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List of Frontline (American TV program) episodes

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Frontline is an investigative journalism program of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), producing in-depth documentaries on a variety of domestic and international stories and issues, and broadcasting them on air and online. Produced at WGBH-TV in Boston, Massachusetts, and distributed through PBS in the United States, the critically acclaimed program has received every major award in broadcast journalism.[1] Its investigations have helped breathe new life into terrorism cold cases,[2] freed innocent people from jail, prompted U.N. resolutions, and spurred both policy and social change.[3]

As of April 7, 2020, 711 episodes of Frontline have been released.

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
125January 17, 1983 (1983-01-17)July 18, 1983 (1983-07-18)
224January 16, 1984 (1984-01-16)December 18, 1984 (1984-12-18)
321January 15, 1985 (1985-01-15)May 28, 1985 (1985-05-28)
431January 21, 1986 (1986-01-21)September 9, 1986 (1986-09-09)
520January 27, 1987 (1987-01-27)December 16, 1987
619January 26, 1988 (1988-01-26)June 28, 1988 (1988-06-28)
719October 10, 1988 (1988-10-10)June 20, 1989 (1989-06-20)
823November 28, 1989 (1989-11-28)October 2, 1990 (1990-10-02)
922October 16, 1990 (1990-10-16)July 15, 1991 (1991-07-15)
1023October 15, 1991 (1991-10-15)June 23, 1992 (1992-06-23)
1122October 13, 1992 (1992-10-13)July 21, 1993 (1993-07-21)
1220October 12, 1993 (1993-10-12)June 21, 1994 (1994-06-21)
1319October 18, 1994 (1994-10-18)June 13, 1995 (1995-06-13)
1418October 17, 1995 (1995-10-17)June 4, 1996 (1996-06-04)
1518October 8, 1996 (1996-10-08)June 17, 1997 (1997-06-17)
1616October 7, 1997 (1997-10-07)June 2, 1998 (1998-06-02)
1719September 21, 1998 (1998-09-21)June 29, 1999 (1999-06-29)
1817September 28, 1999 (1999-09-28)May 23, 2000 (2000-05-23)
1917October 2, 2000 (2000-10-02)June 5, 2001 (2001-06-05)
2024September 13, 2001 (2001-09-13)June 27, 2002 (2002-06-27)
2120September 3, 2002 (2002-09-03)July 3, 2003 (2003-07-03)
2217October 9, 2003 (2003-10-09)September 7, 2004 (2004-09-07)
2316October 12, 2004 (2004-10-12)October 4, 2005 (2005-10-04)
2414October 18, 2005 (2005-10-18)June 20, 2006 (2006-06-20)
2518October 3, 2006 (2006-10-03)June 19, 2007 (2007-06-19)
2614October 16, 2007 (2007-10-16)June 17, 2008 (2008-06-17)
2716October 14, 2008 (2008-10-14)June 16, 2009 (2009-06-16)
2818October 13, 2009 (2009-10-13)October 11, 2010 (2010-10-11)
2919October 19, 2010 (2010-10-19)September 27, 2011 (2011-09-27)
3020October 11, 2011 (2011-10-11)September 25, 2012 (2012-09-25)
3121October 9, 2012 (2012-10-09)July 30, 2013 (2013-07-30)
3218September 17, 2013 (2013-09-17)July 29, 2014 (2014-07-29)
3318September 9, 2014 (2014-09-09)July 21, 2015 (2015-07-21)
3418September 29, 2015 (2015-09-29)September 13, 2016 (2016-09-13)
3518September 27, 2016 (2016-09-27)July 18, 2017 (2017-07-18)
3615September 12, 2017 (2017-09-12)July 24, 2018 (2018-07-24)
3721July 31, 2018 (2018-07-31)May 28, 2019 (2019-05-28)
38TBASeptember 10, 2019 (2019-09-10)TBA

Episodes

Season 1 (1983)

Frontline's first season, in 1983, was the only season to have Jessica Savitch as its host (Savitch died in October of that year).

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
11"An Unauthorized History of the NFL"Sports60 minutesJanuary 17, 1983 (1983-01-17)101
A look at the connections between organized crime, gambling and professional football in the United States.
22"88 Seconds in Greensboro"Extremism, violence60 minutesJanuary 24, 1983 (1983-01-24)102
James Reston, Jr. investigates a police informant's involvement with a group of Ku Klux Klan and American Nazi Party members who killed 5 civil rights demonstrators in a November 1979 incident in Greensboro, North Carolina.
33"In the Shadow of the Capitol"Poverty60 minutesJanuary 31, 1983 (1983-01-31)103
Charlie Cobb explores a rarely seen side of Washington, D.C., where poverty is widespread among the population (75% of which is black).
44"A Chinese Affair"Asian politics60 minutesFebruary 7, 1983 (1983-02-07)104
A look at Taiwan's political struggle in determining their relations with communist mainland China.
55God's BankerFinance60 minutesFebruary 14, 1983 (1983-02-14)105
Jeremy Paxman explores the career of banker Roberto Calvi, his relations with the Holy See and secret Italian society, and the mystery of his June 1982 death.
66"Pentagon, Inc."Finance; military60 minutesFebruary 21, 1983 (1983-02-21)106
An investigation into the power of the Pentagon as a business and economic force in U.S. economy.
77"Gunfight USA"Firearms60 minutesFebruary 28, 1983 (1983-02-28)107
An exploration into the underlying fears that make gun control an emotional issue in the U.S.
88"Children of Pride"Biographies60 minutesMarch 7, 1983 (1983-03-07)108
The story of Kojo Odo, a 42-year-old single black man who opened his home to 21 children with physical or mental handicaps.
99"A Journey To Russia"Diplomacy60 minutesMarch 21, 1983 (1983-03-21)109
A young, three-person debate team from America travels to the Soviet Union to meet young Russians whose world views contradict their own.
1010"Daisy: Story of a Facelift"Health60 minutesMarch 28, 1983 (1983-03-28)110
A look into the world of plastic surgery focuses on a 55-year-old woman's desire to undergo a facelift.
1111"Space: The Race For High Ground"Science; military60 minutesApril 11, 1983 (1983-04-11)111
A look at the battle between the U.S. and Soviet Union to turn outer space from a world of exploration to one of strategic defense, including the then-recent introduction by U.S. President Ronald Reagan of the Strategic Defense Initiative.
1212Abortion ClinicHealth60 minutesApril 18, 1983 (1983-04-18)112
An intimate look at the values and decisions both sides hold in the abortion debate.
1313"Crisis in Zimbabwe"African politics60 minutesApril 25, 1983 (1983-04-25)113
Charlie Cobb explores how a rift between two of Zimbabwe's leaders threatens to divide the country among tribal lines.
1414"Air Crash"Transportation60 minutesMay 2, 1983 (1983-05-02)114
How human greed and legal machinations led to the July 1982 crash of Pan Am Flight 759.
1515"Looking For Mao"Asian politics60 minutesMay 9, 1983 (1983-05-09)115
A look at a new cultural revolution inside China, one that finds political and social relaxations that run counter to Mao Zedong's anti-capitalist dictates.
1616"Israel: Between The River and The Sea"Biographies60 minutesMay 16, 1983 (1983-05-16)116
The story of Rafik Halabi, the only Arab reporter working in the Hebrew section of Israeli Television, and how his identity and loyalty became a national controversy.
1717In Our WaterHealth60 minutesMay 23, 1983 (1983-05-23)117
This Oscar-nominated documentary looks at the Kaler family's 6-year battle with local and federal officials over contamination (from a nearby landfill) of their water well in South Brunswick, New Jersey.
1818"Vietnam Memorial"Military; psychology60 minutesMay 30, 1983 (1983-05-30)118
A look at the October 1982 dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the pain and emotions that survivors, parents, and friends of the memorialized still feel about the war.
1919"For the Good of All"Land development60 minutesJune 6, 1983 (1983-06-06)119
Jessica Savitch looks at the National Park Service's controversial reclamation of land to make way for the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area in Ohio.
2020"The Russians Are Here"Foreign diplomacy60 minutesJune 13, 1983 (1983-06-13)120
A look at Russian emigrants to the U.S. and their difficulties in adjusting to American society.
2121"Who Decides Disability?"Health60 minutesJune 20, 1983 (1983-06-20)121
A look at the Reagan administration's effort to remove tens of thousands of people from Social Security disability rolls.
2222"Crossfire In El Salvador"Central America60 minutesJune 27, 1983 (1983-06-27)122
A look at the deadly civil war in El Salvador, where death, torture, and disappearances are everyday occurrences.
2323"Sanctuary"Central America60 minutesJuly 4, 1983 (1983-07-04)123
A look at the plight of people seeking refuge from US-allied governments in Central America focuses on a Guatemalan family's journey through a new "underground railroad."
2424"Moneylenders"Finance60 minutesJuly 11, 1983 (1983-07-11)124
Anthony Sampson looks at the difficulties developing countries have in repaying loans to Western banks, who fear financial catastrophe as a result.
2525"Klaus Barbie: The American Connection"Criminal justice; war60 minutesJuly 18, 1983 (1983-07-18)125
A collaboration with the BBC looks into how U.S. intelligence relied on Klaus Barbie in their anti-Communist efforts, and whether the government was culpable in protecting the former Gestapo officer from being brought to justice for his crimes in World War II.[4]

Season 2 (1984)

Season 2 of Frontline saw Judy Woodruff become the show's host after Jessica Savitch's death.

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
261"Crisis at General Hospital"Health60 minutesJanuary 16, 1984 (1984-01-16)201
An examination of how many investor-owned, for-profit hospital chains aggressively market themselves to treat only insured or wealthy patients.
272"We Are Driven"Business/economy/financial60 minutesJanuary 23, 1984 (1984-01-23)202
A look at the tough management style employed by Nissan Motor Company at its operations in both Japan and Smyrna, Tennessee.
283"The Old Man and the Gun"Foreign affairs60 minutesFebruary 6, 1984 (1984-02-06)203
A look at the support Irish Americans have for the IRA and its violent strategy in Northern Ireland's catholic-Protestant conflict.
294"Give Me that Big Time Religion"Religion60 minutesFebruary 13, 1984 (1984-02-13)204
An investigation into whether money raised by televangelists goes toward "God's work" or towards keeping the preachers on the air.
305"The Campaign for Page One"Politics; media60 minutesFebruary 27, 1984 (1984-02-27)205
An inside look at the candidates in the presidential campaign and the reporters who cover them.
31
32
6
7
"The Mind of a Murderer (Parts 1 and 2)"Criminal justice60 minutesMarch 19, 1984 (1984-03-19)
March 26, 1984 (1984-03-26)
206
207
A two-part look into the case of Kenneth Bianchi, who committed murders in Los Angeles (as one of the "Hillside Stranglers") and Bellingham, Washington yet sought to avoid trial by claiming mental incompetence.
338"The Struggle for Birmingham"Politics60 minutesApril 2, 1984 (1984-04-02)208
A look at the modern-day black political power focuses on Birmingham, Alabama, a key battlefield in the civil rights struggle of the 1960s.
349"Captive in El Salvador"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 16, 1984 (1984-04-16)209
Ofra Bikel looks at the politics and people of El Salvador that the U.S. lends support to.
3510"Chasing the Basketball Dream"Sports60 minutesApril 23, 1984 (1984-04-23)210
Charlie Cobb looks at the successes and failures of inner-city blacks seeking to make it big by playing basketball.
3611"The Other Side of the Track"Sports60 minutesMay 7, 1984 (1984-05-07)211
A look at two racetracks on opposite ends of the thoroughbred racing spectrum, the famed Belmont Park in suburban New York and the struggling Great Barrington Fair in Western Massachusetts.
3712"Return of the Great White Fleet"Military60 minutesMay 14, 1984 (1984-05-14)212
A profile of Navy Secretary John Lehman and his efforts to build a "600-ship Navy."
3813"Warning from Gangland"Social issues60 minutesMay 21, 1984 (1984-05-21)213
A look at efforts to counter the street gang problem in Los Angeles, where violent conflicts have claimed the lives of gang members and innocent bystanders alike.
3914"Bread, Butter, and Politics"Social issues60 minutesJune 4, 1984 (1984-06-04)214
A look at the human and political aspects of hunger in the United States.
4015"Man's Best Friends"Health & medicine60 minutesJune 18, 1984 (1984-06-18)215
A look at the medical necessities of and ethical arguments over animal testing in American laboratories, hospitals, and medical schools.
4116"So You Want to Be President"Politics120 minutesOctober 9, 1984 (1984-10-09)216
A look at the unsuccessful presidential campaign of Colorado Senator Gary Hart.
4217"Welcome to America"Biographies60 minutesOctober 16, 1984 (1984-10-16)217
Profiles of 4 people who fled the repression of Communist Poland for a better life in Chicago.
4318"Not One of the Boys"Politics60 minutesOctober 23, 1984 (1984-10-23)218
Judy Woodruff looks at the political role of women during the 1984 election season.
4419"Living Below the Line"Business/economy/financial60 minutesOctober 30, 1984 (1984-10-30)219
A profile of Farrell Stallings, newly laid off from his place of employment and venturing into the bureaucratic maze of the welfare system.
4520"The Arab and the Israeli"Foreign affairs60 minutesNovember 13, 1984 (1984-11-13)220
Two men (one Palestinian, the other Israeli) journey to America to promote a solution for the hotly debated West Bank territory.
4621"Better Off Dead?"Health & medicine60 minutesNovember 20, 1984 (1984-11-20)221
An intimate look into the issues doctors, lawyers, and parents face regarding medical treatment for infants born with severe physical and mental injuries.
4722"Cry, Ethiopia, Cry"Health; foreign affairs60 minutesNovember 27, 1984 (1984-11-27)222
A look at the famine in Ethiopia.
4823"Red Star Over Khyber"Foreign affairs; Middle East60 minutesDecember 11, 1984 (1984-12-11)223
Richard Reeves at Pakistan's acceptance of Afghani refugees from the war-torn country.
4924"Marshall High Fights Back"Education60 minutesDecember 18, 1984 (1984-12-18)224
A look at Chicago's Marshall Metropolitan High School and its struggles to upgrade its academic standards.

Season 3 (1985)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
501"Vietnam Under Communism"Asian affairs60 minutesJanuary 15, 1985 (1985-01-15)301
A rare look inside Vietnam 10 years after the fall of Saigon and the tangible and emotional legacies of the war on the country.
51
52
2
3
"Shootout on the Imperial Highway (Parts 1 and 2)"Criminal justice; gang violence60 minutesJanuary 22, 1985 (1985-01-22)
January 29, 1985 (1985-01-29)
302
303
A two-part report on gang wars in the Watts section of Los Angeles. Part 1 focuses on the efforts of James Hawkins, Sr. and his family to combat youth gangs and their criminal activities. Part 2 focuses on how gangs form and the threat they pose to the general public.
534"The Lifer and the Lady"Prison reform90 minutesFebruary 5, 1985 (1985-02-05)304
The story of the relationship between convicted murder Ron Cooney and prison volunteer Lesley Earl.
545"The Child Savers"Family/children60 minutesFebruary 12, 1985 (1985-02-12)305
A profile of New York's Emergency Children's Service and their efforts to confront child abuse cases.
556"Down for the Count"Sports60 minutesFebruary 19, 1985 (1985-02-19)306
A look at the world of boxing; the fighters, promoters, and fans who love it; and the critics who want to ban it.
567"Retreat from Beirut"Foreign affairs60 minutesFebruary 26, 1985 (1985-02-26)307
One year after the U.S. withdrawal from Lebanon (which followed the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings), William Greider examines the withdrawal and its repercussions.
578"Buying the Bomb"Foreign affairs60 minutesMarch 5, 1985 (1985-03-05)308
Seymour Hersh tells the story of a Pakistani businessman who tried to ship electrical devices which can be used as nuclear bomb triggers out of the US to Pakistan.
589A Class DividedSocial issues; education60 minutesMarch 26, 1985 (1985-03-26)309
William Peters follows up on his 1970 TV documentary Eye of the Storm, which chronicled Jane Elliott's dividing her otherwise homogeneous 3rd grade class by their eye color in a lesson on discrimination.
5910"Potomac Fever"Politics60 minutesApril 2, 1985 (1985-04-02)310
Profiles of two freshmen members of the United States House of Representatives.
6011"Crisis in Central America Part 1: Yankee Years"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 9, 1985 (1985-04-09)311
Part 1 of a 4-part look at the history of US relations in Central America and the Caribbean profiles American preeminence in the region from the Spanish–American War in the 1890s through the mid-1950s.
6112"Crisis in Central America Part 2: Castro's Challenge"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 10, 1985 (1985-04-10)312
A profile of the Cuban Revolution and the communist country's troubled relations with the United States.
6213"Crisis in Central America Part 3: Revolution in Nicaragua"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 11, 1985 (1985-04-11)313
A look at the U.S. involvement in and struggle for control of the Nicaraguan Revolution.
6314"Crisis in Central America Part 4: Battle for El Salvador"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 12, 1985 (1985-04-12)314
A look at the evolution of the Salvadoran Civil War and U.S. relations with El Salvador.
6415"Men Who Molest"Family/children; criminal reform60 minutesApril 16, 1985 (1985-04-16)315
An examination of a Seattle program aimed at adults who sexually abuse children and the issue of whether they should be punished, treated, or both.
6516"Catholics in America: Is Nothing Sacred?"Religion60 minutesApril 23, 1985 (1985-04-23)316
A look at the conflict American Catholics have with church doctrine.
6617"The American Way of War"Military60 minutesApril 30, 1985 (1985-04-30)317
The relationship between the United States Army, its doctrine in modern warfare, and the American government and citizens.
6718"Memory of the Camps"History60 minutesMay 7, 1985 (1985-05-07)318
The premiere of footage from an unfinished 1945 documentary made by British and American filmmakers (Alfred Hitchcock among them) who followed Allied armies into Nazi concentration camps to capture post-liberation images.
6819"You Are in the Computer"Housing60 minutesMay 14, 1985 (1985-05-14)319
Robert Krulwich investigates computerized information systems and their roles in landlords denying rentals to prospective tenants.
6920"What About Mom and Dad?"Family; health60 minutesMay 21, 1985 (1985-05-21)320
A profile of the decisions and issues adult children face in caring for their aging parents.[5]
7021"Breaking the Bank"Finance60 minutesMay 28, 1985 (1985-05-28)321
Judy Woodruff investigates the cases of Oklahoma City-based Penn Square Bank and Chicago-based Continental Illinois and their implications on the broader U.S. banking system.

Season 4 (1986)

During its fourth season, Frontline presented Comrades, a 12-part documentary series that originally aired on the BBC in Great Britain. Comrades profiled everyday life in and citizens of the Soviet Union through interviews and fly on the wall filming. Frontline's presentation of Comrades featured "wraparound" segments where host Judy Woodruff interviewed Richard Denton and other Comrades producers about the episode's background.[6]

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
711"Hostage in Iran"History; recollections60 minutesJanuary 21, 1986 (1986-01-21)401
Five years after their release, those held hostage in Iran by Islamic revolutionaries tell the story of their 444-day ordeal.
722"Sue the Doctor?"Health60 minutesJanuary 28, 1986 (1986-01-28)402
An inside look at the battle between doctors and lawyers over medical malpractice suits.
733"Growing Up Poor"Social issues60 minutesFebruary 4, 1986 (1986-02-04)403
Profiles of children in Chester, Pennsylvania who are growing up in impoverished conditions.
744"Russia: Love It or Leave It"Foreign relations60 minutesFebruary 11, 1986 (1986-02-11)404
A group of American tourists escape a government-managed tour of the Soviet Union in an effort to gain insight from everyday Soviets.
755"Tobacco on Trial"Health60 minutesFebruary 18, 1986 (1986-02-18)405
Judy Woodruff looks at a trio of lawsuits filed by lifelong smokers seeking damages from tobacco companies over their declining health.
766"Divorce Wars"Family/children60 minutesFebruary 25, 1986 (1986-02-25)406
Profiles of the couples, lawyers, judges, and children caught in divorce proceedings.
777"Who's Running this War?"Foreign affairs60 minutesMarch 18, 1986 (1986-03-18)407
A probe into the legality of covert aid provided by the U.S. to contra rebels in Nicaragua.
788"AIDS: A National Inquiry"Health120 minutesMarch 25, 1986 (1986-03-25)408
A look into the AIDS crisis begins with the case of a homosexual prostitute who, before he succumbed to the disease, continued to have unprotected sex with several men. In the second hour, Harvard Law School professor Charles Nesson moderates a discussion on issues of civil liberties, public safety, education, and medical progress in relation to AIDS.
799"Standoff in Mexico"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 1, 1986 (1986-04-01)409
A look at growing unrest in Mexico caused by election fraud and corruption involving the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party.
8010"Inside the Jury Room"Criminal justice60 minutesApril 8, 1986 (1986-04-08)410
An exclusive look inside a jury room during deliberations in a criminal trial in Wisconsin.
8111"Taxes Behind Closed Doors"Politics60 minutesApril 15, 1986 (1986-04-15)411
William Greider offers a behind-the-scenes look at Congressmen and lobbyists involved in the politics of tax reform.
8212"The Disillusionment of David Stockman"Economics60 minutesApril 20, 1986 (1986-04-20)412
Former OMB Chairman David Stockman offers a candid look at the "free lunch fiscal policy" of the Reagan Administration.
8313"Vision of Star Wars"National defense60 minutesApril 22, 1986 (1986-04-22)413
Bill Kurtis heads a Frontline/NOVA collaboration examining the scientific and political implications of the Strategic Defense Initiative.
8414"Hollywood Dreams"Entertainment60 minutesMay 13, 1986 (1986-05-13)414
A look into the fantasy and reality of the multibillion-dollar motion picture industry.
8515"The Bloods of 'Nam"Military; discrimination60 minutesMay 20, 1986 (1986-05-20)415
Wallace Terry interviews black veterans of the Vietnam War who fought three battles—against Communist forces, discrimination in the military, and post-war disillusionment at home.
8616"A Matter of the Mind"Health60 minutesMay 27, 1986 (1986-05-27)416
An examination of mental illness from the point of view of residents in a St. Paul home, who deal with not only their psychological demons but also social stigma.
8717"Holy War, Holy Terror"Foreign affairs60 minutesJune 3, 1986 (1986-06-03)417
John Laurence examines how Iran's war with Iraq is a steeping stone in spreading a radical brand of Islam throughout the world.
8818"Will There Always Be an England?"Economics60 minutesJune 10, 1986 (1986-06-10)418
Ofra Bikel looks at the strained social structure in Great Britain, where unemployment is common in northern areas but power and privilege prevail in the south of the country.
8919"Assault on Affirmative Action"Social issues60 minutesJune 17, 1986 (1986-06-17)419
A look into the 20-year conflict over affirmative action policies in the U.S.
'
9020Comrades I: The Education of RitaBiography60 minutesJuly 1, 1986 (1986-07-01)COM101
The life and ambitions of a Komsomol member and school graduate as she begins her first teaching job in Moscow.
9121Comrades II: Hunter and SonBiography60 minutesJuly 8, 1986 (1986-07-08)COM102
The story of a hunter and his young son hunting for sable and other valuable fur animals in the Siberian taiga.
9222Comrades III: All that JazzMusic60 minutesJuly 15, 1986 (1986-07-15)COM103
A look at musical subcultures (jazz and rock) unapproved by Soviet government features the performances of Sergey Kuryokhin.
9323Comrades IV: The Trial of Tamara RussoCriminal justice60 minutesJuly 22, 1986 (1986-07-22)COM104
The Soviet justice system is examined through the trial of a hospital orderly accused of theft and the female judge presiding over the case.
9424Comrades V: Master of SamarkandReligion60 minutesJuly 29, 1986 (1986-07-29)COM105
A look at Muslim life in the USSR focuses on a master craftsman of Uzbek heritage who for 35 years has been restoring the great Islamic mosques in Samarkand.
9525Comrades VI: Pacific OutpostBiography60 minutesAugust 5, 1986 (1986-08-05)COM106
A profile of a workaholic communist official; her husband, who cares for their two daughters; and their lives in the Soviet Pacific coast town of Nakhodka.
9626Comrades VII: Steel Mill SoccerBiography; sports60 minutesAugust 12, 1986 (1986-08-12)COM107
The lives of players on a factory soccer team in Azerbaijan as they fight for the town championship.
9727Comrades VIII: Doctor in MoscowBiography60 minutesAugust 19, 1986 (1986-08-19)COM108
A day in the life of a successful, well-to-do Moscow eye surgeon reveals what life is like for privileged Soviet citizens.
9828Comrades IX: Baltic ChicCulture60 minutesAugust 26, 1986 (1986-08-26)COM109
The influences of Western culture on Soviet society and fashion as seen through a fashion designer in Tallinn, Estonia.
9929Comrades X: Soldier BoyBiography60 minutesAugust 26, 1986 (1986-08-26)COM110
A look at the exertion and boredom of basic Soviet military training focuses on an 18-year-old recruit and his parents who worry he may be sent to fight in Afghanistan.
10030Comrades XI: October HarvestBiography60 minutesSeptember 2, 1986 (1986-09-02)COM111
Collective farm life in southern Russia as seen through one family's work during harvest time.
10131Comrades XII: Leningrad MovieEntertainment60 minutesSeptember 9, 1986 (1986-09-09)COM112
A profile of a director in the state-funded Soviet film industry who controversially dares to depart from the state-approved script.

Season 5 (1987)

The end of Frontline's 5th season featured the documentary Apartheid. Spanning over 3 centuries, the 5-part historical documentary looked into the background and practice by South Africa's government of apartheid, the institutionalized form of racial segregation that favored the country's white minority at the expense of its indigenous black population.

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
1021"The Real Stuff"Science60 minutesJanuary 27, 1987 (1987-01-27)501
A look at the problems and politics plaguing NASA one year after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
1032"The Earthquake Is Coming"Science60 minutesFebruary 3, 1987 (1987-02-03)502
A look at the wide-ranging effects that could occur if and when a devastating earthquake strikes California.
104
105
3
4
"Stopping Drugs"Health60 minutesFebruary 10, 1987 (1987-02-10)
February 17, 1987 (1987-02-17)
503
504
A two-part examination of America's War on Drugs. Part 1 looks at the effectiveness of drug treatment programs and addicts' struggles. Part 2 looks into the effectiveness of anti-drug efforts in schools.
1065"The Nazi Connection"Science, foreign affairs60 minutesFebruary 24, 1987 (1987-02-24)505
An examination of Operation Paperclip, in which the US Government brought scientists, engineers, and technicians from Nazi Germany after World War II for government projects, and whether some of their connections to the Nazi government were "sanitized."
1076"Desperately Seeking Baby"Family/children60 minutesMarch 3, 1987 (1987-03-03)506
A look into the practice of childless couples turning to private adoption deals brokered by lawyers and counselors, and the ambiguity and heartbreak that can result.
1087"Street Cop"Criminal justice60 minutesMarch 31, 1987 (1987-03-31)507
A look at street cops in one of Boston's busiest and most violent police districts.
1098"The Secret File"National security60 minutesApril 14, 1987 (1987-04-14)508
The story of Penn Kimball and his efforts to clear his name after the US Government had branded him a national security risk.
1109"War on Nicaragua"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 21, 1987 (1987-04-21)509
William Greider looks into how the US Government began and continues its support of Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
11110"The Bombing of West Philly"Law enforcement, race60 minutesMay 5, 1987 (1987-05-05)510
A look into tensions between Philadelphia's police and the black liberation group MOVE, which led to a May 1985 standoff that ended with police bombing MOVE's compound.
11211"In Search of the Marcos Millions"Financial60 minutesMay 26, 1987 (1987-05-26)511
An investigation into where Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos hid millions of dollars after the former Philippine first couple left in exile in 1986.
11312"Israel: The Price of Victory"Middle East60 minutesJune 2, 1987 (1987-06-02)512
A look into Israel's struggles with image and democracy on the 20th anniversary of the Six-Day War.
11413"Death of a Porn Queen"Biographies60 minutesJune 9, 1987 (1987-06-09)513
Al Austin examines the life and suicide of a young girl involved in the porn industry.
11514"Keeping the Faith"Religion, race60 minutesJune 16, 1987 (1987-06-16)514
Roger Wilkins looks at the evolution of the black church in a time of a growing black middle class.
11615"The Politics of Greed"Politics60 minutesJune 23, 1987 (1987-06-23)515
A look at the effects of corruption on a city government's day-to-day operations.
'
11716"Apartheid Part 1: 1652–1948"History, race/multicultural60 minutesDecember 14, 1987 (1987-12-14)516
A look at the precursors to apartheid in South Africa, from colonial times to the rise of the ANC, Afrikaner nationalism, and practices of white favoritism by governments.
11817"Apartheid Part 2: 1948–1963"History, race/multicultural60 minutesDecember 14, 1987 (1987-12-14)517
A white nationalist government implements strict segregational practices (racial classifications, separate-and-unequal schooling, forcible relocation of blacks) and gives it the name "apartheid" — but not without facing a Nelson Mandela-led black resistance.
11918"Apartheid Part 3: 1963–1977"History, race/multicultural60 minutesDecember 15, 1987 (1987-12-15)518
A look at the South African government's establishment of rural bantustans and the rise of black resistance to homeland policy, which culminates in the 1976 Soweto uprising.
12019"Apartheid Part 4: 1978–1986"History, race/multicultural60 minutesDecember 15, 1987 (1987-12-15)519
Prime minister P. W. Botha implements reforms to maintain white supremacy in South Africa, moves that provoked negative reactions from Afrikaners and blacks alike.
12120"Apartheid Part 5: 1987"Race/multicultural60 minutesDecember 16, 1987 (1987-12-16)520
A look at an unprecedented meeting in Dakar, Senegal where dissident white Afrikaners and black leaders from the ANC met to discuss strategies for change in South Africa.

Season 6 (1988)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
1221"Praise the Lord"Financial, religion60 minutesJanuary 26, 1988 (1988-01-26)601
The rise and fall of Jim & Tammy Bakker and why government agencies failed to investigate claims of corruption within their evangelical empire.
1232"Operation Urgent Fury"Foreign affairs60 minutesFebruary 2, 1988 (1988-02-02)602
Seymour Hersh investigates the US Military's October 1983 invasion of Grenada, the military shortcomings it laid bare, and whether it jeopardized the lives of the American college students it was meant to protect.
1243"The Man Who Shot John Lennon"Biographies60 minutesFebruary 9, 1988 (1988-02-09)603
A portrait of Mark David Chapman and his motivations for murdering John Lennon in 1980.
1254"Your Flight Is Cancelled"Transportation60 minutesFebruary 16, 1988 (1988-02-16)604
A look at the difficulties facing the air traffic system, which have included an environment of delays, cancellations, and near-collisions post-deregulation.
1265"Shakedown in Santa Fe"Law enforcement60 minutesFebruary 23, 1988 (1988-02-23)605
A profile of life in the Penitentiary of New Mexico, site of one of the most violent prisoner uprisings in US history in 1980.
1276"Let My Daughter Die"Health60 minutesMarch 1, 1988 (1988-03-01)606
The complex legal and moral issues surrounding the case of Nancy Cruzan, the subject of what would become the Supreme Court's first right to die case.
1287"Back in the USSR"Culture60 minutesMarch 29, 1988 (1988-03-29)607
Twenty years after moving to Moscow on assignment for TIME, journalist Jerry Schecter and his family return to renew friendships and explore the USSR under glasnost.
1298"Poison and the Pentagon"Military, health60 minutesApril 5, 1988 (1988-04-05)608
Joe Rosenbloom looks into the Defense Department's poor record of cleaning up the ground water pollution it has caused.
1309To a Safer PlaceFamily/children60 minutesApril 12, 1988 (1988-04-12)609
Sexually abused by her father from infancy until running away at 14, Shirley Turcotte returns to her Winnipeg hometown to face the adults who failed to protect her, the siblings who were also abused, and the horrific childhood she seeks to make peace with.
13110"Murder on the Río San Juan"Terror, Central America60 minutesApril 19, 1988 (1988-04-19)610
A look at the motives and possible conspirators in a 1984 bombing that targeted Nicaraguan contra leader Edén Pastora.
13211"American Game, Japanese Rules"Culture60 minutesApril 26, 1988 (1988-04-26)611
Intimate profiles of Americans living and working in Japan and trying to adjust to the country's culture.
13312"Racism 101"Social issues60 minutesMay 10, 1988 (1988-05-10)612
An examination into the increase in racial incidents and violence on America's college campuses.
13413"Guns, Drugs, and the CIA"Foreign affairs60 minutesMay 17, 1988 (1988-05-17)613
A look into the CIA's long history of involvement with drug smugglers in trouble spots around the world, all in the name of national security.
13514"The Defense of Europe"Foreign affairs60 minutesMay 24, 1988 (1988-05-24)614
A Frontline/TIME joint examination into the new realities facing NATO following the American-Soviet nuclear arms treaty.
13615"Trouble in Paradise"Foreign affairs60 minutesMay 31, 1988 (1988-05-31)615
How attempts by the US Government to forge a military pact with Palau has affected the Pacific Ocean country of just 15,000 people.
13716"Who Pays for AIDS?"Health60 minutesJune 7, 1988 (1988-06-07)616
How the battle between local governments and Washington over who will cover the cost of the AIDS crisis has impacted patients and communities.
13817"Our Forgotten War"Foreign affairs60 minutesJune 14, 1988 (1988-06-14)617
A fresh look at the civil war in El Salvador and how it is affecting the US Government's involvement in the conflict.
13918"Indian Country"Social issues60 minutesJune 21, 1988 (1988-06-21)618
Mark Trahant looks at how the business and treaty success of the Quinault Indian Nation is countered by issues of poverty and unemployment among its people.
14019"My Husband is Going to Kill Me"Social issues60 minutesJune 28, 1988 (1988-06-28)619
How the justice system in Colorado failed to protect Pamela Guenther from her violent husband, who murdered her in front of their children in February 1987.

Season 7 (1988–89)

Frontline's 7th season was Judy Woodruff's last as on-air host.

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
1411"The Politics of Prosperity"Economics60 minutesOctober 10, 1988 (1988-10-10)700A
In the last weeks of the 1988 presidential campaign, correspondent William Greider explores the private but increasingly intense debate about what the next president should do to avoid economic disaster, how and when should he do it, and who will be asked to bear the burden. Frontline focuses on four communities that have not shared in the prosperity of the Reagan years.
1422"The Choice"Biographies100 minutesOctober 24, 1988 (1988-10-24)700B
In Frontline's first quadrennial profile of the presidential candidates, Garry Wills offers backgrounds of and thoughts from people who know candidates George Bush and Michael Dukakis.
(A Frontline collaboration with TIME)
1433"The Real Life of Ronald Reagan"Biographies90 minutesJanuary 18, 1989 (1989-01-18)701
A profile of Ronald Reagan on the eve of his departure from the US presidency.
1444"The Spy Who Broke the Code"National security60 minutesJanuary 24, 1989 (1989-01-24)702
An assessment of the damage to US national security from John Anthony Walker's spying for the Soviet Union.
1455"The Battle for Eastern Airlines"Transportation60 minutesJanuary 31, 1989 (1989-01-31)703
Robert Kuttner looks at the management and labor struggles plaguing Eastern Air Lines.
1466"Running with Jesse"Politics60 minutesFebruary 7, 1989 (1989-02-07)704
A look at the 1988 presidential run of Jesse Jackson.
1477"Children of the Night"Social issues60 minutesFebruary 14, 1989 (1989-02-14)705
The problem of teenage runaways and suicides as seen through the case of Iain Brown, who left home at 13 for the life of a male hustler in San Francisco.
1488"Who Profits from Drugs"War on drugs60 minutesFebruary 21, 1989 (1989-02-21)706
How the American economy uses the profits from the illegal drug trade.
1499"Prescriptions for Profit"Health, business60 minutesMarch 28, 1989 (1989-03-28)707
The practice of pharmaceutical manufacturers marketing and influencing doctors to prescribe medications.
15010"The Dallas Drug War"War on drugs60 minutesApril 4, 1989 (1989-04-04)708
Bob Ray Sanders explores how one Dallas neighborhood is struggling to combat the drugs and violence plaguing its community.
15111"Murder in the Amazon"Environment60 minutesApril 11, 1989 (1989-04-11)709
The life of Brazilian trade union leader and environmentalist Chico Mendes, and how his December 1988 murder put a focus on the ecological pillage of the Amazon rainforest.
15212"The Shakespeare Mystery"Biographies60 minutesApril 18, 1989 (1989-04-18)710
A look at a controversial literary theory: Whether Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, was the real William Shakespeare.
15313"Extraordinary People"Health60 minutesMay 2, 1989 (1989-05-02)711
Judy Woodruff profiles three Canadian children who had malformations caused by their mothers' use of thalidomide during pregnancy.
15414"Yellowstone Under Fire"Environment60 minutesMay 9, 1989 (1989-05-09)712
How accelerated natural resource development during the Reagan Administration affected Yellowstone National Park.
15515"Israel: The Covert Connection"Foreign affairs60 minutesMay 16, 1989 (1989-05-16)713
The history of the US government's defense and intelligence alliances with Israel from the 1950s to the present.
15616"Remember My Lai"Defense60 minutesMay 23, 1989 (1989-05-23)714
A look at the My Lai Massacre from the surviving US soldiers and Vietnamese citizens who survived.
15717"Babies at Risk"Health60 minutesMay 23, 1989 (1989-05-23)715
How political and bureaucratic neglect fueled the high rate of infant mortality in some Chicago neighborhoods.
15818"Death of a Terrorist"Biographies60 minutesJune 13, 1989 (1989-06-13)716
The life and death of Irish Republican Army terrorist Mairead Farrell and how the British government deals with political terrorism.
15919"Who's Killing Calvert City?"Environment60 minutesJune 20, 1989 (1989-06-20)717
A look at the struggles of Calvert City, Kentucky, a town plagued by pollution and toxic waste generated by the chemical plants that drive its economy.

Season 8 (1989–90)

Beginning with Season 8, Frontline would eschew from using a regular on-air host, using an off-screen narrator to introduce each episode.

As part of its 8th season, Frontline aired the 4-part documentary Decade of Destruction. Produced by Adrian Cowell, the series spotlighted the destruction of Brazil's Amazon rainforest, regarded as one of Earth's "last great frontier[s]," during the decade of the 1980s.[7]

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
1601"Tracking the Pan Am Bombers"Terrorism60 minutesNovember 28, 1989 (1989-11-28)800
A look into the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing in December 1988, including those suspected to have been responsible and whether unheeded warnings and blunders by German police may have contributed to the tragedy.
1612"The Right to Die?"Social issues120 minutesDecember 13, 1989 (1989-12-13)801
An expanded examination into the subject of Season 6's "Let My Daughter Die," delving into the broad issues surrounding a right to die case argued before the US Supreme Court one week before this broadcast.
(A collaboration of Frontline and Fred Friendly's Media & Society Series)
1623"The Bombing of Pan Am 103"Terrorism60 minutesJanuary 23, 1990 (1990-01-23)802
The efforts of those who lost loved ones in the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing to seek justice, improve air security, and improve government efforts to respond to terrorists and their supporters.
1634"The Noriega Connection"Foreign affairs60 minutesJanuary 30, 1990 (1990-01-30)803
The rise and fall of Manuel Noriega and the US' relationship with the Panamanian general they ousted from power in December 1989.
1645"Miss USSR"Culture60 minutesFebruary 6, 1990 (1990-02-06)804
A behind-the-scenes look at the Soviet Union's first beauty pageant and the broader struggles facing women in the communist country.
1656"Throwaway People"Race60 minutesFebruary 13, 1990 (1990-02-13)805
Roger Wilkins investigates the economic and social roots of the black underclass, focusing on the struggle of young black men in one Washington, DC neighborhood.
1667"The Faces of Arafat"Biographies60 minutesFebruary 27, 1990 (1990-02-27)806
Marie Colvin profiles Yasser Arafat and the PLO leader's newfound commitment to reject terrorism and accept Israel's right to exist.
1678"Anatomy of an Oil Spill"Environment60 minutesMarch 20, 1990 (1990-03-20)807
How complacency and negligence by government agencies and oil companies helped lead to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
1689"Poland: The Morning After"Economics60 minutesMarch 27, 1990 (1990-03-27)808
A look at Poland's change from communism to capitalism in the months following the once-banned Solidarity trade union's rise to government.
16910"Born in Africa"Economics90 minutesApril 3, 1990 (1990-04-03)809
Peter Jennings narrates the story of Philly Bongoley Lutaaya and how he inspired his fellow Ugandans to fight the spread of AIDS before his death from the disease.
17011"New Harvest, Old Shame"Social issues60 minutesApril 17, 1990 (1990-04-17)810
Thirty years after Edward R. Murrow's Harvest of Shame documentary, David Marash looks at the continuing plight of migrant farm workers and the forces that keep their lives so desperate.
17112"Hilary in Hiding"Family/children60 minutesApril 24, 1990 (1990-04-24)811
A look at the case of Elizabeth Morgan, who served a 25-month jail term for civil contempt after refusing to divulge the whereabouts of her daughter, Hilary, who Morgan suspected had been sexually assaulted by Hilary's father.
17213"Other People's Money"Finance60 minutesMay 1, 1990 (1990-05-01)812
A look at the savings and loan crisis and the role of politics in the failure of Lincoln Savings and Loan Association.
17314"Plunder!"Criminal justice60 minutesMay 8, 1990 (1990-05-08)813
Carl Nagin looks into how ancient artifacts looted from pre-Columbian tombs in Latin America wound up in auction houses, galleries, museums, and private collections in the United States.
17415"Seven Days in Bensonhurst"Race60 minutesMay 15, 1990 (1990-05-15)814
Shelby Steele examines the dynamics of racial politics surrounding the 1989 murder of Yusef Hawkins by white youths in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
17516"Inside the Cartel"War on drugs60 minutesMay 22, 1990 (1990-05-22)815
How the drug cartels in Medellín and Cali have become part of Colombia's political and economic life.
17617"Teacher, Teacher"Education60 minutesJune 12, 1990 (1990-06-12)816
The hopes and frustrations of public school teachers in one Midwestern town as they face the threat of funding cutbacks, the criticism of parents, and a growing number of troubled children from troubled homes.
17718""The Arming of Iraq: Frontline Special""Middle East60 minutesSeptember 11, 1990 (1990-09-11)817
Hodding Carter investigates the complicity of US and European governments & corporations in creating Saddam Hussein's military machine in Iraq.
'
17819""Decade of Destruction Part 1: Ashes of Forest""Environment120 minutesSeptember 18, 1990 (1990-09-18)818
The series begins with the expansion of peasants into the Amazon, their slashing and burning of the forest land, and the natives' retaliatory actions against one settler's family.
17920""Decade of Destruction Part 2: Killing for Land""Environment60 minutesSeptember 19, 1990 (1990-09-19)819
Lawless battles break out between corporate owners of Amazon farmland (who want the land left idle for speculation) and the migrant peasants who farm the plots.
18021""Decade of Destruction Part 3: Mountains of Gold""Environment60 minutesSeptember 20, 1990 (1990-09-20)820
Prospectors illegally swarm over private gold reserves in the Amazon, with the government fighting to protect the untapped reserves.
18122""Decade of Destruction Part 4: Chico Mendes""Environment60 minutesSeptember 21, 1990 (1990-09-21)821
The rise of Chico Mendes, his unionization of rubber tappers, and his fight to halt the rainforest's devastation and create protective areas.
'
18223"Global Dumping Ground: Frontline Special""Environment60 minutesOctober 2, 1990 (1990-10-02)822
Bill Moyers investigates the big business of shipping of toxic waste from the US to third-world countries.

Season 9 (1990–91)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
1831"When Cops Go Bad"Criminal justice60 minutesOctober 16, 1990 (1990-10-16)901
How the corrupting influence of drug money is affecting police forces in California, Florida, and New Jersey.
1842"The Hunt for Howard Marks"Biographies60 minutesOctober 23, 1990 (1990-10-23)902
The story of Welsh drug smuggler Howard Marks and his capture by DEA agents.
1853"Broken Minds"Health60 minutesOctober 30, 1990 (1990-10-30)903
A look the science and societal struggles behind schizophrenia, a disease that affects millions of Americans.
1864"Betting on the Lottery"Social issues60 minutesNovember 6, 1990 (1990-11-06)904
James Reston, Jr. looks at the growing popularity of state lotteries in the US.
1875"Springfield Goes to War"Military60 minutesNovember 20, 1990 (1990-11-20)905
Bill Moyers holds a town meeting with residents of Springfield, Massachusetts grappling with the growing buildup of the Gulf War.
1886"High Crimes and Misdemeanors"Foreign affairs60 minutesNovember 27, 1990 (1990-11-27)906
Four years after the story broke, Bill Moyers takes a full-view look at the Iran–Contra affair.
1897"The Struggle for South Africa"Race/multicultural90 minutesDecember 11, 1990 (1990-12-11)907
David Dimbleby examines how fractures between and within Afrikaner and black groups threatens to disrupt negotiations for a new South Africa.
1908"The Spirit of Crazy Horse"Race/multicultural60 minutesDecember 18, 1990 (1990-12-18)908
One century after the Wounded Knee Massacre, Milo Yellow Hair recalls the story of his fellow Sioux people, from loss of land to invading whites through the present-day revival of Sioux cultural pride.
1919"To the Brink of War"Foreign affairs60 minutesJanuary 15, 1991 (1991-01-15)909
On the day a UN resolution for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait reaches its deadline, Hodding Carter examines US government decisions that brought the nation to the brink of war.
19210"Cuba and Cocaine"War on drugs60 minutesFebruary 5, 1991 (1991-02-05)910
A revelation into how drug smuggling became Cuban state policy.
19311"The Man Who Made the Supergun"Biographies60 minutesFebruary 12, 1991 (1991-02-12)911
A profile of Gerald Bull, a designer of long-range artillery, and the questions surrounding his 1990 assassination.
19412"Guns, Tanks, and Gorbachev"Foreign affairs60 minutesFebruary 19, 1991 (1991-02-19)912
Hedrick Smith looks at recent violent occurrences in the Soviet Union and the ramifications in US/USSR relations.
19513"The Mind of Hussein"Biographies60 minutesFebruary 26, 1991 (1991-02-26)913
The personal and political history of Saddam Hussein.
19614"Black America's War"Gulf War60 minutesApril 2, 1991 (1991-04-02)914
Harvard law professor Charles Ogletree leads a town meeting exploring the attitudes of black Americans toward the Gulf War, a conflict in which nearly 30% of US soldiers were African American.
19715"War and Peace in Panama"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 9, 1991 (1991-04-09)915
A look at the 1989 ousting of Manuel Noriega by US forces and its lingering impact.
19816"The Election Held Hostage"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 16, 1991 (1991-04-16)916
Robert Parry investigates how the Carter and Reagan camps possibly sought deals to end the Iran hostage crisis during the 1980 presidential campaign.
19917"Who Pays for Mom and Dad?"Family/Children60 minutesApril 30, 1991 (1991-04-30)917
A look at the financial difficulties families face in seeking long-term care for elderly parents.
20018"Innocence Lost"Family/Children120 minutesMay 7, 1991 (1991-05-07)918
How an investigation into sexual abuse accusations at a daycare center divided the town of Edenton, North Carolina.
20119"The Spy Hunter"Biographies60 minutesMay 14, 1991 (1991-05-14)919
A look at James Angleton, ex-chief of counter-intelligence for the CIA, and his misguided pursuit of an agency mole.
20220"To the Last Fish"Environment60 minutesMay 21, 1991 (1991-05-21)920
How new technologies in the fishing industry are putting the world's fisheries into a dangerous state of decline.
20321"The Color of Your Skin"Race/Multicultural60 minutesJune 11, 1991 (1991-06-11)921
A look at a program at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute where students of all races confront each other with their racial anger and frustration.
20422"The Gates Nomination"Foreign affairs30 minutesJuly 15, 1991 (1991-07-15)922
A profile of Robert Gates looks at the DCI nominee's role in the Iran–Contra affair.

Season 10 (1991–92)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
2051"In the Shadow of Sakharov"Biographies90 minutesOctober 15, 1991 (1991-10-15)1001
The story of Andrei Sakharov, the nuclear physicist turned human-rights advocate who became the father of the Soviet democracy movement.
2062"The Great American Bailout"Financial60 minutesOctober 22, 1991 (1991-10-22)1002
Robert Krulwich investigates the rising cost of the Savings and loan crisis
(A co-production with the Center for Investigative Reporting)
2073"The War We Left Behind"Gulf War60 minutesOctober 29, 1991 (1991-10-29)1003
How the air war against Iraq led to a "slow-motion disaster" affecting the country's post-war utility infrastructure.
2084"Don King, Unauthorized"Biographies60 minutesNovember 5, 1991 (1991-11-05)1004
Jack Newfield explores the life and career of boxing promoter Don King.
2095"My Doctor, My Lover"Criminal justice90 minutesNovember 12, 1991 (1991-11-12)1005
An investigation into the scandal surrounding a Colorado psychiatrist who had an affair with one of his patients, who ended up suing him for sexual abuse.
2106"Losing the War with Japan"Business90 minutesNovember 19, 1991 (1991-11-19)1006
A look at the challenge Japanese-style capitalism poses to the US market, followed by a Robert Krulwich-led discussion into the issue.
2117"The Secret Story of Terry Waite"Foreign affairs60 minutesNovember 26, 1991 (1991-11-26)1007
Gavin Hewitt investigates the charge that Oliver North used Terry Waite, a Church of England envoy and recently released Lebanon hostage, to cover up the Iran–Contra affair
(A co-production with BBC News)
2128"Who Killed Adam Mann?"Family/Children60 minutesDecember 3, 1991 (1991-12-03)1008
How New York City's child welfare service failed to protect four children from their abusive parents, who were sent to prison for the beating death of one of the children.
2139"The Resurrection of Reverend Moon"Biographies60 minutesJanuary 21, 1992 (1992-01-21)1009
A profile of Reverend Sun Myung Moon, who after reemerging from a prison sentence for conspiracy and false tax returns, has become a notable figure in conservative-leaning politics, media, and causes.
21410"The Last Communist"Biographies60 minutesFebruary 11, 1992 (1992-02-11)1010
A look at Cuban leader Fidel Castro from his days as a revolutionary to his defiant leadership in present day.
21511"Coming From Japan"Business/Economy/Financial60 minutesFebruary 18, 1992 (1992-02-18)1011
Shuichi Kato narrates over a controversial 30-year history between Matsushita Electric Company and the U.S. and explores the issues that confronts Japan in its economic expansion.
21612"After Gorbachev's USSR"Culture60 minutesFebruary 25, 1992 (1992-02-25)1012
Hedrick Smith follows up on his 1990 series Inside Gorbachev's USSR by reviewing how post-Soviet Russia is handling newfound freedoms while dealing with financial struggles.
21713"Who Is David Duke?"Biographies60 minutesMarch 3, 1992 (1992-03-03)1013
Hodding Carter investigates the life of David Duke, his background in extremist ideology, and the reshaping of his image into a national political figure.
21814"The Death of Nancy Cruzan"Health90 minutesMarch 24, 1992 (1992-03-24)1014
The legal battle by the family of Nancy Cruzan, who was left in a persistent vegetative state after a 1983 auto accident and was the subject of the first right-to-die case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
21915"Saddam's Killing Fields"Middle East60 minutesMarch 31, 1992 (1992-03-31)1015
Kanan Makiya secretly returns to Iraq to investigate rumors of an official extermination program aimed at the Kurdish people.
22016"Investigating the October Surprise"Foreign affairs, politics60 minutesApril 7, 1992 (1992-04-07)1016
In this follow-up to Season 9's "The Election Held Hostage," Robert Parry investigates whether Ronald Reagan's campaign manager could have met with Iranian officials in the summer of 1980 regarding a possible end to the hostage crisis.
22117"The Betrayal of Democracy"Politics120 minutesApril 15, 1992 (1992-04-15)1017
William Greider examines the widening divide between those in government and the citizens they serve and represent, and how the press and the political parties are failing the public.
22218"The Bank of Crooks and Criminals"Finance, criminal justice60 minutesApril 21, 1992 (1992-04-21)1018
How the Bank of Credit and Commerce International became a conduit for laundering money from criminal activities, and how it managed to elude regulatory review by US officials.
22319"Who Cares About Children?"Family/Children60 minutesApril 28, 1992 (1992-04-28)1019
A look at Arkansas' child welfare crisis, the struggle to reform the state's system, and whether governor (and presidential candidate) Bill Clinton avoided any effort toward systemic improvements.[8]
22420"China After Tiananmen"China90 minutesJune 2, 1992 (1992-06-02)1020
How China is embracing economic reforms and open society even as a firm hold on political dissent remains in place three years after pro-democracy protests were brutally silenced.
22521"Dear Frontline"Viewer interaction, follow-up reports30 minutesJune 2, 1992 (1992-06-02)1021
A presentation of viewer responses to and updates on some of Frontline's reportage.
22622"A Kid Kills"Criminal justice; social issues60 minutesJune 16, 1992 (1992-06-16)1022
A look at the case of Damien Bynoe, a 15-year-old charged in the shooting deaths of two Boston youngsters; the Boston gang culture; and the passage of juvenile crime laws in Massachusetts.
22723"Your Loan Is Denied"Finance60 minutesJune 23, 1992 (1992-06-23)1023
The effects of discriminatory mortgage-lending practices by American financial institutions.
(A co-production with the Center for Investigative Reporting)

Season 11 (1992–93)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
2281"Thomas and Hill: Public Hearing, Private Pain"Race/Multicultural60 minutesOctober 13, 1992 (1992-10-13)1101
How the bitter issues surrounding Clarence Thomas's Supreme Court confirmation hearing affected black America, and how blacks and whites had little common understanding about the nomination battle.
2292"The Politics of Power"Energy60 minutesOctober 20, 1992 (1992-10-20)1102
Nick Kotz looks at the issues plaguing America's energy policy and how it remains guided by special interests and dependent on foreign oil.
(A co-production with the Center for Investigative Reporting)
2303"The Choice 1992"Biographies120 minutesOctober 21, 1992 (1992-10-21)1103
Richard Ben Cramer offers profiles of presidential candidates Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush.
2314"The Best Campaign Money Can Buy"Politics60 minutesOctober 27, 1992 (1992-10-27)1104
Robert Krulwich looks into the money givers funding the 1992 presidential campaigns and the access and influence they gain as a result.
(A co-production with the Center for Investigative Reporting)
2325"Monsters Among Us"Criminal justice60 minutesNovember 10, 1992 (1992-11-10)1105
Al Austin examines the sexual assault epidemic and Washington's decision to keep offenders locked up until they are no longer considered a danger to the public.
2336"JFK, Hoffa and the Mob"Criminal justice60 minutesNovember 17, 1992 (1992-11-17)1106
A look at Frank Ragano's allegations of mob involvement in the deaths of John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Hoffa and in the CIA's plots to kill Fidel Castro.
2347"In Search of Our Fathers"Family/children60 minutesNovember 24, 1992 (1992-11-24)1107
Marco Williams explores his family's past to discover the circumstances surrounding his absent father.
2358"Clinton Takes Over"Government60 minutesJanuary 19, 1993 (1993-01-19)1108
On the eve of Bill Clinton's inauguration, Hodding Carter offers an inside view of the new president's administration and the policies it will form.
2369"Journey to the Occupied Lands"Middle East90 minutesJanuary 26, 1993 (1993-01-26)1109
Michael Ambrosino explores life in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip and the territories' role in Arab-Israeli peace talks.
23710"What Happened to the Drug War?"War on Drugs60 minutesFebruary 2, 1993 (1993-02-02)1110
How flaws in the US Government's anti-drug defenses have allowed smugglers in Texas to gain the upper hand.
23811"The Secret File on J. Edgar Hoover"Criminal Justice60 minutesFebruary 9, 1993 (1993-02-09)1111
J. Edgar Hoover amassed secret files on prominent Americans during his time as FBI Director, but his own private life left him open to blackmail, which may have led to the mafia going unchecked by the Bureau for decades.
23912"The Arming of Saudi Arabia"Middle East60 minutesFebruary 16, 1993 (1993-02-16)1112
A look into U.S. efforts to strengthen Saudi Arabia's military defenses.
24013"Apartheid's Last Stand"Racial segregation60 minutesMarch 2, 1993 (1993-03-02)1113
A look into the progresses gained and compromises made in negotiations to peacefully end Apartheid rule in South Africa.
24114"Choosing Death: Health Quarterly Special"Health120 minutesMarch 23, 1993 (1993-03-23)1114
Roger Mudd anchors a look into the complexities and dilemmas of euthanasia, including issues about the practice in the Netherlands and an in-studio discussion about the euthanasia debate in the U.S.
(A co-production of Frontline and Health Quarterly)
24215"In Our Children's Food"Health60 minutesMarch 30, 1993 (1993-03-30)1115
Bill Moyers reports on U.S. Government failures to certify the safety of agricultural chemicals and why the pesticide industry is the only source of safety data.
24316"The Trouble with Baseball"Sports60 minutesApril 6, 1993 (1993-04-06)1116
How the economic power struggle between Major League Baseball's owners and players is putting the sport on the brink of disaster.
24417Iran and the BombMiddle East60 minutesApril 13, 1993 (1993-04-13)1117
How Iran is quietly building an arsenal of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons.
24518"L.A. Is Burning: 5 Reports from a Divided City"Social issues90 minutesApril 27, 1993 (1993-04-27)1118
A look at Los Angeles, one year after the riots, through the eyes of five people who have thought and written about the city from the perspectives of its different communities, races, and classes.
24619"Ashes of the Cold War"Economics60 minutesMay 4, 1993 (1993-05-04)1119
How post-Cold War cutbacks in military spending have affected the industries and people whose livelihood was invested in the military-industrial complex.
24720"The Health Care Gamble"Health60 minutesMay 25, 1993 (1993-05-25)1120
A look at President Bill Clinton's efforts to transform health care reform from a campaign issue to a social reality.
(Produced in association with The Health Quarterly)
248
249
21
22
"Innocence Lost: The Verdict (Parts I-IV)"Family/Children, criminal justice60 minutesJuly 20, 1993 (1993-07-20) (Parts I & II; 60 minutes each)
July 21, 1993 (1993-07-21) (Parts III & IV; 60 minutes each)
1121
1122
A follow-up to 1991's Innocence Lost details the Little Rascals day care sexual abuse trial (at which owner Bob Kelly was convicted and sentenced to 12 consecutive life terms) and the lingering issues of dealing with child sexual abuse cases. Parts I & II use previously aired and unaired footage to track the earliest days of the case. Parts III & IV explores testimony of the victims and actions by prosecutors, defense attorneys, and jurors.

Season 12 (1993–94)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
2501"The Heartbeat of America"Industry90 minutesOctober 12, 1993 (1993-10-12)1201
How General Motors went from being the undisputed top carmaker in America to suffering the biggest financial loss in U.S. corporate history.
A co-production with the Center for Investigative Reporting)
2512"Prisoners of Silence"Health60 minutesOctober 19, 1993 (1993-10-19)1202
A look at the controversial practice of facilitated communication to assist those with autism who cannot verbally communicate.
2523"Secrets of a Bomb Factory"Military60 minutesOctober 26, 1993 (1993-10-26)1203
Why a federal grand jury investigating potential crimes at Colorado's Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant went public with what they learned while hearing secret testimony in the case.
(A co-production with Oregon Public Broadcasting)
2534"Showdown in Haiti"Foreign affairs60 minutesNovember 9, 1993 (1993-11-09)1204
A look into the diplomatic confrontation between Haiti's military government and a Clinton Administration that wants to restore deposed Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power.
2545"Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?"Biographies180 minutesNovember 16, 1993 (1993-11-16)1205
An investigative biography exploring the life of Lee Harvey Oswald and whether he was the man responsible for the Kennedy assassination.
2556"AIDS, Blood and Politics"Health60 minutesNovember 30, 1993 (1993-11-30)1206
How the FDA and American Red Cross failed to safeguard the nation's blood supply from the AIDS virus in the early 1980s, and why some of America's largest blood banks are still not in full compliance with federal regulations on blood safety.
2567"Behind the Badge"Criminal justice60 minutesDecember 14, 1993 (1993-12-14)1207
Jack Newfield looks at the effects of police brutality and corruption cases on police officers themselves, specifically the rank and file of the New York City Police Department.
2578"A Place for Madness"Health; mental illness60 minutesJanuary 18, 1994 (1994-01-18)1208
The balance of protecting rights of the mentally ill with safeguarding society from those who are dangerous to themselves and to others.
2589"The Diamond Empire"Business90 minutesFebruary 1, 1994 (1994-02-01)1209
How South Africa's Oppenheimer family helped fuel a cartel that cultivated the scarcity myth — and in turn inflated the monetary value — of the world's diamond supply.
25910"Tabloid Truth: The Michael Jackson Story"Media60 minutesFebruary 15, 1994 (1994-02-15)1210
Richard Ben Cramer looks at "the tabloidization of American television" through its coverage of sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson.
26011"Red Flag Over Tibet"Asia60 minutesFebruary 22, 1994 (1994-02-22)1211
Orville Schell chronicles the history and culture of Tibet and the issues surrounding its control by communist China.
26112"Sarajevo: The Living and the Dead"Bosnian War60 minutesMarch 1, 1994 (1994-03-01)1212
Radovan Tadic captures an intimate portrait of Sarajevans trying to live in the midst of a debilitating and depriving siege.
26213"In the Game"Sports60 minutesMarch 29, 1994 (1994-03-29)1213
A behind-the-scenes look at the Stanford Cardinal women's basketball team and its quest for a national championship.
26314"The Kevorkian File"Biographies60 minutesApril 5, 1994 (1994-04-05)1214
A profile of Jack Kevorkian and the right to die issue he has come to personify.
26415"Mandela"Biographies60 minutesApril 26, 1994 (1994-04-26)1215
A look at the rise to political prominence of Nelson Mandela and former wife Winnie Mandela on the eve of South Africa's first post-apartheid elections.
26516"The Struggle for Russia"Russia120 minutesMay 3, 1994 (1994-05-03)1216
A look at the economic, political, and social turmoil plaguing Boris Yeltsin's leadership in Russia.
26617Romeo and Juliet in SarajevoBosnian War90 minutesMay 10, 1994 (1994-05-10)1217
John Zaritsky's documentary of a young Bosnian couple — Serb Boško Brkić and Bosniak Admira Ismić — whose deaths by sniper fire, while trying to cross a bridge into Serb-held territory, led to one of the more widely seen images from the siege of Sarajevo.
(A Frontline co-production with Germany's WDR and Canada's CBC and NFB)
26718"Public Lands, Private Profits"Business60 minutesMay 24, 1994 (1994-05-24)1218
Robert Krulwich surveys the mining industry's practice of extracting millions of dollars in minerals and precious metals from public lands at no cost to them.
(A co-production with the Center for Investigative Reporting)
26819"Go Back to Mexico!"Immigration60 minutesJune 7, 1994 (1994-06-07)1219
William Langewiesche looks at how America can sustain an influx of immigrants, as well as its effects on economic, social, and political discourse.
26920"The Trouble with Evan"Family/Children90 minutesJune 21, 1994 (1994-06-21)1220
Surveillance cameras record one family's difficulties in trying to reform their 11-year-old son's criminal behavior.

Season 13 (1994–95)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
2701"School Colors"Education; social issues150 minuetsOctober 18, 1994 (1994-10-18)1301
The lingering issues of school segregation along racial and ethnic lines — even 4 decades after Brown v. Board of Education — as seen through California's Berkeley High School, whose student body is 38% white and 35% black.[9]
(Produced with the Center for Investigative Reporting)
2712"Is This Any Way to Run a Government?"Government60 minutesOctober 25, 1994 (1994-10-25)1302
How Congressional power has long stymied bureaucratic reform efforts within the United States Department of Agriculture.
2723"Hot Money"Finance60 minutesNovember 1, 1994 (1994-11-01)1303
How the practice of moving money to secret, low-regulated off-shore accounts has played a role in the crimes of money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion.
2734"How to Steal $500 Million"Criminal Justice60 minutesNovember 8, 1994 (1994-11-08)1304
The rapid rise and stunning fall of Phar-Mor, and how president/co-founder Michael "Mickey" Monus and other top executives were able to hide one of the largest corporate frauds in U.S. history from the company's auditors.
2745"Hillary's Class"Biographies60 minutesNovember 15, 1994 (1994-11-15)1305
The lives of Hillary Clinton and her fellow graduates from the Wellesley College Class of 1969.
2756"The Nicotine War"Health60 minutesJanuary 3, 1995 (1995-01-03)1306
A look at FDA commissioner David A. Kessler's efforts to regulate the tobacco industry, and how a Republican-controlled Congress may stymie his mission.
2767"Does T.V. Kill?"Media, social issues90 minutesJanuary 10, 1995 (1995-01-10)1307
Al Austin examines how violence on television affects real life.
2778"What Happened to Bill Clinton?"Government60 minutesJanuary 31, 1995 (1995-01-31)1308
A mosaic of perspectives and insights on Bill Clinton and his performance as U.S. President.
2789"The Godfather of Cocaine"Biographies90 minutesFebruary 14, 1995 (1995-02-14)1309
The rise and fall of Pablo Escobar and how he violently amassed a $4 billion fortune through international cocaine smuggling alliances.
27910"The Begging Game"Social issues60 minutesFebruary 21, 1995 (1995-02-21)1310
Deborah Amos explores the lives and backgrounds of New York City panhandlers.
28011"Rush Limbaugh's America"Biographies60 minutesFebruary 28, 1995 (1995-02-28)1311
The rise of Rush Limbaugh and his influence on both his talk radio & TV audiences and conservative politics.
281
282
12
13
"Divided Memories (Parts 1 & 2)"Health120 minutes
120 minutes
April 4, 1995 (1995-04-04)
April 11, 1995 (1995-04-11)
1312
1313
Ofra Bikel's 2-part look into the validity of repressed memories in sexual abuse cases. Part 1 examines how memory works and the different kinds of therapies used to help patients remember. Part 2 looks at how remembered abuse has affected families involved and how real memories are distinguished from those that are not true.
28314"The Homecoming"Biographies60 minutesApril 25, 1995 (1995-04-25)1314
Two decades after his exile from the USSR, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn returns to Russia, offering words of advice and courage to the struggling people he meets along the way.
28415"When the Bough Breaks"Family/Children60 minutesMay 2, 1995 (1995-05-02)1315
Intimate hidden-camera looks into how young children's behavior is affected by the fraying of the parent/child bond.
28516"The Vanishing Father"Family/Children60 minutesMay 16, 1995 (1995-05-16)1316
How living in fatherless households can adversely affect children's behavior no matter the economic status.
28617"The Confessions of RosaLee"Media60 minutesMay 23, 1995 (1995-05-23)1317
A look at a Washington, DC woman and the unending loop of crime, prostitution, and addiction surrounding her and her family, and how her Washington Post profile by Leon Dash influenced policymakers and community leaders.
28718"Welcome to Happy Valley"Health60 minutesJune 6, 1995 (1995-06-06)1318
A look at Prozac and the controversial practice by one Washington psychologist of prescribing it to all of his patients.
28819"Currents of Fear"Health60 minutesJune 13, 1995 (1995-06-13)1319
A look into whether a high incidence of cancer in an Omaha neighborhood is due to an electric substation located there.

Season 14 (1995–96)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
2891"Waco: The Inside Story"Criminal justice60 minutesOctober 17, 1995 (1995-10-17)1401
New Yorker correspondent Peter Boyer probes the political infighting inside the FBI's Waco command center and the Justice Department's Washington offices during the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian's compound.
2902"The Search for Satan"Health60 minutesOctober 24, 1995 (1995-10-24)1402
A look into whether professed victims of secret cults and ritual abuse were helped by the psychiatric care they received.[10]
2913"High Stakes in Cyberspace"Technology60 minutesOctober 31, 1995 (1995-10-31)1403
Robert Krulwich looks into the "land rush" to stake claims in cyberspace and how these changes will affect society.
2924"Who's Afraid of Rupert Murdoch?"Biographies, media90 minutesNovember 7, 1995 (1995-11-07)1404
A look at Rupert Murdoch's drive to establish the first global telecommunications network, and how his success in media has been dogged by controversy over journalistic standards and political influence.
2935"Natasha and the Wolf"Criminal justice90 minutesNovember 14, 1995 (1995-11-14)1405
How a Russian gangster and killer charmed and seduced all who crossed his path, including the state prosecutor who aided in his escape from prison.
2946"Living on the Edge"Social Issues60 minutesDecember 12, 1995 (1995-12-12)1406
Bill Moyers follows up with two Milwaukee families he first profiled in a 1991 documentary who, after suffering layoffs from blue-collar employment, now struggle to provide for their families while working less-secure jobs.
2957"The Gulf War"Middle East120 minutesJanuary 9, 1996 (1996-01-09)1407 (Hour 1)
1408 (Hour 2)
Five years after Operation Desert Storm, a look into the diplomatic maneuvering and military assaults in the Gulf War, as well as the post-war rebellion inside Iraq.
2968"The Long March of Newt Gingrich"Biographies60 minutesJanuary 16, 1996 (1996-01-16)1409
Peter J. Boyer offers an investigative biography of House Speaker Newt Gingrich, from his childhood roots through his years of ambition and his becoming the face of the Republican Revolution.
2979"So You Want to Buy a President?"Politics90 minutesJanuary 30, 1996 (1996-01-30)1410
Robert Krulwich looks into the expected flow of cash into the 1996 presidential campaigns and the interests of those who donate the money.
29810"Murder on 'Abortion Row'"Criminal justice120 minutesFebruary 6, 1996 (1996-02-06)1411
A look into what led abortion opponent John Salvi to carry out fatal shootings at two reproductive health clinics in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1994.
29911"Breast Implants on Trial"Health90 minutesFebruary 27, 1996 (1996-02-27)1412
An examination of the medical and legal issues surrounding silicone breast implants.
30012"Smoke in the Eye"Media60 minutesApril 2, 1996 (1996-04-02)1413
A look into the internal corporate and journalistic conflicts news organizations deal with in covering big business, centering on the legal battles surrounding ABC and CBS reports on the tobacco industry.
(A co-production with CBC Television's the fifth estate)[11]
30113"Angel on Death Row"Biographies60 minutesApril 9, 1996 (1996-04-09)1414
A profile of Sister Helen Prejean, her role as spiritual advisor to death row inmates, and her crusade against the death penalty.
30214ShtetlMulticultural180 minutesApril 17, 1996 (1996-04-17)1320
Marian Marzynski travels to Brańsk, a Polish town struggling to reconcile with its anti-Semitic World War II-era past.
30315"The Pilgrimage of Jesse Jackson"Biographies90 minutesApril 30, 1996 (1996-04-30)1415
An in-depth look at civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and a portrait of race and politics in post-World War II America.
30416"The Kevorkian Verdict"Health60 minutesMay 14, 1996 (1996-05-14)1416
The saga of Jack Kevorkian and his role in how America thinks physician-assisted suicides about end-of-life issues.
30517"Does America Still Work?"Business60 minutesMay 21, 1996 (1996-05-21)1417
Jeff Madrick looks behind the political rhetoric to see how companies, workers, and civic leaders are wrestling with global competition and the end of an era of industrial affluence.
30618"The Gate of Heavenly Peace"Foreign Affairs150 minutesJune 4, 1996 (1996-06-04)1418
A meticulous chronology of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and a contextual history of China's protest movement.

Season 15 (1996–97)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
3071"The Choice 1996"Biographies120 minutesOctober 8, 1996 (1996-10-08)1501
Profiles of presidential candidates Bill Clinton and Bob Dole.
3082"The Navy Blues"Military60 minutesOctober 15, 1996 (1996-10-15)1502
The effects of the Tailhook scandal on the U.S. Navy and the controversy over the introduction of women into combat roles and positions of greater military authority.
3093"Why America Hates the Press"Media60 minutesOctober 22, 1996 (1996-10-22)1503
With public respect for the press at an all-time low, several notable journalists take a self-examination into the dynamics of the news business and its effect on American politics.
3104"Loose Nukes"Foreign affairs60 minutesNovember 19, 1996 (1996-11-19)1504
How weapons-grade plutonium and uranium in the former Soviet Union has become vulnerable to theft.
3115"Secret Daughter"Biographies150 minutesNovember 26, 1996 (1996-11-26)1505
Frontline producer June Cross tells her story as the daughter of a white mother and an African-American father (vaudevillian Jimmy Cross), and how her mother kept June and her parentage a secret to protect the career of June's white stepfather (actor Larry Storch).
3126"Betting on the Market"Business/finance60 minutesJanuary 14, 1997 (1997-01-14)1506
A look at the seduction of investing in the stock market and its implications on Americans' finances.
3137"Six O'Clock News"Media90 minutesJanuary 21, 1997 (1997-01-21)1507
Ross McElwee looks at the "nagging metaphysical questions" behind life-shattering events — the type covered (sometimes in graphic fashion) by TV news — and the individuals who lives were altered by the incidents.
3148"What Jennifer Saw"Criminal justice60 minutesFebruary 25, 1997 (1997-02-25)1508
Jennifer Thompson recounts her brutal 1984 rape and how she has dealt with the exoneration, thanks to DNA evidence, of the man she mistakenly accused of the crime.
3159"Valentina's Nightmare"Africa60 minutesApril 1, 1997 (1997-04-01)1509
A profile of the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath centers on a 13-year-old Tutsi girl and her struggle for survival after a machete attack.
31610"Murder, Money, and Mexico"Latin America60 minutesApril 8, 1997 (1997-04-08)1510
How Mexico's monetary crisis was precipitated by corruption during the sexenio of former president Carlos Salinas de Gortari.
31711"The Fixers"Biographies60 minutesApril 15, 1997 (1997-04-15)1511
How a husband-and-wife team parlayed a handful of political contributions into millions in personal wealth — and multiple visits to the White House.
31812"Nuclear Reaction"Energy60 minutesApril 22, 1997 (1997-04-22)1512
Richard Rhodes looks at how the general public's aversion toward nuclear power has derailed its progress as a vital energy source.
31913"Little Criminals"Criminal justice60 minutesMay 13, 1997 (1997-05-13)1513
A look at violent crimes committed by young children centers on a Richmond, California case in which a 6-year-old badly beat an infant neighbor while stealing a tricycle from the infant's home.
32014"The Opium Kings"War on drugs60 minutesMay 20, 1997 (1997-05-20)1514
Adrian Cowell looks at the international heroin business, centering on the case of Shan warlord Khun Sa.
32115"Innocence Lost: The Plea"Criminal justice120 minutesMay 27, 1997 (1997-05-27)1515
Ofra Bikel revisits the Little Rascals day care sexual abuse trial (a subject of Frontline episodes in Seasons 9 & 11), focusing on the fates of the defendants and those who were encouraged to take plea deals from prosecutors.
32216"Hot Guns"Criminal justice60 minutesJune 3, 1997 (1997-06-03)1516
Frontline and the Center for Investigative Reporting look into the market of illegal, unregistered, and stolen firearms.
32317"Easy Money"Business60 minutesJune 10, 1997 (1997-06-10)1517
How casino gambling has emerged to become a popular (and legalized) form of adult entertainment.
32418"Nazi Gold"World War II60 minutesJune 17, 1997 (1997-06-17)1518
A look at Switzerland's wartime support of Nazi Germany, including its work to replenish Nazi military supplies, its barring of Jewish refugees, and the disappearance of Jewish savings from Swiss banks.
(A co-production with BBC)

Season 16 (1997–98)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
3251"Once Upon a Time in Arkansas"Government/politics60 minutesOctober 7, 1997 (1997-10-07)1601
Peter Boyer looks into the deals and relationships at the heart of the Whitewater scandal surrounding First Couple Bill and Hillary Clinton.
3262"The Lost American"Biographies90 minutesOctober 14, 1997 (1997-10-14)1602
The mysterious disappearance of Fred Cuny, a maverick humanitarian aid expert who helped millions and fought to change how the world responds to disaster.
3273"Behind the Mask: The IRA and Sinn Fein"Biographies120 minutesOctober 21, 1997 (1997-10-21)1603
The secret history of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and its equally formidable political arm, Sinn Féin, which have waged a bloody campaign in Northern Ireland for over a quarter of a century.
3284"Dreams of Tibet"Asia60 minutesOctober 28, 1997 (1997-10-28)1604
Orville Schell explores the clash of values between American opinion of China's human rights record (shaped by powerful forces in Hollywood) and an uncomprehending and intransigent Chinese leadership.
3295"A Whale of a Business"Business; environment60 minutesNovember 11, 1997 (1997-11-11)1605
A look at America's marine theme park business and the treatment of marine mammals, centering on the plight of the orca whale Keiko.
3306"The Princess and the Press"Media90 minutesNovember 18, 1997 (1997-11-18)1606
How the British royal family's relationship with the British press, once governed by unwritten rules of privacy, evolved into the media circus that surrounded Princess Diana in her final years.
3317"Last Battle of the Gulf War"Health60 minutesJanuary 20, 1998 (1998-01-20)1607
A definitive account of what's behind the bitter Gulf War Syndrome controversy, as well as the broad scope of veterans affairs and the psychology of war.
3328"My Retirement Dreams"Social issues60 minutesFebruary 3, 1998 (1998-02-03)1608
Marian Marzynski takes a personal journal into how older Americans adjust into their retirement years.
3339"The Two Nations of Black America"Social issues60 minutesFebruary 10, 1998 (1998-02-10)1609
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. asks why America has "both the highest black middle class and the largest underclass in our history."
33410"From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians"Religion120 minutesApril 6, 1998 (1998-04-06)1610 (Hour 1)
1612 (Hour 2)
Biblical scholars recount the rise of Christianity within the Roman Empire and the rift between Christians and Jews. Hour 1 profiles Jesus' ministry and the interpretations of His teachings. Hour 2 examines the impact of the Gospels and Christianity's growth from a Jewish sect to its spread across the Roman Empire.
33511"The High Price of Health"Health60 minutesApril 14, 1998 (1998-04-14)1614
Hospitals in California and Massachusetts are at the center of this report on the transformation of health care into a profit-driven enterprise.
33612"Busted: America's War on Marijuana"War on drugs60 minutesApril 28, 1998 (1998-04-28)1615
A look into the effect of government and law enforcement efforts to stem the tide of marijuana use.
33713"Inside the Tobacco Deal"Biographies60 minutesMay 12, 1998 (1998-05-12)1616
Lowell Bergman looks at how two Mississippi lawyers took Big Tobacco to the edge of bankruptcy and criminal prosecution.
33814"Secrets of an Independent Counsel"Government60 minutesMay 19, 1998 (1998-05-19)1617
Donald Smaltz takes viewers inside his investigation of former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, while correspondent Peter Boyer examines how independent counsels such as Smaltz work and how far they'll go to get what they want.
33915"The World's Most Wanted Man"Biographies90 minutesMay 26, 1998 (1998-05-26)1618
The hunt for indicted Serbian war leader Radovan Karadzic, and his role in the atrocities and genocide of the Bosnian War.
34016"Fooling With Nature"Health; environment60 minutesJune 2, 1998 (1998-06-02)1619
A look at new evidence in the controversy over how dangerous man-made chemicals are to human health and the environment.

Season 17 (1998–99)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
341
342
343
1
2
3
The Farmer's WifeFamily; farming120 minutes
120 minutes
150 minutes
September 21, 1998 (1998-09-21)
September 22, 1998 (1998-09-22)
September 23, 1998 (1998-09-23)
1701
1702
1703
David Sutherland's 3-part profile of a Nebraska farm couple and their struggles to keep their farm and marriage afloat.
(A co-production of David Sutherland Productions and Frontline in association with the Independent Television Service)
3444"Ambush in Mogadishu"Foreign affairs, military90 minutesSeptember 29, 1998 (1998-09-29)1704
How a 1993 peacekeeping mission in Somalia involving U.S. special forces went awry, and how it influences current U.S. special forces operations in Afghanistan.
3455"Washington's Other Scandal"Campaign finance60 minutesOctober 6, 1998 (1998-10-06)1705
A special report by Bill Moyers on the 1996 election campaign, showing how both political parties contrived to bend and break laws regulating campaign donations to their own benefit.
3466"Plague War"Science, warfare60 minutesOctober 13, 1998 (1998-10-13)1706
A report on the threat of biological weapons, how the Soviet Union secretly amassed an arsenal of such weapons, and how U.S. officials and scientists are racing to find a defense against their use.
3477"The Child Terror"Criminal justice60 minutesOctober 27, 1998 (1998-10-27)1707
Peter Boyer looks at Janet Reno's zeal in investigating and prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse, a model that prosecutors across the country would emulate.
3488"Fat"Health60 minutesNovember 3, 1998 (1998-11-03)1708
How modern life, biology, genetics, media, and the diet industry influence our relationship with food and the war against obesity.
3499"Snitch"Criminal justice90 minutesJanuary 12, 1999 (1999-01-12)1709
The impact of prosecutors' use of informants in prosecuting drug crimes.
35010"Rwanda: The Triumph of Evil"Africa60 minutesJanuary 26, 1999 (1999-01-26)1710
How the U.S. and the U.N. ignored the warning signs of the impending Rwandan genocide.
35111"The Execution"Criminal justice90 minutesFebruary 9, 1999 (1999-02-09)1711
The impact of the life, crimes, and execution of Clifford Boggess, who was put to death by the state of Texas for two robbery/murders in June 1998.
35212"Russian Roulette"Defense60 minutesFebruary 23, 1999 (1999-02-23)1712
An investigation into the safety and security of the Russian nuclear arsenal and the potential for accidental launch or diversion of its nuclear weapons.
35313"Hunting Bin Laden"War on terror60 minutesApril 13, 1999 (1999-04-13)1713
A look at Osama Bin Laden, his terror network, and his role in terrorist attacks against American interests.
35414"Spying on Saddam"Foreign affairs60 minutesApril 27, 1999 (1999-04-27)1714
A look into allegations that UNSCOM, a U.N. commission created to find and destroy weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, was turned by the U.S. into a spy agency against Saddam Hussein.
35515"Give War a Chance"Defense60 minutesMay 11, 1999 (1999-05-11)1715
Examining the gulf between what civilian diplomats want and what the military is prepared to deliver.
35616"The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela"Biographies120 minutesMay 25, 1999 (1999-05-25)1716
An in-depth profile of Nelson Mandela.
35717"Making Babies"Health60 minutesJune 1, 1999 (1999-06-01)1717
The revolution in the science of reproduction and the troubling questions it's raising.
35818"Pop"Biographies60 minutesJune 22, 1999 (1999-06-22)1718
Joel Meyerowitz and his son go on a trip with Joel's 87-year-old father, Hy Meyerowitz, who still offers wit and wisdom despite the ravages of Alzheimer's disease.
35919"The Crash"Business/Economy/Financial60 minutesJune 29, 1999 (1999-06-29)1719
How a real estate bust in Thailand became an Asia-wide financial crisis that would ultimately have a worldwide effect.

Season 18 (1999–2000)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
3601"John Paul II: The Millennial Pope"Biographies150 minutesSeptember 28, 1999 (1999-09-28)1801
A comprehensive biography of John Paul II.
3612"Secrets of the SAT"Education60 minutesOctober 5, 1999 (1999-10-05)1802
A look at the obsession over standardized tests, the test scores they produce, and their impact on the college admission process and American education in general.
3623"Mafia Power Play"Criminal justice, sports60 minutesOctober 12, 1999 (1999-10-12)1803
An investigation into how Russian organized crime figures are extorting Russian-born National Hockey League players and using those connections to establish a criminal presence in North America.
3634"The Lost Children of Rockdale County"Social Issues, family/children, health90 minutesOctober 19, 1999 (1999-10-19)1804
A series of profiles uncovers the overindulging roots of a 1996 outbreak of syphilis among teenagers in the affluent community of Conyers, Georgia.
364
365
5
6
"Apocalypse"Religion120 minutesNovember 22, 1999 (1999-11-22)1805 (Hour 1)
1806 (Hour 2)
An examination of apocalyptic beliefs over 2500 years of western cultural history.
3667"Justice for Sale"Politics, jurisprudence, finance60 minutesNovember 23, 1999 (1999-11-23)1807
Bill Moyers investigates the influence of campaign contributions in the judicial election process and how they may be corrupting the court system. The hour his highlighted by Moyers' interview with U.S. Supreme Court justices Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer, who voice their concerns about the monetary campaign system in judicial races.
3678"The Case for Innocence"Science, criminal justice90 minutesJanuary 11, 2000 (2000-01-11)1808
A look into DNA testing in criminal cases and the reluctance of legal & judicial figures and governors to employ such testing — which has led those convicted of rape & murder yet proven innocent through testing to remain imprisoned.
3689The Killer at Thurston HighTBA90 minutesJanuary 18, 2000 (2000-01-18)1809
The troubled life of Kipland 'Kip' Kinkel, a 15-year-old Oregon high school student who, in a May 1998 incident, killed both of his parents and then killed 2 classmates and wounded 25 others at his high school.
36910"The Survival of Saddam"Biographies60 minutesJanuary 25, 2000 (2000-01-25)1810
A look at Saddam Hussein's rise to power and how he has maintained his grip despite opposition from within and outside Iraq.
37011"Assault on Gay America"Social issues60 minutesFebruary 15, 2000 (2000-02-15)1811
Forrest Sawyer explores homophobia's permeation into American society and how it became a catalyst for hate crimes directed at the LGBT community.
371
372
12
13
"War in Europe"Foreign Affairs, Defense/Military120 minutesFebruary 22, 2000 (2000-02-22)1812 (Hour 1)
1813 (Hour 2)
Peter Boyer examines the political constraints, internal divisions and miscalculations that shaped in NATO's war against Serbia over the Kosovo region. The broadcast highlighted by an in-depth interview with Wesley Clark, who led the war as NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe.
37314"Dr. Solomon's Dilemma"Health60 minutesApril 4, 2000 (2000-04-04)1814
Hedrick Smith profiles the struggle of one Boston doctor and his colleagues over balancing patient care with resulting financial constraints.
37415"What's Up with the Weather?"Science, environment/climate120 minutesApril 18, 2000 (2000-04-18)GLWA000K
A look at the impact of global warming, the political struggle between environmentalists and industrialists, the tentative balance of reducing greenhouse gases with the needs of a technologically-based 21st century world economy.
(A co-production of Frontline and NOVA)
37515"Jefferson's Blood"Biographies, racial issues90 minutesMay 2, 2000 (2000-05-02)1815
Shelby Steele examines Thomas Jefferson's relationship with his slave and mistress Sally Hemings, and follows their descendants as they undergo DNA testing to verify their ancestry.
37616"Return of the Czar"Foreign relations60 minutesMay 9, 2000 (2000-05-09)1816
An in-depth look at Russia, almost decade after the fall of the Soviet Union, finds a country becoming more militarized and influenced by anti-Western propaganda — just as Vladimir Putin is set to ascend to the Russian presidency.
37717"The Battle Over School Choice"Education60 minutesMay 23, 2000 (2000-05-23)1817
An investigation of the political and educational clash over charter schools, voucher programs, and school choice options, as well as the allure of for-profit inner-city academies.

Season 19 (2000–01)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
3781"The Choice 2000"Biographies120 minutesOctober 2, 2000 (2000-10-02)1901
Biographies on presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore.
379
380
2
3
"Drug Wars"War on drugs, history120 minutes
120 minutes
October 9, 2000 (2000-10-09)
October 10, 2000 (2000-10-10)
1902
1903
A 2-part history of America's war on drugs as told from both sides of the battlefield. Part 1 spans the origins of the anti-drug campaign to the rise & fall of Columbia's drug cartels. Part 2 examines the impact of both the crack cocaine epidemic and Mexico's role in supplying drugs to meet American demand.
3814"The Future of War"Military60 minutesOctober 24, 2000 (2000-10-24)1904
A look at the U.S. Army's internal debate over evolving from a Cold War force to one ready for 21st century conflicts.
382
383
5
6
"Real Justice (Parts 1 & 2)"Criminal justice90 minutes
90 minutes
November 14, 2000 (2000-11-14)
November 21, 2000 (2000-11-21)
1905
1906
A 2-part warts-and-all look inside the halls of the Suffolk County, Massachusetts court system (District Court in Part 1, Superior Court in Part 2)
3847"The Clinton Years"Biographies120 minutesJanuary 16, 2001 (2001-01-16)1907
A look at Bill Clinton's life from the Arkansas governor's mansion through a hard-fought presidential campaign and his eight years in the White House.
(A co-production of Frontline and ABC News' Nightline)
3858"Juvenile Justice"Criminal justice90 minutesJanuary 30, 2001 (2001-01-30)1908
An observation of how Santa Clara County, California's juvenile court system prosecutes crimes against a quartet of young offenders (1 white, 2 Hispanic, 1 African American) who have committed violent crimes.
3869"Saving Elian"Foreign relations, family/children, immigration60 minutesFebruary 6, 2001 (2001-02-06)1909
Ofra Bikel examines how Elián González became a symbol in the struggle for freedom from Cuban communist oppression that has long enveloped Miami's Cuban-American community.
38710"Hackers"Criminal justice, technology60 minutesFebruary 13, 2001 (2001-02-13)1910
A report on the exploits of hackers and how their actions have highlighted the Internet's insecurities.
38811"The Merchants of Cool"Business/Economy/Financial60 minutesFebruary 27, 2001 (2001-02-27)1911
Douglas Rushkoff examines the techniques businesses and marketers use to cater to the teenage consumer demographic, as well as the resulting cultural ramifications.
389
390
12
13
"Organ Farm"Science, health/medical60 minutesMarch 27, 2001 (2001-03-27)
April 3, 2001 (2001-04-03)
1912
1913
A 2-part look at xenotransplantation, the experimental process of transplanting genetically modified cells and organs into humans, and the possible benefits and medical risks that may result.
39114"Medicating Kids"Health/Medical60 minutesApril 10, 2001 (2001-04-10)1914
An intimate look into the growing use of prescribing behavior-modifying drugs (e.g. Ritalin, Prozac, Adderall) to children, and whether the practice is medically necessary or just a quick fix.
39215"Harvest of Fear"Science120 minutesApril 24, 2001 (2001-04-24)1915
A look into the practice of genetically modifying food crops, and whether its potential is a boon or a threat to mankind.
(A co-production of Frontline and NOVA)
39316"LAPD Blues"Criminal justice60 minutesMay 15, 2001 (2001-05-15)1916
Peter J. Boyer looks at the reports of police brutality, racism, and corruption surrounding the Los Angeles Police Department.
39417"Blackout"Business, infrastructure60 minutesJune 5, 2001 (2001-06-05)1917
A look into whether the California electricity crisis was caused by high demand, flawed deregulation, or market manipulation by entrepreneurs in the power utility business.

Season 20 (2001–02)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
3951"Hunting Bin Laden"War on terror60 minutesSeptember 13, 2001 (2001-09-13)1713A
Airing two days after the September 11 attacks, this updated version of a Season 17 report retraces the evidence linking Osama Bin Laden and his terror network to 9/11 and other attacks against American interests.
3962"Target America"War on terror60 minutesOctober 4, 2001 (2001-10-04)2001
A look at a decades-long division within America's security apparatus over how to deal with Islamic militants.
3973"Looking for Answers"War on terror60 minutesOctober 9, 2001 (2001-10-09)2002
Bill Moyers anchors this investigation, led by Lowell Bergman, into why the CIA and FBI failed to uncover the 9/11 hijackers, as well as the U.S. government's failure to fully understand the hatred Muslim fundamentalists have for America and its interests.
(Produced in partnership with The New York Times)
3984"Dangerous Straits"Foreign relations60 minutesOctober 18, 2001 (2001-10-18)2003
A look into the troubled diplomatic relations between the United States and China, and how issues over Taiwan and China's support of some Islamic states have fostered the strain.
(Produced in partnership with The New York Times)
3995"Trail of a Terrorist"War on terror60 minutesOctober 25, 2001 (2001-10-25)2004
Terence McKenna looks at Ahmed Ressam's trail from North Africa to Canada to an averted attempt to blow up a Los Angeles airport terminal in December 1999.
(A co-production with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
4006"Gunning for Saddam"Middle East, war on terror60 minutesNovember 8, 2001 (2001-11-08)2005
A look at the debate within the U.S. government over how to deal with Saddam Hussein over the Iraqi leader's state sponsorship of terrorist activities.
4017"Saudi Time Bomb?"The Middle East & the War on Terror60 minutesNovember 15, 2001 (2001-11-15)2006
An exploration into America's fragile post-9/11 ties with Saudi Arabia and whether support within the kingdom toward Islamic fundamentalism threatens the stability of their relationship and the Middle East.
(Produced in partnership with The New York Times)
4028"The Monster That Ate Hollywood"Arts/Entertainment60 minutesNovember 22, 2001 (2001-11-22)2007
How multinational conglomerates, profit-minded studio executives, and a yearning to make blockbuster films have changed Hollywood's motion picture industry.
4039"An Ordinary Crime"Criminal justice90 minutesJanuary 10, 2002 (2002-01-10)2008
An investigation into a bizarre case of injustice: Terence Garner is implicated, convicted, and sentenced for his role in a robbery and attempted murder, despite sharing only the first name as the man the lead suspect in the crime implicated.
40410"Inside the Terror Network"War on terror60 minutesJanuary 17, 2002 (2002-01-17)2009
How the hijackers involved in the September 11 attacks led such outwardly ordinary lives and constructed their plot in seemingly broad daylight.
40511"Dot Con"Business60 minutesJanuary 24, 2002 (2002-01-24)2010
A look into the financial forces behind the unprecedented rise and seemingly overnight fall of the Internet economy.
40612"Inside the Teenage Brain"Health60 minutesJanuary 31, 2002 (2002-01-31)2011
How science may help to explain why adolescents behave the way they do, and how it may lead to changes in how we parent, teach, or understand teenagers.
40713"American Porn"Arts/entertainment60 minutesFebruary 7, 2002 (2002-02-07)2012
A look at the business of the pornography industry and the emerging political battle against it.
40814"Rollover: The Hidden History of the SUV"Transportation60 minutesFebruary 21, 2002 (2002-02-21)2013
How Detroit's connections with Washington regulators may have led to the popularity of sport utility vehicles, despite safety concerns.
40915"Testing Our Schools"Education60 minutesMarch 28, 2002 (2002-03-28)2014
John Merrow examines how a business-like quest for higher test scores is changing teaching and learning in America.
41016"Battle for the Holy Land"Middle East60 minutesApril 11, 2002 (2002-04-11)2015
A look into how the Israeli/Palestinian conflict has evolved from sticks & stones into an all-out combat involving commando units, militants, target killings, and suicide bombings.
41117"Requiem for Frank Lee Smith"Criminal justice60 minutesApril 11, 2002 (2002-04-11)2016
How a man convicted of rape & murder remained on Florida's death row, despite possible evidence of innocence, and why he wasn't exonerated until 10 months after his death from cancer.
41218"Modern Meat"Health60 minutesApril 18, 2002 (2002-04-18)2017
How the meat production industry has become highly mechanizes, and how the industry has gained great control of the meat inspection process.
41319"Did Daddy Do It?"Criminal justice60 minutesApril 25, 2002 (2002-04-25)2018
A Frontline investigation calls into question the seemingly ironclad case against a Cuban immigrant convicted of sexually abusing numerous children at his family's day care service in Miami.
41420"Terror and Tehran"Middle East60 minutesMay 2, 2002 (2002-05-02)2019
A look into the terror threat from Iran and whether U.S. actions against the country help or hinder moderates' struggle to reform the country's hard-line conservative government.
41521"Muslims"Religion120 minutesMay 9, 2002 (2002-05-09)2020
A look at the beliefs, identities, perspectives, and tensions that shape the practice of the Muslim religion in the modern world.
41622"The Siege of Bethlehem"Middle East60 minutesJune 13, 2002 (2002-06-13)2021
A look at the siege of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, in which Palestinian militants sought refuge from Israel Defense Forces.
41723"Bigger Than Enron"Business60 minutesJune 20, 2002 (2002-06-20)2022
How market deregulation, an oversight system gone soft, and conflicts of interest between accounts and the companies they were auditing allowed the scandal that engulfed Enron to go unchecked — and why that company's downfall might be only the tip of the iceberg.
41824"Shattered Dreams to Peace: The Road from Oslo"Middle East120 minutesJune 27, 2002 (2002-06-27)2023
A look into the quest for Middle East peace that began with the Oslo Accords was endlessly threatened, and ultimately undone, by the dynamics of politics and violence on both sides.

Season 21 (2002–03)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
4191"Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero"Religion, psychology120 minutesSeptember 3, 2002 (2002-09-03)2101
An exploration of the various spiritual questions awoken by the September 11 attacks.
4202"Campaign Against Terror"War on terror, military120 minutesSeptember 8, 2002 (2002-09-08)2102
The behind-the-scenes story of the U.S. and global response to the September 11 attacks and the war in Afghanistan.
4213"The Man Who Knew"Biographies, war on terror90 minutesOctober 3, 2002 (2002-10-03)2103
The story of FBI agent John P. O'Neill, an FBI counter-terrorism expert whose warnings about al Qaeda fell generally on deaf ears. Pressured to leave the bureau, he became security director for the World Trade Center, where he died during the September 11 attacks.
4224"Missile Wars"Military60 minutesOctober 10, 2002 (2002-10-10)2104
A look at the issue of missile defense of the U.S. and how it fits into American military strategy after 9/11.
4235"A Crime of Insanity"Criminal justice, health60 minutesOctober 17, 2002 (2002-10-17)2105
An examination of the personal, political, and societal fallout from the colliding of the legal and psychiatric worlds, centering on the 1994 story of a paranoid schizophrenic who held a college classroom hostage.
4246"Let's Get Married"Family/children60 minutesNovember 14, 2002 (2002-11-14)2106
Alex Kotlowitz explores the decreasing prominence of marriage and whether government should have a role in strengthening the institution.
4257"In Search of Al Qaeda"Afghanistan/Pakistan60 minutesNovember 21, 2002 (2002-11-21)2107
How, despite American forces crushing the Taliban in Afghanistan, members of the Al Qaeda network managed to escape out of Afghanistan.
4268"Much Ado About Something"Arts/entertainment90 minutesJanuary 2, 2003 (2003-01-02)2108
A look into whether Christopher Marlowe was the actual writer of plays and poems long credited to William Shakespeare.
4279"A Dangerous Business"Business/Economy/Financial60 minutesJanuary 9, 2003 (2003-01-09)2109
An investigation into whether McWane Inc. prioritized the production and profitability of its iron ore foundries ahead of worker and environmental safety.
(A joint investigation of Frontline, The New York Times, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
42810"Failure to Protect: The Taking of Logan Marr"Family/Children60 minutesJanuary 30, 2003 (2003-01-30)2110
A probe into the death of a 5-year-old girl in foster care in Maine examines what led to her decline in well being and whether she should have been placed in foster care in the first place.
42911"Failure to Protect: The Caseworker Files"Family/Children120 minutesFebruary 6, 2003 (2003-02-06)2111
A companion to "The Taking of Logan Marr," Hour 1 of this episode follows the work of a group of foster care caseworkers. Hour 2 is a town hall-style discussion on child welfare policy.
43012"China in the Red"Foreign Affairs/Defense/Military120 minutesFebruary 13, 2003 (2003-02-13)2112
This documentary chronicles 3 years in the lives and struggles of Chinese citizens caught up in the country's social and economic transformation.
43113"The War Behind Closed Doors"Middle East, War on Terror60 minutesFebruary 20, 2003 (2003-02-20)2113
An investigation into the Bush administration's desire to go to war with Iraq and whether the publicly stated reasons (e.g. fear of weapons of mass destruction) are masking the real reasons for war.
43214"The Long Road to War"Middle East, War on Terror120 minutesMarch 17, 2003 (2003-03-17)0000
This special report draws on Frontline's previous reportage on Iraq to examine the conflict between the U.S. and Saddam Hussein that has led to the brink of war.
43315"Blair's War"Foreign relations, war on terror60 minutesApril 3, 2003 (2003-04-03)2114
An examination of Prime Minister Tony Blair's role in support of the Iraq War (despite strong opposition in the United Kingdom) and how it has laid bare the strain of relations between the U.S. and its western allies.
43416"Kim's Nuclear Gamble"Foreign Affairs/Defense/Military60 minutesApril 10, 2003 (2003-04-10)2115
A look at the unstable relationship between the U.S. and North Korea and how the world has wound up on the brink of a nuclear showdown with the "Hermit Kingdom."
43517"Cyber War!"Science & Technology, counter-terrorism60 minutesApril 24, 2003 (2003-04-24)2116
How the U.S. infrastructure faces real vulnerability in a new battleground — cyberspace.
43618"Burden of Innocence"Criminal Justice60 minutesMay 1, 2003 (2003-05-01)2117
Profiles of recently released inmates who, despite receiving full exoneration for crimes they did not commit, do not receive any financial compensation or transitional assistance from the states that wrongfully imprisoned them.
43719"The Wall Street Fix"Business/Economy, Financial Crisis60 minutesMay 8, 2003 (2003-05-08)2118
Hedrick Smith looks at the hidden ties that enabled big banks and Wall Street insiders to profit while leaving ordinary investors holding worthless stock.
43820"The Other Drug War"Health/Medical60 minutesJune 19, 2003 (2003-06-19)2120
Examining the battle between states and the pharmaceutical industry over the high cost of prescription drugs.
TBATBA"Public Schools, Inc."Education60 minutesJuly 3, 2003 (2003-07-03)2119
A look into "edupreneur" Chris Whittle and his Edison Schools, and whether it's possible to run better public schools that also turn a profit.
(A joint investigation by Frontline, The NewsHour's "Merrow Report," and The New York Times)

Season 22 (2003–04)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
4401"Truth, War, and Consequences"Middle East90 minutesOctober 9, 2003 (2003-10-09)2201
Martin Smith examines the justification for America's war in Iraq, what went wrong in post-war planning, and what's at stake for both countries.
4412"Chasing the Sleeper Cell"War on terror60 minutesOctober 16, 2003 (2003-10-16)2202
A look at the Lackawanna Six, whether they were an Al Qaeda sleeper cell (as government officials claimed), and whether the powers the FBI and CIA have been granted by the Patriot Act have any effectiveness.
4423"The Alternative Fix"Health/Medical60 minutesNovember 6, 2003 (2003-11-06)2203
The embrace and business of and questionable science behind alternative medicine is examined.
4434"Dangerous Prescription"Health/Medical60 minutesNovember 13, 2003 (2003-11-13)2204
A look at the integrity of America's drug safety system, the influence of pharmaceutical companies on the FDA's drug approval process, and whether that process is adequate in protecting the American public.
4445"Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?"Biographies180 minutesNovember 20, 2003 (2003-11-20)1205
Coinciding with the 40th anniversary week of the Kennedy assassination, this encore of a 1993 episode explores the life of Lee Harvey Oswald and whether he was the man responsible for killing Kennedy.
4456"From China with Love"Foreign affairs, counter-intelligence60 minutesJanuary 15, 2004 (2004-01-15)2205
The story of Katrina Leung, an FBI asset (code named "Parlor Maid") who, the U.S. government alleges, conspired with her FBI handler and lover, Special Agent James J. Smith, compromised American intelligence on behalf of China's Ministry of State Security.
4467"Chasing Saddam's Weapons"War on terror60 minutesJanuary 22, 2004 (2004-01-22)2206
BBC reporter Jane Corbin looks at the high-stakes hunt for Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction and whether the ultimate results will justify the Bush administration's call for war.
(A BBC production in association with Frontline)
4478"Beyond Baghdad"Middle East60 minutesFebruary 12, 2004 (2004-02-12)2207
Martin Smith journeys the length and breadth of Iraq to examine what it will take to stabilize the fractured country, establish democracy, and transfer power to its people.
4489"Tax Me if You Can"Business/Economy60 minutesFebruary 19, 2004 (2004-02-19)2208
Hedrick Smith looks at the use of tax shelters by corporations and wealthy individuals, the role of accounting firms in these deals, and how ordinary taxpayers wind up footing the bill.
44910"The Invasion of Iraq"Middle East120 minutesMarch 9, 2004 (2004-03-09)2209
A look at the strategies, key battles, surprises, and turning points of the Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(A Mentorn production for Frontline and Channel 4)
45011"Ghosts of Rwanda"Foreign affairs, Africa120 minutesApril 1, 2004 (2004-04-01)2210
An eyewitness account of 1994 Rwandan genocide and how it went unchallenged by the global community.
(A Frontline co-production with the BBC and Silverbridge Productions Limited)
45112"Diet Wars"Health/Medical60 minutesApril 8, 2004 (2004-04-08)2211
How various diets are competing for marketshare and the attention of those wanting to shed weight, how they often contradict each other, and whether they actually work.
45213"Son of Al Qaeda"Biographies, war on terror60 minutesApril 22, 2004 (2004-04-22)2213
The story of Abdurahman Khadr, who was raised to be an Al Qaeda terrorist (his father was a longtime friend of Osama bin Laden) yet became an anti-terror informant for the CIA.
(A Canadian Broadcasting Corporation production for Frontline)
45314"The Jesus Factor"Politics, religion60 minutesApril 29, 2004 (2004-04-29)2212
How his Christian faith plays a role in George W. Bush's governance and how his views mirror those of America's politically influential evangelical movement.
45415"The Way the Music Died"Arts & entertainment60 minutesMay 27, 2004 (2004-05-27)2214
How everything from industry consolidation to internet piracy to MTV have contributed to a perfect storm that envelopes and endangers the music industry.
45516"The Plea"Criminal justice90 minutesJune 17, 2004 (2004-06-17)2215
An examination of the push to resolve criminal cases through plea bargains and its moral, judicial, and constitutional implications on the American jurisprudence system.
45617"Sacred Ground"Business, infrastructure60 minutesSeptember 7, 2004 (2004-09-07)2216
A look at the debate over redeveloping the World Trade Center site and the design of the Freedom Tower.

Season 23 (2004–05)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
4571"The Choice 2004"Biographies120 minutesOctober 12, 2004 (2004-10-12)2301
Biographies on presidential candidates George W. Bush and John Kerry.
4582"Rumsfeld's War"Military/defense60 minutesOctober 26, 2004 (2004-10-26)2302
A look at the aggressive attempts by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his allies to assert civilian control on the United States Military.
(A joint report by Frontline and The Washington Post)
4593"The Persuaders"Business, marketing90 minutesNovember 9, 2004 (2004-11-09)2303
Douglas Rushkoff takes an in-depth look at the "persuasion industries" of advertising and public relations, and how marketers have developed new ways of deciphering and creating marketing messages that resonate with and influence Americans.
4604"Is Wal-Mart Good for America?"Business/Economy60 minutesNovember 16, 2004 (2004-11-16)2304
Hedrick Smith examines whether Wal-Mart, in its zeal to offer low-cost goods to shoppers, is the main force driving the production of American products to China (resulting in a decreased standard of living back home).
4615"The Secret History of the Credit Card"Business/Economy60 minutesNovember 23, 2004 (2004-11-23)2305
Lowell Bergman looks at how credit cards have become the most profitable sector of the American banking industry, whose marking, techniques, and political influence have contributed to a rise in personal debt and bankruptcies.
(A joint investigation of Frontline and The New York Times)
4626"Al Qaeda's New Front"War on terror60 minutesJanuary 25, 2005 (2005-01-25)2306
An investigation into the threat radical jihadists pose to Western Europe and its allies, as well as the related challenges posed to intelligence services on both sides of the Atlantic.
(A joint investigation by Frontline, The New York Times, and CBC Television's The Fifth Estate)
4637"House of Saud"Foreign affairs120 minutesFebruary 8, 2005 (2005-02-08)2307
A look at how Saudi Arabia's ruling royal family has maintained its hold on power in the face of ever-growing tensions between Islam and modernity, as well as its relations with the U.S. from the 1930s to the present day.
4648"A Company of Soldiers"Iraq War60 minutesFebruary 22, 2005 (2005-02-22)2308
An intimate look from inside the U.S. Army's 8th Cavalry Regiment stationed in Baghdad as it faces a dramatic increase in insurgent attacks.
4659"The Soldier's Heart"Psychology, military60 minutesMarch 1, 2005 (2005-03-01)2309
A look at soldiers who return home bearing psychological trauma from their war experience, and whether the government is making any effort to help.
46610Israel's Next WarMiddle East60 minutesApril 5, 2005 (2005-04-05)2311
Dan Setton's investigation of the rise of right-wing religious extremism in Israel and how it could play as a "spoiler" in peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
46711"Karl Rove: The Architect"Biographies60 minutesApril 12, 2005 (2005-04-12)2310
A look into the political history and modus operandi of Karl Rove, who has been on the inside of every political and policy decision of the Bush administration.
(A joint report by Frontline and The Washington Post)
46812Death of a PrincessMiddle East120 minutesApril 19, 2005 (2005-04-19)2312
An re-airing of Antony Thomas' controversial 1980 docudrama (which aired on Frontline's predecessor program World) depicting the public execution of a Saudi Arabian princess and her lover for adultery. The rebroadcast features new interviews with those involved with the film, a look at the controversies that surrounded it, and how the lives of Arab women have and have not changed in 25 years.
46913"The New Asylums"Health, criminal justice60 minutesMay 10, 2005 (2005-05-10)2313
A close-up look inside Ohio's state prison system highlights this exploration of the issue of mentally ill inmates serving time in America's prisons and jails.
47014"A Jew Among the Germans"World War II60 minutesMay 31, 2005 (2005-05-31)2314
Holocaust survivor Marian Marzynski sets out to find out how Germans are willing to build a memorial to the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust — and in turn how Germans young and old are dealing with their country's dark history.
47115"Private Warriors"Middle East60 minutesJune 21, 2005 (2005-06-21)2315
Martin Smith examines the use of private contractors to provide armed protection and logistical support to U.S. forces in the Iraq War.
47216"The O.J. Verdict"Criminal justice, race/multicultural60 minutesOctober 4, 2005 (2005-10-04)2316
A look at the "perfect storm" that was the O. J. Simpson murder case and the reactions and thoughts 10 years after Simpson's acquittal.

Season 24 (2005–06)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
4731"The Torture Question"War on terror60 minutesOctober 18, 2005 (2005-10-18)2401
How decisions within the Bush administration led to its robust yet controversial policy of applying "coercive interrogation" on enemy fighters in the war on terror.
4742"The Last Abortion Clinic"Health60 minutesNovember 8, 2005 (2005-11-08)2402
How pro-life advocates have waged a successful campaign to enact state laws regulating and limiting the availability of abortion services.
4753"The Storm"Infrastructure, politics60 minutesNovember 25, 2005 (2005-11-25)2403
Martin Smith reviews the response of key political figures before and after Hurricane Katrina's destruction on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
476
478
4
6
Country BoysBiographies120 minutes
120 minutes
120 minutes
January 9, 2006 (2006-01-09)
January 10, 2006 (2006-01-10)
January 11, 2006 (2006-01-11)
2404
2405
2406
David Sutherland's 3-part documentary profile of two boys struggling to overcome hardship and poverty while coming of age in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky.
4797"Sex Slaves"Social issues60 minutesFebruary 7, 2006 (2006-02-07)2408
An undercover exploration of the world of global sex trafficking and how it has gone unchecked, centering on one man's journey to liberate his kidnapped wife from the sex trade.
(A co-production of Frontline, Channel 4, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Canal D)
4808"The Meth Epidemic"Health, social issues60 minutesFebruary 14, 2006 (2006-02-14)2407
An investigation into how and why methamphetamine abuse has become the fastest-growing drug abuse problem in America.
(A reporting partnership of Frontline and The Oregonian)
4819"The Insurgency"Middle East60 minutesFebruary 21, 2006 (2006-02-21)2409
A look at the people who are fighting against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq, the civilians who have been targeted, and whether the insurgents can be contained.
48210"The Tank Man"Biographies, foreign affairs60 minutesApril 11, 2006 (2006-04-11)2410
Antony Thomas searches for the identity of the unknown protester who stood before a column of Chinese army tanks in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, while in the process examining the cultural and technological divides in China and how its government has sought to erase the protests from the country's collective history.
(A co-production with Channel 4)
48311"Can You Afford to Retire?"Economics/financial60 minutesMay 16, 2006 (2006-05-16)2411
Hedrick Smith looks at how pension cuts, corporate bankruptcies, and stock market upheaval have led to the crisis for baby boomers: Whether they'll have enough money to live off of during their retirement years.
484
485
12
13
"The Age of AIDS (Parts 1 & 2)"Health/Medical120 minutes
120 minutes
May 30, 2006 (2006-05-30)
May 31, 2006 (2006-05-31)
2412
2413
A look at the HIV/AIDS epidemic, covering the early concerns, subsequent medical advancements, and cultural and political fears that have been alleviated or still linger in the 25 years since the disease was first diagnosed.
48614"The Dark Side"Foreign affairs, war on terror90 minutesJune 20, 2006 (2006-06-20)2414
Interviews and documented evidence buoy this investigation into the Bush administration's mission (spearheaded by Vice President Dick Cheney) to expand executive power, transform American intelligence, bring the war on terror to Iraq, and project American superiority worldwide in the years post-9/11.

Season 25 (2006–07)

As part of its 25th season, Frontline presented a four-part series titled News War.[12] Featuring 3 Frontline episodes and a fourth on its offshoot series Frontline World, News War explored the news media's reaction to the various internal and external forces (political, cultural, legal, economic) that changes and challenges its role in society. News War was a co-production of Frontline and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
4871"Return of the Taliban"Afghanistan/Pakistan60 minutesOctober 3, 2006 (2006-10-03)2501
Reports from the lawless Pakistani tribal areas along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and reveals how the area has fallen under the control of a resurgent Taliban militia.
4882"The Enemy Within"War on terror60 minutesOctober 10, 2006 (2006-10-10)2502
Lowell Bergman looks at major domestic terrorism cases and reveals major flaws in the U.S. government's investigation efforts.
(Co-produced with The New York Times)
4893"The Lost Year in Iraq"Middle East60 minutesOctober 17, 2006 (2006-10-17)2503
A look at multiple failures in the reconstruction efforts headed by the ORHA and the CPA, and how those involved became hardened to the realities of post-Saddam Iraq.
4904"A Hidden Life"Politics, media60 minutesNovember 14, 2006 (2006-11-14)2504
A look into the scandal surrounding Spokane mayor Jim West, who gained prominence as a socially conservative politician yet, as revealed by a Spokesman-Review sting, surfed online for sexual relationships with young men.
4915"Living Old"Health60 minutesNovember 21, 2006 (2006-11-21)2415
A look into the repercussions of Americans living longer than ever (into their 80s and 90s) on not only them and their loved ones, but on the American health care system.
4926Hand of GodReligion, family/children60 minutesJanuary 16, 2007 (2007-01-16)2507
Joe Cultrera documents efforts by his brother, Paul, to reveal Paul's abuse by their Catholic church priest in the 1960s.
'
4937News War: Secrets, Sources & Spin, Part IMedia60 minutesFebruary 13, 2007 (2007-02-13)2505
Lowell Bergman explores controversies over journalism's use of anonymous sources, the relationship between the press and the Bush administration, and the unintended (and damaging) consequences of the Valerie Plame investigation.
4948News War: Secrets, Sources & Spin, Part IIMedia60 minutesFebruary 20, 2007 (2007-02-20)2505A
A look into recent First Amendment legal battles between the U.S. government and the press, how and why reporters are compelled to reveal their confidential sources, and how much the press can reveal about government secrecy in the war on terror.
4959News War: What's Happening with the NewsMedia60 minutesFebruary 27, 2007 (2007-02-27)2506
How mainstream media and in-depth reporting has been upended in a changing world of profit pressures, corporate cost cutting, and increased competition from cable news networks and the internet.
49610News War: Stories from a Small PlanetMedia60 minutesMarch 27, 2007 (2007-03-27)2506A
In Frontline World's entry in the News War series, Greg Barker looks at the international forces influencing journalism and politics, specifically the rise of Al Jazeera and its impact on Arab media and the clash between the West and Islam.
'
49711So Much So FastHealth, family90 minutesApril 3, 2007 (2007-04-03)2508
Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan's profile of Stephen Heywood, his family, and their response to Stephen's being diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
49812"Gangs of Iraq"Middle East60 minutesApril 17, 2007 (2007-04-17)ACRO103
A look at how U.S. forces' training efforts to retrain Iraq's army and police force so that they can combat the country's post-war violence.
49913"Hot Politics"Environment60 minutesApril 24, 2007 (2007-04-24)2510
How bi-partisan political and economic forces prevented the U.S. government from confronting what may be one of the most serious problems facing humanity today — climate change — and how state & local governments and the private sector are filling the leadership void on the topic.
(An investigation by Frontline and the Center for Investigative Reporting)
500
501
14
15
The MormonsReligion120 minutes
120 minutes
April 30, 2007 (2007-04-30)
May 1, 2007 (2007-05-01)
MORM101
MORM102
A two-part profile, produced with American Experience, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; how it grew to become an influential religion; and how it often remains misunderstood in American life.
50216"When Kids Get Life"TBA60 minutesMay 8, 2007 (2007-05-08)2511
50317"Spying on the Home Front"National security60 minutesMay 15, 2007 (2007-05-15)2512
Hedrick Smith profiles how the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance program and whether it is jeopardizing Americans' privacy and civil liberties.
50418"Endgame"Middle East60 minutesJune 19, 2007 (2007-06-19)2513
How strategic and tactical mistakes and an early mandate to create a quick American exit led to the chaos and sectarian strife that has brought Iraq to the brink of civil war.

Season 26 (2007–08)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
5051"Cheney's Law"Politics, war on terror60 minutesOctober 16, 2007 (2007-10-16)2601
How Vice President Dick Cheney pulled levers of power to give the presidency extraordinary executive power in times of war, even without the approval of Congress or review from the court system.
5062"Showdown with Iran"Middle East60 minutesOctober 23, 2007 (2007-10-23)2602
A look at Iran's rise to power in the Middle East and its challenge to the U.S. for influence in the region.
5073"The Undertaking"Health60 minutesOctober 30, 2007 (2007-10-30)2603
A look into the ritual of caring for the dead and their survivors, as seen through a family-owned funeral service in Michigan.
5084"On Our Watch"Foreign Affairs60 minutesNovember 20, 2007 (2007-11-20)2604
How the United Nations, and the international community in general, failed to stop the Darfur genocide.
5095"The Medicated Child"Health/Medical60 minutesJanuary 8, 2008 (2008-01-08)2605
A look at the increase in diagnoses of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders in children, and how they're being prescribed anti-psychotic drugs that have had little or no prior testing.
5106"Growing Up Online"Technology, youth/family60 minutesJanuary 22, 2008 (2008-01-22)2606
How a whole generation has grown up with access to the internet and social media, and the risks and realities they face in the online world.
5117"A Dangerous Business Revisited"Business/Economy/Financial60 minutesFebruary 5, 2008 (2008-02-05)2109-003
Lowell Bergman revisits a Season 21 report on worker safety concerns at McWane's iron ore plants, and how the company has changed its ways in the face of regulatory and legal woes after the report.
(A Frontline co-production with the Center for Investigative Reporting, Inc.)
5128"Rules of Engagement"Middle East60 minutesFebruary 19, 2008 (2008-02-19)2607
An examination of a 2005 massacre of unarmed civilians by Marine forces in Haditha, which led to one of the largest criminal cases against U.S. troops in the Iraq War.
513
514
9
10
"Bush's War"Middle East, War on Terror120 minutes
2 horus
March 23, 2008 (2008-03-23)
March 24, 2008 (2008-03-24)
2608
2609
A two part analysis of the Iraq War looks at the war's beginnings, how it has been fought, and the conflicts within the Bush administration over its progress.
51511"Bad Voodoo's War"Iraq War60 minutesApril 1, 2008 (2008-04-01)2610
Deborah Scranton provides cameras to California National Guard soldiers (part of "The Bad Voodoo Platoon"), allowing them to tell their own stories of deployment in Iraq.
51612"Sick Around the World"Health/Medical60 minutesApril 15, 2008 (2008-04-15)2611
T.R. Reid examines the health care systems of Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the U.K. to see if any of their processes can be added to the U.S. system.
51713"Storm Over Everest"Biographies60 minutesMay 13, 2008 (2008-05-13)2612
David Breashears tells the story of what happened on a 1996 climb of Mount Everest, when a fast-moving blizzard trapped two climbing teams and led to the deaths of 8 climbers.
51814"Young & Restless in China"Asia, biographies60 minutesJune 17, 2008 (2008-06-17)2614
An intimate look into the lives of nine young Chinese as they scramble to keep pace with a fast-changing society.

Season 27 (2008–09)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code
5191"The Choice 2008"Biographies120 minutesOctober 14, 2008 (2008-10-14)2701
Profiles of presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.
5202"Heat"Environment60 minutesOctober 21, 2008 (2008-10-21)2613
Martin Smith (documentarian) looks at how oil and coal companies, electric utilities, and car manufacturers are reshaping their approach to the environment after years of resistance to change.
5213"The War Briefing"Foreign affairs60 minutesOctober 28, 2008 (2008-10-28)2702
Diplomats and strategists offer a look into the foreign policy choices the next U.S. President will face.
5224Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater StoryBiographies90 minutesNovember 11, 2008 (2008-11-11)2703
Stefan Forbes' documentary profile of Lee Atwater, the Machiavellian (and influential) GOP campaign operative who sought forgiveness from those hurt by his "politics as war" tactics before succumbing to a brain tumor at 40.
5235"The Hugo Chávez Show"Biographies60 minutesNovember 25, 2008 (2008-11-25)2704
An illuminating look at Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, his mercurial rise to power, and how the mercurial leader has sparked socialist revolutions not only throughout his country but also through television.
5246"The Old Man and the Storm"Cities60 minutesJanuary 6, 2009 (2009-01-06)2705
The difficulties of rebuilding post-Katrina New Orleans as seen through producer June Cross' profile of 82-year-old Herbert Gettridge and his family, and how urban planning, public health, and insurance industry decisions affected their attempts to rebuild their homes and lives.
5257"Dreams of Obama"Biographies60 minutesJanuary 20, 2009 (2009-01-20)2706
On the day Barack Obama takes office, Michael Kirk explores how Obama's life experiences and political career allowed him to his becoming America's first black president.
5268"My Father, My Brother and Me"Health60 minutesFebruary 3, 2009 (2009-02-03)2707
Dave Iverson explores the scientific, ethical, and political debates that surround Parkinson's disease, speaking with scientists exploring cutting-edge cures and therapies, as well as fellow Parkinson's sufferers (Iverson was diagnosed with the disease in 2004).
(A joint production of Frontline and ITVS)
5279"Inside the Meltdown"Business/Economy60 minutesFebruary 17, 2009 (2009-02-17)2708
How the financial crisis developed, why investment banks went under or had to be bailed out, and what the US Treasury Secretary and Federal Reserve Chairman could and could not fix.
52810"Ten Trillion and Counting"Business/Economy60 minutesMarch 24, 2009 (2009-03-24)2709
The causes, potential outcomes of, and possible solutions to the growing U.S. public debt ($10 trillion and counting).
52911"Sick Around America"Health60 minutesMarch 31, 2009 (2009-03-31)2710
How a worsening economy, major illnesses, and insurance company decisions are impacting the American health care system.
53012"Black Money"Business/Economy60 minutesApril 7, 2009 (2009-04-07)2711
Lowell Bergman examines the shadowy world of international bribery, and how multinational companies maneuver to get billions of dollars in business.
53113"Poisoned Waters"Environment60 minutesApril 21, 2009 (2009-04-21)2712
Hedrick Smith examines the rising hazards to human health and ecosystem caused by polluted U.S. waterways, as well as the difficulties to keep our waters clean.
53214"The Released"Criminal Justice60 minutesApril 28, 2009 (2009-04-28)2713
What happens to mentally ill prisoners when they finish their time and leave prison, and why they return to incarceration at such alarming rates.
53315"The Madoff Affair"Business/Economy60 minutesMay 12, 2009 (2009-05-12)2714
Unraveling the story behind the world's first global Ponzi Scheme.
53416"Breaking the Bank"Business/Economy60 minutesJune 16, 2009 (2009-06-16)2715
The inside story of how big bets and hopes of billions of dollars in revenues led instead to massive losses for investment banks, in particular Bank of America.

Season 28 (2009–10)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
5351"Obama's War"Foreign affairs60 minutesOctober 13, 2009 (2009-10-13)2801
A look at American counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a fight that promises to be longer and more costly than most Americans understand.
5362"The Warning"Business/Economy60 minutesOctober 20, 2009 (2009-10-20)2802
An examination into why the financial crisis happened and how it might have been prevented, in particular the hesitancy to regulate the derivatives markets.
5373Close to HomeBusiness/Economy60 minutesOctober 27, 2009 (2009-10-27)2803
Ofra Bikel turns to a New York City hair salone she frequents and sees the struggles of a small business owner, her sister's risk of imminent foreclosure on her Florida home, and how their various clients are getting buy in turbulent financial times.
5384"Alaska Gold"Environment60 minutesNovember 10, 2009 (2009-11-10)2804
The growing battle in Alaska's Bristol Bay region between two industries — fishermen who prise the bay's salmon population, and mining companies who want to reap its enormous mineral deposits.
5395"A Death in Tehran"Middle East60 minutesNovember 17, 2009 (2009-11-17)2805
How Neda Agha-Soltan, whose death during election protests, became the face of amovement that threatened the hard-line Iranian government's hold on power.
5406The Card GameBusiness/Economy/Financial Crisis60 minutesNovember 24, 2009 (2009-11-24)2806
Investigating the massive consumer loan industry and what's ahead for customers and banks.
5417Digital NationFamily/Children60 minutesFebruary 2, 2010 (2010-02-02)2809
Explores what it means to be human in the digital world.
5428Flying CheapTransportation60 minutesFebruary 9, 2010 (2010-02-09)2810
How low-cost airlines and regional carriers have changed the airline business, and whether safety has been sacrificed in the quest for greater profits.
5439Behind Taliban LinesAfghanistan/Pakistan, Iraq/War on Terror60 minutesFebruary 23, 2010 (2010-02-23)2813
An Afghan journalist's 10 days living with an insurgent cell allied with Al Qaeda who plan to sabotage a key U.S./NATO supply route.
54410The Suicide TouristSocial Issues60 minutesMarch 2, 2010 (2010-03-02)2811
Frontline investigates suicide tourism by following a Chicago native as he travels to Switzerland in order to take his life with help of a nonprofit organization that legally assists suicides.
54511The QuakeWorld60 minutesMarch 30, 2010 (2010-03-30)2814
Frontline takes an in depth look at the 2010 earthquake in Haiti examining problems with relief efforts, issues with governmental management, and the earthquake's effects on people's lives.
54612Obama's DealU.S. Politics60 minutesApril 13, 2010 (2010-04-13)2815[14]
Frontline examines the Obama administration and its efforts to pass a health care reform bill.
54713The Dancing Boys of AfghanistanWorld60 minutesApril 20, 2010 (2010-04-20)2807
An ancient tradition has re-emerged across the country: Many hundreds of boys, often as young as 11, are being lured off the streets by the promise of a new life, many unaware that their real fate is to be used for entertainment and sex.
54814The Vaccine WarHealth/Medical60 minutesApril 27, 2010 (2010-04-27)2816
Examining the debate over medical risks vs. benefits and related vaccine controversies.
54915College, Inc.Business and Economy / Education60 minutesMay 4, 2010 (2010-05-04)2817
Frontline investigates for-profit colleges and universities. It examines their recruitment methods, their online curriculum, and connections to big business.
55016The Wounded PlatoonMilitary; health90 minutesMay 18, 2010 (2010-05-18)2812
A look at the violence, depression, and stress exhibited by a platoon of Iraq War veterans whose members who have committed murder, assault, and suicide.
55117Law & DisorderCriminal justice60 minutesAugust 25, 2010 (2010-08-25)2818
A look into several questionable shootings by the New Orleans Police Department in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
55218God in AmericaReligion60 minutesOctober 11, 2010 (2010-10-11)0000
400-year history of religion and public life in the United States of America, in partnership with American Experience.

Season 29 (2010–11)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
5531Death by FireCriminal Justice60 minutesOctober 19, 2010 (2010-10-19)2901
At the center of the national death penalty debate today is the controversial case of Cameron Todd Willingham, put to death for the arson-murder of his three little girls. But was he guilty?[15]
5542The SpillBusiness and Economy60 minutesOctober 26, 2010 (2010-10-26)2902
Frontline investigates BP's record of safety violations and accidents in the years leading up to the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf.
5553The ConfessionsCriminal Justice90 minutesNovember 9, 2010 (2010-11-09)2903
Frontline looks at the case of the Norfolk Four in which four men were convicted of the rape and murder of a woman on the basis of coerced confessions.
5564Facing DeathHealth/Medical60 minutesNovember 23, 2010 (2010-11-23)2904
The end-of-life choices made by physicians and families
5575Battle for HaitiForeign affairs60 minutesJanuary 11, 2011 (2011-01-11)2905
In the chaos of the earthquake that devastated Haiti, thousands of the country's worst criminals seized the opportunity to stage a mass escape from the National Penitentiary. One year later, the gang leaders are re-asserting control in the capital, threatening the country's stability.
5586Are We Safer?
Flying Cheaper
War on terror22 minutes
20 minutes
January 18, 2011 (2011-01-18) ()2906
Are We Safer?: Dana Priest investigates the terrorism-industrial complex that grew up in the wake of 9/11.
Flying Cheaper: A follow-up to Season 28's Flying Cheap examines the trend of airlines outsourcing Maintenance; a co-production with the Investigative Reporting Workshop.
5597Post MortemCriminal justice60 minutesFebruary 1, 2011 (2011-02-01)2907
A collaboration with NPR and ProPublica reveals how dysfunction, low standards, and lax oversight impacts investigations into sudden or suspicious deaths.
5609[16]Revolution in CairoForeign Affairs/Defense/Military60 minutesFebruary 22, 2011 (2011-02-22)0000
56110Money and March Madness
Who's Afraid of Ai Weiwei
The Private Life of Bradley Manning
Biographies22 minutes
18 minutes
10 minutes
March 29, 2011 (2011-03-29)2910
Money and March Madness: An inside look at the multibillion-dollar business of the NCAA and its brand of amateur college sports.
Who's Afraid of Ai Weiwei: How Ai Weiwei dares to walk the fine line between freedom and censorship in China.
The Private Life of Bradley Manning: Exclusive interview with Private Manning's father, who speaks out for the first time about his son's upbringing and troubled youth.[17]
56211Football HighEducation, Sports60 minutesApril 12, 2011 (2011-04-12)2911
High school football has never had a higher profile ... but is winning worth the risks?
56312The SilenceCriminal Justice / Religion and Beliefs60 minutesApril 19, 2011 (2011-04-19)2912
Frontline reveals a little-known chapter of the Catholic Church sex abuse story: decades of abuse of Native Americans by priests and other church workers in Alaska.
56413Fighting for Bin LadenAfghanistan/Pakistan60 minutesMay 3, 2011 (2011-05-03)2913
The fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
56514Kill/CaptureAfghanistan/Pakistan, Iraq/War on Terror60 minutesMay 10, 2011 (2011-05-10)2914
Goes inside the "kill/capture" program to discover new evidence of the program's effect and its costs.
56615WikiSecretsForeign Affairs/Defense/Military60 minutesMay 24, 2011 (2011-05-24)2915
The inside story of Chelsea Manning, Julian Assange (WikiLeaks) and the largest intelligence breach in U.S. history.
56716The Child Cases
Educating Sergeant Pantzke
Criminal Justice
Education
32 minutes
18 minutes
June 28, 2011 (2011-06-28)2916
The Child Cases: Ernie Lopez to prison for 60 years when a child dies under suspicious circumstances. Now a Texas judge has moved to overturn Lopez's conviction, and questions are raised about the quality of expert testimony in this and many other cases.
Educating Sergeant Pantzke: In a follow-up to College, Inc., FRONTLINE investigates how the for-profit schools are recruiting veterans with educational promises that they may not keep.
56817The Pot Republic
Doctor Hotspot
The Atomic Artists
Business and Economy / Social Issues
Health
World
25 minutes
13 minutes
12 minutes
July 26, 2011 (2011-07-26)2917
The Pot Republic: FRONTLINE and The Center for Investigative Reporting team up to investigate California's marijuana market.
Doctor Hotspot: Dr. Jeffrey Brenner and his team are pioneering a practice called “hotspotting,” in which medical care is focused on the hardest-to-treat to improve their health and dramatically reduce costs.
The Atomic Artists: FRONTLINE with PRI’s The World meet Chim?Pom, a provocative group of young artists using art to challenge the status quo and ask Japan to rethink their way of life.
56918Top Secret AmericaIraq/War on Terror60 minutesSeptember 6, 2011 (2011-09-06)2918
A report from the Washington Post on US government intelligence spending. (See Top Secret America)
57019An Optimist in HaitiPoverty60 minutesSeptember 27, 2011 (2011-09-27)2919
The struggle of one man to develop a tourist destination in Haiti and bring economic prosperity.
57119The Man Behind the MosqueRace/Multicultural, Religion60 minutesSeptember 27, 2011 (2011-09-27)2919
The struggles of Sharif El-Gamal to build a mosque near the site of the World Trade Center.

Season 30 (2011–12)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
5721The Anthrax FilesCriminal Justice / U.S. Politics60 minutesOctober 11, 2011 (2011-10-11)3001[18]
Frontline, with ProPublica and McClatchy Newspapers, takes a hard look at the FBI's investigation of the country's most notorious act of bioterrorism.
5732Lost in DetentionImmigration / Social Issues60 minutesOctober 18, 2011 (2011-10-18)3002
Frontline investigates President Obama's enforcement strategies and immigrant detention - who is being detained and what is happening to these detainees.
5743Syria UndercoverWar and Conflict / World60 minutesNovember 8, 2011 (2011-11-08)3003
Reporter Ramita Navai goes undercover for a rare look at the uprising from inside Syria. Plus a profile of the dictator who has managed to hold on longer than any amidst the Arab unrest—President Bashar al-Assad.
5754A Perfect TerroristAfghanistan/Pakistan60 minutesNovember 22, 2011 (2011-11-22)3004
Life of a Pakistani-American David Headley.
5765Opium BridesWorld33 minutesJanuary 3, 2012 (2012-01-03)3005
Frontline reports on the unexpected collateral damage of the counter-narcotics effort in Afghanistan.
5776Nuclear AftershocksEnvironment, Health/Science/Technology60 minutesJanuary 17, 2012 (2012-01-17)2921
Frontline travels to three continents to explore the debate about nuclear power: Is it safe? What are the alternatives? And could a Fukushima-style disaster.[19] happen in the U.S.?[20]
5787The InterruptersBiographies, Criminal Justice120 minutesFebruary 14, 2012 (2012-02-14)3006
An intimate journey across the violent landscape of our cities through the eyes of those fighting to sow peace and security.[21]
5798Inside Japan's Nuclear MeltdownEnvironment, Foreign Affairs/Defense, Health/Science/Technology60 minutesFebruary 28, 2012 (2012-02-28)3008
An unprecedented account of the crisis inside the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.[19]
5809Murdoch's ScandalBusiness and Economy60 minutesMarch 27, 2012 (2012-03-27)3009
Accounts of bribery, blackmail, and privacy invasions has prompted criminal investigations on both sides of the Atlantic.
58110The Real CSICriminal Justice60 minutesApril 17, 2012 (2012-04-17)3010
How reliable is the science behind forensics? A Frontline investigation finds serious flaws in some of the best-known tools of forensic science.[22]
582
585
11
14
Money, Power and Wall Street Parts I-IVMoney, Power and Wall Street60 minutesApril 24, 2012 (2012-04-24)
April 24, 2012 (2012-04-24)
May 1, 2012 (2012-05-01)
May 1, 2012 (2012-05-01)
3011
3012
3013
3014
Frontline tells the inside story of the global financial crisis.[23] (four one-hour episodes, May 4 premier concluded).
58612Cell Tower Deaths
Six Billion Dollar Bet
Business and Economy30 minutes
21 minutes
May 22, 2012 (2012-05-22)3007
Cell Tower Deaths: Learn about the hidden cost of better and faster cell phone service, and about unreliable medical evidence in several child death cases.
Six Billion Dollar Bet: Jon Corzine, former head of Goldman Sachs and political power broker, took over MF Global in the spring of 2010 and lost a massive bet on European debt, with more than a billion dollars of customer funds missing. FRONTLINE investigates how Corzine’s traders went around MF Global’s risk officers and how he swayed regulators in Washington to allow risky practices to continue.
58713Al Qaeda in YemenTerrorism / World60 minutesMay 29, 2012 (2012-05-29)3016
Frontline travels into the heart of Yemen's radical heartland, and shows how Al Queda is taking control of towns and cities in an attempt to establish its own state.
58814Dollars and DentistsHealth60 minutesJune 26, 2012 (2012-06-26)3018
Dental care can be a matter of life and death. Yet millions of Americans cannot afford a visit to the dentist. An investigation by Frontline and the Center for Public Integrity reveals the shocking consequences of a broken safety net.
58915Endgame: Aids in Black AmericaHealth / Social Issues120 minutesJuly 10, 2012 (2012-07-10)3017
Nearly half of the one million people in the United States infected with HIV are black men, women and children. Trace the history of the AIDS epidemic through the experiences of individuals who tell their stories.
59016Fast Times at West Philly High
Middle School Moment
Education36 minutes
14 minutes
July 17, 2012 (2012-07-17)3015
Fast Times at West Philly High: Students and teachers from West Philadelphia High School, a public high school serving one of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in Philadelphia, defy expectations as they design and build two super-hybrid cars for international competition and compete for the chance to be part of a technological revolution.
Middle School Moment: New evidence that suggests the make-or-break moment for high school dropouts may actually occur in middle school. The film explores how one Bronx school is using a novel form of data collection and analysis to predict and prevent dropouts before they happen.
59118Alaska GoldBusiness/Economy/Financial, Environment, Health/Science/Technology60 minutesJuly 24, 2012 (2012-07-24)3004
Frontline probes the fault lines of a growing battle in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, home to the world's last great wild sockeye salmon fishery-and enormous mineral deposits.[24]
59219The Battle for SyriaForeign Affairs/Defense60 minutesSeptember 18, 2012 (2012-09-18)3019
Frontline takes you inside the heart of the insurgency, where rebel groups are waging a full-scale assault on the forces of President Bashar al Assad.
59320Dropout NationEducation in the United States120 minutesSeptember 25, 2012 (2012-09-25)}3020
What does it take to save a student?[25]

Season 31 (2012–13)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
5941[26]The Choice 2012Government/Elections/Politics120 minutesOctober 9, 2012 (2012-10-09)3101
5952Climate of DoubtClimate change denial and the climate change controversy regarding public opinion on climate change60 minutesOctober 23, 2012 (2012-10-23)3021
5963Big Sky, Big MoneyGovernment/Elections/Politics60 minutesOctober 30, 2012 (2012-10-30)3022
A discussion of the impacts of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC.
5974The Suicide PlanSocial Issues85 minutesNovember 13, 2012 (2012-11-13)3023
Explore the shadow world of assisted suicide, where the lines between legality and criminality are blurred.
5985Poor KidsBusiness/Economy/Financial60 minutesNovember 20, 2012 (2012-11-20)3024
Poverty And surrounding issues in USA.
5996Secret War
Opium Brides
Terrorism / World
World
18 minutes
33 minutes
January 3, 2012 (2012-01-03)3105
Secret War: Stephen Grey and Martin Smith go inside the deepest front in America’s war against Al Qaeda and the Taliban: Pakistan.
Opium Brides: Najibullah Quraishi reports on the harrowing story of the collateral damage of the counter-narcotics effort.
6007The Education of Michelle RheeEducation, Family/Children60 minutesJanuary 8, 2013 (2013-01-08)3102
Biography and in depth look at one of the most controversial educational reformers in the modern era.
6018Inside Obama's Presidency Government/Elections/Politics60 minutesJanuary 15, 2013 (2013-01-15)3103
A look inside the first term of the Barack Obama presidency and an eye to the second.
6029The Untouchables Business/Economy/Financial, Government/Elections/Politics60 minutesJanuary 22, 2013 (2013-01-22)3104
A look inside the lack of prosecutions on Wall Street after The Great Recession
60310Cliffhanger Business/Economy/Financial, Government/Elections/Politics60 minutesFebruary 12, 2013 (2013-02-12)3105
The inside history of how Washington has failed to solve the country's problems of debt and deficit
60411Newtown Divided
Raising Adam Lanza
Social Issues
Biographies, Criminal Justice
20 minutes
32 minutes
February 19, 2013 (2013-02-19)3106

Newtown Divided : In depth look at the Newtown shooting and all surrounding issues.

Raising Adam Lanza : In depth look at the history of Adam Lanza, the Newtown shooter.
605
606
12
13
Kind Hearted Woman (Parts 1 & 2)Biographies120 minutes
180 minutes
April 1, 2013 (2013-04-01)
April 2, 2013 (2013-04-02)
3199
A portrait of Robin Charboneau, a 32-year-old divorced single mother and Oglala Sioux woman living on North Dakota's Spirit Lake Reservation. Kind Hearted Woman is a special co-presentation of FRONTLINE and Independent Lens.
60714Syria Behind the LinesForeign Affairs/Defense60 minutesApril 9, 2013 (2013-04-09)3107
Everyday life of both the Syrian rebels and the Bashar al-Assad regime.
60815The Retirement GambleBusiness/Economy/Financial, Social Issues60 minutesApril 23, 2013 (2013-04-23)3108
Reform and common pitfalls in regards to retirement, IRA's and 401k, and less risky and less costly index funds.[28]
60916Top Secret America: 9/11 to the Boston BombingsIraq/War on Terror60 minutesApril 30, 2013 (2013-04-30)3118
An updated version of Top Secret America which traces the journey from 9/11 to the Boston Marathon bombings and investigates the secret history of the 12-year battle against terrorism.
61017Never Forget to LieFamily/Children, Social Issues60 minutesMay 14, 2013 (2013-05-14)3109
Filmmaker Marian Marzynski returns to Poland to explore his own wartime childhood and the experiences of other child survivors of the Holocaust.
61118Outlawed in PakistanAfghanistan/Pakistan60 minutesMay 28, 2013 (2013-05-28)3110
The story of a girl in Pakistan whose life is at risk for daring to allege rape.
61219Rape in the FieldsCriminal Justice, Social Justice60 minutesJune 25, 2013 (2013-06-25)3111
Lowell Bergman investigates the hidden reality of rape on the job for immigrant women working in America's fields, farms and factories.
61320Two American FamiliesFamily/Children, Social Issues85 minutesJuly 9, 2013 (2013-07-09)3112
Bill Moyers chronicles the lives of two ordinary families over more than 20 years as they battle to keep from sliding into poverty.
61421Life and Death in Assisted LivingFamily/Children, Social Issues60 minutesJuly 30, 2013 (2013-07-30)3113
Frontline and ProPublica investigate assisted living in America.

Season 32 (2013–14)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
6191Egypt in CrisisWorld60 minutesSeptember 17, 2013 (2013-09-17)3201
Middle East Correspondents Martin Smith and Charles Sennott examine the rise and rapid fall of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.
6202League of Denial: The NFL's Concussion CrisisHealth/Science/Technology, Sports115 minutesOctober 8, 2013 (2013-10-08)3202
The epidemic of concussions among National Football League players, their lingering effects, and the league's efforts to downplay the issue
6213Hunting the Nightmare BacteriaHealth/Science/Technology60 minutesOctober 22, 2013 (2013-10-22)3114
Frontline investigates the rise of deadly drug-resistant bacteria.
6224Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?Biographies85 minutesNovember 19, 2013 (2013-11-19)3204
50th anniversary shortened repeat of 1993 broadcast: Investigative biography examining the Kennedy assassination by exploring the life of Lee Harvey Oswald.
6235A Death in St. AugustineCriminal Justice60 minutesNovember 26, 2013 (2013-11-26)3115
What happens when the police face the possibility of domestic violence within their ranks?
6246[29]To Catch a TraderBusiness/Economy/Financial, Criminal Justice60 minutesJanuary 7, 2014 (2014-01-07)3205[30]
Frontline goes inside the hunt that uncovered vast insider trading on Wall Street.
6257Secret State of North KoreaNorth Korea60 minutesJanuary 14, 2014 (2014-01-14)3206
Using undercover footage, Frontline explores life under Kim Jong-un.
6268Syria's Second Front
Children of Aleppo
Syria22 minutes
29 minutes
February 11, 2014 (2014-02-11)3208
Syria's Second Front: Three years into Syria's war, another enemy has emerged: extremists aligned with Al Qaeda.
Children of Aleppo: Three years into Syria's war, another enemy has emerged: extremists aligned with Al Qaeda.
6279Generation LikeSocial media60 minutesFebruary 18, 2014 (2014-02-18)3207
What happens when the traditional teenage quest for identity and connection occurs online?
62810Secrets of the VaticanVatican City90 minutesFebruary 25, 2014 (2014-02-25)3216
An inside look at the scandals that rocked Benedict's papacy.
62911TB Silent KillerHealth/Science/Technology90 minutesMarch 25, 2014 (2014-03-25)3217
An unforgettable portrait of lives forever changed by tuberculosis.
630
631
12
13
Locked up in America
Part One: Solitary Nation
Part Two: Prison State
Criminal Justice90 minutesApril 22, 2014 (2014-04-22)
April 29, 2014 (2014-04-29)
3209
3210
Two raw, explosive films that explore America's fixation on incarceration.
632
633
14
15
United States of Secrets
Part One: The Program
Part Two: Privacy Lost
Surveillance & Privacy60 minutesMay 13, 2014 (2014-05-13)
May 20, 2014 (2014-05-20)
3212
63416Battle for Ukraine
Syria: Arming the Rebels
Foreign Affairs/Defense32 minutes
18 minutes
May 27, 2014 (2014-05-27)3213
Battle for Ukraine: Explores the deep-seated hatreds on both sides of the conflict.
Syria: Arming the Rebels: Reporter Muhammad Ali crosses into the war zone, and finds Syrian rebel fighters who say they're being secretly armed and trained by the United States.
63517Separate and Unequal
Omarina's Story
Social Issues / Race / Religion28 minutes
23 minutes
July 15, 2014 (2014-07-15)3214
Separate and Unequal: Sixty years after the Supreme Court declared separate schools for black and white children unconstitutional, school segregation is making a comeback.
Omarina's Story: 2 years after Middle School Moment FRONTLINE revists Omarina in an examination on the dropout crisis.
63618Losing IraqForeign Affairs/Defense90 minutesJuly 29, 2014 (2014-07-29)3215
U.S. troops withdrew from Iraq in 2011, ending America's military commitment in the country. Now, chaos is once again engulfing Iraq.

Season 33 (2014–15)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
6351Ebola Outbreak
Hunting Boko Haram
Health / World
Terrorism / World
28 minutes
25 minutes
September 9, 2014 (2014-09-09)3217
Ebola Outbreak: From the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak, Frontline follows health officials tracking the deadly disease and trying to stop its rampant spread. With special access to teams fighting Ebola in Sierra Leone, the film shows how the outbreak is endangering health- care workers, overwhelming hospitals and getting worse. Also this hour, Frontline investigates accounts that members of the Nigerian military have been committing atrocities in the fight against Boko Haram – the Islamist militants who kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls in April.
Hunting Boko Haram: FRONTLINE investigates evidence that in the fight against Boko Haram, members of the Nigerian military and state-sponsored militias have been committing atrocities against suspects, many of them innocent civilians.
6362The Trouble with AntibioticsHealth/Science/Technology60 minutesOctober 14, 2014 (2014-10-14)3301
Frontline investigates the widespread use of antibiotics in food animals and whether it is fueling the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance in people. Also this hour: An exclusive interview with the family of a young man who died in a nightmare bacteria outbreak that swept through a hospital at the National Institutes of Health.
6373The Rise of ISISForeign Affairs/Defense60 minutesOctober 28, 2014 (2014-10-28)3302
Frontline investigates the miscalculations and mistakes behind the brutal rise of ISIS. Correspondent Martin Smith, who made "Truth, War & Consequences," "Beyond Baghdad," "Private Warriors" and "Gangs of Iraq," reports from Iraq on how the country began coming undone after the American withdrawal and what it means for the U.S. to be fighting there again.
6384[31]Firestone and the WarlordTBA60 minutesNovember 18, 2014 (2014-11-18)3303[32]
Frontline and ProPublica investigate the relationship between Firestone and the infamous Liberian warlord Charles Taylor. Based on the inside accounts of Americans who ran the company's Liberia rubber plantation, and diplomatic cables and court documents, the investigation reveals how Firestone conducted business during the brutal Liberian civil war.
639SpecialStickup KidCriminal Justice28 minutewDecember 17, 2014 (2014-12-17)3350[33]
A FRONTLINE digital exclusive. Frontline explores what happens when a juvenile offender is sent to adult prison.
6405Gunned Down: The Power of the NRAGun Control / Politics60 minutesJanuary 6, 2015 (2015-01-06)3304
A look into the politics and power of the National Rifle Association
6416Putin's WayForeign Affairs / Defense60 minutesJanuary 13, 2015 (2015-01-13)3305
An investigation into accusations surrounding Vladimir Putin's reign in Russia
6427Being MortalMedical Care60 minutesFebruary 10, 2015 (2015-02-10)3306
An exploration into the intersection of life, death, medicine and what matters in the end.
6438The Vaccine WarMedical Care60 minutesMarch 24, 2015 (2015-03-24)2810
A continuation of Season 28's investigation into vaccine controversies, reviewing the latest chapter in the issue
6449The Fight for YemenYemen Crisis60 minutesApril 7, 2015 (2015-04-07)3319
A report by Safa Al Ahmad from the heart of the escalating conflict in Yemen
64510American TerroristDavid Headley60 minutesApril 21, 2015 (2015-04-21)3307
64611OutbreakMedical Care60 minutesMay 5, 2015 (2015-05-05)3308
The vivid, inside story of how the Ebola outbreak began, and why it wasn't stopped before it was too late.
64712The Trouble with ChickenHealth60 minutesMay 12, 2015 (2015-05-12)3318
FRONTLINE investigates the spread of dangerous pathogens in our poultry, and why the food-safety system isn't stopping the threat.
64813Secrets, Politics and TortureForeign Affairs / Defense60 minutesMay 19, 2015 (2015-05-19)3309
The dramatic story of the fight over the CIA's controversial interrogation methods, widely criticized as torture.
64914Obama at WarWar and Conflict / World60 minutesMay 26, 2015 (2015-05-26)3310
Inside the Obama administration's struggle to deal with ISIS and the deadly civil war in Syria.
65015Rape On The Night ShiftCriminal Justice / Immigration / Social Issues60 minutesJune 23, 2015 (2015-06-23)3311
FRONTLINE investigates the sexual abuse of immigrant women in the janitorial industry.
65116Growing Up TransFamily/Children90 minutesJune 30, 2015 (2015-06-30)3301
An intimate look at the struggles and choices facing transgender kids and their families.
65217Escaping ISISTerrorism / World60 minutesJuly 14, 2015 (2015-07-14)3312
Gripping, first-hand accounts of women who escaped the brutal reign of ISIS.
65318Drug Lord: The Legend of ShortyJoaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán60 minutesJuly 21, 2015 (2015-07-21)3320
Two filmmakers set out to interview "El Chapo" Guzman, leader of a major Mexican drug cartel.

Season 34 (2015–16)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
654
656
1
3
My Brother's Bomber (Parts 1,2,3)Pan Am Flight 10360 minutesSeptember 29, 2015 (2015-09-29)
October 6, 2015 (2015-10-06)
October 13, 2015 (2015-10-13)
3313
In My Brother’s Bomber, an emotional and suspenseful three-part series, Dornstein embarks on a quest for answers about the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
6574Immigration BattleImmigration / U.S. Politics60 minutesOctober 20, 2015 (2015-10-20)3316
Independent filmmakers take viewers behind closed doors in Washington’s corridors of power to explore the political realities surrounding one of the country’s most pressing and divisive issues.
6585Inside Assad's SyriaWar and Conflict / World60 minutesOctober 27, 2015 (2015-10-27)3302
Correspondent Martin Smith goes Inside Assad’s Syria to report from government-controlled areas as war rages, with on-the-ground reporting and firsthand accounts from Syrians caught in the crisis.
6596Terror in Little SaigonCriminal Justice / World60 minutesNovember 3, 2015 (2015-11-03)3317
An investigation of a wave of terror that targeted Vietnamese-American journalists.
6607ISIS in AfghanistanIslamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province60 minutesNovember 17, 2015 (2015-11-17)3318
Najibullah Quraishi reveals on film the degree to which ISIS is gaining a foothold in the country, and how they’re focusing their efforts on training a new generation of jihadists.
6618Netanyahu at WarInternational affairs60 minutesJanuary 5, 2016 (2016-01-05)3404
A look at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political career and his relationships with American presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
6629Supplements and SafetyHealth60 minutesJanuary 19, 2016 (2016-01-19)3403
An examination into the dangers of vitamins and supplements, including their production, use, and limited FDA oversight; produced with The New York Times and CBC Television's The Fifth Estate
66310The Fantasy Sports GambleFantasy sports60 minutesFebruary 9, 2016 (2016-02-09)3405
A joint investigation with The New York Times into the growth and operations of online daily fantasy sports operations
66411Chasing HeroinDrug addiction60 minutesFebruary 23, 2016 (2016-02-23)3406
An investigation into the heroin crisis in the United States
66512Saudi Arabia UncoveredMiddle East60 minutesMarch 29, 2016 (2016-03-29)3407
Undercover footage and on-the-ground reporting inside Saudi Arabia profiles those who seek to bring change to the kingdom
66613Children of SyriaMiddle East60 minutesApril 19, 2016 (2016-04-19)3408
The story of four children surviving in war-torn Aleppo, Syria, and their escape to a new life in Germany.
66714Benghazi in Crisis
Yemen Under Siege
Foreign affairs35 minutes
18 minutes
May 3, 2016 (2016-05-03)3409
Benghazi in Crisis: A report from Benghazi, birthplace of Libya's 2011 uprising and the site of ongoing battles against ISIS.
Yemen Under Siege: Journalist Safa al Ahmed looks at the human toll of the war in Yemen.
66815The Secret History of ISISForeign affairs60 minutesMay 17, 2016 (2016-05-17)3410
An examination of the creation of the Islamic State and the missed signs and missteps that led to its rise
66916Business of DisasterDisaster relief60 minutesMay 24, 2016 (2016-05-24)3411
A Frontline/NPR joint investigation into insurance company profits, fraudulent claims, and FEMA difficulties resulting from the cleanup after Hurricane Sandy
67017Policing the PoliceLaw enforcement60 minutesJune 28, 2016 (2016-06-28)3412
Jelani Cobb's report from Newark, New Jersey highlights a look into the difficulties in reforming troubled police departments
671SpecialMosquito HunterHealth12 minutesAugust 2, 2016 (2016-08-02)Special
A look at Brazil's efforts to combat mosquito-borne illnesses, most notably Zika fever.
67218A Subprime EducationEducation60 minutesSeptember 13, 2016 (2016-09-13)3413
A look at allegations of fraud and predatory behavior plaguing the for-profit higher education industry.

Season 35 (2016–17)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
6711The Choice 2016Biographies60 minutesSeptember 27, 2016 (2016-09-27)3501
A look at the backgrounds of presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
6722Confronting ISISForeign affairs60 minutesOctober 11, 2016 (2016-10-11)3502
A look at the successes, failures and challenges in the U.S.-led effort to degrade and destroy ISIS.
6733Terror in EuropeForeign affairs60 minutesOctober 18, 2016 (2016-10-18)3503
As Europe reels from a terror onslaught, top security officials describe their struggle to contain the unprecedented threat revealed by attacks in France and Belgium.
6744ExodusEurope120 minutesDecember 27, 2016 (2016-12-27)3414
First-person accounts of refugees and migrants fleeing war and persecution for a safe haven in Europe.
6755President TrumpBiographies60 minutesJanuary 3, 2017 (2017-01-03)3504
The key moments that helped shape President-elect Donald Trump
676
677
6
7
Divided States of America Parts 1 and 2Government/Elections/Politics120 minutes
120 minutes
January 17, 2017 (2017-01-17)
January 18, 2017 (2017-01-18)
3505
3506
A 2-part examination of the polarization dividing Washington and the U.S. as a whole begins with a look at how Barack Obama's promise of change and unity collided with racial and political realities
6788Trump's Road to the White HouseBiographies60 minutesJanuary 24, 2017 (2017-01-24)3507
A look at how Donald Trump defied expectations to win the U.S. presidency, how he rallied millions of supporters and defeated adversaries, and who he’s bringing with him to the White House.
6799Battle for Iraq
Hunting ISIS
Foreign affairs/Defense30 minutes
30 minutes
January 31, 2017 (2017-01-31)3508
Battle for Iraq: Reporter Ghaith Abdul-Ahad goes inside the battle against the Islamic State for control of the Iraqi city of Mosul.
Hunting ISIS: A look at an elite special operations unit at the center of the fight against ISIS in Iraq.
680SpecialBetting on Trump: Water
Betting on Trump: Coal
Betting on Trump: Jobs
Economics11:26 minutes
11:22 minuets
10:18 minuets
February 15, 2017 (2017-02-15)Special
A trio of reports from FRONTLINE, Marketplace and PBS NewsHour on what Donald Trump's promises mean to voters in California's Central Valley (farming and water), West Virginia (coal industry), and Erie, Pennsylvania (jobs)
68110Out of Gitmo
Forever Prison
Foreign affairs/Defense30 minutes
30 minutes
February 21, 2017 (2017-02-21)3509
Out of Gitmo: Frontline and NPR examines the struggle over freeing prisoners once deemed international terrorists.
Forever Prison: A Frontline/Retro Report collaboration into the untold history of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
68211Iraq UncoveredIraq/war on terror60 minutesMarch 21, 2017 (2017-03-21)3516
A look into allegations of abuse of Sunni Muslim civilians by powerful Shia militias.
68312Last Days of SolitaryCriminal justice60 minutesApril 18, 2017 (2017-04-18)3519
A look at Maine's ambitious attempt to decrease its use of solitary confinement and what happens when prisoners who have spent considerable time in isolation try to integrate back into society.
68413The Fish on My PlateHealth90 minutesApril 25, 2017 (2017-04-25)3415
Writer Paul Greenberg spends a year on a diet almost exclusively of fish in pondering the question of what type of fish is good for the human body and the planet.
68514Second Chance KidsSocial issues60 minutesMay 2, 2017 (2017-05-02)3511
Inside the fight over the fate of juveniles serving lifetime prison sentences for murder, 5 years after a landmark Supreme Court ruling that such sentences without the possibility of parole were unconstitutional.
6815Poverty, Politics and ProfitHousing60 minutesMay 9, 2017 (2017-05-09)3512
A Frontline/NPR investigation into why, despite billions being spent on public/private housing initiatives, so few low-income people get the housing they need.
68716American PatriotLaw enforcement/Militias60 minutesMay 16, 2017 (2017-05-16)3510
Inside the armed uprising against the federal government: how the Bundy family's uprising invigorated armed militias and "patriot" groups.
68817 Bannon's WarBiographies60 minutesMay 23, 2017 (2017-05-23)3513
A look at Trump adviser Steve Bannon; his confrontational style; his personal crusade to transform America; and his wars with radical Islam, traditional Washington politics, and rivals inside the White House.
68918 Life on ParoleCriminal justice60 minutesJuly 18, 2017 (2017-07-18)3514
The film goes inside an effort in Connecticut to change the way parole works and reduce the number of people returning to prison. It follows four former prisoners as they navigate the challenges of their first year on parole.

Season 36 (2017–18)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
6891 Abacus: Small Enough to JailEconomics, Criminal justice90 minutesSeptember 12, 2017 (2017-09-12)3517
This documentary is the little-known story of the only U.S. bank prosecuted in relation to the 2008 financial crisis.
6902 North Korea's Deadly DictatorBiography/Foreign Affairs60 minutesOctober 4, 2017 (2017-10-04)3515
A look at who killed Kim Jong-nam and what his murder reveals about North Korea under Kim Jong-un
6913 War on the EPAGovernment/Environment/Politics60 minutesOctober 11, 2017 (2017-10-11)3516
Inside Scott Pruitt's journey from his fight against the EPA to leading the agency and the recent history of the climate change policy of the United States
6924 Mosul
Inside Yemen
Foreign affairs/Defense38 minutes
15 minutes
October 18, 2017 (2017-10-18)3601
Mosul: Inside the battle to drive the Islamic State out of Mosul.
Inside Yemen: How Yemen’s humanitarian crisis was worsened by a brutal war.
6935 Putin's RevengeForeign affairs/Elections/Politics60 minutesOctober 25, 2017 (2017-10-25) (Part 1)
November 1, 2017 (Part 2)
3602
A 2-part examination of Vladimir Putin's rise and rule of Russia, his grievances with the U.S., and accusations of Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
6946 Exodus: The Journey ContinuesEurope120 minutesJanuary 23, 2018 (2018-01-23)3604
A sequel to Season 34's "Exodus" tells intimate stories of refugees and migrants caught in Europe's tightened borders.
6957 The Gang CrackdownLaw enforcement60 minutesFebruary 13, 2018 (2018-02-13)3605
An investigation into killings linked to the MS-13 gang and the law enforcement crackdown that led to some immigrant teens being unlawfully detained.
6968 Bitter Rivals: Iran and Saudi ArabiaForeign affairs120 minutes
60 minutes
February 20, 2018 (2018-02-20) (Part 1)
February 27, 2018 (Part 2)
3517
A 2-part look at how a dangerous political rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia has plunged the Middle East into sectarian war.
6979 WeinsteinSexual Harassment60 minutesMarch 2, 2018 (2018-03-02)3606
How Harvey Weinstein had allegedly sexually harassed and abused dozens of women over four decades and the elaborate ways he and those around him tried to silence his accusers.
69810Trump’s TakeoverPolitics60 minutesApril 10, 2018 (2018-04-10)3607
How Donald Trump’s use of inflammatory rhetoric and attacks on fellow Republicans gave him control of the GOP and further divided the country in his first year as U.S. President.
69911 McCainBiographies60 minutesApril 17, 2018 (2018-04-17)3608
A look at John McCain’s life and politics, including his time as a Vietnam POW, his 2008 run for U.S. President (and his selection of Sarah Palin as a running mate), and his complicated relationship with President Trump and fellow Republicans (including his dramatic vote against a GOP health care bill).
67012 Trafficked in AmericaLaw enforcement60 minutesApril 24, 2018 (2018-04-24)3609
A labor trafficking investigation reveals a criminal network forcing Guatemalan teens to work against their will in Ohio.
67113Blackout in Puerto RicoTBA60 minutesMay 1, 2018 (2018-05-01)3610
An in-depth look why Puerto Rico was left struggling to survive after Hurricane Maria.
67214 Myanmar's Killing FieldsAsia60 minutesMay 8, 2018 (2018-05-08)3518
Secret footage going back years shows the effort to kill and expel Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar.
67315UN Sex Abuse ScandalTBA60 minutesJuly 24, 2018 (2018-07-24)3611
An investigation into sex abuse by United Nations peacekeepers in the world’s conflict zones.

Season 37 (2018–19)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
6741Separated: Children at the BorderImmigration / Social Issues / U.S. Politics / World60 minutesJuly 31, 2018 (2018-07-31)3701[34]
The inside story of what happened to immigrant children separated from their parents at the border.
6752"Documenting Hate: Charlottesville"Criminal Justice / Social Issues / U.S. Politics60 minutesAugust 7, 2018 (2018-08-07)3613
In Documenting Hate: Charlottesville, FRONTLINE and ProPublica investigate the white supremacists and neo-Nazis involved in the 2017 Charlottesville Unite the Right rally.
676
677
3
4
Our Man in Tehran (Parts 1 & 2)World120 minutes
120 minutes
August 13, 2018 (2018-08-13)
March 14, 2018 (2018-03-14)
3614
3615[35]
New York Times correspondent Thomas Erdbrink offers this 2-part revelation of life inside the closed society of Iran, where citizens lead their private lives and deal with the challenges of the country's conservative clerics and theocratic leaders.
6785Left Behind AmericaBusiness and Economy / Social Issues60 minutesSeptember 11, 2018 (2018-09-11)3616[36]
A look at the economic and social forces shaping Dayton, Ohio, a once-booming rust belt city hit hard by the Great Recession (nearly 35% of Dayton's residents live in poverty).
(In partnership with ProPublica and WNET/New York's "Chasing the Dream" initiative)
6796Trump's ShowdownU.S. Politics120 minutesOctober 2, 2018 (2018-10-02)3702[37]
Inside Donald Trump's fight against the investigation of his presidential campaign and whether he obstructed justice.
6807The Pension GambleBusiness and Economy / U.S. Politics60 minutesOctober 23, 2018 (2018-10-23)3703[38]
How state governments and Wall Street led America's public pensions into a $4 trillion hole.
681
682
8
9
The Facebook Dilemma (Part One)
The Facebook Dilemma (Part Two)
Business and Economy / Social Issues / U.S. Politics60 minutesOctober 29, 2018 (2018-10-29)
October 30, 2018 (2018-10-30)
3704[39]
3705[40]
Examining how Facebook created new problems for privacy and democracy despite repeated warnings
68310Documenting Hate: New American NazisCriminal Justice / Social Issues / Terrorism60 minutesNovember 20, 2018 (2018-11-20)3617[41]
Follow-up to August 2018’s "Documenting Hate: Charlottesville". An investigation into white supremacist groups in America – in particular, a neo-Nazi group, Atomwaffen Division, that has actively recruited inside the U.S. military.
68411Coal's Deadly Dust / Targeting YemenClimate and Environment / Health60 minutesJanuary 22, 2019 (2019-01-22)3706[42]
FRONTLINE and NPR investigate the rise of severe black lung disease among coal miners, and the failure to respond. Also in this two-part hour, a report from Yemen.
68512Predator on the ReservationCriminal Justice / Social Issues60 minutesFebruary 12, 2019 (2019-02-12)3707[43]
An investigation into the decades-long failure to stop a government doctor accused of sexually abusing Native American boys for years.
68613Right to FailHealth / Social Issues60 minutesFebruary 26, 2019 (2019-02-26)3709[44]</ref>
Thousands of New Yorkers with severe mental illnesses won the chance to live independently in supported housing, following a 2014 federal court order. FRONTLINE and ProPublica investigate what’s happened to people moved from adult homes into apartments and find more than two dozen cases in which the system failed.
68714The Trial of Ratko MladićCriminal Justice / World60 minutesMarch 19, 2019 (2019-03-19)3618[45]
Frontline's cameras go behind the scenes over five years during the trial of Ratko Mladić
68815The Mueller InvestigationCriminal Justice / U.S. Politics60 minutesMarch 22, 2019 (2019-03-22)3712[46]
A special episode about the Special Counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller into the 2016 presidential election, aired following the submission of the investigators' final report to the Attorney General.
(A co-production of Frontline and the PBS NewsHour)
68916Marcos Doesn't Live Here AnymoreImmigration / U.S. Politics60 minutesApril 15, 2019 (2019-04-15)3710[47]
In a special presentation from FRONTLINE, Independent Lens and VOCES, acclaimed filmmaker David Sutherland, examines the U.S. immigration system through two unforgettable protagonists whose lives reveal the human cost of deportation.
69017The Abortion DivideHealth / Social Issues / U.S. Politics60 minutesApril 23, 2019 (2019-04-23)3708[48]
Inside the fight over abortion, told through the stories of women struggling with unplanned pregnancies.
69118The Last SurvivorsWorld60 minutesApril 30, 2019 (2019-04-30)3711[49]
FRONTLINE offers a haunting look at how disturbing childhood experiences and unimaginable loss have affected the daily lives and relationships of some of the Holocaust’s youngest victims.
69219 Trump's Trade WarInternational Relations / Economics / Trade60 minutesMay 7, 2019 (2019-05-07)3801[50]
The inside story of President Trump’s confrontation with China over trade policy.
69320 Supreme RevengeU.S. Politics60 minutesMay 21, 2019 (2019-05-21)3714[51]
Inside the no-holds-barred war for control of the Supreme Court. From Brett Kavanaugh to Robert Bork, an investigation of how a 30-year-old grievance transformed the court and turned confirmations into bitter, partisan conflicts.
69421Sex Trafficking in AmericaCriminal Justice / Social Issues60 minutesMay 28, 2019 (2019-05-28)3715[52]
Sex Trafficking in America tells the unimaginable stories of young women coerced into prostitution – and follows one police unit that’s committed to rooting out sexual exploitation.

Season 38 (2019–20)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleTopic(s)Running
time
Original air dateProd.
code [13]
6951Flint's Deadly WaterClimate and Environment / Criminal Justice / Health60 minutesSeptember 10, 2019 (2019-09-10)3716[53]
Frontline uncovers the extent of a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak during the Flint water crisis.
6962The Crown Prince of Saudi ArabiaForeign Affairs / International Relations120 minutesOctober 1, 2019 (2019-10-01)3802[54]
A two hour episode on the rise and rule of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.
6973On The President's OrdersWorld60 minutesOctober 8, 2019 (2019-10-08)3719[55]
A searing, on-the-ground look at President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly campaign against suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines.
6984Zero ToleranceImmigration / U.S. Politics60 minutesOctober 22, 2019 (2019-10-22)3803[56]
Frontline investigates how President Trump turned immigration into a powerful political weapon that fueled division and violence.
6995Fire In ParadiseClimate and Environment60 minutesOctober 29, 2019 (2019-10-29)3807[57]
A year after the devastating Camp Fire, who’s to blame and why was it so catastrophic? With accounts from survivors and first responders, the inside story of the most destructive fire in California history, its causes and the impact of climate change.
7006In the Age of AIBusiness and Economy / Social Issues / Technology120 minutesNovember 5, 2019 (2019-11-05)3805[58]
Frontline investigates the promise and perils of artificial intelligence, from fears about work and privacy to rivalry between the U.S. and China. The documentary traces a new industrial revolution that will reshape and disrupt our lives, our jobs and our world, and allow the emergence of the surveillance society.
7017Kids Caught in the Crackdown
Iraq's Secret Sex Trade
Immigration
Sex Crimes
27 minutes
27 minutes
November 12, 2019 (2019-11-12)3806[59]
Kids Caught in the Crackdown: Frontline and The Associated Press investigate the mass confinement of migrant children, exposing the traumatic stories of kids detained under President Trump’s immigration policies.
Iraq's Secret Sex Trade: Also in this two-part hour, a report on the sexual exploitation of women and girls in Iraq.
7028For SamaWorld / War and Conflict95 minutesNovember 19, 2019 (2019-11-19)3717[60]
In a time of conflict and darkness in her home in Aleppo, Syria, one young woman kept her camera rolling — while falling in love, getting married, having a baby and saying goodbye as her city crumbled.
7039Targeting El PasoUS Politics / Immigration60 minutesJanuary 7, 2020 (2020-01-07)3804[61]
FRONTLINE investigates how El Paso, Texas became an immigration policy testing ground, and then the target of a white supremacist. Interviews with current and former officials, Border Patrol agents, advocates and migrants tell the inside story from the epicenter of the border crisis.
704
705
10
11
America's Great Divide: From Obama to Trump (Parts 1 & 2)U.S. Politics120 minutes
120 minutes
January 13, 2020 (2020-01-13)
January 14, 2020 (2020-01-14)
3808
3809[62]
A two-night (four-hour) Frontline special investigating America's increasingly bitter, divided and toxic politics. Part One traces how Barack Obama’s promise of national unity collapsed as increasing cultural and political divisions laid the groundwork for the rise of Donald Trump. Part Two examines how the country's political divisions led to Trump's successful presidential campaign, how his presidency has unleashed anger on both sides of the divide, and what America’s polarization could mean for the country’s future.
70611Taliban Country
The Luanda Leaks
World / War and Conflict / Terrorism21 minutes
34 minutes
January 21, 2020 (2020-01-21)3810[63]
Taliban Country: FRONTLINE reporter Najibullah Quraishi goes on a dangerous journey inside both Taliban- and ISIS-held territory and exposes the harsh reality that not only is the Taliban once again wielding power, but the threat from ISIS looms large.
The Luanda Leaks: FRONTLINE examines how Africa’s richest woman, Isabel dos Santos, built a business empire with access to state funds from one of the poorest countries on earth — and the role U.S. companies have played in helping her amass her fortune.
70712Battle for Hong KongWorld / Social Issues60 minutesFebruary 11, 2020 (2020-02-11)3811[64]
FRONTLINE follows five protesters through the most intense clashes over several months of pro-democracy protests.
70813Amazon Empire: The Rise and Reign of Jeff BezosBusiness and Economy120 minutesFebruary 18, 2020 (2020-02-18)3812[65]
Frontline investigates how Jeff Bezos built Amazon into one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world. With the power to shape everything from the future of work to the future of commerce to the future of technology is unrivaled politicians and regulators consider the global impact of Amazon.
70914NRA Under FireUS Politics60 minutesMarch 24, 2020 (2020-03-24)3813[66]
Frontline investigates the National Rifle Association’s history and evolution, how it aligned with President Donald Trump and his base, and why it is under siege ahead of the 2020 United States elections.
71015Plastic WarsBusiness and Economy / Climate and Environment60 minutesMarch 31, 2020 (2020-03-31)3814[67]
With the plastic industry expanding like never before and the crisis of ocean pollution growing, FRONTLINE and NPR investigate the fight over the future of plastics.
71116China UndercoverWorld60 minutesApril 7, 2020 (2020-04-07)3818[68]
71217Coronavirus PandemicHealth / US Politics60 minutesApril 21, 2020 (2020-04-21)3816[69]
Miles O'Brien and Kate McMahon investigate how the United States responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a look into the first known case that was identified in the country.
71318Inside Italy's COVID WarWorld / Health / Social Issues60 minutesMay 19, 2020[71]TBA
Italian producer Sasha Achilli documents the struggle of doctors at the Maggiore di Cremona Hospital to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in Northern Italy.[70]
71419The Virus: What Went Wrong?[73]US Politics / Health / Social Issues90 minutesJune 16, 2020TBA
Martin Smith examines why different government officials such as the President of the United States were slow to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic despite early warnings to prepare against the inevitable contagion.[72]
71520Opioids, Inc.Health / Social Issues60 minutesJune 23, 2020TBA
TBATBACoronavirus Fieldworkers (working title)
Coronavirus Detention (working title)
Health / Social Issues60 minutesJune 2020TBA
Coronavirus Fieldworkers: Investigation into the plight of Californian undocumented fieldworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic.[74]

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