Watch Wild Wild Country

Wild Wild Country is a documentary series from Netflix that delves deep into the events that transpired in the Oregon desert in the 1980s. It focuses on the rise and fall of the Rajneeshpuram community that was founded by the Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his loyal assistant Ma Anand Sheela. The six-part series documents the controversial and tumultuous story of the cult and its impact on the local community and the nation as a whole.

The series begins with the arrival of the Rajneeshpuram community in Oregon, which was once a vast ranch in Wasco County. The community hoped to create their own utopia on the vast land, and as the community grew, so too did its impact on the local area. The community was peaceful and democratic, and they brought their own unique twist to the teachings of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. However, they soon became embroiled in a conflict with the local community due to their differences in beliefs, culture, and lifestyle.

The conflict between the locals and the Rajneeshpuram escalated over time, as the cult began to take over government positions and police departments, even implementing their own legal system. Ma Anand Sheela, the charismatic and fiercely loyal assistant to Rajneesh, became the face of the cult, as she encouraged its members to stand up against their critics and maintain their own community. Her loyalty to Rajneesh was unwavering, and she remained a central figure in the cult until its eventual demise.

The documentary series features interviews with key figures from the cult, including Ma Anand Sheela, Philip Toelkes (a lawyer who represented the cult), and Jane Stork (a former cult member who became an important witness for the government during the cult's downfall). Each interviewee provides a unique perspective on the events that occurred, and the series does an excellent job of presenting multiple viewpoints without taking sides.

As the conflict between the Rajneeshpuram community and the locals continued to escalate, the cult resorted to violent tactics. Members of the cult began to stockpile weapons and tampers with local elections. The series shows how the FBI got involved and how the government eventually brought down the cult through a series of charges and investigations that eventually led to the capture of Rajneeshpuram's leaders.

The series is well-produced, with excellent cinematography and editing that keeps the viewer engaged throughout. The documentary does an excellent job of telling the story of the cult's downfall in a way that is understandable and engaging, without feeling sensationalistic. The show also delves into the underlying issues that caused the rise and fall of the cult, such as the tensions between different communities and the need to find meaning and belonging in a rapidly changing world.

Overall, Wild Wild Country is an excellent documentary series that sheds light on an important moment in American history. It does an excellent job of presenting a complex and multi-faceted story in an engaging and understandable way. Whether you are interested in the history of cults or simply want to learn more about a strange moment in America's past, this is a must-watch series.

Wild Wild Country is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between March 16, 2018 and on Netflix