Frontline Season 24 Episode 6 Country Boys, Part III

In the sixth episode of season 24 of Frontline, titled "Country Boys, Part III," viewers are taken back to the rural landscape of eastern Kentucky to follow up on the lives of Chris, Cody, and their friends from part one and two of the series.

Now in their early twenties, Chris and Cody have entered adulthood in one of the most economically depressed parts of the United States. Part III of "Country Boys" shows viewers the trials and tribulations facing these young men as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a place with limited economic opportunity and a deeply entrenched culture of poverty.

The episode begins with Chris struggling to make ends meet after losing his job in a coal mine. He and his girlfriend, Brittany, are living together and raising their young daughter, but they are barely getting by on Chris's meager earnings from a job at a gas station. Without a college education, Chris feels that his options are limited, and he is determined to find a way to provide for his family.

Meanwhile, Cody has left Kentucky to pursue a college education in Florida. However, he quickly realizes that he misses his family and the close-knit community of eastern Kentucky that he grew up in. Despite the challenges of being a first-generation college student, Cody is determined to succeed and make a better life for himself and his family back home.

As the episode progresses, viewers see the toll that poverty and addiction take on the residents of eastern Kentucky. Chris's stepbrother, Josh, who was featured in part one of "Country Boys," has fallen into a life of addiction and has become a shadow of his former self. Chris is torn between wanting to help Josh and feeling frustrated that he can't seem to turn his own life around.

The episode also touches on the issue of healthcare in rural areas, as Chris and his family struggle to access the medical care they need. Without adequate insurance or the ability to pay out of pocket, they often rely on home remedies or simply toughing it out when they are sick or injured.

Despite the challenges facing these young men and their families, "Country Boys, Part III" also highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of the people of eastern Kentucky. Viewers see Chris and Brittany turning to gardening and raising chickens to supplement their income, while Cody connects with other students from Appalachia at college and starts a club to promote awareness of the region's culture.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning footage of eastern Kentucky's ruggedly beautiful landscape and intimate scenes of the daily lives of its residents. The filmmakers behind "Country Boys" have a knack for capturing both the hardships and the joys of life in this corner of America, creating a nuanced portrait of a region that is often misunderstood or overlooked.

"Country Boys, Part III" is a powerful and thought-provoking installment in the Frontline series, offering a moving look at the realities of rural poverty in America. Through the stories of Chris, Cody, and their friends and family, viewers come away with a deeper understanding of the challenges facing those who call eastern Kentucky home, as well as the resilience and determination that keep them going.