Ep 1. Death. I See Dead People; Happy Birthday, Hanford!; The Timbuktu Job

Explorer season 9 episode 1, titled "Death," features three different segments covering diverse topics. The first segment is titled "I See Dead People," which revolves around people who claim to have psychic abilities or to be able to communicate with the dead. This segment highlights how these individuals are impacting the lives of those who have lost loved ones to untimely deaths. The second segment, "Happy Birthday, Hanford!," focuses on the Hanford Site, which was created during World War II to develop the atomic bomb. This segment explores how the history of the site is affecting the current residents of the region. The final segment is "The Timbuktu Job," which tells the true story of how the ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu were smuggled out and saved from destruction by Islamist militants in 2012.

"I See Dead People" segment explores the realm of psychic abilities and those who claim to communicate with spirits. The segment visits several mediums and experts who share their experiences and opinions on the matter. Some of these people believe that they have a gift that allows them to communicate with those who have passed on, while others have a more skeptical outlook and believe that it’s a psychological phenomenon. The show highlights a medium who shares her abilities to soothe grieving families and offer hope. It also confronts the skepticism that surrounds the claim of people to be in touch with the dead. The show raises questions about the existence of afterlife communicating mediums.

The second segment, "Happy Birthday, Hanford!," takes viewers to the Hanford Site, a nuclear facility located in southeastern Washington which was created during World War II. It was a massive project that employed tens of thousands of workers to develop the atomic bomb that was used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The series depicts the history of the Hanford Site and how it is affecting the current residents and their health, given their proximity to radioactive material and waste from the nuclear reactors. They experience the legacy of distrust that comes with living in a place that poses danger, a legacy that motivates many residents in different ways.

"The Timbuktu Job" is the final segment of the episode. It tells the story of how Islamist militants were destroying ancient manuscripts contained in the Timbuktu cultural heritage site in Mali. This ancient city in Africa has been a repository of books, manuscripts, and cultural artifacts, some dating back to the 12th century. When the militant group arrived, they destroyed libraries, schools, and even mosques, in efforts to rid the area of anything that went against their strict interpretation of Islam. The show highlights the bravery of a few individuals who worked to protect and save the valuable contents of the site from destruction.

In conclusion, Episode 1 of Season 9 of Explorer titled "Death," is a unique and diverse episode featuring three segments that offer viewers a glimpse into subjects that are rarely explored in pop-culture. The first segment, "I See Dead People," explores the possibility and skepticism of communicating with the afterlife, while the second segment, "Happy Birthday, Hanford!," offers insight into the legacy and consequences of creating a nuclear bomb. The third segment, "The Timbuktu Job," provides a thrilling look into how ancient artifacts and manuscripts were saved from destruction. The episode leaves viewers questioning their perceptions of the supernatural and the impact of past decisions and actions on future generations.