Lucan (spoilers)

[TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis]

I binge watched this yesterday, found it a really good watch, though the ending was a bit wishy-washy.

What did others think?

I found it pretty unlikely that they could go to all those lengths, follow all those highly niche clues, and find someone who a) wasn't Lucan but b) had such a strong match on facial recognition and c) spouted so many "appropriate" things like going to Eton (unless the edit just filtered out him saying dozens of things that didn't fit).

And in the end, I thought it was odd that they took one old man's word for it that it was a different person, whilst not taking the same verification steps!

Very sad overall. Especially the ex boyfriend of Sandra who asked her to swap date night, she wasn't even supposed to be there.

I think he did escape to Africa, possibly now dead - or possibly the guy in Australia.

I agree i think it was definitely him. Its a shame the whole thing wasn't handled better.

Surely 'Derek' would agree to a DNA test if he is innocent.

Tbf, I can see why you wouldn't. He might have his own criminal past to consider, or even relatives. He might be dodging child support etc.

I suppose there's a chance that if you're looking for an elusive figure who has hidden their identity and changed their name etc that you will end up finding a person who has, for whatever reason, hidden their identity and changed their name.

It's just hard to get past the circumstantial stuff like knowing Princess Margaret, and having been to Eton, and being a Theosophist (except he's not a fucking Buddhist, as he puts it, whilst sitting like one!).

It would be nice to see a scientific dive - for example, would the requisite nasal and ear surgery have been possible?

Just skim read this thread as only watched episode 1

I don't take to Neil particularly, and I feel for his dp Kim. Sounds like all conversations ring back round to Lucan

We only have the dodgy friend's assertion that he drank two bottles of vodka though, don't we? The guy in Gstaad? Seemed he would say anything to pour cold water and protect "Lucky". I don't believe someone who had drunk that much could drive a car after the murder and get themselves to Newhaven.

Oh the guy in Gastaad reminded me of Mohammad Al Fayed

Same pose when sat down, creepy and loads of dosh. Reckon he knows more than he's letting on.

I thought it was far-fetched and fascinating in equal measure. Then I had to stop and remind myself that this is someone's real life. Poor Neil. It's taken over his life and his family's.

Was the old man Lucan? I honestly couldn't say. I wouldn't be surprised either way. I'd like to say it's all just bonkers but I honestly don't know.

I wonder what Lucan's children think, if they would like to meet this weird old man and his creepy 'carer'.

At the end of the three programmes I'm 50/50 over whether it's him. The trail started from an address book entry. Could've been a joke entry.

1. But I believed it was him - up until the thing about the Canadian revue in 1969. We have the word of the Canadian director who identified the drag artist as the guru from a photo on a phone seen on a Zoom call. It could be that Guru (Lucan) stole his identity.

2. Details about the same date of birth could be total red herrings. Maybe Guru doesn't remember his dob or what one he's using or has used in the past.

3. I'd like to know more about the real Derek Crowther - the one who was at Eton a few years after Lucan. Could Lucan have stolen his identity? Also assumed the identity of the Canadian drag artist?

4. I'd like to see facial recognition done to compare the drag artist and Lucan's photos

Seems to me that there's more work to be done. The ultimate test would be DNA tests on the Guru and Lucan's kids.

I think the guy in Australia is so used to making up stories and lies that he doesn't know which way is up. If he IS Lucan he's probably convinced himself that he isn't.

Yes, the carer was creepy! I wondered about their relationship. He seemed a bit odd. What young man would live with an 82 yr old in the absolute back of beyond and keep moving house with him at a moment's notice? Maybe he does think he's a guru.

How do you square that with appearing in a revue in Canada in 1969 though? (I agree with you, but just can't work it out. He assumed the identity of the drag artist?)

To be fair, they said there were a good few dozen versions of the truth spouted by the old man. His father's job, his faith etc. That was just the only one they said checked out.

I agree that this guy is a habitual liar, with no concerns about the truth.

I didn't think the carer was "dodgy" as such, I quite enjoyed his pained expressions during the exchange. I'd have expected him to intervene if he thought that the old man was vulnerable in any way. He seemed to have the vibe of "that's him off on one again".

Just watched the second episode. I think Neil is very mentally unwell and has never dealt with his adoption, and finding out who his mother was after his adopted mother's death.

He showed no critical thinking at all, believed everything that he was told if it supported his theory, dismissed anything his journalist friend told him if it didn't match his train of thought. The whole thing made me very uncomfortable.

I bet he could tell some tales!

If Lucan lived, he would be NINETY. He would most likely die rather than run.

If so he’s a guru who isn’t even a Buddhist! I’m guessing he’s paid and gets board and lodging, so it suits his purposes.

He’d already moved during the filming of the documentary.

Literally the only thing to clinch it would be DNA

People believed for years that Anna Anderson was grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia and she turned out to be a mentally ill Russian.

The Australian police said it wasn't him, but a random British builder and an investigative journalist knew better. Facial recognition says its not him, so they construct a story which means the experts don't know what they are talking about.

Neil needs therapy and counselling. Not to be chasing round the world after vert elderly people.

The facial recognition tests inferred it was likely to be him!

Also agree that if the Australian police thought that there was any possiblity that the old guy was Lucan, it would be very easily confirmed with a DNA test, compared with one taken from one of his children.

At the beginning of the third episode the experts said not. But Neil was all "oh but plastic surgery, they've changed his ears and nose".

I'm not saying the Australian man is not Lucan, but their evidence its not strong. DNA is needed. I still think Neil is quite unwell.

Doubt his children want to be involved at all. I’m sure they don’t want all this brought up again.

I'm sure they wouldn't want to be involved. Also the call he made to "Lucan", the old guy is clearly confused. He's an old, old man. He says his name is "advertised as Derek". That isn't normal language. He sounds just like my dad when he was starting with demetia, muddling words up. I just don't think he has a clue what Neil is on about and is agreeing and talking nonsense.

The point of the documentary wasn't so much about if they'd found Lucan but about the obsession, and the Walter Mitty type life of the Lucan suspect.
I don't think we were supposed to wonder about Lucan but about what drives someone to search like that and believe even when the facts started to emerge. The final interview when it was put that Sandra's son was trying to do something for a mother he never knew was illuminating.