Ep 1. The Man Who Saved the World

Spy Wars with Damian Lewis is a thrilling documentary series that takes a deep dive into the world of espionage, telling the incredible untold stories of spies, intelligence operations, and covert missions that changed the course of history. The show is hosted by British actor Damian Lewis, and he guides the viewers through the shocking, real-life stories of spies from all over the world.

In the first episode of the series, "The Man Who Saved the World," the show focuses on one of the most incredible stories of espionage in recent history. The episode explores the story of a Soviet military officer named Stanislav Petrov, who is credited with preventing a global catastrophe during the height of the Cold War.

The episode begins by providing some historical context, highlighting the tensions that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The audience is transported back to 1983, with the US and Russian military on high alert. The episode explains how both countries had amassed huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons, and how the threat of nuclear war was a very real possibility.

The story then moves on to introduce us to Stanislav Petrov, the Soviet officer at the center of the story. Petrov was stationed at a secret bunker in Moscow, monitoring a network of satellites designed to detect missile launches from other countries. One night in September 1983, Petrov's alarms went off, indicating that the United States had just launched a nuclear attack against the Soviet Union.

The episode then details the incredible decision that Petrov had to make. He had only minutes to decide whether or not to sound the alarm and engage in a retaliatory nuclear strike, which would have resulted in mutual destruction for both countries. Petrov's training had taught him to trust the computers and the technology, but he had a hunch that this was a false alarm. He chose to ignore the warnings and prevented a nuclear war.

The episode then explores the aftermath of Petrov's decision and reveals the shocking truth about how close the world came to a nuclear war that could have destroyed entire civilizations. The story is a reminder of how one person's bravery, intuition, and quick thinking can change the course of history.

Overall, the first episode of Spy Wars with Damian Lewis is an engrossing exploration of a remarkable story of espionage, heroism, and survival. It is expertly executed, bringing a little-known chapter of history to life in a way that is both informative and entertaining. The episode sets a high standard for the rest of the series and it will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment.