HDNet World Report Season 8 Episode 3 Dr. Lee Carhart; Puerto Rico: Island Under Siege; Mavericks: The Human Crash Test Dummy
- January 19, 2010
Dr. Lee Carhart is the focus of the third episode of season 8 of HDNet World Report. The episode delves into his controversial work as an abortion provider and the political and social stigma that comes with it. Known as the last man in America to be trained in late-term abortion procedures by the infamous Dr. George Tiller, Carhart speaks to the camera about his work and the challenges he faces in providing this service to women.
Moving on, the episode then shifts its focus towards Puerto Rico, where many communities were still feeling the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria. Filmed months after the event, the Puerto Rican people's day-to-day lives are shown as they attempt to rebuild in the aftermath of the disaster. The episode highlights the continued struggles of rebuilding efforts on the island, as well as the anguish and frustration of residents who still lack basic necessities such as clean water and electricity.
The final segment of the episode explores the highly dangerous practice of human crash testing. Mavericks are thrill-seekers who willingly subject themselves to horrifying car crashes in an attempt to improve car safety. These people are the 'crash test dummies' who provide real-time feedback on the safety features of the vehicles they drive. The segment investigates the safety measures taken by these individuals to minimize harm and the potential ramifications of the increasing use of dummies in the testing process.
The episode covers a variety of topics, from personal and social struggles to environmental disaster, and finally to the extremity of human testing in the pursuit of safety. Overall, the episode is a stark reminder of the vastly different problems facing individuals around the world.
