I like the show Criminal Minds because of the fascinating psychological aspects, not the violence. It was with concern and anticipation that I watched last night's episode about the serial killer with AD. I expected it to be either understated and well done, or insulting and innacurate. It took me until this morning to figure out what I wanted to say about it, and to ask opinions of those of you who saw it.
Although I thought the AD was accurately portrayed (the labels on everything in the house, and the scene where the killer thought he had "hunted" for a victim 3 weeks ago, when it had been the day before), I thought it served no purpose to have the killer be the one with AD. If they wanted to raise awareness or do a storyline on AD, I think a retired FBI agent with AD would have been a better fit. Or even better, a current agent in his 50's showing beginning signs of AD. On the one hand, it seemed cruel for Agent Rossi to be badgering and insulting the killer for his AD symptoms; on the other hand, the man did kill 20(?) women.
The one major flaw that stood out for me was the Mark Twain quote at the end that said that EVERYONE would suffer from "losing their mind". That was totally inaccurate, untrue, and will mislead the general public into thinking that everyone who is old with get AD.
I do intend to send a letter to the producers about the show, particularly that quote.
Anyone else see it and have an opinon? Please post it here.
Joan, I made sure that I watched it when you mentioned it yesterday. I agree with what you said. I think that the sceen with Agent Rossi showed that may be the Agent didn't believe the man. It was almost like the man was not being truthfull and Rossi wasn't sure it he was telling the truth. I also felt that the Mark Twain quote was out of place and really didn't have any use where they used it. Even though the show was good to watch and well done for the topic, I agree that it shouldn't have been done in the first place.
I saw it also. I too like Criminal Minds for the same reason that you do but I don't get the reason for the killer having AD. From a psycological point (which is what the show deals with) why would AD make it more interesting. Like Vickie said, he did kill before he had AD also...anyway I think that they are trying to make people more aware of AD but they don't have their facts straight so they know just enough about AD to make them dangerous. It just contributes to the myths. As a side note it was better done than the sitcom.
Another truth that was brought out in it was the son realized he could not reason with his dad. As sick as it was, he did what it took to make his dad 'happy' by giving in and saying he would go find a girl that would please him. I, too, did not like the badgering that Agent Rossi did concerning he should be wearing a diaper and pointing out he had peed in his underwear. But, I also agree that it was important to reach the man to find out where his son was. As for the killer having AD, one can look at it as showing how people progress backwards in this disease forgetting recent. At the end the guy told Rossi he remembers him and he was the reason he stopped killing.
So, there were good points and bad points. Really - is there any good thing about this disease? It is tragic and the disease prompted this killer to start in again using his son to help.
They did an excellent job of accurately portraying just how crazy a caregiver can get trying to deal with the person who has the disease. I haven't killed anyone trying to keep my husband happy, but I did do a bunch of stuff that was just weird now that I'm looking back on it, including totally isolating myself from the world, which, the caregiver on the show also did.
I was rather surprised at how good a job they did even showing how people who suddenly are forced to deal with the person who is sick react when they begin to recognize what is going on.
I didn't get to see the program but have read with interest the observations of those of you who have. It rather strikes me that just maybe, his having murdered before DX, that perhaps those who have the more violent personalities with this disease could well murder someone however not with that intention such as those who have pulled a fist or held a caregiver down. As interesting is how the non stop day to day grind can get to a caregiver. When every day is sorting out the ceiling fan or answering the same questions a zillion times with no let up. We had a story on the threads not long ago about a caregiver who murdered or was accused of murdering the wife. Just yesterday I had one of my more frustrating days and in an email to my brother I said I am going nuts while he is losing his mind. I have more good than bad days but I guess the heat and never ending demands by him finally got to me by the end of the day. Today has been one of those ceiling fan days again..he gets the remote all out of sync and it takes time to get it sorted out again. BIL is here for a few days so I am letting him take him to the doctors appointments etc this week so I can get some things I need to do done in peace..like filing, cleaning a room and so forth. Thing is DH does not want his brother to do anything other than sit with him..and me do the work.