Thursday, 5 September 2013

Coronation Street to explore right to die

BBC News are reporting the next development in Hayley's current cancer storyline.  Apparently Coronation Street will be using Hayley's story to explore the right to die issue. The full article is on the BBC News Website.

I did wonder if this was the way this story would go. So far this storyline has been beautifully written and played out by all concerned. Whatever the characters of Roy and Hayley decide, I think we all agree this will continue to be a deeply moving, poignant storyline throughout the rest of this year.

I am sure this aspect, like the other strands of Hayley's story will be sensitively handled by the entire Coronation Street team.

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17 comments:

  1. I can't wait to hear Roy's argument for his position on this, especially because he's an atheist.

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  2. Kudoes to Mr. Blackburn for attempting to use this forum to explore topics of social relevance, even if they're sometimes unevenly handled.
    A soap as a platform for ethical discourse! Who'd a thunk it?!

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  3. I like that Hayley issues with Harold come back for this topic.

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  4. When is Julie H.'s last day on air?

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  5. I can see them exploring this and it will make for some wonderful drama but I don't think they'll go so far as to have her actually do it in the end.

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  6. It would be far too controversial and upsetting to have Hayley actually exercising her right to die. The drama will come through her conflict with Roy on the issue. I don't see her ending her own life, and nobody on the Street would assist her suicide. Either she dies before their dilemma is resolved or she gives way to Roy on the basis that he is the one who will be left.

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  7. Hayley and Roy fly to Switzerland? Well, why not?

    Terry Pratchett, for example, has done some excellent work in highlighting the unstisfactory and inadequate nature of the UK's legal position on assisted voluntary euthanasia, and Corrie really could augment this if it handles it right.

    They're getting applause from me on this.

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  8. I secretly hope that Hayley dies suddenly of a heart attack. I know that's selfish but I just don't want to see this lovely character suffer for so long.

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  9. I agree hope Hayley goes with dignity a heart attack or in her sleep

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  10. I think it's very brave of the producers if they are going to tackle this very controversial subject. It will be interesting to see how it's handled and if any bias is shown one way or another. Unfortunately terrible suffering is a reality all over the world every day and although seeing it portrayed might not for some be classed as entertainment, it will perhaps make that reality clearer for anyone who sees it as a sin for someone to opt to end their life before it becomes unbearable. No-one seems to have any problems with putting a dog "out of its misery" but the same does not apply when human suffering is at its worst. It's a strange world sometimes.

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  11. Rarely does anyone stand to gain from the death of a dog, but people use each other in terrible ways, so we have to have laws that protect us from each other and ourselves. Assisted suicide needs a lot of safeguards surrounding it, but it happens, so like with many other difficult, controversial activities, regulation is usually more successful than banning or ignoring.

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  12. I can see it. Roy loves Haley too much to watch her suffering and Haley loves Roy too much to watch him suffer. I don't think I could handle a deathbed scene for this character. Maybe they'll both just leave one day for a quick holiday and Roy comes back alone leaving the viewer to wonder.

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  13. I'd rather they didn't do this, frankly. It suggests that the only rational reaction to having a terminal illness is to want to top yourself but also, I don't want to see Roy and Hayley arguing in the limited time left to them on the show. I'd much rather they just showed them enjoying the time they have left together, having good days and bad days but muddling through, dealing with Hayley's failing health in their sweet, gentle, loving way.

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  14. Poof, I don't agree that this plotline is suggesting that voluntary euthanasia is the automatic rational response to a diagnosis of terminal illness. Rather, it's other related circumstances, such as the toleration or otherwise of severe pain and/or quality of life in the final stages that might lead down that road. It doesn't sound to me as if the Street is not going to be considering these issues in respect of Hayley and Roy.

    And I want to see Hayley's final departure played out in full, heartbreaking though it may be. No point at all in flinching from these things. It could, I'd suggest, be rather beautiful.

    The last comparable death was that of Alma Baldwin, which was pretty well done. I'd say that Hayley's departure will easily surpass that.

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  15. Hayley will go mad as the end nears and enter a murderous streak. Since she has nothing to lose she will take out her repressed aggression against those who wronged her. Tracy Barlow for one, Mary, Norris, David Platt to name a few. Her method of murder will be vicious and slow. Very Explosive.

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  16. Watching a beloved character die slowly, painfully, and with horrific physical deterioration can hardly be considered beautiful. Isn't that the entire point of considering assisted suicide?

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  17. I'm so God damn sad about this. Why couldn't Hailey go away to Africa or some other country again while the actress is off doing other things, why do they have to kill her off completely? I don't know if I can watch this. :(

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