Netflix’s Adolescence key Jamie scene has ‘flaw’ says child psychologist

Adolescence has become one of Netflix’s most-watched shows, and Briony Ariston’s techniques with patient Jamie Miller have been analysed by a child psychologist

A real-life expert has delved into the mind games played by the fictional shrink Dr Briony Ariston on Netflix’s Adolescence. Her strategy in unpacking the thoughts of 13-year-old Jamie Miller is cunningly unravelled.

The UK Netflix drama rapidly ascended up most-watched lists, depicting the unsettling tale of a boy arrested for stabbing a classmate. Co-creator Stephen Graham revealed to Netflix’s Tudum the reality that inspired the series, saying: “We made a piece that was based on truth and things that are happening in Britain with young men stabbing young girls to death. We just wanted to shine a light there, and, predominantly, we just wanted to create conversation between parents and children.”

Dr Sheila Redfern, an authority on child psychology and author of How Do You Hug A Cactus? and Reflective Parenting, shared her insights into the methods used by the character Briony to forge trust with Jamie while subtly probing his responses to different provocations.

The show featured Dr Ariston extending a seemingly benign offer of half her pickle sandwich to Jamie, which Dr Redfern says was a strategy aimed to build rapport but also evaluate his responses. She says Briony offers it to Jamie as a way to get close to him. And interestingly, Briony selects the snack for the ploy while aware that Jamie doesn’t like it, reports the Mirror.

Dr Redfern says was a deliberate move designed to gauge Jamie’s reaction when faced with negative situations.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, she explained: “Very few children who have psychological trauma shout and rage all the time – it’s far more common for them to act perfectly ‘normally’ until provoked by certain triggers. I’m not persuaded that bringing food Jamie won’t like is terribly clever. No psychologist I know would do something so deliberately provocative when interviewing a child.”

Dr Redfern also suspects that Briony used CCTV to observe Jamie after he had an outburst, in order to understand his attachment style better. She believes that Jamie’s reaction to Briony leaving the room could reveal a lot about how he perceives his relationships.

If he appeared distressed when she left, it might indicate anxious attachment or fear of abandonment.

Or if Jamie showed no concern over her departure, it could imply a lack of interest in personal connections. However, upon returning, Briony found Jamie remorseful and eager to apologize for his behavior, leading Dr Redfern to say: “He’s very childlike – he wants her to be there with him. His reaction shows she clearly matters to him and he wants to matter to Briony.

“The expectation that she will listen to him and be there for him shows he likely has good, secure attachments to other adults in his life. He’s loved by his parents and can rely on adults to help him.”

The psychologist also noted that the meticulous planning of everything in the room, from Briony’s clothing choices to the positioning of her chair, was no accident.

Dr Redfern said Briony would have chosen a button-up shirt and suit jacket to project professionalism, especially since Jamie had issues with how he viewed women and might not respect her if he deemed her clothing provocative.

Even after Jamie’s outbursts where he yelled in her face, Briony moved her chair closer, an intentional act according to Dr Redfern. “It’s only when she’s sitting right next to him that he really opens up to her, revealing his incel (involuntary celibate) ideology – a cyber subculture in which men blame women when they can’t find a romantic partner, legitimising violence against them,” she said.

“She’s close to him but not looking directly at him. By not forcing him to make eye contact with her, he opens up. He is clearly craving that closeness. I use this technique all the time.”