Lockerbie

As Episode 1 of "Lockerbie: A Search for Truth" (2025 release from the UK; 5 episodes ranging from 48 to 61 minutes each) opens, it is "21st December 1988" and we are introduced to the Swire family in Bromsgrove, England. Flora Swire is about to leave for a trip to the US from Heathrow. Then disaster strikes as Pan Am 103 crashes, and all passengers and crew perish, as do 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland. What exactly happened, and who did this? At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this min-series is based on Jim Swire's book of these events and its long aftermath, and hence the series reflects his perspective, and his only, as he searches for those responsible for this barbaric act of terrorism. As the years go by, Swire finds himself chasing ghosts, and battling his own government. Incredibly, the British government to this day, now 37 years later, have refused to instigate an independent investigation of the terrorist attack and has refused the release of multiple documents that could shed light on all of this. As to this mini-series, there is very little to be uplifted by this. Not that the script is weak or the performances are off (Colin Firth stars as Jim Swire), but because all of this is so incredibly depressing.

"Lockerbie: A Search For Truth" started streaming on Peacock some days ago. I watched all episodes over 2 evenings. This mini-series is currently rated 68% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and sounds about right to me. If you are curious what really happened when Pan Am Flight 103 was downed over Lockerbie, Scotland all those years ago, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.