A while after moving back, Ethel announced to Dot that she had cancer, and only had two months left to live. Ethel wanted to die comfortably, and with her dignity, so she asked Dot to help her die. Dot was very upset that her best friend was going to die, but said she would do anything to help, although actually killing her would be too much, as she was a Christian, and it would go against her religious beliefs.
In Ethel’s final week, a huge party was thrown, but as it continued Ethel was in pain, so Dot took her home, and told her she should take the doctors advice and go into a hospice. On hearing this, Ethel knew it was the end, and asks Dot again to help her die. Dot finally agrees, because she doesn’t like to see her friend in pain, but for weeks after wrestles with a guilty conscience. She steals things in an attempt to get the polices attention, but they think she’s just upset about Ethel’s death. She eventually confesses to police officers, who still wont believe her.
I think this storyline was portrayed in a way quite true to life, because Christians strongly believe that God is the only one who should be able to end life, so would not want to help someone to die. However, it might have been over dramatised slightly for TV, because Dot probably wouldn’t have agreed to kill her best friend, because she believes very strongly in her religion and takes her faith very seriously.
I think this type of story could happen in real life, as euthanasia is becoming more common, and more stories covering it are featured in the news more, like the story involving Diane Pretty, so a Christian could be faced with amoral dilemma like this one.
