52 minSeason 1 • Episode 6
LatestOn his return to Britain, Jack is immediately sacked for his extraordinary behaviour in Pakistan. Not only this, but his wife has moved out, and Caroline has run away from the rehabilitation clinic. In Germany, Ulli believes he has trapped Helen and intercepts what he thinks is her heroin shipment. But Helen has double-crossed everyone, and the heroin shipment is actually bound for England. Fazal's wife Sabera has agreed to smuggle heroin for Tariq Bhut in return for a promise that he will secure her husband's release from prison. But some of the heroin leaks during her flight to Britain, and although the shipment is a great success for Helen, it causes Sabera's death.
Traffik is a 1989 British television serial about the illegal drugs trade. Its three stories are interwoven, with arcs told from the perspectives of Afghan and Pakistani growers and manufacturers, German dealers, and British users. It was nominated for six BAFTA Awards, winning three. It also won an International Emmy Award for best drama. The 2000 crime drama film Traffic, directed by Steven Soderbergh, was based on this television serial. In turn, the 2004 American television miniseries Traffic was based on both versions.
Writing
Six hours, zero wasted minutes, three continents, one nightmare.
Acting
Bill Paterson's downward spiral should be illegal to watch.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This single-handedly invented the 'drug trade as global systems failure' genre that Traffic, Sicario, and Narcos still mine today.
Steven Soderbergh bought the remake rights before the final episode even aired in the US—he knew immediately.
GB
