''Brad Meltzer's Decoded'' (or simply ''Decoded'') was an American investigation

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...

focused on historical mysteries and alleged conspiracy theories, produced by Go Go Luckey and Berman/Braun, that premiered December 2, 2010, on the

History History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...

channel. The series is hosted by

Brad Meltzer Brad Meltzer (born April 1, 1970) is an American novelist, non-fiction writer, TV show creator, and comic book author. His novels touch on the political thriller, legal thriller and conspiracy fiction genres, while he has also written superher ...

, an author of

political thriller A political thriller is a thriller that is set against the backdrop of a political power struggle, high stakes and suspense is the core of the story. The genre often forces the audiences to consider and understand the importance of politics. The st ...

novels and non-fiction works, and follows a team of investigators who try to determine the meanings behind various symbolism, alleged secret codes and conspiracies that surround us every day. '' History Decoded'', a book by Meltzer that was inspired by the show, was published in October 2013.

Cast

– author and investigator *

Scott Rolle Scott L. Rolle (born June 30, 1961) Is a Circuit Court Judge in Frederick County, Maryland. In a close election in late 2014, he was the first lawyer to defeat a sitting judge in Frederick County by way of election in modern history. From 1995-20 ...

– U.S. Army Reserves LTC and trial judge *Christine McKinley – mechanical engineer and writer *Buddy Levy – English professor, author and journalist

Reception

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

'' reviewer Ginia Bellfante gave ''Decoded'' a critical review, writing, "

here Here is an adverb that means "in, on, or at this place". It may also refer to: Software * Here Technologies, a mapping company * Here WeGo (formerly Here Maps), a mobile app and map website by Here Technologies, Here Television * Here TV (form ...

are the languorous crackpots who wonder if codes are embedded in their

Home Depot The Home Depot, Inc., is an American multinational home improvement retail corporation that sells tools, construction products, appliances, and services, including fuel and transportation rentals. Home Depot is the largest home improvement r ...

receipts, or if

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...

's wooden leg hid an alternate Constitution. It is for this group that the series ''Brad Meltzer's Decoded'' has been conceived" but says, "''Decoded'', though, at least returns the History channel to history" after its forays into reality TV such as ''

Ice Road Truckers ''Ice Road Truckers'' (commercially abbreviated ''IRT'') is a reality television series that premiered on History Channel, on June 17, 2007. It features the activities of drivers who operate trucks on seasonal routes crossing frozen lakes and ...

'' and ''

Ax Men ''Ax Men'' is an American reality television series that premiered on March 9, 2008 on History. The program follows the work of several logging crews in the second-growth forests of Northwestern Oregon, Washington and Montana and the rivers of ...

''. PopMatters.com compares aspects of ''Decoded'' to ''

Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura ''Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura'' is an American television series hosted by Jesse Ventura and broadcast on truTV. It ran for three seasons from 2009 to 2012 and was canceled in 2013. Format Former Navy Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) ...

'' stating it has "some broadly questionable research and conclusions, all developed and pursued 'in the moment', to give ''Decoded'' that sort of you-are-there-for-this-grand-adventure feel."

Episodes

Season 1 (2010–11)

Season 2 (2011–12)

References

External links

* * {{History shows English-language television shows History (American TV channel) original programming 2010 American television series debuts 2012 American television series endings Brad Meltzer American male novelists