I’m a fan of limited series. They allow you to explore a topic in much greater depth than the typical two‑hour film. See my post Three Docudramas to Stream Right Now for three good examples. I recently got a new TV, and one of the first things I watched — after Guardians of the Galaxy 3 — was the Netflix limited series I Will Find You, based on a Harlan Coben novel.
I was drawn to the storyline: a father wrongly accused of murdering his young child who breaks out of prison after learning the child may still be alive. In Hollywood this is known as a “high concept” idea. I enjoyed the series, but as it went on it became more and more implausible. There were too many plot contrivances, characters that felt more like caricatures than believable people, and inter‑character relationships that strained credulity. It was almost as if everyone in the story was related to each other. By the end I felt the same way I feel after eating a bowl of ice cream — it was good while consuming it, but I didn’t gain anything positive from the experience.
Immediately after watching I Will Find You, I watched the Netflix docudrama The Bombing of Pan Am 103. This story also has a complex plot — this one centered around the mystery of who was responsible. I had watched a documentary on the accident and knew some of what took place, but seeing it acted out brought a new appreciation for the effort that went into tracking down the perpetrators.
The opening episode brings to life what it must have been like for the residents of Lockerbie, Scotland as parts of the plane rained down on their community. After that harrowing scene, a worldwide investigation begins, with investigators from Scotland, the NTSB, the FBI, and the CIA all approaching the incident from different angles. One thing is certain: had the plane blown up over the ocean, it’s not clear they ever would have solved the mystery.
Like I Will Find You, there are plenty of plot twists in The Bombing of Pan Am 103. But unlike that fictional account, the twists in the Pan Am investigation were real — including the red herrings and the friction between competing agencies.
The filmmakers of The Bombing of Pan Am 103 smartly use archival footage to help tell their story. They also consulted with family members of the passengers aboard the flight. That’s partly because the families played an important role in the aftermath. Their advocacy led to changes in how airlines handle communication and support after tragic accidents. Their involvement also brings authenticity to scenes depicting grief, determination, and the long fight for answers.
I have nothing against fictional series, but why spend so much time and money on something so obviously made up when there are so many great true stories to tell?