Black Gold

This companion documentary delves into the real-life origins of the oil boom in the Lüneburg Heath. Actor Aaron Hilmer from the series "Black Gold" travels to Wietze in search of historical traces. Once a hub of the German oil industry, the town in the Celle district served as the real-world inspiration for the fictional series. In 1858, geologist Georg Hunäus drilled Germany’s first oil well here. By the early 20th century, oil derricks crowded the landscape of Wietze. Through conversations with historians and contemporary witnesses, Aaron Hilmer explores how the oil boom transformed this small village on the heath.

Richard wants to end his father's reign of terror and fights alongside Johanna. In a bitter struggle, Johanna aims to bring down Wilhelm's oil empire. Wilhelm reveals to her the secret of the Papes' enmity with the Lamberts. A devastating explosion shatters Luisa's dream of escaping the village. Will Johanna and Richard survive?

Johanna and Jakub lead the workers in a strike, which Wilhelm brutally suppresses. The pact between Johanna and Tyler Robertson is on the verge of collapse. A robbery and murder puts an end to all their agreements. Johanna has no choice but to destroy Wilhelm using his own methods: she is determined to set Wilhelm's oil drilling facilities ablaze.

Johanna finds a new ally in Tyler in her fight against the powerful Papes. Although she loses the auction of the lakefront property to Wilhelm, it proves costly for him. Elisabeth, Wilhelm's wife, suspects foul play. The voices of the workers and farmers grow louder when a death rocks the village. Johanna openly opposes Wilhelm. The pressure on him mounts. His daughter Luisa plans to escape with the oil drilling engineer Max. Richard learns from Theiss that he is not solely responsible for the death of Johanna's father.