Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra MSNBC
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- Actualités
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Sitting members of Congress aiding and abetting a plot to overthrow the government. Insurrectionists criminally charged with plotting to end American democracy for good. Justice Department prosecutors under crushing political pressure. Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra is the all-but-forgotten true story of good, old-fashioned American extremism getting supercharged by proximity to power. When extremist elected officials get caught plotting against America with the violent ultra right, this is the story of the lengths they will go to… to cover their tracks. Follow now and join Rachel Maddow for the first two episodes on October 10th.
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Episode 1: Trip 19
It started with a plane crash. The tragic, mysterious crash of a commercial airliner in the summer of 1940 left a scene of devastation in rural Virginia -- and a series of unanswered questions. The cause of the crash was unclear. Among the dozens of people killed was a sitting U.S. senator. His presence on the flight and the strange circumstances surrounding the crash would end up revealing threats to American democracy itself.
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Episode 2: The Brooklyn Boys
The most prominent media figure in America calls for the creation of a militia, armed Americans willing to use violence to get their way. What they want is to overthrow the U.S. government and to end democracy in this country – by force. Their plot raised alarming indications that the federal government is not up to the task of dealing with that kind of homegrown threat.
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Episode 3: The Day
A devastating explosion rips through a munitions plant in a small New Jersey town. And the American public is left with the chilling fact that the federal government had been warned about such an attack almost a year prior. The tip had come from a private spy ring operating in Los Angeles that was intent on doing what law enforcement had largely failed to do. Infiltrate far-right groups plotting violence across the country, and foil their plots before it was too late.
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Episode 4: A Bad Angle
A paid agent of Hitler's government ramps up a targeted propaganda effort aimed at weakening democracy and supporting the fascist cause in America. His base of operations... the center of American democracy itself -- the United States Congress. Sitting members of Congress, and the America First movement, take part in an elaborate scheme to subvert democracy. Laundering millions of pieces of Nazi propaganda through Congress and into the hands of the American people.
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Episode 5: Shut It Down
The walls begin to close in on members of Congress, and members of the America First movement, who are actively involved in a Nazi plot to spread misinformation and propaganda across the country. With a crusading newspaper reporter and a Justice Department prosecutor each peeling back the layers of the scheme, the members of Congress involved in the plot launch a desperate effort to shut down both the reporting and the federal investigation into their activities.
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Episode 6: Bedlam
The most high-profile sedition trial in American history kicks off inside a Washington, DC federal courtroom. The members of Congress who attempted to quash the investigation are now faced with a super-charged indictment and a brand new Justice Department prosecutor who is battle tested and up for the challenge. What he finds as the curtain rises on the trial, though, is something that he is wholly unprepared for: pre-planned, unmitigated chaos.
Avis
Excellent and prescient
This very well done podcast got 5 stars even though is was a bit repetitive at times for me. Great research, great presentation and a chilling reminder that the lessons of history unlearned tend to repeat themselves. There are innumerable parallels with what we are going through today—which is at once scary but also hopeful. In the end, the people prevailed thanks to journalists, activists and public rejection of fascism. Amazing how fascism is always lurking in the shadows of the collective consciousness.
Wow
“Ultra” is riveting, thrilling yet very upsetting since we are learning about the dark side of our history. Plus, unfortunately this history is repeating itself in our current times. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to hear what happens next. Thank you, excellent work to all!
Riveting tale of 1940’s history - Pilot season?
A great rendition of a not so distant part of American history. The parallels with current autocratic machinations are salient through the eight episodes. Perhaps highlighting them again in the end is a bit overkill.
A more concise narration could have have helped too. Two steps forward, one step back, the story progresses in circles, recapping what was said half an episode back, or diluting every concept in a thousand words, pauses and constant music. The beautiful "Lindbergh” song by Woody Guthrie at the end of the season is a splendid jewel that captures in three minutes what could have been narrated in four episodes instead of eight. Just a thought for season 2 ;-)