Project Blue Book S02 E03 recap: Hynek and Quinn go inside Area 51

Project Blue Book explores the origins of the mysterious Area 51 at Groom Lake in Nevada where Hynek and Quinn encounter the Central Intelligence Agency and a potential ally.

Project Blue Book definitely didn’t disappoint with this week’s action-packed episode that took Hynek and Quinn inside the secretive world of Area 51. When the team is dispatched to Groom Lake in Nevada by General Valentine to look into the abduction of a Corporal named Miller, they are not too sure of what they will find.

Dreamland or Area 51 was “born” in 1955. The Unites States Air Force needed a facility where they could develop highly classified and experimental aircraft. So, they set up shop within the Nevada Test and Training Range. Which only makes sense since it is a remote area.

Right around the time when exotic types of espionage aircraft were being created, there was an uptick in UFO sightings. Naturally, because most of the planes were unlike anything civilians had ever seen flying over them in the skies. At the time, they were very state-of-the-art.

Episode 3 was all about setting up conflicts that are going to be very prevalent during Season 2. We know that President Truman is no longer in office and that the current Commander-in-Chief is former General Dwight Eisenhower.

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The Central Intelligence Agency has emerged and they are one of the key players in Area 51. Formed in 1947, this branch of the Federal government has a main objective which is to gather intel for the National Security Council (NSC).

Now, the Generals have to prove that they are an asset and can be relied upon. With the CIA hovering over their work and threatening their positions, it is time in the words of Harding, to “go to war” for the preservation of Project Blue Book which may include spilling the beans on a planned UFO invasion…

Here are some episode highlights. Be warned, there will be spoilers.

The Introduction of Daniel Banks: CIA Operative

Daniel Banks (Jerod Haynes) is Hynek and Quinn’s liaison at Area 51. At first, Quinn is wary and has his guard up because he doesn’t know what to expect from Banks or the people he works for.

When Hynek and Quinn disobey orders to return to Ohio after their investigation of the death of Corporal Miller is officially “terminated,” (because Miller’s Sergeant confessed to murdering him), the duo face the wrath of General Valentine. Hynek tries to deflect the situation by saying he took off into the desert and Quinn tried to stop him.

This does not work. While they are getting dressed down by the General, Daniel appears and tells Valentine that he requested that they investigate some anomalous celestial activity for him. He takes the blame and apologizes for not running it through the General first.

An alliance is formed because like Hynek and Quinn, Banks is a truth seeker. He believes Valentine is covering up Corporal Miller’s death.

UFOs Might Actually Be Experimental Aircraft

While on the premises, Quinn questions Banks about experimental aircraft. At first, Daniel refuses to take the pair to view the test planes but then he gives in. The caveat being that neither Hynek or Quinn can talk about what they see.

What the men discover is highly unusual aircraft that look unlike anything on earth (at that moment in time). The “Flying Wing,” “X 15” (which can go to Mach 3 faster than any plane at the time) and “Tail Sitter” remind them of various Project Blue Book cases. Which leads them to the conclusion that maybe most UFO sightings are in actuality the military conducting test flights.

The Real Area 51

A significant revelation that hopefully will get explored in future episodes. When Hynek and Quinn were out in the desert searching for clues to Miller’s abduction (to refute the verdict of him being murdered), they stumble upon soldiers removing mutilated corpses of coyotes.

What is interesting is that the animals sustained the same injuries as the Corporal. They were missing their eyes and their tongues as well as other organs.

After the recovery team removes the carcasses, the caravan of vehicles drives toward a mountain. This puzzles Quinn who questions what they are doing. At that moment, a huge door opens. The Jeeps proceed inward.

Inside the mountain is a UFO. Perhaps, this is where the “real” work is going on and Area 51 is a ruse or cover story designed to protect this location.

Project Blue Book airs every Tuesday at 10 p.m. on the History Channel. 

What did you think of the Area 51 episode of Project Blue Book? Do you believe that our government is reverse engineering alien craft there? Let us know in the comments.