Don't forget Colonial house is on this week~

[Sativarain1]

I guess this is going to be similar to frontier house.

May 17th 8 pm 10pm
May 18 th 8pm 10pm
May 24th 8pm 10pm
May 25th 8pm 10pm

check it out mamas!~

Valerie

[QueeTheBean]

I can't wait!

Thanks for the reminder.

[DaryLLL]

My kids and I are there.

No more Survivor, I'ma watch me some colonial "reality."

[MamaBug]

Thanks for the reminder, I taped it tonight.

I watched part of Oprah and I believe that she visited either the ppl on this how or another such thing like it, she and Gail King ( her best friend) stayed there and lived for two days, the footage was hysterical when Oprah had to go to the bathroom in the woods!!! :LOL

[Viola]

I watched a little of it. I tuned in when the woman was crying about how hard it is. Now I'm watching the beginning--I guess it is being re-run? I was not sympathetic to her plight--oh boo hoo. My husband felt sorry for her, thinking that she regrets bringing her children into a situation where they are suffering. Now a woman is crying because the men rowed off in the fog.

[khrisday]

Well, I'm hooked- now I'm going to have to watch the rest of it. The first episode is always interesting ebcause you get a bit of background on everyone. The previews for the next episode loko great, though- it looked like every person was walking around with big letter pinned to their chests LOL

[daylily]

I watched it and really enjoyed it. Whoever did the casting made better choices than whoever casted "Frontier House" which degenerated into farce almost immediately.

The "boo-hoo" woman got on my nerves, at first, but she shapes up pretty quickly. At least she wasn't crying about having to go without make-up, LOL.

I was really impressed with Bethany Wyers too. She's so mature and capable for such a young girl--no squealing about how gross everything is, or whining about a lack of modern foods or TV or trips to the mall. It was strange how Bethany's sister got almost no coverage at all. For most of the show, I assumed she hadn't come along after all, but after the Wyers family left, they commented that they'd lost three women, so I guess she was there.

The academic couple seem really nice and well meaning, but I could see how they could be totally annoying to live with as well.

Those letters next week--LOL! I guess "P" is for profanity, and dd saw someone with a "B" which we guess is blasphemy. At least we didn't see any scarlet "A"s, LOL.

[annakiss]

Tonight should be really interesting. If Gov. Wyers wants to turn that place into a "City on the Hill" then he's going to meet with some serious backlash. He's a good leader, but if he alienates everyone, or even almost everyone, then that good leader stuff goes completely out the window. He would annoy me to no end. Of course, so would the professor couple. They seem to come off as a bit elitest, but that's really no surprise. I thought it was hysterical to hear the woman talk about coming there for political reasons. It would be an interesting way to learn about the foundations of this country. Of course, I think the thing that became immediately clear is that this nation was founded on capitalist principles and the idea of using this place for the sole purpose of exploiting it's resources.

I wish they'd show the African American guy more. I'm interested to see what he's thinking about all this. He seems a bit quiet.

I actually really like the Vorhees family. Even if she did cry. I'd probably cry too, but then, I know what I'd be getting into and would never sign up for one of these shows. It's always so funny to me how shocked they all are by how hard it is.

[Sativarain1]

well I missed it my kids wouldn't go to sleep, so tonight I'll try and see it~

[gardenmom]

I thought the people they chose were good...much more realistic attitudes than the bunch in Frontier House, but the amount of work these people are willing and able to do seems kind of wimpy to me. I mean, it seemed like it took them an unreal amount of time to plant that corn, didn't it? It is so hard to tell because they spend so much time interviewing them that you don't get to see what they actually get done, though.

It was truly awful that the Wyers family had to leave. What a tragedy for Bethany and her family--very sad. I hope her brother recovers, at least. DH thought that he saw a different man in the previews for the rest of the show, so I wouldn't be too sure that Mr. Wyers is staying, either...we'll have to see.

One thing really bugs me and dh about this show already: The idea that they don't have guns to hunt, and don't even try to fish or forage for food right from the start--they definitely would starve to death. The producers go to such great pains to force the people to do everything exactly the way the colonists would have done it, and then they don't get to hunt, and don't even try fishing until a few weeks have gone by??? Whatever your beliefs about guns today, the colonists DID have guns...it was one of the main things they traded with the Native Americans as well. In my mind it invalidates the whole experiment. And you could see that nobody was squeamish about eating that muskrat when they finally did get some meat from the local tribe. Hopefully they'll address this later and not just dismiss it like in Frontier house...

Also, I seem to doubt that any women would have been allowed to do readings from the Bible back then, and they certainly would not have been allowed to evangelize the way that Bethany did...

Regardless, I find it totally fascinating, and would love to participate in one of these someday. DH thinks I'm nuts and would NEVER go with me if I were chosen, anyhow...

I also wonder what would be expected from a typical 21mo old like dd in those days?

[daylily]

I agree about the hunting. If they'd *actually* just sailed over from England they wouldn't have had barrels full of salted beef and fish and peas b/c they'd have eaten it on the passage over. Maybe we're supposed to believe they just sailed up from Boston.

[khrisday]

Quite possibly, they are nopt allowed to hunt because of where they are. They are living on Native American soil, aren't they? I remember on Frontier House they were not allowed to hunt because of restrictions as well if I remember correctly. I looked at the sight, and they are definately getting more cast members, which I think will be good for the community.

[annakiss]

Originally Posted by khrisday

I looked at the sight, and they are definately getting more cast members, which I think will be good for the community.

Ah! So that's why all the talk about Jamestown only surviving with new colonists. Not that that wasn't relevant regardless, but now it's like a clue.

[kama'aina mama]

I suspect they focused on Bethany so that when she left we wouldn't be going "Whose fiance died???"

I think there is a problem with motivation since so many people are there unrelated to one another and for such diverse reasons. In Frontier House there was at least one member of each household who was really driven and used their relationship to get the others in the house fired up some. Here... I just see a lot of unmotivated people with no one who has a real ability to light a fire under them.

I found myself wondering if it was really out of the question for the young woman who is a share holder to at least attend the 'freemen' meetings, even if she has no voice and no vote.

I think the producers engineered this one more... and are looking for more interpersonal drah-mah. They took a strict Baptist preacher with a slightly skewed understanding of the kind of religious freedom people came here looking for (or maybe he doesn't, given what's coming up!) and put him in charge of a bunch of liberal, "hey man, live and let live" types. Gosh... do you think sparks will fly??? I think they are far more interested this time in the societal aspects than the survival aspects.

I am always at the womens reactions. I just wanna say "Duh!" Yeah... womens work is NEVER DONE! You think that was a quaint saying??? No! Fact! They wanted to just not cook three days a week? Oh man... please! Work three days and take one off would be an unheard of luxury... Had this been real I think they would have been eatting communally (or at least cooking thus) almost the entire time so far. Sunrise to sunset every man, woman and child would have been out in that field til it was planted. The youngest child capable of the task would have tended the fire so it didn't go out and one or two women would stop work an hour or so before meal time to go cook. It frustrated me when they make such a big deal about how many people wanted to do this and these people are sooo interested in the authentic experience and then ten minutes in they are whining and cutting corners. Dude... It ain't a costume party! Get out there and work!

[gardenmom]

I agree that the producers are definitely playing up the relationship thing, I think to the detriment of the need to survive, eat, and get work done.

As for the hunting, if they are not permitted to hunt on the land they're using IRL (or even if it's for safety reasons that they don't want real guns used), they could do simulated hunting trips if they wanted to make it as realistic as possible. Give each man a 'fake' gun that's just a wooden look alike that you buy from Colonial Williamsburg, and make them actually take the time and energy to search for game in the woods. If they chase up a deer, then reward them with fresh meat, as if they had actually caught it (or something to that effect). Also there are other methods of hunting that may have been used, like bow and arrow or even a slingshot...

I have to wonder if the no hunting thing is to keep PBS supporters who are anti-gun from getting mad at them...

I was glad to see that they finally did pick some blueberries when they ripened up. And the house building segment was great...and the part where Mr. Voorhees had to punish his wife for not going to church and he told her that he was not going to get her a blanket...:LOL

[yoga]

I thought he said he would get her a blanket. Guess I heard wrong.

I don't understand why coming out was so important to the lay preacher's servant (I'm not good with names on these shows). I know he said he didn't feel he was being himself, but I don't understand why that would have been, other than self-imposed.

I think they should have pretend-married Amy off to one of the Freemen. That would have given me a chuckle.

Getting rid of the Sabbath law was a big mistake, IMO. You know, these folks are really annoying me b/c they signed up to act out this show and they keep trying to bale on everything. I wanna yell at them to grow up! You said you'd do it, now, do it right! *blah*

I thought it was funny, yet stupid, how the lay preacher's wife tried to invoke feminist revolt by saying she wouldn't cover her head until the governor repealed the modesty law. Some ppl can be so immature. :LOL

The Voorhees annoy me. Am I the only one? Surely, Miss Pagan knew something about the 17th century before agreeing to be on this show. Surely, she knew this country was supposedly founded by Puritans. So, why is she making such a fuss about sitting thru church sessions? And, why is her husband such a wimp? He's made more than one comment about how he needs to do certain things so he doesn't incur her wrath (since she's such a strong-willed woman and such).

And that mother from the new family...actually crying b/c she doesn't feel she knows her place since she's living in another woman's home. Ask. I'm sure someone could tell you your place.

But, they did have a lot of people living in that small house.

And, what's up with these folks acting like they can't survive without alcohol? I thought that was really lame how they had their private party the day the new folks came. And, then, it was supposed to be a secret and they walked out drunk and were loud as hell!

Anyway, bloody good show!

oh, and what's up with the invasive techniques surrounding the birth of the piglets? what was up with the men helping the piglets latch on? (not the one having a hard time, tho I question their involvement there, too) and everyone standing around watching her give birth? was I the only one yelling at the screen during that scene?

[mojomom]

I am so disapponted in this show. I feel like the producers picked these people because they knew it would bring drama to the show not authenticity. Like the Govenor said he was told there would be people who wanted to be goverened in this project but there are not any. They seem to pick and choose when they want to do things by the books. I mean seriously protesting coing to service on Sunday. Really what did these people think the early colonials life revolved around? They came to America because of religon and now they decide not to go to church, yeah that would happen.
Well I think I am just tired of drama and how it seems so obvious to me that the show is going more towards the drama, not the actual history and tru living. They should have kicked that guy who walked into town off the show.JMO

[kama'aina mama]

Chaka is up in arms about the level of midwifery care given a sow! Only here, folks... only here do you get posts like that.

Other than that I cannot comment as the show has not yet aired in my time zone yet.

[BayouMomof3]

I agree that there seems to be TOO much drama!
Even that *wanderlust* guy said it "there is always something major going on with someone every day so it's easily forgotten what you may have done the day before.." or something along those lines.

Wonder why the people (won't say who due to those who haven't seen it yet) are leaving?? (in regards to the upcoming episode) It just seems like there are no repercussions for those that wander off or leave or do whatever the heck they please, you know?

Didn't get why the guy "coming out" was such conflict either...unless it was just all internal?? Interesting choice of words for the governor.

These folks seem so lackadaisical and unmotivated. They KNEW what it was going to take, right? They did sign up for this, right? Then GET ON IT!

[gardenmom]

Originally Posted by Chaka Falls

I thought he said he would get her a blanket. Guess I heard wrong.

No...I'm pretty sure he said to her "I told everyone else (meaning all the other lawbreakers who had to be tied to a pole for 2 hours) that they could raise their hand and I'll come and get them a blanket or whatever they need' then he said something to his wife like "you can forget about it".

Originally Posted by Chaka Falls

oh, and what's up with the invasive techniques surrounding the birth of the piglets? what was up with the men helping the piglets latch on? (not the one having a hard time, tho I question their involvement there, too) and everyone standing around watching her give birth? was I the only one yelling at the screen during that scene?

You're not alone--my dh was yelling 'bring the pig back to it's mother, you idiots'!