I'm always just a little puzzled what a survival show is actually supposed to exhibit anyways. The viewer has to immediately ignore the fact that there's a film crew "along for the ride." And, Yes, there will always be the fact in Mr. Stroud's case that Les films himself which I smile to myself as the camera records him walking off into the horizon or boarding a selfmade watercraft as he paddles off into the great blue. (I guess he paddles back to get it after the shot otherwise how would we ever see it
). One man against the odds, be it real or "Presented" , it's obviously a very popular genre', almost as popular as the Alaska themed shows. But it gets a wee stale after season 5 episode 23.
Survive in the arctic. Done that.
Survive in the desert. Done that.
Survive on an island. Done that.
Survive in an abandoned car. Done that
Wait, what about TWO? They'd watch that wouldn't they?
But not just
ANY two....
DS took it another step further with the Soldier vs Hippie theme. And we can only imagine how much of the chemistry (or lack of it) between the characters was evident or acted out. And it's never just a Soldier, oh no, as if an infantry man can not make fire from steel wool and a 'D' battery unless he spent his MOS at Ft Bragg, but an uber soldier, Black Ops, Special forces, Airborne Ranger, SAS, type.
And then
Enter the all natural, fully sustainable, wholly organic, gluten free, never wears shoes, never cuts hair, only 100% beeswax ever touches these lips, 'whatever the "GRID is I aint on it, brother', Side kick
each representing polar ends of the survival spectrum. But alas, dominant personalities are never compatible for long and in short order the show becomes more about the personal differences between Sgt York and Moonpuppy rather than the presented scenario they have to overcome. But even this grows old and after so many seasons the producers have to reinvent the show.
And yet, don't we love it? I watched every episode of Cody and Canterbury.
We didn't call it "Bushcraft" or "Survival" or" Off the Grid" in my childhood, and because of these shows those terms are now recognised by even school age kids. And many of the skills presented in the shows some viewers have never seen or experienced, so there's certainly that. That's the beauty of Creek Stuart's show. People out of shape with no woodslore get a crash course in Now and then we get to see if they learned anything. For some its life changing. But for me the real joy is the winner gets a knife.
I watched both the shows back to back and like the replies above I felt I've seen better from both production teams. Les came off as being very preachy and quite honestly when Cody left the show, Dual lost its magic for me long ago. I didn't see anything in this edition that brought it back.
These days the need to constantly build the drama up before the commercial breaks is overkill.
I've not only got my life but I've got (insert name) life in my hands too. If I don't get this (fire started, shelter built, boat hole patched, cordage finished) we could die!!!)
Once the necessary anticipation had been initiated, roll the new car commercial.
