‘Kid Nation’: The end is near
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The brainy kids took over ‘Kid Nation’ in the ‘Where’s Bonanza, Dude?’ episode. Smarty Sophia as the sheriff, with Alex the wannabe linguist/chemist/geographer and Jarrod -- a kid able to define the Homestead Act on cue and possibly invent a human teleportation device -- all taking center stage.
The council -- DK, Micheal, Greg and Blaine -- go on an introspective quest, and end up learning a thing or two about people and leadership from a Native American tribe. Not to discount their experience, but it seemed that Michael and DK may have gotten the most out of the trip.
Meanwhile, Sophia helped whip the town into shape, closing up the arcade until all the chores were done. The kids -- even Taylor -- worked and were able to play later. Life lesson No. . . . I’ve lost count.
The challenge was a muscular one and, without four of the strongest kids, seemed like a tough one. The districts were able to move a small house (each) and some animals, so they received a reward: a carved monument that would stay in the town forever, or hot air balloon rides. It was Sophia’s choice -- and she went with the balloons. I might have chosen the monument. They could bring the parents there, friends, teachers who liked the show, even their own kids (it looked sturdy) in the future. I understand, but a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go hot air ballooning? Once in a lifetime? At 14? Oh well.
The gold star choices came down to brainy Alex, brainy Jarrod and dark horse Migle. Zach made an impassioned plea for himself and confronted the council in tears after thinking he was disrespected. The council calmed him down, and Michael and I remembered that Zach, for all his leadership qualities, is still only 10.
Anyway, Alex won. He was generally surprised, but his statement about not needing the money only made Jarrod’s loss sting a bit more.
Last episode, it seemed that the kids were starting to realize that this journey was coming to a close. It seemed to hit home even more this episode as they rode in the hot air balloons looking down on their memories (as Sophia poetically put it). The bickering and individualism is taking a back seat to community, and next week’s finale is sure to be filled with tears.
Quote: After Jarrod and Alex excavated some animal bones: ‘Pelvis has left the building! I know it’s corny.’
And, though it STILL hasn’t been solidified, kids continue to audition for Season 2. YouTube is the center of the action for many, including Jake, Lee, Austin and Joe. Taylor probably can’t try out again, but that didn’t stop this YouTuber from making a parody of her audition tape.
-- Jevon Phillips
Photos courtesy of CBS.com
