Ep 3. The Bridge

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath season 1 episode 3 is titled "The Bridge." In this episode, Leah and Mike Rinder, a former high-ranking Scientology executive, explore the infamous "Bridge to Total Freedom," which is the path that Scientologists must follow to reach the highest level of spiritual attainment in the church.

The episode features interviews with several former Scientologists who made it all the way to the top of the Bridge before leaving the church. They describe the intense pressure to continue progressing through the levels and the exorbitant amounts of money they had to pay to do so. The cost of going all the way through the Bridge has been estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on how long it takes to complete the levels.

Leah and Mike also speak with people who left the church before reaching the top of the Bridge. They describe feeling like failures because they were unable to complete the levels due to financial or other reasons. These people were often shamed and ostracized by the church and its members.

The episode also delves into the mysterious "OT III" level, which is rumored to involve the revelation of a secret mythology of the church that involves extraterrestrial beings. Several former Scientologists talk about their experiences with this level and the strange or disturbing things they were told during the process.

Throughout the episode, Leah and Mike provide context and commentary on the stories being shared. They explain the significance of the different levels of the Bridge and how they fit into the larger structure of the church. They also talk about the tactics the church uses to keep people enrolled in Scientology and continuing to pay for more levels.

Overall, "The Bridge" offers a detailed and eye-opening look at one of the most important and secretive elements of Scientology and the toll it has taken on those who have attempted to navigate it.