This series, although espousing liberal values is generally even handed. Not so this episode.
The man on trial is an abortionist. He is presented as being superhumanly noble. He got into the abortion business after his daughter died having an abortion. He meets several times with all of his patients. He performs the abortion only if he agrees that it would not be for selfish or promiscuous reasons. He actually talked one woman into keeping the baby because he said that she would regret having an abortion. Our "hero" is a seer. Even so he does not consider an unborn baby as human or having the right to life. On the other hand, if that is true, why have any qualms over the reason for having an abortion.
At the end when the prosecutor mentioned the possibility of adoption, the "doctor" said that forcing a mother to give up her child violates everything he believes in. Amazingly, putting an end to that life doesn't bother him.
As for the "trial", the judge and even the prosecutor are biased in favor of the defendant. The prosecutor allows the defense to bring in loads of irrelevant testimony. While the defendant is found guilty, the judge says that he is inclined to suspend sentence. The defendant is found guilty to drive home the idea that a travesty of justice has been done.
While legal abortions are mentioned, according to the episode, a woman who was raped and threatened suicide was told by the psychiatrist that she was emotionally strong enough to give birth and therefore must do so.
Therapeutic abortions are presented as an almost impossibility under any circumstances. The abortionist is presented as the quintessence of humanity and caring.
I'm glad most episodes are not like this.
The man on trial is an abortionist. He is presented as being superhumanly noble. He got into the abortion business after his daughter died having an abortion. He meets several times with all of his patients. He performs the abortion only if he agrees that it would not be for selfish or promiscuous reasons. He actually talked one woman into keeping the baby because he said that she would regret having an abortion. Our "hero" is a seer. Even so he does not consider an unborn baby as human or having the right to life. On the other hand, if that is true, why have any qualms over the reason for having an abortion.
At the end when the prosecutor mentioned the possibility of adoption, the "doctor" said that forcing a mother to give up her child violates everything he believes in. Amazingly, putting an end to that life doesn't bother him.
As for the "trial", the judge and even the prosecutor are biased in favor of the defendant. The prosecutor allows the defense to bring in loads of irrelevant testimony. While the defendant is found guilty, the judge says that he is inclined to suspend sentence. The defendant is found guilty to drive home the idea that a travesty of justice has been done.
While legal abortions are mentioned, according to the episode, a woman who was raped and threatened suicide was told by the psychiatrist that she was emotionally strong enough to give birth and therefore must do so.
Therapeutic abortions are presented as an almost impossibility under any circumstances. The abortionist is presented as the quintessence of humanity and caring.
I'm glad most episodes are not like this.