Ep 4. Operation Paperclip

In Project Blue Book season 1 episode 4, titled Operation Paperclip, the show delves into the conspiracy theories surrounding the American government's involvement with Nazi scientists after World War II. The episode opens with a look at German scientist Werner von Braun, who was responsible for developing the V-2 rockets used by the Nazis during the war.

Captain Michael Quinn (played by Michael Malarkey) and Dr. J. Allen Hynek (played by Aidan Gillen) are tasked with investigating a mysterious sighting in Lubbock, Texas. The residents of the town reported seeing a formation of lights flying across the sky in the evenings, and the Air Force wants to rule out the possibility of it being a Soviet aircraft.

As the investigation gets underway, Hynek meets with an old friend from his time in the military, General James Harding (played by Neal McDonough). Harding tells Hynek about Operation Paperclip, which was a covert program designed to bring Nazi scientists to the United States and enlist their help in the Cold War. He reveals that von Braun was one of the scientists brought over, and suggests that the strange sightings in Lubbock could be connected to his work on advanced aircraft.

Meanwhile, Quinn and his team interview witnesses and gather evidence. They discover that the objects seen in Lubbock were not only observed by civilians, but also by a pilot and radar operator. The data they collect shows that the objects moved at high speeds and made maneuvers that were beyond the capabilities of any known aircraft.

As the investigation progresses, Hynek begins to suspect that General Harding is hiding something. He investigates the connection between the Lubbock sightings and Project Blue Book, and uncovers evidence of a secret Air Force project to develop a supersonic bomber. He also discovers that Harding has been lying to him about the true purpose of the operation.

In the climax of the episode, Quinn and Hynek confront General Harding and demand answers. Harding finally admits that he was attempting to reverse engineer the technology of the Nazi scientists brought over in Operation Paperclip. He had hoped to use this technology to give the United States an advantage in the Cold War, but his experiments had unintended consequences that resulted in the strange sightings over Lubbock.

Overall, Project Blue Book season 1 episode 4 offers a fascinating look into the tangled web of Cold War politics and government conspiracy theories. The episode is packed with action and intrigue, offering a thrilling ride for fans of the show.