American Experience Season 34 Episode 6 Taken Hostage: The Making of an American Enemy, Part 2

In the second and final part of "Taken Hostage: The Making of an American Enemy," the American Experience delves deeper into the infamous Iranian hostage crisis that shook the United States in the late '70s. Spanning over a year, the crisis involved the kidnapping and subsequent imprisonment of 52 American embassy staff and personnel by Iranian revolutionaries.

This episode focuses on the political and diplomatic machinations behind the scenes of the crisis, including the efforts by the U.S. government to secure the release of the hostages through various means--from diplomatic negotiations to covert operations. Viewers will get a closer look at the complex negotiations between the United States and Iran, and how both sides dealt with the hurdles and challenges that arose during the crisis.

The episode features interviews with several key players involved in the crisis, including former hostages, U.S. government officials, and Iranian revolutionaries. These first-hand accounts provide viewers with a detailed and intimate look at the events as they unfolded, and their impact on those directly affected by the crisis.

In addition, this episode examines the media coverage of the crisis, which played a significant role in shaping public perception and opinion both in the United States and around the world. Through archival footage and interviews with journalists of the time, viewers will get an inside look at how the media covered the crisis, and how their reporting influenced the public's understanding of the situation.

Ultimately, "Taken Hostage: The Making of an American Enemy, Part 2" offers a comprehensive and insightful look at one of the most defining moments in modern American history. Through its careful analysis of the crisis, the episode provides a nuanced perspective on the complex and often tense relationship between the United States and Iran, and how that relationship has evolved over time. So, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the historical and political context that led to the Iranian hostage crisis, and its enduring legacy on U.S. foreign policy.