Sometimes you get unexpected good stuff in unlikely places – always a positive experience!
Abuse survivor David Ryan’s visit with Pope Leo received lots of coverage and what I heard was hugely positive. Initially, it was in the news programmes, but then on the Claire Byrne Show (Newstalk, Tuesday) the presenter got off to a fine start with her new show, interviewing Mr Ryan soon after that Vatican meeting, a meeting Claire Byrne called “extraordinary”. He was glad the Pope had listened to the RTÉ radio documentary that outlined the abuse suffered by David and his deceased brother Mark. Pope Leo found it “horrific” and was “so apologetic”. David had been met with empathy and sincerity and saw pain in the Pontiff’s face. “I think he got it”. Since the documentary, David said he had changed – had become stronger, happier, more confident and “not ashamed any longer”. In a nice touch, Mr Ryan said he had given the Pope a St Brigid’s cross, which was appreciated.
Meanwhile, in TV drama I’ve come across a few interesting strands of late. I’m a big fan of Astrid, Murder in Paris (More 4, Fridays), a new series of which started recently. It’s a French crime drama where one of the lead investigators is on the autism spectrum – of course she can see patterns others can’t, has an eye for precise detail and a vast knowledge of the undigitised police files in the records office where she works. An English version, Patience, ran recently on Channel 4. The crimes and how they are solved are interesting enough, but there’s a great psychological depth and empathy in the relationships and in the portrayal of neuro divergence. There are some very moving moments throughout – especially in last Friday’s episode, about murder in a Buddhist monastery, where there are themes of life, loss and grief.
In recent episodes, there was an unexpected pregnancy. The show took the line I’ve noticed in many dramas – as characters review their options it is seen as important to have choice, and abortion is (unfortunately) often seriously considered, but there’s also a strong sense that choosing to keep the baby is preferable and desirable. The issue is treated in a very nuanced way. In fact, when the pregnant detective speaks the obligatory pro-choice lines, it felt like she was unconvinced. We are left in no doubt that there’s a baby involved, and there’s a strong sense of the bond between mother and baby.
There was a related moment in Tehran (Apple TV), just back for a third series, and particularly relevant with current political tensions relating to Iran. It’s one of the most suspenseful shows on TV, as an Israeli agent plays a cat and mouse game with a secret police inspector – a complex villain for sure. This season they’ve also introduced a nuclear inspector played with grim seriousness by Hugh Laurie. It abounds in moral dilemmas, as political factors and ruthless patriotism clash with a more respectful humanity. In one recent scene the agent helps an ailing pregnant woman by sourcing necessary medicine – she is understandably grateful and thanks her from both herself and her unborn baby – “from us both”.
In Mystery Road: Origin (BBC Two, Fridays), a dour Australian crime drama, there’s also a sense of the humanity of the unborn child – another ailing pregnant woman is warned by the doctor to rest herself in order to protect her baby. A man who tried to kick his pregnant partner out of the house is accused by her brother – “he’s the one who killed the baby”. The show features an aboriginal detective in the outback solving crimes that lead to dark secrets being revealed concerning the forced adoptions in the past of aboriginal and half-caste children. There’s a nun involved – she seems caring and admired in the present time and says that people in the past were doing what they thought was best. It was hard to know whether this was self-justification or genuine learning. In last week’s episode a disgruntled victim of the system used his pickup truck to drag a cross from the local hospital, apparently at the centre of the scandal, around the streets.
This had echoes in last week’s news reports of human remains in Tuam – babies’ remains found in coffins – rather different, so far, from the ‘babies dumped in septic tanks’ narrative that the media were promoting prominently, and worldwide, for the past few years.
Pick of the week
Everybody Loves Raymond
Channel 4, Saturday, February 14, 7.35am
Prodigal Son: Debra challenges Ray on why he isn’t going to Mass on Sunday with the family.
Bernadette, the Musical – Miracle in the Making
EWTN, Saturday, February 14, 9.30pm
From New York and Montreal, hopeful performers compete for roles as the challenges of adapting a beloved French production for American audiences begin to take centre stage.
Divine Sparks
RTÉ Radio 1, Friday, February 20, 10.05pm
Topical religious and ethical discussions with Áine Lawlor.
