‘Litvinenko’ Recap: ‘Episode 4’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of ‘Litvinenko’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular aspect of the judicial system that is extremely difficult to reconcile, is that sometimes… justice is not served. It could be because a jury of peers deems the accused to be not guilty, or perhaps a technicality had the case thrown out. But regardless of what the reason is, it is supremely hard to understand that justice won’t be served. For we put all our faith in the system and to see it fail is shocking and heartbreaking and emotional and can leave us beside ourselves when it happens. To the point where we don’t know what is next for us since we expected the system to make us whole at last. If anything, that failure is top of mind today, simply because… it befell the Litvinenko family in the series finale of Litvinenko.
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Which was devastating to say the least, since it seemed early on in this tale, justice was going to be served. Since all of the detailed documents and incredible work that Clive’s team assembled, was turned over to the United Kingdom’s prosecution services out of the belief that extradition and trial would follow. Which brought Marina great joy, since at last… Sasha would have justice. But alas, the Russian Federation made it clear that its citizens would not be extradited for a murder trial, especially one they claimed they had no part in and just like that… the case was over. Because there were no resources that could be put toward it further and that… stunned dear Marina. For she was expecting peace and well, this did not sit right with her. 

Because she wanted justice, and she was wounded that the British Government was so quick to throw up their hands in an ‘oh well’ manner. Which is where an exploration of what do we do when justice isn’t served, got underway. For Marina decided… she would have justice by any means necessary, so she obtained council from a brilliant solicitor who took the time to use the human angle of this case, specifically the fact that an innocent British Citizen was murdered to satisfy the ego of a pathetic and weak despot named Putin, to try and convince the government to hold a grand inquiry. One that would have consequences of some kind for ol’ Vlad. But even that, went nowhere. There just seemed to be no appetite to bring justice forward for Sasha. 

But that still didn’t sit right with Marina. For she believed, there had to be some kind of justice for Sasha. Something that would make her family whole again and honor his memory and hold Putin to the fire for his twisted and cowardly actions. And since she had nothing to lose, she figured perhaps the time had come, to call out Prime Minister Theresa May and the international community for letting this whole matter be forgotten. Because they were wrong to do so, because they in essence, let a tiny man with a giant ego do as he pleased with no accountability and who was to say he wouldn’t hurt more people in this manner by not being called to task? And oddly enough, her call to arms worked, and a real inquiry was held, and accountability came into play at last. Granted it wasn’t perfect. Since all that really came of it was having Putin’s name attached as the man who ordered the death of Alexander ‘Sasha’ Litvinenko. But for a guy like him, that’s more than enough punishment.  

All of which taught us… that when the system fails us, to not let that be the end. Because justice can come forth in other forms. After all, if multiple crimes were committed there are other legal avenues that can be pursued, and as evidenced by Marina’s actions near the end of this tale, few things are more powerful than the court of public opinion, when used the right way, and well… this was, a supremely satisfying way to bring this harrowing story to a close. Because at long last, there was justice for Sasha, and you know damn well… being found as the culprit of his death haunts Putin. Because guys like that, can’t stand that kind of perception, and that makes one feel better for certain, as does now having a complete understanding of this important moment in human history. Since this series did show that while the little man at the Kremlin didn’t topple from his throne, he got his. Because there are still heroes in this world that tirelessly work to keep men like Vlad… from getting too big for their britches. 

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