Ep 10. The Tank Man

In season 24 episode 10 of Frontline titled "The Tank Man", the show explores one of the most iconic images of the 20th century: the young man standing in front of a line of tanks during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing. The episode delves deep into the mystery surrounding the identity of the man in the image as well as the events that led up to the infamous moment.

Through interviews with witnesses, journalists, and experts, Frontline pieces together a timeline of the protests and the violent crackdown that followed. Viewers will see footage of the student-led demonstrations and hear the personal accounts of those who participated. The show also examines the role of the Chinese Communist Party and its leaders in the decision to use force against the protesters.

The Tank Man himself remains a mystery, and Frontline looks at the evidence surrounding his identity. The episode interviews people who claim to have seen him after the incident and explores the possibility that he was arrested and may still be serving a prison sentence. Viewers will also see a reconstruction of the moment from the perspective of the tanks, shedding new light on the events that unfolded.

The episode also explores the impact of the Tank Man image on the world's perception of China and the subsequent suppression of information surrounding the protests. Viewers will hear from journalists who covered the events in Beijing and the challenges they faced in getting their stories out to the world. The show also examines the impact of technology and social media on the ability to control information and the spread of dissent in countries like China.

Throughout the episode, Frontline takes a nuanced and critical look at the events in Tiananmen Square and their lasting impact, both in China and around the world. The show raises important questions about the role of government in controlling information and suppressing dissent, as well as the power of individual acts of resistance to shape history. "The Tank Man" is a thought-provoking and powerful examination of one of the defining moments of the 20th century.