Ep 4. Patty Hearst

The Lost Tapes season 1 episode 4 explores the infamous case of Patty Hearst, a young heiress who was kidnapped by the radical leftist group, the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), in 1974.

Using real, never-before-seen footage and audio recordings from news reports and police investigations, the episode delves into the details of Hearst's abduction and subsequent transformation from victim to revolutionary. The episode examines the news coverage and public perception of Hearst's story, as well as the political and social climate of the era.

The episode begins with footage of Hearst's iconic taped message from the SLA, in which she declares her allegiance to the group and renounces her family. Viewers are then taken back in time to Hearst's initial kidnapping, which was witnessed by several people, including her fiancé. Law enforcement officials and the media quickly became involved, and the search for Hearst dominated the news cycle.

As the investigation continued, the SLA released several tapes and communiques, in which they demanded the release of imprisoned members in exchange for Hearst's safe return. The episode uses these tapes to examine the SLA's political ideology and the belief system that drove them to kidnap Hearst.

The FBI eventually caught up with the SLA and engaged in a shootout with them, resulting in the deaths of several members. Hearst, however, was not found at the scene, and her whereabouts remained a mystery for months.

The episode then delves into Hearst's transformation from victim to revolutionary, as she begins to participate in SLA activities and take up arms against the government. The episode examines the psychological aspects of Hearst's transformation, and the factors that led her to adopt the beliefs and tactics of the SLA.

Throughout the episode, viewers are presented with a vivid picture of the social and political landscape of the era, including the radical leftist movement and the government's response to it. The episode also explores the media's role in shaping public perception of Hearst's story, and how it helped to fuel the political and social tensions of the time.

Through its use of real footage and audio recordings, The Lost Tapes season 1 episode 4 offers a compelling and immersive look at one of the most infamous cases of the 20th century, and sheds new light on the events that led to the kidnapping of Patty Hearst and her transformation into a revolutionary.