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The Best Episodes of Frontline Season 43

Every episode of Frontline Season 43 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Frontline Season 43!

Binge this in 23h 5m•Peaking at 7.5/10

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 extend the impact of the documentary beyond its initial broadcast

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Frontline Season 43 Episode 10 - South Korea's Adoption Reckoning
    7.5/10(48 votes)

    S43:E10

    FRONTLINE and The Associated Press examine allegations of fraud and abuse in South Korea's historic foreign adoption boom. The documentary investigates cases of falsified records and identities among the adoptions of 200,000 children to the U.S. and other countries over decades.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Frontline Season 43 Episode 3 - Children of Ukraine
    7.2/10(65 votes)

    S43:E3

    FRONTLINE examines how thousands of Ukrainian children have been taken and held in Russian-controlled territory since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The documentary follows Ukrainian families searching for their missing children, organizations investigating the alleged abductions and Ukrainian teenagers who escaped and say they were subjected to Russian propaganda.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Frontline Season 43 Episode 5 - A Dangerous Assignment
    6.8/10(45 votes)

    S43:E5

    With the Venezuelan news outlet Armando.info, FRONTLINE investigates the shadowy figure at the heart of a corruption scandal spanning from Venezuela to the U.S. This 90-minute documentary tells the inside story of Alex Saab, his capture and then release by the U.S. in a controversial prisoner swap, and what has happened to the journalists who helped uncover the corruption scandal.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Frontline Season 43 Episode 8 - Germany's Enemy Within
    6.7/10(58 votes)

    S43:E8

    Since the Holocaust, Germany has worked to overcome its Nazi history. But over the past decade, Germany has faced a rising wave of far-right violence and plots against Jews, Muslims, immigrants and politicians. Amid accusations that the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party (AfD) has provoked violence, which it denies, FRONTLINE investigates the rise of far-right extremism in Germany today.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Frontline Season 43 Episode 9 - Biden's Decision
    6.7/10(75 votes)

    S43:E9

    A look at President Joe Biden's rise to the presidency, the personal and political forces that shaped him and his historic decision to step out of the 2024 presidential race.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Frontline Season 43 Episode 4 - Documenting Police Use of Force
    6.4/10(46 votes)

    S43:E4

    FRONTLINE and The Associated Press investigate deaths that occurred after police used tactics like prone restraint and other “less-lethal force.” The documentary and accompanying reporting draw on police records, autopsy reports and body cam footage, and the most expansive tally of such deaths nationwide.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Frontline Season 43 Episode 6 - Crisis on Campus
    6.4/10(35 votes)

    S43:E6

    FRONTLINE and Retro Report tell the inside story of the protests dividing college campuses over Israel and the war in Gaza. The documentary investigates the polarizing debate over free speech, antisemitism, Israel and the Palestinians, and the political forces behind the crisis.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Frontline Season 43 Episode 7 - Two American Families: 1991-2024
    6.4/10(35 votes)

    S43:E7

    Filmed over 34 years, two families struggle to survive in a changing American economy. Through hard times, falling wages, and loss of manufacturing jobs, the continuation of Bill Moyers’ chronicle of perseverance as the American dream slips away.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Frontline Season 43 Episode 2 - Democracy on Trial
    6.1/10(50 votes)

    S43:E2

    The roots of the criminal cases against former President Trump stemming from his 2020 election loss. Amid the presidential race, examining the House Jan. 6 committee’s evidence, the threat to democracy and the historic charges against Trump.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Frontline Season 43 Episode 1 - Israel's Second Front
    5.9/10(75 votes)

    S43:E1

    Beyond Gaza, the power of Hamas, Hezbollah and other forces in the region. Correspondent Ramita Navai investigates militants in the West Bank and Lebanon, their ties to Iran and their role in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Frontline Season 43 Episode 15 - China, the U.S. & the Rise of Xi Jinping
    4.0/10(7 votes)

    S43:E15

    FRONTLINE examines the rise of Xi Jinping, his vision for China and the global implications.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Frontline Season 43 Episode 17 - Maui's Deadly Firestorm
    3.7/10(7 votes)

    S43:E17

    FRONTLINE investigates the deadliest American wildfire in a century, and the missed warnings that made it so unstoppable. The documentary examines the fire's causes, the chaotic response, and how changes to the climate and landscape have made Maui increasingly vulnerable to fires.

    Director:Xinyan Yu
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Frontline Season 43 Episode 13 - A Year of War: Israelis and Palestinians
    3.2/10(8 votes)

    S43:E13

    The horrifying accounts of living through the Hamas attack and the war in Gaza; stories from the people directly impacted on both sides of the conflict.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Frontline Season 43 Episode 16 - Breakdown in Maine
    2.6/10(11 votes)

    S43:E16

    Investigating the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history and missed opportunities to prevent it. FRONTLINE, Portland Press Herald and Maine Public examine breakdowns with police, military and mental health care before the Lewiston shooting.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Frontline Season 43 Episode 14 - American Voices 2024
    2.0/10(9 votes)

    S43:E14

    Following the changing views and experiences of Americans from the 2020 election to today; revisiting voters filmed four years ago, to see how their hopes and fears have changed amid another polarizing election season.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Frontline Season 43 Episode 11 - The Choice 2024: Harris vs. Trump
    1.9/10(10 votes)

    S43:E11

    Investigating the lives and characters of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump as they seek the presidency. In a historic election, those who know the candidates best reveal key moments that shape how they would lead America.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Frontline Season 43 Episode 12 - The VP Choice: Vance vs. Walz
    1.9/10(10 votes)

    S43:E12

    Investigating the lives and views of J.D. Vance and Tim Walz as they run for vice president; those who know the candidates reveal the influences and ideas they'd bring to the White House.

    Director:Gabrielle Schonder
    Writers:Anya Bourg, James Jacoby

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Season 43 Ratings Summary

"South Korea's Adoption Reckoning" is the best rated episode of "Frontline" season 43. It scored 7.5/10 based on 48 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/20/2024. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Children of Ukraine".