Frontline Season 12 Episode 3 Secrets of a Bomb Factory

In the third episode of season 12 of Frontline, titled "Secrets of a Bomb Factory," viewers are taken on a riveting journey into the world of homemade explosives. The episode investigates the increasing popularity of homemade bombs and the ease with which they can be constructed. Through interviews with experts, law enforcement officials, and ex-convicts who have used homemade bombs, the show explores what makes these weapons so accessible and dangerous.

The episode begins by highlighting a series of recent domestic terrorism incidents that have involved homemade bombs, including the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. This sets the stage for a discussion of how these seemingly low-tech weapons are becoming a weapon of choice for terrorists and other criminals. The show goes on to explore the different types of explosives that can be made with commonly available materials such as fertilizer, brake fluid, and match heads, and how these ingredients can be combined in various ways to create powerful bombs.

Frontline also shows how different online communities have emerged to provide instruction on how to make homemade bombs, and how these communities often attract young men who feel disillusioned and angry. The show features interviews with members of some of these communities, as well as with law enforcement officials who are working to counteract the proliferation of homemade bombs.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the episode is the interviews with convicted bombers who discuss their motivations and how they went about constructing their explosives. These interviews provide a chilling insight into the mindsets of individuals who would resort to such extreme violence, as well as a glimpse into the incredible destructive power of homemade bombs.

Overall, "Secrets of a Bomb Factory" is an engrossing and thought-provoking episode that sheds important light on an increasingly pressing issue. Through careful reporting and compelling interviews, Frontline takes viewers behind the scenes of the world of homemade explosives and helps them to understand why these weapons are becoming more prevalent and more dangerous. The episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in national security, criminal justice, or the psychology of terrorism.