I like the show, even with the flaws, obvious hyping and scripting...I like Man Vs. Wild, Survivorman, and the others too...none are perfect, but I generally do enjoy them to a degree and usually snag some nugget of knowledge off of them...
In any event, I think Matt is bringing some serious skills to the table, and Joe is getting 'schooled' a bit here in recent episodes. I like Joe, and my hats off to him for his skills and service...I am sure inside military specops, he's more in his element. But if I have to hear him say one more time "in my 20 years in special operations..." OK, ok, we get it. But in reality, in most of the scenarios, there's boy scouts that have comparable. solid relevant skills for over-nighting in the woods compared to 'specop' operators.
And I'm sorry, if you have to 'get in the zone' and look at it like an enemy combatant to add another stab on a small, mortally-wounded pig, you probably need to decompress a bit there Francis. Like I say, I respect he's probably a very skilled specops guy, and I'm not saying there are times when that type of focus and mindset aren't beneficial, but over a 25 lb. pig, really dude? Simmer down, simmer down. And going all the way back down into the water pit thinking he was going to find a small, clear lens off a set of glasses in umpteen feel of water? Really? No way, no how. Just foolishness there.
While Matt has that sorta hippy vibe going, when its time to act, he certainly steps up. And it kind of hit me...he seems more laid back than Joe due, in my opinion, to confidence in his skills and abilities. Joe, at least per his script, seems to have to kill and eat anything that may come across his way, because he seems overly concerned (ie worried) there may not be something else. I understand a sense of urgency (textbook military stuff there). Matt on the other hand, seems more like, 'whatever, I'll get something else...' in a much less panicky sort of way. It seems like he's got an underlying confidence, borne of experience to know he can still survive if he doesn't kill this thing right here, right now. Maybe a couple days later with no food, he'd feel differently, but he's seems to know there's other better opportunities that he'll be able to make use of. If he doesn't get 'rescued--oh my' tomorrow, not the end of the world...he'll get rescued the next day...or the next...or the next...
As to the knife...well, a machete is a great tool in the right environment (jungle/brush/etc), and adding some saw teeth to the spine is a simple practical asset, so I don't fault the general concept...but that things is way over marketed and too busy IMHO.
As to shoes...they're a good thing. As others have said, exposing a part of your body, especially the part that is most (almost constantly) in contact with foreign things (the ground and anything on it) is not the wisest course of action. Enhanced protection, stability, and traction from quality footwear is the smart way to go 99% of the time, especially in the wild. Vibram, Gortex, etc are good stuff.
If nothing else, these shows teach you, for the love of all that is outdoorsy...put a freaking Bic in you pack and another pocket before you head into the woods...they're like less than 1% the cost of your fancy custom fixed blade!!
BOSS