Last week’s episode ended on the cliffhanger of a young inyala caught in a snare and the survivalists scampering and screaming around and across the lake. In my head, I heard the theme song to Benny Hill. Of course, by the time the buffoon brigade arrived, the inyala had snapped the branch and skittered back into the brush.
This week, I am in Los Angeles at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. The TCA meets twice each year and the broadcast and cable networks present their new series. It’s several weeks filled with panels, interviews, cocktail parties and lots of bacon. I’m here for the last 9 days of the tour, I’m watching this episode of Naked and Afraid XL in my hotel room and without my trusty sidekick and remote control holder, my husband Scott. We’ll see how this goes…
Day 22
After the snare snaffoo, Darrin reminds the group that he’s a master hunter. Again. Ryan rolls his eyes and can’t wait to see Darrin put some meat where his mouth is.
Day 23
In the morning, Jake proposes moving camp. Darrin wants to return to his old camp to hunt, and he and Steven decide to do on a multi-day hunting trip and return to the large group on Day 25. But before they leave camp, Darrin and Steven prepare their weapons and Darrin’s also added a feather to his hair which has moved beyond the greasy stage and is heading into dreadlock territory. As the two hopeful hunters leave camp, Chief Jake bestows this word of blessing: “May your spear kill everything it touches.”
But the folks left behind aren’t going to sit on their butts and wait for Darrin and Steven to return hoisting huge sides of meat. Jake is back on the net and some of the women harvest cattail tubers. Ryan’s on snare duty. But Jake’s net is empty, because he’s fishing from the exact same area where everyone always fishes. And Ryan sets snares in the exact same area that he always sets snares. Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, is it not?
Back at Darrin and Kim’s initial camp in the Tsonga basin, Steven is excited to see large numbers of large game. He and Darrin choose blinds across the watering hole from each other and settle in an wait. And wait. And wait. Steven tries throwing the atlatl, and Darrin gets a few shots off with his bow, but the only thing they catch is sunburn.
Back at Camp Colossus, Ryan has lost his mind. He’s built himself a ridiculous headdress out of horns that is almost as asinine as Darrin’s feather.
After an unsuccessful day with the Atlatl, Steven asks Darrin to use use the bow on the next day’s hunt. Darrin refuses. because even if it’s not his, it’s his. Because it’s Kim’s. And Darrin has claimed Kim.
That night, the tension in the men’s camp is heightened by two lions who stalk them all night long. Steven sets the recorder for posterity and “in case we get our faces eaten off.”
Day 24
Back in the Swati Valley, Tawny, Stacey, Alyssa and Kim sit around looking like dirty skeletons, while and Ryan and Phaedra check out the porcupine den that was Clarence’s undoing. But now it seems that the den has been taken over by a warthog, which is a much bigger (and less pokey) meal. But after sealing up den exits and filling it with lots of smoke, it’s evident that Pumbaa isn’t home. Phaedra and Ryan think that their group may have exhausted the resources of the camp and the mumblings to leave the Swati Valley grow.
Steven is still pissed that Darrin won’t share the bow and decides to take drastic measures. His new desperate plan is to simply smash a passing animal with a rock and tackle it. Steven is quick, but he’s not impala quick. And he’s barefoot, so he runs gingerly. After the hilarious fail, Steven wants to stay and hunt for another day. Darrin wants to return to the group because they’d but Darrin is a man of his word and returns to the larger group.
Day 25
Darrin leaves Steven and returns to the large group. Steven stays behind — with the bow! — and looks forward to a big day of hunting. Poor Darrin is going to be turning right around, because the group wants to move to the Tsonga Basin. But before he makes the return trip, he throws Steven under the bus by telling the group that Steven called them “lazy.” Jake takes the comment personally, because he is the opposite of lazy. Do you remember Steven calling the group Lazy? I don’t have the benefit of a DVR in my hotel room; I hope that someone can help clarify.
Steven’s gleeful alone time is disrupted when a herd of massive Cape buffalo visit the watering hole. The massive beasts can weight up to one ton and kill over 200 people per year. I think a Cape buffalo was the bad guy in the latest Kung Fu Panda movie.
XLR
The group’s XLR has fallen from 7.6 to 6.4 out of 10. Other than the tubers (which they haven’t talked about since they picked them), they haven’t eaten in three days. So shouldn’t the score dip more? On the other hand, It seems like Tick Bite Fever isn’t part of this weeks conversation, which is a good thing.
Back to our solo-hunter who runs the risk of becoming a Steve-kebob. Eventually the beasts move on just as the large group arrives. Jake appoints himself the team’s mouthpiece and heads over to set Steven straight on not returning to camp and for calling his teammates lazy. But Steven insists that he didn’t use those words to describe everyone. He calls Darrin a liar and then storms off spend time alone to clear his head. Darrin warns, “He knows that a loner out here is a dead man.”
I was so confused about what was said by Steven that I called Scottie for clarification. Even with the use of a DVR, Scott was unclear of exactly what was said. I think that the producers of Naked and Afraid and N&A XL (A production company called Renegade 83) may have employed the technique of making a “FrankenBite.” When you make a FrankenBite, you take a quote out of context, chop it up, remove words and alter it in such a way that the quote used is dramatically different from what was originally said or intended.
Scott says that Steven used both the words “Lazy” and “Laziness,” but Scott felt that the words were aimed at Darrin and not at the group. And it’s not like the camera guys are going to let the survivalists watch the raw footage, so Darrin basically wanted to stir up trouble.
And why did Darrin leave to return to camp at 6:30am? He and Steven could have hunted in the morning and headed back to camp later in the day. That way, both men could have gotten what they wanted. It’s called compromise gents.
Primitive Survival Item. Each survivalist brought a blade each trio was given a cooking pot, and each of the dozen survivalists was allowed to bring one primitive survival item. I’m keeping track here:
Jake- Spool of snare wire (Learned in personal interview)
Stacey- Fishing hook and line (Learned in Episode 1)
Clarence- Unknown -left in Episode 2
Phaedra- Paracord? (Used in Episode 4)
Alyssa- Fire Starter (Learned in Preview Episode)
Tawny- Casting Net (Learned in Episode 2)
Kim- Bow & Arrow (Learned in Episode 1)
Carrie- Unknown -left in Episode 1
Darrin- Buck Skin (Learned in Preview Episode)
Angel- Unknown -left in Episode 3
Steven- Sling shot (Learned in Preview Episode)
Ryan- Spool of 100-lb. Fishing Line (Learned in Episode 1)
More Naked and Afraid XL
Recap: Naked and Afraid XL Episode 4 “Too Many Chiefs”
Recap: Naked and Afraid XL Episode 3 “Human Prey”
Recap: Naked and Afraid XL Episode 2 “Man on Fire”
Recap: Naked and Afraid XL Episode 1 “Lions at the Gate”
Naked and Afraid XL Season 2 preview
Interview With Jake Nodar
Jake Nodar’s 4 butt-kicking survival tips
Oops there I go again: Sorry Steven not Stephen!!!
Darrin and all the “literate” people here,please excuse me for misspelling your name!
I appreciate legitimate feedback; it is interesting and fun to read everybody’s take on the show. I agree that the show is probably edited to highlight conflict etc.. Which is too bad because I enjoy the shows that emphasize the tactics couples use to combine their strengths to be successful .
My opinion is only that an opinion, if it is interpreted as having no substance well so be it. I do see character flaws in all 4 of the males and am not willing to pick one as the main “bad”guy”. That observation , choosing one as the “bad”guy” is too simplistic and predictable.
I have not seen much of the group working together as a whole. That is one reason why I don’t believe Jake is the best kind of leader. In a survival situation a stronger leader with good delegating and decision making skills is necessary. It is not about being liked, it is about being respected and making sure the group survives.
P.S. Stephen does not call me Deb, he calls me his ” Warrior Woman” !
Warrior Woman. You have the right stuff and are honest and can “smooth him out” a bit. You stand by your man and I respect that.
J.C. if he was truly her “man” she probably wouldn’t be misspelling his name, but yes Deborah has the right stuff, glad she’s here.
Exactly, KenO, how do you misspell your man’s name. I assume Deborah is his girlfriend or wife and it’s nice she’s writing on his behalf but, c’mon, misspelling his name ?????
Sorry, Deborah if I came across as rude. Your opinion is valued here.
So- as a totally stupid & idiotic aside as I prepare to sign off just before 6am ET..what commercials are you all subjected to between episode segments (LJ 1st brought up subject)- ME: HARDEE’S MENAGE A TROIS BURGERS (totally tasteless/sexist trash, but hot looking girls,no doubt), & The Addiction Network 5 times an hour..(you need to call us NOW!!!). Peace,friends*
There was a teaser about the Bone crusher and his sidekick, you know the two that scream at everything, see the bush? “Scream”, see the trail? “Scream”, see the butterfly? “Scream”, kill an unfortunate critter? “Scream”, etc., and repeat.
Ko. I saw the teaser too, lots of hyper masculine noise and a super duper crusher knife.
I had to laugh at that knife and of course the shot of the “Bone Crusher” screaming yet again.
He lives near you, yes? I seem to remember his attempts to capitalize quickly on that very overpriced knife via ads & gun shows..
When I went out recently to add to my survival gear, I also noticed that Bear Gryllis has quite an enterprise of overpriced stuff (just because it has his name attached?) One question for you guys..I bought an SOG machete, which the store guy said was his favorite. I chipped the blade right away cutting down half inch thick saplings for my sweat lodge! Very disappointed & bummed. This is an important tool. Which ones are best??
Al, I don’t use a chopping tool to cut down saplins, I use a saw, even a folding pruning saw with Japanese style teeth is better than hacking away at a moving sapling. Every time you hack the sapling gives expelling all of the energy that the Machete has and failing to yeild a proper cut. By the way one should never take the advice of a “store guy” as his only purpose is to sell you stuff.
OBTW I read a Jeff Zausch interview on line where he says he yells because he can’t help himself. There’s some self control for you.
I don’t get that one-it would be great comic relief too! Guessing that NC & Va. have different demographics (sigh). Any commercial that airs multiple times during a show is ultimately brain & soul killing?
AL. It is an on going amusement between Ken and me. Amusement triggered by such things as “special crusher” knife; “I hate bullies but don’t you dare QUESTION ME ” “I counselled her for 3 days” screaming at dead things and so forth. They are on the choreographed Dual Survival scheduled Aug. 24. I am on pins and needles waiting to NOT watch it.
Oh, I get it -EJ & Jeff. Did you happen to see the interesting news out of Idaho shortly after last year’s XL series about Jeff’s arrest for insurance fraud? You can google it-What an upright citizen..
Al, I googled Jeff’s arrest for insurance fraud and sure enough he plead guilty to a felony fraud charge. Of course his Judge, being a Mormon as well, didn’t send him to prison. He got fined $1250 and had to pay $376 to Geico in restitution. He also had to do 100 hours of community service. I didn’t know fraud was taken so lightly in Idaho. I’m amazed that the folks over at Naked and Afraid would present a convicted felon as a “star”. Maybe his “community service” was field dressing road kills, who knows.
I googled it and yep the little twit was convicted of insurance fraud but somehow didn’t serve any time. He had to pay a fine of $1,250.00 plus $376.00 in restitution to GEICO.
KenO- I think that arrest was after his XL challenge. However, you do bring up an interesting point- Dual Survival has since hired him (but we already knew their propensity for hiring madmen & criminals, right-without even mentioning those names again..). The thing that really gets my ire up is the hypocrisy of Zausch putting himself out there as a devout Mormon, making his praying/faith such a central part of his public image.
Do you know this joke?*
Q: Why do you have to invite 2 Mormons to go fishing with you?
A: If you bring only 1 he will drink all your beer!
Al, or makes you want a Cheeseburger.
KenO, you’re hilarious and everything you said is true. I’m surprised the Dynamic Duo don’t scream, hoot and howl every time they take a piss. I’m looking forward to watching it and I know J. C. will too even though he says he won’t; how can he help watching those maniacs once again on their own. At least this time they’ll have clothes on and we won’t have to stare at E.J.’s wrinkly ass or Jeff’s “maggot butt” (gross). Besides, from the little I’ve seen of this XL and reading all your responses, it’ll have to be more interesting than what we’re watching now. AND, best of all, it’ll be on Wednesday night when my housemate goes to band practice; yay!!! J. C., YOU WILL WATCH IT 🙂 WE ALL KNOW YOU WILL.
Laurajane, he won’t be able to resist, neither will I what a couple of morons. I’m glad they’ll be wearing clothes as the whole “naked” thing is ridiculous.
We’ll have to learn to show some respect for “TV Stars.”
I will watch it. Shit, I would watch a train wreck too (but not like it all the same.
Well it’s not like N&AXL isn’t turning out to be a train wreck. At any moment I’m expected a pull away shot from above to show a line of port-a-potti’s close to where they’re camping
Laurajane. I always reply when you use my name. I may watch it just to say “There but for the Grace of God, go I.” The pair are like 2 baboons with brain disorders.
This year’s XL2 doesn’t (so far) have any of the real nasty people that populated last Summers show which had 6 very nasty people and 2 show off fools.
Laurajane. Now we have page 2 of comments
Al K, are you another unfortunate soul who doesn’t have a DVR? I’ve always had one and do as Ken does, tape it on Sunday and FF through commercials on Monday am. As I stated before, by time the seemingly endless commercials are complete, I’ve forgotten what was going on on the show. I’m going to watch a rerun and count and name the commercials. I’ll be so glad when my house is rebuilt and Directv can bring me out my very own DVR. Will let you know the results.
I do have a DVR, but lately have looked forward to watching the show on Sunday night- the timing just works better for me, I guess. It airs at 10pm Eastern (my time zone), & there is an encore repeat at midnight. Often I tape & watch the midnite one at 1am to avoid the commercials, but have just noticed for some reason the perhaps growing length of them compared with the length of the actual episode. This whole season I have felt like I saw very little during the whole hour, & the segments they show are packed with short vignettes on multiple subjects. I have commented (& been disagreed with here) that the editing sucks this year, & the plot lines are super jumbled. My FF/RW thumb is getting carpal tunnel syndrome!?
At least the ladies are all behaving, unlike last year. Wouldn’t it be cool to have the final survivors be all women? (I think that Jake will make it too, but have my doubts about the other 3 men lasting..)
P.S.- I was going to avoid speaking anymore about specific commercials (I don’t want the network to think that anyone watches them, & give them any credit/attention/praise..BUT, while on the subject I would be remiss not to mention the Addiction Hotline-(“addiction is a SICKNESS/ you HAVE to call”),with obvious junkies posing as doctor’s & staff). It run almost every break, & Double so on CNN & MSNBC (I usually am watching news & politix- another reason why I get bummed when N & A starts to go down the reality TV route). I don’t watch much entertainment, except maybe a ball game or late night movie. Hope you are well. You are sounding a little better (normalized?). Or just resigned to adapting to changing situation? My fire took alot out of me- especially going over EVERY DAY to watch the subcontractors/electricians/etc. (make sure all the switches,lights,outlets are where you want them). Make sure they don’t paint your windows closed, either! AL
Al, one question about the contractors. The insurance company hired an Asbestos/Lead removal crew. The original bid was $15,500 and they failed the test, had to do extra work, and now want $17,600 as their final payment. I thought a bid was a bid, confirmed and accepted and that contractors can’t just say, “Oh, I fucked up on the asbestos test; now I want $2,000 more and you’re going to pay it”. It doesn’t seem fair to me. Do you think I should have to eat that $2,000? I need to call my insurance guy.
You need to call your attorney and have him look at the contract. If the contract was done right it should be all inclusive and the failure is on their dime. If not you’ll have to pay….
Al, I got an answer from the insurance company. If I don’t pay this guy $17,600 instead of his original bid of $15,500, then I don’t get to keep the money. The insurance company said they want it back. I’m hoping to make a profit on my loss. For example, the house was built in 1955 and had beautiful hardwood floors which wore out over the years and was covered with carpeting. The contractor included in his bid replacement of the hardwood floors and THEN laying carpet on top of these beautifully finished floors. What a waste of $4,000 so I told them to eliminate the hardwood floors and just do carpeting. I can definitely use whatever money I can save to refurnish the house since I had no insurance to cover furnishings. The house was always a rental and I never covered tenants’ furnishings and forgot to change it when I moved back in. Also, I didn’t pay for relocation fees for tenants so now I’m fucked and having to live with relatives but it’s going very well and I feel very welcome here.
Your insurance agent is responsible for all negotiations & payments to the contractor, unless you decided to find/hire them directly (which would have been a mistake..). If the insurance agency is the responsible party,your agent is trying to cheat you (thinks you are gullible girl, etc)& you should go over his head (to his supervisor first). I would consult with an attorney that works in the field as well- show them your policy- most will give you a free consultation & advise you as to whether you have a case. Good luck/write anytime.
P.S.- “I need to talk with your supervisors” are magic words when dealing with any bureaucratic institution.
I saved alot of money by researching all major appliances on Consumer Reports,then ordering from SEARS (free delivery & installation). Contractor will know what your budget is for each item (stove, refrigerator/washer-dryer,etc.), & you will amass credit by staying under amount allowed. Drapes/window blinds also. I also eliminated a couple of closets & saved that way too.
Al, a fire is so devastating; it’s the ultimate evil force. I thought that, in the past 3 months, the shock had worn off until yesterday when I was retrieving some salvageable papers from my pile outside when I picked up a paper that was charred and smelled just like the fire and I started crying so I will come back from this but every once in awhile, something pops up and I break down again. How long ago was your fire? Do you still have flashbacks to it?
The Big Sur fire is still burning and spreading; 63 homes so far have been burned. I feel so bad for those folks down there. We’re about 100 miles north but can still smell the smoke.
My fire was 2.5 years ago. I will never forget that smell!! And if I even get a hint of something like it I freak out a little. But it has gotten a little better. I still am a lot more paranoid. Sometimes when I am driving into town (40 miles) I will get 5 or 10 down the road & start worrying if I turned off stove/put out a cigarette/other stupid stuff.And I will turn around & go all the way back just to ease my mind. I am much more fearful & respectful of fire in general (& I am Aries/fire sign, love campfires as previously stated)
I had to run out of my house in my pajamas into 18 inches of snow & 18 degree weather, so I am fortunate to not be reliving that day in my mind much.
Your insurance contract sounds complicated beyond my capacity- I agree that you possibly need a lawyer. I didn’t replace most of my furniture either, & got $20K from insurance to do as I chose. That is standard policy. They even paid me $800 per couch even though I told them they were 30 years old/torn up by my cats, & worth maybe $20 each. I chose to put carpet down, but didn’t have to. And I got to pick the type (shag!!) I was shown color patterns for paint/carpeting to choose from. Also flooring/countertops/cabinets/tiles/everything. The contractors were not happy with my being around alot & commenting on things- they are mostly used to/and prefer having the house to themselves FT. But it is your right, & I strongly suggest you not allow them to bully you away. The CONTENTS part of your policy should be SEPARATE from the amount that Insurance Company negotiated with Contractor. That much I do know. It sounds a little fishy to me (sorry,but once again-does he perhaps take you for some dumb chick?) You just need to make/keep an ongoing list of EVERYTHING you lost with as much detail as possible (it is a project I resented & rebelled against at first because I have accumulated so much cool stuff over the last 40 years, but it was totally worth it in the end)
I just reread your last posting, & understand your contract a little better. Too bad that contents were not covered but I understand your reasons. Same with relocation fees. I too stayed with my Mom, who lived a quarter mile down the street from me at the time, so I could be close to home to feed my cats/watch the work being done. The insurance company still paid me the $$ to stay in a motel, so I banked that as well (my Mom drove me batshit/6 pack of beer a day crazy, but that’s another story- she is disabled,diabetic & very needy:I got her a house close by to care for her, but need my space, which I did not have at all for those 8 months.
I strongly recommend (& bet you agree?) that your next insurance policy on your beautifully rebuilt house will contain full coverage. (And I think you will do better with a small family owned insurance agency? We all use the ones that specialize in farms- they tend to be very kind & warm “Christians” in the best sense of the word- compassionate to your having experienced a traumatic event. My whole crew from agent to contractor to subcontractor to hired workers were all professional bluegrass musicians who couldn’t make enough money at that alone. Very fortunate for me.
I know that big fires in California backwoods can be a normal thing (& you are in a drought now as well?) I have fond memories of Big Sur backcountry hiking/camping. Do you know the place where the road bends in the furthest (during all the switchback/fingers..), & there is a place for a bunch of cars to pull over- hike in to waterfalls, or cut up switchback trails to total wilderness for many miles?
Sorry all you Kim lovers, but her main job is to look cute, & she knows it. What exactly has she done (and Tawny/Stacy while we are at it..)?
Al. Right on! Moab, Utah is a very small town (Pop. 4000+) in the middle of nowhere. Kim would do well to move to a larger “market.”
I takes money to make a move, she doesn’t have any thanks to her baby’s daddy dumping out on her.
I want to say something nice about Kim: She has shown much increased maturity since her 2 person adventure. She was interviewed somewhere saying how appreciative she feels toward the show, & how much it has empowered her in her life. I found her comments to be truthful & sincere. Also, she is still so young. I have a bad habit of not distinguishing age when interacting with others once they are the same relative height as me, but it’s probably important as a burgeoning “elder” (just turned 60- what a nice round number..!). Thank you all for being here to relate to in a sane fashion.
Hi Al, I’m glad you commented on Kim. Yes, she’s adorable and that’s about it. She really hasn’t done anything except depend on Darrin for survival. Yes, it’s sad that her man left her but she was 19 when she had her daughter and I think most 19-year olds have heard of birth control. She can’t be that desperate for her and her daughter’s livelihood if she has the privilege to take off to South Africa for 40 days and leave her daughter behind. What is her purpose of this? Women with small children should NOT do something so stupid and uncaring as to leave their child alone for 40 days while she’s doing what? starving, eating bugs, having ticks take over her body; what the fuck? It’s not like she’s on ALONE and may come home with $500,000; this is such a waste. Also, everyone seems to feel bad for her because her man left her; she’s just one of thousands of young women who got knocked up by someone who wasn’t even her husband. I am not as sympathetic towards Kim as you all seem to be.
LJ. You are probably right about Kim. She is likely to follow the path of her drug addict mother. Kim’s younger brother was placed in foster care. Her deadbeat dad only showed up for booty calls. Kim needs to grow up into the real would. Young women like Kim seem to think their youth and beauty will last forever and carry them through life, but it won’t. She says she wants to be a Park Ranger; lots of luck with that! Veterans are snapping up those jobs and they get extra points on the exams. Very sad, but she has chosen her path and has’t evaluated the consequences. We see a lot of the “in the moment” crap these days. They think somebody should take care of them, just as Kim expected Darrin to provide food for her when he isn’t succeeding in doing it for himself.
I was trying to look FOR nice things (not just look AT nice things..), but have never been a big Kim fan/often say so. I also wanted to avoid strong disagreements with some of us here that I totally respect. There was chatter way back when she had her initial journey supporting one of the statements you said- that she leaves her kids with others quite a bit & is perhaps an irresponsible mother. However, others here seem to know more than me (& have rightly admonished me for both believing, & passing along 3rd party gossip). We really don’t know, & perhaps it’s out of bounds for us to discuss (& none of our business?). As another example- it’s completely OK to make fun of Tawny for how “beautiful” she is looking now that the mascara & lash extensions are melting in so nicely, but maybe her being a stripper in real life, although delightfully lurid, is not something to discuss more than in passing? (I do wonder if her stock once back to work will plummet, since everybody got to see her naked for free?)
Regarding Kim-I feel a little bad/sad for Kim- her “15 minutes of fame” is being naked on a TV show?
Al. You are right of course. All the remaining women; except Alyssa, have a “some man/parents did me wrong story.” They do not reflect upon their own role and poor decisions. They are all grown now and don’t seem to have made any sound decisions (choices) to improve their lot. When do they mature and the excuses and blaming stop? An old wisdom says “improve you character and your destiny will improve.”
Um, J.C. in case you haven’t noticed men are pretty much all assholes and I mean that sincerely. Parents, unless you are really, really lucky are self absorbed in their own agenda’s and rarely enable their offspring to develop with an even tempered emotional balance. So: Parents screwed up, sex partners screwed up doesn’t leave much room for intellectual or emotional well being….just my 2 cents.
Ken, this comment is for you because there was no REPLY under your statement so I’ll use J.C.’s. I agree with you that most men are assholes; however, I totally disagree with what you said about parents being so self-absorbed with their own lives that they “rarely enable their offspring to develop with an even tempered emotional balance”. My husband and I have 2 beautiful grown daughters and our lives centered around them from the day they were born. Every thing we did was for them, with them and about them. We took them everywhere and made sure they had all kids should have and they have grown into great women and we’re so very proud of both of them. They have never been neglected, uncared for or dismissed as they were the center of our lives and still are.
We waited til we were married 6 years and were established and settled into our own home before Julie was born and then Abby. I’m so glad these 2 women have made our lives so much richer and we were great parents. I think we left Julie once to go out on our anniversary; every other time they were with us.
Then I’d say your kids were “really, really lucky” because most parents are self-absorbed assholes actually 97% of all families are dysfunctional. Thanks for making my point and good for you, better yet for your kids.
Things I noticed, but not yet mentioned here:
Ryan walks off/blows off Darrin in mid-sentence. How intentionally insulting, & since I am smaller than him by a lot I would have taken this opportunity to jump him!
Oh- they finally realized that the camp smelled too much, so should leave it..(Uh, Jake..puking in camp never works out well in the long run)
There seems to be some perverse correlation between Ryan’s increasing failures & his ever-widening smile. I think JC is right- a crackup of epic proportions is imminent!
Meanwhile, the 3 hunters need to change their methods. What they are doing isn’t working. A possibility would be to set a nest of snares along a well traveled pathway, 2 hunters concealed down wind on the flanks, the rest of the tribe herding a group of animals toward the snares. If an animal(s) is/are snared, the 2 hunters can jump up and spear them. Please, no howling and screaming. Give the animals an honorable death. Everyone has a part in the kill.
Haha, that’s for sure. No need to keep doing the same things the same way as the saying goes. This is supposed to be a group of experienced, near professional survivalists, or so they are presented. The only one to have made meat has been Jake who has slowed down a bit, no more fish? Really? No more fish in the lake?
KO. The hunting method I described was used by a tribe of small people (pygmy?) in Papua New Guinea. They used nets woven from vines instead of snares. Friendliest and happiest people I ever met.
I see a New Reality TV show in the works: “Little people of New Guinea” only they won’t be so happy.
“The Littlest Pygmy”?
He throws the net pretty well at least..maybe the fish are homophobic?
Ooh, ouch.
I agree that Jake is a good leader in many respects, but “great” does not automatically assume someone is guilty until all the facts are presented and both sides presented AND listened to. I do not feel that he did this. I think Jake,although outwardly appearing to be impartial was not. He assumed Stephen was guilty of Darin’s accusations. When did the bow become the tribe’s “property”? Does that mean that everybody’s personally brought item is the tribes? Also, why is there no displeasure from the group that Darin did not share the bow with Stephen? It was also Darin’s decision to leave early in the day rather than spend part of the day hunting and go back a little later. It was decision made alone.
Yes, all three of the “macho” men have looked rather silly and made fools of themselves at one
time or another, but strong men always vie to be the best.
I hope that this group does not turn like last years did; deciding to make someone a scapegoat, in this caseStephen, and force him out. Stephen is “full of himself “, but I think he has a good heart and truly has the whole tribe’s success at heart.
I think Darin is threatened by Stephen ( why I don’t know) and that is why he told everyone the lie.
Congratulations on finding a 3rd way to spell Darrin’s name, & also adding to the drama & confusion without really saying anything of substance..
Deborah, leader yes, judge no. Al, spot on.
Deborah, I too think that Darrin feels threatened by Steven and also that Steven is more than just a bit full of himself. It’s kind of a man thing, the kind of a man thing I personally don’t appreciate but they do it all the time. It’s called a “pissing” contest where they all try to out “man” each other, but there you have it.
KO. So true!
You sound like Steven’s girl friend. Does he call you Deb or Debbie.
There aren’t any “facts” only “he said you said” and “I did not.” Jake and the group knows them both and made their choice based upon their experience with both men and their own instincts. Real life is like that. Steven proved them right by stalking off like a petulant child, showing no concern for them. From day one Darrin has said they need more people for safety. All his behavior has demonstrated this. Jake is correct when he said Darrin knows more than we do but sometime comes across as a know it all. That would definitely “piss off” a “show boat” like Steven.
Meanwhile, as the group has obviously noticed, Steven has done absolutely jack as a hunter.
Kellie, it is self evident that Steven is a “loose cannon.” We have seen plenty of evidence of that. Darrin was thinking of the group and followed the plan made with the group. This gave them time to go to the new place (Darrin and Kim’s old place) before the hottest part of the day and with time remaining to set up a new camp before dark. Your alternative plan to appease Steven would have the group traveling in the hottest part of the day. Jake and the group “sided with” Darrin on what Steven said or didn’t say because Darrin is for the group and that is also self evident. Everyone diving into their DVR’s for proof need to remember that we are only shown what was filmed and edited versions of that. I doubt that Steven stood before the camera and declared “my partners are all lazy bums.”
I think it is utterly ridiculous to think that even with an angle advantage he could “run down” plains game. The new place has more game because it is closer to the plains and the animals come to drink daily at the water hole.
I don’t understand what is great about Ryan’s tattoo but objectionable about Darrin’s feather.
I still love you to pieces.
Steven called Darrin lazy and he blew everything up with that. The weapons should be shared. I didn’t see anything wrong with him staying 1 day. He just wanted to try. No big deal. Let him try, he’s not a wild card. Honera was a wild card, & so was Laura Thompson Nelson. Batshit crazy.
Now it looks like they are all over there with Steven. Not a great place for the whole group. A better idea would be for the guys to hunt there without punching a time clock, & try to bring someone back to the Swati Valley where the water is.
Sorry, but some of the new commentaries are even more diversionary & effed up than the show is becoming! You had me at Laura, but who is “Thompson Nelson”? And are we getting even more illiterate (this is a place of words,after all..)- Steven/Stephen? Honera/Honora? Batshit?/that episode was years ago,hon..
Judi. You didn’t pay any attention to the fact that they had a plan and show boat, loose cannon Steven, unilaterally changed the plan. They only have 2 arrows left and need to save them for a “sure kill.” You ask what would it hurt to stay 1 more day? It would hurt all of them and that’s the point. They are becoming desperate and are now saddled with 2 jackasses (Ryan and Steven) who are concerned only with their egos. To succeed they will have to work as a team. Nine “I’s” won’t get it done.
Well put J.C. Additionally has anyone else noticed that the group isn’t hunting as a group? American Indians punished anyone hunting by themselves with banishment since it was very likely they would spook the game. The women could get behind the game and spook them into a predetermined killing zone where the spear guys could have a better chance at hitting one. One wonders why they haven’t figured this out yet.
In contrast to my last reply to Deborah, this is perhaps the most intelligent & sane comment yet made about this show. Big ups, JC!
Anyone know why in last weeks show,Head Lion Jake was standing over 3 lionesses [girls] on their knees foraging in a large puddle,all 4 of them were laughing about it.But it seems that scene has been cut from all further showings..sexist?? thanks
During the mid 50’s Howard Hill; arguably the best bow shot ever, hunted African game and made a movie of it. He used a 110 # long bow which most of us could not draw let alone aim and shoot. He killed all kinds of game including lion, leopard, rhino, cape buffalo and elephant. None except the smallest antelope were close to instant kills. HH was smart enough to have a Guide standing by with a .500 Nitro Express double rifle.
Darrin. I don’t have a “dog in that fight” and will wait to see how it plays out. He wanted to bring 150 feet of climbing rope but the Producers removed it from his choices. He is doing well with the shoes he made.
Darrin bought a buckskin, something only he and Kim can use. Why didn’t he bring a weapon? I think he brought a climbing rope on the first show. Not sure where his head is at. Not letting Steve have a shot with the bow when they haven’t eaten in days and then attacking him for trying is dumb. Jake could have stepped up on that one instead of siding with Darrin who was acting like a like a kid.
Nothing is dumber than thinking he (Steven) is a cheetah and can run down African Plains game. No chance at all unless the game is badly wounded. His atatl has a greater killing range and power than the weak (draw weight) and under powered bow. Steven isn’t having any luck with his atlatl either. He won’t talk about his failures but is wheedling.
True, the atlatl is a better weapon than the small bow and yes I think Steven is a bit wheeling about now as well. I thought his comment about Darrin being 0 for 40 was pretty telling even though his stats are 0 for however many time he used his atlatl, we don’t even know. As I’ve said before when I was given the opportunity to use an atlatl it took only three tries to hit a beer can at around 25 ft, and after that it was every time so no excuses Steve.
That was a hilarious visual! Maybe the animals in Alabama are so subdued by the heat & humidity that a southern hunter can get away with this tactic?
Judi. Darrin brought a weapon. All of them were given a knife of their choice plus one other item.
Kim made him bring the buckskin, & he made her bring the bow- they are lovers from Moab,Utah! Check their bios on Discover pages.
those were great moccasins he made!
Kellie, KenO thinks I was harsh in my evaluation of your recap. Your comment about the feather brought back some bad memories. As a child I was called that “blue eyed Injun kid” at school. I am 1/4 Choctaw and 3/4 Scotch/Irish, all fighting blood. A few bloody noses and split lips and they called J. C. as my parents did.
J.C., I never used the word harsh and I don’t think you were harsh. I simply don’t agree with your characterization of her recap as being not her best effort. I don’t know which one would be “not her best” as all of them, in my humble opinion are both accurate and entertaining….
KenO. I have a couple of disagreements with Kellie which are no big deal. Will put in a separate post addressed to her.. I still love her to pieces.
I’ll say it again, maybe if I say it slower: I never said you were “harsh” additionally I never said any of your disagreements with Kellie were a “big deal” nor did I ever imply that you didn’t think highly of her. So what’s been going on with you lately? You are not your normal, even tempered self but have been prattling on fairly irritated for this entire thread. Are you OK?
I’m definitely OK. Just getting something off my chest about Steven that has bothered me because I didn’t speak up at the time, when Angel left. Didn’t mean to imply anything about you. See my post to Kellie.
We have been shown lots of footage of everyone lying around and doing nothing, and we all have commented on their apparent laziness.
Hard to have any energy without any food. If the “hunters” were more adept the team would have more energy.
That’s the plain truth, no 2 ways around it! And amen again, in case that was missed the first 2 times..
We were finally shown footage of the women harvesting cattail roots which are nourishing but evil tasting.
Tawny looks extremely miserable, but Stacy looks HAPPY for the first time ever-iridescent actually! (what a huge difference from her normal scowl). Phaedra & Alyssa have true grit, & don’t need to hog the spotlight to prove their worth.
Al. Very perceptive!
Jake’s “not leader” leadership is impressive. He appears to understand the characters he deals with. We only see what the editors choose to show us and many things aren’t filmed at all. Steven storms off like a guilty child???
I agree. The best lead by example, exactly as Jake is doing and without any apparent ego in his way. Good job Jake.
Um, I actually thought he showed a little of his earlier “dickhood” although very briefly (& no I am not gay, these double ententes just pour out of me like piss after a night of heavy drinking..)
While on the subject of the male physique, doesn’t Darrin have an awesome one/upper body especially?
I’m going to disagree with J.C.’s characterization of Kellie’s recap (something I rarely if never do). As usual I DVR’d the episode to watch it, sacrilegiously, whilst eating breakfast. I found Kellie’s recap much more interesting and entertaining than the actual episode, thanks Kellie. Also I could find no reference whatsoever to Steven making any remarks about the “group” and I’m starting to get irritated with Darrin. He’s obviously been wounded by Steven’s accurate remark about Darrin’s poor marksmanship. 40 shots with no hits? That’s just embarrassing, humiliating in fact and it’s no wonder Darrin is now striking back with lies. Yes, lies. And it appears his vile lies are having their intended effect as the others are now questioning what actually happened. This is bad for the group as a whole and for those of us watching it’s very bad for Darrin’s reputation. Doesn’t he realize what we get to see? He’s not only posturing for the group but for national television. Nice to know about “Renegade 83” who can now share our negative attention with “Metal Flowers”. All in all a very disappointing episode with only the humorous if not sad devolvement of Ryan into Viking mode and Darrin into wounded liar. Now we know Ryan, Darrin and Steve can all talk bigger than they can hunt while Jake shines like a badass without an ego. The girls, I’ll have to say have been very good overall in comparison to last seasons catty crew. Let’s see what happens next week when someone gets carted off in the ambulance and it looks like Ryan has a melt down.
This XL series is starting to drag,it is tedious now..Wondering what happened to the wide running river Ryan saw from his fist camp? Alyssa is always great..
I agree, lagging is a good description though better than perpetual back biting.
It is as noted in a previous post that they are eating more than we are being shown and they are foraging. An uncensored xtra shows Phaedra leading Ryan to her berry bush and a pop up note said they are eating leaves of a tree the animals browse on. The editors would rather show us stock shots from animal shows than footage of the people doing something. Probably save them pixilating cost.
Steven now thinks he is a cheetah and can run down game??? No wonder Darrin thinks he is nuts and wants to get back to the group. Steven succeeded in spooking the game and neither of them had a chance to let the game get in range of their primitive weapons. The feather slur Kellie remarked about? Must be a habit of Us “Injuns” (I am 1/4 Choctaw) and I pick up interesting feathers and stick them in my golf cap.
JC- That “aside” interests me greatly. I am not good with the 1st cousin/2nd cousin type of math, but does that mean that 1 of your grandparents was full-blooded Native American? I think that is awesome, & hope that you got to learn/spend some time with a true elder. You should share that wisdom with us descendants of the dirty ignorant heathen conquerors..
Al. My Grandmother was full Choctaw and her brother was my hunting/gathering teacher. My Grandfather (Scotch/Irish) “purchased” GM (16yo) for $600 (A cows and goods gift to GM’s Father). GM was pleased with the union and loved “My Henry.”
Your Grandma was perhaps fortunate that the man she married cared for her (& $600 was a lot back then?)
That being said, I cannot find enough words to describe how I feel about slavery,genocide of Indigenous Peoples, & the too readily accepted practices of ownership of others/beatings/lynchings/whippings..
My people are European Jews who escaped the Russian ghettos & oppression of Csar Nicholas in 1903. Look up the word pogrom if interested. Many of my family who were not so smart or fortunate (many decided to stay & fight back/most slaughtered),migrated to Germany-the last batch came after WWII (those who were in concentration camps but survived, that is). I would like to share one fact that many are not aware of: a secondary reason that the Nazis tattooed #s on our forearms- to receive a proper Jewish burial our religion forbids any mutilation of our bodies(which are considered temples). This includes tattoos & piercings.The Germans were well aware of this.
JC- I am sure that there are equally brutal things that happened to your people as well? What barbarians we can so easily become- just out of greed & hatred of “others”. We can all learn from each other. PEACE
How right you are!! After a few doses of “that blue eyed injun kid” I developed a keen sense of disgust at how humans marginalize other humans with labels; hunky, polack, jew, n—er, greaser, honky, gringo etc. Barbaric and savagery. The English overlords forced my Scotch/Irish forebears out of Ulster to Virginia in 1625 with the declaration “They are even more savage than the Irish” (or so the story goes). The Choctaw served with Andrew Jackson at the battle of New Orleans and their Chief was made a Brigadier General. It made no difference they were moved to The Nations (Oklahoma) along with the other Eastern Tribes.
I am literally speechless! Is Ryan thinking he is The Devil (wicked grin & all..)? There were more commercials than TV time (I went back & timed it, out of curiosity. Also, many of the scenes Kellie describes are ones that I either missed, or have forgotten quickly (& I do take notes). Is it possible that the West Coast gets a different edit than we do in the East?
Al. This wasn’t Kellie’s best effort recap and made some errors. She mentioned the cocktail parties at the conference, maybe that’s the reason. Yes, more commercials than show. I didn’t time it but accept your measurements. Ryan has moved from Marine squad leader to Viking Chief and wasted Jake’s snare wirein the process.
In all truth, I had some cocktails last night as well & probably exaggerated some, but did go back & time the commercial space that also included the idiotic PSR segment: 7 minutes-that’s a long time!