Manhunt: Unabomber

Watch Manhunt: Unabomber

  • TV-14
  • 2017
  • 1 Season
  • 8.1  (64,660)

Manhunt: Unabomber, a Discovery Channel original series, is a gripping true-crime drama that vividly illustrates the intense psychological battle between the FBI and one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. The show revolves around the Unabomber case, where a seemingly random series of mail bombs terrorized the United States for nearly two decades.

The series, which premiered in 2017 and aired for two seasons, stars Gethin Anthony as Ted Kaczynski, the infamous Unabomber, Arliss Howard as experienced FBI agent and criminal profiler, Jim Fitzgerald, and Kelly Jenrette as Special Agent Tabby Milgrim.

The show deals with Jim Fitzgerald's obsession with capturing the Unabomber, who had already killed three people and injured 23 with his homemade bombs. Fitzgerald is convinced that the seemingly random bombings have a pattern that could be deciphered, and he tirelessly works to prove his theory despite opposition from his superiors.

Throughout the series, we see Fitzgerald grappling with the Unabomber's twisted ideology and methods before finally getting a break: he discovers a 35,000-word manifesto written by the killer in which he lays out his intricate, anti-technology philosophy.

The manifesto's language is bizarre and highly coded, and Fitzgerald soon realizes that the Unabomber has been able to outsmart investigators and stay one step ahead through careful use of language. He decides to use a new method called forensic linguistics, which involves analyzing the Unabomber's writing style and word choice to identify him.

The series is a tight thriller, moving between moments of high tension and quiet exposition to deliver a complex story. It explores the psyches of both the killer and the investigator, and the competing ideologies underlying their work. Fitzgerald is an interesting character, questioning his own methods and motivations as he races to stop the next bombing. His colleagues are brought together as they try to solve the puzzle, and some form unexpected relationships based on the shared struggle.

The show's performances are exceptional, with Gethin Anthony impressively embodying the twisted philosophy of the Unabomber. He portrays Kaczynski as unlikeable and cold, but with a barely suppressed rage that makes him dangerous. Conversely, Arliss Howard's Jim Fitzgerald is warm and earnest, presenting a stark contrast to the aloof killer.

The series is visually stunning, often depicting the Unabomber's remote cabin in Montana as a stark and desolate place. This isolation is mirrored in the character's philosophy, with the show showing scenes of the natural world and students in the woods with the same austere sensibility.

Overall, Manhunt: Unabomber is an impressive achievement for the Discovery Channel, offering both an intriguing true-crime story and a powerful commentary on modern politics and culture. It's a great watch for those interested in crime-dramas and true-crime stories.

Manhunt: Unabomber is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between August 1, 2017 and on Discovery Channel

Manhunt: Unabomber
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Seasons
USA vs. Theodore J. Kaczynski
8. USA vs. Theodore J. Kaczynski
September 12, 2017
When Ted fails to have the evidence against him invalidated, Fitz makes one last appeal to him to plead guilty.
Lincoln
7. Lincoln
September 5, 2017
FBI profiler Jim Fitzgerald is under the gun to amass the evidence needed to secure a search warrant for Ted Kaczynski's cabin. Why the extreme sense of urgency? Because the plan was originally for a small surveillance team on the ground in Montana to build a case for a warrant over months, but after CBS News learns that the Unabomber has been identified, the FBI has just 24 hours until the network reports it. Now it's up to Fitz to find a linguistic "smoking gun" that will tie Kaczynski to the Manifesto in the eyes of a Federal judge.
Ted
6. Ted
August 29, 2017
In a letter to his brother, Ted recounts the key events from his past that informed his decision to engage in terrorist activities.
Abri
5. Abri
August 22, 2017
Fitz receives linguistic proof that Ted is the Unabomber and tracks down Ted's brother David, who is astonished at the accuracy of Fitz's profile.
Publish Or Perish
4. Publish Or Perish
August 15, 2017
The Unabomber will stop bombing if his Manifesto is published; Fitz pushes for publication with S.A.C. Ackerman, who presents Fitz's argument to Attorney General Janet Reno.
Fruit of the Poisonous Tree
3. Fruit of the Poisonous Tree
August 8, 2017
Linguist Natalie Rogers helps Fitz find clues about the Unabomber's identity in the Manifesto, but their findings face skepticism at the UTF; Ted claims he can invalidate all of the evidence against him.
Pure Wudder
2. Pure Wudder
August 1, 2017
When the elusive Unabomber threatens to blow up a jetliner, Fitz must determine if the threat is real. In 1997, Fitz confronts Ted for the first time.
UNABOM
1. UNABOM
August 1, 2017
In 1995, FBI profiler Jim "Fitz" Fitzgerald joins the Unabom Task Force. Fitz recommends new methods of profiling but finds no allies among the agents in charge. In 1997, Fitz is tasked with confronting Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber.
Description
Where to Watch Manhunt: Unabomber
Manhunt: Unabomber is available for streaming on the Discovery Channel website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Manhunt: Unabomber on demand at Amazon Prime, Philo, Amazon, Vudu, Discovery, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    August 1, 2017
  • IMDB Rating
    8.1  (64,660)