MovieChat Forums > Ghostbusters II (1989) Discussion > the divorced couple

the divorced couple

posted 9 years ago by lindewell
7 replies | jump to latest

At the begining of the movie, Egon is doing an experiment on a unsuspecting couple that is seeking divorce. He progressively raises the temperature to enrage them and films them secretely. Even as a kid I found this extremely disturbing, using real people like rat labs without telling them is very unethical. I was surprised that a character like Egon could be such an *beep*
Anyone else was s truck by this scene?

[–] TerrorTribble 9 years ago

Well I take it as we're not supposed to be all that sympathetic to the couple. The guy seems kinda self absorbed, looking at himself in the "mirror" during the argument. Plus they are one of many examples of how negative New Yorkers can be (the birthday party is another example). And the scene is also there to show that Egon and Ray were already developing theories on the effects of human emotions, which conveniently comes in handy when they discover the mood slime, hehe.

As far as Egon, I don't think he was ever all that sentimental about humanity. He's just less uptight, more cheeky than he was in the first movie.

[–] Koosh_King01 9 years ago

It's actually a fairly common way of obtaining information. If the people knew they were being recorded, they would be less inclined to be themselves or otherwise behave as they ordinarily would in a situation like that. It happens a lot. As I understand it, in such observational experiments, the people are eventually told what has been done, usually in order to get permission to release the footage of them (you'll note they were being filmed).

I mean, really, how many times will you look under Jabba's manboobs?

[–] lindewell 9 years ago

I think it's the kind of stuff nazis would do, using people as lab rats, remember EGon was playing with the temperature. I thought it would be generally accepted that this kind of experiments are unethical but I'm wrong apparently.

the people are eventually told what has been done, usually in order to get permission to release the footage

What if the person isn't happy ? The experiment has already been done without his consent. It's not like those hidden cameras sketches, it's not a joke in this case. Btw even hidden cameras shows are mostly fake because people aren't generally keen on being filmed without consent, especially when they are ridiculed on camera.

[–] Koosh_King01 9 years ago

I think it's the kind of stuff nazis would do, using people as lab rats, remember EGon was playing with the temperature.

You exaggerate. Having a bickering married couple arguing with one another in a fake waiting room under false pretenses is hardly Mengele levels of butchery and madness. All Egon did was tell them they'd see a marriage counselor, that they'd need to wait, and turn the temperature up enough to make the room mildly uncomfortable. He doesn't do any more to them than that.

I think the reason you're uncomfortable with it is because it's slightly voyeuristic. The idea of being watched without our knowledge is not a particularly common concern among people (which is probably why the couple don't suspect anything), but it is a primal one, and, hence, very strong. It can bring out of natural prey instincts and make us feel understandably uncomfortable.

But while it's understandable to be sympathetic, even empathetic, towards the people in the movie, what Egon is doing is neither evil nor dangerous. He intends no harm to them and they will likely be well-compensated for their participation after the truth is revealed to them, because Egon is nothing if not a fair individual, I believe (taking the puppy away notwithstanding). And even if they're understandably angry, nothing will have happened to them worse than "they waited and argued in an unreasonably hot room for a few hours." They won't be traumatized as a result.

This leaves us with the kid. Now for her, he definitely would have to get her parents' permission.

I mean, really, how many times will you look under Jabba's manboobs?

[–] lindewell 9 years ago

You can rationalize this scene but as a kid, I still remember that it struck me.

[–] TerrorTribble 9 years ago

It's supposed to strike you. Again, it's an example of the harmful effects of negativity.

[–] Koosh_King01 9 years ago

Not me. This is the first time I've ever encountered anyone having a problem with it. At least to the point of explicitly comparing it to something Nazis would do.

I mean, really, how many times will you look under Jabba's manboobs?