The Crash - BBC3

I thought it was about time I revisited BBC3. What I got was not a re-run of old comedy, nor of scripted sit-com nor run of the mill light-hearted dramas. Instead, BBC3 were re-broadcasting two-part drama 'The Crash'. With young talent from 'Waterloo Road', 'Skins', 'Two Pints of Lager' and 'Corrie', we are treated to a cast well-practised at hard-hitting drama and Northern accents (well almost).

Lily Loveless, as brilliant as her integrity is on screen, struggled a little with the accent which was the only thing that really failed to suspend my disbelief in the world our group of friends created for us. That aside, the drama truly managed to capture the rites of passage and journeys that come with friendship - and indeed loss.

The drama begins with the final night of secondary school; the prom. Then we return to a night when Kate is back from uni and the old gang are reunited. In a dramatic turn, the group of friends are travelling in two cars. Tom decides to overtake, misjudging the oncoming car and BANG! We are in a field among the wreckage of three cars and an event that will inevitably change their friendship forever. Darcy Isa, who played Leah Grew, acts spectacularly as she wonders around the crash site in shock at her boyfriend's death before she stumbles across a dying Ashley as the paramedics attempt to save her.

bbc.co.uk

Rachel Grew is injured badly in the crash and perhaps a little cliche is the moment that Kate appears to her and tells her she needs to go back to her family. But that aside, she captures the frustration that follows. She already has a rocky relationship with sister Leah but her road to recovery, learning to walk with the aid of crutches really takes its toll on their relationship. Ethan is quite content in waiting for her as he faces responsibility as the driver of the second car. He tells her mother that he loves her and will wait for her to realise she loves him too. We see a wonderful bringing together of loved ones and true reflection on how an event like that makes us realise what we DO have over what we don't.

theguardian.com - Rachel's parents

The parents all act brilliantly in their grief and conflict. Tom's mum must battle away her hatred for him as she grieves for Brian's death as Kate's parents must pull together and mourn Kate's loss as Tom looks on seething with guilt. Rachel's parents must both stay strong for Leah whilst fearing for Rachel's future.

How can I be with you and not see her and
know that it was my fault?

Lewis Rainer's performance as Tom was exemplary and certainly packed a punch worth taking. The final scene of part two sees a powerful breakdown into tears from him. It is not often we are treated to such an honest performance for there are not tears rolling slowly down his cheeks, but pouring from his eyes as he sobs loudly and utters apologetically through groans of agonising pain as he tells his friends how he wishes he could have his fiance back and how his mother hates him for his brother's death. It is heart-breaking and for that reason, exquisite. He truly shines.

It is a well written drama, capturing the ups and downs of teenage friendship perfectly. It is not over-indulgent, it does not preach but is an honest attempt at truly reflecting what an event such as that can do to a community, not just families or friends, but to everyone. It is done well in terms of emotion, we see the highs, the lows and who can bear to hold back the tears that come with the support of a Sigur Ros soundtrack? It clearly has the funding it needed to make it to television but I'm glad that BBC3 took a step outside of their comfort zone. Is it a sign of things to come?

bbc.co.uk

With BBC3 taking content online, I hope to see much more of content like this. It is the perfect platform to offer more content than the traditional televisual broadcast schedule can offer. It is a chance for more emerging writers to get content out there to their audiences. BBC3 has the opportunity to take more risks outside of their usual light-hearted easy watch content and 'The Crash' is a great place to take inspiration from.  It boasts a fantastic cast, music that I would not change in any sense and overall a great one-off drama.