Ep 10. President's Challenge

The award-winning TV show MythBusters, now in its ninth season, has been captivating audiences with its unique blend of science, entertainment, and imagination since its premiere in 2003. Each episode, hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, along with their team of myth busters, put popular myths and legends to the test, using their scientific expertise and hands-on approach to uncover the truth behind the tales.

In season 9, episode 10 titled "President's Challenge," Adam and Jamie take on several myths related to US presidents and their exploits. The episode is full of exciting experiments, epic explosions, and surprising discoveries, all delivered with the show's trademark humor and irreverence.

The episode opens with Adam and Jamie attempting to recreate a well-known historical episode involving George Washington and a cherry tree. According to popular legend, young George had been caught chopping down a cherry tree and, when confronted by his angry father, he told the truth, famously declaring that he could not tell a lie. The myth busters set up a testing ground with various types of trees and a range of axes and hatchets to see if it was indeed possible to cut down a cherry tree with a hatchet, and if the tree would emit the type of sound described in the legend.

Next up, the team takes on a myth about Abraham Lincoln, who is rumored to have once raced against a steam-powered locomotive and won. Adam and Jamie design a test to see if it's possible for a human to outrun a train and what kind of conditions would have to be in place for that to happen. They also explore the physics of locomotion, including steam engines and tracks.

Moving on to a more recent president, the myth busters turn their attention to John F. Kennedy and the famous footage of his assassination in 1963. There have been numerous conspiracy theories about what really happened that day, with some people claiming that it was not a lone gunman, but rather a group of government officials who orchestrated the shooting. Adam and Jamie conduct a comprehensive investigation into the evidence and theories surrounding the assassination, and use their scientific tools to come up with some surprising conclusions.

Finally, the episode comes full circle with a myth about an artifact from the storied Presidency of George Washington. According to the story, Washington once had a pair of silver-plated pistols made for him by the gunsmith John Small. These pistols are said to have contained secret compartments for hiding documents or other important items. The myth busters use their ingenuity and expertise to create replicas of these pistols and put them through a series of tests to see if the secret compartments could have been functional.

Throughout the episode, Adam and Jamie are joined by their team of expert builders, designers, and technicians, who help them set up and execute the various experiments. The show also features appearances from historians, scientists, and other experts who provide insight and context for the myths being explored.

Overall, "President's Challenge" is a thrilling and entertaining episode that combines the excitement of historical mysteries with the fun and adventure of scientific experimentation. Whether you're a fan of the show or just curious about the myths and legends that surround the US presidency, this episode is sure to entertain and enlighten.