MovieChat Forums > Doctors (2000) Discussion > Rhiannon

Rhiannon

posted 9 years ago by Darkshines_07
9 replies | jump to latest

What does everyone think so far about her situation and whether she should be able to keep her baby?

I know it's a very emotive subject, considering the way she neglected her first child so it's not hard to see the point of view of her social worker who witnessed the appalling abuse firsthand. That kind of thing would not be easy to forget.

They definitely have some reasons to feel wary in giving her a chance with this baby. I also understand their opinion that she should have been punished more for inflicting unnecessary suffering to her child back then. Ultimately though, it seems like it was entirely the fact she was on drugs at the time which caused her to be such a bad mother. It wasn't an inherent personality flaw, just that she was so much younger and out of her mind with addiction. I'm not saying that absolves her completely, but it is clear to see she is a totally different person now - she's gotten herself clean and stayed that way for the last few years, lives in a nicer place, and has a supportive and caring partner to help out too. It would be very unlikely she would revert back to the old version of herself this time around and I believe her second child would be much better cared for, especially as she wouldn't be a single parent this time. That's why I think the only reason they would want to take her baby away now is to punish her for her past mistakes and bad choices, for it surely can't be because they think this child would be in the same danger?

In my opinion, if she had just been a terrible, abusive person in general, I would have agreed that she wouldn't be fit to be a mother. It would be difficult for someone like that to change their patterns of behaviour and the risk to a child would be high. In Rhiannon's case, however, the only problem would be if she were to be on drugs again and left to look after the baby on her own. I can't see either of those things occurring though. I think that as long as they keep a close eye on the family, making regular checks, the child would be perfectly safe. So unless something else crops up to give us cause for concern, I believe Rhiannon can be trusted, and I think her partner deserves to have the chance to be a father to the baby.

It's an interesting and thought-provoking storyline and I think the Doctors writers are handling it pretty well.

[–] MumsyH 9 years ago

I agree with all you've said and had come to the same conclusion that Rhiannon was now a different person, with, as you say, a supportive partner. Maybe if we asked a real social worker they might say the writers are being over-dramatic and that it would be so obvious that she was clean now as well as in a stable relationship that they wouldn't think of taking the baby away? You'd think even the ones who witnessed the neglect would see the change, in fact they're the only ones who can! I'm wondering whether the one who took the baby has at some time in her career failed to remove a child who later died, and is now therefore over-cautious? It's clear she was finding it difficult.

[–] Darkshines_07 9 years ago

Yes, I can well understand the fact that they were saying this was one of the worst cases of neglect they had ever seen and been scarred from the experience so I'm not really condemning them as such. They do a tough job and it's inevitable they have to be extra on guard with so much responsibility put on them, especially as you say, seeing other children in peril. It's just the fact they think she'd still be bad at looking after the new baby that rankles a bit.

I would always be for the child's safety first and foremost, before considering anyone else, but I worry that the baby could be put into the care system and be in even worse danger - look at the awful things Karen and Rob have been hearing about kids being used and abused. In this instance, I would feel secure if Paul was the main carer of their baby, if he was willing to be a stay-at-home dad or something. That would give Rhiannon a chance to prove herself also.

[–] MumsyH 9 years ago

Woohoo! Sense has prevailed! 😀

[–] Darkshines_07 9 years ago

Glad they kept the family together. 

[–] Darkshines_07 8 years ago

The tone of this post may be a potential spoiler (although I haven't revealed anything): Oh heck, I've just read the upcoming storyline for this family next week - I am most disappointed  Why, writers? Why??

[–] RhiJo 8 years ago

I thought there was more to come, usually these characters disappear quickly, but this family seems to be hanging around.I haven't seen next weeks listings but I fear the worst.

[–] Darkshines_07 8 years ago

Yeah, I was rather suss at why they were still popping up every few episodes.

I will tell you to brace yourself for next week.... 

[–] MumsyH 8 years ago

I just came back from holiday and am traumatised catching up with 2 or 3 episodes a day... 😢

[–] Darkshines_07 8 years ago

It was indeed a painful finale to the storyline. Horrible after all the goodwill people had for the couple to make a go of things with baby Nicholas.