REVIEW: 'Bump+' Dares to Take on Abortion 'Reality'

Abortion is a sensitive topic no matter which side of the argument you support. And when I was asked to review the first episode of a web show called “Bump+,” I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to do it.

When it comes to abortion, I am in the pro-life camp. I wasn’t always – but having two children of my own changed my mind. And I’m thankful I was never in a position to have to even think about it. For me, exceptions to this rule are cases like the one in Brazil last year, where a 9-year-old girl who was carrying twins because her stepfather raped her. At that age and that size (she was only 80 pounds), doctors said her life would be endangered.

My personal feelings aside, I realize that — at least for most people — abortion is a serious topic and if you are faced with that choice, it shouldn’t be made lightheartedly. I know several women who have had abortions, and I know that for two of them, the decisions were definitely not easy.

This is why I decided to check out “Bump+,” which is a faux “reality show” about three women out of about 300 who were chosen to participate in a show that will follow them for four weeks, chronicling their struggle to decide whether to have their unplanned babies or abort them. In addition to following their stories, viewers will “decide how our characters’ stories will end,” says executive producer Dominic Iocco. “We’ve opened the official website to comments and our team will craft the final episodes based on audience feedback. The choice is really up to you.” Viewers are encouraged to submit their own stories and comments.

According to the show’s co-producer Christopher Riley, the show is “an experiment to see if a story [can succeed] where nearly four decades of angry rhetoric and political posturing have failed. We’re not making a moral or political statement; hopefully, we’re starting a conversation with the audience.”

“Denise”

The first episode is less than nine-minutes long, and in it we are introduced to the three women at the office of Dr. Patterson (Andray Johnson). Denise (Isabelle Giroux) is the mother of two who is “addicted” to red candies; she helps herself to all of the red Starbursts in the bowl at the receptionist’s desk despite being told they are intended for children. Denise seems a bit like a space cadet; like she’s on something. She’s the mother of two children and we learn that her spouse (boyfriend?) is abusive. She asks for codeine, then tells Dr. Patterson that when Buzz is nice, he helps her with the children and “he’s a real godsend.” The doctor sees terrible bruises on her neck, which he finds hidden under her turtleneck sweater.

Is this why Denise is considering the abortion of her third child? Does she not want to bring another life into an abusive home? Or is it that she is simply overwhelmed by her life’s circumstances and doesn’t want an additional complication?

“Jason” and “Hailey”

We then meet Hailey (Lyndsey Doolen), who is accompanied by her boyfriend Jason (Angelo Restaino). Out of all three of the women, Hailey seems the least concerned about the difficult decision ahead of her and more excited about being on a reality show. Her answers to questions by the off-camera producer seem too much like an audition for a part in a commercial. Jason seems just as eager for fame, saying after the nurse escorts them into the examining room, “We did it, we did it!” and rubbing his hands with glee as he looks for things to “play with” as they wait. Sadly, in real life, I can imagine that exploiting one’s pregnancy would appeal to someone who is dying to become the next Kate Gosselin, Heidi Montag or other reality show star.

Hailey has been pregnant before, giggling as she tells Dr. Patterson, “I get pregnant really easily.” So is this really a “difficult decision” for Hailey? And one wonders if she has not heard of birth control, especially as we learn she is hoping to enter a nursing program. Dr. Patterson asks her how having a newborn will affect her ability to carry out her studies. She seems confused, at which point Dr. Patterson asks if she has already come to a conclusion. Jason jumps in and says no real decision has been made, but “we’re good to go on the show.” Ugh. Slimy boyfriend? Yep, they’re really out there too.

“Dr. Patterson” and “Katie”

After Hailey, we meet Katie (Tina Schlapprizzi). She is obviously the one who seems most affected by the choice she must make. “Once I make it,” she says, “I can’t go back.” She stopped taking prescribed hormone therapy because it didn’t seem to be working, her husband is a soldier who has been sent to Iraq, and she says there is no one in her life she can go to about her pregnancy. She begs Dr. Patterson for his personal views and advice on abortion, but he won’t say anything other than that he is there to “support you to make the best decision that you can.” When he asks her how long her husband has been deployed overseas, she doesn’t answer him – which would explain why she feels she cannot go to anyone she knows about her problem.

Comments thus far on the “Bump+” website range from personal stories about unexpected pregnancies to concerns that the black Dr. Patterson is the only minority represented to comments that the acting is “awful.” Perhaps, but the characters’ lives and problems seem plausible. I actually found that the acting (which isn’t “awful,” in my opinion) was secondary to the story.

As I said earlier, abortion is a difficult question for many. That being said, if the first episode is a good indicator, the producers are treating this topic in as sensitive a manner as they can, and I find myself curious to find out where the characters’ paths will take them with the help of viewers. Out of the three characters, I am most drawn to Denise and Katie, who have real problems – as opposed to Hailey, for whom becoming pregnant for a fourth time is simply an inconvenience that she can exploit in a bid for her 15 minutes.

Am I right? We’ll find out as “Bump+” continues to unfold. The next episode airs Monday, February 1. Episodes air every Monday and Thursday until March 15. You can beecome friends of the show on Facebook or follow it on YouTube to be reminded about the next episodes.