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The treatment of torture on TV is important for the reasons OP states. I disagree that torture is becoming more prevalent on TV, though perhaps because I watch
by donpdonp 13y ago
The treatment of torture on TV is important for the reasons OP states. I disagree that torture is becoming more prevalent on TV, though perhaps because I watch less of it. Here are the scenes I can remember from childhood onward.
1. Knight Rider - not exactly torture but Michael was in a contest with someone else to tolerate pain, afterwards it was revealed the other person was not connected to the machine.
2. Star Trek - I can remember Kirk in a reclined chair on the Enterprise, looking up at something that was causing great pain.
2. ST:TNG - The Picard scene is memorable because it affected so many people due to the show's popularity.
3. Firefly - This was particularly well done / graphic because I think Nathan Fillion is very good physical actor.
One of the ways torture affects the lives of ordinary americans is through the Taser. Youtube has some eye-opening examples of tasers being used for the wrong reasons. Its a near impossible line to walk between non-lethal force and pain as coercion.
- saraid216 13y agoIt's worth noting that the Firefly torture scene was not an information-gathering operation. It was torture for the sake of torture. I haven't watched enough pop culture (basically none of 24, for instance) to know how uncommon that is in comparison with torture for the sake of "Where is the bomb!?", but it is probably significant.
- lightbritefight 13y agoThere are all good classic torture scenes, but realize that in none of them is the interrogator looking for information. Each scene was to break the subject, or to cause pain/death. Those instances of torture have no moral component past sadism. The issue is when you depict torture as a morally good, effective method of protecting people. Thats when people begin to believe that its an agreeable act.