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THE RECKONING - bbc 1 mon 9th - 9pm and Tue - TV PACE NO SPOILERS

314 replies

Blondeshavemorefun · 03/10/2023 16:31

There will be four episodes in total, with the second airing at 9pm on Tuesday, October 10.

The third and fourth episodes are likely to air on the following Monday and Tuesday.

The Reckoning stars Steve Coogan as Savile and has spent a long time in production, with a planned release in 2022 reportedly being delayed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

It will trace the life of Savile from a working-class background to one of the biggest stars in television and will also focus on his years of sexual abuse and the impact he had on his victims.

Saville (https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23729749.bbc-reveal-first-official-image-steve-coogan-jimmy-savile/)
died in October 2011 aged 84 having never been brought to justice for his crimes.

By not talking about it, you don’t get to the nub of that and if you don’t look at it you’re destined for those things to happen again.

The drama answers the question: how did he get away with it?

"The drama answers that question which is a very important one."
The series will also feature interviews with four of Savile's victims.

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lassiedog · 09/10/2023 23:31

I thought Ep. 1was brilliantly and sensitively done especially the bit at the end which showed the real victims. They never got justice on earth but maybe in some small way this can help to bring healing because they finally are seen and have a voice. Who knows?

Afraid I will be binge watching the rest!

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Blondeshavemorefun · 09/10/2023 23:32

Mischance · 09/10/2023 22:32

My DD was desperate to get on Jim'll Fix It. How glad I am that her letter was ignored.

I was as well

Can't R.E.M. what I asked to be fixed

Thank fuck it wasn't fixed !!

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Blondeshavemorefun · 09/10/2023 23:32

MouseMinge · 09/10/2023 23:13

I've only watched the first tonight although I might do some bingeing. I sometimes like to have a decent drama to look forward to. Coogan is incredible and I'm pretty sure he'll win awards for his performance. He's almost as creepy and scary as the man himself. If the following episodes are as good as this one it's going to be difficult but compelling viewing

I agree @MouseMinge

Def deserves an award for his portrayal

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RainRainRainAgain · 09/10/2023 23:35

'Difficult but compelling' is definitely the right description. I watched all 4 episodes in 1 sitting tonight. Probably not the best idea but once I started I was hooked. Steve Coogan's performance is incredible - as are the performances of all the supporting actors. And more importantly, the commentary of the survivors. A horrendous topic, covered very well by everyone involved xx

JemimaTab · 09/10/2023 23:45

It’s incredibly difficult viewing but I think very well done. Steve Coogan has done a brilliant job here I think.

YokoOnosBigHat · 09/10/2023 23:55

placemats · 09/10/2023 23:25

I won't be watching this in one go as I find the whole thing very upsetting.

I think Coogan as the older depiction of Savile is realistic, but he shouldn't have played him as the younger one. Reasons for this being that Coogan doesn't look young enough for Savile in the 1960s. A younger actor should have done it. I had to keep checking the dates of how old Savile really was then. With all due respect to Coogan he doesn't look like he's 40 in the 1960s.

With much love and respect to those who were sexually abused and used by Savile. x

I don't know that he doesn't pull it off... I googled and these two photos on the left are 1963 and 1964 apparently, so Savile would have been 37 and 38 but he looks much older. Photos on right are of Coogan playing those ages and I don't think it looks too off. Coogan was about 55 when this was filmed, so obviously it's not going to be perfect, but it's not reminding me of Stockard Channing playing a 16 year old in Grease when she was 40 or those kind of laughable disparities.

THE RECKONING - bbc 1 mon 9th - 9pm and Tue - TV PACE NO SPOILERS
Pastryapronsucks · 09/10/2023 23:56

Brilliant work from Coogan. Absolutely chilling portrayal abd thus far very sensitively handled. I am intrigued how Saville got away with so much in clear view, even with the different attitude of the day.

As a woman of 50, and a victim of sexual assault women were still ashamed to come forwards in the 80s and 90s. You only have to read some of the comments on reports of Russell Brands behaviour to see that victim shaming is alive and well today.

I will be tuning in again tommorow. Not sure I could cope with more than 1 episode at a time.

Lysianthus · 10/10/2023 00:05

RainRainRainAgain · 09/10/2023 23:35

'Difficult but compelling' is definitely the right description. I watched all 4 episodes in 1 sitting tonight. Probably not the best idea but once I started I was hooked. Steve Coogan's performance is incredible - as are the performances of all the supporting actors. And more importantly, the commentary of the survivors. A horrendous topic, covered very well by everyone involved xx

You've put it perfectly. I too have binged it so no spoilers here. SC should get a BAFTA in my opinion. He's talked about how bloody hard it was to play Saville. Kudos to him. Stunning production.

VivienneDelacroix · 10/10/2023 00:28

I really hope that this makes people sit up and understand how fame and power (also patriarchy) work to protect predators, and people stop excusing perpetrators' actions and start believing victims. So many comments on the Russell Brand situation have been "Why didn't they report it sooner? Why wait? Why speak to the TV crew but not the police? Etc etc. This is why.

bemorebernard · 10/10/2023 01:45

Steve coogan is a brilliant actor . And brilliant at impersonating others . Cent have been an easy role to play but he does it brilliantly.

RowcheRascal · 10/10/2023 01:58

@LadyEloise1 I did not know he was well known in Ireland. Yes someone should look into what he was up to over there. I dread to think.

foxlover47 · 10/10/2023 04:54

Thanks Blondes , I'm just watching episode one now
Steve coogan is scarily good isn't he

Remona · 10/10/2023 05:49

It’s uncanny how spot on Steve Coogan’s portrayal is. Yes, facially he may look different but the voice is perfect and his mannerisms and even the way he moves are exactly right. On the wider shots you’d really believe it was him. It’s really quite creepy.

I think we forget that Steve Coogan started out as an impressionist and did a lot of voices on Spitting Image for instance. He’s brilliant.

It is, however, making for very uncomfortable viewing, which of course it should.

Polkadotsaplenty · 10/10/2023 07:01

Wasn't keen on watching but DH wanted to as he loves SC. It was incredible and I'm so pleased the victims were seen and heard.

foxlover47 · 10/10/2023 07:20

I didn't realise he was as friendly with Thatcher as he was
I felt bad as hearing that music to fix it took me right back to my childhood
I wrote asking to meet red rum the racehorse
I wonder how Steve Coogan managed to switch off after filming this

Meltinthemiddle · 10/10/2023 07:32

I find ironic that the BBC are showing it considering they were the ones who turned a blind eye and protected him.

mrsnjw · 10/10/2023 07:33

@Meltinthemiddle yes I was surprised to find it on bb1 as opposed to the other channels.

upinaballoon · 10/10/2023 07:35

I have not looked at what any of you have said so far, so I cannot be influenced by anything already written. (If I take my specs off I can scroll down without being able to read the fuzz!)
I wasn't intending to watch it but I did. I think Steve Coogan is playing him well. That's all, just a comment about the acting. I'll catch up reading the thread later.

Lalgarh · 10/10/2023 07:39

wonder how Steve Coogan managed to switch off after filming this

I will admit when he was playing younger Jimmell (brunette) I thought he was going to switch to Alan Partridge

upinaballoon · 10/10/2023 07:50

Now I've read through, yes to all of you who have praised Steve Coogan's performance, with stronger words than my 'good'. Mmm, something clashes with Episode 2 tonight so I might resort to I-Player.

ReviewingTheSituation · 10/10/2023 08:49

I think 'difficult but compelling' is the perfect summation.

I know it's all on iplayer now, but how did those of you who watched all 4 manage to see them all before 11.30/12? Isn't it 4 hours in total?

Chiaseedling · 10/10/2023 09:08

I wasn’t sure about watching it either, but I think it’s important that we see how easy it was for him to get to his victims, how he infiltrated hospitals and charities and managed to become a prime time host. It’s also very interesting that his mum ‘saw’ his darkness. Not sure how the makers knew that - maybe his sibling’s’ testimonies? Anyone shed light on that?
The funeral footage at the beginning was chilling - can’t believe he went to his grave unpunished, that is really galling for his victims and society at large.

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Blondeshavemorefun · 10/10/2023 09:33

Yes the fact he died before he was punished may be gutting to his victims

Tho they know their stories and voices are now listened to and believed

and that has to mean something

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MaudGone · 10/10/2023 10:01

I'm not going to spoiler, but in a later episode they mention something I didn't think they'd mention. Something Leeds United fans used to have a chant about.

VivienneDelacroix · 10/10/2023 10:15

I wondered if the portrayal of his mum was to appease the family in some way - to really drive home that they weren't party to and in no way condoned his awful acts.