I don&#x27;t think this was always true. Torture used to be taboo in entertainment. I think that changed after September 11 - you started to see it used extensively by supposed &#x27;good guys&#x27;. I remember noting this when the show 24 was coming through - it broke that rule and polite society seemed to have been disarmed to it. And now it&#x27;s everywhere and we&#x27;re the poorer for it.