Vice Season 2 Episode 9 Crude Awakening & The Enemy of My Enemy

In the ninth episode of Vice season 2, titled "Crude Awakening & The Enemy of My Enemy," the show explores two very different but equally important issues: the oil boom in North Dakota and the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

The first half of the episode focuses on the oil boom in North Dakota's Bakken shale formation. Correspondent Gianna Toboni interviews a variety of people involved in the industry, including oil company executives, local business owners, and members of the community affected by the boom. She explores the environmental impact of the drilling, as well as the economic benefits and drawbacks. Toboni also speaks with members of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, a Native American tribe whose land has been impacted by the drilling. They discuss the impact on their water supply, as well as the cultural importance of the land and its resources.

The second half of the episode delves into the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Correspondent Shane Smith travels to Iran to speak with government officials and ordinary citizens about the tense relationship between the two countries. Smith also visits a mosque in Tehran to speak with young Iranians about their views on the United States and their hopes for the future. Additionally, the episode provides a historical context for the conflict, tracing the complicated relationship between the two countries from the 1953 CIA-led coup that ousted Iran's democratically elected prime minister to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and subsequent hostage crisis.

Throughout the episode, Vice provides in-depth reporting and fresh perspectives on two complex and important issues. The show uses a mix of interviews, footage from the field, and historical context to provide viewers with a comprehensive look at the topics at hand. Overall, "Crude Awakening & The Enemy of My Enemy" is a thought-provoking and informative episode of Vice.