Murder Island - Really?

[inigomontoyahwillcox]

Didn't know whether to put this in the Feminism, TV or In the News section ... so I went for generic Chat.

Murder Island is a new reality TV programme starting on Tuesday. A fictional murder mystery, written by Ian Rankin, which teams have to solve in "real" time, with a 50k prize to be won. Believe the case is of a young woman who is found dead at her home.

I just feel off about this, especially considering the current climate surrounding VAWG (violence against women and girls). Of course, it could be argued that there are plenty of TV series, movies and books whose subject is the death of a woman - I dunno, I just feel that this programme is essentially a game, a prime time trivialisation of a harrowing event (which happens far too often in real life), and with a pretty hefty reward attached.

Just wanted to know what others thought?

I've felt uncomfortable about when I've seen the trailers.

Incredibly insensitive and crass. I think it’s a bloody awful idea.

People have been hosting Murder Mystery's in their own homes since I was young, so a looooong time ago now.

I am guessing this will be far more realistic and detailed than those but why do you think one of the biggest genres in fiction is crime/thriller.. people are, rightly or wrongly, fascinated by this and want to test their own skills out, try and work out whodunit.

I thought it sounded like an interesting idea

I know what you mean. I used to read a lot of thriller/crime books but I find it really hard to do that these days when so many involve male violence towards women. I liked the idea when I first heard about Murder Island but, reading more about it, it doesn't feel right.

My initial reaction was similar, "oh that sounds interesting", but very quickly I started to feel uncomfortable about it, particularly when I read who the victim was.

Trying to reconcile my feelings towards it vs. say a TV series or book - at least with those the impact and magnitude of the event is often reflected (e.g. the impact on the family and wider community) whereas this seems to just be a very realistic, glorified murder mystery party.

They had something similar called 'The Murder Game' a few years ago.

The thing is, a lot of people really enjoy watching this sort of thing. Violence has been legitimised as a form of entertainment.

It's always a young woman as well isn't it? I think it feeds into a fetish for such things. Young, helpless women being abused and killed. Violent porn depicts this too. Horrible.

Let's have a murder show with the victim being a middle aged man instead eh.

What about Cluedo? Are you going to complain about that?

You can't nanny state everything.

Sad to see Ian Rankin contributing to this shit. His crime books are usually tasteful and don’t dwell on the tired old tropes.

@Mariell

What about Cluedo? Are you going to complain about that?

😆 no.

But then again I wouldn't take Cluedo over to Sarah Everard or Sabina Nessa's family and ask them if they fancied a game.

You are not wrong OP, but as usual we have already had the hard of comprehension on the thread with their ‘whataboutery’

@Mariell

What about Cluedo? Are you going to complain about that?

If the vicitm was Colonel Mustard in the Library the OP wouldn't be posting. But the program makers didn't choose a middle age man for our entertainment did they?

@JasonMomoasgirlfriend

You can't nanny state everything.

I don't see it as nanny stating - 70% of murder victims are male. It would be more reflective of reality if there was a male victim. The only reasons a young woman has been chosen to be the victim is because it makes it more salacious.

@mynameiscalypso I'd have to ask Ian Rankin to know that. 🤷

@Saucery

Sad to see Ian Rankin contributing to this shit. His crime books are usually tasteful and don’t dwell on the tired old tropes.

See - not sure I agree with this. Ian Rankin is a really great writer but Rebus is such a cliché (admittedly, more his earlier work) - loner cop with a drink problem but a heart of gold!

A lot of the comments here are valid though and perhaps I need to read more into this specific show. I think my point was that its nothing new really - people, and I include myself in this to a lesser degree, find the darker side of humanity compelling.

people, and I include myself in this to a lesser degree, find the darker side of humanity compelling.

See, I get this - and I include myself, I often watch Silent Witness, for example. It's the trivialisation of the subject by putting it into a reality TV format and attaching a prize that's making me feel so off about it.

So send in a complaint?

@JasonMomoasgirlfriend

So send in a complaint?

I have.

@SanFranBear yes, the earlier books in particular (Bible John etc), I agree were pretty formulaic. Concentrating on DS Siobhan Clarke more and more showed a broader range imo, reflecting Rebus as a bit of an old dinosaur. But an old dinosaur who knows he is one.
The plots of his books take second place to his characters, so I’m disappointed he’s taken this on and gone for a young female murder victim. Presumably so clues about sexual history etc can be followed by the contestants to spin it out.

Presumably so clues about sexual history etc can be followed by the contestants to spin it out.

Eugh. Yes, quite possibly.

You're reading far too much into it! I for one love this sort of stuff. It's absolutely no different from a murder mystery night.

@MissMaple82

You're reading far too much into it! I for one love this sort of stuff. It's absolutely no different from a murder mystery night.

The ones I have been to have involved Sir Digby Wankpuffle, in the Orangery, with a Croquet Mallet. And have people Act-ting at me. All good fun. This…..not so much.