Blackout is the 'what-if' story that explores the result of a cyber attack on the electrical grid in the UK; which subsequently leaves the nation without power for a week. The show is shot completely with the use of CCTV, real life footage and fictional scenes that follow the lives of a variety of people who attempt to keep themselves fed and watered in a time of anarchy. The characters' accounts show the effect such a disaster would have on the countries hospitals, transport systems, law and order and simply the difficulty of getting food and water.
Blackout was gripping throughout, giving a grim and somewhat realistic portrayal of a country without power. At a time where it seems the whole country spends every possible minute on their phone, Blackout shows us the real danger behind a lack of electricity. Rather than the biggest worry being that you cannot charge your mobile and update your Facebook status, the programme quickly focuses on the hunt for survival and at what point does it become OK for morals to be thrown out the window and for society to crumble.
In the last paragraph I mentioned that Blackout was 'somewhat realistic', and I say somewhat because it just feels that the show jumps into anarchy very very quickly. Not only this but everybody seems to be owning smartphones that have batteries that are lasting a week, I don't know about you but the battery on my smartphone doesn't even last a day.
In terms of accuracy, I suppose Blackout's portrayal of the governments response (or lack of) to the situation was fairly justifiable, with the programme showing no confidence in our current leaders. However, Blackout seems to show the same lack of confidence in the people of Britain, suggesting that as soon as disaster hits we would turn on each other. Although this seems likely when looking at a long-term disaster, a week long power-cut doesn't really send a wave of panic through my body.
Blackout is available to watch on 4od.
J.Henderson.
6/10.
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