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Unspeakable Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
8 Episodes 2019 - 2019
Episode 1
Emergence (1982 - 1983)
Thu, Jan 22, 202644 mins
In 1982, two families, the Sanders and the Landrys, are badly shaken when they learn that a mysterious deadly disease called AIDS is threatening the blood system. Each has boys with hemophilia, a genetic condition that means they depend on blood products to live. The medical community struggles to understand the growing epidemic while others deny the urgency.
Episode 2
Contraction (1983 - 1984)
44 mins
Will becomes more and more militant in his and Margaret's search for what they consider the safest cryo they can find for Ryan in light of the Red Cross still believing that there is nothing wrong with the Canadian blood supply as there have been no reported cases of AIDS transmission. The Red Cross' hesitancy in doing anything differently is largely a cost benefit analysis, those costs mainly in a purely financial perspective. The Red Cross has already faced backlash for their restrictions against gay men with multiple sexual partners from donating blood which has marginalized the community even further in very marked ways for some. Meanwhile, Peter becomes estranged from his parents in the aftermath of Andy's death, that estrangement solely because they were not up front with him about what may be happening with him with regard to how Andy died. As such, Peter is convinced that he too has AIDS and will imminently die because of it, and begins to make more and more reckless decisions about how to live for however much time he has. With the development of the story as a whole, Ben has to make some decisions about his professional life especially as it is associated with what he and Alice are going through with Peter. Things for all concerned in could take a marked turn as news emerges from the United States about hemophiliacs and AIDS.
Episode 3
Heat-Treatment (1984 - 1985)
44 mins
The statistic in the public consciousness is that there are only two cases of hemophiliacs in Canada having contracted AIDS through tainted blood products, although those in the know are aware that the statistic that has not yet widely made the rounds is that half of all hemophiliacs in Canada are HIV+, most who don't yet know it. Those who are aware of the latter statistic are Lawrence and Paul, that knowledge which affects their sex life and more broadly their marriages. Even without the latter statistic being known, both Ryan and Margaret end up being targets of witch hunts by people who would like to see anyone as HIV+ or associated with HIV+ people on a regular basis being totally exorcised within general society. On the medical front, Will keeps on pushing to have heat-treated products be the norm within the Canadian blood system, something that has already happened in the US. The Canadian Red Cross continues to push against it for financial reasons, and even after it becomes mandated, they want to delay the implementation until they are able to use up their existing supply of untreated cryo. In the process, Dr. Naylor, however, faces his own personal crisis along with Dr. Derrick. In Vancouver, the Landry family continues to spiral downward, with Alice now the only person having a regular paycheck and Peter still not speaking to either of his parents. Peter, in his continued belief that he will imminently die, may push the boundaries further and further in what he will do to feel better in whatever form that feeling better may take.
Episode 4
Unsafe (1985 - 1988)
44 mins
With Lawrence having taken on the role of President of the national Society, they have a strong willed force in former Manitoba Society president Jim Krepke, who moved to Toronto for family reasons. Jim believes the best way to affect change is an in-your-face approach, especially in scaring the public in turn scaring politicians to take action. Will's new fight is specifically against Armor, whose heat treated product has not effectively killed the virus causing AIDS, the Red Cross who will not act until hearing from the Bureau of Biologics, who is taking a cautious approach on the issue. While Margaret continues to face persecution at work, the Sanders' as a whole will discover another threat to the safety of the Canadian blood system, namely infection of hepatitis. Through the process, hemophiliacs who have been solely using heat treated products contracting the virus begins to rise. The Landry family continues to spiral out of control, with Ben still not working, Alice coping by hitting the bottle, and Peter continuing to lead a high risk life in his belief that he will soon die despite not having tested positive, while Emma tries to hold the family together. Alice makes some decisions within this framework, including giving Ben an ultimatum. And a case of someone within the general population getting the virus through a blood transfusion in surgery may soon change the face of what is happening in Canada.
Episode 5
Compensation (1988 - 1993)
44 mins
The administration at the Canadian Hemophilia Society believe that they have to place faces to the affected in their push for compensation, Paul who volunteers to take legal action as the one who has the least to lose personally in whatever persecution may follow. It may be other faces that have been affected by the tainted blood in the general population, such as Arthur and Betsy, that may have more sway in the public and thus political realm, especially with Betsy being the grandmotherly figure that was indeed an innocent victim. In all cases, they have to balance what may be seen as the small but first wins against the bigger picture of the true cost of the crisis on those affected. Ryan may find that dealing with hepatitis C is a little more difficult for him than the hemophilia, with Will and Margaret having the added burden as he begins to date and probably think about having sex. With the individual lawsuits mounting, Margaret, who begins to volunteer at the CHS, contemplates a class action suit which may allow those affected to remain anonymous. Peter enters the hospital for the first time in three years to have a cold that doesn't seem to want to go away checked out. There, he meets Darby Stephens, who may change his perspective about his life. But Darby may just end up being the latest he will have pushed away in not wanting to hurt the ones he loves. And as Ben collects more and more stories for his book, he may find the extremes of those who want to pour their heart out, versus others who will do anything to keep their private life private.
Episode 6
Krever (1993 - 1996)
44 mins
With over one thousand Canadians of all stripes having contracted AIDS through the blood system - a large number being hemophiliacs - the federal government appoints Justice Horace Krever to oversee an inquiry into how this could have happened, the inquiry's mandate not to direct blame but to make sure such a travesty does not happen again. Regardless, some testifying cannot help but direct blame at especially those at the highest levels of the Canadian Red Cross and the Bureau of Biologics, while those accused by this testimony cannot help but defend their position stating that they were doing the best they could with what was known at the time, but arguably and largely to prevent any future liability. Included is some emotional testimony based on personal tragedy. One person encouraged by his support network but who is reluctant to testify is Peter. During the years of the inquiry, life goes on for the victims and secondaries, for good and bad.
Episode 7
Intent (1997 - 2005)
44 mins
The supreme court rules in favor of Krever and his report finally comes out. It names many for wrongdoing and aims to rebuild the flawed blood system in Canada. While victims still suffer and loved ones mourn the dead, at least many feel that their voices were heard and those responsible were held accountable. But Ben is not satisfied and pushes for criminal charges.
Episode 8
Apologies (2005 - 2015)
44 mins
As the criminal trial falls apart, Ben considers taking matters into his own hands. Peter and Ryan both struggle with illness while forging families of their own. In 2015, both of their lives hang in the balance as the tragedy finally threatens to catch up to them.
