Ep 7. Ruby Ridge

In American Experience season 29 episode 7, titled Ruby Ridge, viewers are taken on a journey through the events leading up to and following the 1992 standoff at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. The episode provides an in-depth look at the people involved, the motivations behind their actions, and the consequences of the tragic event.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Randy Weaver, a former Green Beret who moved his family to the mountains of Northern Idaho in the early 1980s. The Weaver family believed in living a self-sufficient, isolated lifestyle and had a distrust for the government. This would ultimately lead to their involvement in the Ruby Ridge standoff.

The show then delves into the backstory of the Weaver family and their relationship with the government. In 1989, Randy Weaver was approached by an informant and asked to sell sawed-off shotguns to an undercover agent. Weaver was arrested and pled guilty, but later changed his plea to not guilty. When he failed to appear in court for his trial, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

In the summer of 1992, the U.S. Marshals Service attempted to arrest Randy Weaver at his home on Ruby Ridge. A disagreement about whether or not Randy could bring his family to court for his trial led to an armed standoff between Weaver and federal agents. The standoff lasted 11 days and resulted in the deaths of Weaver's wife and son, as well as a U.S. Marshal.

The episode provides detailed accounts of the events that took place during the standoff, including the negotiations between Weaver and the government, the involvement of the media and right-wing militia groups, and the final surrender of Randy Weaver.

Throughout the episode, viewers hear from a variety of people involved in the incident, including surviving family members, law enforcement officials, and journalists who covered the story. Each provides a unique perspective on the situation, and the episode avoids taking a partisan stance on the events.

Overall, Ruby Ridge is a gripping and informative episode of American Experience that sheds light on a relatively overlooked event in American history. The show provides a balanced account of the events leading up to the standoff, the standoff itself, and the aftermath. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of government power and individual liberties.