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Hom3r 16-09-2008 20:08

EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Eastender has started one of the most power storylines in soap history.

Bianca's stepdaughter Whitney is going to be raped by Bianca's current boyfriend Toney who has been grooming her.


Is this a story to far, or is it a story to bring this subject out to greater public attention, and perhaps show some people the warning signs that may be happening under there noses, as these people often groom the whole family

http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/walfordw...le.php?id=1195

WHISTLED 16-09-2008 20:11

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Havent they been having an affair from before he went inside?

Hom3r 16-09-2008 20:13

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Yes but he making everybody thing he's interested in Bianca

Maggy 16-09-2008 20:17

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
I hate storylines like this.. it's claimed to be 'educational' but I see it as taking a really awful experience and trivialising it for entertainment.

Hom3r 16-09-2008 20:17

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
I can see the BBC / OFCOM switch boards mealting from all the complaints.

This is a story line that seem to be a taboo subject, but needs to be done.

mentalis 16-09-2008 20:17

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
I don't really watch soaps, bit I know a lot of people do. If this is done well, and it shows people how grooming happens, and people start to recognise the signs then it could be a good thing.

WHISTLED 16-09-2008 20:20

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

trivialising it for entertainment.
Dont think its necessary much of the time but dont think it trivialises it, as well as compliants from shocked viewers programmers also help some people come to terms with whats happening.

Maggy 16-09-2008 20:25

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by WHISTLED (Post 34638523)
Dont think its necessary much of the time but dont think it trivialises it, as well as compliants from shocked viewers programmers also help some people come to terms with whats happening.

I don't know if that would be the case..but I sometimes think that such story lines may be excruciating for someone who has been a victim and a reminder of something they may never come to terms with.

Anyway I think that there are too many soaps showing situations such as these far too early in the evening.After 9 pm might be a better idea for some of the more adult themes...

Hom3r 16-09-2008 20:28

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34638520)
hate storylines like this.. it's claimed to be 'educational' but I see it as taking a really awful experience and trivialising it for entertainment.

Are you a teacher, do teachers get training (If you are aloud to say) in to warning signs to watch out for?

I agree that soap do trivialise some storylines, but hopefully this will be different.

Halcyon 16-09-2008 20:49

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
It's not the first time a storyline like this has been done.
Family Affairs a few years ago had a story where a guy who was abused when he was younger then went on to think it was ok to abuse others.

I don't think it is the most tasteful of storylines. I think it is making entertainment out of something which really isnt funny or entertaining.

Maggy 16-09-2008 20:52

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hom3r (Post 34638530)
Are you a teacher, do teachers get training (If you are aloud to say) in to warning signs to watch out for?

I agree that soap do trivialise some storylines, but hopefully this will be different.

I've not had to do it but a colleague had to view a series of 'tapes' at the request of the police to help identify victims of a paedophile ring..She couldn't say much about it, not that she wanted to but found the whole experience extremely upsetting. :(

zing_deleted 16-09-2008 21:10

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
It happens in real life soap operas are dramas based on what happens in real life. Ok a lot happens in Albert Square but it would be quite dull if it showed people sat watching Corrie

idi banashapan 16-09-2008 22:00

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
I don't get why people still move to places like Albert Square, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. I mean, do these people not watch tele? I'd NEVER move to any of those places knowing what I know about the people there. Every Christmas, I'd be kaking myself in case it was my turn to die horrifically. As for getting married there - sod that. You just KNOW something awful will happen to someone that day, like a plane crashing on their head, the post office exploding in your face or someone you thought you knew well turns out to be a psycho killer who's after doing in you mother.... what's wrong with these people who insist on living in these places???

BUY A TV!!!

---------- Post added at 22:00 ---------- Previous post was at 21:58 ----------

oh, btw... the vote is missing the option "don't care". I'd be interested to see the result of that!

Arthurgray50@blu 16-09-2008 22:07

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
This sort of storyline should NOT be in soaps, it will be shown as gloryfying a sick part of life, it should be be spoken in schools and community centres, where adults and children should be made aware of what to look for, who to inform etc. l for one will not watch this show, whilst this storyline is on, if it was about anything else such as cancer help, aids help, or alcohol problem, then that helps the public, but about the sickos of this world.

idi banashapan 16-09-2008 22:09

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 34638588)
This sort of storyline should NOT be in soaps, it will be shown as gloryfying a sick part of life, it should be be spoken in schools and community centres, where adults and children should be made aware of what to look for, who to inform etc. l for one will not watch this show, whilst this storyline is on, if it was about anything else such as cancer help, aids help, or alcohol problem, then that helps the public, but about the sickos of this world.

wow, dude.... seriously... it's only a tv show...

Stephen 16-09-2008 22:39

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 34638588)
This sort of storyline should NOT be in soaps, it will be shown as gloryfying a sick part of life, it should be be spoken in schools and community centres, where adults and children should be made aware of what to look for, who to inform etc. l for one will not watch this show, whilst this storyline is on, if it was about anything else such as cancer help, aids help, or alcohol problem, then that helps the public, but about the sickos of this world.

I think you are totally wrong there.

A lot of people watch soaps and if they are bringing up events that do happen in real life it can help people that have been through and are going through similar things and lead to to telling someone and seeking help.

I know someone that was abused by a family member when they were young and it only got brought up a few years back as they were sitting drinking with their mother and Aunt and it all came out and also happened to them when they were younger.

Now if people see this on the TV there is more chance of them seeking help.

But also there are people that will complain as they feel uncomfortable with situations like that.

Arthurgray50@blu 16-09-2008 22:42

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
It might be a TV show, BUT in this day and age, you tell me how many shows there are on TV where something happens in real life, and you would lose count.

Xaccers 16-09-2008 22:49

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
I thought they already did something like this with Kat?

Arthurgray50@blu 16-09-2008 22:49

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Hi Stephen, l do take your point, and l respect that, my all round opion is that, in case EastEnders take the matter too far, as some soaps do, when l was brought up, l had similar problems, and in those days, it was known as 'the dirty mack brigade' there is a limit, to what can be shown, and l think that this storyline, could be near the bone, You could also have the sicko's of this world, looking, but what we should be doing is teaching people about this sad incident, but l do take your piont and all parts of the media should help to educate people, and a regular basis, but sadly when the prog is over, it will be fogotten, but the sadness is, that people will still be effected - and that is the saddest part.

idi banashapan 16-09-2008 22:58

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 34638619)
It might be a TV show, BUT in this day and age, you tell me how many shows there are on TV where something happens in real life, and you would lose count.

my point is more to the fact that it is, by all intents and purposes, an over-dramatised pseudo 'representation' of real life. in all honesty, it's not even comparable to real life. there are people here saying you can learn stuff from it, and others saying they are going to boycott watching it because of content. to those who think you can learn something from melodramatics, good luck to you.... for those of you who will boycott watching it, get down from the high horse you're on and get to grips with the fact it's not actually real.

---------- Post added at 22:58 ---------- Previous post was at 22:56 ----------

it really is just a tv show. if you really want to make a difference to those who have ACTUALLY suffered from this kind of stuff, do some charity work or something. not watching one of the most watched progammes on tv is really not going to make anyone blink.

Maggy 16-09-2008 22:59

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender (Post 34638636)
my point is more to the fact that it is, by all intents and purposes, an over-dramatised pseudo 'representation' of real life. in all honesty, it's not even comparable to real life. there are people here saying you can learn stuff from it, and others saying they are going to boycott watching it because of content. to those who think you can learn something from melodramatics, good luck to you.... for those of you who will boycott watching it, get down from the high horse you're on and get to grips with the fact it's not actually real.

Of course it's not real..however for anyone who has been a victim it is no less trite for it to be used as a form of entertainment..perhaps you should be the one to get down off your high horse?

idi banashapan 16-09-2008 23:08

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
how can I be on my high horse when I'm the one trying to tell people it is exactly what you just said.... entertainment. a LOT of programmes these days focus on the drinking culture, drug abuse, rape, violence, etc, etc, but I don't see a thread for each of them. people get WAY too intense on this sort of stuff. unfortunately, you simply cannot hide from it. someone is always going to be in some harrowing position, no matter what soap you watch.

yeah, it happens. it's sick. it's wrong. God have mercy on me if anyone ever touched my daughter because I know I'd be the one going to jail as the person who did something would be 6 foot under. but Eastender's portrail of it is just not real and it's just not worth the effort of arguing over. it's only a TV programme...

kryogenik 16-09-2008 23:35

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
I personally don't like the idea. I can see both sides of the opinion/argument but I really don't like it. I don't watch Deadenders anyway so it's never going to effect anyone in our house, but if I did, I'd choose not too in this case. The lines are getting greyer all the time these days in terms of what is morally acceptable before the watershed or otherwise. TV isn't the place for this in my opinion. Imagine what kids who have gone through this will feel like. Deadenders is depressing enough as it is for a start. They're not scraping the bottom of the barrel with this, they've gone right through and are now in the crap below it.

Maggy 16-09-2008 23:38

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender (Post 34638644)
how can I be on my high horse when I'm the one trying to tell people it is exactly what you just said.... entertainment. a LOT of programmes these days focus on the drinking culture, drug abuse, rape, violence, etc, etc, but I don't see a thread for each of them. people get WAY too intense on this sort of stuff. unfortunately, you simply cannot hide from it. someone is always going to be in some harrowing position, no matter what soap you watch.

yeah, it happens. it's sick. it's wrong. God have mercy on me if anyone ever touched my daughter because I know I'd be the one going to jail as the person who did something would be 6 foot under. but Eastender's portrail of it is just not real and it's just not worth the effort of arguing over. it's only a TV programme...

Intense? I think you are the one who came into the thread rather strongly..if you don't care as you much as you profess to why bother posting? :shrug:

Anyway I also have the same attitude towards rape,murder,kidnapping etc being trivialised for entertainment and it matters not how bad the writing,performances or how real or unreal the soap is.IN fact the less real the production the more trite it becomes because it's just used for shock value..not to educate at all.

Uncle Peter 17-09-2008 00:29

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34638662)
Anyway I also have the same attitude towards rape,murder,kidnapping etc being trivialised for entertainment and it matters not how bad the writing,performances or how real or unreal the soap is.IN fact the less real the production the more trite it becomes because it's just used for shock value..not to educate at all.

Yes I feel there's a suspicion that the writers/programme makers may indeed be using this very sensitive issue as a publicity magnet to draw attention to the show.

On the other side of the scales there is also the argument that they may actually be taking the opportunity to bring the matter to the attention of a subset of society whos life revolves around soap operas and are generally of touch with what is happening in the real world.

Hom3r 17-09-2008 20:39

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
The complaints have started

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7622019.stm

Paul 17-09-2008 22:02

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Hmm, paedophilia ? Im sure that technically its the correct term, but not what most people would really associate with the term, which is much younger girls. In that picture she easily looks older than 15.

Maggy 17-09-2008 22:54

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul M (Post 34639127)
Hmm, paedophilia ? Im sure that technically its the correct term, but not what most people would really associate with the term, which is much younger girls. In that picture she easily looks older than 15.

Possibly because the actress is 17...;)

lilcee 21-09-2008 12:49

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
this storyline highlights the fact that this does actually happen outside of our happy home bubble. for people who would normally turn a blind eye & not talk to their children about these dangers, well, the kids will have an opportunity to talk to their peers or elders about it. if the 'do-gooders' dont like it then theres always the off button!!

I welcome anything that encourages discussions withins fanilies etc. well done BBC!

alferret 21-09-2008 18:55

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
The "character" Tony has been grooming the "charater" Whitney for quite a while and along with the grooming is the maniplulation of Whitney.

Whether the BBC is right or wrong the fact of the matter is that this sort of abuse is happening all the time and if it draws the public's attention to certain traits that can be displayed then there is a very good possibility that someone's life may be changed enough that they break away from the abuse and\or parents\relatives will see these traits that are being shown on Eastenders and then they may be able to help\put a stop to grooming and paedophilia.

The storyline that is being shown is just that a story but it has been put together with the script writers and the NSPCC so its not just some writers thoughts on the subject its been thoroughly researched.

---------- Post added at 18:55 ---------- Previous post was at 18:55 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilcee (Post 34640607)
this storyline highlights the fact that this does actually happen outside of our happy home bubble. for people who would normally turn a blind eye & not talk to their children about these dangers, well, the kids will have an opportunity to talk to their peers or elders about it. if the 'do-gooders' dont like it then theres always the off button!!

I welcome anything that encourages discussions withins fanilies etc. well done BBC!

Totally agree, and as you said there is always that OFF button.

Stuart 21-09-2008 20:55

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34638520)
I hate storylines like this.. it's claimed to be 'educational' but I see it as taking a really awful experience and trivialising it for entertainment.

There are two ways they can handle it. If they go for the shock value, then they may just trivialise it.

If they do attempt to educate people (and previously, Eastenders does seem to have favoured this approach), then it could be good. As an example of a storyline that supposedly educated people, I cite the storyline in the 90s of Joe (or Jaw as my family nicknamed him) Wicks. For those who don't know, the character started off as a typical soap teenager and over the space of 2 or 3 years gradually became both more and more paranoid and eccentric (in a disturbing, not entertaining way) before being diagnosed with a mental illness. They took the time to show not only the effects on Joe, but also the effects on all the characters he was involved with.

Mental health charities even congratulated EE for showing that not all mentall illness comes on quickly.

---------- Post added at 20:55 ---------- Previous post was at 20:44 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34638527)
I don't know if that would be the case..but I sometimes think that such story lines may be excruciating for someone who has been a victim and a reminder of something they may never come to terms with.

On the other hand, if it is handled well and shows people who aren't in a position where they have had training what signs to look for, is that not a good thing?
Quote:

Anyway I think that there are too many soaps showing situations such as these far too early in the evening.After 9 pm might be a better idea for some of the more adult themes...
Paedophilia mostly affects kids. I am not denying the effect it must have on the rest of the family (either the victim's or the paedophile's), but surely the person most affected is the kid it is done to.

If this storyline is handled well and senstively, it may help a victim's friends to spot the signs that he or she is a victim, and help them to know what to do.

That is of course, If.

Hom3r 09-12-2008 19:51

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Mount St Bianca has exploded.

Pia 09-12-2008 19:56

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hom3r (Post 34693429)
Mount St Bianca has exploded.

Eh?:confused:

Hom3r 09-12-2008 19:57

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
She's just found out Witney & Tony.

Pia 09-12-2008 19:58

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hom3r (Post 34693433)
She's just found out Witney & Tony.

Oooh, i thought that was going to be a Xmas thing.

Hom3r 09-12-2008 20:00

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Nah thats the return of Nick Cotton.

moaningmags 09-12-2008 20:00

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
I don't watch Eastenders but turned it when you posted above.
I don't think it's a storyline too far.
And it's good Bianca stood by her daughter, didn't blame her as many mothers would have done, and from the ending it looks as though the daughter has realised what's actually happened to her.
Hopefully, any young teenage girls watching this who are in this situation will realise too and speak out.

Charlie_Bubble 09-12-2008 20:33

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
I think they've done quite a good job of this storyline. They've managed to show a predatory paedophile at work. They've shown how they start exploiting young girls with the Lauren storyline. They've also shown how they end relationships with girls when the girl grows up too much and begins to become a woman with the Whitney storyline. They've managed to show how the girls often don't even realise it's happening and think it's a normal boy - girl relationship and if anything, blame themselves later.

They've also hopefully thrown out some people's misconceptions that all paedophiles must be dirty old men in macs that hang around schools looking for victims. This one was a young, good looking bloke who zeroed in on a vulnerable single mother to move in on her daughter.

We all know that young people identify a lot more with people from soaps and bands etc, than they do with teachers, social workers, politicians and if just one girl has managed to realise from these storylines that she is in an abusive relationship like this, then it's been worth it. May also make some single mothers a bit more wary of letting the wrong person into their life.

frogstamper 10-12-2008 20:43

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Hom3r (Post 34693438)
Nah thats the return of Nick Cotton.

A penny to a pound that when Nasty Nick returns home his opening line will be,
"Allo Ma":)

Stephen 10-12-2008 23:42

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by frogstamper (Post 34694132)
A penny to a pound that when Nasty Nick returns home his opening line will be,
"Allo Ma":)

I bet it more likely to be

'Merry Christmas Ma!!' :)

Stuart 12-12-2008 10:09

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Another good episode last night. The Lynch mob is forming, and already they have the wrong person in their sites..

sk8er_boi6000 13-12-2008 21:14

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
For me, No they haven't gone too far. Although I am not a big fan of soaps, I believe they have dealt with the issue in a responsible manner

Welshchris 16-12-2008 20:35

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Weird this, i watched Hollyoaks today for first time in ages, and Tony in that is being done for sleeping with a underage Girl. Both Tony, Both Peados, is there some sort of copying thing going on here?

Stuart 17-12-2008 09:30

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshchris (Post 34698393)
Weird this, i watched Hollyoaks today for first time in ages, and Tony in that is being done for sleeping with a underage Girl. Both Tony, Both Peados, is there some sort of copying thing going on here?

Err, the Tony in Hollyoaks has been accused of sleeping with an underage girl. He didn't.

The Tony in Eastenders did, repeatedly, from when Whitney was 12.

Anyway, in soaps, you do find that from time to time, they use similar storylines, although Hollyoaks has been known to sensationalise storylines (admittedly they handled an anorexia storyline quite well last year).

zing_deleted 17-12-2008 09:38

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Tony in Hollyhoaks I think did sleep with the girl but she collared him in a club and he thought she was older.

Has it actually been made clear that Tony Eastenders actually had sex with Whitney? not totally followed it

Charlie_Bubble 17-12-2008 09:46

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb (Post 34698698)
Tony in Hollyhoaks I think did sleep with the girl but she collared him in a club and he thought she was older.

Has it actually been made clear that Tony Eastenders actually had sex with Whitney? not totally followed it

Yes.

Stuart 23-02-2009 17:41

Re: EastEnders paedophilia storyline
 
Well, Ofcom have cleared the storyline, noted that the storyline "actually had a positive impact" on the audience (leading to a lot of potential victims phoning the BBC action line) and concluded that the the story reached "an appropriate conclusion" when Tony (the paedophile) was arrested.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcas...hile-plot.html

In all, I think the storyline was very well handled by all concerned, and I'll be staggered if there aren't awards heading for the show and cast.


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