Ep 2. The Overnighters

The POV season 28 episode 2, titled "The Overnighters," is a documentary film that shines a light on the dire effects of the oil boom in North Dakota. The episode follows the story of a small Lutheran church in Williston, North Dakota that opens its doors to migrants who travel to the oil fields of North Dakota in search of work.

The Overnighters is a heartbreaking and inspiring portrait of a community struggling to survive amidst the chaos of the oil boom. Williston is a small town that, like many others in the rural West, was hit hard by the recession in 2008. The arrival of the oil companies promised an economic recovery; however, the reality is that it only added to their troubles. Thousands of workers descended on the town, looking for work, and with them came a host of problems, including housing shortages, skyrocketing rents, and a surge in crime.

The Overnighters tells the story of Jay Reinke, a pastor of the Concordia Lutheran Church, who opens his doors to hundreds of migrants who have nowhere else to go. Reinke’s commitment to helping these people find a better life is unwavering, but it comes at a great personal cost. He is forced to confront the harsh reality that not everyone has the best intentions, and his good deeds are often met with suspicion and fear.

The show explores Reinke’s struggle to balance his commitment to helping others with his responsibilities to his own family and community. His actions, done with the best of intentions, put him in the crosshairs of controversy, as many in the town accuse him of putting the safety of his congregation at risk. Reinke must confront conflicts within his own church, as well as opposition from the wider community, as he fights to make a difference in the lives of the migrants he has welcomed.

The Overnighters is a powerful exploration of the many factors that drive people to migrate, and the harsh realities of life on the oil fields. It is a portrait of a small town struggling to cope with the enormous changes occurring around it, and the extraordinary efforts of one man to make a difference. The show is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope prevails.

As the episode unfolds, viewers will meet a cast of characters who come to the Overnighters' shelter, each with their own tale of struggle and perseverance. Some have left behind a family, some are seeking a new start, while others are running from the past. It is a story of hope, despair, and the enduring power of human compassion.

The Overnighters is a moving and thought-provoking film that raises important questions about the choices we make, the nature of community, and the true meaning of sacrifice. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the challenges facing rural America, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.