Fraggle Rock was one of the all-time great family tv shows, one which I loved as well. This particular episode was a curious misstep for Jim Henson and the show, as it does not jibe with the show's overall message of love and inclusiveness.
Mokey befriends a strange, shy, lonely creature named Begoony, who has been shunned by others in the past. She learns the hard way why he has no friends---he is insanely jealous, possessive, and ultimately scary and dangerous.
Childhood victims of bullying through time have always been the shy and withdrawn children. This episode seems to validate this attitude---it's message is very clearly, if you meet someone quiet and "different", be very very afraid!!!!
Begoony is depicted with the mannerisms and speech patterns of those afflicted with ASD. While autism was not as understood in the 1980s, it still is sad that Henson's company had to resort to the stereotype of autistic people as being psychotic.
Yes, a curious misstep for the Fraggles. When I was young, I was a bully magnet with few friends because I was quiet and "different". I loved the Fraggles, but even then, I felt personally attacked by this episode.
Mokey befriends a strange, shy, lonely creature named Begoony, who has been shunned by others in the past. She learns the hard way why he has no friends---he is insanely jealous, possessive, and ultimately scary and dangerous.
Childhood victims of bullying through time have always been the shy and withdrawn children. This episode seems to validate this attitude---it's message is very clearly, if you meet someone quiet and "different", be very very afraid!!!!
Begoony is depicted with the mannerisms and speech patterns of those afflicted with ASD. While autism was not as understood in the 1980s, it still is sad that Henson's company had to resort to the stereotype of autistic people as being psychotic.
Yes, a curious misstep for the Fraggles. When I was young, I was a bully magnet with few friends because I was quiet and "different". I loved the Fraggles, but even then, I felt personally attacked by this episode.
