Ep 9. The Long Way Home

In Finding Your Roots season 3 episode 9, titled The Long Way Home, viewers are taken on a genealogical journey with three celebrities: filmmaker Michael Moore, acclaimed author Laura Linney, and political commentator and talk show host Bill Maher.

The episode starts with Harvard professor and host Henry Louis Gates Jr. introducing each guest to their family tree, which extends far beyond what they knew before. For Michael Moore, his family history goes back to his great-grandfather who moved from Ireland to Canada and then on to Michigan to work in the copper mines. The episode explores the hardships his ancestors faced and their resiliency in building a better life for their families.

For Laura Linney, her family lineage goes back to her ancestors who fled England in the 1600s and began a new life in Connecticut. The episode delves into the struggles they faced as Puritans and their contributions to America's history. Viewers also get a glimpse into the Linney family's connection to royalty and their involvement in the American Revolution.

As for Bill Maher, the episode uncovers his family's deep roots in New York City, tracing back to his great-grandfather who fled Ireland during the potato famine and established a successful bar in Manhattan. The episode explores Maher's ancestral ties to the city's Irish community and sheds light on the challenges they faced while building a new life in America.

Gates utilizes a mix of DNA analysis, historical research, and interviews with family members to shed light on each guest's ancestors. Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into each celebrity's personal journey, their emotions as they discover new information about their family, and moments of self-discovery.

The Long Way Home also touches on subjects such as slavery, immigration, and the American Dream, highlighting the unique experiences and challenges that each family faced as they built their lives in America. With the help of Gates and his team, each celebrity learns more about their identity, their past, and how it shapes who they are today.

Overall, Finding Your Roots season 3 episode 9 is a captivating and heartfelt exploration of family history, identity, and the human experience. It sheds light on the struggles and triumphs that have shaped America, and how every individual's story is unique and worthy of celebration.