Ep 4. Twinsburg, OH: Some Kind of Weird Twin Thing

"Twinsburg, OH: Some Kind of Weird Twin Thing" is an episode from the fourth season of POV, a documentary series that explores contemporary social issues through the eyes of ordinary people. In this episode, director Joe Berlinger travels to Twinsburg, Ohio, where every year, thousands of twins from around the world gather for the Twins Days festival.

The festival began in 1976 and has since grown into the world's largest annual gathering of twins. Each year, thousands of sets of twins, and sometimes even triplets or quadruplets, come together to celebrate their shared identity. The festival features a parade, contests, and a host of other activities designed to celebrate the unique bond between twins.

Berlinger explores the festival through the eyes of several sets of twins, including the Keller twins, who are identical except for their hair color; the Carpenter twins, who have lived very different lives but remain closely connected; and the German twins, who have traveled all the way from Germany to participate in the festival.

Throughout the episode, Berlinger explores the many ways in which twins are both similar and different, and how their bond shapes their lives. He also delves into the psychological and social implications of being a twin, including the phenomenon of "twin talk," in which twins have their own secret language; the unique challenges facing parents of multiples; and the role of genetics in shaping personality and behavior.

As Berlinger delves deeper into the lives of these twins, he discovers that their bond is not always an easy one. Some twins struggle with feelings of intense competition or jealousy; others struggle to find their own identity apart from their twin. But despite these challenges, the twins all agree that their bond is an incredibly powerful one that has shaped their lives in countless ways.

Ultimately, "Twinsburg, OH: Some Kind of Weird Twin Thing" is a fascinating exploration of the complex world of twins and the many ways in which their bond shapes their lives. It's a touching and insightful look at a community that's often overlooked, and a reminder that even when we think we know what makes us unique, there's always someone out there who shares a little bit of our story.