Eastenders SIDS storyline.... Too Far??

thebullkf · 03-01-2011 10:42pm #1

anyone else think its a step too far?.. personally i don't watch it but my bettter half had it on over the pudding and i must say, i thought it was disgraceful on such a normally happy time of the year to broadcast this ratings grabber?
Can anyone enlighten me as to the merits of this ?

I'm surprised it hasn't popped up on Boards yet tbh.. i have friends who've suffered this trauma recently...xmas was hard enough on them...
then to see this ...:(

Or am i simply over reacting?

thoughts please?

{@ mods apologies if this is already been done,i couldn't find it though..}

Mr.Crinklewood · 03-01-2011 10:44pm

What is "SIDS"?

Blatter · 03-01-2011 10:46pm

Mr.Crinklewood wrote: »

What is "SIDS"?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

chughes · 03-01-2011 10:47pm

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

daenerysstormborn3 · 03-01-2011 10:52pm

No offense to anyone who has personal experience with sudden infant death syndrome but possibly every single storyline in a soap ever may have personally effected a viewer or many viewers at one time or other, if they were to take this into consideration every time they write an episode then they wouldn't have anything to write about. Obviously they take inspiration from real life situations.

Personally don't watch eastenders, have just read about this in the papers and think the world would be a better place without soaps.

Also, I don't see why it makes a difference whether they show this at Christmas or not.

Fittle · 03-01-2011 11:09pm

I completely agree with you OP.

Cot death, in itself, is tragic enough without the farce of a storyline they have surrounding it. I switched off the night it happened, as I had read the spoilers and knew what the storyline entailed (although even then, I could hardly believe what I was reading:eek:). Haven't watched tonight and won't be switching back on until that storyline is well and truly over.

I don't know why they didn't just deal with cot death, with all the helpline numbers after the soap. Yes I agree, that in almost every soap that they try to immitate real life situations - but this storyline in no way, reflects real life.

I think I saw this somewhere else OP, but can't find it now either.

thebullkf · 03-01-2011 11:12pm

pixiebean22 wrote: »

No offense to anyone who has personal experience with sudden infant death syndrome but possibly every single storyline in a soap ever may have personally effected a viewer or many viewers at one time or other, if they were to take this into consideration every time they write an episode then they wouldn't have anything to write about. Obviously they take inspiration from real life situations.

i agree to an extent, but it seems sensationalist to me,its the right thing,done for the wrong reason if you like.

Personally don't watch eastenders, have just read about this in the papers and think the world would be a better place without soaps.

+ 100

Also, I don't see why it makes a difference whether they show this at Christmas or not.

its one of the few times of the year when family's unite-reunite and is generally considered a happy time, {also the religious aspect },its disgusting i think anyway. i mean what Taboo is next? Bestiality?... i'm all for highlighting sensitive issue's and the like but i feel its pointless showing the SIDS and baby-swapping shoite. It makes for grim viewing.

daenerysstormborn3 · 03-01-2011 11:28pm

thebullkf wrote: »

its one of the few times of the year when family's unite-reunite and is generally considered a happy time, {also the religious aspect },its disgusting i think anyway. i mean what Taboo is next? Bestiality?... i'm all for highlighting sensitive issue's and the like but i feel its pointless showing the SIDS and baby-swapping shoite. It makes for grim viewing.

er.... have a look in the animal and pet issues forum for the thread on "calendar controversy"...

thebullkf · 03-01-2011 11:30pm

pixiebean22 wrote: »

er.... have a look in the animal and pet issues forum for the thread on "calendar controversy"...

have seen it.... when they srt showing dead dogs being swapped i'll pop over...
anyway i think most people would not class that as bestiality..

daenerysstormborn3 · 03-01-2011 11:52pm

thebullkf wrote: »

have seen it.... when they srt showing dead dogs being swapped i'll pop over...
anyway i think most people would not class that as bestiality..

ah i know that, was just joking

the_monkey · 04-01-2011 12:51am

Yeah its a bit much allright, has put me off the show tbh ..

buzz55 · 04-01-2011 1:08pm

I agree, it has also put me off the show. Really not sure I can watch it for the next few weeks while this is going on.
And to be honest, if it goes on for longer than a few weeks then I think after almost 15 years, EE will have lost themselves a viewer completely. Some things you just don't go after on a soap I think, and while I believe a SIDS storyline could be done well, the baby swapping bit just makes a bit of a mockery of the whole thing, IMO.

Roll on the end of this storyline.

JP Liz V1 · 04-01-2011 1:13pm

I dont mind the SIDS storyline but the switch is very far fetched

the_monkey · 04-01-2011 5:04pm

buzz55 wrote: »

I agree, it has also put me off the show. Really not sure I can watch it for the next few weeks while this is going on.
And to be honest, if it goes on for longer than a few weeks then I think after almost 15 years, EE will have lost themselves a viewer completely. Some things you just don't go after on a soap I think, and while I believe a SIDS storyline could be done well, the baby swapping bit just makes a bit of a mockery of the whole thing, IMO.

Roll on the end of this storyline.

Exactly, it's out of character aswell for Ronnie, I don't think any parent would be capable of this after their baby died.

Of course this will drag on for weeks/months - they want impact,
the kid will probably be 1 or more before being handed back so damage will be permanent to all involved.

Gone are the days when soaps were a bit of craic, when the biggest story was a punch up in the queen vic...

JP Liz V1 · 04-01-2011 5:10pm

the_monkey wrote: »

Exactly, it's out of character aswell for Ronnie, I don't think any parent would be capable of this after their baby died.

Of course this will drag on for weeks/months - they want impact,
the kid will probably be 1 or more before being handed back so damage will be permanent to all involved.

Gone are the days when soaps were a bit of craic, when the biggest story was a punch up in the queen vic...

Yes Ronnie had Danielle taken from her when she was young so she of all people must know the heartbreak of having a baby taken

angel01 · 04-01-2011 8:35pm

I won't watch it. The only issue I have is how would you not recognise that it isn't your baby that is dead. Makes no sense.

Hannibal Smith · 04-01-2011 8:48pm

thebullkf wrote: »

anyone else think its a step too far?.. personally i don't watch it but my bettter half had it on over the pudding and i must say, i thought it was disgraceful on such a normally happy time of the year to broadcast this ratings grabber?
Can anyone enlighten me as to the merits of this ?

I'm surprised it hasn't popped up on Boards yet tbh.. i have friends who've suffered this trauma recently...xmas was hard enough on them...
then to see this ...:(

Or am i simply over reacting?

thoughts please?

{@ mods apologies if this is already been done,i couldn't find it though..}

I'm not sure what's so bad about this storyline, after all Emmerdale have done it, Corrie have done it, so why doesn't it seem right with EE? I dunno is it simply the fact that it's Ronnie's baby that died, that she's had such rotten luck with kids already so this is just a step too far for that character. If it was simply that Alfie and Kat's baby died it'd be bad enough, but I think it's the Ronnie element and the baby swap that makes it so much worse.

Still I'm sure they'll win loads of awards for a job well done :rolleyes:

A V A · 04-01-2011 8:56pm

i dont think there is nothing wrong with this story if anything its shinning a light on how bad it is and how upsetting it is.but my feelings do go out to the people who have had this happen to them but for people me who watch this sopas its a situation that shows us some of the dealings with SIDS

thebullkf · 04-01-2011 8:58pm

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

I'm not sure what's so bad about this storyline, after all Emmerdale have done it, Corrie have done it, so why doesn't it seem right with EE? I dunno is it simply the fact that it's Ronnie's baby that died, that she's had such rotten luck with kids already so this is just a step too far for that character. If it was simply that Alfie and Kat's baby died it'd be bad enough, but I think it's the Ronnie element and the baby swap that makes it so much worse.

Still I'm sure they'll win loads of awards for a job well done :rolleyes:

tbh i don't watch soap's,truly don't see them as a reflection of true life...i mean very few people work in them,none of 'em wash their clothes,they all eat out @ the Caff,and drink @lunchtime.... on welfare!!...

i never knew the others did this story before,reinforces my decision not to watch 'em.

thebullkf · 04-01-2011 9:00pm

A V A wrote: »

i dont think there is nothing wrong with this story if anything its shinning a light on how bad it is and how upsetting it is.but my feelings do go out to the people who have had this happen to them but for people me who watch this sopas its a situation that shows us some of the dealings with SIDS

do you think (god forbid) if it ever happened to you,having watched it, it would in turn 'help' in some way?

i don't understand your reasoning

{not being smart btw;)}

seanybiker · 04-01-2011 9:02pm

I dont think its to far at all. Things like SIDS happen in real life, why not make people aware of it.

jimmynokia · 04-01-2011 9:13pm

seanybiker wrote: »

I dont think its to far at all. Things like SIDS happen in real life, why not make people aware of it.

will they fine out about the baby switch?we dont want people thinking its a possibility with the already challenging subject and have people thinking that hospitals are not showing signs of this actually going on in the real world it dont give the hospital much credit does it

seanybiker · 04-01-2011 9:14pm

jimmynokia wrote: »

will they fine out about the baby switch?we dont want people thinking its a possibility with the already challenging subject and have people thinking that hospitals are not showing signs of this actually going on in the real world it dont give the hospital much credit does it

They're bound to find out at some stage when they get stuck for a storyline.

jimmynokia · 04-01-2011 9:18pm

wonder how long view will drag it out for its a bit harsh and ive to look at the misses getting out the tissues when its on its a little too much imo

Hannibal Smith · 04-01-2011 9:28pm

seanybiker wrote: »

I dont think its to far at all. Things like SIDS happen in real life, why not make people aware of it.

That's what has me in 2 minds about it too. I think if they had done it where it was Kat and Alfie's baby it would be a lovely story line...well not lovely, but more poignant. I don't know why the put the baby swap thing in and made Ronnie's character more miserable than she already was

Hannibal Smith · 04-01-2011 9:29pm

seanybiker wrote: »

They're bound to find out at some stage when they get stuck for a storyline.

Round 2 of 'You're not my muvvaaaaa!'

hotmail.com · 04-01-2011 9:29pm

I wonder if the complainers are regular EE viewers, because misery and shock storylines is the EE modus operandi. So I would never watch it.

seanybiker · 04-01-2011 9:31pm

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

That's what has me in 2 minds about it too. I think if they had done it where it was Kat and Alfie's baby it would be a lovely story line...well not lovely, but more poignant. I don't know why the put the baby swap thing in and made Ronnie's character more miserable than she already was

Yeah the whole swap thing was a bit much for Ronnie. They should give her a mice storyline about some irish chap calling over to her on his bike and the two of them riding off into the sunset together blablabla.

Hannibal Smith · 04-01-2011 9:44pm

seanybiker wrote: »

Yeah the whole swap thing was a bit much for Ronnie. They should give her a mice storyline about some irish chap calling over to her on his bike and the two of them riding off into the sunset together blablabla.

An Irish biker called..Seany perhaps?

SuperInfinity · 04-01-2011 10:17pm

hotmail.com wrote: »

I wonder if the complainers are regular EE viewers, because misery and shock storylines is the EE modus operandi. So I would never watch it.

Every episode is the same old shiiii.... someone shouting their heads off to someone else. Someone's life getting ruined. Murder... etc. Maybe decent once in a while, but no every day for me.

If Eastenders was a film it'd be a horror film.

d1975 · 04-01-2011 10:39pm

I'm not really into watching that story line, but I notice after the show ended on BBC there was voice over guy saying if your effected by this story line you can contact.... etc...

and I switched over to RTE and they didn't do anything at all I'm disapointed that RTE as a state broadcaster not putting information about ISIDA (Irish Sudden Infant Death Association)

BBC have been putting up info since the story line started so can't see why RTE don't

RH149 · 04-01-2011 10:53pm

Eastenders has already done a cot death story line-years ago, and they did it well, very sad but it was handled sensitively, without a sensationalist baby switch plot to make a real life issue...unrealistic. The baby of Ali and Sue (who owned the cafe) died of SIDS and I remember it being sad and shocking ....the unexplained and sudden death of the baby eventually caused so much strain on the couple that their marraige broke up (which is how the cafe was sold to Ian's mother Cathy).

The baby switch has made this unrealistic as how likely is it that Ronnie would leave her baby in the Vic like that and walk away.....its more likely she'd just keep holding him and refuse to accept he was dead. I imagine anyone who has suffered such a tragic loss in real life cannot watch at the moment but maybe the fact that the writers have treated this in such a sensationalist way which makes it so far removed from real life, will actually lessen the impact of this.....they should have watched some of their archive shows to see how to handle a sensitive issue....with sensitivity.

SuperInfinity · 04-01-2011 11:06pm

d1975 wrote: »

I'm not really into watching that story line, but I notice after the show ended on BBC there was voice over guy saying if your effected by this story line you can contact.... etc...

and I switched over to RTE and they didn't do anything at all I'm disapointed that RTE as a state broadcaster not putting information about ISIDA (Irish Sudden Infant Death Association)

BBC have been putting up info since the story line started so can't see why RTE don't

To me personally, statement has always seemed a bit (for want of a better word) "nannyish" to me. People can look up the internet themselves if they want.

Susie_Q · 04-01-2011 11:16pm

I don't understand the uproar over this storyline at all. Eastenders is always dealing with various serious and/or gloomy issues, this is one of them.

If you don't want to watch it, no one is forcing you to. Nor is anyone forcing you to read about the story online or in magazines. It's very easily avoided really, I can't get my head around the commotion this has caused. It's only a tv show for goodness sake!

JP Liz V1 · 05-01-2011 12:33am

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

I'm not sure what's so bad about this storyline, after all Emmerdale have done it, Corrie have done it, so why doesn't it seem right with EE? I dunno is it simply the fact that it's Ronnie's baby that died, that she's had such rotten luck with kids already so this is just a step too far for that character. If it was simply that Alfie and Kat's baby died it'd be bad enough, but I think it's the Ronnie element and the baby swap that makes it so much worse.

Still I'm sure they'll win loads of awards for a job well done :rolleyes:

The swaps in Emmerdale and Corrie were the hospital's fault not the parent(s) - the Emmerdale one was very well done and acted imo and even in that one of the babies died. Eastenders have gone way ott with this storyline.

Cathmandooo · 05-01-2011 10:42am

d1975 wrote: »

I'm not really into watching that story line, but I notice after the show ended on BBC there was voice over guy saying if your effected by this story line you can contact.... etc...

and I switched over to RTE and they didn't do anything at all I'm disapointed that RTE as a state broadcaster not putting information about ISIDA (Irish Sudden Infant Death Association)

BBC have been putting up info since the story line started so can't see why RTE don't

BBC made the show, RTE didn't, to me that's why RTE haven't put up a helpline number to call.

I don't think the swap is far fetched at all. The people who watch the show know what Ronnie has been through, she's hardly been of sound mind, she was sexually abused as a child, protected her sister from being molested, her mum walked out on her, gave birth, gave the baby up, in later years her baby came back as a teenager and died in her arms, her dad was murdered..the list goes on really. She didn't take her baby out to do the swap, she brought him out to get help. With the new years celebrations she was pushed and shoved around until she heard Tommy crying and she was drawn to him. Out of sheer desperation for just once having soemthing go right she took baby Tommy. Then you see her regretting it and going to swap them back but got stopped by Jack.

Kat hadn't seen her baby much up to that point as she was pretty bedridden, she did know he wasn't hers but Alfie convinced her it was just his sparkle gone so he looks different.

It's a very very sad storyline but I do think it's being done well, while it's not necessarily helping anyone who has gone through such devastation it might be an insight for people who havent to know what people go through.

Hannibal Smith · 05-01-2011 2:05pm

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

The swaps in Emmerdale and Corrie were the hospital's fault not the parent(s) - the Emmerdale one was very well done and acted imo and even in that one of the babies died. Eastenders have gone way ott with this storyline.

As far as I remember it was the mother of the dead baby who did the swap in Emmerdale. Her son had some hereditary illness and she knew he was going to die so the mother swapped them in the hospital?

Again in Corrie, one set of parents new about the swap, which is how the Connors found out about it.

I think it's only the fact that it's Ronnie that this happened to that is making it seem far worse. As I say, Alfie and Kat are playing a blinder and if it had happened to them it would be a very good storyline.

Hannibal Smith · 05-01-2011 2:08pm

d1975 wrote: »

I'm not really into watching that story line, but I notice after the show ended on BBC there was voice over guy saying if your effected by this story line you can contact.... etc...

and I switched over to RTE and they didn't do anything at all I'm disapointed that RTE as a state broadcaster not putting information about ISIDA (Irish Sudden Infant Death Association)

BBC have been putting up info since the story line started so can't see why RTE don't

Good point. It'd be nice for RTE to put something up alright.

Hannibal Smith · 05-01-2011 2:12pm

Susie_Q wrote: »

I don't understand the uproar over this storyline at all. Eastenders is always dealing with various serious and/or gloomy issues, this is one of them.

If you don't want to watch it, no one is forcing you to. Nor is anyone forcing you to read about the story online or in magazines. It's very easily avoided really, I can't get my head around the commotion this has caused. It's only a tv show for goodness sake!

People don't like what they see, they air their views. Simple really.

annieire · 05-01-2011 2:53pm

To be honest, i'm not really shocked by what i see in soaps anymore and i haven't been affected emotionally by them...until now.
I can imagine some new mothers are even more stressed out with worry as a result of this story line. I even found myself shedding a few tears and if i had a new born child i would have been in a complete state!

JP Liz V1 · 05-01-2011 3:11pm

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

As far as I remember it was the mother of the dead baby who did the swap in Emmerdale. Her son had some hereditary illness and she knew he was going to die so the mother swapped them in the hospital?

Again in Corrie, one set of parents new about the swap, which is how the Connors found out about it.

I think it's only the fact that it's Ronnie that this happened to that is making it seem far worse. As I say, Alfie and Kat are playing a blinder and if it had happened to them it would be a very good storyline.

In Emmerdale it was Laurel's mother who looked into the illness her "grandson" died from and then discovered the swap. I dont think the other mother did the swap as they already had another grown up child with no illness so they didnt know about the illness. The switch happened in the hospital and both Laurel and the other family the Dolands werent involved.

And in Corrie it happend again at the birth as in the hospital where Michelle real son was mixed up.

I think for me it is not fact that the baby died it is that Ronnie was so heartless to just let her dead baby there and take another of all she knew the heartache of losing a child - It might have been best just to show the heartbreak of losing a child to cot death without the bizzare stupid baby swap which has ruined the character of Ronnie and it rumours are true the storyline will continue for a year or two.

Hannibal Smith · 05-01-2011 3:41pm

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

In Emmerdale it was Laurel's mother who looked into the illness her "grandson" died from and then discovered the swap. I dont think the other mother did the swap as they already had another grown up child with no illness so they didnt know about the illness. The switch happened in the hospital and both Laurel and the other family the Dolands werent involved.

And in Corrie it happend again at the birth as in the hospital where Michelle real son was mixed up.

I think for me it is not fact that the baby died it is that Ronnie was so heartless to just let her dead baby there and take another of all she knew the heartache of losing a child - It might have been best just to show the heartbreak of losing a child to cot death without the bizzare stupid baby swap which has ruined the character of Ronnie and it rumours are true the storyline will continue for a year or two.

Are you sure about the Emmerdale storyline? I was full sure the other mother did it in the hospital?

Either way I agree with the last paragraph. It's too far fetched, a mother's instinct is to protect her own and to just leave her baby and as for the breastfeeding :eek:

JP Liz V1 · 05-01-2011 4:08pm

http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/soaps/article/1867/eastenders-a-new-low.html

The New Year baby-swap storyline on ‘EastEnders’ has caused controversy, with the BBC accused of using misery to try and grab ratings.

The episodes, which were watched by over 10 million viewers, saw Ronnie Branning lose her son James to cot death and then, in a fit of grief, switch the body with that of Kat Moon’s son Tommy. The harrowing story has seen many viewers complain to the BBC.

The Daily Mirror TV critic Kevin O’Sullivan called the plot “trashy and insensitive.”

Criticism on Twitter is aimed more at the baby swap rather than the death itself.

“I could handle the cot death but the swapping of babies is a horrible storyline,” wrote flossy30.

“Cot death is a difficult subject alone, but to add the switch is bizarre, hard viewing,” wrote Andilou70.

“Horrendous,” wrote AMP2210. “Fair enough, do a cot death story, but to swap a dead baby for an live one is just sick.”

But there were people willing to defend the soap.

“People are complaining that the ‘EastEnders’ cot death/baby snatch storyline makes all mums look bad,” wrote Poppy The Cat. “No it doesn't! And it has happened.”

“’EastEnders’ deserves an award for the Kat and Ronnie baby storyline. It's raising awareness of cot death,” wrote Stuart North19.

The BBC released the following statement about the episode.

“‘EastEnders’ is a drama which explores many difficult issues and inevitably these do sometimes touch a nerve with some sections of the audience. We have sought guidance and advice from the FSID (The Foundation for the Study of Infant Death), as well as speaking to parents who themselves have lost babies through cot death, to ensure that our portrayal is as sensitive and realistic as possible.”

However the FSID has distanced itself from the storyline, releasing a statement reading:

“FSID has received several complaints and comments from bereaved parents about the ‘baby-swap’ story on ‘Eastenders’.

“We are very sorry to know of the very natural distress caused by this plotline but would like to stress that our involvement was limited to advice on SIDS risk factors, bereavement and the involvement of health professionals and the police.

“FSID had no involvement in the planning or adoption of the 'baby-swap' plotline. The behaviour and actions of Ronnie Mitchell are in no way 'endorsed' by FSID as a typical, or even likely, reaction of a bereaved parent. “

JP Liz V1 · 06-01-2011 5:22pm

The BBC has now received nearly 6,000 complaints about EastEnders' controversial baby swap storyline, it has been confirmed.

A plot which is currently airing on the Walford show has seen Ronnie Branning lose her newborn son James to cot death, before secretly switching him with Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) child in a moment of despair.

BBC News reports that a total of 5,826 complaints have been received by the corporation since the storyline was first announced last November. The number has risen in the past two days as 3,400 complaints had been confirmed on Tuesday.

Although the media regulator Ofcom is known to have also received 374 complaints over the plot, it is understood that an official investigation is unlikely as the episodes in question are not thought to have breached the broadcasting code.

A statement released by the BBC has insisted that "EastEnders has a long history of exploring difficult issues, and the storyline regarding Ronnie and Kat follows in this tradition".

Show bosses have also promised that "viewers will see the situation resolve itself over the coming months".

Meanwhile, EastEnders has today confirmed that Samantha Womack - who plays Ronnie - will be leaving the soap later this year.

daenerysstormborn3 · 06-01-2011 5:36pm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1344532/Samantha-Womack-quits-EastEnders-controversial-cot-death-storyline.html

Apparently Samantha who plays Ronnie has quit.

Duiske · 06-01-2011 5:53pm

annieire wrote: »

To be honest, i'm not really shocked by what i see in soaps anymore and i haven't been affected emotionally by them...until now.
I can imagine some new mothers are even more stressed out with worry as a result of this story line. I even found myself shedding a few tears and if i had a new born child i would have been in a complete state!

Agreed.

Shock story lines have always been part of the soapland ratings battle, but i think Eastenders may have shot themselves in the foot with this one. I'd imagine there will be a clamber by the script writers to resolve the story sooner than planned, or else they risk people reaching for the remote instead of the popcorn.

jimmynokia · 06-01-2011 8:01pm

over 6000 complaints gone in so far and some bird quit too:eek:

Dues Bellator · 06-01-2011 8:09pm

personally i found it all a bit too much , not only was it a case of S.I.D.S but to swap the corpse of your dead baby for a friends baby is crazy, pure ratings grabbing if you ask me. plus to put it on over the xmas was classless .:mad:

Eastenders SIDS storyline.... Too Far??

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