TV Series Review: The Queen’s Gambit
The Queen’s Gambit is a fictional series about a young female chess prodigy, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. It was adapted from the book of the same name written by Walter Tevis. The series portrayed the main character to be extraordinary and brilliant at chess, but still carrying the weight of everyday human struggles. This review is spoiler free.
From the first episode, the main character clearly demonstrates some traits that are often associated with Neurodiverse conditions such as Autism and ADHD. Her ability to hyperfocus, to mentally visualize the chess pieces and possible moves, to memorize and remember past games, and to create and implement winning strategies. She is initially held back by how society viewed women and people who are Neurodiverse during the 1950s and 1960s. At first she struggles just playing chess as a young woman, when society and her own adopted mother expects her to be just like other women, which often means get married and have kids.
Despite her skills that make her a chess prodigy at a young age, the main character struggles with social relationships. When she goes to school events with other girls, she struggles to talk. While the girls are having fun listening to rock and roll, she’s not interested. When she is trying to find love, she is confused. Often times she drives away her friends and prefers to be alone. It was refreshing to see a character depicted showing Autistic traits without the label of having a disability. The series acknowledged and respected the main character’s differences, which is something that many people who are Neurodiverse today want and need.
Besides her social awkwardness, the main character’s conflicts will be very relatable to many people. She grows up and struggles with drugs and alcohol throughout the series. It is often conflicting whether the drugs and alcohol help her to achieve the superhuman focus and mental concentration demonstrated or handicap her. She desires friends, family, love, and happiness; all the while being held back by her past and struggling with who she really is and what she wants.
Being Neurodiverse myself, I identified with many of the same conflicts as the main character. Sometimes when being different, it is just hard to be understood by others. Near the end, the series showed what many people who are Neurodiverse need in order to survive and thrive: Support.
The series itself is short and sweet at only seven episodes. Even though it is fictional, the main character is memorable and amazing. The human conflict she experiences makes her very relatable and many of us will see ourselves in her. The chess competitions depicted are also intense and full of suspense. Highly recommended!
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer or company.
