Beth Harmon: An autistic headcannon (The Queen's Gambit)
In this post I will write about what I think to be Beth's autistic traits as well as why I think this likely accidental portrayal was so effective. The queen's Gambit is an amazing series, which I highly recommend. This post won't really contain spoilers.
For those of you who haven't watched it, the queen's Gambit is a Netflix series, focused on chess player Elizabeth (Beth) Harmon. Beth was orphaned aged 9 and the series explores her coming of age and fighting addiction.
Excessive interest in chess
An ability to see patterns where others don't, a unique way of thinking
Social awkwardness, taking things literally ("You're an orphan, Beth." "I know.")
Sensory issues: splashes herself with cold water when she's stressed
She loves chess because she can control it, it's predictable
She can appear cocky and arrogant, but I interpreted that as her unwillingness to lie (she says she intends to win, and that's completely true. She's an amazing player and doesn't see a reason to lie about that).
She makes intense, staring eye contact, possibly over compensating (while the stereotype is that autistic people make no eye contact, sometimes they make more than average when they try to mimic those around them)
A need for routine (always eating in her room)
Why I love this portrayal so much
While Beth is obviously an amazing chess player, she is a deeply flawed person. She makes mistakes, can be reckless, faces addiction and is generally far from perfect. However, none of these flaws are linked to her autism. This isn't something she is told to change.
Beth also has so many traits that autistic people have that are often ignored. She is independent and a mature adult. She cares about her appearance and loves fashion. She has sex and isn't infantilised. She has friends and likes to go out.
While it could be argued that if Beth was autistic it would just be another use of the autistic savant trope, I completely disagree. Beth is such an amazing, well rounded and full character that if we choose to think of her as autistic, it's an amazing portrayal.
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