The Reckoning: A Trial Denied
As the highly anticipated BBC drama, The Reckoning, hits screens this week, it has already raised eyebrows and outraged victims who feel that the show fails to hold the broadcaster accountable for its role in enabling Jimmy Savile's horrific crimes. While the drama looks at the dark and disturbing career of the TV and radio star, it conveniently glosses over the fact that the BBC aired a tribute to Savile after his death and later scrapped a Newsnight episode exposing him as a predatory paedophile.
Ignoring the Dark Truth
Darien and Susan, two of Savile's victims featured in The Reckoning, openly criticize the BBC's decisions to honor Savile and bury their exposé. Darien calls it "extraordinary" that the BBC wanted to make Savile into a saint, while Susan describes the tribute program as "obscene." Despite the drama's attempt to shed light on Savile's monstrous actions, critics argue that it does little to address the scandal surrounding the BBC's failure to stop him.
The Survivors' Voices
The Reckoning features the testimonies of Darien, Susan, along with two other victims, Sam and Kevin. These survivors collaborated on the production, led by executive producer Jeff Pope, known for his work on true crime dramas such as Four Lives and Little Boy Blue. Pope agrees that the BBC's decision not to air the Newsnight interview was "disastrous," but defends the drama's treatment of the issue, citing the inclusion of victims expressing their outrage.
Avoiding Accountability
While the drama touches briefly on the Newsnight scandal, it fails to delve into the full extent of the BBC's role, including the resignation of then-Director-General George Entwhistle. Despite the BBC's assertion that they do not shy away from their part in the crisis, the drama leaves much to be desired in terms of delving into the scandal.
Disconnection from the BBC
Interestingly, the creative team behind The Reckoning is quick to distance itself from the BBC, highlighting that the drama is an ITV Studios production, even though it airs on BBC1. This move is seen as an attempt to ensure the drama is not seen as the BBC marking its own homework. However, the drama's creators deny any censorship or pressure from the BBC during the production process.
The Harsh Reality
The Reckoning explores the multifaceted failures of various institutions in enabling Savile's crimes, including Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, Leeds General Infirmary, and Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The drama suggests that Savile's need to please his mother, Agnes Savile, drove his behavior, presenting a complex and unsettling portrait of the man. The drama does not shy away from depicting Savile's numerous crimes, alluding to his vile character through tasteless jokes and scenes of assault.
The Portrayal of Evil
Steve Coogan delivers a mesmerizing performance as Savile, capturing his showman facade alongside his menacing brutality without descending into caricature. The charisma and charm that Coogan brings to the role highlight how Savile was able to manipulate and deceive everyone around him.
The Posthumous Trial
While some may view The Reckoning as a useless posthumous trial of Jimmy Savile, the survivors who collaborated on the drama believe it is a crucial step towards holding him accountable. Writer Neil McKay emphasized that, for the survivors, this trial matters.
The Reckoning airs on BBC1 on Monday at 9pm and will also be available as a boxset on iPlayer the same day.
