Eden - Paradise Lost - Episode 1

So last year there was a new program started that put a load of people into the highlands in Scotland with the aim to "start again" a premise I could really get behind. 

I really enjoyed it on some levels and on others was left feeling frustrated, more by the way it ended.  

Channel Four dropped the program (without telling the people in the experiment) and as a wrap up they've put together five programmes to show what happened after we stopped watching last August.

I watch the first one last night and it was good to see the program again but immediately I was struck by the fact that I only seem to like a couple of characters out there. This might be down to editing but who knows! 

I think this is the main failing of the show, they seem to have put in the wrong people, maybe chosen for their skills or looks but not vetted for their social skills. I remember years ago watching Castaway 2000 (where we got Ben Fogle from!) and there was whole programmes on how they chose the people for it. They chose people they thought would gel as a team, who would lead, who would stand back and support, etc. Not saying this worked, but the Radio Times even gave a list to the producers of Eden of things to avoid, the main failing of castaway was the productions obsession with conflict and Edens seems to be the same. 

I get the impression that these days they try to pick people that won't get on as they think it makes better TV - this time I fear it may have back fired! A years worth of arguments doesn't make for big viewing figures. 

The leadership thing is really important as well, a group like this won't function well without a strong leader, from the viewing there doesn't seem to be one that stands out. That said the program is heavily edited to show one aspect of the show each time, maybe we'll see some leadership qualities in later episodes. 

Bullying seems rife with some group members feeling like outcasts. Food is being rationed for a year that's supposed to last for 3 months, making everyone tired, hungry and angry, this affects everything and there's no telling the difference it 's making to how people behave! 

I'm still going to watch the other episodes but can help feeling this was an opportunity missed. 

Did you watch it?

What did you think?

Eden Channel Four - Episode Four

I'm surprise that this is the last episode until the Autumn, I thought channel four might try and keep everyone's interest stronger by having more episodes running over a longer time.

Resources and Rations
Another interesting one though, I like that they've shown everything with very little hidden from the camera. When they killed the baron sheep they showed the whole thing and when they pulled the dead sheep from the bog and pulled out the fetus as well, even going on to show the fetus's skin being used as a water bottle cover. Much as we can criticise some aspects of how they're running things I have to admire how little they're wasting, the haggis was a great example of this.

I do think that the gardener, Rachael, isn't getting enough help. She seems to be working really hard and there is very little shown of others helping her, the whole thing pretty much hinges on whether that garden is enough of a success for them to last the winter out.

Community
There is still underlying tones of bullying going on between the men and the women that I don't like. Tara was pushed out this episode I get the feeling it was mainly by Tom. But I mean what can I say about the massage tent, it was obliviously bothering some people, I think if I was there I think it would be bothering me as well, but it was better to have her do something rather than nothing. I don't think how things were done were right at all, there is certainly some bitchiness going on there, the young age of some of the group (twenties) really shows through in situations like that.

Unfortunately the community shelter seems to be flagging already, with some people not wanting to pitch in as they have their own shelters being built. I feel that some of the lads see this as more of a survival of the fittest rather than building a community to help carry each other.

Social
There is always the possibility of derailing shows like this with a sour relationship. I felt that the hunter, Glen, has been quite immature and trying to be an "alpha" male in the fact that he was really friendly with the shepherdess until he found out she wasn't interested in him and would then barely speak to him.

My wife and I were talking and saying how it seems odd that they haven't put any couples into Eden, having some strong relationships already there could have set a good example to others, and maybe some maturity as well.

One person who comes out well at the end of each episode is Raphael the carpenter. He's older than most of the group at 55 and I think this really shows through. He's calm and collected, doesn't bitch and listens when other want to talk, he works hard as well. He certainly my favourite at the moment and not just because he's a carpenter!

So what did you think of this weeks episode?

How would you stop the in fighting in the group?

Eden Channel Four - Episode Two

I'm continuing to enjoy this new series by Channel four, the second episode was really interesting. If you don't watch it then I wouldn't bother reading the rest of this post!

I always enjoy seeing social dynamics develop and there has been some strong characters coming out of the woodwork.

The first one of these is Anton, the 40 year old survival trained guy. he's clearly not comfortable living with the group and I have a feeling that he thought it was going to be a much more "survival" affair and I think this is partly why he's gone off to live in the woods. I can't help but like the fellow for striking out on his own but then I wonder how much he's contributing to the group, like working in the garden to provide food. If he wants to continue to take a ration then I hope that the house building is in his own time not the 6 hour working day they agreed on, that said I think the group should be more accepting of his ideas and allow him some material to build it.

Tom is the other very strong character that's emerged so far. He's a natural leader in some ways that he does business, like organising everyone for work each day, but then he also seems very bitchy, with whispers of what people are up to and who's not pulling their weight. He's also seems to have it in for Anton and I get he feeling that if it's not what he want then he'll whine and moan about it.

Stephen the chef seems like a top guy, keeping everyone happy with great food, but then I felt that he inflamed the situation with Anton with how he approached him in the wood. I do think that this guy is going to be a key player through the whole thing though.

I still think that construction has taken too much priority over food. The garden and stock should be the important thing to start with, not building a steam lodge or a tepee. it would only take the pigs a night time of feasting to ruin all their gardening and hard work which could cut the whole thing short.

I was also disappointed with the junk food delivery by boat. The last thing I want to watch is Big Brother or the programme to go anywhere near it.

One thing I've been mulling over in my mind about the whole experiment is peoples places in Eden and how that would work. I think how would I place myself in there, as a carpenter that would be my role but I know I'd want to be in the garden and with the stock just as much. Do the people with the "important" trades get an opportunity to do other things or are they pigeon holed into their trade and have to run that area of Eden?

What did you think of the second episode?

What would your role be in Eden?

Eden - Channel Four

I've been intrigued by a programme channel four have been advertising for a while now. 

It's called Eden and it sets 23 adults into the wilds of Scotland to start again. 

They have a good selection for tools, plenty of food to start with, a large number of seedlings, seeds and fruit plants, and lots of stock.

After watching the first episode I came away feeling like I always do with programmes of this sort, I wish they sent some proper adults with a proper work ethic. 

A lot of it can be down to editing but they don't look the most organised group, goats running through the camp eating what they want, not getting the garden sorted straight away, building a sweat lodge instead of concentrating on better shelter for the group, the list goes on. There's also been early romances and lots of lovey dovey stuff that could make things more awkward at a later date if things go sour, again many of them are acting like children which is annoying the older ones in the group. 

I still think it's going to make for some interesting watching and I enjoyed the first episode. 

Who else has watched it or is planning to? 

What did you think?

The Island

This post is to recommend a program that finished a couple of weeks ago but was brilliant viewing from start to finish (and can still be found on YouTube - although I'm sure there is one without adverts on there somewhere). 

The Island With Bear Grylls. 

To be honest I was initially put off by the addition of Bear Grylls but luckily he's not in it very much, just a few talking head moments and a little intro that you can fast forward. 

The premise of the show is to leave two groups of people, 14 men and 14 women, on two separate islands with the most basic of kits, no food and only enough water to survive a day and see how they do. What sets this programme apart from others in a similar vein is that even the camera men and women are involved and are going through the exact same experiences. 

What makes it really interesting is seeing how people react when they're surviving on so few calories each day (average less than 400 per day) and how they either pull together as a team or fall apart. Both sets of programmes (they run as either the men's island or the women's island) will have you watching them in very different ways. The women will have you screaming at the TV for the silly things they do and for the little bits of extra help they seem to be having (like the tame piglets that happen to walk up to them - lunch anyone?) and the fact that they get lost for about four days. The men handle it better, build camp, find food but have lots of in fighting, they enjoy some great moments as well.

Really interesting programme and anyone who has an interest in survival would really enjoy it. It can also be found through the Channel Four website but you need to give your details and subscribe (not sure if that works if you don't live in the UK).

What do you think - could you survive on an island like that for 6 weeks? I'd love to have a go but I could never leave my girls for that long at the age they are, maybe when they're older! 

Did anyone else watch it?