Parents Television Council Criticises Scandal Torture Scene

The Parents Television Council has criticised a torture scene which was featured in a recent episode of ABC drama Scandal.

The episode in question, which aired on January 10th, of the Shonda Rhimes political drama featured a torture scene which included violence and water-boarding. It’s inclusion in the episode has incurred the wrath of the Parents Television Council; an organisation who has taken offence to many a drama and comedy on American television.

Responding to the scene in Scandal PTC president Tim Winter released a statement. “The brutal nature of that scene, which was rated as appropriate for a 14-year-old child, refutes statements made by an industry claiming to be responsible and concerned about societal violence. It is sickening just how quickly the entertainment industry was able to move past the tragedy of Newtown and get back to business as usual.”

The episode was preceded by an warning of its nature as viewers were told to expect “intense, explicit and bloodied” scenes. The issue of violence on American television has come to the forefront recently following a string of gun-related incidents in the country including the horrific shootings in Newtown.

Scandal is certainly not the first show on American television to fall foul of the Parents Television Council. The conservative organisation has waged campaigns against MTV’s Skins, The Playboy Club, Glee, South Park, Good Christian Belles (GCB), Don’t Trust The B**** In Apartment 23 as well as entertainment shows America’s Got Talent and the X Factor.