Ep 1. Amelia Earhart

In the first episode of Expedition Unknown season 1, host Josh Gates sets out on a quest to unravel the mystery surrounding the disappearance of legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared on July 2, 1937, while attempting to fly around the world.

Gates begins his investigation by retracing Earhart's flight path and interviewing experts on the subject. He visits locations like Miami, where Earhart began her journey, and Los Angeles, where her plane received modifications before the fateful flight. He also meets with Ric Gillespie, the director of The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR), who has spent decades searching for clues related to Earhart's disappearance.

Throughout the episode, Gates pieces together the events leading up to Earhart's last moments and explores various theories surrounding her disappearance. He examines the possibility that Earhart and Noonan were captured by the Japanese military, who were expanding their empire at the time and had a presence in the Pacific Islands. He also considers the idea that Earhart and Noonan died when their plane crashed into the ocean.

Gates gets a firsthand look at some of the tools used in the search for Earhart, including sonar technology and an underwater drone. He explores some of the remote islands in the Pacific where Earhart may have landed if she survived her plane crash. Throughout the episode, Gates interacts with locals who share their own theories and stories about what may have happened to Earhart.

In addition to the investigation into Earhart's disappearance, Gates also delves into her personal life and achievements as an aviator and advocate for women's rights. He speaks with historians who highlight the various barriers Earhart broke down for women in aviation during a time when gender roles were strictly defined.

The episode doesn't provide a definitive answer to the mystery of Amelia Earhart's disappearance, but it does offer some compelling evidence and theories. Josh Gates is a charismatic and engaging host, and his enthusiasm for the subject matter is evident throughout the episode. Expedition Unknown season 1 episode 1 is a fascinating exploration of one of the most enduring mysteries in aviation history.