Blowups

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When Heather Lays Dying, Dell's Rage Keeps Betsey From Saying Good-bye
By Moira McMahon, Researcher

In Episode 310, Blowups, Heather's new found sobriety ends tragically when an explosion from preparing meth burns her body and face.

It's soon apparent to everyone, including Heather, that the burns are going to prove fatal.

Dell is livid. Not only is he enraged that Heather put their daughter's life in jeopardy, he can't forgive himself for ignoring signs that Heather was close to relapse. He can't process the reality that his wife is going to die. And he certainly can't process the suggestion from Pete that Betsey say good-bye to her horribly disfigured mother.

On one side, the sight of Heather's severely burned face and body is gruesome. For a young child, it could be traumatic. Betsey is going to lose her mother. Should she be haunted by her mother's burns as well?

On the other side, children need to understand death. Years from now, Betsey may be comforted by having had the opportunity to say good-bye to her mother and having heard, for the last time, that her mother loves her.

Dell can't see anything but his rage. He stops Betsey from seeing her mother as Heather calls out to her from her bed.

Did Dell make the right decision?

What would you do?