‘Serial’: 4th episode focuses on Bowe Bergdahl’s final 4 years in Taliban hands
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier who walked off his base in Afghanistan in 2009, didn’t like clocks in his room after being rescued from the Taliban in 2014, he said in the fourth episode of “Serial’s” second season.
“Serial” is the popular “This American Life” spin-off podcast that delved into a true crime story in its first season and is focusing on Bergdahl in its second season.
Bergdahl told filmmaker Mark Boal in an interview on the episode that he became uncomfortable with clocks during his five years in the Taliban’s hands.
“Months and days, weeks or months, don’t matter because (the) only thing you can really understand is how long the seconds are lasting,” Bergdahl said in the interview. “That’s what hits you the hardest: is just the seconds.”
“Serial” producer Sarah Koenig also examined the Haqqani group — affiliated with the Taliban — who captured Bergdahl. She spoke with a reporter, David Rohde, who also was held by the Haqqanis, demonstrating the logistical challenges the Taliban group faced in keeping prisoners. Rohde ultimately escaped with a fellow prisoner.
Erin Fenner: 208-377-6207, @erinfenner
LISTEN WITH US
We’re following along with Season 2 of Serial as it revisits the case of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
Each Wednesday, reporters with the Idaho Statesman and Boise State Public Radio will host a companion podcast, “Speaking of Serial,” discussing Bergdahl’s case, Serial’s reporting and what happens when an Idahoan becomes the center of international news.
You’ll find the latest episode here.
This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 7:23 AM with the headline "‘Serial’: 4th episode focuses on Bowe Bergdahl’s final 4 years in Taliban hands."