Registered: May 2002
Location: Belchertown, MA
Posts: 2393

So who's watching this?

The two hour episodes they are showing are actually two 1-hour episodes back to back. So the Tivo guide is calling last night's 101, and tonight's 103.

Things started out with everyone coming for several days by boat, while the narrator pointed out it was 8-10 weeks for the original settlers. I think the year they are supposed to be is 1628.

They've got a Baptist minister from Waco for their governor, and a religion studies professor from California as their lay-preacher. I think it is interesting the forced emphasis on religion they have in the show.

Just like Manor House, they have people assigned roles, some of which are servants with no say in how things are run. In the first 20 minutes, I was predicting revolt, and sure enough, in the second hour, we saw plenty of revolt.

One sad item was that the Governor's family found out that the boyfriend of his daughter was killed in a car accident, and their oldest son seriously injured. So the entire second episode was without this family.

BTW, if you do any Googling for this show, be forewarned that most reviewers have seen the entire 8 hours and I think give away too much of what will happen with the people.

__________________
I'm not a Bug, I'm a Feature!

POST #1 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: st louis, MO
Posts: 398

I'm recording it, but I won't get around to watch it until later. I've watched a couple of the others and I am looking forward to it. I will try and stay away from spoilers until then.

POST #2 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Dallas (or L.A.)
Posts: 15821

quote:

---

Originally posted by TreborPugly
They've got a Baptist minister from Waco for their governor, and a religion studies professor from California as their lay-preacher. I think it is interesting the forced emphasis on religion they have in the show.

---

__________________
Jeff
Proud to use my TiVo improperly
President of the TiVoShanan Fan Club
Yay, Smeek! Smeek rules! -- JediCowboyD
jsmeeker, you will live in a dark place someday....where they do not allow TiVo. -- nachonaco

POST #3 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Apr 2003
Location: Long Island,NY
Posts: 71

They left England for religious freedom. On little thing that is never mentioned too much in the history books is that is that these very same people are the fire & brimstone types who actually are very intolerant of other peoples lack of religious convictions and where kind of run out of town on a rail (or England in this case).

Actually I’m kind of disappointed with this show due to the fact that although there are goals set for them, there doesn’t seem to be any sense of urgency. Like the announcer said several times during the episode if this was really in the 1650’s these guys would end up starving if they don’t grow & harvest the corn crop by the deadline. Once the Governor from Waco leaves the place seems to go to hell & a hand basket. Even though the lay preacher jumps in as temporary Governor he doesn’t seem to have project much authority at all, I almost laughed out loud as you see him looking on disapprovingly in the background as some of the men took a swim (like he was going to do something about it). And then you have the women voting on days off with the lay preacher siding with them. What are they going to vote for union next? LOL. Perhaps I was expecting a little too much but this show seems to be little more than survivor with the contestants in costume. Of course that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.

POST #4 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Richardson, TX 75081
Posts: 8295

I sure liked this show.

I didn't see any of Manor House but we watched this last night. Pretty incredible what the settler had to go through.

When the governor's family first left (how horrible was the reason!) I was worried about the dynamic of the show. However, when you think about people dying and leaving the original group it makes sense to allow people to leave.

I'd also imagine that at some point perhaps more settlers may join them if their numbers get too small. Didn't the announcer say something like the first batch wouldn't see the ship again until it brought more settlers next year? Maybe after a month or so more will come.

__________________
Chloe IS NOT Lois.

POST #5 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2002
Location: Belchertown, MA
Posts: 2393

quote:

---

Originally posted by jsmeeker
Why? You know why they all left England for the new land, don't you?

---

__________________
I'm not a Bug, I'm a Feature!

POST #6 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2002
Location: Belchertown, MA
Posts: 2393

Oh, and last night when we went to sleep in our nice, pillow topped King size bed, I said to my wife, "I'm glad I'm not sleeping on a four foot long straw mattress!"

__________________
I'm not a Bug, I'm a Feature!

POST #7 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Richardson, TX 75081
Posts: 8295

I think the religious aspect of it is totally appropriate. There really were rules about having to go to church and such, and I'm sure there were people then that didn't want to go just as there are in this group.

__________________
Chloe IS NOT Lois.

POST #8 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 453

The only thing I'm worried about after these first two eps. is the womenfolk getting all uppity and out of line. I say that jokingly, but it actually is my main concern. If they are really going to try and stay true to the times that is.

__________________
can't get to forum from work anymore :(

POST #9 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged