Ep 5. Golden Era

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath season 1 episode 5 is titled "Golden Era," and it explores the Church of Scientology's base in Riverside County, California, known as the "Gold Base." Leah and her collaborator, former Scientologist Mike Rinder, dive deep into the operation of the controversial religious organization and its abuses of power.

The episode begins with a recap of the previous episodes, in which Leah and Mike talked with former members of Scientology and learned about the abuses they suffered while in the church. They take a moment to reflect on their conversations, recognizing that they have just scratched the surface of what is going on inside Scientology.

Leah and Mike then travel to the Gold Base, a 500-acre property that serves as the nerve center of the Church of Scientology. The base is home to some of the most high profile members of the church, including Tom Cruise and David Miscavige. Leah and Mike speak with several former members who worked at the base and learn about the harsh working conditions, lack of basic human necessities, and psychological abuse that they endured while working there.

One former member, Tom Devocht, talks about his time working for Scientology's Chairman of the Board, David Miscavige. He describes Miscavige as a ruthless leader who physically abused his subordinates, and he recounts memories of being beaten and humiliated by the church leader.

Another former member, Marc Headley, describes the elaborate hoax that the church created to hide its abuses at the Gold Base. He explains that the church built a massive soundstage where they would stage elaborate events to create the illusion of a thriving organization. They also created fake buildings to hide the fact that many of the actual structures were run-down and in disrepair.

Leah and Mike also speak with Karen Schless Pressley, a former member who worked for Scientology's high-level management team. She talks about the emotional abuse that she suffered while working at the Gold Base, including being forced to work for 15 hours a day with no breaks or time off.

The episode ends with Leah and Mike reflecting on what they've learned about the church and its abuses, and they vow to keep fighting to expose the truth and help those who have suffered at the hands of Scientology.

Overall, "Golden Era" is a shocking and eye-opening episode of Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath that sheds light on the inner workings of the Church of Scientology and the abuses that occur within its walls. It is a must-see for anyone interested in understanding the controversial religious organization.