their 20s and 30s.

Gilligan definitely thinks 'outside the box', and is far from 'dumb'. He has thought processes that are very original and he's very creative with an active imagination. He also works diligently when he's left alone. Look how he sits and builds that bathtub quite happily for hours on end in Gilligan Gets Bugged.

Gilligan is definitely a fascinating character with a lot of unique character traits, and it would be interesting to hear more of your thoughts on this, Party.

It seems to me that I read somewhere that Gilligan was actually the smartest character on the Island, even smarter than the Professor, and like you say he thinks outside the box. The way he understands what people say literally reminds me very much of my own autism.

[Teebs]

Originally Posted by PartyOfOne

It seems to me that I read somewhere that Gilligan was actually the smartest character on the Island, even smarter than the Professor, and like you say he thinks outside the box. The way he understands what people say literally reminds me very much of my own autism.

By no means am I an expert (on anything) but from my reading on the subject, it appears there are many levels of autism. Many mildly autistic people are quite capable of holding down jobs and engaging in social interaction. Being a little different isn't necessarily a sign of autism, or even Asperger's, but I can definitely see where you're coming from with regards to Gilligan.

Gilligan isn't shy or introverted. In fact, he hates being made to feel alone and only goes off to be alone when he's sulking. He never goes far, and it's funny how he puts up a sign outside his cave saying 'No Body Iz Hom'. He wants them to find him, but he also needs them to understand that they've hurt him. Gilligan thrives on love and acceptance. He needs to feel part of the group. His eagerness to please is what gets him into trouble- you'll notice that when he's on his own he works quite happily with nothing going wrong. it's only when Skipper shows up or someone begins criticising that he fumbles and stumbles and gets anxious.

Even whe Gilligan does things right, it sets off a chain of events that causes him to get the blame for everything. But he stands up for himself- he's not a 'victim'. He can be extraordinarily stubborn.

As for girls, it's not that he's afraid of them, it's that their behaviour is not consistent. Gilligan likes consistency. He likes the small routines that autistic people need. When something unexpected happens, he becomes wildly exciteable and childlike, unable to contain his confusion.

I've done nothing but babble this morning so I'll leave off for now and go do some work or something. But this is an interesting subject, and I'm all for analysing Gilligan's behaviour because I think he's fascinating. (Captain.)

[PartyOfOne]

Originally Posted by Teebs

By no means am I an expert (on anything) but from my reading on the subject, it appears there are many levels of autism. Many mildly autistic people are quite capable of holding down jobs and engaging in social interaction. Being a little different isn't necessarily a sign of autism, or even Asperger's, but I can definitely see where you're coming from with regards to Gilligan.

Gilligan isn't shy or introverted. In fact, he hates being made to feel alone and only goes off to be alone when he's sulking. He never goes far, and it's funny how he puts up a sign outside his cave saying 'No Body Iz Hom'. He wants them to find him, but he also needs them to understand that they've hurt him. Gilligan thrives on love and acceptance. He needs to feel part of the group. His eagerness to please is what gets him into trouble- you'll notice that when he's on his own he works quite happily with nothing going wrong. it's only when Skipper shows up or someone begins criticising that he fumbles and stumbles and gets anxious.

Even whe Gilligan does things right, it sets off a chain of events that causes him to get the blame for everything. But he stands up for himself- he's not a 'victim'. He can be extraordinarily stubborn.

As for girls, it's not that he's afraid of them, it's that their behaviour is not consistent. Gilligan likes consistency. He likes the small routines that autistic people need. When something unexpected happens, he becomes wildly exciteable and childlike, unable to contain his confusion.

I've done nothing but babble this morning so I'll leave off for now and go do some work or something. But this is an interesting subject, and I'm all for analysing Gilligan's behaviour because I think he's fascinating. (Captain.)

Diogenes, Please Go Home?" is a excellent example of Gilligan's "autism."

[The Flying Dutchmans]

Bob Denver was paid to play a character in a TV show. I doubt that Sherwood Shwartz told him to play a character with autism. There was not allot known about Autism back then. I have a daughter who has Autism, and I am around Autistic people all the time and I am sorry, but I just don't see a connection here.

[MRPITT]

Originally Posted by The Flying Dutchmans

Bob Denver was paid to play a character in a TV show. I doubt that Sherwood Shwartz told him to play a character with autism. There was not allot known about Autism back then. I have a daughter who has Autism, and I am around Autistic people all the time and I am sorry, but I just don't see a connection here.

I agree I think its a stretch.

[Lovey]

Originally Posted by MRPITT

I agree I think its a stretch.

Same here! Gilligan doesn't seem very bright and is childlike, but does not have autistic tendencies imo.

[PartyOfOne]

Originally Posted by MRPITT

I agree I think its a stretch.

It's not a bigger stretch than claiming "glue and pancakes(?)" is "sexual innuendo" as someone on this board did...I believe it's called an anachronism.