Into My Autistic Mind at Christmas (2)

It’s that time of year again. Christmas Day is tomorrow. I don’t know why I’m thinking of Jimmy Neutron right now. But, yes, it’s Christmas time and I’ve got a busy day of festivities. I just needed added a comma there. I know I shouldn’t be working Christmas Eve or Christmas Day – especially as I’ve just come off an almost 9-hour shift at work. I’m thinking of the old Mr Men and Little Miss books me and my sister used to read. For the last few sentences I’ve been thinking of My Little Pony and the Christmas specials they’ve aired. Although in Friendship is Magic they actually celebrate a holiday called Hearth’s Warming. Hasbro released a Christmas album several years ago and I’ve listened to the whole thing twice this December. I’m being reminded of a Family Feud blooper from years ago. “During what month of pregnancy does a women begin to look pregnant?” “September.” But, back onto Christmas: I’ve got a busy day tomorrow. I’ll be seeing my dad, step-mum and sister for dinner. Then there’s my girlfriend. Yes, I have a girlfriend now – it’s a long story. I’ll be seeing her at her relatives’ house. Then we’ll go back to my dad and step-mum’s, if it hasn’t gotten too late. I just corrected some spelling mistakes there. Now, I’m thinking of the movie Elf. How can you not think of that movie this time of year? Ever since it was released it became an instant classic. I’m thinking of other Christmas movies and specials, too. There’s Arthur Christmas – I just had to look up on my phone how to spell Arthur. Saying that name makes me think of the classic CBBC show that was based on a successful book series. Anyway, other Christmas specials include The Muppets’ Christmas Carol – which I’ve just watched a CinemaSins video on. Sorry for the pause there. Now I’ve remembered one I always used to watch: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: the Movie. It’s the one with Eric Idle and Whoopie Goldberg. I’m trying my best not to repeat myself from Into My Autistic Mind at Christmas (1). I should say, the reason I’m doing this one is because I had planned on posting a review on New Year’s Day. But now it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to finish it in time. My perfectionism is causing me problems as usual. I think I might write another Into My Autistic Mind on New Years Day. There’s been something I’ve been meaning to continue for some time. I’m also hoping to finish something on the Autism book I’ve been working on. I did promise to give a preview of it in June after all. I’m just trying to keep my mind focused on Christmas. I’m looking at a TV guide next to me right now. I never usually buy a TV guide. But I wanted to know what was on at this time of year. Today things like Kung Fu Panda 3, EastEnders, Not Going Out, The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Toy Story 3, Small Soldiers and The Tiger Who Came to Tea have been on. Yes, they’ve made a TV adaption of Judith Kerr’s famous book. I just failed miserably in trying to remember her name. I haven’t seen any of these specials today because I’ve been at work. I was watching WWE RAW, when my manager called me. He asked me to start two hours earlier than I was supposed to. It was a bit short notice. But money is money. Plus, I got half an hour taken off at the end. It’s given me the time to right this before I go to bed. I’m trying to finish this before midnight. Don’t want Santa to see me awake do I (wink, wink)? Saying that reminded me of a Simpsons’ episode when Chief Wiggum did something similar. It’s also reminded me of an episode of Friendship is Magic when Trixie does soemThey’re – holy coyote, what it that typo/auto-correct I’ve just been given? Anyway, Trixie does the wink thing, too. Other cartoons are going through my head now, but I’m going to pause for a sec. There now. I wanted to have a sip of my tea. Also, the fan in my kitchen has finally stopped. It turns on whenever you flip the light switch and then whirs for about half an hour after you’ve switched it off. It can be annoying when your trying to get to sleep. Then again, I live next to a motorway. I’ve gotten used to the noise it makes noise all night. You learn to ignore it. I had planned on writing this yesterday, but I was at Bluewater shopping centre doing some last pre-Christmas shopping. I also called my mum and saw some friends who I haven’t seen in months. Everyone in my family is unusually busy around Christmas and Boxing Day. So everyone who I’m not seeing tomorrow I’ll see on the 28th. I’ve just started humming some Christmas songs. Specifically, those from The Muppets’ Christmas Carol: It Feels Like Christmas, Marley and Marley, and Love is Gone. The latter actually has a sad story behind it. At some point, they decided to cut this song from the movie and later releases didn’t contain it. Even when they trying restoring to movie, the scene with the song hadn’t been rendered over the years, so they were unable to include it. Or so I’ve heard. It’s a shame, too. Because I remember seeing it on video and it was a beautiful song. The reprise by Scrooge is still at he end of the film though. I’ve just spent the last 10-15mins trying to make those sentences about Love is Gone sound right. That’s my perfection setting in. These ought to be my unfiltered thoughts, I know. I’m thinking of a scene with the ringmaster from Dumbo now. And that’s making me think of circuses – like the one in Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather series. One second. I’ve just finished my tea and taken care of some business. I’ll tell you what love is NOT gone though. Mine. As I said, I have a girlfriend now. And I’ll be spending my day with her tomorrow. I still need to wrap her present. I hope she likes it. I’ve actually spent a lot on her this Christmas. More than anyone else in my family, in fact. But I do think she’s nice. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing on New Year’s Eve. But it will be rather tricky. You see, not only am I working on New Years Day – one second, I’m thinking if Disney’s Sword in the Stone. Also, I can hear somebody watching Elf in an apartment near mine. Anyway, I’m not only working on New Years Day, but I’m starting at 5am! At least the store itself doesn’t open until 10am. Actually, I’m not sure it is Elf they’re watching. They were earlier. Don’t they know you’re supposed to be asleep when Santa Claus comes (wink)? I should probably end this soon. I want to get to bed before midnight. Maybe I’ll have this posted before Christmas Day is over. But even if I don’t, I still hope you all have a very festive season and never forget that the best gift of all are your friends and family. Love and cherish them with all of your heart, and be good to those less fortunate than you. Happy Christmas! 

My Little Pony: Lesson Zero and Autism (Part 2)

(Continued from Part 1: https://georgeharvey2015.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/my-little-pony-lesson-zero-and-autism-part-1/)

From here onwards, the episode focuses on Twilight trying to cope with the stress of potentially missing her deadline. Many people go through this situation, of course. But it’s important to note how Twilight is reacting. And why. Because she thinks very highly of Celestia, she feels it’s necessary to push herself – if she’s not perfect, it’s not meeting her tutor’s standards. I had this same problem in university. Because I took Creative Writing at Greenwich, one of London’s top colleges, every assignment felt like it had to be precise or else I’d fail my course. This goes back to what I said before about problems feeling bigger than they actually are. No one expects perfection – not even royalty. But if you’re used to being a model pupil, it’s easy to stress over small details and imagine all the negative outcomes.

Thinking she’ll be sent back to magic kindergarten if she fails, Twilight decides to find a friendship problem and solve it by the end of the day. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have much luck. Every time she runs into one of her friends they look like they’re in trouble. But it turns out to be a misunderstanding, leaving her crushed.

Yes, Twilight is actually hoping her friends are suffering so she’ll have something to fix and write about. When you’re stressing over a deadline, it’s hard to concern yourself with anything else.

With no friendship problems in sight, Twilight curls up on a park bench trying to comfort herself. However, the pressure is clearly getting her. She’s stroking her tail, her mane is frazzled, she starts crying and arguing with herself (Gollum-style.) She even has hallucinations of younger ponies (fillies) laughing at her.

You might think this behaviour is a bit exaggerated or comical. But I can tell you, from personal experience, that it’s realistic. There were times in university when I’d curl up in fear. Or I’d cry and talk to my reflection. Sometimes I even had nervous twitches that made me throw up in the morning. The point is, stress can cause you to act the way Twilight does. And I’m glad Meghan McCarthy and the animators gave us such an accurate portrayal here.

Spike tells Twilight she needs to calm down because he’s worried about her. He suggests they go to the picnic so she can relax. But Twilight sees this as another chance to find a friendship problem.

Again, this is realistic behaviour from Twilight. When you have short deadlines, it feels like you can’t afford to take breaks. If you do, you’ll just have less time to finish your tasks, which makes the situation more stressful.

Arriving at the picnic, Twilight tells her friends she desperately needs their help. They seem eager to lend a hoof until she explains she’s late for an assignment. At which point, they brush off the problem and go back to their picnic. Twilight insists her whole life depends on this. But her friends just say she’s getting all worked up over nothing – some even laugh and call her a drama queen. This infuriates Twilight, and she runs off in frustration.

This is a very pivotal moment in the episode. Not only does it affect everything that happens afterwards, but it ultimately leads us to the moral of the story.

Also, this situation is something I feel very personal about.

To be fair, Twilight’s friends aren’t being hurtful on purpose – they do show regret after she runs off. But if I were in her position, I’d be mad too. There have been times when I’ve gone to people for help, and all they’ve done is tell me my problems aren’t worth stressing over. I  do understand why they say this. But it doesn’t do anything to help me, and I almost hate them for it.

It’s the same with Twilight.

Yes, she is overreacting – that much is obvious. But she wouldn’t be panicking if she didn’t feel she had a reason to. Her friends don’t see what’s so stressful because they’re not the ones with the problem. So they think the obvious solution is to stop worrying about it. But this is the worst thing you can say to somebody in Twilight’s predicament.

People do prefer not to feel negative emotions. But they can’t stop feeling how they are just because someone tells them to. If you were punched in the face, you wouldn’t forgive the person who did it just because they said it was a joke. You wouldn’t immediately cheer up if you were told your mother died. And you wouldn’t stop worrying about something just because another person said they would. Telling someone they’re overreacting, without offering a proper solution to their problem, just makes that person think you’re being insensitive. Or worse, poking fun at their misery. This is the sort of thing that ruins relationships.

Twilight’s friends don’t realise the severity of their actions – or lack of them. And it’s what leads us to the episode’s climax.

We cut back to Twilight, who’s watching the sun set from her bedroom. By this point, her mind has officially snapped, and she’s descending into madness.

Seriously, go on YouTube, type Crazy Twilight Sparkle and click the first video that comes up. This scene alone proves why My Little Pony isn’t just for girls anymore.

With seemingly no other option, Twilight decides if she can’t find a friendship problem, she’ll make one.

I’ve been through this scenario once too often; the pressure of meeting a deadline can be so overwhelming you resort to taking shortcuts. The stress means you can’t think straight and you’re so focused on finishing the task you don’t care if it’s done well or not.

Twilight goes outside, with a sadistic grin on her face (see image link below), and comes across Applebloom, Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo (the Cutie Mark Crusaders). She shows the fillies her Smarty Pants doll and gives it to them, hoping they’ll fight over it. When they don’t, she casts a “Want It/Need It” spell, which forces them to fight. Twilight tries to teach the girls about sharing but quickly realises the spell is too powerful. Then more ponies fall under her spell until nearly everyone in Ponyville is fighting over the doll. Twilight finds her friends and admits she messed up, just as the sun sets over the horizon.

By the way, I should mention the sun has been setting in a rather unique way. Along with a ‘ticking’ windmill, it’s been jolting across the sky like the hours on a clock face. I love how the animators did this because it emphasises how Twilight is feeling about her time pressure.

Just when it looks like things can’t get any worse, a voice cries out “TWILIGHT SPARKLE!” It’s Princess Celestia. She casts a spell which removes the enchantment from the doll, returning every pony to normal. She then approaches Twilight and says to meet her in the library. Believing she knows what this means, Twilight says a sad goodbye to her friends and walks away – it’s only then they realise how big Twilight’s problem might’ve been.

However, it turns out Celestia isn’t mad. She tells Twilight she’s a wonderful student, and she doesn’t need to get a letter from her every week to know that.

This is further proof that Twilight set the letter deadline herself. She was just pushing herself, unnecessarily, to impress her teacher.

Suddenly, Twilight’s friends burst in and beg Celestia not to punish her. They insist it was their fault for what happened because they didn’t take Twilight’s feelings seriously before. If they did, they could’ve done more to help her, and she wouldn’t have caused all the chaos.

I’m so glad Megan McCarthy included this scene. The episode could’ve ended with Twilight learning her lesson, and that would’ve been enough. But she makes it clear that Twilight wasn’t the only pony at fault. Her friends share equal blame for not taking the right course of action. To quote a line from an old Sonic Underground episode: “You’re part of the problem if you’re not helping solve them.”

Celestia seems impressed that every pony has learnt from the day’s experience. So she makes a deal with them. She’ll forget the fiasco if, from now on, all six of them write her letters on their lessons of friendship – when, and only when, they discover them.

This solution is perfect for two reasons: A) it takes some much-needed pressure off of Twilight, and B) it solves a problem many critics had with the first season. You see, because Twilight was the only pony who could write Celestia letters, she had to be shoehorned into every single episode – even when she wasn’t the primary focus. With this new set-up, however, the writers could keep the spotlight on other characters, without squeezing Twilight in if they didn’t need her.

Before Celestia leaves, Twilight finds out it was Spike who told her she was in trouble and needed some guidance.

I love how Spike was written in this episode. He’s the only character (other than Celestia) who did the right thing. Twilight was too busy panicking to contact the one pony who could’ve assured her nothing was wrong. So, like a true friend, he did it for her. It’s better to express your fears to the person you’re answering to rather than worrying about what they might say or think.

The episode ends with everyone working together to write Celestia a letter. Twilight has learnt not to let her fears get the better of her, or let a small problem turn into something bigger. Her friends have learnt it’s important to listen to others, and consider their feelings when they come to you with a problem. Spike tries writing how great he is and how he didn’t need to learn a lesson but realises he should cross it out. Everyone laughs as the screen fades to black.

*

Overall, Lesson Zero is one of my favourite Friendship is Magic episodes. There have been better ones since it aired like Magical Mystery Cure (S3, Ep13), Slice of Life (S5, Ep9) and Crusaders of the Lost Mark (S5, Ep18). But I enjoy how relatable it is.

I don’t think I would’ve done anything differently to Twilight in this episode. In fact, one of the lessons it teaches has had a profound impact on my writing.

When I first started this blog, I tried to write something for it every week. Unfortunately, this proved too stressful because I had other things going on in my life. And I couldn’t always come up with ideas. So I decided to take Princess Celestia’s advice. Now, like Twilight and her friends, I only write when there’s a significant topic I want to discuss, and when I’m able to devote enough time and effort to it. This has allowed me to produce much better content, with the quality and high standards that my readers deserve.

I could tell you more about what Lesson Zero has done for my life. But I can’t do it justice just by talking about it. If you have Autism, or you care for somebody with the condition, then I would seriously recommend giving this episode a watch. Who’s knows, you might like it so much you end up becoming a brony/pegasister yourself, and watch all six seasons of Friendship is Magic – plus the four Equestria Girls movies.

That’s all I have to say for now. I’m sorry it’s taken me forever to finish this post – it’ll probably be a while before there’s another one – but I try to make sure I have the right blend of quality and quantity in my work. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment. I’ll be happy to answer them. And, as always, stay tuned.

(Image courtesy of http://www.brony.com/brony-facts-faq/my-little-pony-cast/)

(Twilight’s sadistic grin: http://orig11.deviantart.net/8150/f/2012/193/1/9/twilight_sparkle___crazy_by_pyschedelicskooma-d56ymme.png)