(S01E07) I'm starting to wonder if we're going to see each and every kid on Kid Nation before the end of the season. Every week, it seems the focus is on the core group we've seen all along -- the council leaders, Greg, Jared, Sophia, and some others. But then a new kid or two is thrown into the spotlight.Whenever that spotlight shines on a new face in the crowd, it's been obvious that the new face will either be in the midst of controversy or will win the gold star. Predictable? Sure is, but with the size of the cast, I don't see any better way to do it, either. I enjoy "meeting" the kids as the season goes on.
I have trouble for weeks getting the casts of other reality shows down by name to face. Kid Nation has more than twice as many cast members when compared to those shows. I suppose I should be thankful that KN is introducing them slowly. I just hope each kid gets a chance to shine in the spotlight.
This week's new kids were Nathan, Divad, and Pharoah. They've touched on Pharoah a few times in past episodes, but never in depth. Divad? Has she been there all along? She must have been; her face is familiar. Nathan? Who's he? Well, I didn't know, but the kid apparently has been a bit of an outcast working machine since Day One.
I know from the comments that it isn't just me who has noticed that the kids don't seem to be too into clean clothes. It turns out that the laborers wash the clothes and don't do a great job at it.Said worker bee Nathan has been washing clothes with an old washing board and rather mucky water. Oh, he hauls water and does whatever else he can do to help, too. The kids all agree that it's the way they have to wash the clothes which stinks (perhaps literally), not the efforts of Nathan or whoever might be doing the actual work.
So, we met Nathan because he works so hard. He's also the target of Greg's ire, which is never a comfortable situation. Nathan doesn't seem to really know how to be a kid and the others are picking up on that.
We learned more about Pharoah because he's started working hard to win the gold star. He seems like a very nice boy, but where he might go wrong is telling everyone he needs it more than anyone else. It's very possible his home situation may not be as prosperous as many of the others. But none of the kids really want to hear he needs it more than they do.
Then there's Divad. If a young girl can be a potato hustler, here you go. Yes, she works hard -- and lets everyone know she does. But she also came up with a rather underhanded scheme to earn more money for herself. She took food from the kitchen (which the kids eat for free) and set up a snack shop selling it to the other kids. And some bought it! Ack!Her snack shop caused my main man Jared to blow a fuse and wreck her shop. Thankfully, Jared apologized to her, but the wheels in his mind were turning. He came up with his own hustle and created a product the kids wanted to buy and couldn't have for free. He used a magnifying glass to burn names and other show-related words into small pieces of wood, used string, and made bracelets and necklaces. His reaction to his sudden wealth was a hoot as he went strutting around the town with his new duds. I adore the kid ... and he still has the best lines in the show!
This week's journal led the council leaders to an underground mine complete with bats and a hidden treasure chest. Laurel was right when she questioned whether they should even go -- with the town set into a caste system, the love of money indeed can be the root of all evil. The journal had mentioned the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. The council members made a wise decision in buying things which the entire town could appreciate rather than splitting the money amongst everyone. Kudos, kids!
This week's showdown was a landslide for the blue district and a poor showing for both red and green. Yellow was somewhere in the middle, but ended up with second place. As I watched the kids with the cushion trying to catch the eggs and the district leaders shouting directions, I was thinking I'd probably place below the red team (who became laborers this week). I'm not quite sure how the blue district got such a good hold on the challenge.
Once again, the kids made the best decision when it came to rewards, too. I was hoping that despite the fact their laundry issues are so bad, they'd think ahead and realize that the coin-operated machines would eat too much of their pay. Budget, kids, budget! Instead, they got free new clothes and manually operated vintage (kind of) washing machines. Mike really got into the machines making them seem like exercise equipment, so all of the kids are tickled pink.
Before the town council, Greg (who continually mystifies me, but I like him) apologized to Nathan for picking on him. Then, all of a sudden, Greg became Nathan's advocate for the gold star. Meanwhile, Pharoah has impressed many, including council member Zach, with his hard work and tough luck story. Oh, but then there's Divad -- she made posters campaigning for herself as a gold star recipient and handed out potato treats to kids waiting in line to talk the the council members. Yeah, that was different this week, too. The council actually asked for the input of all the kids in their decision.
I think that Greg speaking up for Nathan is what made up the minds of the town council. While they were tossing the decision between Pharoah and Nathan, that tipped the scales and made them realize that Nathan has been a workhorse all along. Yes, Pharoah works hard, but only since he found out about the gold star. I think he'll probably get one before the end of the season, but tonight was Nathan's turn to shine.I'm glad he got it. I've always emphasized with those who march to the beat of a different drum. H e thinks he's different and lots of the other kids think he's different from them. But he's a good kid and a hard worker.
Divad still doesn't get it. Even though the town council and the other kids spoke up about not telling everyone how hard you're working, just work -- she still was talking about leading the others to every bit of work she's done. I think Divad was Taylor in another life, don't you? If she doesn't scheme to earn money without actual work and stops campaigning for herself so much, she too could be a gold star winner. A side note about her -- that burn! Ow! I know I've had hot grease splatter me (haven't we all?), but I never got a blister like that. That's the first thing that I think I've seen on the show which might actually fall in with the pre-show controversies. I think it's going to scar and hope the show makes sure it doesn't leave a lifelong mark on her face.
My favorite lines of the night (if you notice, I have a bias):
Jared after selling his necklaces: "Holy banana bread! $2.90!"
Jared reading while his district pep talks for the showdown: "I'm pumped. I'm just not showing it yet."
No one went home this week, so it's still standing at 38 kids with less than 20 days left to go. I'm still getting a kick out of the funny moments and marveling at the intelligence, compassion, and work ethic exhibited by many of the children. How about you?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-31-2007 @ 11:16PM
B said...
Jared also my favorite. I laughed out loud when he strutted down the street -- the hat -- the coat -- did they MEAN for him to look like a pimp?
Does anyone else think Sophia is headed for a career in psychology?
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10-31-2007 @ 11:35PM
Shan said...
I think Jared was set up to look like a pimp by producers, but it was cute. Sophia reminds me of Jodie Foster, I think she needs a career in movies.
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11-01-2007 @ 12:15AM
MrBob said...
If Jared's pimp scene was not set up, he needs to get his own show. That kid is hilarious.
Come on, he walked up to a pretty girl in town (who we haven't seen before) with his new pimp clothes and a lollipop.
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11-01-2007 @ 12:45AM
gp said...
Jared continues to show his great sense of humor. He is only 11 years old and it is not unusual that he acts like it on occasion. He had the maturity to make amends for his actions. I love this show.
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11-01-2007 @ 7:24AM
featherhead said...
The stuff that comes out of these kids mouths blows my mind. David saying that it hurts her conscience, I don't even think I knew what that was at her age. Bringing up the sucess of Bill Gates? I was waiting for Jared to come up with Apple computers being Bill Gates competition! We didn't see much of Taylor this show, but that was okay with me. I blame her parents for her behavior and I think they are going to be sorry once she hits 16!! I love this show. And then Greg shocked me by apologizing to Nathan. Greg has some shining moments of insight.
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11-01-2007 @ 8:05AM
Vince said...
Why are all of the annoying or funny kids from Georgia? Taylor, Divad, Jared... all from Georgia. Weird.
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11-01-2007 @ 10:01AM
CoryB said...
I too noticed the style while it tends to focus on a core group. I think it was interesting that some on the core group such ad Michael, Taylor, Mike, Oliva and possibily a few more that we have come to know had very little screen time this week. It is almost like we met a core group in the first episode and they are our guides through what is happening. As we get to know more people some of those guides change over time.
Divad did one thing this week to make me think she deserved the star -- after Jarred up-ended the snack stand she remainned calm, did not reteliate and actually was the one to really faciliate the reconcillation with Jarred. It seemed like that might have been witnessed by other people which could be why it did not contribute to the gold star discussions.
At this point I am starting to think there may be more people deserving of a gold star than there will be handed out. Zach, Laurel and Mike are high on my list of ones I would like to see receive it. I am not sure if this is in every show much last night at the end of the town hall meeting Jonathan Karsh definitely said that everyone can win a gold star which seems to suggest it is possible to win while you are on council.
The break down on gold stars to date is also interesting to look at, blue and green both have 3 receipents, there is 1 in red and none in yellow. There are also at least 5 more to be given out, possibile more sicne the preview of next week seemed to suggest there may be an extra gold star for the talent show winner. I could also see something where each district votes as a whole to award a single gold star at the end with it being framed for them in such a way to suggest the council members each receive a star. Following that sort of logic look for Taylor to channel her pagent skills and pull off a win in the talent contest next week with Mike to pick one up soon.
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11-01-2007 @ 10:24AM
Joseph said...
Oh, if they had only shown this episode last week. I would have dressed up as Jared "The Pimp" for Halloween last night. That kid is hillarious. I probably would have stopped watching that show if it were not for him.
BYW - I am from Georgia and am proud of how those eight children are representing our state.
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11-08-2007 @ 5:23PM
Shannon said...
I thought it was very clever of Divad to set up her little snack shop. Sure, she was selling stuff available for free but....she was offering convenience and packaging, and I'm not surprised the kids bought. After all, I shudder to think of how much money I spend a year purchasing bottles of something that I can get for free from my own faucet. She also displayed a good attitude...she was nice to Jared, and she didn't flip out over the burn on her face. I think most kids would have been freaking out over something like that...her attitude was just, "Well, it's hot grease, you're going to get burned." I was disappointed that the council didn't seriously consider her as a candidate for the gold star. Don't get me wrong, I thought Nathan DID deserve it..but they totally eliminated her because she made it obvious she wanted it and did a little self-promotion, which Greg had done earlier but with better results. It bothered me also that almost every kid they talked to nominated Pharoh or Divad, but they more or less eliminated Divad pretty much because Laurel didn't like her, and Pharoh was struck out because he actually had the chutzpah to WANT the gold star. Like I said, Nathan is a hard worker and definitely deserved it...but they don't really seem to be listening to their constituents. LOL, sort of like our own government.
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11-01-2007 @ 6:09PM
Becky said...
JACKIE SAID: I'm still getting a kick out of the funny moments and marveling at the intelligence, compassion, and work ethic exhibited by many of the children. How about you?
Jackie, I am too. I am amazed at the intelligence and decisions made by these young people. I adore this show.
And yes, Jared is one of my favorites too. His comment about the money burning a bonfire in is pocket was funny and he DID look like a little pimp in his new duds.
Nathan deserved the award this week. It sounds like he has been a little working machine from day one. He is like so many hard workers -- fades into the background and does not get the positive reinforcement he deserves.
I think Greg is in that in-between stage of boy/young man. He can be loud and he can be mean -- but he can also be compassionate (the little girl he comforted last week and then apologizing to Nat this week) and sweet. I have a feeling that his life "on the outside" is not a bed of roses. I think this show will make a positive impact on his life. I hope so anyway.
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11-01-2007 @ 8:22PM
The MediaBlog said...
"The journal had mentioned the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. The council members made a wise decision in buying things which the entire town could appreciate rather than splitting the money amongst everyone."
Yes, thank God the leaders didn't let people actually choose for themselves. Much better to choose for them. I mean, if you let people make their own choices they might be selfish. Much better to take the choice out of their hands and give them what they "need" rather than what they want.
Why bother watching the Democrat debates when you can get your fill of socialism by watching "reality" TV.
http://themediablog.blogspot.com/2007/10/communism-in-one-reality-show.html
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11-02-2007 @ 1:14AM
bob said...
Remember my comment about Mike's character being revealed by his reaction by being voted off the counsel? I made a point to watch him, sometimes in the background, and noticed he sulked for a while, and I was concerned, but tonights show revealed a Mike we had not seen before; Mike with a sense of humor. Laural was right, Mike is having more fun now that he's off the counsel. His reaction to the new washing machines was charming and funny, and his statement at the meeting that the counsel was doing a good job was mature, and he really seemed to enjoy showing how he now does the laundry. I think he has grown a lot during the past 20 days.
Divad was annoying; her statement about being the 'kind potato girl' was fake and disturbing; did you notice Zach's reaction? Zach has the best facial expressions, with Mike being a close second.
Sophia's test was manipulative, but really funny. I am glad we didn't have to endure another Taylor-tantrum.
While I didn't like the pig-pan showdown last week because it didn't require anything from the leaders, nor any real intelligence from the kids, this weeks was clever and fun to watch. Anjay finally seemed to lead his team; I'd given up on him, but he's getting better.
Some have noted that we see the same kids each week and I think we see the most articulate, funny, clever and outspoken. I am glad they featured Mike on several out-takes or whatever they are called; I did not know what tarmac was when I was 11. Mike is well spoken and I really liked his reaction in the out-take to paying for the laundry.
Nathan has indeed been working hard since day one, in every episode, there he is in the background, working, not saying a word; does he sleep in his aviator jacket? He does the laundry while wearing it; which bothered me because I was always so protective of mine.
Did you notice that Greg and Blaine had the smaller kids on their shoulders? I notice that these kids show real sibling-like affection for each other on occasion; which I think is the real reason Greg and Nathan fight. Anjay was surprised that Greg stuck up for Nathan and said Greg hates him; nay, Anjay, what you are seeing is a big brother toughing-up his beloved little brother. They sleep side by side, is that a coincidence? Greg hugged him at the meeting and was very proud of him; just like a big brother.
They seem to be working hard for the reward and don't seem to care who ends up in what job; sorta like a family. If the producers show these kids when they have to leave for home, there is going to be tons of tears.
The host, Jonathan, is terrific with the kids; he seems to sincerely like them and care about them, and the kids seem to like him as well. I liked his pat on Nathan's back when Nathan got the gold star, and didn't Greg hug him when he got his gold star?
I hope we can follow these kids as they move forward with their lives, knowing full well that being on Kid Nation will change each kid for the better.
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