Ep 3. Bomb Squad

Bomb Squad is the third episode of the twenty-fifth season of the popular science documentary television series NOVA. The show deals with the dangers of unexploded ordnance and the hazardous work of bomb-disposal experts.

The episode takes viewers to Cambodia, a country that suffered greatly during the Vietnam War and the subsequent bloody civil war. The deadly legacy of these conflicts still lingers in Cambodia in the form of unexploded bombs and landmines that contaminate vast areas of land, rendering them useless for agriculture and other activities. Not only do these explosives claim numerous lives each year, but they also make it difficult for people to live ordinary lives of farming, going to school, or even walking around. The episode explores the work of heroic Cambodian deminers who risk their lives daily to clear their country of these deadly devices.

One of the key takeaways from the episode is the sheer scale of the problem of unexploded ordnance in Cambodia. The show reveals that as many as five million mines and unexploded bombs litter the country, posing a persistent threat to the people and their economy. Despite many years of international aid, only a small fraction of the contaminated area has been cleared. The episode sheds light on the reasons for this slow progress, highlighting bureaucratic hurdles, inadequate funding, and the difficult nature of the work itself. Viewers will gain a new appreciation of the complexity of the challenges faced by deminers operating in Cambodia and similar regions.

Bomb Squad also explores the science of explosive devices and the technology used to detect and disarm them. The episode features interviews with bomb-disposal experts from around the world, ranging from military trainers to commercial specialists. These professionals explain the different types of explosive devices as well as the science behind their design and composition. Viewers will be introduced to devices used to detect bombs, such as handheld scanners and sniffer dogs, as well as sophisticated robots and drones that enable experts to detonate bombs from a distance.

What sets this episode apart is the way in which it brings viewers up close with the deminers and the toll that their work takes on them. The episode gives voice to Cambodian deminers who recount the physical and emotional challenges that come with their work, including the fear and pressure of working with something that could explode at any moment. Viewers will also witness the emotional toll that the work takes on the deminers and their families. The show demonstrates the profound respect that these deminers command from their communities and the sense of purpose and pride they derive from their work.

Overall, Bomb Squad is a riveting exploration of the deadly legacy of war and the vital work of deminers in Cambodia. The episode succeeds in highlighting the complexities and difficulties of this work, while also bringing attention to the broader issue of unexploded ordnance in other countries. Viewers will come away with a new appreciation of the dangers of war and the dedication required to help communities rebuild after conflict.