Utopia (US) Live Feed Discussion

[ElleryAnne]

I'm guessing it's just an error, but the UtopiaTV site is currently listing Cal as a "Past" player and not a "Present" one.

[wirebitersm]

That is because he can't be voted for this time

[clod]

he's on the live feed right now.

[ElleryAnne]

That is because he can't be voted for this time

 

 

Huh.  So they may be parking it on the Past page so that it doesn't show on the Present?  Yeah, that makes a kind of sense.  It also implies that the folks managing the show's website are about as competent as the folks managing the topes, if they couldn't block the picture any other way.  So that sounds about right.

[4leafclover]

I can't remember--is Cal safe from elimination for 30 days or 60?

[Mediocrates]

I'm guessing it's just an error, but the UtopiaTV site is currently listing Cal as a "Past" player and not a "Present" one.

Looks like they caught their mistake, it's been corrected.

[whack-a-mole]

I'm not waiting because I'll probably forget. As awful as many of them have been, my vote's for Shady Chef. The tiebreak was knowing that I won't have to see his food consumed by people ever again once he's out of there.

[hincandenza]

Am... am I reading correctly, and this time all three nominees are in the public's hands?!?! It's about freakin' time! The Myopians are going to be very surprised and disgruntled when they see who we nominate.

As was mentioned above, they should accelerate the vote to once every two weeks. If they do that- and I can't believe I'm saying this- I will actually consider giving this show a second chance . Ya hear that, Kroll ? Rework the show and cast to be more interesting and less vile and scripted, and the ratings might improve!

I'll even offer an idea for a tweak, once a couple of "America nominates" votes are held. Keep up the public nomination every two weeks of three potential evictees as well as best contributor. The Myopians can then have three options at each vote:

1) Evict no one, because things are going well enough. Potentially offer a reward (food, supplies, tools) for choosing this option.

2) Evict one of the three public nominees.

3) Evict someone who wasn't even nominated- but for a price. Going off-ballot will cost say the greater of either 40-50% of their funds, or $1,000 (and maybe Best Contributor is immune).

If the CKC can convince everyone that voting off Bella is worth losing half their money after she goes, then hell. Let 'em. At least they'll have made a choice that bears some meaning due to its cost. I don't know why Myopians like Kristen think this was supposed to be Survivor meets The Apprentice, but this structure might be a disincentive to some of the petty feuding and clique behavior while encouraging more working together, since for some reason they all seem to have convinced themselves there's a big prize awaiting them for voting off others and lasting to the end.

As for the nominees themselves: I still hate Bri, and generally dislike several others, but people like Bri and Chris and Taylor et al seem mostly like followers now, Cal and Bella are ineffectual crazy outcasts, etc. I think breaking up the heart of the CKC will do a lot to shake things up. So I'd say Mike and Aaron without any shadow of a doubt, then either Kristen or Rob as the third. When one or two of them go, I think the bullying and the plotting goes way down.

I'm curious if Aaron's ouster from the kitchen after one day- I can't imagine anyone wants him back there now, as his and Rob's plans have backfired completely- will defang him, or just amp him up. The abuser's handbook says he'll react to losing his tools of control- food- with even more physical violence and intimidation (viewer warning: some split peas were harmed in the filming of this show), but I think his rants will now start to fall on deaf ears.

Regardless, I'd happily make him the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd nominee, but alas... :)

[Mediocrates]

I also cast my vote for Aaron, reading a lot of the comments on another live feed site and voters seem to be pushing really hard to vote Bella out. I don't agree with that logic, not to mention Cal already offered to pay her the stipend money if she quits on her own. I think it's more important to weed out some of the truly awful individuals like Aaron, Mike, and Kristen.

[BusyOctober]

I'm voting Mike out. Let Rob be forced to quit if he is so miserable inside the gate. I wish we could have more votes or at least select a 1-2-3 "win place or show" for most useless. I'd give my other votes to Kristin and Aaron.

I wonder if they'd have the bootee do a TH upon his/her exit a la Survivor. What I would really like to see is 2 interviews with the one voted out- 1st immediately after they get escorted to the gate & a 2nd after they view recordings of the live feeds & read some online observations during their time in the Cool Kids Club. Although I bet there wouldn't t be too much variance between the two b/c the most disliked (by the viewers) of the bunch are so egregiously lacking in self awareness .

Anyway, HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Anything that makes these assholes squirm makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.

[mmal]

The only disappointing thing about Aaron Thomas's reign of terror finally ending is that he's the source of so much snark. From the literally crappy food, to the big fat lies, it just won't be the same without him, heh.

[DeLurker]

Here is a link to the meeting from Utopia Madness: (scroll down a bit):

http://www.utopiamadness.com/2014/10/the-big-surprise-announcement.html

Actual meeting starts around 5 mins.in and Aaron starts talking in circles around 13. The core members of the CKC seemed to do the most talking and be the most negative on the change.

For a place without a regular shower, most of the Topes have pretty clean and slightly styled hair.

Eta: Rob, America lover that he is, is totally convinced it is wrong to put the eviction nominee selection in the hands of America.

Edited October 23, 2014 by DeLurker

[backformore]

http://theutopiapioneers.com/collections/accessories

 

You will all be happy to know that Cal's cell phone cases have been reduced in price.  There are now versions for $90, $125, and $150 .

 

ALL of Hex's jewelry is "Sold out" , even though it's basically pretty stones wrapped in wire.  The photos are confusing, until I realized the stones were not necklaces, just stones, and they are arranged "artfully"  on twigs and rocks. 

 

But best of all, you can buy a scrap of wood that's painted to look like a camera - with Rob & Jess's wedding date on it.   Only $20, and it can be yours!

 

 

Too bad the birdhouses are all sold out: 

[EverCat]

That camera is a joke right?

 

- I think I'll vote for Bri - that place is no place for a young woman (and maybe then she will finally figure out why America voted for her).

[bagatelle]

Just about everything is sold out. The soaps, the rings, even a childlike painting by Chris.  If it's not their family members purchasing, it's the producers finding a way to give them some money to survive.   It makes no sense, otherwise.

[MrHufflepuff]

I guess Mike, Rob and Taylor now want to build their own house to sleep in.  That's gonna be hysterical.  I'll bet it'll be a big version of those bird houses.

[Rapunzel]

I so wish we could vote to have more than one of these asshats sent packing. At this point the show pretty much needs a complete reset - just purging one isn't enough. I do like that they are having a vote for the biggest contributor as well, however. I think I'll cast my vote for Josh as the most useful - he's set up and/or been involved in pretty much all of the key infrastructure/conveniences that they have and he hasn't bitched about working nor has he treated anyone badly (save for his drunken faux pas on the first night which he has apologized for and hasn't repeated the behavior).

 

As far as who  I will vote to go, there are so many that need to be sent on their way so this is a tough decision. I think I'm leaning towards Mike at the moment, though I keep going back and forth between him and Aaron. Rob is an ass, but it seems he may leave on his own so I don't want to waste my vote on him. I'm leaning towards Mike over Aaron at the moment because, though all of Aaron's food is shitty and he clearly has no clue how to cook, how to run a kitchen or any knowledge about basic hygiene, at least he has done some work. Mike hasn't really done or contributed anything at all (except embezzle and try to come up with various ways to scheme his fellow Udopians) and he is such an instigator. Also, I think he's a definite embarrassment to my profession so it may be a bit personal for me.

Edited October 23, 2014 by Rapunzel

[clod]

I guess Mike, Rob and Taylor now want to build their own house to sleep in.  That's gonna be hysterical.  I'll bet it'll be a big version of those bird houses.

 

utopia state of freedom!   

 

instead, they could use that work effort to make some beds.

 

who will pay for the materials?

 

maybe they just want feeders to see them working?

[driedfruit]

My elimination vote is between Aaron, Bri, and Mike. But who to choose... Probably Bri. I can't forgive animal abuse, and out of the awful folk she's the least interesting. 

 

Rob gets a pass because he actually wants to leave, and his punishment should be staying. Hex and Dede have some alright moments, and overall they're not as vile as some of the guys. And I have a feeling Kristin will become toothless once Aaron is gone.  

Edited October 23, 2014 by driedfruit

[ProfCrash]

Mike, Aaron, and Rob are the top three assholes. Bri has been better since America voted for her the first time, she lost control of the barn, and Chris stopped acting like an asshole.  Hex is frustrated by Bella and has had her moments but is for the most part decent. Dede will be much better when Mike is gone. Kristen will be better when Aaron is gone. Taylor will probably chill and be a better person when Mike, Rob, or Aaron is gone.

 

Mike, Aaron, and Rob are the leaders. Get rid of them and the followers will change their behavior.

 

Bella does need to go because she is a divisive tyrant always looking to be a victim. I honestly don't think she is looking for affirmation only to pick fights that she will lose eventually so that she can be the victim. She does piss off the others and cause problems but she is not actively bullying and hurting other.

[OakGoblinFly]

Awwww......the Mean Kids Club (AKA the Cool Kids Club) members are sooooo pissed off!  Bris says "this isn't what I signed up for."  I guess laying around and eating all day was what she signed up for.  Aaron and Mike are saying that America "doesn't see us 24/7, they don't know what we know. They only see an edited version of what's going on. This will become a popularity contest."  Really?  Did production not explain the live feeds to you?  Mike, we even know you can't get an erection if you're wearing a condom!  Hex is crying because "America won't like an Atheist, hunter, anarchist."  Well, apparently we were willing to overlook your shortcomings until you became a bully and a cutthroat.  Dedeker says "the Utopia experience just took a shit."  And Amanda says "Pastor Jon told us when he came back that what we do, America sees. And that was enough for me.  He wouldn't lie."  Kristen thinks this will make them do more "grandstanding" for the cameras and become more competitive.  Rob says "for the first time, I feel like I'm on a television show."   Taylor says "duh....."  (I'm paraphrasing here) and Josh (who must've had a long talk with production) says that something must have happened to make this turnabout occur, and its likely without a change the experience will be canceled and they'll all be at home next month.  Chris and Ernesto see this as a good thing and Nikki says if you remain true to yourself, you have nothing to worry about.  Now production is there to answer their questions and the feeds are down.  

 

 

What did they think they were doing?  You signed up for --- wait for it --- a TELEVISION show with 24 hour feeds.  In this day and age how can you NOT know that the feeds go out unedited (granted sometimes they are taken down or muted, but they are most certainly not edited).

 

I don't know why I am still surprised at the level of stupidity displayed by the inmates.

 

I do like this change and hope that the powers-that-be don't give in to the whining/tantrums and that America can really select the three up for eviction.  Looking forward to seeing the reaction when Bella, Josh, and/or Nikki are NOT voted for eviction and Josh is voted biggest contributor (though I would love it if the selection was Bella just to see Rob's head explode).

Wow, that was great. I watched the meeting live and although it made me want to throw things at the screen, it was also very satisfying.

 

They (the jackass contingent) largely seem unable to understand the "live" and "24/7" part of the feeds. They keep insisting they're being edited. Look, I know we don't get to see footage all the time from all the cams, and there are undoubtedly conversations that happen that we don't hear or see, but it's not like they're busy saving kittens from burning buildings while we're not watching.

 

 

Not only that - that the "edited" version, what actually goes out on network makes those guys look great ....... they have to know that they're screwed or they wouldn't be making a fuss.  For all the "they're editing us to look bad" mantras, I contend that if you didn't act a certain way the editors wouldn't have any footage to "make you look bad." 

[OakGoblinFly]

My elimination vote is between Aaron, Bri, and Mike. But who to choose... Probably Bri. I can't forgive animal abuse, and out of the awful folk she's the least interesting. 

 

Rob gets a pass because he actually wants to leave, and his punishment should be staying. Hex and Dede have some alright moments, and overall they're not as vile as some of the guys. And I have a feeling Kristin will become toothless once Aaron is gone.  

 

 

Which is why I am leaning toward voting Aaron out .... I also think that he feeds into Rob's delusions. 

[MrHufflepuff]

Jake the beekeeper came by last night, and Mike got in an argument with him.  I think.  I can't really tell if Mike was kidding around or serious, but I think he was serious but trying to mask it with a front of goofing around.  But, Jake didn't take the bait and remained calm.  Anyway, I don't like either of them at all, so watching a couple of annoying people have a half-fight isn't really my thing.

 

But...

 

At one point, Jake pointed out that Mike has bragged about dating supermodels and ballerinas.  Mike demanded to know how Jake knew that.  Jake responded:  "You know you're on TV, right?"  Lol.  Seriously.  Every time I think the Udopians have reached peak stupid, they get even stupider.

[BusyOctober]

I agree Aaron needs to go for his heinous behavior, but I think 1st one viewers kick out should be Mike or Kristin or Rob before Shady Chef.  I can just see/hear Aaron bringing up the race card to justify/blame America's dislike of him.  He'd never see or admit he is 100% to blame and being held accountable for his actions & attitude. 

 

There is racism and prejudice in America, but I don't want to hear or give Aaron a platform to rant and rave about his expulsion from a dumb TV show in the same vein as the millions of African Americans who have experienced real injustice for decades.

[ProfCrash]

Yeah, Utopia Home has a very detailed description of the Mike/Jake fight and Mike came off as a total tool. They really don't get that they are on TV 24/7, do they? I was a bit baffled that Jake doesn't have any bee hives in Utopia but seems to come and go as he pleases. He told Mike that the bees are all out working right now but he still brings honey and brought a bunch of pumpkins for Amanda's Halloween party.

 

The group seems to be cool with the voting process, that didn't take long. I hope that it goes from two weeks to a month again after they get rid of the dead weight, ie Aaron, Mike, Rob, and Bella. I am on the fence about Bri, she has mellowed and seems to be learning something which might be a good reason to keep her there but she also abused the animals.

 

Chris is turning into the voice of reason. He was able to get through to Bella about why her food purchases went down so poorly and how poorly she handled it. He flat out told her that crying wouldn't work with him so she stopped. It sounds like he might be the more could be sympathetic but tough figure that Bella needs. Here is hoping.

[driedfruit]

Not only that - that the "edited" version, what actually goes out on network makes those guys look great ....... they have to know that they're screwed or they wouldn't be making a fuss.  For all the "they're editing us to look bad" mantras, I contend that if you didn't act a certain way the editors wouldn't have any footage to "make you look bad." 

It took me a while to look up the live feeds, and back when I only watched the edited version I though Aaron was a hot dude. That all changed when I found out the real truth about his nasty kitchen practices and bullying tendencies. Yuck!

Edited October 23, 2014 by driedfruit

[Kobo Duram]

So, let me get this straight.... the change that the exeuctive producer was flipping out over on Twitter, and which he said was going to make people "crap their pants", the big shake up, the monumental change was ..... the audience chooses the three people who are put up to be replaced, instead of the Utopians choosing two and the audience choosing one?

 

<sarcasm> How will I ever go on with my life after such a shocking twist? </sarcasm>

[DeLurker]

 

- I think I'll vote for Bri - that place is no place for a young woman (and maybe then she will finally figure out why America voted for her).

EverCat - If only you had used "lady" for "woman", we all would have had that opportunity to say "That's no lady!".

 

 

Bri has been better since America voted for her the first time

She's been suspiciously absent from any significant happenings or coverage.  I suspect she's been told to keep a low profile by Production and they've been doing their best to minimize her appearance on the feeds.

 

 

How will I ever go on with my life after such a shocking twist?

The change will get a few more audience members tied in to this, but I don't think it will make a difference to the tv viewing audience that counts for ratings.  I suspect life as we know it will go on without disruption (nor pant crapping).

 

ETA:  Jokers reporting that Mike is quitting.  Don't have time to find confirmation on that though.  If so, don't vote yet!  We might still shed ourselves of Aaron or one of the other flea infested hamsters (apologizes to hamsters everywhere).

Edited October 23, 2014 by DeLurker

[Kobo Duram]

Mike came back from productiona and told Hex he was leaving.  He said he told production he wanted to leave and they said "Go ahead, walk out."

 

Now Hex is trying to convince him to stay because "he's one of the only voices of reason" and the group needs him.

 

No Hex NO!  Bad Hex!   Let the mofo walk.

[Kobo Duram]

Bri just said that today is the first day of "Project Love" and she wants today to focus on "self love"....

 

The live feeds are about to get a lot more salacious!

[OakGoblinFly]

Mike came back from productiona and told Hex he was leaving.  He said he told production he wanted to leave and they said "Go ahead, walk out."

 

Now Hex is trying to convince him to stay because "he's one of the only voices of reason" and the group needs him.

 

No Hex NO!  Bad Hex!   Let the mofo walk.

 

 

Does sex with Taylor make Hex stupid?  Thus far only Amanda and Josh have been consistent voices of reason with Chris running third (he's become more reasonable of late).

Bri just said that today is the first day of "Project Love" and she wants today to focus on "self love"....

 

The live feeds are about to get a lot more salacious!

 

 

Did she remember to spell "project" correctly this time.

Edited October 23, 2014 by OakGoblinFly

[Kobo Duram]

Did she remember to spell "project" correctly this time.

 

She was speaking, not writing, and although a glimpse into her head to see if she is mentally spelling it right would be magical (I'm sure), I'm NOT sure I'd survive it.

[ElleryAnne]

a very detailed description of the Mike/Jake fight and Mike came off as a total tool.

 

 

Color me surprised.   

 

 

Mike came back from productiona and told Hex he was leaving.  He said he told production he wanted to leave and they said "Go ahead, walk out."

 

 

Heh.  I bet Mike went into Production expecting them to make special allowances in order to get him to stay, the way they seemed to have done for Red and maybe Rob.  And instead, they just say, "Don't let the door hit your butt on the way out."  I wish Production would let us see that conversation.

 

I do like this change and hope that the powers-that-be don't give in to the whining/tantrums and that America can really select the three up for eviction.  Looking forward to seeing the reaction when Bella, Josh, and/or Nikki are NOT voted for eviction and Josh is voted biggest contributor (though I would love it if the selection was Bella just to see Rob's head explode).

 

 

I wish Production would post a board listing the entire order of popularity from most-voted-for-elimination to most-voted-biggest-contributor.  Because it's going to be great when the topes are told who the three on the short list are, but I want the ones who don't make the list to know how close (or not close) to the bottom they were.  

[Kobo Duram]

The website now has breaking news:  "A Utopian Quit"

 

What a pouty little baby.    Wah, the polyamourous woman I fell for is interested in other men... I can't compete with a bee keeper...

[lovetowrite73]

Good riddance. I would love to see the reaction of Mike and the other Utopian who will be kicked out after they realize that 24/7 feeds mean 24/7. Dummies.

[OakGoblinFly]

Yeah, Utopia Home has a very detailed description of the Mike/Jake fight and Mike came off as a total tool. They really don't get that they are on TV 24/7, do they? I was a bit baffled that Jake doesn't have any bee hives in Utopia but seems to come and go as he pleases. He told Mike that the bees are all out working right now but he still brings honey and brought a bunch of pumpkins for Amanda's Halloween party.

 

 

Where can one read this?

Edited October 23, 2014 by OakGoblinFly

[ottoDbusdriver]

The website now has breaking news:  "A Utopian Quit"

 

What a pouty little baby.    Wah, the polyamourous woman I fell for is interested in other men... I can't compete with a bee keeper...

 

Is Mike just dragging his departure out for sympathy ?  Go already, just leave.

[whack-a-mole]

The website now has breaking news:  "A Utopian Quit"

 

What a pouty little baby.    Wah, the polyamourous woman I fell for is interested in other men... I can't compete with a bee keeper...

I don't want to do a premature happy dance, but I feel one coming on.

[ProfCrash]

http://allofutopia.com/

 

They give a daily recap. They try and avoid snark which makes them less interesting to read then the ones that are posted here.

[Kobo Duram]

Well, Mike's back.

He's hashing out with people whether or not he's going to stay until the next vote.

He clearly is lobbying for a vote out, probably so he can keep the money.

 

He's THAT concerned about the money?    I thought he banged supermodels and made hundreds of thousands a year?

[ProfCrash]

Reading Jokers. Rob keeps saying that they should have a one time purge and let people who want to leave leave. I think what he means is that they can leave and keep the stipend because I am pretty certain that they can leave at any time. I wonder if he realizes that we are all on board with a mass purging of Utopians and bringing in people who are not assholes and who are interested in actually working and building and being a community and not bullying, tormenting, and mistreating animals.

[Kobo Duram]

From Jokers:  "I'm not trying to be a dick, directly," Aaron assures Dedeker re: the Bella spending situation."

 

Well... are you trying to be a dick indirectly?

[ProfCrash]

Aaron is preparing charges against Bella and counting up all the money she spent.

 

Aaron is the one doing this.

 

The same Aaron who used group money to buy food and then hid it.

 

The same Aaron that talked about stealing from the group.

 

That Aaron

[Zahdii]

Recap for Wednesday, Oct. 22

 

By 7 AM Mike and Taylor are cleaning the barn while Dede and Kristen are milking one cow and Bri milks the other one.  Mike and Taylor are talking about the day.  Mike refers several times to Production doing something today.  Taylor is excited and thinks they're going on a field trip!  He also mentions that he wants to break up with Hex, but they break up twice a week anyway so that conversation doesn't take off.

 

By 8:30 Nikki is in the kitchen starting breakfast, Cal is helping.  In addition to oatmeal, Cal is trying to make crepes.  Every step of the way Cal is telling Nikki what to do in a very condescending tone, whether Nikki needs instruction or not.  I don't know how she puts up with him.

 

Bella wants to come into the kitchen and start making her own breakfast, but Cal told her to wait.   It's pretty obvious that as far as Cal's concerned, he's in charge.  Bella backs off and watches them.

 

It's almost 10 AM when breakfast is put on the table.  Crepes, with peanut butter & jelly set out to put on the crepes.  Oatmeal with Banana's and raisins in it.  Nikki has to tell the group that the oatmeal didn't turn out well so they could eat it at their own risk.  The crepes were a bit greasy, but no one says anything about it.

 

Bella cooks her breakfast and approaches the table to eat.  Just after she sits down, Hex says "F*** your breakfast. Die!".  This bit of polite breakfast conversation was actually directed toward Taylor as they were joking together, but Bella seemed to take it as being directed to her so she got up and took her food out to the deck to eat.

 

Rob throws a fit because he caught Nikki giving Bella a serving of oatmeal.  Aaron complains that the breakfast was late, the food wasn't good, the kitchen wasn't clean.  Mike is egging them on. Pretty soon it's nonstop complaining.  Rob gets himself worked up and says that he hates it here, he wants to leave, he'd rather be at Walmart.

 

Aaron dumps out a bit pot of split peas outside and starts laughing about it.  He claims he thought it was just water, then he claims that he thought someone was soaking the pot because Nikki burnt the oatmeal this morning.  When Cal and Nikki find out, they're all "Oh, it was a mistake, no biggie."  But later Cal tells Rob he knows it was intentional, even though Rob insists it was an accident.  Rob was there when it happened (as were Chris and Amanda), but Aaron is his buddy, and so can do no wrong.

 

A meeting is called where Rob steps down from his government and Bri takes over.  There's an earlier post that explains the inanity, so I won't bother.  Besides, it's Bri.  It'll be totally lame.

 

Bella approaches Josh and tells him she belongs there and other people like Rob don't.  She has good intentions and many others there don't, but when she spoke up she felt that Josh didn't support her.  He says that he and Ernesto did support her, and they tried to tell her what to do in order to stay but she didn't listen.  Bella continues to not listen as she insists that Josh needs to speak up for her, fight for her.  She feels she was being honorable and she didn't have the backup she needed.  Josh says she handled the situation wrong and she agrees, but then starts right back up again about how he should have stood up for her, "for a change".  He tells her has stood up for her, but she doesn't hear him, she just repeats herself using slightly different words.  The upshot is that she is a Victim and he didn't protect her enough and she wants that to change.  She says that Rob is the one who is the biggest problem here and she wants to vote him out.  Josh agrees with that.  Then the conversation starts over again because Bella can't just say something once, she has to repeat it multiple times.  It's tiring.

 

Chris joins them and tells Bella that Kristen wants to see her, and it's good news about the auctions for her paintings.  Bella asks for a hug and then tells him that she's intimidated by his good looks, she finds him very attractive.  Chris doesn't know how to respond to that.  Bella then says she thinks of him like a brother.  Chris tells her that she has a good heart, but she freaks out about the smallest things and she won't own up to her mistakes.  She might say she wants to bring good energy, but the way she goes about it is bringing bad energy.  She only hears what she wants to hear, doesn't do well with people, but does well with animals.  (Maybe it's because they can't talk back?  Just saying.)  Chris says she acts like she is a queen and the rest of them are peasants, so she does whatever she wants and gets annoyed that the rest of them don't comply with her demands.  They're all tired of her claiming that she'll die if she doesn't get her way.  Bella starts to cry, and he tells her that crying doesn't work on him.  She needs to think, reason out what she's going to say when she's put up for eviction so she doesn't get voted off.  Bella's tears magically dry up.

 

Then they go to Kristen and Bella finds out how well her paintings are selling.  Bella cries again, this time because she's happy.  No one tells her to stop crying this time.

 

Feel good time is over, nothing but a lot of complaining.  Everyone knows something is coming and it's making them testy.  Cal talks to Ernesto since it's his job to be the 'judge' during disputes.  He wants to lodge a complaint against Aaron for throwing out the split peas.  Ernesto doesn't look thrilled at the prospect of having another round of dealing with Aaron, but he discusses with Cal how to write up the complaint, etc.  Cal writes up the complaint, then says he's going to have Nikki rewrite it because it should come from her as the cook.  (Another of Cal's ploys - he loves to get an idea, and have someone else implement it for him.  He'll do the same with physical labor if given a chance.)

 

Josh has been called to Production.  When he returns he whispers to Bella that he thinks everything's going to be OK, but won't say anything else.

 

Nikki puts out some pasta and fruit for lunch.  Aaron eats happily, but inside I'm sure he's getting worried about how many people are thrilled with Nikki and her cooking.  Nikki is already planning dinner.  She wants to make pork chops and have a chili for the people who don't eat meat.  She had planned on adding baked potatoes to be eaten separately or with chili on top.  Cal doesn't like baked potatoes and tells her to make mashed potatoes instead.  I hope she makes baked potatoes, they're easier and go better with a chili topping. 

 

Josh gets called back to Production, then emerges and goes to the gate.  He returns with a letter.  Thing's are about to start happening!  All over America, feedsters are parked in front of their computers with popcorn and gleaming eyes.  Josh shuts the doors and tells everyone to gather round the table.  He's interrupted by a disembodied voice telling everyone to remove all the food from the table until after the meeting.  Aaron is wound tight, he's glaring at Josh and muttering "He's pushing it." over and over. 

 

Josh gets the sign from Production to start and reads the letter out loud, signaling great changes to come.  The eviction vote is now every two weeks, three people will be nominated for eviction by the public, but the Utopians will decide which of the three is let go.  They get a speech about looking within, make this a better place, etc.

 

Aaron is furious, Kristen looks sick, Rob looks like something he dreaded finally happened.  In the end they all try to communicate their feelings without being too whiney or mean about it, except for the ones who are OK with this new change.

 

People who like the new change:
Josh
Amanda
Nikki
Bella
Chris
Ernesto

 

On the fence:
Cal

 

Don't like it:
Everyone else

 

Feeds go down for quite a while so Production can have a face-to-face meeting with the Utopians.  When they come back up Dede is mad that outsiders are doing the nominations.  Despite even Rob telling her the live feeds aren't edited, she refuses to believe.  Hex is crying because she thinks that she'll be nominated because she's an atheist, an anarchist and a hunter. 

 

Mike is trying to buddy up to Amanda and Nikki.  Bri is being nice to Bella, who is talking about ordering more food (does that woman ever learn?  She eats around the clock these days, but after starving for all this time I think I'd do the same.  Aaron is betting that America puts up him, Bella, and Josh.  Josh?  Aaron also says that when he gets back in the kitchen he's going to change things.  He's going to cook all the food they love, half of it will be vegetarian, he's going to clean up after himself, portions will be larger, and he's going to hold cooking classes so everyone will feel togetherness in the kitchen.  The power of food, y'all. 

 

Oh, something new:  Dede mentioned that from now on Production determines who gets family visits, and I'm still trying to verify, but it sounds like the visits might be weekly now.

 

Rob is holding court with some of his close buddies and says "If I'm nominated, just vote me out."  Dede is horrified and says that he takes care of them, she'd never vote him out.

 

Nikki is back in the kitchen to work on dinner.  Rob decides to help and starts handling food.  Nikki asks him "Are your hands clean?"  Rob says that are, but he'll wash them again, and he does.

 

Cal is outside cutting up some logs, some kind of project he discussed with Josh earlier.  Cal is so masculine that he doesn't need safety glasses or shoes.  Yikes.

 

Jake the beekeeper shows up to deliver pumpkins, squash, and honey; and have his 'business class' with Kristen.  Mike talks politely to him and even helps carry the pumpkins inside.  I'm sure that when he dropped that one it was purely an accident [/sarcasm].  Dede approaches and they make eyes at each other while they discuss deep topics like their shared love of pomegranates.  Mike stews.  Dede leaves.

 

Back outside, Jake lets Mike know that he knows all the things Mike's been saying about him.  Mike sulks.  Jake asks Mike to stop calling him names, and asks for an apology.  Mike refuses and starts bickering.  Jake remains perfectly calm and rational while Mike gets louder and more irrational.  (I can't decide if Mike is really angry or just trolling.  He loves to troll people by either agreeing with them and then get them to really spill their thoughts so he can make fun of them later, or by disagreeing in such a childish manner that eventually it becomes obvious that he's playing it up for laughs while they're still thinking it's a real conversation.  But there have been times when Mike truly was being irrational and reactionary.)

 

Jake wants to know if Mike has a problem with him because Dede said she was attracted to him?  Or is it because he's bi?  Or because he's polyamorous?  How about all three?  Mike wants to know why Jake seems to be able to visit whenever he wants.  Jake says he only comes in the course of business (although after the business is conducted he does seem to stick around a while).  Mike makes fun of Jake for driving his grandmothers car and living with her.  Jake tells Mike that he does not live with his grandma, she's dead.  He does live with his grandfather, who has cancer and needs help getting from upstairs to downstairs.  Mike flat out says he doesn't care. 

 

Mike wants to know how Jake knows all the things Mike's been saying about him.  Jake tells him that he's on a weekly TV show and is being monitored 24/7 on live feeds.  Although he says he doesn't watch the feeds, someone who does is telling him what's going on.  (At this point I'm suspecting Producer interference, the timing is just too perfect.) 

 

Aaron approaches and tells Jake to shut up, he doesn't know anything about them and their lives.  Dede appears and watches from a distance.  She seems embarrassed, but she doesn't intervene.  Dinner's ready, and she goes back inside.  Mike storms off. 

 

Dede makes herself a plate of food, and hears that Jake is leaving.  She goes outside to say goodbye.  Aaron steals her food after she leaves.  Jake tells her that he didn't like the way Mike was treating her.  He knows she has a main boyfriend, but he wants let her to know that he likes her too.  He passes her a note and kisses her, then tells her that if he's not allowed to return after this, to please come find him.  (This is almost like Romeo and Juliet.  'We fancy each other and the obstacles in our way magnify that feeling.'  The problem is, those two were young teenagers in a play that was considered over the top even back when it was written in 1594.) 

 

Mike's off acting pretty upset about the whole business and Rob is happy to tell sit at the table and say he has every right to feel that way.  Even though Mike was kissing on some girl at a Utopian Experience event, then broke it off with Dede because she admitted feeling attraction to someone else, somehow Mike is the victim here.  Rob's going on about 'poor Mike'.  Dede comes back to find her plate empty and Aaron sitting in her spot.  She wants to know what happened to her food and Nikki tells her Aaron ate it, but there's plenty of food left.  Aaron gets mad that Nikki told on him and calls her a snitch.  Rob says again something about 'poor Mike' and surprisingly, both Dede and Kristen tell him to back off.

 

After dinner, Mike shows up and the bad boys all talk like Mike had every reason to be upset, and Rob tells it like Mike was just standing there and was almost assaulted by Jake.  In their world an ex should never talk to another guy unless her ex boyfriend gives permission.  Taylor says that Production should send in an actually HOT girl for making Mike have to deal with Dede.  I think it's safe to say that she's persona non grata to them now.  Mike talks like he had no idea Dede was polyamorous until recently, he makes it sound like she was making out with every guy who walked through the gate and he just now noticed.

 

Aaron and Cal start walking a loop around the compound and get into it because Aaron wants to make the pumpkin that Mike smashed into pumpkin soup, while Aaron wants to save them until he's back in the kitchen so he can make them into pies.  Cal says 'no way'.  Aaron is livid.  He thinks about it a bit, decides he'll let Nikki make pumpkin soup.  I wonder if Nikki knows about any of this?

 

Aaron/Cal argument continues.  They're throwing accusations at each other and double talking so much it's hard to understand.  But apparently Aaron was hiding in the bathroom earlier in the day when Cal talked with Rob about the peas getting tossed out, and Aaron doesn't like that he's being accused of doing it deliberately.  (Aaron does a lot of hiding in the bathroom to hear conversations, it's been seen on feeds.  If you ever go there and must have a private conversation in the house, open the bathroom door first - there's a good chance Aaron is standing there with his ear to the door.  Then take the conversation outside where you can at least see if any Utopians are nearby before continuing with your conversation.)  The upshot is that both of them are accusing the other of doing the same things they themselves are doing. 

 

Cal's accusing Aaron of being a plant for the Army.  He says he knows that Aaron's commanding officer chose the 20 best looking guys and told them to apply for Utopia, then paid Fox a million dollars to take one of them.  (Really, like the Army would want Aaron to represent them?  Please.  Cal's told Nikki this before, but I thought it was just him playing mind games to get into her pants, but now I wonder if he really believes this stuff.  Where are the guys in the white coats when you need them?) 

 

Aaron recognizes Cal as another idiot who makes up stories to get what he wants, and decides to try to bond with Cal instead.  He tells Cal that he might have been a bullsh*tter in his younger days, but...  Cal says "Hey, that's how we get the girls" and they both laugh. 

 

Aaron says that although he'll do anything to stay, the kitchen is his safe haven.  (I don't know if he realizes it yet, but I think that he has just assumed a position as a petitioner to Cal.  Like he's asking Cal to back off on getting him out of the kitchen and possibly out of Utopia.) 

 

Mike, Rob, and Taylor have decided to use the supplies provided by Production intended to be used for Amanda's room to build a separate structure instead.  They plan to live there together.  They say that Production has approved of their plan and is sending someone in to help them, and they also say that their building will go up fast, not like that slow way that Josh does.  Rob tells Taylor he can't be banging his ol' lady there every night, and Taylor responds with some derogatory remarks about Hex.

 

I'm about to explode.  Nikki and Cal are talking and he mentions "training a woman".  She asks him how long that takes and he tells her "It takes me two years to train a woman how to be a woman".  Nikki says nothing.  (Dare I hope she's speechless with shock?) 

 

He moves onto Amanda.  He says she's not that smart, because she relies on her religion instead of using her brain.  (Can I transport there and hit this ass a few times while yelling at Nikki for listening to this drivel without ever trying to debate the issue?  I'm not even particularly religious, and I've had some issues with Amanda getting involved in this situation when she has a baby on the way, but I've never - never mind, I just hate Cal now.) 

 

Cal is now telling Nikki that he thinks her parents have bad energy, and she should stay away from them.  He also has told her that she should stay away from Amanda, Ernesto, and Josh.  Does anyone see a pattern here?

 

Wonderful.  Cal just told Nikki that he's going to try to get with Kristen since Nikki won't have sex with him and Kristen's the second most 'feminine' woman there.  I beg of you, could someone please tell me why Nikki doesn't slap him in the face and walk away?

 

Even Bella doesn't want to be around Cal and Nikki and is walking around looking for someplace else to sleep.  I agree with Bella, enough of this.  I'm out.

Edited October 23, 2014 by Zahdii

[ProfCrash]

OK Maybe people should vote for Cal. I don't care if he is safe, dude is clearly a cult leader

[candall]

I just watched Stephen King's "Needful Things," where Max von Sydow arrived in Castle Rock and made a few innocuous bargains, which ultimately resulted in everyone killing each other and blowing up the town.

 

I think Cal might be the devil in disguise.

Edited October 23, 2014 by candall

[OakGoblinFly]

The website now has breaking news:  "A Utopian Quit"

 

What a pouty little baby.    Wah, the polyamourous woman I fell for is interested in other men... I can't compete with a bee keeper...

 

 

Is this the All of Utopia site or the Fox site?  I'm not seeing it.

 

I do wish he would walk out AND I wish that if he does production goes ahead with the eviction vote this way we can lose two of these dopes at once.

[Kobo Duram]

Mike seems to be on a mission to sow discord now.

 

Just leave, you petulent child.

 

Aaron and Rob said they were going to follow Mike out the door if he leaves?   Three jackasses for the price of one!

[OakGoblinFly]

Aaron is preparing charges against Bella and counting up all the money she spent.

 

Aaron is the one doing this.

 

The same Aaron who used group money to buy food and then hid it.

 

The same Aaron that talked about stealing from the group.

 

That Aaron

 

 

I hope they add all the money Bella has brought in to Utopia that allows Aaron and the rest of the mean kids buy necessities like tobacco, liquor, and Sour Patch Kids.

Mike seems to be on a mission to sow discord now.

 

Just leave, you petulent child.

 

Aaron and Rob said they were going to follow Mike out the door if he leaves?   Three jackasses for the price of one!

 

 

Seems to be?  

 

That's been his MO since day one.

[Kobo Duram]

Is this the All of Utopia site or the Fox site?  I'm not seeing it.

 

I do wish he would walk out AND I wish that if he does production goes ahead with the eviction vote this way we can lose two of these dopes at once.

 

It was on the main site (utopiatv.com).  They seem to have taken it down.

Rob just said something about how Cal should kill himself.   I'd like to think they're now being despicable just to get voted out and keep their money, but even if that's true, is a few thousand dollars worth that to you?