The Trick viewers all have the same complaint about the BBC drama about real life scandal that ‘cost the world a decade’
BBC fans have taken to social media to complain about new BBC drama The Trick – slamming it for being “confusing”.
Viewers were left frustrated as the 90-minute episode failed to clearly explain the real life Climategate scandal that “cost the world a decade”.
The “conspiracy thriller” – which aired on BBC One on Monday night – is inspired by true-life events that led to the Climategate scandal.
The series, starring Jason Watkins, looks into the 2009 scandal that saw thousands of emails and documents leaked following a hack.
It tells the story of Professor Philip Jones, the Director of Climate Research at the University of East Anglia, who was targetted in the hack.
The documents were stolen by climate change deniers who argued that global warming was a conspiracy and that scientists had been hiding data.
It sparked a media storm and “the unjustified persecution of Phil Jones” – who was forced to temporarily step down from his position.
But despite many viewers remembering the events of Climategate, dozens took to Twitter to complain it was not explained well in the new drama.
“Does anyone have a clue what’s going on? Excellent cast but I’m completely lost,” one woman kicked off the debate on Twitter.
A second chimed in: “Did they lose the first ten minutes of The Trick in the edit?” as a third said: “Is anyone following this? I’m totally lost.”
“Love the cast, but I can’t make head nor tail of The Trick, I’m out,” a fourth chimed in, as another eprson replied: “Is anyone following this? I’m lost.”
“First time I’ve ever switched off a BBC drama. Just too confusing and dull, dull, dull. Missed opportunity from the BBC,” someone else concluded.
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Others had nothing but praise for the programme, specifically referencing star actor Jason’s role in the show.
“Jason Watkins really is tremendous in this,” one wrote, as a second chimed in: “Jason Watkins really is a master of his craft isn’t he?”
“Very moving,” a third said of the pilot, while a fourth hit back at the haters: “See people complaining they can’t follow the story – REALLY? I am perfectly capable.”
Climategate, also known as the Climatic Research Unit email controversy, started in November 2009.
A server at the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia was hacked copying thousands of emails and computer files.
Climate change deniers claimed that the emails proved global warming was a scientific conspiracy and that scientists manipulated climate data.
The incident that took place weeks before the Copenhagen Summit on climate change, led to an international media storm.
Eventually eight comittees investigated the claims and published reports finding no evidence of fraud or scientific misconduct.
The Trick – which premiered on BBC One this week – followed the events from the perspective of Professor Philip Jones.
The BBC’s synopsis reads: “With time running out against an unseen enemy, The Trick looks at the potentially devastating consequences to humanity from climate change denial; how a media storm undermined public confidence in the science and how the concept of ‘truth’ took a back seat – causing us to lose a decade of action.
“The film also charts the unjustified persecution of Phil Jones, his wife Ruth’s fierce support of her husband, and the fight for the ultimate exoneration of himself and the science.”
