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Post by Robert Braun on May 17, 2004 10:39:47 GMT -5
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Post by Robert Braun on May 18, 2004 10:57:02 GMT -5
Watched back to back episodes of "Colonial House" on PBS last night. A facinating program.  While I don't normally care for "survival" programs, I enjoy programs of this vein where modern people are thrust into semi-hisotrical living conditions. Anything without electricity is a living situation worth watching the coping skills of 21st Century people. "Colonial House" did not fail to deliver. The influence of "Plimoth Plantaition" was clear in impressive. Clothing, material culture, homes, etc. were reasonable for the 17 settlers for circa 1628-- in some cases, the materials were extraordinarily good. The "clothing" of the three Indian men were obviously of their own purchase, and unfortunately were absolutely dreadful.  I loved watching them try to strike a fire with humidity-laden materials in Day One. I loved the whining on Day 2. I loved the show they made about "three days of back-breaking labor" (narrator's words) in their field trying to plant corn in a field that has obviously been pre Roto-tilled. I loved the contrasts in leadership provided by the "Governor" (a Baptist minister from Waco Texas) and the "Assistant Governor" (a University of Calif. professor). I loved them cleaning and cooking a dead muskrat Of course, it's PBS, so there's no guns, and we have to get the obligatory "politically correct" statements and monologues in. That being said, I won't miss tonight's installment! Bob. |
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Post by Mike Thorson on May 18, 2004 12:44:31 GMT -5
Sounds like an interesting program, too bad my local PBS station doesn't come in.  Sounds somewhat like the description I have heard of Ted Nugent's new reality show "Surviving Nugent", which I have not seen either. SInce I've seen neither maybe I oughta shaddup.  |
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Post by Dan Brunner on May 18, 2004 13:45:46 GMT -5
I too thought the Indian attire was truly awful. The colonist clothing was good. Although dining on muskrat was acceptable I have to wonder if the local tribes of that era would not have brought some other fare from the forest. Give them credit for eating it though.
The corn field just did not look as tough of a project as it was portrayed. The Californian lay preacher and his wife are most thoroughly Californian. How many times did his hand wringing wife say "We could die here".
I enjoyed it though. Lots of fur gonna fly before the end of this series.
Dan Brunner
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Post by Robert Braun on May 18, 2004 14:37:29 GMT -5
I too thought the Indian attire was truly awful. The colonist clothing was good. Although dining on muskrat was acceptable I have to wonder if the local tribes of that era would not have brought some other fare from the forest. Give them credit for eating it though. The corn field just did not look as tough of a project as it was portrayed. The Californian lay preacher and his wife are most thoroughly Californian. How many times did his hand wringing wife say "We could die here". I enjoyed it though. Lots of fur gonna fly before the end of this series. Dan Brunner Dan... I agree with your observations! Muskrat is a kinda gamey animal-- better prepared after some soaking in two waters to get rid of some of that musky flavor (I wonder why they call it "muskrat?") They get full and complete credit for eating it! Better them than me!  I wonder why they didn't try more fishing? Clearly hunting is out of the question... And yes.. the cornfield bit was WAY over dramatized by the participants. They made a BIG SHOW of the digging, but sad to day the ground was already stripped or tilled under. It just wasn't that hard to dig. Remember, too-- this is MAINE. Did you see them pick a single rock out of the plot? Yes... the contrasts between Mr. Lay Preacher and Mr. Governor were profound. "Mr. Governor" had people a little miffed at him for rationing provisions and insisiting on production crop planting... while "Mr. Lay Preacher" governed via an indecisive Freeman's Council and removing the ration rule on the wine. Did you notice in the end WHOSE leadership the participants preferred? Don't get me wrong... I am intrigued by this program! Can't wait for tonight's episode! Bob. |
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Post by pshrake on May 18, 2004 22:20:30 GMT -5
I would agree with all of the comments made above and would only add....
didnt any of them realize they were going to live in the
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Post by pshrake on May 18, 2004 22:26:53 GMT -5
Oops had a bit of technical problems here... lets try this again,
I was going to add....
Cant any of them just try to leave their 20th century notions at the door.
I mean, they knew they were going into the 1600s right? And they knew they were only going to be there only for a few months...RIGHT?
So what is up with all of this moaning and groaning about observing the sabboth, enforcing period laws and social customs, like proper attire.
There are some neat moments in the show, and I will give the Governor a lot of credit for trying to stick with the time period as much as he can, but some of the other participants are rather rediculous.
Pete
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Post by Robert Braun on May 19, 2004 8:12:16 GMT -5
After Tuesday's episode, I will probably give the rest of the series a pass.
Too bad. The series had promise.
Bob.
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Post by Dan Brunner on May 19, 2004 14:09:27 GMT -5
I'm done as well. Sheesh. A 1628 coming out party? One other item. The narrator's phrasing about the guy that went AWOL through the woods. Roughly she mentions the dangers of the savage beasts. Notice no danger from the Apenaki's that may have been lurking there.
If I tuned into tonite they would probably have an immunity challenge, Nope I'm done
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Post by Robert Braun on May 26, 2004 9:35:50 GMT -5
Board--- My apologies at the outset... given a choice between "Heavy Metal Tuesday" on the History Channel or another "every day is a weather emergency day" on the Weather Channel, I gave in to my baser instincts and watched the final two episodes of Complaint House... err... sorry.... "Colonial House." I remain fascinated with the idea of sending 21st Century volunteers into a 17th Century environment and situations for four months. However it became clear that several other factors were at play here-- including social advocacy, historical "political correctness," and the competition between two ideologies. So many candidates emerged that desperately needed a good pounding into the mud. But what fried my salt pork was the fact that the "inspectors" themselves discovered many indications and facts that pointed to the inescapable conclusion that by 1628 measures, the colony was ungovernable, barely marginally productive, and socially bankrupt-- in short, a "failure." Yet.. the inspector's "feel good" conclusion was that the colony was a success!  How could they possibly conclude that? My suspicion is that this finding mercifully spared the producers, the film crews, the inspectors, and certainly the participants from yet another opinionated screed from Carolyn Heinz. Well it's over.... Praise be. Bob. |
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