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The Best Episodes of Frontline Season 35

Every episode of Frontline Season 35 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Frontline Season 35!

The Best Episodes of Frontline Season 35

Since it began in 1983, Frontline has been airing public-affairs documentaries that explore a wide scope of the complex human experience. Frontline's goal is to...

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  1. 8.3/10(35 votes)

    #1 - President Trump

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    S35:E5

    Frontline examines the key moments that shaped President-elect Donald Trump. Interviews drawn from The Choice 2016 with advisors, business associates and biographers reveal how Trump transformed himself from real estate developer to reality TV star to president.

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  2. 7.8/10(89 votes)

    #2 - Divided States of America (2)

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    S35:E7

    Ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, "Divided States of America" looks back at events during President Barack Obama's years in office that revealed deep divisions in our country. The documentary offers an in-depth view of the partisan gridlock in Washington, the rise of populist anger on both sides of the aisle, and the racial tensions that erupted throughout the country.

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  3. 7.7/10(164 votes)

    #3 - Confronting ISIS

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    S35:E2

    Reporting from Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey, Frontline correspondent Martin Smith examines the successes, failures and challenges of the fight against ISIS, as the terror group loses ground in the region but strikes out abroad.

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  4. 7.7/10(35 votes)

    #4 - Abacus: Small Enough to Jail

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    S35:E19

    From acclaimed director Steve James, the little-known story of the only U.S. bank prosecuted in relation to the 2008 financial crisis. An Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature in 2018.

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  5. 7.6/10(72 votes)

    #5 - Trump's Road to the White House

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    S35:E8

    An investigation of how Donald Trump defied expectations to win the presidency -- and what it suggests about how he will govern.

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  6. 7.6/10(18 votes)

    #6 - Poverty, Politics and Profit

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    S35:E15

    An investigation with NPR into the billions spent on housing low-income people, and why so few get the help they need. The film examines the politics, profits and problems of an affordable housing system in crisis.

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  8. 7.5/10(43 votes)

    #7 - Exodus

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    S35:E4

    The first-person stories of refugees and migrants fleeing war, persecution and hardship — drawing on footage filmed by the families themselves as they leave their homes on dangerous journeys in search of safety and refuge in Europe.

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  9. 7.5/10(38 votes)

    #8 - American Patriot: Inside the Armed Uprising Against the Federal Government

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    S35:E16

    Frontline investigates how the Bundy family's fight against the government invigorated armed militias and "patriot" groups. The film goes inside the family's standoffs over public land in the West, and examines how groups aligned with them have grown to levels not seen in decades.

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  10. 7.4/10(53 votes)

    #9 - Terror in Europe

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    S35:E3

    As Europe reels from a terror onslaught, top security officials describe their struggle to contain the unprecedented threat revealed by attacks in France and Belgium.

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  11. 7.4/10(37 votes)

    #10 - Out of Gitmo / Forever Prison

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    S35:E10

    Out of Gitmo: The dramatic story of a Gitmo detainee released from the controversial U.S. prison after more than a decade. With NPR, a report on the struggle over freeing prisoners once deemed international terrorists. Forever Prison: a collaboration with Retro Report exploring the untold history of the Guantanamo Bay prison.

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  12. 7.2/10(23 votes)

    #11 - The Choice 2016

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    S35:E1

    Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are two of the most polarizing presidential candidates in modern history. Veteran Frontline filmmaker Michael Kirk goes beyond the headlines to investigate what has shaped these two candidates, where they came from, how they lead and why they want one of the most difficult jobs imaginable.

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  13. 7.2/10(21 votes)

    #12 - Last Days of Solitary

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    S35:E12

    Inside one state’s ambitious attempt to decrease its use of solitary — and what happens when prisoners who have spent considerable time in isolation try to integrate back into society.

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  14. 7.2/10(44 votes)

    #13 - Second Chance Kids

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    S35:E14

    Frontline investigates the fight over the fate of juveniles serving life in prison for murder, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The film examines the impact of the order to re-evaluate thousands of juvenile murder cases and follows two of the first convicts to be released.

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  15. 7.1/10(19 votes)

    #14 - The Fish on My Plate

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    S35:E13

    Best-selling author and lifelong fisherman Paul Greenberg spends a year eating fish at breakfast, lunch and dinner to help answer the question: “What fish should I eat that’s good for me and good for the planet?”

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  16. 7.1/10(44 votes)

    #15 - Bannon's War

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    S35:E17

    The team behind "The Choice 2016" and "Divided States of America" tells the inside story of Trump adviser Stephen Bannon and his war with Washington, with White House rivals and with Islam. Frontline explores Bannon's personal crusade to dramatically transform America, and his role in the power struggles and policy clashes within the Trump administration.

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  17. 6.9/10(90 votes)

    #16 - Life on Parole

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    S35:E18

    With unique access, Frontline and The New York Times go inside an effort to change the way parole works in Connecticut and reduce the number of people returning to prison. The film follows four former inmates as they try to find work, stay sober and keep out of trouble while navigating their first year on parole.

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  18. 6.6/10(71 votes)

    #17 - Divided States of America (1)

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    S35:E6

    Ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, "Divided States of America" looks back at events during President Barack Obama's years in office that revealed deep divisions in our country. The documentary offers an in-depth view of the partisan gridlock in Washington, the rise of populist anger on both sides of the aisle, and the racial tensions that erupted throughout the country.

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    Director:N/A
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  19. 6.5/10(22 votes)

    #18 - Iraq Uncovered

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    S35:E11

    FRONTLINE investigates allegations of abuse of Sunni Muslim civilians by powerful Shia militias.

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  20. 6.3/10(87 votes)

    #19 - Battle for Iraq / Hunting ISIS

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    S35:E9

    Battle for Iraq: Reporter Ghaith Abdul-Ahad goes inside the battle against ISIS for control of the city of Mosul. Hunting ISIS: a dramatic report on an Iraqi unit at the center of the fight.

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  21. NaN/10(0 votes)

    #20 - North Korea's Deadly Dictator

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    S35:E20

    Who killed Kim Jong-un’s half brother, Kim Jong-nam? What does the murder reveal about the North Korean leader and his regime? As nuclear tensions grow, Frontline examines claims that Kim Jong-un ordered the assassination of his half brother, and sheds light on his broader intentions.

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  22. NaN/10(0 votes)

    #21 - War on the EPA

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    S35:E21

    How did Scott Pruitt go from fighting the EPA to running it and rolling back years of environmental protections? With access to key players behind his rise, and former EPA officials, Frontline provides an inside look at the ascent of the anti-regulatory movement in America.

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Season 35 Ratings Summary

"President Trump" is the best rated episode of "Frontline" season 35. It scored 8.3/10 based on 35 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 1/3/2017. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "Divided States of America (2)".