Ep 2. Part Two: The Captive

In the second episode of season one of The Radical Story of Patty Hearst, titled "Part Two: The Captive," viewers delve deeper into the infamous kidnapping of Patricia Hearst by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) in 1974. The episode focuses on the 19 months that Hearst spent in captivity with the SLA, starting with her initial confinement and the tactics used by the group to coerce her into joining their cause.

The episode begins with a recap of the events leading up to Hearst's abduction, including the history of the SLA and their radical beliefs. We are reintroduced to some of the key players in the group, including Bill and Emily Harris, and we learn about their plans for Hearst after her capture. The episode then quickly moves into the aftermath of Hearst's first days in captivity. Viewers see how Hearst was initially kept blindfolded and chained to a wall in a dark closet. They also learn about the various ways in which the SLA coerced Hearst into complying with their demands, including physical abuse, sleep deprivation, and psychological manipulation, such as isolation and repeated recitation of the SLA's ideology.

As the episode progresses, we see the growing relationship between Hearst and her captors. The viewer is shown that Hearst eventually began to believe in the SLA's mission and became an active participant in their activities, including helping with a bank robbery. The episode also explores the tension and power dynamics within the SLA itself. We see the group's leaders, including Donald DeFreeze, known as "General Field Marshal Cinque," and Nancy Ling Perry, struggle for control over the group and how this affected Hearst's confinement.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given insight into the media's portrayal of Hearst's captivity, as well as the government's response to it. The episode shows how the narrative of the kidnapping shifted over time, with some initially viewing Hearst as a victim and others as a manipulative collaborator. We see how various government agencies, such as the FBI, worked to find and bring Hearst home, and how their attempts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Finally, the episode ends with Hearst's seemingly sudden decision to join the SLA. Viewers are left wondering what led Hearst to align herself with the group and what her future may hold.

Overall, "Part Two: The Captive" offers a captivating and often disturbing look at Hearst's ordeal during her captivity with the SLA. Through interviews with former SLA members, archival footage, and dramatic re-enactments, the episode provides a detailed account of Hearst's time in captivity and the tactics used to manipulate her. Viewers are left to contemplate the larger societal issues surrounding Hearst's story, including questions about power, coercion, and the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of events.