Kid Nation (spoilers)
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:17 am
Inspired by a question about Kid Nation actually being used on SyndieBAM this week, the reports from Shallow Marley continue! 
Spoiler
Many times, I suspect that TKNPTB manipulate the sequence of their film clips, so that discussions that actually occur after the town council reveal the theme of the week from The Book are presented as if they occurred before that, making The Book appear more presciently topical. For example, when religion was the theme, I doubt the subject even came up before the council tried to impose a mandatory ecumenical service.
This week, though, the theme is "boredom" and I can readily believe that was on everyone's mind already. If this was a summer camp, as TKNPTB have tried to compare it to when challenged, it'd be a crappy camp.
And, for a moment, it appears the kids might actually be organizing some major activity on their own. DK rings the bell to summon everyone together, saying they've got to do something! And what do they decide to do? Well, we'll never know, because the editing suddenly cuts to the town council going to read The Book. Spontaneous, independent decision-making would lead to anarchy, I suppose.
The Book tells the council that they need to organize some entertainments, so they announce a talent show. Meanwhile, the Pointless Challenge (I didn't invent the phrase, but I wish I did), being loosely connected to the theme entertainment and the arts, is paint by numbers.
Errr, make that chewing gum by numbers. TKNPTB managed to come up with something that is mildly revolting to the kids, much more so to every parent and dentist in the nation. The kids must fill in each spot on the painting with the appropriately colored piece of chewing gum. One hour of sugar-filled chewing delight! Moreover, the kids must hand their well-chewed pieces to their town councillor, to be stuck in place.
Can I hear a "Yuck!" people?
And the rest is kind of boring. Savannah is homesick, but she's convinced to stay. Two more girls are introduced from the mob of extras as the "Paris and Nicole" of Bonanza City and Greg plays some mind games on them by threatening to throw the challenge if they don't shape up (when he later confesses to the camera that he never intends to throw a challenge). They shape up, or at least they say they did. We never do see them doing any work.
Next week, the previews indicate that TKNPTB is borrowing another play from Survivor--it's time to move people around. But while that serves Survivor's PTB by disrupting alliances, what possible purpose will that serve for Bonanza City?
This week, though, the theme is "boredom" and I can readily believe that was on everyone's mind already. If this was a summer camp, as TKNPTB have tried to compare it to when challenged, it'd be a crappy camp.
And, for a moment, it appears the kids might actually be organizing some major activity on their own. DK rings the bell to summon everyone together, saying they've got to do something! And what do they decide to do? Well, we'll never know, because the editing suddenly cuts to the town council going to read The Book. Spontaneous, independent decision-making would lead to anarchy, I suppose.
The Book tells the council that they need to organize some entertainments, so they announce a talent show. Meanwhile, the Pointless Challenge (I didn't invent the phrase, but I wish I did), being loosely connected to the theme entertainment and the arts, is paint by numbers.
Errr, make that chewing gum by numbers. TKNPTB managed to come up with something that is mildly revolting to the kids, much more so to every parent and dentist in the nation. The kids must fill in each spot on the painting with the appropriately colored piece of chewing gum. One hour of sugar-filled chewing delight! Moreover, the kids must hand their well-chewed pieces to their town councillor, to be stuck in place.
Can I hear a "Yuck!" people?
And the rest is kind of boring. Savannah is homesick, but she's convinced to stay. Two more girls are introduced from the mob of extras as the "Paris and Nicole" of Bonanza City and Greg plays some mind games on them by threatening to throw the challenge if they don't shape up (when he later confesses to the camera that he never intends to throw a challenge). They shape up, or at least they say they did. We never do see them doing any work.
Next week, the previews indicate that TKNPTB is borrowing another play from Survivor--it's time to move people around. But while that serves Survivor's PTB by disrupting alliances, what possible purpose will that serve for Bonanza City?
