Life or Death: The Negotiators: The Negotiators vs. Armed Security Guards (Nat Geo, Wednesday, May 21, 2025)

Life or Death The Negotiators Key Art

National Geographic’s “Life or Death: The Negotiators” returns this Wednesday with a high-stakes episode that puts viewers right in the middle of a tense hostage crisis. “The Negotiators vs. Armed Security Guards” recounts a real-life incident in San Juan City, Metro Manila, where a disgruntled former security guard, Alchie Paray, takes 55 people hostage in a shopping mall after shooting a colleague.

The episode examines the delicate and dangerous dance between the negotiators and Paray, the pressure mounting with every passing moment. It’s a look at the psychology of crisis negotiation, the tactics used to de-escalate volatile situations, and the split-second decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. “Life or Death” takes viewers inside the minds of the negotiators, exploring the strategies they employ to establish rapport, build trust, and ultimately bring the hostage situation to a peaceful resolution.

RELATED:   Bride or Die, Lifetime Movie Network, Friday, June 13

This episode of “Life or Death: The Negotiators” airs Wednesday, May 21 at 10:00 PM ET on National Geographic.

Andrew Martins, reviewer, recapper, deep diver, scifi specialist. Thinks Blakes 7 is better than Star Trek. Yes I do go to fan conventions and no I don't dress up. Well okay maybe I do a bit.