The show would have ended better if it was shown that the murderer was charges with Second Degree manslaughter (a clear Crime of Passion) or even a lesser charge (as would be the case if it was real).

What is really GLARING is the FACTUAL INACCURACIES about CIs presented in the show. They stated, quite rightly, in the show, that CIs aren’t a “CURE” for Deafness.

Far from it. CI hearing is NOT natural hearing. (Any Late-Deafened person who gets a CI can tell you that!!!) It takes MONTHS of TRAINING to adjust to CIs. You have to RE-LEARN how to hear.

But “Andy” supposedly was given a CI in ONE DAY, then the next day he had enough hearing to be able to appreciate playing the piano, as he did when he was 7 years old.

Any CI candidate would have to wait WEEKS, maybe MONTHS for the Surgery. The CI wouldn’t be turned on that day or the next, but usually two weeks or more before the surgery healed. Even so, “Andy” wouldn’t recognize the sounds from his CI as piano for weeks after his CI was turned on.

“Cold Case” said, correctly that CIs weren’t a “Cure” for Deafness, then portrayed it like he was implanted in one day, then had his previous hearing restored by the next day. Preposterous.

These crime drama shows thrive on having everyone be a suspect. “Law and Order” was WAY worse, portraying EVERY Deaf person as a suspect, nearly convicting them until proven INNOCENT. But that is the way the “Law and Order” franchise works.

I think “Cold Case” brought up a lot of Deaf issues that Hearing people would never consider. But it would be a better conclusion to show the crime was just one second of frustration instead of some systematic hatred endemic within the Deaf Community.

A brief list of just a few objectionable items…

1. Use of principal as interpreter (and not a good one at that)
2. Principal spouting Deaf Culture ‘rules’ and yet not interpreting everything (because ‘they’ can read lips)
3. Police detectives going to the house of parents WITHOUT bringing an interpreter
4. The hearing ‘girl-friend’ trying to convince the deaf student he wouldn’t be whole without hearing his music again

Darn… could have been so good!

Grayce

Like others, I’m disappointed. I watched it with my CODA son, 18 years old. He didn’t think too much of it too. Just submitted my comments to CBS.

I watched it because the main character is a CSDR graduate (am currently teaching there). He stopped by today (at CSDR)..it was good seeing him. He was also casted as Dummy Hoy.

I realize there were many inaccuracies in this program. But I think you have to consider the source. This is a television drama which usually means an overly melodramatic presentation full of one dimensional sterotypes. I’ve watched other Cold Case episodes and feel that most of them deal with the subject matter in this way. For a true understanding of any group of people I hope people would have more sense than to resort to Cold Case or any other television series.

I always tend to look at what’s positive about something rather than what’s negative. And to me, bringing the fact that there even is a deaf community to the general public’s attention is better than not. I also thought the fact that the Deaf students’ signing was pretty accurate was a positive thing. Two hearing friends of mine that saw the program appreciated it just for these reasons.

I remember some of the first representations of African Americans I saw on prime time tv ….in the real early days they wouldn’t even use African Americans but Whites painted in black face. And certainly the charicatures in most shows had no relation to the real lives of African Americans. But with time this misrepresentation has lessened. I suspect the same will happen as time goes on with the representation of the deaf community as well.

In the old days, we were taught that Native Americans are savages and that African Americans are cast as monkeys. Even though these were fictional, these stereotypes did color our perception of these minorities negatively in many ways, affecting their ability to acquire good paying jobs, finding good places to live, and promoting active discrimination. Only after they protested about these systematic biases, were the negative stereotypes reduced. As a result, the perceptions of Americans toward these minority groups have become more postive.

Remember the days when Hollywood promoted the use of illegal drugs in 1980’s? Everybody thought that was so cool. However, as the addiction of illegal drugs spiraled out of control, Hollywood was reprimanded for its irresponsibility to the society and it had ceased its glorification of illegal acts.

Let’s move on to better stories and learn more about deaf people and deaf culture!

STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!

Look at how you guys respond to the episode it’s humorous!