ATWT: Why would John pick arrhythmia?

[Becky]

Hi, all:

Because a person with a heart arrhythmia isn't supposed to get pregnant, why
would John pick *that* particular heart ailment for Carly to have, knowing she
wanted to get pregnant?? Couldn't she have had something like a heart
murmur, instead (or is that a danger to a pregnant woman as well?)? Maybe
John didn't count on Hal reading up on arrhythmia in a medical book (which, I
guess, wouldn't have happened, if one hadn't been sitting on the table in
Barbara's kitchen). But you'd think John would be a bit more selective,
wouldn't you?

Obviously, I know nothing about cardiology, but I just thought it was odd.

Thanks to anyone who has any insight on this!

Becky
rst...@indiana.edu

[cka...@erinet.com]

r...@indiana.edu (Becky) wrote:

>Hi, all:

>Because a person with a heart arrhythmia isn't supposed to get pregnant, why
>would John pick *that* particular heart ailment for Carly to have, knowing she
>wanted to get pregnant??

Or why didn't he say the original tests were wrong, and she's okay? I
know the answer; because there would be no story otherwise.

Cheryl 8-)

[beasonj]

Becky wrote:
>
> Hi, all:
>
> Because a person with a heart arrhythmia isn't supposed to get pregnant, why
> would John pick *that* particular heart ailment for Carly to have, knowing she

> wanted to get pregnant?? Couldn't she have had something like a heart
> murmur, instead (or is that a danger to a pregnant woman as well?)? Maybe
> John didn't count on Hal reading up on arrhythmia in a medical book (which, I
> guess, wouldn't have happened, if one hadn't been sitting on the table in
> Barbara's kitchen). But you'd think John would be a bit more selective,
> wouldn't you?
>
> Obviously, I know nothing about cardiology, but I just thought it was odd.

Any heart condition would make a pregnancy risky, I imagine. And a
possible arryhtmia has a certain ambiguity to it that's easy to get out
of, e.g., further tests show no sign of a problem.

Joe

[Pat Couillard]

cka...@erinet.com wrote:

>r...@indiana.edu (Becky) wrote:

>>Because a person with a heart arrhythmia isn't supposed to get pregnant, why
>>would John pick *that* particular heart ailment for Carly to have, knowing she
>>wanted to get pregnant??

>Or why didn't he say the original tests were wrong, and she's okay? I

>know the answer; because there would be no story otherwise.

This is one of the weaknesses in the writing. They should have had
John say something to the effect that "preliminary tests suggest... ."
Instead, Hal immediately jumps to the conclusion that a SINGLE test or
exam is all that is needed for a conclusive diagnosis. John should
have stood his ground and said that more tests are needed, etc.

Then we have Dunderhead Hal finding what looked like a medical
encyclopedia that's put out for the general public, and suddenly
becoming an authority on arrhythmia. I would think that if John had
medical books at Barbara's house, they would be more technical in
nature, and not so easily understood by Hal.

I'm somewhat surprised that more women aren't offended by Hal's
clearly chauvinistic behavior and treatment of Carly, and to an
extent, Nikki. Although he may be motivated by his love for them, he
also needs to respect them as individuals who have the right to make
their own decisions. Some of the things Hal has been doing, entering
John's office when he's not there, searching John's desk, demanding
that John breach confidentiality, etc., make me cringe. Then there's
is demand that Carly have an abortion, which is totally out of line.
This is something that is Carly's choice, not his. He's clearly not a
90s guy.

[Barbara Wilkie]

Pat Couillard <p...@csd.uwm.edu> wrote
> < snipped >

> I'm somewhat surprised that more women aren't offended by Hal's
> clearly chauvinistic behavior and treatment of Carly, and to an
> extent, Nikki.

On or off the show? <g> I think many in the viewing audience probably
are Pat. At least, I know I am irritated by it, but I also think it is true to
type in Hal's case. He's acting just as I would expect him to..... truly
overbearing. ;)

> Although he may be motivated by his love for them, he
> also needs to respect them as individuals who have the right to make
> their own decisions. Some of the things Hal has been doing, entering
> John's office when he's not there, searching John's desk, demanding
> that John breach confidentiality, etc., make me cringe.

Me too, I didn't expect this ... from the police chief no less!!! Someone
needs to take him to task for these invasions of privacy. This seems
out of character to me... for law and order Hal. :-/

> Then there's his demand that Carly have an abortion, which is totally out of line.

> This is something that is Carly's choice, not his. He's clearly not a 90s guy.

I missed that, and have to agree that's not a decision he should try to
force on her. Sounds like this storyline is really going to have some
heavy moral decisions for John/Carly, and drama potential for all three.
I never dreamed Hal would suggest an abortion, and particularly with
so little information. Can't stop laughing over your last statement Pat,
or should I say under-statement? ITA..... %-D

bjw

[Kim Holland]

Pat Couillard wrote:
>
Then there's

> is demand that Carly have an abortion, which is totally out of line.
> This is something that is Carly's choice, not his. He's clearly not a
> 90s guy.

While I realize I'm treading into a highly charged area, I must say
that I believe that Hal *does* have a voice on the abortion issue.
Yes, it's Carly's body, but it's his child, too, so he has the
right to express his opinion.

Kimbo, really not trying to start anything...

[MsLiz]

1st Pat Couillard wrote:

>>. . . [Hal] . . . demand that Carly have an abortion, which is totally out of line.

>> This is something that is Carly's choice, not his. He's clearly not a
>> 90s guy.

2nd, Kim Holland <kaho...@uiuc.edu> wrote:

>While I realize I'm treading into a highly charged area, I must say
>that I believe that Hal *does* have a voice on the abortion issue.
>Yes, it's Carly's body, but it's his child, too, so he has the
>right to express his opinion.
>
>Kimbo, really not trying to start anything...

Hal wouldn't consider abortion for the purpose of eliminating a
pregnancy, but he might do so to protect his wife's life. Big
difference, IMHO.

MsLiz

[Mary K. Wallace]

I think Pat is dead on when she says it was weak writing to
have John "diagnose" arrthymia so quickly. But, Larry B. did
such a great job with the scene that it was believable to me.
I felt like John's original plan was to say that prelim tests
suggest arrhythmia, but Hal got John all worked up so quickly
that he went with it to purposefully hurt Hal. He wants Hal to
be worried: (1) so Hal will focus on Carly AND (2) to hurt him.

I love it when great acting adds subtext like this.

Mary Wallace
bb...@yfn2.ysu.edu

[Charli98]

> Then there's his demand that Carly have an abortion, which is totally out of

line. This is something that is Carly's choice, not his. He's clearly not a
90s guy. <

I have to disagree a little with this. I don't want to get into an abortion
debate because no one ever wins those. HOWEVER... as the baby's father (so far
as any of us know anyway) and as Carly's husband, Hal most certainly has the
right to voice his opinion. I can't imagine deciding to have a child without
my husband being 100% behind it - it's not like the father is not involved.

I didn't catch him demanding she have an abortion; I remember Carly assuming
that was what he meant and telling him in no uncertain terms that was not an
option. I could have missed something, of course...

Charli

[Nikita Coleman-Whitten]

beasonj wrote:

> Becky wrote:
> >
> > Hi, all:

> >
> > Because a person with a heart arrhythmia isn't supposed to get pregnant, why
> > would John pick *that* particular heart ailment for Carly to have, knowing she

> > wanted to get pregnant?? Couldn't she have had something like a heart
> > murmur, instead (or is that a danger to a pregnant woman as well?)? Maybe
> > John didn't count on Hal reading up on arrhythmia in a medical book (which, I
> > guess, wouldn't have happened, if one hadn't been sitting on the table in
> > Barbara's kitchen). But you'd think John would be a bit more selective,
> > wouldn't you?
> >
> > Obviously, I know nothing about cardiology, but I just thought it was odd.
>
> Any heart condition would make a pregnancy risky, I imagine. And a
> possible arryhtmia has a certain ambiguity to it that's easy to get out
> of, e.g., further tests show no sign of a problem.
>
> Joe

But the same is true of a heart murmur. It can show up one time and not the next
and it doesn't have to be nearly as serious.

Nikki