The relationship between ken and doctor Emerson is quite tense at the beginning of the play because ken doesn’t like the way doctor E treats his patients, he also thinks he is bigheaded.
“I suppose he’ll sweep in here like Zeus from Olympus with his attendant nymphs and swains.”
Ken and Dr Scott have a more friendly relationship at this point in the play but when ken attempted to flirt with her she didn’t flirt back. Ken said: “Well, I’ll tell you. That’s because it’s broken, broken in two. But each part carries on bravely yearning for a woman in a white coat.” Dr Scott remains formal and doesn’t play up to kens flirting.
Later Ken and Dr Scott talk about why Ken should or shouldn’t take the prescribed vallium. One minute they’re serious and Ken explains his point of view clearly. But after that Ken is back to using his sense of humour and in the film he says to Dr Scott “that’s what I always say if ever in doubt whether or not to take a tranquillizer, sleep on it.” This shows that they are starting to communicate well with one another. Dr Scott responds well to this humour she shows this by laughing with him, she seems comfortable around him.
At the point in the play when Doctor Emerson gives ken an injection of Valium, the audience can tell that the relationship between them has completely broken down. After doctor Scott’s visit to ken, doctor Emerson saw ken later in his room doctor Emerson gave ken the vallium when he was at his most vulnerable and without his consent. It is very clear to the audience that ken is thinking much more about his future and he doesn’t want his mind affected by the prescribed vallium ‘please let me make myself clear. I specifically asked refused permission to stick that needle in me and you didn’t listen. You took no notice.’ Kens tone of voice shows the audience how certain ken is becoming about how he would like to be treated in the future and how willing he is to go ahead with Euthanasia.
The audience would start to sense that Ken is becoming more confident and at least one of his doctors has his best interests at heart. Through use of short sentences: ‘you’re on’ the playwright quickly brings this to the audiences’ attention.
‘Take the tablets; the dose is small the minimum………….injection. This shows that Doctor Scott cares about his feelings and is starting to build a trust and she is also listening to what he has to say about the Valium.
At this point in the play Ken uses humour and intelligence to win the fight for his right to die. Brian Clark makes the characters seem very realistic. The use of lighting at the end of the film might suggest the end of Ken’s life. I don’t think an audience would expect Ken to change his mind at the last minute because he has carried his argument through against his doctors. An audience might not like Dr Emerson although they respect his professionalism they would prefer Dr Scott because she is kind hearted but she also let her personal feelings get in the way of doing her job at more than one point in the play.
The play seems very realistic and if it were to happen in reality then Euthanasia would become legal in this country. I think Euthanasia should become legal in this country in some cases such as elderly people that can’t take the pressure of surgery or people in ken’s position that want to die.
