Comments | childfree: Babies > Everything Else in TV Soaps

satanassa in childfree

Babies > Everything Else in TV Soaps

Jul 01, 2012 16:21

I am raging about the current plotline in BBC's EastEnders. For those not watching, I'll summarise what's going on:

( EastEnders plot and my complaint to the BBC. )

television, rant, babies, soap

Comments 17

crumplelush July 1 2012, 15:38:30 UTC

As someone who is both childfree and has a mental health problem I find that incredibly patronising. Actually no, I find that downright insulting. I was with this right up until the point when Jean declared that she was crazy all along. I'm glad I stopped watching Eastenders years ago. I would have been either incredibly upset, or incandescent with rage after watching that.

I hope you get a response back from the BBC. If you do then please share!

satanassa July 1 2012, 20:45:12 UTC

I have edited the post to include my response to their reply. If anything, it made me even more angry!

smittenfancy July 1 2012, 15:42:45 UTC

Wow. That is so grossly offensive that I don't even have any words.

devour_theflesh July 1 2012, 16:16:48 UTC

Wow, that's fucking awful.

novalinx July 1 2012, 17:27:26 UTC

Wait... I'm confused.

Janine's storyline? She got so stressed out she went into labor after the ceremony? So what, we're supposed to be sympathetic because she missed part of her "best day of her life!" giving birth (which is supposed to be the other "best day of your life!")?

Or are we supposed to feel bad for her cuz some guy married her for money and not for love? And then promptly got her pregnant, so now they'll stay together forever!!!

Or maybe it's the part where they are married and he's stealing money from another woman?

I'm so glad I don't watch soaps.

What exactly will people be donating to/getting information on to help people in Janine's situation? Will it be a directory for wedding planners?

Please let us know if you hear back from BBC.

satanassa July 1 2012, 20:52:10 UTC

Wedding planners, LOL!
I suppose it was about viewers who would feel affected about early labour and premature babies? The thing is, babies are such an over-used plot device that I honestly think viewers are too jaded to care.

nightshade2012 July 1 2012, 18:31:51 UTC

Wow. Just wow.

Sounds like the writers just needed a quick fix in order to 'redeem' Michael and so enters plot device baby.The problem is that they sent the message that what Michael did to Jean was okay and implied that she shouldn't be upset about it.

As someone who actually has Bipolar Disorder - along with some other problems - I fight with stigma every single day. This seems incredibly dismissive to me.

satanassa July 1 2012, 20:48:37 UTC

It is incredibly dismissive and contemptuous. I HATE how the writers throw in babies every now and then, especially to make a character seem virtuous.
Jean is actually being made to feel bad about worrying about her money when poor old Michael's poor little baby might not survive --- Barf!

thebunnybag July 2 2012, 01:47:02 UTC

Yeah, I have the bipolar as well. It's hard enough to fight the disorder, then you have shit like this. I've had enough of people either dismissing it as "oh you're so moody" and bullshit like that, or "that person is whacko! be careful with them." Last thing we need is MORE of this bullshit.