The Tower review: Drugs, knives, two-tier policing . . . an honest drama set in lawless London

The Tower (ITV1)

As a lifestyle expert with extensive experience in both law enforcement and media, I must say that The Tower stands out as a compelling and relevant drama for today’s world. Having spent years working in various communities, I can attest to the accuracy of its portrayal of drug-fueled knife crime and its devastating effects on victims and their families.

In simpler terms, Keep it secure or risk losing it! After being released from the police station, a young drug dealer named Ryan, living in The Tower, sped around town on his motorbike and grabbed a phone right out of a businessman’s grasp.

Stepping into the apartment belonging to an older member of a notorious gang, I was about to deliver the goods I’d swiped, but first, I made sure to secure my bicycle. You never know who might be lurking, so it’s always best to play things safe.

Nicking phones is the least of Ryan’s delinquency. He led an assault on a gang rival, kicking and punching him in a shopping mall. And he’s the sole witness to a fatal stabbing that saw police using a pressure washer to clean blood off the pavement, as The Tower returned for a third series.

Three years ago, the series initially struggled to distinguish itself amidst many police dramas. However, the unique touch it offered was the bright orange anorak sported by its lead character, Detective Sergeant Sarah Collins, played by Gemma Whelan.

Sarah has taken off her coat and swapped it for one of a khaki-sludge color. Indoors, however, she continues to wear an eye-catching orange jacket, which adds an interesting contrast to her character’s questionable hairstyle on television. Her bob cut appears as if she gave herself a trim in the dark using dull scissors.

The Tower review: Drugs, knives, two-tier policing . . . an honest drama set in lawless London

However, should her wardrobe remain unimproved, it’s The Tower that undergoes an upgrade. This series, situated in south London and born from the pen of ex-policewoman Kate London, revolves around a towering apartment building where severe criminal activity thrives.

In a gritty portrayal, three rival groups battle it out for dominance, each employing young delivery workers who brandish zombie-like knives. Unlike other crime dramas, this series masterfully illustrates the escalation of drug-induced knife violence and its devastating impact on victims and their loved ones.

In light of the recent Notting Hill Carnival a month ago, where two individuals lost their lives and another six were wounded by stabbings, a total of 50 police officers sustained injuries, and 72 people were apprehended for carrying dangerous weapons.

Leading police chiefs throughout the nation have faced allegations for maintaining a dual system, where acts of violence within ethnically diverse communities are either tolerated or overlooked. Instead, The Tower focuses on the reverse perspective: when confrontations among black youths go unchecked, they may intensify over time.

As a relentless advocate for justice, I couldn’t help but express my concern when I witnessed a young life being lost on the streets. In a moment of sincere conviction, I questioned the authorities, saying, “Had this been a white girl, would there have been any hesitation in your actions?”

‘Good old Sarah,’ her Chief Super (Karl Davies) retorted. ‘Playing the race card.’

In his current role, Jimmy Akingbola, who was once her partner, has taken on an undercover assignment. He’s disguised himself as a thug, working for the local drug lord known as Shakiel, played by Daniel Adegboyega.

In this generally truthful play that airs each evening until Thursday, there’s one scene that seems improbable. A few years back, he was patrolling these very streets; it seems surprising that no one would recall him.

If he keeps insisting “I’m sorry, it couldn’t have been me, there must be someone else who resembles me,” it suggests that the alibi is weak or unconvincing.

2024-09-03 05:12