THE SHOW "Frontline: Syria Undercover" 
 WHEN|WHERE Tuesday night at 9 on <a href="/topics/WNET">WNET</a>/13 
 REASON TO WATCH A you-are-almost-there primer on the Syrian uprising 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT In the first part of this two-part "Frontline," British-Iranian journalist Ramita Navai goes <a href="/topics/Undercover_%28designer%29">undercover</a> in Syria to lead viewers on what might best be described as an underground tour of the Syrian protest movement. With an interpreter and handheld camera, she travels about 10 miles northeast of <a href="/topics/Damascus%2C_Syria">Damascus</a> to the town of Douma; she visits the spot where a 14-year-old boy was shot, speaks with his father (who recalls that his son "was excited to go to the protest"); visits makeshift hospitals (injured protesters are no longer brought to public hospitals); and in an especially harrowing part, visits a safe house where three protest leaders are hiding out. They can hear Syrian militia breaking down the doors of an adjoining house. In the second part, viewers get a detailed overview on the roots of the uprising. 
 MY SAY In Syria, the "Arab Spring" continues unabated, but "Frontline" strips away any sense that this will follow some sort of preset narrative, with the protesters prevailing and Syrian President Bashar Assad fleeing the country to spend his forced retirement in a Paris town house. What's best -- and most chilling -- about this program is really just how clear-eyed it is. Navai's almost preposterously gutsy reporting takes viewers right to the edge of the danger zone; one knock at the door, and you realize that her camera would stop rolling, and she would thereafter become another statistic on the <a href="/topics/Committee_to_Protect_Journalists">Committee to Protect Journalists</a>' website. Among protesters, she finds shocking injuries and a constant fear of reprisals from the jackboots. 
 The second part steps back and -- with that inimitable "Frontline" sobriety -- lays out the big picture. Hafez Assad -- Bashar's father -- smashed a 1982 rebellion by almost completely destroying the Sunni city of <a href="/topics/Hama%2C_Syria">Hama</a>, where the <a href="/topics/Muslim_Brotherhood">Muslim Brotherhood</a> had been based. "Frontline's" experts suggest Bashar Assad now appears resolute in deploying similar methods. The Arab spring, in other words, could be about ready to give way to the Arab winter. 
 BOTTOM LINE Chilling 
 GRADE A

THE SHOW "Frontline: Syria Undercover" WHEN|WHERE Tuesday night at 9 on WNET/13 REASON TO WATCH A you-are-almost-there primer on the Syrian uprising WHAT IT'S ABOUT In the first part of this two-part "Frontline," British-Iranian journalist Ramita Navai goes undercover in Syria to lead viewers on what might best be described as an underground tour of the Syrian protest movement. With an interpreter and handheld camera, she travels about 10 miles northeast of Damascus to the town of Douma; she visits the spot where a 14-year-old boy was shot, speaks with his father (who recalls that his son "was excited to go to the protest"); visits makeshift hospitals (injured protesters are no longer brought to public hospitals); and in an especially harrowing part, visits a safe house where three protest leaders are hiding out. They can hear Syrian militia breaking down the doors of an adjoining house. In the second part, viewers get a detailed overview on the roots of the uprising. MY SAY In Syria, the "Arab Spring" continues unabated, but "Frontline" strips away any sense that this will follow some sort of preset narrative, with the protesters prevailing and Syrian President Bashar Assad fleeing the country to spend his forced retirement in a Paris town house. What's best -- and most chilling -- about this program is really just how clear-eyed it is. Navai's almost preposterously gutsy reporting takes viewers right to the edge of the danger zone; one knock at the door, and you realize that her camera would stop rolling, and she would thereafter become another statistic on the Committee to Protect Journalists' website. Among protesters, she finds shocking injuries and a constant fear of reprisals from the jackboots. The second part steps back and -- with that inimitable "Frontline" sobriety -- lays out the big picture. Hafez Assad -- Bashar's father -- smashed a 1982 rebellion by almost completely destroying the Sunni city of Hama, where the Muslim Brotherhood had been based. "Frontline's" experts suggest Bashar Assad now appears resolute in deploying similar methods. The Arab spring, in other words, could be about ready to give way to the Arab winter. BOTTOM LINE Chilling GRADE A

Entertainment

ETTEL08.WEB

'Syria Undercover': On the edge of danger

Newsday

p2FRONTLINE

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

34 must-see fall concerts

Fall theater preview

Too much 'Jeopardy'?

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

Ahead of his HBO Max show, we recall the Roosevelt native's first talk show.

Remember Howard Stern's talk show from 1990?

Several longtime presenters say they may pull back from future programs after Skolnick's dismissal. The Cinema's board has cited "serious misconduct" but has not publicly explained the allegation.

Presenters pull back after firing of Cinema Arts Centre co-director

Dylan Skolnick has been fired over what the cinema board believes was 'serious misconduct.' NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'Organizational restructuring'

The Malverne-raised actor shares LI memories ahead of his Café Carlyle shows Sept. 8-19.

Tony Danza still packs a punch as a singer and actor

The "Mornings With Maria" anchor has departed after 12 years with the network.

Maria Bartiromo and Fox News part ways after more than 12 years

The pop star enjoyed a night of food, friends and photos at Osteria Umbra restaurant.

Delicioso! Ed Sheeran dines in Smithtown

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

The CBS news veteran will join the morning show starting Tuesday.

Norah O'Donnell returning to 'CBS Mornings'

The Roosevelt native's show will premiere on the streamer starting Sept. 17.

From radio to TV: Howard Stern's show hitting HBO Max

"Big Stein has an eggplant calzone on his mind!" Thursday night at the Stadium.

George Costanza calzone bobblehead is on the menu at Yankee Stadium this Thursday

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Sayville Falls Miniature Golf and Beer Garden offers family-friendly activities, gazebos with TVs for rent and food that changes with the seasons. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Sayville Falls Miniature Golf and Beer Garden offers more than you might think

NewsdayTV's Carissa Kellman visits Adventure Paddleboards & Kayaks in East Quogue for a GoBoat adventure.

It's your last chance to book an LI 'bumper boat'

Some farm stand owners are sharing video footage on social media, citing threats to an ethics code that has guided the East End economy for decades. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

East End farm stands report thefts, threatening decades-old honor systems

It started out as "take a book, leave a book." Now these little libraries have Instagram accounts and mobile apps and are part of a growing, vibrant community. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has the story.

Little Free Libraries are a big deal

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to the North Fork to highlight local East End businesses and give us a behind-the-scenes look at their daily work.

Out East: North Fork Foodie Tour

For many of the approximately 100,000 Muslims living on Long Island, the deadliest terrorist act committed on U.S. soil — carried out by 19 al-Qaida hijackers — pointed an unwelcome spotlight at them. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Being Muslim on LI, after 9/11 and now: Stories of hatred and healing

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Dom's Famous Chicken Fingers in Plainview.

Trendy Bites: Dom's Famous Chicken Fingers

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Mastic Seafood to slice some fish and shuck some oysters on this week's LI Works.

LI Works: Shucking oysters and hauling fish at a local seafood market

The plant-eating pests are raising concerns among farmers and winemakers. Newsday reporter Mark Harrington spoke about some potential upcoming solutions.

Spotted lanternflies on the rise

The Smithtown East boys and girls volleyball teams hosted Smithtown West in what was billed as the first outdoor volleyball matches in Long Island history. NewsdayTV's Christopher Matias reports.

Smithtown East hosts Long Island's first outdoor volleyball match

Sitewide Video Playlist

There was a major police presence at Pearl Court in Sayville on Friday morning as authorities investigated a report of a woman found dead in her home. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Homicide detectives at the scene

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland speaks to actor Gary Sinise about the Wantagh Union Free School District partnering with his foundation to raise money for field trips to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, as well as a commemorative 9/11 statue in front of Wantagh High School.

Actor Gary Sinise partners with LI district on 9/11 education

Salvadorans on Long Island are preparing for the end of their Temporary Protected Status. The federal humanitarian program that allows immigrants to legally live and work in the United States, expires on Wednesday. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'I never thought this would happen to them'

Recently dismissed charges against two co-defendants in a case after court reporter errors in Grand Jury Transcript. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn along with Newdsay Courts Reporter Grant Parpan has more.

'He's been fighting this case since he was arrested'

'Hoping things will be different for my kids and my grandkids'

Construction is in full swing at The Lisle, a 189-apartment building from the Hicksville LIRR station. Tenants who meet income requirements for 19 units will be selected by lottery. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

19 apartments at discounted rents

'It's unfortunate'

Healthcare leaders and experts have long suggested that Nassau University Medical Center could improve its finances by selling or leasing real estate. Newsday investigative reporter Peter D'Auria has more.

Ways to fix the future of NUMC

Balloons, photo-ops and enthusiastic staffers welcomed students at Steele Elementary School in Baldwin to their first day of school, one of 49 Long Island districts returning on Wednesday. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Be kind, be brave and be smart'

A "super El Niño" is predicted to develop by the summer. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen looks at the likely effects.

'A big change in weather patterns'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'Syria Undercover': On the edge of danger

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.