Ep 1. Chapter 1: Suicide Revealed

In Wormwood season 1 episode 1, titled "Chapter 1: Suicide Revealed," we are introduced to the mysterious death of military scientist Frank Olson. In the summer of 1953, Frank was an extremely successful scientist working on top-secret government projects related to chemical warfare. Everything changed when he went to a secluded retreat with some colleagues, where he was unknowingly given a dose of LSD.

The trip was said to have completely shattered Frank's mental state, causing him to experience severe paranoia and delusions. After reportedly jumping out of a window to his death, the government quickly claimed it was a suicide and swept under the rug any potential damage to their reputation.

However, Frank's son Eric has been fighting for years to uncover the truth about his father's death. In this first episode, we are taken back to the beginning of Eric's journey and shown how he became convinced that his father's "suicide" was actually a government cover-up. We are also introduced to the key players that Eric believes were involved in the conspiracy, such as Sidney Gottlieb, a CIA agent who was notorious for experimenting with mind control techniques, and Dr. Robert Lashbrook, one of Frank's colleagues who was present at the fatal retreat.

As we delve deeper into the story, we are presented with a mix of traditional interviews and reenactments, as well as more experimental techniques such as animated sequences and audio recordings. The show seamlessly blends drama, documentary, and true crime genres to create a captivating storytelling experience.

Through the eyes of Eric and his family, we see the struggles and emotional turmoil that they faced in trying to uncover the truth of Frank's death. The episode also sets up a larger theme of government secrets and cover-ups, leaving viewers wanting to know more about what really happened to Frank Olson and why the government went to such lengths to keep it hidden.

Overall, "Chapter 1: Suicide Revealed" does an excellent job of introducing viewers to the world of Wormwood and setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of government conspiracy and the search for truth.