Kid Nation 12/5: "Where's Bonanza, Dude?"

Cafe Society
1

The newly-appointed Sheriff Sophia starts her tenure with another one of her bizarre mind games- this time, she sets aside a square of land for herself and charges people five cents to go inside it. Naturally, everyone wants to touch it. Is this the sign that stubborn Sophia is still her old, distrusting self? It better not be- she’s in charge as the Town Council goes on a voyage.

Thankfully, Sophia isn’t that bad of a leader- she kindly tells people what to do, rather than yell at them, before the arcade may be opened. Even Taylor is impressed, telling Sophia she hopes Greg falls off a mountain and gets eaten by coyotes during his journey. The Council speaks with some Pueblo Indians, who teach them to support the younger children. The youngsters do show some potential- especially Alex and Jared, who go on a journey to investigate a cow skeleton.

The showdown involves some land claims, too- this time, the pioneers must head west with an entire house, chickens, and an alpaca. Although the Council isn’t there to lead them, everyone seems to do fine. Green gets first place, and although some of Yellow’s antics look more appropriate for a Three Stooges short than a western, they end up crossing the finish line with seconds left on the clock, ensuring a reward. This reward is all about memories- will they last a lifetime or just a few hours? Sophia decides, choosing hot air balloon rides over the city over a large monument commemorating their achievements. The Council is there to meet them at the end of the ride.

The youngsters are the focal point on this Gold Star nomination, with Migle, Jared, and Alex getting most of the votes. Even [del]The Invisible Man[/del] Jared stops by to nominate himself. Zach also nominates himself- but the council doesn’t take him seriously, causing him to throw a fit. He returns to insult the Council, and the Council realizes that takes guts. In the end, Alex gets the gold star, stating that $20,000 is a paradox- a lot of money, but not a lot of money. Jared isn’t dismayed- the Nobel Prize is worth at least five gold stars! A huge debate about the arcade also ensues. In the end, the arcade’s doors are shut for good (sorry, Danceman, you can’t sneak in this time), and the kids sit around the campfire, knowing- somewhat happily, but mostly sadly- that their time in Bonanza will soon be over.

Next week: “We’ve All Decided To Go Mad!” It’s the final countdown. Doodle-loo-doo, doodle-loot-doo-doo…er…bonus challenges for bigger Gold Stars! Will the triumphs of Bonanza be celebrated, or will the whole city go down in flames…LITERALLY?

Pelvis has left the building! (Yeah, I know, it’s corny.)

2

The name of this episode should have been “Pelvis has left the building!”

I loved Sheriff Sophia. That kid is smart as hell and would have made a great council leader.

Zach WAS being disrespected by Greg, who was being his usual asshole self. I enjoyed DK telling Greg he was full of it. It’s good that at least one person who he considers a peer is onto him. He oozes insincerity.

Wonder how much the giant gold stars are worth? And who will get them?

3

Jared cracked me up with that Pelvis comment – that kid’s mind works kinda funny, but it works.

Poor Anjay! What did he say? “This is the only place where I’ve been accepted”?

Loved Alex talking about the current gold market, and how he’ll save the star for his kids and grandkids. And his parents: “Our little boy is all grown up!” He’s 9, for pete’s sake! Do they understand that he’ll be coming home?

It would have been great to see Alex on the council. I’d love to hear what he has to say about the journal. “This isn’t real, guys, but we should humor the producers.”

Great episode.

4

And another thing – it was smart of Sophia to choose the balloon rides over the monument. Because really, what are they going to do with that monument? Haul it back to the quarry and bust it up? Put it in CBS’s basement? It’ll stay in Bonanza City.

No clue about the giant stars – maybe everybody gets one? No one who stood out in a positive way was neglected, except for Jared.

5

Stupid big rock with some phrases nobody will ever read again? Super duper cool hot air balloon ride? Tough choice. Sophia did very well.

I am torn on the Zach issue. He was a bit of a crappy council leader, but I do think he deserves that gold star. He has had his brilliant moments. I mean, he made Taylor do dishes! Nobody else has come even close to that.

Alex is a lot of fun. I am glad he got recognized.

My guess for the big gold stars? They vote on who gets them. It will be interesting to see who repeats and gets both stars. And it will suck to have less deserving kids get more money because all the good kids already got some.

The whole pueblo quest was lame, lame, lame. Especially coming so close to the end of the series. It was just a ploy to get the Council out of town. Was the whole sheriff thing ever suggested by the producers? Quite a coincidence that the Council is sent away the day after they select a sheriff.

Poor Anjay. I hope he is really smart and pulls ahead, because it won’t be popularity that will make him shine.

Jared is mostly weird. Yeah, yeah, kids, cute, et cetera. Weird.

6

My prediction for the end: Taylor will finally get it, do 10 minutes of real work, and get the giant gold star. That would be so very like this show.

7

Well, she did do 10 minutes of actual work in order to go to the arcade last week.

8

Believe me, I’m not defending Taylor. I hate that kid. But did you SEE how many dirty dishes were piled up? Not just on that huge table, but all over the floor and outside? That took far, far more than 10 minutes. When I do my dishes, for 2 people, after letting them build up for a few days, it takes at least 20-30 minutes. I’m sure it took her the better part of a day to do all of those, even with Kelsey and Leila helping her. And I’m also sure it was quite, quite disgusting. It’s also probably the most work she’s ever done in her entire life. Hey, it’s growth.