Liberty

"These rocks are really hot", Heather is really a quick learner. Other than demonstrating how to make a fish trap, did she do anything except complain? I thought I had seen every episode of every show, but so many of these people I could swear I had never seen. There was an ad for the new season of N & A, which I believe is scheduled to start October 15, I quiver with excitement that it is less than 1 month away.

It's kind of sad. When Bulent did not awaken to see the pig in his trap was a real tip off. It was the first trap where a lasso around the abdoman killed it quarry in a matter of hours. The production crew could not even get the lasso around the pig's neck. Production probably worked out a deal with Bulent to share his 'kill' with everyone. Heather's outfit has evolved, a blue skirt with the helmet is a 10 on the N & A runway. There is a way out of all your pain and sorrow Heather, quit. Funny how when she and Andrew had some food, their characters returned. Have given quite bit of thought to how the plane, jeep and boat were placed on the set. Guessing a helicopter was used. We have yet to see a path big enough for a jeep, and the plane crash could easily have been placed by a helicopter. Bulent lost a lot of ground in my book. Anyhow only us dedicated fans made it to the end of this miserable iteration of the show.

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This link showed up on my MSN homepage. Thought this link may be interesting. 3 best episodes

This addition to the N&A franchise is certainly not bringing out the comments or viewers I'm thinking the most comments on this forum were generated by the 40 day N&A XLs. Who knew how tough it was to start a friction fire, certainly not Heather, "Mr. Insurance Fraud" Jeff or Steven "I'm a big deal" Hall.

It is interesting that some of the characters do not mind doing things that will portray them as 'villains'. Although I do not have the knowledge, skill, tenacity (and other characterstics) to participate on N&A, I would want to be recorded for television as a kind, generous and caring person.

Thought the 2 females group was for sure going to loose their pelican. Surprised Heather has not unleashed her fire starting ability yet, especially after their water pollution possibility was exposed. The idea that they have a rusty army helmet in which to boil water is not particularly attractive to me. How about the thinking that water on the mirror would create the refraction needed to focus the light for starting a fire. It failed, but it was a solid idea for something to try. Am starting to get some idea this a more producer driven than the old 21 day episodes were.

Looking back to N&A XL VI, more celebrated N&A celebrities like Wes, Gwen and Sarah had personal conflicts with Bulent. Season VI had the 'banish' experiment, and Bulent Self-Banished, striking out on his own. At the time he established the record for most 30 days surviving alone, passing Matt Wright's 24 days in XL IV. He is one of the top survivalists featured on N&A. We'll see how he does on "Stranded".

It is interesting to see how only two of the last five are capable of starting a friction fire and boiling water. IN THREE DAYS! There have been plenty of regular episodes over the years were it took 21 day challengers more than three days to get friction fire going. During the three day festival of fire no one seemed to have an issue with hunger. Is it possible Jeff took his precious cache items back to the US to sell on ebay? After some of the comments and observations that had been made here, I think the show is more contrived than I ever imagined. None of the 3 who 'cut corners' on the previous elimination challenges, Gary, Steve, and the jack ass, made it to the final challege.

It's my perception that we as a group are not enjoying the competitive nature of this XL. Maybe Discover will see it alienates long time devotees of Naked & Afraid XL. One XL a couple of years ago had groups that could expel members, but that seemed to be a one season experiment. Personally, watching people work together to overcome obstacles is more interesting that than following some plot thread about sabotage. The soliloquys are tedious and irritating in this version. They do reveal that it is not about discovering the best survivalist, but about gaining the best ratings. Skooma's statement is telling about the goal of winning a game, rather than being the most accomplished survivalist. I would offer that Gary with a couple of his food forages (ie the Weaver bird eggs), Steve in his encounter with Sarah, might have been violating the loosely created team spirit the 12 survivalists created. "Naked and Afraid survivalists battle to take home $100,000 and be crowned the Last One Standing". I overlooked that fact that it says nothing about identifying good survivalists, just about being that Last One. Discovery really put one over on me.

Are you possibly recalling Honora doing this?

Just thinking of how I should be considering previous individual shows and XLs for scripted drama. Consider for a moment Honora in both her S3 Ep10 and XL appearances. Just like pro-wrestling there are heroes and villains. Content is less about survival and more about interaction with the characters. I am an adult watching a child's show.

Sara brings Jeff a fish, Sunday night Jeff says 'I wouldn't mind seeing Sara go'. Well, Jeff who's gonna feed you now?

This is a very good description of the situation. Did he called it mangled? Saw Jeff on 'Snake in the Grass", I suppose he has an agent who finds only the best opportunities for him to express is artistic impulsion.

Wonder if he was just trying to get stitches so he could be like Matt? Maybe hoping to be sent home with a 'medical tap'. If he gets his heel wet he WILL get an infection. I found that absolute nature of the statement to be overblown.

I'm noticing a little band-aid on Steven's lift pinky toward the end of the episode. What did Waz say, "when you argue with an idiot you have two idiots arguing". Really did not like Cheeny's 'cut his balls off' statement. Jeff's constant use of hyperbole suggests to me his drastic injuries may not live up to the gravity he portrays. As overbearing as I usually find Matt, he sure has many, many survival skills.

I am a bit disheartened that Matt got medical attention and remained in the contest. My imagination tells me that the project is more scripted than I had previously thought. "I didn’t like the way the 2 girls Sarah and Cheeny lacked enthusiasm when Gary showed up" Here Gary endured a difficult task, and shared his honey with everyone but Jeff. Sarah & Cheeny benefitted a great deal, but did not welcome Gary as the provider he was.

Noticing how much voice over there is in the current episodes. Used to be that participants only spoke with a camera on them, but now their voices are imposed upon shots were they are no speaking. Production value seems to be increasing, but the entire event is looking more like 'Survivor'.

Does anyone miss EJ?

Great Comments So Far ! Sad watching Wes promote his tracking skills as he walked by a few quills. He seems to be relying on the kindness of others rather than his skills - - so far. Jeff trying to buy goodwill (or items) for not harming his opponents' chances. What a creep. He sure does get the most exposure of any participant, so he must be ratings gold. Poor Matt. Liked Waz better before he had an idea to get Stacey to tap (maybe a result in his judgement due to fatigue and hunger). Then when Gary talked to Stacey, it only reinforced the negative view of Gary. I like the two hour episode format, recording and FF'ing during the replay saves a lot of time, yet covers a lot of ground.

Tough day when the Christian Cartologist can't read a map, but maybe he was receiving some divine intervention. Poor Stacey Wes really looked vulnerable, that was surprising after previous challenges where his map reading difficulty was not revealed. Gary and Jeff are both trying to develop their 'characters'. Good luck boys. Wonder why Matt was compelled to tell Jeff that he was GIVING the extra bow to Steven.

From the glimpses of the map we get, I am really surprised at how many trails there are in this area.

The tirelessly self promoting Jeff must be a ratings magnet for N & A. Saw his first episode where he was 'praying' his way to success, when that religious fervor did not last long in his survival career. His cartographic background was a revelation, I thought his professional career was limited to 'reality' TV appearances and insurance fraud. Also not mention of spending the night in the medics' tent on previously. Must objectively give Jeff credit for 'branding' some of his catchphrases, when he hollered " This is what I live for" across the valley, it had a demoralizing effect on the competitiors. Getting tired of Raynaud's syndrome references after just watching N & A Solo. That said, thinking Dan + Cheeny are two darkhorse candidates. How can anyone not admire Waz' integrity?

Jeff, "Mr. Insurance Fraud", and EJ have indeed been a couple of the chosen one's from the beginning. Possibly they have more 'support' from production.

Wonder if a Sno-Cat or Snow Mobiles will be used to remove the surviving participants at the end of the extraction day exodus.