Ep 1. The UFO Conspiracy

In the first episode of Ancient Aliens' season 13, entitled "The UFO Conspiracy," experts explore the long-standing government cover-up of extraterrestrial encounters. The episode begins by examining the infamous Roswell incident of 1947, when a UFO allegedly crashed in New Mexico. Though the US military claimed the wreckage was simply a weather balloon, some believe it was actually a flying saucer and that the government has been hiding the truth ever since.

From there, "The UFO Conspiracy" delves into the fascinating history of government-led investigations into UFO sightings, starting with Project Sign in 1948 and continuing through Projects Grudge and Blue Book. The episode highlights some of the most compelling cases studied by these projects, including the Washington, D.C. sighting of 1952 and the Lonnie Zamora incident of 1964, which allegedly involved a craft from another planet.

Although these government-initiated investigations were generally aimed at debunking UFO sightings, some members of the military and intelligence community allegedly took a different approach. The episode explores the story of Major Jesse Marcel, who was reportedly part of the team that retrieved debris from the Roswell crash site, and his claims that the wreckage was extraterrestrial in nature. It also examines the work of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who served as the scientific consultant for Project Sign, and his eventual change of heart about the veracity of UFO sightings.

In addition to exploring the role of the government in hiding evidence of extraterrestrial life, "The UFO Conspiracy" examines the more recent phenomenon of "leaks" coming from with the government itself. One notable example comes from former CIA employee Chase Brandon, who claims that he saw evidence of Roswell's extraterrestrial origins while working at the agency's Historical Intelligence Collection in 1994.

Throughout the episode, experts weigh in on the likelihood of a UFO conspiracy and what the motives behind such a scheme might be. Some argue that the government is simply trying to avoid widespread panic and social disruption, while others believe it's part of a larger, more nefarious plan to keep the public in the dark about the true nature of the universe.

Overall, "The UFO Conspiracy" presents a compelling case for the existence of a government conspiracy to hide evidence of extraterrestrial life. Viewers interested in the history of UFO sightings and government investigations into the phenomenon will find this episode particularly fascinating, as it touches on many of the most intriguing cases from throughout American history.