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09/24/2005

OK, it's my turn

Everyone else has written their post regarding the scintillating new NBC Drama "Inconceivable," so I guess it's my turn.

 

Now, granted, I've never been into a fertility clinic.  All of my learning is done second-hand through all of you lovely women, but even I could spot the numerous innaccuracies/unrealistic moments in the plot (the beta results [referred to as merely a "blood test"] delivered directly by the RE in his office, the tiny stack of tax records and income statements that the receptionist dropped on an RE's desk as an "adoption application," etc.). 

 

I know that I should watch this with a grain of salt; that, as Beaver Girl mentioned, this is a television show and, as such, there will be things that wouldn't happen in real life.  However.

 

What troubles me about this show is that infertility is not something that is otherwise often discussed publicly.  Infertililty carries a stigma, and few people who are not infertile understand the pain (physical and emotional), the medical procedures, the cost, the guilt, and the strain on relationships that infertility can bring.  Infertility is seen as an extravagant problem to have -- "Can't have kids?  So what!  Not being able to reproduce isn't a health problem!  It's a lifestyle problem!"

 

It is because of this that I was so reticent to watch this show.  I know that other shows contain innaccuracies (I'm sure that "ER" isn't the carbon copy of actual emergency room procedure, and lord knows that most Crime Scene Investigators don't work in poorly-lit labs and never bother even putting their hair back), but medical procedures and crime are both things that are openly discussed in regular life.  Most people already know that they should not take these shows as instructional manuals on how ERs or crime labs are run. 

 

However, the majority of Americans never experience infertility, have never met an RE, and will never experience the great joy that is sorely swollen ovaries.  What they will see on "Inconceivable" may become, for them, their entire experience with infertility or fertility clinics.  That's what worries me.

 

My thoughts, anyway.  What did you think?

13:30 Posted in Diversions | Permalink | Comments (9) | Email this

Comments

I agree with you. What was presented was certainly not a representation of real life and it's scary to think that people will assume this is the way it all works.

On the other hand...I have a weakness for trashy TV so I'll probably catch it again if I'm at home on a Friday night.

Posted by: Dooneybug | 09/24/2005

I agree completely. I think people underestimate the pervasiveness of the media as an "informer" of how things in the real world work. If you don't have actual experience, and the tv is your only exposure - there's no way you can figure out what's absurdly unrealistic.
It's unfortunate. From the comments I've read on the show (I didn't see it myself), seems like it's just adding fodder for even more stupid questions. Just what we need!

Posted by: Lori | 09/25/2005

I watched about half of the show before I went out for the evening. It sucked both for the startling inaccuracies and the pitiful writing/direction/acting. With any luck, it'll be canceled asap. Where is the Discovery Health Channel when you need it? They insist upon running endless real life dramas about women in labor but can't bother to do a documentary on infertility clinics?!

Posted by: mm | 09/25/2005

That's what I was trying to say. (I didn't read any blogs until I had watched the show) I'm going to keep watching it out of morbid curiosity, but I did write NBC about my concerns.

Posted by: Jenn | 09/25/2005

Hopefully it will be cancelled soon. It was bad enough.

Posted by: Menita | 09/25/2005

I will continue to watch it as long as it is on but I think it sucks. As a potential SMC I thought the stuff with Ming Na's character was offensive. & I thought it sad that the only gay characters were portrayed as crazy. & did every story have to involve surrogacy?
But like I said. I'll watch it. If only b/c it quasi represents a part of my life.

Posted by: Cali | 09/26/2005

That's exactly why I'm offended by this show (so much so that I forgot that it was on) - stupid people (that make stupid comments already) are going to think that this is the reality. And the reality is so, so, so much worse - I know that I said I didn't watch it, I say it's so much worse because nobody said anything about the depiction of the resulting depression or the mother of the triplets strolling through the waiting room having had her face torn off. Was there vodka? Valium? Sobbing for days? Feh.

Posted by: T | 09/26/2005

I missed the pilot episode since I was on vacation, but I don't plan on watching this. I suppose its the same with the cop shows and the lawyer shows, it isn't reality, but you are all correct that most people will assume that it is. I expected more of Angie Harmon, but not of TV.

Posted by: Donna | 09/26/2005

Your last paragraph is what scares me too.

I didn't watch it, I don't plan to. It sends me creepy thoughts just thinking about it.

Posted by: April | 09/26/2005

The comments are closed.