I’m always curious to see how adoption is portrayed in the general media. Last month I talked about an adoption storyline on NBC’s hit medical drama ER. ER (for Emergency Room) is ending its 15-year run tonight in a 2-hour series finale which will air at 9 p.m. in the Pacific and Eastern Time Zones, 8 p.m. Central Time. The finale will be preceded by an “ER Retrospective” show, airing at 8 p.m. in the Pacific and Eastern Time Zones and 7 p.m. Central Time.
Angela Bassett plays Dr. Banfield, the tough head of the ER who just began the show this season. She and her husband (played by Courtney Vance) have agreed to look into adoption. They have grieved the death of their five-year-old son and Banfield has also suffered a miscarriage. Earlier in the season they tried infertility treatment and considered egg donation.
My last blog details the Banfields’ attempts at children and their disastrous orientation session at an adoption agency.
Here’s what’s happened since then: conveniently enough, a 17-year-old girl ran into the ER and practically shoved her baby at a stunned Banfield, asking her to make sure the baby has a good home.
At this point I was afraid the show would let the matter go there, with the doctor magically sailing through all the paperwork and never a thought given to the birthmother. I thought it would have been a good time to educate viewers on how important medical and historical information becomes to adoptees, and that the girl could herself have been helped to place her baby in a good home.
Yet, ER seems to want to attempt some serious discussion on this issue. Banfield’s husband’s point of view is represented here as well. Although initially he was more in favor of adoption than his wife, he is reluctant to meet an actual baby. Barack soon melts his heart, of course—but then the birth mother comes back, saying she wants to do the right thing, her mother has promised to help her, she is eligible for money from the state. Banfield’s husband is at the end of his rope. He asks if their resources and maturity don’t count for anything. Banfield correctly informs him that being the baby’s mother is important too.
Banfield tells the birth mother should talk to the social worker. Watching Banfield work, the girl recalls her own career aspirations and realizes that caring for a baby will make that very difficult. She asks Banfield if she is considering adopting the baby. Nevertheless, she can’t face the thought of never seeing her baby again.
Banfield gently suggests they talk about an open adoption. My hope is that this show will educate viewers about this little-understood option.
Last week’s episode ended with Dr. Banfield and her husband cuddling baby Barack in the hospital, even though his birthmother has returned that day saying she will take him back. Will this last episode end as happily for the Banfields? What about baby Barack and his birthmother Megan?
Tune in tonight and we’ll see!
Please see these related blogs:
Adoption Books with Great Art: Megan’s Birthday Tree