Episode #1.2

The second episode sees Savile trying to ingratiate himself with powerful people. Royalty, politicians, newspaper moguls, clergy including the Pope. All with the purpose of protecting himself from any malicious gossip and finger pointing.

Like The Long Shadow which is about the Yorkshire Ripper. This series about Jimmy Savile falls into two traps.

It wants to be about the victims, you have testimony from some of them. Then it fictionalizes parts of the story so you have no idea what is the truth.

Even more concerning, you have people who have died who have the blame shifted on them as possible enablers of Savile. Such as Bill Cotton the legendary Head of Light Entertainment at the BBC. Being dead he cannot sue for libel.

There is no evidence that a young girl killed herself after appearing on Top of the Pops with Savile and was later raped by him. There is some conjecture that another presenter and DJ might had a relationship with a young woman.

It is all unsatisfactory with a drama called The Reckoning. I think more of this problems with unfurl in later episodes.

Savile feels untouchable, he's at the height of his powers, Top of the pops is flying, he's a household name, and he's not got access to some incredibly vulnerable people, he's helping out at Broadmoor and Stoke Mandeville.

It's sickening to watch, if I wasn't so curious and intrigued, I wouldn't watch, as it is genuinely upsetting. He truly was in plain sight, but I'd argue he wasn't hiding, be was blatant.

So many people must have questioned what they were seeing in front of their eyes. I wonder if his mother did indeed see something in him.

A great job mixing in old footage together with the new, it blends seamlessly. It's truly sickening to see how blind eyes were turned at every level, simply because he was being Jimmy.

I thought Siobhan Finneran was excellent, it's a shame more people couldn't have seen through him. Coogan continues to impress as Savile.

9/10.