Alaska: The Last Frontier - General Discussion

[NEGirl]

Lemur, Miss T and Walnutqueen - I agree, the show is so contrived. It just keeps getting crazier with the staged stuff every year. Sometimes it is almost as bad as the Brown(Bush) family.

[Lemur]

I wouldn't say it's quite as bad.  As far as we know, no Kilchers are getting nailed with PFD fraud.  I watched a few minutes of this week's show, mainly about making a treadle-powered whetstone.  And no, Ivan, it's not called a whetstone because the water pulls the iron-oxide particles away.  It's called a whetstone because to whet means to sharpen.  Ugh.  

[Maharincess]

I don't watch the Bush People show, I hate to say it but they all creep me the hell out. Every one of them.

This show dies seem to be getting very staged and fake. It's a shame because with the incredible beauty if Alaska and them living on the homestead, it would be interesting just following them around day to day. This show doesn't need the fake crap.

Damn, that man who helped Atz with the bow hunting was hot as hell.

[Ina123]

Saw in the preview last night that they are finally going to address Atz Lee's fall and injuries next week.

[NEGirl]

I had read something about his fall back in September.

He is lucky to be alive  he broke so many bones. He is going to have a long road ahead of him. I can't believe they were able to film in a ICU. I felt bad for poor Jane, you can tell she really loves Atz Lee. Can't imagine living in the wilderness in a cold, wet climate like Southern Alaska after all those injuries.

[Maharincess]

Weird double post.

Edited December 14, 2015 by Maharincess

[Diane M]

I really enjoyed last night's double episode.  The men pulled together to build Atz Lee a ramp for his homecoming showed how devoted this family is to all its members.  And the Christmas episode from last year was fun to watch again.  Will be looking forward to next week and the new Christmas episode.

Edited December 14, 2015 by Diane M

[SunnyBeBe]

I must be missing something.  Why did they have to move that huge bridge type structure to use as a ramp at Atz Lee's house?  Building a ramp to suit the size would have been much easier and made more sense.  Plus, if it were the right length, the van could pull right up to it.  Too much overkill.  I also didn't buy the two problems on the boat at once.  lol  I really like the families and this show, but some things just make me laugh.  

[RemoteControlFreak]

I must be missing something.  Why did they have to move that huge bridge type structure to use as a ramp at Atz Lee's house?  Building a ramp to suit the size would have been much easier and made more sense.  Plus, if it were the right length, the van could pull right up to it.  Too much overkill.  I also didn't buy the two problems on the boat at once.  lol  I really like the families and this show, but some things just make me laugh.  

Exactly.  They spent what looked like hours and four people to drag a huge bridge up to the house to use as the base of a ramp.

They could have built a ramp out of the framing lumber and plywood they used for the covering and support system of this thing in a fraction of the time and with far less effort.

 

Obviously Discovery thinks it makes better TV to show them repurposing the old family bridge into a wheelchair ramp. But how stupid do they think we are?

 

They also went to huge lengths to make it seem as if Atz Lee were being cared for in the hospital by Jane and Atz with no help from medical professionals.  No hospital that cares about not getting sued is going to let Atz Lee go from his bed with 25 broken bones to a gurney to a van without professional assistance. In one shot, you could see what looked like a nurse, only shown from the waist down. But the show doesn't want to break the illusion that the Kilchers live in the middle of nowhere with no modern conveniences or outside people.

 

I think the whole boat and horse adventure was just a reconstructed scene to explain why Charlotte and Otto weren't around when Atz got home from the hospital.  They were clearing reciting scripted lines, especially in the scene when the generator starts smoking.

[RemoteControlFreak]

Looks like Atz Lee and his daddy have lots of traffic and DMV violations... Oh!  And Domestic violence????

 

http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/eservices/?x=p78CXkrT2LsT-q91K2JTaQ

Wow. That's a lot of involvement with the court system, even for a family like the Kilchers with all their marriages, divorces, and remarriages.

 

[Lemur]

Exactly.  They spent what looked like hours and four people to drag a huge bridge up to the house to use as the base of a ramp.

They could have built a ramp out of the framing lumber and plywood they used for the covering and support system of this thing in a fraction of the time and with far less effort.

 

Because this pissed me off so, so much, I looked it up and they could have easily bought an aluminum ramp in Homer.  Or you know, not used a 2 ton bridge as the base and just built the bloody ramp like any sane person would.  Hey, maybe the Kilcher Bridge is officially a character in the show now and drawing a paycheck.

[SunnyBeBe]

Man, those cases are pretty amazing. I'm rather shocked.  I can't access that link to inquire.  Were there any on Atz's brother or nephew?

[Maharincess]

Otto's wife, I always get Charlotte and Bonnie mixed up but I think Otto's wife is Charlotte, anyway, she's a terrible actress and that voice of hers could shatter glass. When she was on the boat yelling her lines I was laughing my ass off. She's yelling like she's supposed to be scared but delivering her lines in such a monotone way that it was hilarious.

She seems like a very nice woman but her acting sucks. And did I mention that voice?

I don't understand all of the fakery going on with this show. I don't know about anybody else, but I would have been more interested in watching them build a new ramp. Watching them move something from one place to another while fretting if they'll make it or not got old to me a couple of seasons ago.

I love watching them build something out of nothing. One of my favorite episodes was when Eivan made 2 knives, he made one for himself and one for Eve to use in the kitchen. To me, that stuff is fascinating, much better than bad acting and moving stuff.

[MelinaBallerina]

I don't know.  Their whole shtick seems to be to re-purpose what you have for what you need, so I can see them using the bridge, since it was close and not being used for anything else.  Plus, there's the nostalgia aspect of it.  Atz Lee did help build it.

 

I loved the horses all lining up to get on the barge.  I wonder how much, if so, difficult it is to teach a horse to load onto a barge vs. loading into a horse trailer?

[Curious5]

O.K. - all good points about the faking of ramp, needing to hunt for winter, etc.  I haven't seen it mentioned yet but when in Heavens, does any family takes a patient out of bed with his tubes, load  him on some sort of gurney and wheel him by themselves out the door with no hospital people around.  He could not even stand. I do believe Atz Lee was seriously hurt but this scene was weird.  You never saw a hospital corridor  or personnel.  The room almost looked fake - did they build a staged room?  They all acted like no one  but Jane went to see him in the hospital.

 

Another thing that really bugs me this time is Jane, all by herself, setting up a bed in the living room, cutting down a tree for firewood, loading it in the little sled to warm up the house.  Where are all the relatives.  There are six sisters who live on that acreage.  Are they telling us that NO ONE was helping out?  This was so totally faked.

 

Press release was August 12 for accident and on her FB Jane said  they moved Atz Lee home  August 24th.  That is less than 2 weeks.  When did they have time to even have 4 surgeries?

[Curious5]

RemoteControll - looks like the court cases  went on for more pages.  Tried to work the website but  can't get to the list of Atz and Atz Lee court records.

[MissT]

It's my understanding that Atz and Jane have two children.  Who is taking care of them?  I remember reading that they don't want the children filmed, but are they even living in the same house as their parents?  It's very strange to me. 

 

I also agree with the above post --- is no one helping Jane.  It's all a bit staged if you want my opinion.

[Medicine Crow]

^^^^ Exactly! ^^^^  Well said Curious5 & MissT!!

Edited December 16, 2015 by Medicine Crow

[Lemur]

It's my understanding that Atz and Jane have two children.  Who is taking care of them?  I remember reading that they don't want the children filmed, but are they even living in the same house as their parents?  It's very strange to me. 

 

I also agree with the above post --- is no one helping Jane.  It's all a bit staged if you want my opinion.

 

They have a house in town, that's where the kids live.  Don't for a second buy into this hokum about them wintering at the homestead.  They may go out there quite a bit, but the kids live in town.  I'm sure that's also were Atz Lee is recovering.   

[Diane M]

I do love this series, even though I know the Kilchers live very close to town, because the people are hard working and likable.  If you really want to watch a series that is definitely not scripted, tune in to "The Last Alaskans".  No drama, no 'acting', just true reality of living in the north of Alaska.

[MissT]

I do love this series, even though I know the Kilchers live very close to town, because the people are hard working and likable.  If you really want to watch a series that is definitely not scripted, tune in to "The Last Alaskans".  No drama, no 'acting', just true reality of living in the north of Alaska.

The Last Alaskans is a wonderful documentary (I wouldn't call it a reality show) focused on families that currently reside in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.  I caught the show on the Animal Planet when it aired earlier this year and I loved it!!!   I highly recommend it and I read that it will be renewed for a second season in 2016.   

 

I'm sure the Kilcher's live and work hard and I do like their show, but The Last Alaskans are a whole other breed.  I've watched all the shows and could watch them over and over again.  The area is absolutely beautiful and it's a shame that once these families are gone it will no longer be inhabited.  I pasted a brief summary below.

 

In 1980, the U.S. government banned new human occupation in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, a protected area, home to thousands of native animals and pristine terrain spanning roughly the size of South Carolina. Currently, only a handful of families spread across seven permitted cabins are allowed to remain in the refuge. Within less than 100 years, all remaining permits will reach expiration, and there will be no human presence left.

 

There is also a thread on this forum for the show. 

[RemoteControlFreak]

O.K. - all good points about the faking of ramp, needing to hunt for winter, etc.  I haven't seen it mentioned yet but when in Heavens, does any family takes a patient out of bed with his tubes, load  him on some sort of gurney and wheel him by themselves out the door with no hospital people around.  He could not even stand. I do believe Atz Lee was seriously hurt but this scene was weird.  You never saw a hospital corridor  or personnel.  The room almost looked fake - did they build a staged room?  They all acted like no one  but Jane went to see him in the hospital.

I mentioned this six posts before yours.

 

[bold in your quote added for clarification]

RemoteControll - looks like the court cases  went on for more pages.  Tried to work the website but  can't get to the list of Atz and Atz Lee court records.

The screenshot I posted shows 25 of 27 posted cases.

[NEGirl]

After watching last night's show I had to give my two cents.

A few years ago Jane said she and Atz Lee had two kids. Jane also discussed them on her FB page, which I think she has since deleted. She has also discussed their "second" home, which is where I think they really live, not in the crap house out in the middle of no where.

Those hospital scenes looked staged: I have never heard of filming being allowed in ICU. Also, disco made it seem like Atz Lee went from ICU to being released. There is always a step-down from ICU before release, especially for someone suffering 25 broken bones with hip, lung, and internal injuries. Also, I agree with the person who said it was staged when it showed him being released from the hospital with just Atz and Jane helping him. I had same day surgery last year and nurses/aids helped me into the wheel chair and to the car. My sister was not allowed to help in any way. So I call bs the the scene where Jane and Atz helped Atz Lee with no hospital staff present. All those scenes with Jane getting the "homestead" ready were bs and staged. He was probably taken home to the house in Homer where they really live. The show has become more and more staged each year.

[Maharincess]

Who is Disco?

[NEGirl]

Discovery-sorry

[Medicine Crow]

Who is Disco?

Acronym for Discovery Channel.

 

Oops, should have refreshed.  Sorry!!

Edited December 22, 2015 by Medicine Crow

[Maharincess]

Discovery-sorry

No! Don't be sorry! I probably should have known that.

[MissT]

After watching last night's show I had to give my two cents.

A few years ago Jane said she and Atz Lee had two kids. Jane also discussed them on her FB page, which I think she has since deleted. She has also discussed their "second" home, which is where I think they really live, not in the crap house out in the middle of no where.

Those hospital scenes looked staged: I have never heard of filming being allowed in ICU. Also, disco made it seem like Atz Lee went from ICU to being released. There is always a step-down from ICU before release, especially for someone suffering 25 broken bones with hip, lung, and internal injuries. Also, I agree with the person who said it was staged when it showed him being released from the hospital with just Atz and Jane helping him. I had same day surgery last year and nurses/aids helped me into the wheel chair and to the car. My sister was not allowed to help in any way. So I call bs the the scene where Jane and Atz helped Atz Lee with no hospital staff present. All those scenes with Jane getting the "homestead" ready were bs and staged. He was probably taken home to the house in Homer where they really live. The show has become more and more staged each year.

I totally agree.   I can't imagine that someone with 25 broken bones (even a healthy male), which includes a broken hip, collar bone, and broken ankle doesn't have to go through some sort of rehab.   So they are telling us that he was only in the hospital for 2 weeks, had 4 surgeries and went through no rehab.   I've knew a guy that had a bad fall and broke his hip and he had to go through rehab.   Unless they don't have medical insurance, I fail to believe them that there was no rehab.   Also, if you have insurance, wouldn't that cover a rehabilitation specialist/nurse to come to your home.  I can't imagine Jane doing all the work.  

 

Just my opinion.  But I've lost interest in this show.

[NEGirl]

Otto and Atz are multi-millionaires who own three businesses in Homer. Atz Lee and Jane have been paid a nice sum of money for the show for 3-4 years now. More than enough to buy health insurance. I would bet my pay check they all have health insurance.  I know people who have had hip/knee replacement or a parent who broke their hip. All of them HAD to go to rehab, which was inpatient for at least 2-4 weeks. Just more scripted, staged scenes by discovery, which they think we are all stupid enough to believe.

Edited December 22, 2015 by NEGirl

[Lemur]

Otto and Atz are multi-millionaires who own three businesses in Homer. Atz Lee and Jane have been paid a nice sum of money for the show for 3-4 years now. More than enough to buy health insurance. I would bet my pay check they all have health insurance.  I know people who have had hip/knee replacement or a parent who broke their hip. All of them HAD to go to rehab, which was inpatient for at least 2-4 weeks. Just more scripted, staged scenes by discovery, which they think we are all stupid enough to believe.

 

Jane is the school nurse at a Kenai Peninsula Borough School (she's a registered RN).  I would bet my paycheck they're on her insurance.  

[Ilovemylabs]

Well, the Kilchers themselves are wealthy and use outhouses!  I just can't imagine using one in the dead of winter...or in the dark!  The moving the outhouse episode grossed me out.

I think Jane is the one who comes from some money.

[Maharincess]

I think Jane is the one who comes from some money.

And she never shuts up about it. Every episode she mentions the "huge, gorgeous, elegant" house she grew up in.

I like all of the Kilchers but her. There's just something about her that rubs me the wrong way. She complains too much about everything.

[Ilovemylabs]

And she never shuts up about it. Every episode she mentions the "huge, gorgeous, elegant" house she grew up in.

I like all of the Kilchers but her. There's just something about her that rubs me the wrong way. She complains too much about everything.

Gosh, and she's the one I like the best.  She must love Atz Lee a lot to put up with all that stuff, although I know they have a house in town.  I admire her for keeping the kids off the show.  Different strokes for different folks!

[Ilovemylabs]

I just read the post about the court cases.  Somehow I can't imagine Jane putting up with any domestic violence.  I think she could give as well as she got!

[Maharincess]

I started watching during the second season so yesterday was my first time seeing the first season. It was strange seeing Atz Lee and Jane's kids.

I noticed a running theme during the first season was that Atz Lee is pretty incompetent at everything he tries to do and the rest of the family have to pitch in and help him out. But in the later seasons Atz Lee seems so arrogant and acts like he knows better than the rest of them.

In the first season he couldn't do shit, he didn't get near enough wood and it just seemed like any time he tried to do anything Eivan had to help him out. Which is strange for somebody who says he grew up out there.

Edited December 28, 2015 by Maharincess

[Medicine Crow]

I just read the post about the court cases.  Somehow I can't imagine Jane putting up with any domestic violence.  I think she could give as well as she got!

From what I've seen of Jane, she always seemed really wussy.  Remember when she got hysterical when a bear was on the other side of the river & Atz Lee had to shush her up.  The fishing episodes are laughable because she seemed squeamish about having to kill the damn fish.  I'm thinking she's on the soft side & is a prime candidate for domestic abuse.  Just sayin'.

[Maharincess]

Eve seems much stronger than Jane in my opinion. Eve seems to really work hard and I've never heard her complain too much about it.

[Diane M]

Why would Jane be squeamish about the fish?  Before she met Atz Lee, she worked on a commercial fishing boat.  At least that's what they've said on the show.  I've also read that she is now a school nurse in Homer.  What's true and what isn't?

[Medicine Crow]

Why would Jane be squeamish about the fish?  Before she met Atz Lee, she worked on a commercial fishing boat.  At least that's what they've said on the show.  I've also read that she is now a school nurse in Homer.  What's true and what isn't?

Your guess is as good as mine!!  I'm just saying what I saw.

[RemoteControlFreak]

Acronym for Discovery Channel.

 

Oops, should have refreshed.  Sorry!!

You mean abbreviation, not acronym. 

Acronym for Discovery Channel.

 

Oops, should have refreshed.  Sorry!!

You mean abbreviation, not acronym. 

[Ilovemylabs]

I'm not sure if it's the same person, but there is a Christina Jane Kilcher recorded as an RN in Alaska.  She is also not posting on FB anymore because of all the nasty comments people have made (some since Atz Lee's accident).

[Curious5]

Last week I stopped watching 'cause it looked like just a rehash of older programs and a grab for more commercial money.  Did watch last night and we  did laugh.

 

Do they want us to believe that Eve would be having contractions and keep working collecting grain?  Thank you mother-in-law with no sympathy (if it were even true she was having contractions).  Good acting, Eve!  No one can prove you weren't having contractions - no more than having proof of a headache.

 

And now Atz Lee.  Yuck - please no more sickly white skinny legs.  Oh, all those operations.... did not see one scar - didn't he have four operations?  I though he said he broke 20 or 22 ribs...there are 24 ribs total.  Now if he did break a lot of ribs, he would almost would have broken a collar bone.  And with that many ribs broken, he would have barely been able to talk or breath without pain.  Ummm..

 

Now let's go fishing - spending 10 gallons of gas to catch some halibut and they stop at two? And can you imagine sitting there listening to Jane for 6 hours (if they really were out there more than 2 hours getting the film footage) and not being able to walk away?

[Ina123]

Broken left shoulder. (They showed his right shoulder when he was pointing to the tube holes.) That's why he has lost several degrees of movement  Broken right hip and broken ankle plus the ribs. We saw more of the surgery wounds when he was in the hospital.

[NEGirl]

Ina-If you are talking about the episode on Sunday, Jane and Eivan caught a lot more than two fish. I think it was around 6-8 and some were pretty big. As to Atz Lee and his injuries, I think the scenes are very heavily edited as to what they show. A lot of us do not believe they even live in the homestead house they show but rather the "second house" they refer to. He had really severe injuries including internal bleeding and of course the scene leaving the hospital was staged.  I would guess he had to go to rehab for at least a couple of weeks as most people do after those types of injuries. I thought Charlotte was concerned for Eve when they were cutting the  oats. She is one of my favorite people in this staged show.

[walnutqueen]

You can have more than one break per rib, so the numbers could easily add up.  The guy had 2 punctured lungs, and a couple of x-rays showed pins in the bones of his shoulder and ankle (perhaps even in the broken pelvis), so 4 surgeries is not out of the question, either.  I think Atz Lee is very lucky to be alive.  He has a long haul ahead of him.

 

Eve strikes me as the type of person who would work right up until the time her water broke.  She was probably just experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions.

[elainebenis]

I can't even anymore with their endless "we'll starve this winter if I don't get a deer/moose/fish!!!1!" fraudulent bullshit.

[Diane M]

I can't even anymore with their endless "we'll starve this winter if I don't get a deer/moose/fish!!!1!" fraudulent bullshit.

 

 

I really like A:TLF and never miss an episode.  That said, I'm with you, Elaine.  Are we to believe that if they don't shoot some deer and a moose and catch more fish, the family will not have meat all winner?  That might be true if they lived hundreds of miles from the nearest market......but they live just outside of Homer.  Certainly every viewer knows that by now.  Last week, we saw Eivin's car on the highway, taking Eve to the hospital.  

[SRTouch]

I watch because of the great scenery, and occasional glimpses into homestead life. I guess the powers that be feel they need the overdramatic scenes to be a commercial success - but like you, I just think it detracts from the show. I'm perfectly fine with being told that on a subsistence homestead they would have to get a deer/elk/moose/whatever to survive. But last night we were expected to believe Jane and Eivin HAD to succeed on their individual hunts to fill their freezers!?! Are we to believe Eivin could accord a float plane to take him on his hunt, but couldn't afford to go to the Safeway right down the road?

The ominous, over dramatic "WE NEED THIS MEAT" just detracts from the beautiful Alaskan scenery.

[MissT]

Ok -- I watched the show last night and OMG enough!!!   The "cattle drive" - always an issue.  We must save the cattle!!!!!.   Why can't they load the cattle on the big boat Otto has and just ship them there.  I recall they did that for a new bull and some horses. 

 

Then Jane -- she's gotten on my last nerve with the I'm the only provider now and the statement "I need Atz to be proud of me".  WTF!!!!    She's got issues, they all have issues - I think they are a dysfunctional bunch for sure.  

 

Then poor Shane --- the man has lived up there for two years, his wife has MS and hardly anyone helps the guy.  Seriously, the house should be done by now.

 

One other thing/maybe two -- was it just me or did anyone else find it odd that Jane went on a multiple-day hunt with two men by herself.  I know they were "friends" and I know there was a camera crew there, but it's just odd to me. 

 

Eve's sister looks just like her and she seemed pretty cool.

Ok -- I watched the show last night and OMG enough!!!   The "cattle drive" - always an issue.  We must save the cattle!!!!!.   Why can't they load the cattle on the big boat Otto has and just ship them there.  I recall they did that for a new bull and some horses. 

 

Then Jane -- she's gotten on my last nerve with the I'm the only provider now and the statement "I need Atz to be proud of me".  WTF!!!!    She's got issues, they all have issues - I think they are a dysfunctional bunch for sure.  

 

Then poor Shane --- the man has lived up there for two years, his wife has MS and hardly anyone helps the guy.  Seriously, the house should be done by now.

 

One other thing/maybe two -- was it just me or did anyone else find it odd that Jane went on a multiple-day hunt with two men by herself.  I know they were "friends" and I know there was a camera crew there, but it's just odd to me. 

 

Eve's sister looks just like her and she seemed pretty cool.

[RemoteControlFreak]

Someone let their guard down this week ... so Eve and Eiven have central heat with a propane boiler?  So central heating and running hot water, in addition to their two wood stoves?  The pipes were already in place. All he did was replace the propane boiler with a wood and coal boiler.  Given how Eiven, Eve, and the baby were dressed during their "emergency," it wasn't that cold.  Weather data for Homer, Alaska shows that it never really gets very cold there:  http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=homer%2C+ak

 

The narrator ominously talks about the "glacial cold" with a shot of the wood pile with a little snow on the ground. Close-up of the thermometer:  42 degrees F.   Hardly glacial.

 

And does anyone really believe that Atz Lee traveled up to the hunter's cabin all by his lonesome?  What about the Discovery crew that was in tow?  And I don't for a second believe that none of the three (assuming it was Atz Lee, a camera operator, a sound guy/girl) had a satellite phone to let Jane know that they weren't coming back that night, an event that was probably planned in advance, anyway?   Also, if Atz Lee is missing overnight, why send Atz, Bonnie and Jane?  Given his history, how about calling emergency rescue?  Obviously this was completely staged.

 

And then more of, "During the brutal and frigid Alaskan winters, options for fresh meat are alarmingly scarce."  Right. About as scarce as what's available at the apparently http://local.safeway.com/ak/homer-1832.html  full stocked Safeway at the edge of the Kilcher property.  

Edited January 25, 2016 by RemoteControlFreak