A We Love Soaps reader, William Joseph Reynolds, has written in to share his feelings about Noah burning his father's purple heart on today's episode of AS THE WORLD TURNS.
I sincerely hope that I was not the only viewer to be thoroughly disgusted, and sickened to my stomach, when I saw Noah burning his father's military memorabilia, including the most revered symbol of our country -- The Purple Heart.
That scene should never have been written, it never should have approved by the network censors and producer, and certainly never should have been filmed. If I had been Jake Silbermann, I would have submitted my instant resignation. Please know, I am not from a 'Blue State,' and, for the most part, do not consider to be a Conservative. I am an American, and I am highly insulted and hurt that a show that I have, literally, grown up with, and have loved wih all my heart, would do such a thing.
The show desecrated the Purple Heart and descrated the memory of those men and women who, deservedly, earned this award. I am sure that the late Santos Ortega (Grandpa Hughes) and Don MacLaughlin (Chris Hughes) are turning in their graves at the sight of the scene. I grew up watching Grandpa Hughes fly our flag on the Hughes' flag pole, and I think each and every viewer deserves a profound apology.
Agree? Disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments section of this post.
I was a little shocked myself when I saw that Noah threw the purple heart into the fire... and I'm a huge fan of the character. Though it certainly did not enrage me as much as the quoted reader, I was little confused as to why ATWT would invite such an open door for negative controversy even though I see the story-driven action as no big deal.
ReplyDeleteATWT could've got the same point across with some more memorabilia from the senior Mayer without the potential backlash- I, for one, would love to have thrown Winston's ridiculous (and cartoonish) cigars into the bonfire.
Hmm.. On the one hand, Noah was burning every thing that connected him to his father. The medal was tainted and betrayed by his father one would suppose.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, one must wonder what the ATWT writers were thinking. A gay man burning a military decoration? Hmm...
Last week ATWT had siblings making out, this week military decorations are burned....
Could Roger Friedman's hypothesis that P&G wants to repulse and alienate its viewers be true?
The Col did not deserve what that Heart stands for anymore. He lost that honor the second he raised his hand to kill his wife in cold blood (if not long before).
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing even remotely brave or honorable about The Col.
Noah had every right to burn that Heart. It was only as significant in meaning as its recipient.
It was a necessary and important decision he made about his own healing and it had NOTHING to do with how he feels about the armed services.
We all know that Noah has a great deal of respect for the military which is why the moment was so hard for him.
If ATWT was trying to make any statement at all it was that the meaning of that medal no longer held any sway over Noah's vision of his father because he has finally learned to see him for what he is: a muderous, cowardly, homophobic, psychopathic who had no respect for human life or freedom and doesn't deserve the honor bestowed upon him by virtue of his military service.
I hate that some folks care more about symbols than people!
We KNOW based upon what we know about the character that this was a significant step for Noah and not something he came to lightly or som covert "I Hate The Military Because I'm Gay" type of thing.
For me, it boils down to this:
ReplyDeleteIn the real world, the act of burning a purple heart is certainly something that should be considered cause for debate, and it's understandable that some -- or many -- individuals would take offense.
But ATWT takes place in a fictional world. Today, an actor burned a prop. We saw a character who has been pushed to his limit take a dramatic step that underscored the depth of his story.
Jake Silbermann should no more have refused to play that scene than Chris Engen should have refused to play a "gay" Adam on Y&R. Where would this end? Should Daniel Hugh Kelly have refused to play a man who killed his wife and mentally abused his son?
There comes a point where we, as viewers, must allow ourselves to be challenged and we must support our shows for taking risks.
I applaud ATWT for allowing Noah to be played honestly. For Noah, the character, burning the heart was the right thing to do at that moment. In light of all that's led up to it, I have no problem accepting the act and moving on.
I agree with Mr. Reynolds.It was degrading and disrespectful and insulting to the men and women who serve and protect our freedom and our country.
ReplyDeleteDon't have a problem with the opinion, but leave Jake Silbermann out of it.
ReplyDeleteIf one is to name names, then put the blame on Passanante, Goutman, Cahill (TeleNext), or Bloom (CBS).
They're the ones who wrote it, produced it, approved it, and broadcast it.
When printing this letter, why didn't Branco contact any of them for a response and print their photos next to it? Instead we get Jake.