Ep 7. Enemies of the Church

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath season 1 episode 7, titled Enemies of the Church, is a gripping exploration of the tactics and strategies employed by the Church of Scientology against its critics and opponents. In this episode, Leah Remini and her co-host Mike Rinder delve deep into the stories of former Church members who have been targeted by Scientology leaders for their outspokenness or perceived disloyalty.

The episode begins with Remini recounting the traumatic experience of being declared a "Suppressive Person" (SP) by the Church, which effectively branded her as an enemy to be shunned and ostracized by her fellow Scientologists. She then introduces viewers to Mark Headley, a former Sea Org member who describes his own harrowing experience of being subjected to years of psychological abuse and physical violence by Scientology leaders. Headley reveals how he and his wife were both targeted by the Church's Office of Special Affairs (OSA), which uses a variety of intimidation tactics to silence its critics and prevent negative stories from gaining traction in the media.

The episode also features interviews with ex-members Amy Scobee and Mike Rinder, both of whom have been harassed and stalked by OSA operatives for their outspoken criticism of the Church. Scobee, in particular, recounts her experience of being forced to undergo an intense "security check" after she and her husband left the Sea Org and went public with their grievances against the Church. She describes how these interrogations were used to extract damning confessions from former members and then used to discredit them in the eyes of other Scientologists.

Throughout the episode, Remini and Rinder also discuss the Church's use of lawsuits and other legal tactics to silence its critics, including the infamous case of the Lisa McPherson wrongful death lawsuit, which ultimately resulted in the Church being fined $30 million dollars for its mistreatment of the young woman who died while under their care. They also touch on the Church's attempts to infiltrate and disrupt the offices of the IRS and other government agencies in order to protect its tax-exempt status and further its agenda.

Towards the end of the episode, Remini and Rinder speak to former OSA member Karen Pressley, who describes her own experience of being recruited by the Church to work as a "handler" for celebrities and other high-profile members. Pressley reveals how she was asked to divulge personal information about these individuals, including their sexual histories and drug use, in order to blackmail or control them if necessary. She also describes the intense pressure and fear she experienced while working in the OSA, including being followed and monitored by Church operatives at all times.

Overall, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath season 1 episode 7 provides a chilling glimpse into the darker side of Scientology and its efforts to suppress and silence its critics. Through interviews with former members and experts in the field, the episode reveals the Church's systemic use of intimidation, harassment, and even violence to maintain its power and control over its members. It is a powerful and eye-opening exploration of the lengths to which organizations will go to protect their interests and maintain their influence in the face of criticism and scrutiny.