BBC Radio 4 v Judge John Deed

Update 17.6.20

Dear All,

Some of you would have heard the BBC 4 File on 4 report tonight at 8pm which was titled “The 5G con that could make you sick”. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000k2mj

It pitched the impressive Devra Devis against David Grimes who denies there is any harm from 5G. Then it addresses the sale of expensive products which are marketed to those concerned about EMFs. Some of you may have been disappointed with the reporting of this serious subject.

I would like to juxtaposition that case against 2 Episodes of Judge John Deed in which he considers the case of a nurse suffering from brain damage from use of a mobile phone. The industry at the time is said to be making £10 – 15bn in revenues. This was back in Mar 2011.

Below are the episodes which are very realistic and entertaining. There are twists and turns but ultimately, the nurse dies and a settlement is reached with the mobile phone company.

If you do watch, have fun. 

First section on ‘Health Hazard’ on Series 3 – Episode 1 Part ½ - there are ads regularly but you can skip them when invited to do so.

Part 1 – start 16.20 mins in for the start of the case on the nurse

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ozsdf

Part II – Episode 1 Part 2/2

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ozhu8

The case probably continues in other episodes but the climax is in Episode 4:

Then the case continues with Episode 4

Part I - Second section on ‘Economic Imperative’- Series 3, Episode 4 - Part 1/2

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6fejvc

Part II of ‘Economic Imperative’ – Series 3, Episode 4 – Part 2/2

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ozmrt

Below is a review of the series 3

Judge John Deed – Series 3 – BBC

https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/46888/judge-john-deed-season-three/

The first two series of Judge John Deed consisted of self-contained episodes. Here, the four shows are bit more serialized, insofar as the two biggest cases are spread across the four shows, though highlighted in one episode each. The first involves a Member of Parliament charged with mowing down a mother and her two children with his car while recklessly talking on his mobile phone. The second follows the case of a young mother with a brain tumor versus the mobile phone company she believes knowingly put unsafe product onto the market that ultimately caused her terminal illness. One gets the feeling creator-writer G.F. Newman is not a big fan of mobile phones.

The season gets bogged down first in Jo Mills's disciplinary hearing, a potentially career-ending crisis generated by Deed's enemies to discredit him, and later by the usual attempts by them to gain leverage in the politically/economically delicate trials Deed hears. His on-again, off-again romance with Jo, instead of being romantic merely tests the audience's patience. That said, things do get interesting when Deed, in claiming to want a long-term relationship with Jo, begins outpatient therapy hoping to put an end to his womanizing. His efforts are half-hearted however and, predictably, he winds up sleeping with his exotic-looking therapist (Amita Dhiri, The Bill).

The final show of the set is by all odds the best, as it explores the real problems of corporate greed putting profits ahead of public safety; of the willingness of scientists and universities to be bought off when they don't deliver the scientific results the big corporations want; big corporations transparently suppressing data about the safety (or not) of their products; and the lengths they will go to discredit their critics. (Spoilers) As extravagantly theatrical as his characters often are, Newman gets equal credit for taking bold and specific stands (in this case: cell phones are bad for human health and should be taken off the market) and for showing how big corporations will resort to dirty tricks to protect their interests. In a last-ditch effort to get the case thrown out, the phone company infiltrates Deed's computer, uploading child pornography onto its hard-drive. Then they call the cops. It doesn't get any worse.

As always, Martin Shaw is a delight as Deed; his rakish charm and intelligence serve the character well. It's really amazing that he's almost completely unknown in America.