For the last two seasons of “Love on the Spectrum,” David Isaacman has been the hit Netflix show’s most prominent Jewish cast member. David and his girlfriend Abbey Romeo have long been favorites of the show’s fanbase thanks to their fierce, complementary love (I dare you to watch Abbey sing “Boyfriend Forever” to David without smiling) and authentic social media presence.
But when season three dropped earlier this month, “Love on the Spectrum” gave us two more Jewish cast members to fall in love with: Pari Kim and Tina Zhu Xi Caruso.
In episode three, viewers are introduced to Pari, a 22-year-old Bostonite who loves the color purple and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, or as it’s commonly known, the “T.” She tells director Cian O’Clery that she dated a guy in high school, but later realized that she’s also interested in dating women. “I want to find my own Princess Charming,” Pari says.
Enter Tina, a 26-year-old Cortical Visual Impairment and Disability advocate. In the next episode, Pari and Tina meet up for a first date at Mamma Maria, an Italian restaurant in Boston’s North End. The pair immediately bond over dietary restrictions, their orange cats, having autism, being queer and being Jewish. “We don’t say Asperger’s anymore ’cause of the Nazi,” Tina said at one point during the date, talking about her autism diagnosis. (The formerly recognized Asperger’s syndrome was named for Austrian scientist Hans Asperger. In 2018, historian Edith Sheffer’s research offered proof that Asperger participated in the Third Reich’s eugenics program.)
“Oh yeah, I’m also part Jewish so, yeah, I’m glad they changed that,” Pari replied. When Tina offered that she was also part Jewish, Pari lit up. “Really? Oh my God, that’s so cool.”
That is so cool, Pari.
Excitingly, the moment also featured on an episode of the web series “I Like to Watch” with celebrity drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. “They could do Hanukkah together,” Trixie observed, while Katya reacted to Tina and Pari’s Jewishness as just more evidence that they would be a compatible couple. And spoiler alert, Katya is right! Tina and Pari went on another date in the season where they shared a kiss, and later it was revealed that they are in a relationship.
Though Tina and Pari didn’t share any other Jewish moments this season, there’s always hope for season four of “Love on the Spectrum.” “I used to be ashamed of my autism,” Pari says early in season three. “But now I’m embracing it unapologetically.” Thank goodness for that. To see Pari and Tina being unapologetic about their autism, queerness, Jewishness, Tina’s CVI and ultimately their love is so more than just good television. It’s a mitzvah.
