[boatsun]

I just finished watching The Closer and I don't know how to feel. The episode was about an adopted 13 year old boy from Russia. The child had been adopted when he was seven or so. There were serious behavior issues, including killing animals and pets. It escalated until the father wound up killing the child. I understand that this is a television show and it is supposed to be just a clever plot device. My problem is that most people don't realize that these shows are aired all over the world. Something like this would be a visual representation of what has happened in a handful of cases. The real kicker for me was that the boy's name was Sergey, the same as my son's original name. What do you guys think?

[amyfk]

HI Jeff,

Sorry to hear about this program. Does sound disturbing. I dont have cable TV(Im one of the few homes around that still has rabbit ears). Is this program on cable or public television?
After reading about it, I'm not sure what to make of the program either. In rare cases, these things have happened, but it may not be too good to capitalize on it. Sadly shows come up with plots because they want to gain viewers and ratings.
Amy K, NJ

[boatsun]

If you are unfamiliar with the show The Closer it is a police procedural set in LA that is on TNT. It stars Kyra Sedgwick as a deputy police chief from Georgia heading up a special crimes unit. It is actually a very good show and I make a point of watching it. What I didn't like about this episode is that when it is shown in Russia it will reinforce a stereotype that is being used against foreign adoption. I was not offended by the episode, but I am worried that such portrayals will damage the perception of international adoption. I am also worried that it will further discourage people from adopting older children especially boys.

[kretzklan]

There was an episode of Law&Order a bit like this in the mid-ninetys. It was about a boy adopted from Russia and he eventually killed his sibling - he was so dangerous that the parents had to lock him in a padded room - they were feeding him and caring for him and didn't want anyone to find out how "injured" he was lest he be taken away. They even discussed RAD - which seemed big to me.
At any rate - I am not generally concerned about this. It's a fictional TV show and even in Russia (or elsewhere) that is known to be true. I think that people who may be scared off by a show like that - shouldn't be adopting anyway...JMO. The plot devices must keep getting more and more shocking in today's world and adoption and those unknowns around it are just one way those clever writers can do that!
I actually wish I would have seen the show. Did they deal with the fact of adoption in the boys life as the "reason" it all happened? Did they try to explain the underlying issues (RAD, etc.)?

[boatsun]

I understand your viewpoint, my issue is that I am afraid that this episode will be shown in Russia either translated or not and will further reinforce the stereotype of Americans adopting abroad. You can view the episode on TNT this week since it will probably be re-run a number of times and you can also watch it on the web at TNT.com. They really didn't explain why he had issues, just that he did. There was one moment when the mother was trying to explain why he was like he was but they were very broad reasons, not RAD or specific reasons.

[amyfk]

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for explaining. I unfortunately dont get TNT. All I get are the rabbit ears as of now......
I am not sure how I would take the episode, but it's hard for me to comment anyway without seeing it.
I do see what you are saying though if it is aired in Russia at some point.
Thanks,
Amy K, NJ

[boatsun]

Amy, if you have highspeed internet you can watch it online at TNT.com

[Bcelli]

I have to agree with Jeff. The perception in Russia will not in all cases be one of a fictional episode, but of an actual reflection of the fate of former Russian orphans who now find themselves in American families. And as with most episodic dramas these days, the content is taken straight out of the headlines, however modified it might be. Within the context of this story, the child could just as easily have been adopted from the U.S. foster care system, but by making him a "Russian" adoptee, the producers also get to pull in the viewers' emotions concerning the current Russian-Georgian conflict. Unfortunately, the thousands of successful, healthy and loving Russian adoptions in the U.S. do not make for tantilizing dramatic television. However, even with all that said, someone, somewhere will always have an issue with any topic ever dramatized. Unless it is a profile repeated ad nauseum, I think the best course is to let it pass quietly into obscurity.

[musemoon]

Sorry to jump in, but this thread caught my eye. My daughter's God mother is one of the show creator's closest friends. He is a remarkable person who devotes his life to charity and goodwill around the world. He is a huge supporter of adoption and has numerous friends (myself included) who have adopted. He and his boyfriend have really championed many causes especially AIDS related issues.

I have not seen the episode, and it does sound like a very dark subject, however, since I know the creator personally, I can assure you that malicious misrepresentation of a culture was not the show's intent. I believe it was to open a dialogue about darker tendancies and what happens when they appear in youth. I guess using an institutional childhood setting was the "safest" creative choice, but I can understand how it would become offensive to some.

[amyfk]

Unfortunately I dont have cable modem, I have DSL Verizon. They are coming out with the FIOS< but they dont have it yet in my neighborhood. So sometimes I can watch movies full, but sometimes they start and stop continuously.
My thought are that even if the subject matter is offensive to some and even if the creator is a good person, which I dont doubt, in television, folks are in the business to gain viewers and do well in the ratings. If shows don't win the ratings, they are dumped by the network. Even if we personally dont like some subjects, ones which the TV industry think will go over well will be what is shown on TV. Sadly if you dont like it, it's better to just turn the Television off.
Amy K, NJ

[DET62]

This just makes me ill. I adopted a 13 year old girl from Russia almost 4 years ago. We've had behavior challenges but nothing huge. She's a sweet, loving, smart girl.

The Closer is a show I refuse to watch. I saw the first episode and was appalled. I am a paralegal. The show is so unrealistic as to be laughable. I also HATE the fake southern accent Kyra Sedgewick uses.

Musemoon, please send your friend a link to my blog. I talk about day to day life with my older adopted kids and how normal they are, because I want to encourage people to adopt older kids. Shows like The Closer just made my mission harder.

Dee