Ep 1. LBJ (Part 1)

In episode 1 of season 4 of American Experience, viewers are taken on a journey through the life and career of Lyndon Baines Johnson, also known as LBJ. Part 1 of this two-part series covers LBJ's early years up until his first unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1960.

The episode begins with LBJ's childhood in rural Texas during the early 1900s. Viewers learn about his family's struggles to make ends meet and the relentless work ethic instilled in him from a young age. From here, the episode follows LBJ's journey through college, where he graduated with honors despite the financial constraints that almost forced him to drop out.

After college, LBJ quickly rose through the ranks of Texas politics, eventually earning a spot in the United States Senate in 1948. Throughout this time period, viewers gain insight into LBJ's political tactics, including his penchant for deal-making and his masterful ability to manipulate those around him.

The episode spends a significant amount of time on LBJ's work on civil rights legislation. Despite being a southerner known for his segregationist views, LBJ is portrayed as someone genuinely committed to enacting progressive policies. The film highlights his instrumental role in helping to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first major civil rights law to be passed in the United States since Reconstruction.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to interviews with historians, political analysts, and individuals who knew LBJ personally. These interviews provide context for LBJ's actions and help to flesh out his complex personality.

Despite his significant political accomplishments, however, LBJ is shown as a deeply flawed individual. His ruthlessness in personal and political matters is explored in detail, as is his long-standing extramarital affair with a woman named Alice Marsh. Viewers also see how LBJ's ambition contributed to his failed bid for the Democratic nomination in 1960 — an experience that left him bitter and resentful towards the Kennedys, who went on to win the presidency.

Overall, part 1 of LBJ provides a fascinating look into the life and career of one of America's most complex and controversial politicians. Through interviews and archival footage, viewers are given a nuanced perspective on LBJ's views and actions, and provided insights into the political and social climate of the mid-twentieth century.