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The Bright Sessions writ. by Lauren Shippen
Author IDs: Queer
CWs: Mentions of violence, psychological torture, suicidal thoughts, manipulation, gaslighting, kidnapping, panic attacks, mind control
This fictional podcast series takes place largely via the recorded sessions of "Dr. Bright," a therapist for the "strange and unusual." Dr. Bright provides therapy services to "atypicals," people who have super-abilities. Their abilities range from time traveling to reading minds to hyper-empathy. The use of the term "atypical" likely refers to the use of the term in psychological contexts, meaning "deviating from the norm" and sometimes referring to the cause of a psychological disorder. ("Introduction to Psychology"). Shippen's podcast uses the therapy format to examine and explore the link between these super-abilities and mental health. Shippen is unafraid to explore different intersectional representation. We have Caleb, a sexually ambiguous/fluid boy who is also an empath and struggles with anger management; Adam, Caleb's boyfriend who has depression but is not atypical; Chloe, an asexual mind-reader (mind-reading can, at times, function as a disability, as she cannot turn it off and it causes psychological stress); Mark, a bisexual atypical who can pick up the abilities of others, and more. Shippen is unafraid to use labels that are typically danced around, such as bisexual and asexual, while also providing space for characters like Caleb, who is unsure what to label his sexuality and is not particularly interested in doing so. The podcast also utilizes what some disability scholars call the "supercrip narrative." Yet, it is done in a way more similar to Sami Schalk's reframing of the supercrip in her article, "Reevaluating the Supercrip." She argues that the supercrip narrative, while problematic, can also have some benefit to disabled communities. She articulates the difference between a supercrip and a "superpowered supercrip," which she defines as "a character who has abilities or 'powers' that operate in direct relationship with or contrast to their disability" (Schalk, "Re-evaluating" 81). Shippen's podcast can be classified as a "superpowered supercrip" narrative. Shippen is careful to articulate the drawbacks to being "atypical," as well as the benefits. The therapy format allows us to witness much of this emotional processing alongside the characters. We come to understand the ways that atypical powers function as both a super-ability and a disability, and we especially come to understand the emotional and mental toll of living in an atypical body.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think Shippen and the creative team chose to do the show in the therapy session form? What does this format provide? Do you think it helps or hinders the show’s narrative?
2. How does The Bright Sessions link mental health and superpowers? How does this link challenge preconceived notions of mental health and superpowers?
3. How do you feel about the show’s use of the term “atypical”?