Dr. Phil Show Season 15 Episode 35 Former Priest Pete vs. Scorned Ex-Wife Pamela: Who Is to Blame for Their Son's Death?
- October 31, 2016
Former Catholic priest Pete and his ex-wife, Pamela, confront each other on the Dr. Phil Show in season 15, episode 35 titled "Former Priest Pete vs. Scorned Ex-Wife Pamela: Who Is to Blame for Their Son's Death?". They are there to talk about their son's death, which they both blame on each other.
Their high school-aged son was in a car accident while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He did not survive the crash, and both Pete and Pamela feel guilty for not being there for him and for not doing enough to prevent his drug use. They both claim to have been trying to help him, but each blames the other for not doing enough.
Pamela alleges that Pete's role as a priest prevented him from being a good father to their son. She claims that he was always busy with his work and neglected their son's needs. She also claims that he encouraged their son to become a priest and that this pressure led their son to use drugs.
Pete denies these accusations and blames Pamela for their son's drug use. He alleges that she was an alcoholic and that their son learned this behavior from her. He also claims that she was emotionally abusive and that this led their son to use drugs as a way to cope.
Dr. Phil intervenes and attempts to mediate their differences. He questions them about their parenting styles and tries to get them to see each other's perspectives. He also asks them about their relationship and why they divorced.
During the show, several family members and friends of Pete and Pamela are brought onto the set to provide additional insight into their situation. They shed light on the dynamics of the family and offer their opinions on who is to blame for their son's death.
The episode concludes with both Pete and Pamela agreeing to attend counseling together in an effort to heal from their loss and to try to come to terms with their differing opinions on who is responsible for their son's death.
In this emotional episode of the Dr. Phil Show, the audience is introduced to the devastating impact of drug abuse on families and the volatile emotions that can arise when parents try to assign blame for a child's death.