Ep 2. The Real Zero Dark Thirty

In season 1, episode 2 of CIA: Declassified, entitled "The Real Zero Dark Thirty," viewers are taken behind the scenes of the CIA's efforts to track down and capture Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks. While the events leading up to the successful operation were thrillingly dramatized in the 2012 film Zero Dark Thirty, this episode provides a more detailed and accurate account of the CIA's involvement in the mission.

The episode begins by examining the aftermath of 9/11, which left the CIA feeling compromised and ineffective. The agency's Director of Operations, Jose Rodriguez, recognized that something had to change in order for the CIA to become more useful in the fight against terrorism. Rodriguez spearheaded an effort known as "the enhanced interrogation program," which involved using controversial techniques such as waterboarding to extract information from detainees. The episode delves into the ethical debates surrounding this program, with some arguing that the techniques constituted torture, while others claimed that they were necessary to prevent future terrorist attacks.

The episode then moves on to focus on the CIA's decision to begin hunting for Osama bin Laden. The efforts to track him down were initially hampered by a lack of reliable intelligence. The CIA had to sift through countless leads and false information before finally identifying a courier who was linked to bin Laden's location. This courier ultimately led the CIA to a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where bin Laden was suspected to be hiding.

Viewers are given a firsthand look at the planning that went into the mission to capture or kill bin Laden. The CIA had to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of various options, including a drone strike or a direct ground operation. Ultimately, a team of Navy SEALs was chosen to carry out the mission, and viewers are taken through the intense training they underwent in preparation. The episode also sheds light on the testy relationship between the CIA and the military, which led to some disagreements over how exactly the mission should be executed.

The episode reaches its climax as viewers are transported into the cockpit of one of the helicopters carrying the SEAL team on the night of the mission. Through firsthand accounts and actual footage, viewers experience the tense moments leading up to the raid on bin Laden's compound. The episode concludes by examining the aftermath of the mission and the reactions of the CIA, the military, and the public at large.

"The Real Zero Dark Thirty" is a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in American history. By providing a detailed, accurate account of the CIA's involvement in the mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, the episode offers a unique perspective on one of the most significant events of the 21st century. The episode does not shy away from presenting the ethical controversies surrounding the enhanced interrogation program or the difficulties of executing such a complex and risky operation. Ultimately, the episode is a testament to the skill and determination of the men and women of the CIA and the Navy SEALs who risked their lives to keep America safe.