Ep 10. A Dangerous Man
- TV14
- January 28, 2019
- 42 min
In season 1 episode 10 of The 1990s: The Deadliest Decade, titled A Dangerous Man, the show explores the story of Timothy McVeigh, the man behind the Oklahoma City bombing. The episode begins with a flashback to April 19, 1995, when a bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, killing 168 people and injuring more than 680. The episode then delves into McVeigh's background, including his military service in the Gulf War and his growing hatred for the U.S. government.
Through interviews with McVeigh's childhood friends, former military colleagues, and lawyers, the episode looks at how McVeigh's beliefs evolved over time. It examines his belief in the concept of the "New World Order," a theory that posits that a cabal of international elites is conspiring to establish a totalitarian world government. The episode also explores McVeigh's association with the anti-government group, the militia movement, and how it may have influenced his actions.
The episode focuses on the lead-up to the bombing, detailing how McVeigh planned and carried out the attack with the help of Terry Nichols and Michael Fortier. It examines how McVeigh managed to make the bomb using commonly available materials and how he timed the explosion to coincide with the second anniversary of the Waco siege. The episode also looks at the immediate aftermath of the bombing, including McVeigh's arrest, his subsequent trial, and the controversy surrounding his execution.
Throughout the episode, The 1990s: The Deadliest Decade uses archival footage and expert commentary to provide context and shed light on the motives and actions of Timothy McVeigh. The show also explores the impact of the Oklahoma City bombing on the United States and its people, including the rise of domestic terrorism and the increased scrutiny of anti-government groups.
In the end, A Dangerous Man offers a comprehensive look at one of the deadliest and most shocking events of the 1990s. It paints a picture of a man whose beliefs led him to commit an act of mass violence that shook the nation and forever changed the way we think about domestic terrorism.