Frontline Season 37 Episode 5 Our Man in Tehran Part 2

In season 37 episode 5 of Frontline, titled "Our Man in Tehran Part 2," viewers are transported back to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Continuing from part one, the episode opens with the American Embassy in Iran being overrun and the hostages taken. It then dives into the tense negotiations between the Iranian government and the United States, and the efforts of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor and his team to rescue six American diplomats who had managed to evade capture.

The episode offers a firsthand account of the behind-the-scenes action during this pivotal moment in history. Through interviews with those involved and archival footage, viewers gain insight into the complex web of diplomacy, secrecy, and espionage that defined the hostage crisis. The episode showcases the daring plan orchestrated by Taylor and his team to get the Americans out of Iran, which included creating false identities, securing safe houses, and even enlisting the help of Hollywood makeup artists.

Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to key players in the rescue mission and learn about the risks they faced. There's Taylor, the cool-headed and resourceful diplomat tasked with overseeing the operation; Sergeant Bill Daugherty, the CIA agent on the ground who assumes a new persona to go undercover in Tehran; and John Limbert, one of the American diplomats who had been taken hostage and whose firsthand account of captivity adds a human touch to the historical events.

The episode also delves into the broader geopolitical forces at play during the crisis. It examines the role of Iranian Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan, who demonstrated a willingness to work with the West, and the rise of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution. The episode details how these factors contributed to the hostage crisis dragging on for 444 days and how the events of 1980 ultimately led to the downfall of Jimmy Carter's presidency.

"Our Man in Tehran Part 2" is an engaging and informative look at a pivotal moment in American and Iranian history. It offers new insights into the complex web of negotiations and secret operations that defined the hostage crisis and honors the individuals who put their lives on the line to rescue the American diplomats. The episode also serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran and the continued need for diplomacy and cooperation in the 21st century.