Close Encounters

Watch Close Encounters

  • TV-MA
  • 2014
  • 2 Seasons
  • 7.9  (8,590)

Close Encounters is a fascinating documentary television series that explores the very essence of science and the mysteries of the unknown. Produced by the Science Channel, the show first premiered in 1992, and ran until 2010. The show follows a team of experts as they investigate some of the most intriguing and unexplained phenomena in history.

Throughout the show, viewers are treated to a diverse array of subject matters, ranging from UFOs and extraterrestrial life, to ghosts, spirits, and other paranormal phenomena. Each episode features a different case study, as the team sets out to uncover the truth behind the strange and mysterious events that have captivated society for centuries.

At the heart of the show is the team of experts that leads each investigation. The team is led by renowned British actor David Jason, who serves as the show's narrator and host. Jason brings a level of gravitas to the proceedings, as he lends his considerable expertise and experience to the investigation process.

Rounding out the team are Bruce Alexander, John Lyons, and Arthur White. Alexander is an expert in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics, and serves as the team's resident science advisor. Lyons is a noted historian and archaeologist, whose expertise is crucial in understanding the historical and cultural context of each case. And White is a psychic medium, whose abilities allow the team to explore the more esoteric aspects of each case, and communicate with spirits and other entities.

One of the strengths of the show is its adherence to scientific principles and rigorous investigation techniques. The team employs a range of methods to gather evidence and test hypotheses, including interviews with witnesses, forensic analysis, and experimentation. This rigorous approach is refreshingly scientific, and distinguishes Close Encounters from other paranormal-themed shows that rely on sensationalism and speculation.

Another strength of the show is its production values. Each episode is shot with care and attention to detail, and features stunning visuals and evocative music. The show's use of cutting-edge technology, such as drones and thermal imaging cameras, adds to the sense of authenticity and credibility.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the show is the sheer variety of cases that it explores. From the infamous Roswell incident to the haunted castles of England, Close Encounters leaves no stone unturned in its quest for the truth. The show manages to balance the lighter, more entertaining aspects of each case with the more serious and scholarly aspects, resulting in a compelling and well-rounded viewing experience.

Overall, Close Encounters is a thought-provoking and entertaining show that delves deep into the mysteries of science and the paranormal. Its intelligent and measured approach, combined with its high production values and diverse subject matter, make it a must-watch for anyone interested in the unexplained. While the show may have ended in 2010, its legacy lives on, as it remains one of the most iconic and beloved paranormal-themed shows in history.

Close Encounters is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (20 episodes). The series first aired on March 7, 2014.

Close Encounters
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Seasons
Highway to Hell
14. Highway to Hell
May 6, 2015
The first sightings of the UFO flap in Piedmont Missouri are recounted. Over 500 reports were made in the following months. A family driving to Ontario encounters strange lights and a cigar-shaped craft.
Saved By Aliens
13. Saved By Aliens
May 6, 2015
Strange light patterns are seen across multiple counties in Texas on the same night. In France, after an intense encounter a man's previous knee injury is completely healed.
Episode 12
12. Episode 12
April 21, 2015
A hitchhiker in New Hampshire spots a pattern of lights in the sky and is terrified when they seem to dive bomb him. Renato Nicolai's sighting in Trans En Provence, France becomes one of the most scientifically investigated cases in UFO history.
Episode 11
11. Episode 11
April 21, 2015
Four US Air Force reservists are pursued by odd lights while flying back to their base in Cleveland. Constable Alan Godfrey loses consciousness when he investigates a strange disruption in West Yorkshire.
Caught on Tape
10. Caught on Tape
March 17, 2015
Local authorities receive over 50 UFO reports in the Chicago area on Halloween night. Many record video of the strange lights and one man witnesses a flying object. Multiple sightings of a large flying craft in PA are known as the Buck's County Wave.
Curse from Above
9. Curse from Above
March 10, 2015
A father and son see strange lights near their property and call the sheriff's office. Six police cars try to chase down the object. A large cylindrical craft covers a French town in an odd stringy material. The local college investigates the substance
Alien Vampires
8. Alien Vampires
March 6, 2015
In Brazil, 3 men escape a close encounter only to realize it lasted hours longer than any of them realized. In Canada, a thirteen-year-old boy is temporally blinded after investigating a strange object near his home.
Alien Assault
7. Alien Assault
March 3, 2015
Texas police receive several calls about a 200-foot flying object from local citizens. Two farmers witness the strange sighting up close. In Scotland, a property inspector is knocked unconscious when he comes in contact with a strange metallic object.
Hunting Season
6. Hunting Season
March 3, 2015
Two brothers witness something extraordinary that defies explanation while hunting in Idaho. A strange metal craft passes over Antananarivo, Madagascar plunging it into darkness for almost 10 minutes. Thousands of citizens witness the event.
Nuclear Nightmare
5. Nuclear Nightmare
February 24, 2015
Officials must decide how to confront a massive, unidentified object hovering over one of America's most secure Air Force bases. A priest interacts with four beings on a saucer-shaped metallic craft hovering over his missionary in Papua, New Guinea.
Fire in the Sky
4. Fire in the Sky
February 17, 2015
A wave of sightings in Colares, Brazil in 1977 cause mass panic and thousands of people leave the island as a result. On a dairy farm in Australia, a strange flying object causes a severe headache for the farmer and distress among his livestock.
Aliens in the Swamp
3. Aliens in the Swamp
February 10, 2015
In Ohio, two officers spot a strange bright light flying in the night sky. Police dispatch advises them to pursue the object, triggering a massive car chase. An ex-Military outdoorsmen tries to make contact with a UFO in the Florida Everglades.
War of the Worlds
2. War of the Worlds
February 3, 2015
Laura Sinclair is walking her dog when she sees a large cylindrical object hovering in the sky. A similar sighting is reported at a nearby air force base. Children at a Florida elementary school witness multiple UFO sightings over three days.
Terror on the Ranch
1. Terror on the Ranch
January 27, 2015
Henry Baker is driving home with his family when his wife spots strange lights hovering over Lake Erie. On a remote ranch in Argentina strange lights turn violent when three women try to investigate them.
Description
Where to Watch Close Encounters
Close Encounters is available for streaming on the Science Channel website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Close Encounters on demand at Google Play.
  • Premiere Date
    March 7, 2014
  • IMDB Rating
    7.9  (8,590)