Ep 2. The Russian Network

In the second episode of JFK Declassified: Tracking Oswald season 1, titled "The Russian Network," viewers are taken deeper into the investigation surrounding Kennedy's assassination and Lee Harvey Oswald's connections to Russia. As the title suggests, this episode delves into the web of relationships and networks between Oswald and various Russian individuals and organizations.

The episode begins with a look at how the United States government viewed the Soviet Union during the cold war era, and how the CIA utilized a spy network to gather information on Russia's activities. From there, viewers are introduced to a key figure in the investigation: Yuri Nosenko, a KGB officer who defected to the United States.

Nosenko's defection provided the CIA with valuable information about the KGB's operations, including their involvement with Oswald. According to Nosenko, Oswald was not a KGB agent, but rather a possible intelligence asset being monitored by the KGB. This finding contradicted some of the initial assumptions made by investigators, and raised questions about Oswald's true loyalties.

The episode explores Oswald's time in Russia, where he defected to in 1959. Through interviews with historians and experts, viewers learn about the political climate in Russia at the time and the challenges that Oswald faced living there. The show highlights Oswald's marriage to his Russian wife Marina, and the possible influence that her family and connections had on his actions.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing elements of this episode is the examination of a mysterious woman named "Priscilla Johnson McMillan." McMillan was a journalist who interviewed Oswald while he was living in Russia, and later wrote a book about him. However, some investigators believe that McMillan may have been working as a CIA operative, and that her interactions with Oswald were not as innocent as they appeared. The show presents evidence and theories on both sides of this debate, leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions.

As the episode progresses, viewers learn about Oswald's association with a group called the "Fair Play for Cuba Committee." This organization was geared towards promoting communist ideology and supporting the Cuban government, and Oswald became an increasingly active member. The show presents evidence that the group may have had ties to the Soviet Union, and that Oswald may have been acting as a pawn in a larger political game.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the complex web of relationships between Oswald, the Soviet Union, and various organizations. The show presents evidence and theories, but also acknowledges the difficulty in piecing together the truth from such a tumultuous time in history.

Overall, "The Russian Network" is a fascinating and informative episode of JFK Declassified: Tracking Oswald season 1. Viewers are taken on a journey through the cold war era, and given a deeper understanding of how politics and espionage intersected with the assassination of President Kennedy. The episode raises more questions than it answers, leaving viewers eager to continue watching and learning.