I am a person who is always a week behind on TV. So I just watched last weeks Amazing Race and this episode had a great scene about how the law just destroys people. Check it out..
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4 comments
Aaron M. G. Zimmerman says:
Nov 3, 2009
Very interesting. He talks about forgiveness at the end, but was so condescending throughout. What fascinates me about this is not just the demonstration of the power of the Law (experienced as judgement) but how the demand of the Law combined with the bound will produces fear, failure, and shame.
Keith Pozzuto says:
Nov 3, 2009
Absolutely Aaron,
The shame that was brought upon her and the demands made to her simply crushed her. The law breaks us, it broke her. I was just overwhelmed by it. Great point about fear failure and shame.
Mike D. says:
Nov 4, 2009
Aaron, you beat me to it with that ending comment from the boyfriend about forgiveness. When it had all cooled off he cooled off too, but the "true" nature came out with the heat of the race. I'm surprised he didn't just push her – would that have been a penalty?
In the Army there are training events like this. Balance beams and zip lines above water. It is perfectly safe and no one is ever hurt (that I've heard of), but routinely about 1% of recruits, cadets, and soldiers choose reprimand, including discharge from the Army costing them honor and money, rather than overcoming their fear of heights or water. Even after watching others do it (like Mika watched the Globetrotters) rarely help these folks. Seeing it as a possibility didn't help nor encourage.
The Army (and reality shows too) is a law-based organization if there ever were one, and being a Chaplain in this situation was difficult. Trying to encourage and not give in too much to the law of the task at hand (even though, sad to admit, I would). I could provide grace but the Army didn't and CBS here will not.
I wonder if Mika would ever go down the slide if the new boyfriend and $1mil weren't on the line.
Dusty says:
Nov 6, 2009
That was an amazing episode. He was a jerk, and indeed destroyed her with the law. But let's be honest. She DESERVED IT! (We all do!!)