This week, the producer continued her invasive visits. I feel like Denise, Hailey, and Katie are now regretting their decision to sign up for Bump+. I think they’re all getting more than they bargained for—especially Hailey.
It makes me sad to see what Hailey is going through. I know, from all that I’ve seen of her, that Hailey loves Jason. But does he love her? It doesn’t look like it. Whatever his own desires and needs may be, he certainly has no desire to talk to Hailey about hers. What kind of a man is he? Does he love anyone but himself? I hate how he doesn’t want to let Hailey out of his sight. At first, it seemed possible that he just wanted to be near her, to help her. But, the more I see of him, the more I think he’s simply afraid to lose his influence over her. I’m glad to see her starting to wake up—even if that awakening is horribly painful. He knows he’s losing his power over her. And he doesn’t like it. But I don’t think she likes it, either.
The producer genuinely seems to want to help Hailey. Maybe she regrets surprising Denise last week after seeing how controlling Buzz can be. Then again, we definitely saw a controlling side of her at Dr. Patterson’s house. Is it all just entertainment to her—or does she really think she is helping these women somehow? Perhaps she believes it’s okay to control someone if she is doing it for their own good, or in their best interests. But I’m sure that’s what Jason and Buzz would say they’re doing, too. I’m beginning to think the producer might be fooling herself about how much she really cares about these women.
I was not expecting to see a priest show up to talk to Katie. I don’t think she was expecting it, either. I felt bad for her. Whatever her religious beliefs, I think it would be difficult to talk frankly to a priest about her situation—especially in front of the cameras. While I believe he is a sincere and caring man, he didn’t seem to be what Katie needed. I’m very happy to see Dr. Patterson defending Katie like he does. She said in an earlier episode that she couldn’t talk to her dad about her situation. Dr. Patterson seems to be taking her father’s place right now. And yet, it doesn’t seem to be enough. For all of his care and concern, for all of the priest’s care and concern, neither one seems to have helped her much. She’s crying out for help; yet these two men—both of whom have dedicated their lives to helping others—are too concerned with their own beliefs to really listen to her.
Katie’s situation gives me a lot to think about. Both a doctor and a priest want to help her. Given their professional credentials, one would think they would be able to help. And yet, they can’t. She needs advice, but the advice they do give her doesn’t help. It makes me wonder—what can any of us do? We each have our own beliefs. Does it do any good to simply share those beliefs with someone in pain? We have to listen to their stories, I think. But is that enough? Katie has had many people listen to her story—but has it done her any good? If Katie were my friend, my sister, I don’t know what I would do. I could hold her hand, try to feel the pain she feels, cry with her. But would that do any good? Would telling her about my own beliefs help her come to a decision, or just create more confusion? How far should anyone go to convince someone else of their own beliefs? I truly don’t know. The uncertainty is… a little scary, frankly.
Four episodes left. Last week, the producer asked Denise, “What’s going to happen when we leave here today?” Next week, she’ll find out —and so will we. In the next two weeks, decisions will be made. What do you think those decisions will be?
To Our Audience -
Bump+ The Show has come to an end – but the conversation it has sparked is just beginning.
As word about Bump+ spread to 64 countries across the globe, controversy and criticism from people on both sides of the debate followed; but instead of listening to them, you found the courage to listen to each other. Six weeks and more than 125,000 site visits later, your responses not only to our characters, but also to each other has proved to the world what we suspected all along – we were right to trust in the goodness and intelligence of our audience. We are intensely humbled by the stories you’ve shared and the respect you have shown to each other. Your partnership has challenged us to see this debate in new ways, and reminded the world that we don’t have to agree to listen and respond with compassion. Thank you for that gift.
Comments on individual episodes have now been closed in order to preserve what was The Bump Experience as it unfolded. A new comment thread has been opened here to keep the conversation going. Please visit this link to share your story and join the conversation.
I would be interested to see Katie get a different outsider’s perspective… maybe talk to someone who was once in a similar situation–someone who became pregnant after rape and decided to abort or carry to term. Someone who isn’t in the business of giving professional advice or someone (a woman?) who is distanced from others in the show. I also would like to see someone put the idea of pregnancy in positive terms for Katie. It would be helpful for her to consider the best-case scenario. I’d like to see Katie happy!
That would be nice for Katie. I feel like she needs someone strong and calm in her life–someone to help ground her. She’s carrying such a heavy burden. She can’t carry it by herself, but it doesn’t seem like there’s anyone else who can help her.
I would like to see more from Jason. They were introduced to us as a couple and now it seems we’re only getting Hailey’s side. I would imagine that Jason is scared. Hailey has all the power over the decision to keep this baby or not, and he is helpless and vulnerable. Of course he wants to go back to the way things were before, when he had the illusion of control, when he and Hailey were on the same page.
The most recent episode, “When You Love Somebody,” establishes Jason a little bit more as an individual. I feel like Hailey and Jason made the decision at some point in their relationship that they were more important as a couple than as individuals. Of course, it wasn’t a conscious decision. I don’t really see how the two of them can stay together–Jason seems ready to give up, if he can’t control her any more.