Review: Raising Dion and Disability Representation (Season 1) ***Contains Spoilers***

478 words

4 minute read

Okay, wow.  I've just finished watching Netflix's Raising Dion...and I'm not over it.

In part, because of the character of Esperanza (played by actually disabled actress, Sammi Haney.)  She was memorable from the beginning, critiquing Dion's lair for not being accessible.

When Dion threw out pillows to make room for her, Esperanza goes inside, and reassures him:  "Now you won't get sued by the city!"

Esperanza's not a wholly angelic character.  She's a bit clingy.  She "makes it weird" with Dion a lot, and she takes on other people's workload.  She's also intuitive, smart (but not in a "in spite of her disability" way) and not afraid to go the extra mile to help her friends.

My favorite episode was 1x08.  Dion (who's jealous of Esperanza's budding friendship with classmate, Jonathan) and sets out trying to impress her by levitating her out of her wheelchair with his powers.  He says, "You'll like it!"

Esperanza doesn't like it.  She insists Dion put her down.  She asks him angrily, "Why did you do that?!"

He says, "I thought you'd like it!  I was trying to make you--"

She interjects, "Walk?"

It's clear that is what Dion means.

Esperanza asks him firmly to open the door.  Then, says, "Thank you," not looking at him.  She doesn't talk to him for a few days.

Meanwhile, Dion realizes that Esperanza has never expressed a desire to be out of her chair.  That he crossed Esperanza's boundaries.  He gets back to school inside in time for the science fair.

Dion apologizes to Esperanza, "I'm sorry for trying to fix you when you're not broken," he says sincerely.  Esperanza gives him a hug.

This type of representation is still rare.  And I loved typical "disability existing to be cured" trope was addressed as something harmful immediately.  We, the audience saw right away that Esperanza was distressed by what Dion did, lifting her out of her wheelchair without her consent.

It's beyond important to see representation like this.  And to see Esperanza as a part of things, playing an important role in the story.  Bringing Dion's inhaler to him, in one memorable scene.  Turning off her tablet before Jonathan could record Dion when he was hospitalized and delirious in another.  And helping Dion and his mom in the final episode, advising Dion's mom that she knows what it looks like when somebody doesn't see you.

This turns out to be pivotal insight.  Esperanza's not just a prop, she's an integral character in the show.

So looking forward to season 2.

(This review was Esperanza-heavy for obvious reasons but I LOVED the rest of the cast, too!  Dion and Nicole's relationship was the best.  Pat was super layered and complex, too.)

Definitely tune in to check out this show.

(TW: Strobing effects might impact photosensitive viewers.)

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