Anti (and lurkers!), I'll give you my views even although I'm not strongly opposed to the AS storyline! I don't expect my views to be popular but here goes!

In theory I have absolutely no problem with AS as being a perfectly valid option to anyone who feels they have explored all other options and still wish to end their own life. If an abled body wished to commit suicide then they have that choice and therefore I think it is discrimination to suggest AS is not a valid choice that a non-abled person is entitled to make.

However, I am definitely not in favour of asking a family member/loved one to actually do the deed and if the spoilers prove to be correct, I will be VERY surprised ED have gone down that route. That is why there are special clinics available. I accept that a loved one would have to be involved to a certain degree in accompanying the person and that is fair enough.

My problem with the AS storyline and Jackson has ALWAYS been a timing issue and has nothing to do with how I feel about him as a character. Admittedly, I was never a huge Jackson fan but over time I have grown to like him a lot as a character - I think I am one of these people who @sheepie suggests has been influenced and drawn in by Jackson's predictament!.

Also I never thought Marc would remain in ED beyond his current contract and my gut feeling was always that Jackson would die, probably by AS. For that reason I am not 'depressed' about what is happening although I accept it doesn't make light viewing and I appreciate that it is probably just going to get worse and worse to watch in the coming weeks. For whatever reason, from the word dot, TPTB had decided that Aarson would never be happy and for me that is the most frustrating part. For a long time, there has been no real story - everything that has happened/is happening is not about the characters, it is just to bring the story to its' end AND to create controversy and headlines.

Back to the timing issue. The speed the s/l is moving, I really doubt Jackson will survive beyond the end April/May and I do think that is totally wrong. Even with my own views, for me to accept AS as a valid option for anyone, I really would want to think that they had explored EVERY option available,including having specialised counselling. Also I would have hoped that they had set themselves some goals and deadlines with their loved ones, e.g. I would expect Hazel/Aaron to say to Jackson, OK we hear what you are saying but if you still feel this way in say 6 or 12 months, we'll talk about it again. In that time, I would expect them to get every bit of help available to try in improve the quality of Jackson's life AND the appropriate counselling to help him with his depression.

If all that had been done, and Jackson STILL felt exactly the same when the deadline was up, then I might be beginning to think that AS could be a valid possibility. However, maybe another deadline, etc, etc, until every option had been explored again AND quite a considerable time (say 2-3 years) had passed.

Back to your original question... if the AS s/l is to happen quickly then I'd feel exactly the same if it was any character in ED, even one I couldn't care less about. Granted, I wouldn't be posting on a forum about it but I'd still be thinking it is the wrong message to put across to viewers. I also don't think it will be a popular s/l, not because of Jackson, because of the subject matter, so I really can't see it being a ratings winner so you have to wonder what their motives are.

I am actually quite interested to see how ED will get round the timing issue because I suspect they are going to get a LOT of backlash for a variety of different sources if they go ahead with it quite soon.

Thats EXACTLY how I feel.

I also have a question for the thread.

Last jan we saw Natasha Wylde shoot her husband in cold blood because he cheated on her.

Why is a storyline involving Jackson (who happens to be a tetraplegic) wanting to end his life more emotive / controversial than that of a guy who was killed because he lied to his wife?

Annie, I agree with everything you just said.
Sheepie, I'm not sure that it is necessarily anymore contreversial. I don't disagree with AS, but I don't agree with the timing or the fact that untreated depression should be a reason to die.
I know in my head what I want to say but can't think how to word it, so this probably won't make sense.... When Natasha killed Mark it destroyed a lot of lives and I think if was shown in a realistic way how people were affected. It also kind of showed it as a bad thing. From the sounds of the hints (admittedly these could be way off) the AS isn't going to do the same thing. There is no way that after this short a time and with no prolonged treatment for his depression that any person would help their loved one to die in this way. Well I don't think so anyway.
Hopefully someone a lot more eloquent than me will answer and I can just agree with them.

Although saying that, Carl killed his dad and got away with it. That should be pretty contreversial.
Oh well, sheepie, I've no idea what the answer is.

I'm not normally without my own views but I'm not too sure about this question! It's maybe because I didn't care a damn about Mark Wylde being shot (murdered) which kind of refers back to Anti's question about being bothered about AS because its happening to Jackson! I might be contradicting my previous post already!!

I suppose in RL murder happens quite a lot and therefore is more 'socially acceptable' (of sorts) and it doesn't usually shock people unless the circumstances are unusual or particularly gory, etc. Also the murdered person doesn't normally have much say in it because they get killed without their consent so they are not in control of their own destiny. In AS, it is all about a person making the decision to end their own lives and for whatever reason, some people do think that is unacceptable... I don't.

I think I'm waffling and I'm not even sure what point (if any) I'm trying to make so I think I'll admit defeat sheepie - in reply to your original question... I don't know the answer!!

Hi Anti and anyone else still out there!

Have to say its a bit of both for me!

I'm not oppossed to the idea of A/S as i strongly believe people have a right to choose how they live their life and that includes how their life ends! but for me i disagree with it in this instance because of the nature of how its come about and also the speed of how its come about. If someone has a terminal illness, an illness which will introduce them to agonising pain, controlled only by strong analgesia which will cause drowsyness, confusion and tiredness, an illness which will crush the hearts of family members watching their loved one wither away in front of their very eyes and will also crush the heart of the person suffering at having to watch their illness crush their loved ones, then agree in A/S in this instance, but when a young lad who has barely recovered from his new diagnosis of becoming permenantly tetraplegic and could possibly life a long, happy, fulfilling life i totally disagree with it. If they really wanted/needed to think of an exit for Marc they could of chose:- going away for rehab, going to USA for controversial stem cell transplantation or moving away from the prying pitying eyes of the village or just death through natural causes linked to paralysis i.e. automnic disreflexia.

Having recently worked on a spinal injuries unit i have nursed people who are 18 months post diagnosis and who are now just getting ready to be discharged, after having intense inpatient rehab, multiple meetings with occupational therapists both in hospital with the patient and home visits with the family to equip their home with everything they need to adjust to the life they will now be living, also the family is strongly involved in any decision that is made.

non of this seems to of been explored with Jackson other than Joe and the occassional follow up with the neurologist jackson seems to have no physio, occupational therepist no referal to a psychiatrist or psychologist to help him deal with the mental/emotional aspects of his condition, even Hazel and Aaron have never been offered any professional help so to speak.

I understand Jackson is finding it very hard to deal with his paralysis and by choosing A/S is his way of regaining control of his life by choosing when and how, but i just dont feel depression is the right 'reason' to do this.

As i have said before it sends out an appauling message to those people in R/L that are, at this very minute struggling to cope with their own paralysis, and i feel that if ED chose to show Jackson getting the right support and learning to cope and accepting his new way of life it would be so much better for those people, it would show a future for them, light at the end, of what must seem to them a very long and very dark, tunnel but also it would show HOPE, hope that they can come through their ordeal and they can live a fulfilling life, a life with a multitude of possibilities. Soaps have a huge, phenomenal amount of influence in society and they really need to remember that when they choose their storylines, they need to sit back and think;
'lets use this storyline to show hope and positivity and not use it to hopefully win our next award, as their may be people out their who are going through this at this very minute'

The reason I dont like it because its Jackson is purely because i love him, plain and simple. he was a great introduction to the cast and i feel him and Aaron really work/ed, I loved the cheeky, cocky side of their relationship and felt that showed their love for one another, however i feel that they built Aarson up to quickly, they have got a huge following and now i feel the writers, because of the magnitude and speed of how much people love them, feel they have no where to take them any more!!

i love Aaron and love Jackson and Love love love Aarson, I will be sad when it eventually ends and devestated when Jackson leaves but hand on heart will be more devestated at the nature of how he leaves if they choose A/S, i only hope the big re-write was this!

Okay rant over i will go back to lurking!

I don't really think there is a definitive answer - everyone will have thier own views (as they should).

I'm just kinda playing devils advocate on the subject.

I think back to Aaron's suicide story - and I ask myself would there have been the same outrage if Aaron had died?
Personally - I don't think so.
Gay kids commit suicide.

I've been trying to think if there has ever been a suicide on any soap - I'm not that well versed in soaps - so can't think of one right now.


To me - it seems the "outrage" is stemming from the fact that Jackson is tetraplegic - but in some ways - doesn't that "outrage" disempower Jackson as an individual.


Of course - at the end of the day - it will all depend on how it plays out on-screen.
I genuinely don't think it's gonna be played from an "I'm depressed so I wanna die" pov.

But time will tell ......

I am personally for a A/S storyline IF it warranted it.
The speed at which this is going makes a mockery of a serious debate and will, in my view, ultimately ruin the ending to this once promising tale.

I also do not feel that it is wrong for Jackson to ask for help, after all what else can he do? In our country you cannot get help to die so that leaves him with little choice. Harsh for those that are asked, but understandable from Jacksons point of view.

With the murder of Mark Wylde it was possibly more that he deserved it in some peoples eyes? He was a cheater and a bigamist, and all round bad egg.

I don't think there would have been an outrage from the "normal" viewer had Aaron died, but not because he is gay. Unfortunately many kids or young people commit suicide, straight or gay. By the way, I know, you'll know that! From what I've read, men in their early twenties are the most at risk of suicide than other age categories.

IMO, suicide seems to be more acceptable because it doesn't involve anyone else. I think it is the fact that AS has to involve a third party, therefore setting that person up for a life of guilt/regrets, that is the sticking point for a lot of people. Others just won't approve of suicide or AS full stop and that is fair enough. However, until you are living a life that you hate, I doubt whether anyone can really say how they would react or what options they would wish to explore.

I'm not sure if there have been suicides in other soaps but you'd have to think yes... just can't name one off the top of my head.

I think Aaron dying would have been less contreversial (for me) because nobody knew he was going to do it so nobody would have been able to make sure he got help to stop it.
If Aaron had told someone he was planning on killing himself because he couldn't live with being gay and they'd said "ok, I'll help you" surely that would have been just as bad as helping Jackson without really trying to help him first. Ok Aaron and Hazel might try to show him some positives but that's hardly professional help and support.
To me it is about depression. Depression about his life and how he can't see himself ever coming to terms with it. But 6 months isn't long enough time to give yourself to come to terms with a completely different existence than the one you had before.
It really is timing and support (lack of) that makes this s/l so bad in my view.

Morning All. So tonight Aarson return don't they? I really hope we get one happy scene.... I really doubt it as I can imagine Jackson will look miserable and uncomfortable and Aaron will look helplessly into the room biting his side lip before it cuts to some other scene leaving us all groaning.

I know in Jacksons current state it won't be carefree but even a tender romantic moment which results in Jackson showing his frustration as it can't be what it used to be would do!

Morning all. Was almost a bit scared to log on this morning in case the thread had indeed died a death, so am thrilled to find it hasn't. Thank you Anti Static for the reprieve!

Even more pleasing is that I don't even need to think too much about my response because Whitesmith has answered for me with this word perfect post. The only difference is that I do actually watch ED other than for Aarson, albeit without the same levels of excitement and anticipation.

Hopefully there'll be more chat over the next two days as they boys are back tonight, discussing spending the night together, even though Jackson fobs Aaron off if I recall. As usual I'll forgive it all and just be happy just to see them together, warts and all

Unfortunately this is the probably the only groaning that will be happening tonight

I dont have time to quote now as I am at work, but I agree with a few people here in that it is the time line that is the annoying part for me. For somebody that is terminally ill and in pain, or is so disabled that they have no possible quality of life then I really dont have a problem with A/S. I watched my father die from cancer and thankfully he was only really ill and in pain for a day or two before he went into a coma and died quickly, would have found that very hard to put up with for too long and know he would have hated it.
Jacksons case for me is different (and its not just because he is a find bit of stuff and I dont want him to leave ED), I just think he hasnt been given enought time to come to terms with what has happened to him or given enought help both physically and mentally to learn to cope. Are we saying that everybody that is depressed with how their life is at the moment should be helped to die without giving them the chance to change it. If in a years time after he as councelling and all the aids that would make his life easier he still wanted to end it, then ok. Just not this quickly.

like others said better than me its just way to quick the poor bloke has barely had time to get used to it, i aint that keen on a AS when i really think about it its a bit too i dont know it just sits wrong with me thats all and with jacko its too quick to make this decision and make others help you do it seems like to me that ed are gonna just make him kill himself coz of depression and frustration without him seeing anyone other than a cam to talk it over with which cant be right can it? that aint like the storys you read about on in the papers or see on tv.

I Think They Dont Have Much Choice Other Than To Kill Off Jackson, They Made Such A Big Mistake With
His Accident The Story Really Has Nowhere Else
To Go No Matter How Popular The Character Is
Sad To Say It I Also Dont Think Aaron Will Be There For Much Longer Either

Aaron and Jackson.......Nekid

Are you ok Peeps

I dont agree that in the short term they have nowhere to go with Jackson. I know it would be hard to show him in any major storylines at the moment, but neither are a lot of the cast. I think they could show a lot more positive side and show what help is available for people in his position. Maybe the fact that he is unable to take part in major storylines is resulting in Marc not wanting to renew his contract I dont know, but if that is the case then surely there is a better way for him to leave the show rather than a rushed A/S storyline.

Does anyone know if Sharon mentioned them on "This Morning"? Probally not as I am sure she had to put in her 5 mins of both Corrie and Eastenders as they are the only soaps that she seems to think this country have.

BIB: I remember reading an article from Marc saying that he would rather not renew his contract if it meant he was boxed into a character he can't develop. I don't know if he could develop as a character or not or if people would get bored.

I think they had written his injury and begun production for the crash before realising what a great actor he is. Such a shame.

Jackson's name was mentioned in passing but nothing about the s/l.

Thought that would be the case.

I see that Emmie is continuing to lose viewers. I really think that they need to get the Series producer sorted out and they also need to look at a lot of the new characters that have been brought in in the last few months.

To me a lot of the new characters are not working, mainly the Macey's. Declan was fine on his own, but his family are awful. Not entirely sure why they had Adam dump Scarlett
for the awful Mia, who couldn;t stand him at the start and then suddenly was all over him. Her Mum is not much better and for the earth, I can't see what she has brought to the programme.

Not too fond of Alica either. To me she is almost a Chas mark two and there is Charity as well, So its not as if we need another gobby girl.

Also the endless Storyline of Charity and Cain needs to stop. Just so sick of it

At the moment they seem to be sticking with the vision that Gavin Blythe had for Emmie, but in certain aspects making a pig's ear of it.

Don't get me started on the A/s storyline, really annoys me that they keep on sub-standard actors and force the good ones to go. I know that it could be Marc's decision to go, but as no one as actually confirmed this, I am going to blame the bosses

Maybe they did realise what an expressive face he has and thought he could really pull it off


So why are you assuming that he's going then??

But its audience share is holding steady - which is indicative of the fact that there is just less people watching telly rather than less people watching ED specifically.