NOVA Season 18 Episode 1 The KGB, The Computer and Me

The NOVA season 18 episode 1 is titled "The KGB, The Computer and Me." It explores the story of former KGB agent, Vladimir Vetrov, who worked as a double agent for France in the early 1980s.

Vladimir Vetrov was an ambitious KGB agent who had access to some of the Soviet Union's most sensitive information. However, he became disillusioned with the Soviet Union and its policies, particularly its lack of technological advancement. He started to secretly share information with French intelligence agencies, becoming one of the most valuable sources of information for Western intelligence agencies during the Cold War.

In this episode, NOVA examines the role that computers played in Vetrov's espionage activities. At the time, computers were just starting to become more widely used in the intelligence community and Vetrov saw their potential. He used a computer program to generate a random number code that allowed him to communicate with his French handlers without being detected by the KGB.

NOVA also goes behind the scenes to explore the intricate world of espionage during the Cold War. The episode explains how intelligence agencies on both sides of the Iron Curtain went to great lengths to gather information and keep their sources secret.

In addition, the episode highlights the risks and perils of espionage. Despite his successful career as a double agent, Vetrov was eventually caught by the KGB. He was arrested, tortured, and executed. NOVA explores the tactics used by the KGB to uncover Vetrov's activities and the impact it had on the intelligence community.

Overall, "The KGB, The Computer and Me" offers a fascinating look into the world of espionage, technology, and the people who risked everything to spy for their respective countries. It provides a unique and compelling perspective on the Cold War and the role that computers played in espionage activities during that period.