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Preview: Season 2026 | 1m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
Watch the open for BREAKING THE DEADLOCK: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.
What does “freedom” mean—and what is the role of government—when people face life-and-death choices? Moderator Aaron Tang and a panel of experts with divergent views take on a hypothetical scenario that raises questions about reproductive rights and the right to die. BREAKING THE DEADLOCK: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, encourages dialogue, and the possibility of common ground. Watch the open.
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Funding for this program was provided in part by grants from The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation and by a grant from Anne Ray Foundation and by contributions from viewers like you. Thank you. Location furnished by The New York Historical.
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Preview: Season 2026 | 1m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
What does “freedom” mean—and what is the role of government—when people face life-and-death choices? Moderator Aaron Tang and a panel of experts with divergent views take on a hypothetical scenario that raises questions about reproductive rights and the right to die. BREAKING THE DEADLOCK: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, encourages dialogue, and the possibility of common ground. Watch the open.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Breaking the Deadlock
Breaking the Deadlock is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- This is a story about life and death decisions.
Who gets to make them?
Us or the government?
- This is a pro-life state.
For us here, we recognize the dignity of every human being.
- And I believe in choice in all matters.
- I would much rather not have the state involved in these decisions at all.
- There are two patients, not just one.
- But I think every pregnancy is perfect.
- Is it perfect if a woman dies?
- We chose to give birth and my son is doing beautifully now.
- Her body, her choice.
- Yeah.
- Now it's your daughter.
You don't want her to have the choice?
- I feel worse because I have adults putting medication in my minor child's hands.
- We're criminalizing young people who are just trying to make the best decisions for their lives.
- Would you try to go after her, prosecution, jail time, fines?
- To the extent we can.
This is black market practices.
- I'll go to jail.
- My freedom and your freedom may be different.
I don't think it's government that grants it, but I think the government has to protect it.
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Funding for this program was provided in part by grants from The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation and by a grant from Anne Ray Foundation and by contributions from viewers like you. Thank you. Location furnished by The New York Historical.