Ep 3. JFK's Brain

Brad Meltzer's Lost History is an American television series that uncovers the hidden stories behind some of the most important objects in American history. Each episode explores a different mystery and uses interviews, archival footage, and expert analysis to solve the case. In season 1 episode 3, titled JFK's Brain, the show delves into the controversial disappearance of John F. Kennedy's brain.

The episode begins with a brief but haunting montage of the events surrounding JFK's assassination on November 22, 1963. From there, we learn about the autopsy that was performed on the president's body at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. The autopsy was conducted by a team of military doctors and was overseen by a group of high-ranking officials, including Attorney General Robert Kennedy.

The doctors removed JFK's brain during the autopsy, as is standard procedure in cases of head trauma. They then placed the brain in a metal container and stored it in a secure vault at the hospital. Over the years, many conspiracy theories have emerged about the brain's whereabouts, with some people claiming that it was stolen or destroyed to cover up evidence of a larger conspiracy.

The show then introduces us to a group of experts who are determined to solve the mystery of the missing brain. They include a forensic pathologist, a former CIA agent, and a JFK assassination researcher. Together, they begin to piece together what happened to the brain after it was removed from JFK's body.

The first clue they investigate is a report that surfaced in the 1990s claiming that the brain was stored in a secret location at the National Archives. The team heads to the archives to investigate, but soon learns that the report was a hoax. This leads them to look elsewhere for answers.

One of the most intriguing leads comes from a former military officer who claims to have seen the brain in a locked cabinet at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda in the mid-1980s. The team tracks down the officer and speaks with him, but he is unable to provide any definitive proof that the brain was actually there.

Despite these setbacks, the team is able to uncover some fascinating information about the brain's fate. They learn that the brain was stored in a number of different locations over the years, including the National Institutes of Health, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, and the U.S. Army's medical museum.

They also discover that the brain was examined by a number of different experts, including a neurologist who was studying the effects of aneurysms on the brain. This leads the team to speculate that the brain may have been used for medical research or experimentation at different times throughout its history.

As the episode draws to a close, the team is still unable to determine exactly where JFK's brain is today. However, they have debunked several conspiracy theories and shed new light on the brain's history. The episode ends with a poignant quote from JFK himself, underscoring the enduring mystery and fascination surrounding his life and death.

Overall, Brad Meltzer's Lost History season 1 episode 3 is a fascinating exploration of one of the most enduring mysteries surrounding JFK's assassination. The show balances expert analysis with gripping storytelling, making for a compelling and thought-provoking viewing experience. Whether you're a JFK conspiracy theorist or simply a history buff, this episode is not to be missed.