riverheightsnancy

Regarding the talk of length of stay:

Dan did have some wood stored that I saw, I don't know if it is enough though. Fowler was the only one not to bring any of the rations. The thing that struck me about Dan was how clean and fresh he looked. Dave and Greg look like wild men that have never seen water. Fowler and Callie look normal for a camper, but Dan, looked like a city person on a weekend jaunt. Even his clothes looked immaculate. Personally, I think Sam was just doing what Dan is stating towards the end of it. He was just barely surviving on his body fat and not moving or doing much. Even his shelter left a lot to be desired compared to this season. Alan, on the other hand, was living and surviving and getting a lot out of his alone time.

I would say that may play a part for sure, but what one of the Instructors said, is that the people who expelled all of their air quickly, would drop like a rock. He saw that as a sign of less experience in the water or swimming. It seemed like some of the early passers (the female I think I saw doing this), expelled the water slower, sank a little slower, but still had air in their lungs to help propel them on the upside and then still have air to push out as part of the "breathing" cycle. However, maybe someone who is a skilled swimmer or diver can comment? (I am not!).

For myself I never found Larry charming at all (disturbing-but that is my personal view on his anger), however, Dan is all about the "strategy" and it seems that he would have been better suited for Survivor or something like that and I probably would have liked him playing that role on a show like that. So, I find Larry above Dan because he did want to be there for a variety of reasons beyond doing as little as possible to win the money. I think that Dan's trapping skills are only related to trapping for fur and is not in the same mindset as Fowler, Greg, Callie, and many other outdoorsmen (and women) that we have seen. His purpose for trapping is to get fur (remember how Mitch cared for the sea pelt he found-very different from Dan). That's it. It is completely different than Mitch, or Lucus, or Alan or any of the others that we have admired who actively want to live in nature or one with nature. Not saying that anyone who likes Dan is wrong, but I tend to root for the people who want something more from the experience besides the money. Of course, all of them could be there only for the money and aren't being truthful about it because they know that might not play well to the audience. But I personally see Fowler and Greg as being very authentic, Callie too. Can't say much about Megan, but I think that she would fall into that category as well. MMV

I agree that the water comps are brutal. There is a great documentary on the Navy Seals and their training techniques that I often show to my psych students about the impact of stress and even the military noted that their fail rate was higher than they expected (on pool comp) so they came up with a 4 pronged approach to dealing with cognition and how to cope with the stress response. If anyone is interested it is here on YouTube. All the pool comp stuff that they show are pretty similar.

The Good: I adore Fowler and find Greg's humble optimism refreshing. I do think that he takes a lot of risks though. Fowler is an artist. I want either of those two to win. Not digging Callie, not sure why. Normally, I am all for the ladies. She is creative though. The Bad: Dan. Man, they are not being subtle at all. The lazy against the worker bees. I do not want the lazy to win. Period. Anyone who is trying, will be a superior win in my eyes over Dan. I really think it will be Dan vs. Fowler at the end. The Unhinged: Dave is looking like he is 70 years old. I don't think he is long for the show.

I have been pretty distracted by the editing this season, and if it proves out, Dan won't win and is getting the Jose edit. (i.e., has all the skills, but doesn't make it to the end and because, perhaps, his filming is either boring or not enough or just hyper-fixated on some singular things [like Jose and his rumination on his boat], they may just be opting not to show him that much, because why bother?) We will see if my theory holds out by the end. I mentioned early in the season my thoughts on the editing and how heavy handed the editors are for this show and my thoughts on the potential winner back during episode #1, so we will see.

Yes, I really liked him as well.

Uh, 1/2 a day for me (much shorter if there are wild, snarling animals or snakes). When Britt started talking about being dirty, that was a bit telling. I think that being more dirty than we are accustomed to being in our modern world is required for a person who wants to go back to nature. I remember hearing a stat once that Americans use more soap, and bathe more, than any other country at any other time in history. So, I think a person has to be able to let go of some of the modern conventions regarding cleanliness to be successful as a camper or outdoorsman. I agree about Dave being a bit manic like. I have to wonder if the contestants wean themselves off of caffeine and other substances (alcohol, cigs, pot, etc...) in preparation for a show like this. I think that would be very smart.

The thing about #11 (I hate calling them #s), I feel like he has lived a life of missing chances. His desire is so clear and so laser focused. I think that this guy could have made it through real Seal/Ranger training. For me he is the most focused. When he repeated the oath, it was a monumental moment-it took my breath away. I think it was the most seminal moments on reality television I have ever seen. It was real, it was raw, and it was true, and it meant something to him. I thought it was telling that they didn't have either of the instructors say anything after he left and they kept to a long shot. I think that they were moved by it and couldn't say anything. I will have to watch that episode again. His disclosure of the sexual abuse was really important for him and for other survivors to hear. It takes tremendous courage to come forward like that. I just adore this guy. He is already the winner in my book. Who was #30? I didn't watch last night yet, but I loved the heart that the small Asian guy had. I really wanted him to make it.

Ok, I have been dying for this thread. I am in TV love with #11 (Christian, I think). He was featured last week in a debrief and his personal story had me crying. I just find him so compelling.

Surprised about Britt, but as we have seen time and time again, this game is all about the mental. The minute these people start wanting to be at home and starting talking about what they are missing, they are already one step towards mentally creating the justifications for leaving (not that I could make it past one day!). So glad to see Fowler back on the optimistic train. I like him a lot. he has the skills. I was hoping that he was gonna go get that duck if he did hit it though. I enjoyed Greg's "Man vs. Fox", but I was really glad the little guy won. I really didn't want to see the fox hurt by the log. As you can see, there is no way I could do this because I do not think that I can kill an animal even a fish, even if I was starving. I found Greg's talking head to the camera, to be one of the most authentic and honest one's we have seen. His desire, and might I say need to win is pretty upfront for me. I want Fowler or Greg to win, but in many ways I actually think that Greg NEEDS it. I would be happy for either one. I think Dave is manic and completely unenjoyable to watch and I will go against the grain here, I am not a Megan fan. I think that she takes unnecessary risks, I don't dig her in the same way that I dislike Dave. Thanks Quilt Fairy!

Yes, that was something I noticed. Fowler is only 3.9 miles from one of the ladies. I pondered how they would know if they had gone too far, and if they could run into each other. That is pretty close compared to VI.

OT: I am such a fan of #11 (Christian?). I was bawling during his interrogation/debriefment.

I should have clarified. It is how he talked about the money. It was almost as if life owed him. I never got the sense from Alan or Dave that the money was only for them. Sure it woukld help them too, but it wasn't ONLY for them. I felt that with Dan. Dave talked about making his children's lives better, same with Alan. Alan said that he wanted to help his son's medical issue and maybe pay off his dad's mortgage. They seem to put other's first. When Dan talked about it, it came across as more for him because of all the opportunities that he missed out on because he had no $$$. For myself, when I do something for my child, I am much more committed then when I do something just for me. I have given up and done things for my kid (like work extra long and oppressive hours at work) to be able to afford something needed, as opposed to what I would do for myself. Maybe it is just me, but I found Dan to be a turnoff and maybe I only settled on that as the "reason". lol OT: Is ANYONE in the world watching The Selection? Last night was unbelievable and made me fugly cry-and I want to talk about it!!

My dislike of Dan was justified tonight. Seems lazy and already whining about missing the wife and child and I thought that he might have a really good shot at winning with his trapping skills. He is only there for the money. I personally don't like the contestants that make it overtly and only about the extrinsic (i.e., money). I think that they need a few other reasons to stay to the end. Dan also had a specific # of days in his head regarding what would be good. We have seen other contestants do the same thing. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. I felt for Fowler and I hope this is only a small bump in the road for him. Britt also has a good attitude. Doing his son's dance was cute. I know how he feels. There are things that my kid used to do, that can still make me laugh out loud too.

Yeah, I thought that about Jose & Mike last year. haha. I think it will be Fowler. His attitude reminds me of Alan.

Thanks for that. He definitely sounds like he has inside knowledge. Maybe the interviews he does with the contestants help with that perspective? I don;t have time to watch, who is he predicting will win?

Is it me, or does the Wooded Beardsman guy sound like her was a contestant and/or has inside knowledge to the show?

Jose (Season 2) had videos blogs of each episode and he did not win. Can you provide the link for Fowler? I would love to hear what he has to say ! ( My mom lives about 30 minutes from Fowler and I bet that we each know people who know each other due to the proximity of the location). In retrospect, I think that Jose's videos were an indirect form of building up to justifying why he tapped. To save face, if you will (and I say that as a Jose fan). I think that he was really disappointed in himself and believed that he SHOULD and MUST win. I remember Jose's videos, in that the very first one he started out by defending everyone and saying that the home audience doesn't understand how hard it is. Again, I think it was building up for his ultimate tap out. Really rooting for Fowler. But I like Brett (Britt?) and the lady who is the naturalist. I think that Greg (Drywall guy) can go far unless he keeps getting lost. I think Dave is odd. Can't put my finger on it, need to see more of him. Not sure about the rest, I never saw the preview show and purposely did not look at their bios.

Warning sign #1 from Zach: The comment about the birds singing in the morning and that he came out into nature to get away from alarm clocks. Anyone who does any type of camping (like he says he does) KNOWS this is nature's alarm clock, but it isn't a horrid noise like real alarm clocks are. As a non-camper, just having the windows open in the spring/summer, you hear the birds. I can proudly say that I can identify a bunch of birds just from their songs now. On what planet does he do wilderness training where there are no birds singing? Wouldn't it be more of a concern if you don't hear them? Don't the animals get quiet when there is a pending storm or something like that? I would notice that at my bird feeders, a flurry of eating before a storm and then they all hunker down.

Yes, you are correct. I should clarify: I know that producers don't pick who goes to what location (but many will ponder if there is producer interference regardless-we hear all the time on Survivor), but there are locations that are worse than others and that is very likely known to them as they have already scouted locations and have to know the best way to get into each location should an issue occur, and that is the comparison part. Look at where Larry set up (originally) last season. It was a bad location, until he made a huge effort to move (swearing the whole time). Mitch in Season 1, made a tarp/leaf boat and floated across a body of water to get to a place with clean water based on experience and the "sound" of running water. I think that there is a lot of justification for comparison, why? Because regardless of where they are, we see the same psychological things come up again and again. It is practically archetypal. For myself, it is less about where they are but WHO they are. I guarantee that if you put Alan in Patagonia or VI or some other place, he would succeed. It is not about where, but the nature of the person that rises in adversity or crumbles. I was a huge proponent of Mike and Jose last year based on their experience and ability to make things. And both were a bit of a disappointment. It was not their prior education/experience that helped them in the long run, but their attitude, outlook, innate qualities (whatever you want to call it) became their reason to tap out. I think Fowler will be the same way in terms of positive attitude and wonderment about being there (maybe Brett, and a couple of the ladies, but I don't know enough about them yet to comment and I missed the preview show). While the backdrop (the location) and that is always interesting. For myself, this show is all about the psychological and most of the tap outs will say that as well (first tap this season did). I will say that the growling and noises in the bushes are just as scary as in Season 1 with the Bears and Cougars. However, after they get acclimated and get their shelters set-up, we may see less of that fear as the editors focus on other things.

I think that you might be new to this thread, but those of us who have been here for the last two seasons did a ton of comparing of contestants and seasons, everything, that is the fun of this. Those who watched the first two seasons, will know that making fire and water was a MAJOR issue in Season 1, even for the seasoned professionals. It was merely an observation regarding editing as well. My observation is that since these newer contestants have seen the last two seasons they are better prepared and better overall perhaps. Respectfully, the point of this board is for people to express what they think, If I want to compare prior contestants to current one, I can. The moderators are the ones who should advise as to what is ok or not ok to compare.

Finding this guy Dave to be a little off. Not sure what it is about him. Zach doesn't like the bird sounds in the am. Hey, you can habituate to the noise! Just chill. I would rather hear birds than bear, wild hogs, cougars, or Pumas outside my tent. Seems like one of the female contestants got a prime fishing spot (the one from last week), similar to Nicole last year. I hope that it is not purposeful by the producers to have a female have a better chance at staying a little longer. Why doesn't Zach place the bamboo in the opposite direction when he is bringing it down to his camp? The foliage would flow with his directions instead of against it. Same idea behind the how you bring a Christmas tree into a house. Trunk end first. You can actually drag it that way. There has been almost no video of building first fire or water. This group must have accomplished that easily therefore, no need to cover it. Remember season 1? It was a massive issue! (OT: Zach reminds me of the Jesus character on Walking Dead when he has his knit hat on). Definitely like Megan. Just like Nicole from last year. I feel like I learn something watching her. Already on Day 8 and no other taps? These guys may be here for a while. Spoken too soon. I think Zach was being a little careless with walking and the ax. Maybe because of lack of food he wasn't thinking clearly. Fowler is my pick to win. I really love him. He is positive, and from Maine AND a red head. I am a Mainer and lots of my relatives are red heads too.