The Bombing of Pan Am 103

It's been said this has strayed from the train of events somewhat, and may even have factual inaccuracies. Maybe so. However, I feel it has captured the essence of this awful tragedy - with a strong cast, well-written screenplay and thoughtful direction. I would like to know what the people of Lockerbie thought of it, as well as those (still with us) who were involved in the aftermath of the disaster - police, FBI, forensic experts and other professionals - as well as families of the victims. Arguably it might bring back memories which many would best not wish to have resurrected, but these views would surely be authentic.

The horror of the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 has been portrayed before in documentaries and also the recent drama starring Colin Firth as a bereaved father.

This series, though, is primarily focused on the extremely complex, wide-ranging and stressful investigation and the multiple countries and agencies who worked together to find the culprits. The whole cast is excellent but in particular Connor Swindells and Patrick J Adams as the Scottish Police and FBI leads are tremendous and so believable. The years of dogged investigation and the many, many professionals who worked tirelessly to identify the bombers is inspirational. Those who were involved will never be the same again, I'm sure.

The torment of the families is very much to the fore as well, and the close bond that many of them formed with the people of Lockerbie and members of the investigation team over the following years is very emotionally played here. Phylis Logan is great as a local lady who forms a volunteer group to carefully clean and sort out the victims' belongings so they could return as much as possible to the grieving families.

This is a very, very good series and it is extremely emotionally affecting.

The BBC and Netflix's The Bombing of Pan Am 103 embarks on a monumental task: to dramatise one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in British history with both forensic detail and unwavering respect. Over its six-episode run, the series proves to be a meticulous, if sometimes understated, chronicle of a truly global investigation.

It opens with a sober, painstaking reconstruction of the immediate aftermath in Lockerbie, quickly establishing the sheer scale of the tragedy and the quiet heroism of the local responders. While Ep 2 perhaps lingers a tad too long in the initial sifting, feeling more like an "investigative treadmill" than propulsive drama, the series finds its stride in subsequent episodes. It commendably delves into the gargantuan challenges of international coordination, showcasing the bureaucratic friction and the cultural clashes between the steadfast Scottish police, embodied by the wonderfully understated DS Ed McCusker (Connor Swindells), and the earnest but often impatient FBI, led by Agent Marquise (Patrick J. Adams).

The strength of The Bombing of Pan Am 103 lies in its unflinching commitment to procedural realism. It avoids sensationalism, opting instead for a detailed, almost documentary-like approach to how evidence was painstakingly gathered and connections were painstakingly made. This dedication means that while it is rarely a "thriller" in the traditional sense, its quiet build-up to the truth was often profoundly affecting.

The series excels in showing the human impact not just on the victims' families, but on the investigators themselves, highlighting the immense toll of such a long and complex pursuit of justice.

The finale, Ep 6, ultimately delivers a comprehensively satisfying wrap-up to the central criminal investigation, leading to a legal conclusion that, while clear, also acknowledged the messy realities of justice for an event of this scale. For viewers seeking a neat, emotionally cathartic bow, it might feel a touch restrained. However, for those appreciating its respectful, forensic approach, the series ends well, providing answers without presuming to erase the enduring pain.

In sum, The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is a commendable, if deliberately paced, drama. It might not set your pulse racing with every scene, but its integrity, strong performances, and detailed exposition of an unthinkable crime make it a significant and worthwhile watch.

Overall Series Rating: 7/10 (A respectful, detailed, and ultimately compelling true-crime drama that prioritises truth over theatricality.)

The small Scottish community of Lockerbie was rocked when a Pan Am flight carrying over 250 passengers crashed into a housing estate; all on board the flight were killed, as well as a number of locals. This details the subsequent investigation and the relentless fight for justice.

I worry about docudramas from the BBC these days; they have a habit of focusing on things other than the story. Credit where it's due, though; in this instance, it tells the story very well. As an eight-year-old, I remember watching the news, with Michael Buerk announcing the disaster on the BBC; it was harrowing. It's a shocking story, one that will never be forgotten. When the name Lockerbie is mentioned, the crash is remembered.

It's sensitively handled; I felt they managed it all with a degree of respect. At no time did they opt to sensationalise or over-dramatise it. If I had one criticism, I felt it could have been cut down to four or five episodes. Very well made, with some great visuals and on-point period details.

I thought Connor Swindells was particularly good; he's terrific from start to finish. Peter Mullan and Tony Curran were also excellent.

8/10.

A few reviewers have given dreadful scores because it's unrealistic. I have an imagination so I can imagine what it would be like to be the first on the scene. These people are complaining there's not enough bodies! I mean come on, we don't need to see that. We can all imagine what 270 deaths would look like! I would imagine that the response would be coordinated initially from Glasgow. Another reviewer thought that there should be more emphasis on local responders. My response to that would be that they should make their own dramatisation with the focus on local responders. Oh and while they are at it make it a gory, rather than a sensitive drama respecting the dead and bereaved.

I live exactly on the flight path probably one more minute into the flight. This could have been us. It could have been a lot of places.

So far so good. It's not over dramatised. It's a sensitive portrayal of actual events.