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As promised, Part 2 of this blog will cover the other magical character from the 1960’s who rather than a witch is really a genie named Jeannie (Barbara Eden).
Genie, Jeannie, get it?
Premiering in 1965 and running through to 1970, “I Dream of Jeannie” is a sitcom that has an overtone about an issue that affects most neurodivergent individuals and that’s masking. You see, as we all know, masking is bad for anyone and the fact that Jeannie’s husband, Astronaut Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman) tries to keep Jeannie hidden in her bottle immediately is seen as a reflection that we are trying to hide our true feelings and intentions about ourselves.
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Taking a look at Jeannie and Tony, we see that both characters are a personification of the neurodiversity that goes on in our society. Tony comes to represent the parent or guardian that does whatever it takes to hide the gifted individual, represented by Jeannie, from being her true self. He has a position of responsibilty to hold in the form of being in the United States Air Force and is afraid that being married to Jeannie will reflect badly on his said position.
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As a result, this brings him at odds with the AIr Force Psychiatrist, Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rourke) who wants to know what is going through Tony’s mind but can’t seem to figure it out.
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Now, it’s safe to say that like “Bewitched,” “I Dream of Jeannie” is a show that many neurodivergent families can look to on account that it’s a reflection on what goes on in the minds of someone affected by neurodiversity. Jeannie is like a neurodivergent individual that has to be self-contained because of who she is as a genie.
It also sends a message out there that you can’t keep the mask on forever (or in this case, you can’t keep the genie in the bottle forever). Sooner or later, the genie will be let out of the bottle, and we will have to accept the genie for who he or she is.
Furthermore, there is going to be a Dr. Bellows at least once who will want to discover the truth and will stop at nothing to do it. Sometimes we will have to reveal our secrets to someone, but it would have to be someone we can personally trust. You just have to separate the respectful Dr. Bellows with the not so respectful Dr. Bellows.
Also, like “Bewitched,” there are plenty of reasons as to why neurodivergent families and individuals should watch this show at least once. You might connect with the characters or you won’t. But you may find that there is that hint of neurodiversity in Jeannie just like in your neurodivergent/developmentally different loved ones.
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Catch you all later!!
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