Episode 9: Murderbot, Masks, and the Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon

Written By Erin Findley, PsyD

Matt, Erin, and guest Hunter Hammersen go deep into why Murderbot Diaries is peak autistic representation—both in Martha Wells’ books and Apple TV’s adaptation. We compare notes on Murderbot’s layers of literal and figurative masking, its deep loyalty to a few trusted people, and its preference for fictional drama over real-life feelings.

We cover:

  • Murderbot’s pronouns, agender identity, and the ongoing struggle to get them right

  • Why supportive relationships (and other autistic friends) are the key to unmasking

  • How eye contact, awkward speeches, and “patrolling the perimeter” all hit home for autistic viewers

  • The socialist utopia planet that raises humans who actually try to meet Murderbot’s needs

  • Special interests as friendship currency—and why Sanctuary Moon is the perfect one

Also: audiobook narrator hot takes, the perils of full-cast recordings, Alexander Skarsgård’s flawless autistic accent, and why every autistic person deserves their own Dr. Mensah.

Erin Findley, PsyD https://www.erinfindley.com
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Episode 10: Self-Identification, Spoons, and the Myth That Girls Can’t Be Autistic
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Episode 8: Love, Muffin Baskets, and the Myth of “Too Sensitive”