Ep 1. Anastasia Dead or Alive?

In the first episode of season 23 of the hit science series NOVA, titled "Anastasia Dead or Alive?" viewers are taken on a journey to solve one of the most elusive mysteries of the 20th century: What happened to the youngest daughter of Russia's last czar?

Anastasia Romanov was just 17 years old when she and her family were executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918. For years, rumors circulated that Anastasia had survived the massacre and was living in hiding. Some people claimed to be Anastasia, while others claimed to know where she was. But no one could confirm her fate and rumors of her survival persisted.

In the 1970s, a group of amateur historians discovered two sets of bones in a shallow grave in the forest outside the Russian city of Ekaterinburg. The bones were believed to belong to the Romanovs although, at the time, the bodies of Anastasia and her brother Alexi were still missing. It wasn't until the early 1990s that a team of Russian scientists discovered the missing remains and confirmed that all of the Romanovs had been found.

The discovery of the remains put an end to rumors of Anastasia's survival. Or did it?

In "Anastasia Dead or Alive?" NOVA explores the possibility that Anastasia did survive the massacre and that the bones found in the grave were not hers. The episode examines three key questions: Could Anastasia have survived the massacre? Could she have escaped from Russia? And could she have lived to a ripe old age under a different identity?

The episode begins by examining the massacre itself. Controversy surrounds the exact sequence of events that took place on July 17, 1918. Some accounts suggest that the Bolsheviks went back to the execution room to ensure that all of the Romanovs were dead, while others suggest that some of the family may have survived the initial attack. NOVA brings together a team of ballistics experts to analyze the available evidence and try to determine exactly who died in the massacre.

The episode then moves on to explore the possibility that Anastasia escaped from Russia. Rumors abound of a young woman who resembled Anastasia living in various parts of the world in the years following the massacre. NOVA investigates some of the most compelling cases, including one involving a woman named Anna Anderson who claimed to be Anastasia. The episode looks at how Anna's claim was tested scientifically and examines the evidence that supports and contradicts her story.

Finally, the episode explores the possibility that Anastasia lived a long life under a different identity. NOVA interviews biographers and historians who have studied the Romanovs and examines various theories about what may have happened to Anastasia if she did survive. The episode ends with a surprising twist that suggests the mystery of Anastasia's fate might not be fully solved after all.

Overall, "Anastasia Dead or Alive?" is a captivating exploration of one of the most fascinating mysteries of the 20th century. The episode blends expert analysis with historical reenactments to bring viewers along for a thrilling ride. Whether you're a seasoned history buff or simply interested in one of the greatest mysteries of the last century, "Anastasia Dead or Alive?" is a must-watch.