About this season
Don Wildman unearths relics from the world's greatest institutions to reveal secrets from the past. He examines each artifact to illuminate history's most incredible triumphs, sensational crimes and bizarre encounters.
Episodes (13)
1. Cellini Heist, Real Romeo and Juliet, Link to the Skies
Aired 2 October 2015 • 60 min
Season 9 begins with host Don Wildman visiting a famous Renaissance sculpture that was once stolen in Vienna; and he learns about the inspiration behind a Shakespeare play while examining a rare book at Harvard. Also: the story of a strange flying device in Arizona.
2. Fallen Robins; Romeo Spies, All in for Poker
Aired 9 October 2015 • 60 min
The story of a baffling plague in Michigan is recalled. Also: A spy love story unfolds in Berlin; and poker's rise in Las Vegas is chronicled.
3. Alligators in the Sewers, Unstoppable Car, Founding Forensics
Aired 16 October 2015 • 60 min
Stories of alligators prowling New York City sewers are explored. Also: The host checks out a car in San Diego that has been customized with everything including the kitchen sink; and finds evidence of Paul Revere being a forensic hero in Boston.
4. Forgotten Lindbergh, Fordlandia, Forest Owlet Fraud
Aired 23 October 2015 • 60 min
An odd glass medical devise invented by an aviator is inspected in Chicago; and a set of tools used in a failed auto business are examined in Michigan. Also: A bird specimen reveals a case of deception at Harvard University.
5. Alcoholic Antidote, Reno Haven, Strange Death of President Taylor
Aired 6 November 2015 • 60 min
Don investigates a precious metal that reportedly cured alcoholism; recalls a time when Reno was a destination for disgruntled spouses; and looks into the mystery of a president's untimely death.
6. Operation Migration, Sausage Duel, Around the World
Aired 13 November 2015 • 60 min
Don Wildman examines a rare food fight, a race around the globe, and a bird uniform.
7. First Female Aviator, Mysterious Metronome, Army of Two
Aired 20 November 2015 • 60 min
Host Don Wildman examines a plane, Beethoven's metronome, and a musical instrument.
8. Aaron Burr Conspiracy, How Gatsby Became Great, Lady With the Lamp
Aired 27 November 2015 • 60 min
Host Don Wildman examines a coded letter, the great American novel "The Great Gatsby" and a legendary lamp.
9. To Catch a Fake, Tiny Coffins of Edinburgh, Tjipetir Mystery
Aired 4 December 2015 • 60 min
Host Don Wildman examines a forged European painting that duped many museums. Also: eight tiny boxes resembling coffins; and a mysterious rubber block found washed up on a beach.
10. JFK Boat Rescue, Scheming Queen, Tiger Cage
Aired 11 December 2015 • 60 min
Don Wildman examines a coded letter, a classic novel, and a legendary lamp.
11. Dolley Madison, Christmas Truce, Exploding Whale
Aired 18 December 2015 • 60 min
Don Wildman examines a truce game, a tale of a whale, a First Lady's bravery.
12. Wild West Rumble, Sweet Smell of Success, Antiseptic Doctor
Aired 25 December 2015 • 60 min
Don Wildman examines a porcelain washbasin used to fight a deadly disease, studies a Colt .45 that once belonged to Wyatt Earp and learns how a small circular artifact changed personal hygiene practices across America.
13. Revolutionary Suffragette, Tokyo Rose, Billion Dollar Will
Aired 1 January 2016 • 60 min
Don Wildman examines a notebook with crucial information about an activist's controversial death, inspects a microphone linked to a tale of wartime treason and gazes upon an iconic sign tied to a battle for a billionaire's estate.