Ep 3. DRONEZ: The Hunt for El Chingon

In the third episode of the first season of Documentary Now!, the show parodies the popular style of Vice documentaries with DRONEZ: The Hunt for El Chingon. The episode follows two hipster reporters, played by Fred Armisen and Bill Hader, as they travel to the dangerous United States and Mexico border to document the real story of El Chingon, an elusive drug lord.

The episode sets the scene with a typical Vice-style introduction, featuring fast-paced editing, intense music, and a voiceover describing the dangerous and volatile situation at the border. The two reporters, Gigi and Grey, claim to be "Internet journalists" who are willing to risk everything to get the real story. They are shown traveling in a van decorated with an American flag and a drone attached to the roof, which they plan to use to capture footage of El Chingon.

Once they arrive at the border town, they begin interviewing locals, including a former drug addict and an ex-cop. These interviews, interspersed with footage of the reporters walking around the town and flying their drone, are meant to give the episode a serious tone while also mocking the self-importance of Vice-style journalism. Gigi and Grey are often shown wearing ridiculous outfits, such as a neon green hat and oversized aviator sunglasses, and making cringe-worthy comments about their mission.

As the episode progresses, the reporters become increasingly obsessed with finding El Chingon. They meet with a local smuggler who promises to take them to the drug lord's location, but the smuggler turns out to be a con artist who steals their money and leaves them stranded in the desert. This leads to a hilarious series of events as Gigi and Grey try to survive in the harsh terrain, with their drone becoming more of a hindrance than a help.

Despite the episode's comedic tone, it does touch on some serious issues, such as the dangers faced by people living near the border and the impact of the drug trade on both sides. However, these topics are often overshadowed by the absurdity of the reporters' behavior and the outdated stereotypes they perpetuate about Mexico and its people.

Overall, DRONEZ: The Hunt for El Chingon is a hilarious satire of Vice-style documentaries that highlights the over-the-top journalism often found in modern media. The episode's absurdity, combined with its commentary on real-world issues, makes it a standout in the first season of Documentary Now!