Hi so I made this side blog as an art blog as first but I was scrolling through PL accounts and found so many cool things pointed out, so I’d like to share one of my own:
ADHD and Randall Ascot.
First I’d like to state that I’m a relatively new fan to the series (like a month or so) so some of the things here may be inaccurate which you’re free to correct me on ^_^ I’ve only seen the dialogues from the European version of the game so I may miss some stuff too💔Lastly this idea was actually brought up to me by @allyn-lyn who told me that he may display some signs, it also somehow served as the thing that convinced me to play the games. My credentials for this is I’ve played Miracle mask twice and had looked through most dialogues by Randall and the way he interacts with others throughout the game, and I am clinically diagnosed with ADHD.
Full under the cut.
(CONTAINS MIRACLE MASK SPOILERS !!!!!!!!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK I WARNED YOU)
In case you’ve no idea what ADHD is:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and developmentally inappropriate. ADHD symptoms arise from executive dysfunction.
- Wikipedia
I’ve not the slightest idea about whether or not PL has a thing for representing disorders and illnesses without saying it out loud (I heard something about Alfrendi system but I haven’t even played layton bros yet )(Randall’s amnesia was said out loud), so I can’t say for sure whether or not is the neurodivergence implied + I haven’t seen anyone talk about Randall in terms of his. Well. His brain. (I’ve prolly missed some but. The paragraph above this is my explanation) which I think is a very interesting topic, though I’ll try to keep this short.
One thing that’s really obvious is they wanted to emphasize on how important archaeology is to Randall, as if it’s all he lives for. He is very intense about it, affecting those around him with that passion too at times. With the scenes showcasing that however I had noticed some more subtle recurring traits of Randall; how he presents interacts with others (duh) and the other way around, how others react and perceive him.
1. How he interacts with others
This probably isn’t too subtle but there’s definitely issues that shows up in the way he does. He struggles to view things in reason at times/resonate with other’s response, I’d even go as far as saying he isn’t too emotionally intelligent.It’s really clear how passionate he can be at the point it can be overbearing at times, once he gets to talk about archaeology he just keeps going on, even if the other person clearly states that they’re uninterested. And though he’s very pushy about it, I don’t think it was in malicious means; When hershel said he’s not too interested, Randall responded with how HE thinks that Hershel should open up to archaeology, like from Randall’s viewpoint, Hershel WILL like the field. He acknowledges Hershel’s disinterest as just a statement, but he struggles to view it as Hershel FEELS like it’s not his cup of tea (haha), or a clearer example of his lack of emotional awareness would be when Angela took the mask. He clearly is able to sympathize (will be shown more later) with others, comforting Angela after hearing about what happened to her brother. But he’s unable to emphasize , as seen from his response (Like he views it as Angela is sad because it reminds her of the lost of her brother, but he does not understand why it’d upset her since it’s a different case now).
Aside from this aspect, he has been shown having impulsive tendencies. Even the akbadain ruins was half impulsive, they were unready. Impulsive as in if he feels the need to act on something it must be carried out ASAP despite the possible consequences (which wouldn’t be a thought that occurs impulsively). I’d also say he craves validation, literally every statement he uses to justify him exploring the ruins shows this (One that sticked to me was when He compared himself to Henry, and how he’s never validated by his father unlike henry).
With these 2 aspects together I also think it paved way for Descole to get him to act as the masked gentlemen.
The letter suddenly recovering Randall’s memories COULD give him a rush of dopamine (where am I going with this.) He literally felt like his goals are SET. From just that letter. Though I view this as impulsive playing a part (because it’s a perfect chance for him to achieve everything, from his viewpoint. Slowly returning to himself, taking everything back, and eventually even giving everyone the chance to know how he feels.) + he feels “validated” for this act, Descole would keep guiding him, which might’ve gave Randall a sense of belonging. Validation for things he is “naturally good at”.
He is aware that he is about to destroy someone in all aspects, but it seemed to me he agreed to act on it right at that moment, without much thought. By the time he started carrying out those miracles it only occurs to him as a steeping stone to get everyone to understand him, probably.
To support what I said about him not giving it much thought, when they confronted Randall it was like he snapped out of it. He only realized the severity of what he was trying to do, even saying it out loud. Going as far as to calling himself a failure(to think he had such an ego when he was still masked and he’s reduced to whatever you see in the cutscenes. Descole even told him he failed at it)
2. How others perceive him
This paragraph prolly would be short. Like yeah ppl view him as that guy who likes archaeology whatever whatever which yeah I realized this might be all I can write about but I do have more to add on, more precisely I want to explain how there’s both positive impressions and the more negative ones towards him.
I’ve noticed how much those close to him associates him with archaeology in the dialogue that shows up when you click on items (Hershel noting that Randall’s belongings are filled with stuff of the sort, Angela saying that (I can’t remember the exact quote) randy is rlly passionate when it comes to archeology. Aside from those dialouges Henry mentions helping Randall out with archeology a lot. These 3 are on the more positive side on this topic.
On the other side, certain individuals like Dalston, while not to an extent, still blurts out negative comments about Randall a lot both behind him (literally saying he deserved his death but I can’t tell how sincere that was meant to be) and directly to him. I bring this up because I think it’s accurate to how some react to people liking something the way that’s outside their standards, maybe on the more teasing side though.
Overall I think that, while he may not be intended to be written with ADHD, there are traits that are persistent which overlaps with the disorder. This is NOT a diagnosis for anyone, I’m just writing my thoughts on this and partly my experience with ADHD.
Feel free to correct me on anything here I won’t get mad I promise, insights and opinions or stuff related is welcomed, so feel free to comment !!!
