Beyond: UFOs and The Unknown Episode 1 Unravels The Government’s Most Held Secret
The premiere of Beyond: UFOs and The Unknown sets the stage for a docuseries exploring the mysterious realm of unidentified flying objects. The four-part docuseries takes a deep dive into the UFO revelations of 2017 within the Pentagon. From scientists to government officials, the show brings a sophisticated view of what UFOs are, the imminent dangers of foreign spacecraft, and the perplexing realities from a range of witnesses that will change our perception of what we thought we knew.
From the get-go, the series impresses with its clean and organized presentation, offering a thorough examination of the subject matter that captivates viewers right from the start. The introduction of Stanford University School of Medicine professor Garry Nolan sets the tone for the series as he recalls an experience with government officials coming into his office with questions about medical data they’ve collected of people who have encountered “something.” Nolan examines the medical data of 100 individuals brought to him by the officials and comes to the conclusion that most of these individuals have lesions in their brain under peculiar circumstances. The story then dives deeper into the unaccounted 15 individuals who were not connected to the rest having Havana Syndrome. These 15 were those involved with The Department Of Defense, pilots, and unidentified anomalous phenomena. This initial storytelling really kicked off and kept me intrigued as it didn’t cling on too much of the science, but rather the peculiarities.
Moreover, the series elevates its credibility through the inclusion of expert testimonies and professional insights. The participation of individuals who played crucial roles in exposing the Pentagon's secret program adds a layer of authenticity and intrigue. Viewers hear the firsthand account from former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Ryan Graves who has encountered these enigmatic objects, creating a compelling narrative that bridges personal experiences with broader investigative findings. We also get to hear from Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Christopher Mellon who was the one to reach out to the New York Times about his findings. We get a closer listen to his story, how he came across the videos, and the importance he felt to bring attention to it. It’s clear to anyone who will watch his segments to feel the deep impact these findings had on him and what he potentially risked by exposing it.
One of the standout features of the series is its engaging use of graphics, archival footage, and textual elements. This multimedia approach ensures that the audience remains visually stimulated, preventing the common pitfall of simply listening to talking heads. The videos, especially, are visually appealing to examine yourself. The flow and pacing feels smooth with multiple anecdotes that are threaded together seamlessly.
I also really loved that some subjects took time to briefly talk about the bigger issue of government cover-ups. I think we all have had moments where we speculate or read conspiracies about what the government is potentially hiding from its citizens. Mellon and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand bring forward the topic of whistleblowers and how we shouldn’t completely disregard this kind of insider information. Gillibrand also breifly talks about her previous bill to combat military sexual assault and how the government doesn’t necessarily want that information to made public much like the overall secrecy of UFOs. Though vastly different topics, I do think it’s important for viewers to be aware of these pressing issues. Former POLITICO Defense Editor Bryan Bender also added that Congress is making a move to provide people within the military and spy agencies support to come forward with their testimonies regarding UFOs without facing the harsh consequences.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger with a short story of an alleged attack on Communion author Whitley Strieber as he recounts his experience with something paranormal. “I was obviously a victim of assault, but when? Who?,” are his last words before the end. I enjoyed this last sequence because it gave me something to look forward to, a little teaser before diving into another rabbit hole of mystery.
Overall, Beyond: UFO and The Unknown offers a fresh, journalistic, and professional look into the government’s secret program unveiled seven years ago and what we know now. Through experts and paranormal sightings, the docuseries compels audiences to closely look at the facts and wonder what UFOs actually are.
The series premiere of Beyond: UFO and The Unknown is out on MGM+. Stay tuned for next week’s episode recap!
