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Kid Nation: Bless Us and Keep Us Safe

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Laurel from Kid Nation(S01E04) Following the recipe for controversy which has been a mainstay for this show since its inception, tonight's episode of Kid Nation threw religion into the fray. So, let's take a moment to count the controversies and brouhahas thus far -- we have the child labor issue, the scripted/acting kids issue, the contract issue in which the parents promised not to sue if their kid died, the kill two chickens on television issue, and so many more.

Adults created this world created by the children, so let's get them going on religion next! Will there be fisticuffs? Love-ins? Heathens run amok? Thankfully, in this case, the kids were smarter than the adults.

But, once again, was the idea of bringing religion to the forefront that of the children themselves? Of course not. While I actually enjoy watching this show and I'm really getting into a lot of the kids -- some are great kids -- I have a problem with the way the whole series is set up. Oh, I know I mention it every week, but it makes it all a bit wrong for me.

It's always the adults, the supposed journal, putting things into motion for the kids. That's going to bug me each time I watch the show. Of course, totally unscripted events might lead to kids playing and teasing cows all season.

Kid Nation finds religion I'd love to know the actual time frame for the religious discussion with the kids claiming "Jew Crew" and "Christians rule." While the show edited it as if that discussion was happening at the very moment that the town council members were reading the journal entry about religion, I doubt it.

Did it happen before the seed was planted? After? I'm sure we'll never know, but if I were a wagering woman, I'd say that someone somehow got the kids talking about religions. From what I've previously seen on the show, the kids who are very into their religions seem to keep it close and haven't said much except in confessional sort of segments to us.

Like the world at large, the kids on the show are a mix of cultures and religions. When the council members tried to force a religious meeting of the minds, they were met with resistance. Despite Mike's screaming and Taylor's bossing, it just wasn't happening. Good. Anjay and Laurel weren't as vocal as Mike and Taylor, but they didn't know what to do when no one showed up fro their service. I must smirk.

In the end, it was the girl who was considered for a gold star last week, Morgan, who seemed to take it all in stride and get things done. Instead of telling the others they must have a religious service, she asked them if they would attend a bonfire prayer meeting in which each person could do their own thing. Smart kid, that Morgan. The next thing you know, the kids are doing what the council tried to make them do, but led by a gentler spirit.

As far as the showdown goes, I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer. That kid needs to work. Yeah, I realize she's young, but what better time to learn a lesson about real life? I'm also sure that editing tends to take her bad behaviors to spotlight them and it's all out of sequence. But, hey kids, that's the game of un-reality TV for you.

The Blue Team raises their steeple on Kid NationI was thankful and, yes, perhaps even a bit blessed by a greater power, that I understood the challenge ... er, showdown this week. With the religious theme at hand, the kids had to build a steeple puzzle then raise it with a chain and pulley by cranking a wheel. No convoluted pipes. (I had nightmares about solving that one.)

I guess I'm not so blessed, after all. But neither is any kid in Bonanza City who enjoys eating. Taylor's Yellow Team are once again the cooks. Blech. That worked out so well before, right? The Blue Team is the upper class once again with Green up for their third stint at being the laborers.

Par for the course, the choice of rewards for the entire town finishing the showdown within a set time frame was a choice between the fun and the more adult -- or wise, which doesn't necessarily mean adult, maybe mature is a better word. They could have a miniature golf course for the duration of the season or a whole pile of religious books from various religions. The town council, still smarting from last week's outrage over their decision, had the kids vote. Me? I'd read the books at home and play miniature golf there, but the kids chose knowledge. Go figure.

Taylor once again didn't take the responsibility seriously even though some of the kids younger than she is seem to be really handling their duties well. But, as this show has shown us, when one kid (or a group of them) let us down, another will shine. Zach played the role of hero for the Yellow Team, going around recruiting others to help wash dishes. As with the Morgan situation earlier, even though he was more forceful about his recruiting, the task got done and the kids even ended up having some fun with it.

The Town Hall meeting saw another kid go home and more tears this week. This time it was nine-year-old Cody who misses his family and his girlfriend. Mind you, she's been his girlfriend since third grade! Okay, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't kids his age in the fourth grade? I have to admit I got a bit teary myself as he left. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Sniffle, sniffle, honk.

Morgan deservedly received the gold star this week. Her parents should be proud of her, indeed. The others considered were Zach and Greg. Taylor doesn't like Zach because she thinks he's bossy. Of course, calling her out at the town meeting didn't help him much with her. And Mike will never like Greg and will probably always resist Greg getting the star.

The promo for next week indicates the town council positions might change. I think Taylor getting voted off has to be a sure bet. I'm looking forward to that one! One thing I'm sure they won't answer on next week's show, though -- what the heck is with all the chapped lips, cold sores, scrapes on the faces? Maybe it IS child abuse!

Who should be voted off the town council?

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