Let’s be upfront, the History Channel’s Ancient Aliens has always flirted with the fringe. But in its latest iteration, Ancient Aliens: Origins, the show seems to be doubling down on its core premise: that ancient humans were a bit too dim to figure things out on their own, and extraterrestrial intervention is the only logical explanation for, well, everything. This week’s episode, “Alien Arsenal,” turns its lens toward ancient weaponry, asking the age-old question: did these tools of war originate from the gods… or from something a little more… out there?
The episode looks to revisit some favorite mysteries from the past 15 years of Ancient Aliens. So, expect the usual suspects to show up – Giorgio Tsoukalos, David Childress, William Henry, and Jason Martell – offering their well-worn theories about how aliens influenced the development of everything from swords to, presumably, those pointy Sumerian helmets. “Alien Arsenal” will present “new perspectives” and “personal insights” according to the History Channel’s press materials, but let’s be real, we’re likely to hear familiar refrains about how ancient civilizations couldn’t possibly have forged bronze or understood basic metallurgy without a helpful nudge from some extraterrestrial pals.
While the show’s logic may be a bit dubious at times, it’s hard to deny the entertainment value of watching experts earnestly ponder the possibility of alien involvement in every facet of human history. If you’re in the mood for some speculative history and a healthy dose of “what ifs,” then “Alien Arsenal” might be right up your alley.
Ancient Aliens: Origins – Alien Arsenal airs Monday November 18 at 9:00 PM ET on History.
