All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Dawn

    • January 23, 1989
    • PBS

    Scientists worldwide race to create nuclear weapons and be the first to use them in World War II.

  • S01E02 The Weapon of Choice

    • January 30, 1989
    • PBS

    The United States and the Soviet Union, once allies, become Cold War adversaries.

  • S01E03 A Bigger Bang for fhe Buck

    • February 6, 1989
    • PBS

    In the 1950s the United States begins to rely heavily on nuclear weapons for defense after the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik sparks fears of a "missile gap."

  • S01E04 Europe Goes Nuclear

    • February 13, 1989
    • PBS

    France and England race to acquire nuclear weapons during the 1950s and 1960s; NATO worries about defending Europe from the threat from the East.

  • S01E05 At The Brink

    • February 20, 1989
    • PBS

    During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, America and the Soviet Union are each close to initiating nuclear war.

  • S01E06 The Education of Robert McNamara

    • February 27, 1989
    • PBS

    Robert S. McNamara confronts the spectre of nuclear war during his tenure as Secretary of Defense (1961-1968).

  • S01E07 One Step Forward

    • March 6, 1989
    • PBS

    As the U.S. and Soviet nuclear arsenals reach a rough parity, SALT I, the first arms control agreement, is negotiated.

  • S01E08 The Haves and the Have Nots

    • March 13, 1989
    • PBS

    A case study of the dynamics of nuclear proliferation -- China, India and Pakistan race to acquire atomic weapons.

  • S01E09 Carter's New World

    • March 20, 1989
    • PBS

    Jimmy Carter's goals for his presidency include the reduction of nuclear weapons and improving America's relations with the Soviet Union.

  • S01E10 Zero Hour

    • March 27, 1989
    • PBS

    Soviet leader Gorbachev accepts President Reagan's proposal for both sides to dismantle certain missiles.

  • S01E11 Missle Experimental

    • April 3, 1989
    • PBS

    Supporters and critics of the MX missile discuss its role and how it could best be used.

  • S01E12 Reagan's Shield

    • April 10, 1989
    • PBS

    President Reagan supports the Strategic Defense Initiative as a means of eliminating the threat of nuclear attack.

  • S01E13 Visions of War & Peace

    • April 17, 1989
    • PBS

    Nations face the challenge of resolving disputes without nuclear weapons or physical force.