Horizon Season 1987 Episode 9 Can AIDS Be Stopped

Can AIDS be stopped? That’s the question at the heart of this episode of Horizon from 1987. This was the early days of the AIDS crisis, with the sense of confusion, fear, and stigma that it brought with it. In this episode, Horizon takes a deep dive into the history of the crisis and looks towards possible solutions for stopping the spread of the disease.

The opening sequence sets the stage, with shots of bustling city streets and ominous music playing in the background. Narrated by Rosalind Miles, the episode begins by tracing the history of AIDS, from its origins in Central Africa to its rapid spread throughout the world. Scientists and medical experts explain how the virus works and how it attacks the immune system, leading to a variety of symptoms and eventually, death.

But beyond the science, the episode also explores the social and political dimensions of the crisis. Interviews with AIDS patients and activists reveal the intense social stigma attached to the disease, and the many misconceptions that people had about how it could be transmitted. In one particularly haunting scene, we see a group of protestors picketing outside an AIDS hospice, chanting slogans like “AIDS Kills Fags Dead” and “Burn It Down.”

Despite the challenges, there is also hope. The episode explores several possible solutions for stopping the spread of AIDS, including condom use, widespread testing, and experimental drugs. Interviews with medical researchers and public health officials reveal the intense efforts being made to find a cure, and the remarkable progress that has been made in just a few short years.

One of the most fascinating segments of the episode showcases the use of blood transfusions to treat AIDS patients. At the time, this was a relatively new and experimental treatment, but one that held great promise. We see doctors working around the clock to collect and distribute blood from healthy donors, and carefully administering transfusions to patients in hospitals.

Of course, not everyone was on board with these efforts. Controversies over funding and research priorities threatened to derail progress, and there was a sense of frustration among those working on the front lines of the crisis. But ultimately, the episode is a testament to human resilience and the power of science to tackle even the most daunting challenges.

As the episode draws to a close, we are left with a sense of both hope and urgency. AIDS was still a terrifying and deadly disease in 1987, claiming countless lives and upending communities around the world. But it was also a disease that could be understood, studied, and combatted through the efforts of dedicated scientists, doctors, and activists.

In the end, the answer to the question “Can AIDS be stopped?” is a qualified yes. While there is still much work to be done, the progress made in the years since this episode aired is nothing short of remarkable. We have seen the development of life-saving drugs, the implementation of widespread prevention efforts, and a growing acceptance and understanding of those affected by the disease.

Overall, this episode of Horizon is a powerful testament to the human spirit in the face of adversity. It shows us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future. In the words of one interviewee, “AIDS is not a punishment. It’s not a curse. It’s a disease. And we can beat it.”