TV is so sympathetic to mercy killing on our fav show

[KS_Housewife]

So, tonight we watched Blue Bloods, a show featuring an Irish Catholic family, the Reagans, of which all members are involved in law enforcement. One storyline concerned a father of a terminally ill child who had administered a drug to kill her and end her suffering, after the child had asked him to, he said. The prosecutor concluded no good would be served by jailing the father for murder and charged him with manslaughter with a probation recommendation.

This is the second or third time this series had dealt with mercy killings of terminally ill victims, with the famously Catholic Reagan law enforcement family confronted with the challenges of sympathetic mercy killers.

However there’s a bigger picture to view and a bigger policy and moral consideration at stake, which is why mercy killing and assisted suicide policies are still illegal in most states. Such policies pose to risk to of exploitation of vulnerable and inconvenient persons.

Soooo, when will we see the episode where the sympathetic-appearing mercy killer is unmasked as a cold-blooded murderer of someone who, in fact, didn’t want to be relieved of their suffering or of their remaining time on this earth?

 

[Shakuhachi]

Soooo, when will we see the episode where the sympathetic-appearing mercy killer is unmasked as a cold-blooded murderer of someone who, in fact, didn’t want to be relieved of their suffering or of their remaining time on this earth?

That would not help. We need to see better care portrayed even for those who ask for assisted suicide.

 

[LawyersGunsAndMoney]

Soooo, when will we see the episode where the sympathetic-appearing mercy killer is unmasked as a cold-blooded murderer of someone who, in fact, didn’t want to be relieved of their suffering or of their remaining time on this earth?

Who knows? I suggest you view tv shows just as entertainment and not get upset if they don’t reflect your moral views. You can drive yourself crazy that way. I don’t necessarily disagree with you on the underlying issue, but I don’t think it should stop you from enjoying a tv show you like.

(Besides, in the storyline she still charged him with manslaughter…that doesn’t sound like a crazy thing, really.)

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Manslaughter is a very reasonable charge in this situation where it is a dad, no doubt tormented by seeing his child suffer.

If they’d filed no charges and held a parade for the dad character, I would see your point more.

 

[exiled1]

I rarely watch current shows, but I just happened to watch a recent SVU episode (although I don’t know when it aired). It surrounded a chronically (not terminally) ill child whose “suffering” the mother wanted to end, and the father did not. I’m not familiar with all manner of life support, but it definitely seemed that it wasn’t simply “pulling the plug”, or other ways of letting nature take it’s course.
It was also pointed out that the mother was advised to abort, but she chose “righteousness” and gave birth
After all of the back and forth, the noble thing at the conclusion of the episode was aiding in the death of the child.
With the recent infanticide advocacy, and the celebration of late term abortion, particularly in NY, where this series takes place, I find it terribly disturbing. I believe they have the power to steer the masses towards one way of thinking or another.
As a side note-the “merciful mother” in the episode is the female assistant of Tom Selleck from Blue Bloods.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

And why exactly are you surprised that mainstream television rejects classical Christian morality?

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

This thread is about media portrayal and, arguably, propaganda for a particular point of view.

There have been about a gazillion threads here about euthanasia. You may use the search engine for them, or start your own.

 

[vz71]

And why exactly are you surprised that mainstream television rejects classical Christian morality?

I am not.
The question is, “what exactly are you going to do about it?”

It has been difficult for me to do in the past, but I would turn off the show and never let it in my house again.

I came to the conclusion long ago that these instances are an attempt to normalize something that is morally repugnant.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

I came to the conclusion long ago that these instances are an attempt to normalize something that is morally repugnant.

Exactically.
That’s one of the reasons why I watch very little scripted TV. (The other reason is lack of time )
There was a time when controversial topics were presented from both POV. Now it’s extremely rare to find a non-biased presentation of issues.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

It always amazes me that the same people who are against Medical Aid in Dying because they see it as “playing God” have no issue with the death row inmate who is put to death.

I, for one, am a believer in the Consistent Life Ethic, which opposes abortion, death penalty, and euthanasia.
I get flak from LOTS of people

 

[laylow]

Perhaps mainstream TV attempts to portray the view of the majority, as this gallup poll would seem to confirm:

In U.S., Support Up for Doctor-Assisted Suicide

Nearly seven in 10 Americans (68%) say doctors should be legally allowed to assist terminally ill patients in committing suicide, if the patient requests it. This figure is up from 58% in 2014.

news.gallup.com

 

[laylow]

I get flak from LOTS of people

I bet! I may not agree with your view, but at least it is consistent across the board!

 

[vz71]

Perhaps mainstream TV attempts to portray the view of the majority, as this gallup poll would seem to confirm:

It would be difficult to say with certainty, but I do not believe for a second that they are just going with majority opinion.

It is more likely they are trying to shape it instead.

 

[laylow]

It is more likely they are trying to shape it instead.

Mainstream TV is in the business to make money. They do so by gaining a large viewership, to increase the cost they can charge for ads. Can influence be completely ruled out? No. However, it can safely be said that influence is not its main goal. If people don’t watch their shows, they are taken off the air, plain and simple.

 

[vz71]

Can influence be completely ruled out? No. However, it can safely be said that influence is not its main goal. If people don’t watch their shows, they are taken off the air, plain and simple.

Start off with a decent show, likeable characters, and a good story.
Once you have ever an audience, bring in the morally questionable.

It is the scenario shown in the original post. The writers are trying to smuggle in their morally questionable views inside a story that most would watch.

The hope is that the viewers will suddenly go from a morally solid “I would never” to an ambiguous “they may have a point” and eventually to “that behavior is fine”

 

[laylow]

The hope is that the viewers will suddenly go from a morally solid “I would never” to an ambiguous “they may have a point” and eventually to “that behavior is fine”

If people are that easily influenced from a TV show, their critical things skills are bordering on nonexistent.

 

[vz71]

If people are that easily influenced from a TV show, their critical things skills are bordering on nonexistent.

People are.

 

[vz71]

If people are that easily influenced from a TV show, their critical things skills are bordering on nonexistent.

Having thought about it, the advertising industry is alive and well working in that influence.

 

[PRmerger]

What about the question of “direct” and “indirect” harming someone, to “directly” causing suffering and “indirectly” allowing suffering to happen (if one has the power to stop that suffering"? If causing harm and suffering is evil, then allowing harm and suffering is equally evil.

Do you think that any adult who wishes to put an end to his/her suffering through death should be assisted in carrying out his/her intention?

 

[gam197]

People work hard and it is human nature to look for some form of recreation. TV is an inexpensive form of recreation.

I agree many shows start off on a good note, gain wide audience support and often go downhill.

TV, movies and music seem to have given us this notion of “fluid” gender.