The Secret

Yes I am watching it but my oh my it is dark isn't it? when its finished I feel quite discomfited. I think its the religious part as well as the killings that are disturbing me. I wont spoil it for others but the dentist has some rather dodgy practices doesn't he!! Chilling - excellent acting.

DD and I watched it on catch-up last night instead of Eurovision. In the end we turned over to the Song Contest for some light relief. Not sure I will finish watching it. Too horrible.

And the actual event only happened in 1990. Too soon to make entertainment out of it.

I think it is very disturbing, the James Nesbitt character is verging on some sort of mental illness, he is very clever with his arguments but also seemingly naive. What is also unsettling is that his second wife has notj denounced him yet, but how could she live with him? I think there are some things that should not be shown on television and this is one of them, seeing something on a screen has more effect than reading it in a book or newspaper.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/02/the-secret-my-family-traumatised-murder-tv-drama-bereaved
The opinion of one of Colin Howell's children.
I am not sure whether it is unethical or not to televise such matters. The court proceedings have all been reported in the press, and having watched the first 3 episodes, I don't think the drama sensationalises or trivialises the tragedy - that would hardly be possible given the gravity of the offences and the horrific way in which Howell used his professional knowledge to murder his victims.
Truth is indeed stranger than fiction and if this story had been written as fiction, it would have been denounced as implausible.
Howell's use of his religious beliefs to justify his evil actions interested me and I think that alone is reason to bring it to a wider audience.
I could not help comparing it to the murders carried out by Daesh in the name of their religion.

"They" just can't wait to get their hands on what they see as a 'good' sensational story. Typical of the world today. No respect for anyone's feelings.

I am shocked to read the article and find out that the series was made against the express wishes of the family. Especially when Lauren Bradford feels that her mother has been portrayed as a colourless character instead of the vibrant woman she was. Somehow I thought it would have been allowed to go ahead only with their approval and input. You're right, jingl, it shows no respect.

Did you feel the same about The Iron Lady, the film which portrayed Mrs Thatcher in her declining years, Maggie and Jingl?
I think all these dramas based on real life events, made while relatives are still alive, are problematic. Of course anyone whose parent is murdered by the other parent is going to be traumatised to a degree inimaginable to anyone else.
After reading the article I did wonder whether to watch the remaining two episodes, but admit that I did, because I was interested in how Colin Howell's mind worked, and I will be interested to find out what made him actually go to the police 18 years after the event.
The degree to which Hazel Buchanan was complicit in the murders is also debatable and all sorts of questions were apparently raised about how the jury was influenced by Howell's performance in the witness box, before they convicted her.
I think these are matters of public interest and not mere voyeurism.
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Different thing altogether ja. Maggie T was a public figure, and she didn't kill anyone.

People should be allowed to own their own family tragedies.

Oh dear i didn't mean to open a can of worms by discussing The Secret.

Having just read the article linked by janeainsworth i feel bad about raising the subject

I obviously didn't stop to think of the impact on the family and on reflection i am surprised that it has been televised so soon after events.

I hope no one has been too offended.

Not offended by you carer! We are just discussing the programme. It's what the TV and radio forum is for.

Glad you did start it.

I'm not sure it was that different, jingl. Colin Howell certainly achieved notoriety in Northern Ireland and within his profession.
And it was not an ordinary crime of passion - the level of pre-planning, the self-justification, the religious and professional elements, the ability to conceal his crime within a small community all combine to make it highly unusual enough perhaps to justify the dramatisation.

I'm glad you started the thread too, carer - to be honest I have felt guilty watching the programme, though I think it's been very well done, and I think it's good to discuss the ethical issues involved.

I think it's worth pointing out that the TV drama has been based on a book - so is writing a book about something as bad as, or less bad, than making a film?

I agree with jings, watched first episode then deleted from my planner. I think because it was a true story. Horrid.
However, my opinion of Nesbit has risen considerably!

I did feel the same about The Iron Lady film, janea. Even though she was a public figure, I thought it was shameful to make entertainment out of her dementia when she was still alive.

I have watched all of the episodes and will watch the final one but it is not easy to watch. The fact that religion played a big part in his life makes him more evil if that is possible. I do not recall the crime at the time that it happened.

At the time it happened it wasn't regarded as a crime Harri - it was regarded as a double suicide so not that newsworthy, in the scheme of things.
I do remember when Colin Howell gave himself up to the police though. There was certainly coverage in the dental press, for obvious reasons!
Maggie I did feel uneasy about The Iron Lady, but I think since the film was made, dementia has become much less of a taboo subject, and perhaps the film played a small part in that.

You could well be right there, janea. It's an ill wind, and all that. I'm not as strong-willed as some of you, because even though I now know the background of the series, I'm still going to watch the episodes we haven't seen yet. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

I shall watch this to the end, because I am fascinated by the religious theme, and how it is possible for someone to justify such dreadful actions by laying the blame on God. I know of course this does apply to some people but the acting is so good, it really brings it home.

Missed last night's! Drat!

I find JN compelling in this. Last week's was barely watchable. I can't believe that Wife 2 was taken in by Howell. Truth stranger than fiction, obs.

Last night's episode jumped forward a few years. Near the beginning, Colin mentioned that God had taken one of his sons. I didn't understand this part. Did one of his children die?
I think James Nesbitt played the part very well, as did the female actress, whose name escapes me.
However, it must have been very difficult for the families that dramatisation of such a terrible event was being televised, especially when apparently, there was nothing that could be done to stop it being aired.

His son, Matthew, while at uni, appears to have fallen down a stair well. I couldn't work out whether he was supposed to have taken his own life or it was an accident. I read an article, or a letter, written by one of Hazel Buchanan's children, saying how much suffering the tv series had caused their family, but, as marelli says, there was nothing they could do to stop it being aired.

I've just watched the final part of this true story drama. I've found it extremely disturbing, all the more so because of the religeous element.
I've a,ways enjoyed James Nesbitt's work especially his comedic roles, but this showed what a very fine actor he is. Having said that I was horrified and upset by this story, it seemed far more sinister than the usual murder dramas, more so because it's a true story.
I'm glad it's finished.

Did his Kyle (his wife) ring the police? I thought he handed himself in?