The Bombing of Pan Am 103: A Drama That Struggles to Find Its Footing
The bombing of Pan Am flight 103 on December 21, 1988, was a devastating event that had far-reaching consequences for Britain and the US. The plane, which was on its way from London to New York and Detroit, exploded over the small town of Lockerbie in Scotland, killing all 270 people on board. The aftermath of the disaster was marked by chaos and confusion, with many elements of the tragedy remaining murky to this day.
According to a review of the BBC drama, The Bombing of Pan Am 103, which aired on BBC One and is available on iPlayer, the series attempts to explore the human cost of the post-crash chaos. The show’s lead writer, Jonathan Lee, employs quick vignettes to portray the lives of the passengers and residents of Lockerbie before the disaster. However, as The Guardian notes, these introductory passages can feel cheesy and overly sentimental. For instance, the review states, "A girl clutching her teddy bear, a beloved toy that we come across later in a charred field, can’t help but feel cheesy, despite its roots in reality."
Despite these criticisms, the series does a commendable job of portraying the scale and violence of the disaster. The review praises the show’s depiction of the destruction, stating that "the force of the blazing debris landing is startling, as is an impressive tableau of a whole street on fire." The drama also explores the challenges faced by the investigators, including DS Ed McCusker of Glasgow CID and senior investigating officer DCS John Orr. The review notes that the series highlights the tensions between the Scottish and American authorities, with Orr asserting his authority by stating, "Scottish soil! Scottish evidence! Scottish procedure!"
The drama also focuses on the way the bombing brought out the best in compassionate, resourceful people and communities. The review notes that the show highlights the kindness and generosity of the Lockerbie locals, who insisted on staying with the bodies of the victims and volunteering to clean and sort their bloodied clothing. However, the review also criticizes the show’s portrayal of the investigators, stating that their desire to pay service to the victims sometimes tips into sentimentality.
As The Guardian notes, the show’s viewpoint should sharpen in the remaining episodes, which build up a picture of new relationships formed and further inspiring kindnesses exchanged. For now, though, this is a drama that knows its subject matter is important, but isn’t sure why. As the review concludes, "The show’s desire to pay service to the victims tips into sentimentality… The message is that the investigators ought to have been more mindful of the victims as individuals who mattered – we might value that attitude now, but was that really the case at the time, for senior investigators tasked with solving the mystery of a major international terror attack?"
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is a complex and challenging subject to dramatize, and it is clear that the show’s creators have approached the task with sensitivity and respect. However, as the review notes, the show still has some way to go in finding its footing and delivering a compelling and nuanced portrayal of this tragic event.
The drama is available to stream on iPlayer, and the remaining episodes are expected to explore the aftermath of the bombing in more depth. As the investigation into the bombing continues, it remains to be seen whether the show will be able to do justice to the victims and their families.
Source: The Guardian
