Ep 1. Keepers Of The Caliphate & Sim Kids

In the first episode of Vice's seventh season, titled "Keepers of the Caliphate & Sim Kids," viewers are taken on a journey through two vastly different but equally important topics.

The first segment focuses on a group of men who have taken it upon themselves to become the "keepers of the caliphate," dedicating their lives to upholding the principles of the Islamic State despite its official declaration of defeat in 2019. The Vice team spoke with a number of these men, including those who were captured and imprisoned for their involvement in the terrorist organization and others who had escaped as it crumbled.

Through interviews, the team was able to piece together what life was like for these men as part of the caliphate. They shared stories of joining as young teenagers, giving up their families and lives in the pursuit of jihad, and the brutality they witnessed and participated in during their time there. They also discussed the disillusionment and despair they felt when the caliphate came to an end, and their continuing commitment to a violent ideology that many around the world condemn.

The second segment of the episode is a much lighter topic, focusing on the world of "sim kids" - children who make their living playing video games and streaming their gameplay on platforms like Twitch. The Vice team followed one family in particular, whose two sons had become successful streamers and were able to support their parents financially through their work.

The segment includes interviews with the boys, their parents, and other members of the "sim kids" community, exploring the many different aspects of this growing industry. Viewers get a glimpse at the intense training and practice required to excel at video games and the dedicated fan base that follows these young streamers. They also learn about the challenges of managing online personas and the need to balance streaming with school work and other responsibilities.

Overall, the episode provides a fascinating look into two worlds that are as different as night and day. From the violent and often terrifying landscape of the caliphate to the bright and colorful world of online gaming, Vice Season 7 Episode 1 offers a unique perspective on some of the most interesting and intricate issues of the modern world.