I've just finished watching the last episode of this limited series. I vividly remember this event that occurred during my sophomore year in college. What I did NOT realize, was how very close this "accident," came to being a full fledged disaster like the one in Chernobyl, Ukraine.
The central figure in this film, Rick Parks, is presented as a modern American Hero. And that is EXACTLY WHAT HE IS! Like Stanislov Petrov of the USSR, Rick Parks followed his moral compass, instead of his organization's rule book when face with a decision that could have ended the lives of many innocent people. When you listen to this man talk (and I am SO happy that it is him, and not an actor playing him) you just KNOW he is telling the truth. Like so many ordinary people who rise to meet extraordinary circumstances, the truth rings true. Conversely, Lake Barrette, on-site NRC "watchdog" comes across as a dispassionate, uncaring sociopath, who is utterly incapable of empathy. He says as much about himself when he is introduced during the series. His attitude exemplifies everything that is wrong with the authoritarian "leadership" behind most private companies, and many government agencies. Some will claim that Mr. Barrette is the victim of political character assassination, but if so, he hold the gun to his own head and pulls the trigger. Those who claim this series is "too political" probably operate in a similar fashion in their own lives.
Coming back to the series itself, I found it EXTREMELY well researched, with compelling testimony from some of the most central figures and events surrounding the Three Mile Island disaster. Strongly recommended!!!
The central figure in this film, Rick Parks, is presented as a modern American Hero. And that is EXACTLY WHAT HE IS! Like Stanislov Petrov of the USSR, Rick Parks followed his moral compass, instead of his organization's rule book when face with a decision that could have ended the lives of many innocent people. When you listen to this man talk (and I am SO happy that it is him, and not an actor playing him) you just KNOW he is telling the truth. Like so many ordinary people who rise to meet extraordinary circumstances, the truth rings true. Conversely, Lake Barrette, on-site NRC "watchdog" comes across as a dispassionate, uncaring sociopath, who is utterly incapable of empathy. He says as much about himself when he is introduced during the series. His attitude exemplifies everything that is wrong with the authoritarian "leadership" behind most private companies, and many government agencies. Some will claim that Mr. Barrette is the victim of political character assassination, but if so, he hold the gun to his own head and pulls the trigger. Those who claim this series is "too political" probably operate in a similar fashion in their own lives.
Coming back to the series itself, I found it EXTREMELY well researched, with compelling testimony from some of the most central figures and events surrounding the Three Mile Island disaster. Strongly recommended!!!