Kid Nation: The Reign of Taylor is Over
Commentary by Cindy Rutolo Dietrich
October 18, 2007
"I'm going to wake up the girls in the yellow district." Zack says on
his way to try once again to get his fellow team members up, and moving.
As soon as he comes in, a nine year old, blond haired girl, named Leila
screams, "SHUT THE FREAKIN DOOR!"
She's one of Taylor's, the yellow district town council (TC) leader's,
best friends. It's what Zack expected. He remains calm. He says,
"I want you to go make breakfast." It is their job this week after all.
"Actually Taylor had a plan," Kelsey says. "The girls could do the
dishes and the boys could cook."
"That's a crappy plan." Zack says "Taylor's leadership skills suck." He
says this to the camera.
"We need you in the kitchen." He says as he's leaving.
Now little Leila's literally screeching. "I'm NOT GETTING UP!"
Then Taylor screams, "Zack, Shut the Freakin Door!!!"
Welcome to day 14 in the Kid Nation world.
"Every couple of days, we get up at 5:30 in the morning, and go read the
Pioneer Journal." Laurel says this as we watch them reverently open
the fake book the kids were told contains valuable advice and
suggestions from the original town members of Bonanza City, in the
1800's.
This week the Pioneer Journal suggests they hold District Elections. The
look on Queen Taylor's face is delicious when she hears about these
elections.
"Now's the time to prove ourselves," green district TC leader, Laurel
said calmly about the elections.
"I'm gonna fight one heck of a battle for this," red district TC leader,
Mike says. He sounds more enthused than threatened.
Blue district TC leader, Anjay simply says, "I'm screwed.'Cause Olivia
and Mallory, (her little sister,) they, like hate me!"
I think Anjay is right - she does not seem to like him at all. Olivia
looked down right scary after a food fight. Anjay didn't start it. He
was more of a victim. Olivia blamed him anyway.
The thing about food fights, or what I always think about them, is who's
gonna clean it all up? They didn't tell us, or show us. But the
The TC finally makes their announcement when the food fight dies down. The
kids roar when they hear the Pioneer Book's suggestion. "It said we
should hold District Re-elections." Laurel said.
Taylor's shooting dagger looks at the kids with questions like this:
"How many of you are confidant that you'll maintain your positions of
authority?" Sophia asked this.
Red District TC leader, Mike seemed the most relaxed about this thing.
He said "Well you guys have wanted this for a long time. It's election
time."
We see Zack practicing a How I-would-be-a-good-leader-speech with his 14
year old, supportive friend, Eric, listening. He's certainly been a
leader all along. I can't wait to see how this turns out.
The pre-appointment of the TC leaders was one of my pet peeves. So, I'm
pleased to hear about this suggestion for elections. I wonder how it'll
turn out. More importantly - will Queen Taylor remain on her throne?
Laurel says there are many great leaders in her group, including three
former gold star winners: Michael, Morgan and Sophia. But they're happy
with Laurel.
"You guys, I'm surprised, and very happy. And I'm going to cry."
Laurel's team mates told her they can't think of a better leader than
her. The green team's a solidified bunch. They crumble into a
pile-on-group- hug. Laurel's weeping happy, relieved tears of joy.
"The truth is if I were a leader I wouldn't be doing as good a job as
Laurel is doing now." Sophia says.
This is a tremendous relief for the green team, and their leader.
There'll be no backstabbing. There'll be no campaigning. They're happy
with their leader. So everything will stay the same.
I doubt that's the case in the other three districts Anjay is having an
especially hard time with Olivia. "I'm running against you. Just so you
know." She says this with a mean smile. Anjay looks ready to blow.
"This is the one thing I never wanted Bonanza City to be; political, and
all this kind of stuff." Anjay says.
This time when the town bell is rung,
the kids do come. Each of the TC leaders give a short speech on why they
think they should remain in power. "Then anyone else who wants to run,
came come up and they can make a speech." Red district, TC leader Mike
says.
Mike wasn't feeling worried. He thought he'd go unchallenged, and remain
in power. "I think I'm doing a good job." So he was pretty stunned, to
say the least, by red team member Guylan's challenge.
"Guylan!" He sputtered. "Guylan's the one who on the first day,
addressed me as 'Sir.'"
Eleven year old Guylan said "I've been home schooled all of my life.
I've never actually been in a leadership position in the real world. So,
I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to get involved." What he
said next in his speech blew me away. If I was a kid, he'd get my vote.
His simple speech resonated in a way that made Mike grow paler by the
minute.
Guylan addressed his fellow red district members. "I could be a man of
the people. I would attempt to make this more of a democracy, rather
than a dictatorship. People of the red team, if you want this town to be
the best it can be, then vote for me."
The kids loved his speech! There was a roar of applause, Then a chorus
of voices.
"Go Guylan!" "Dude! That was awesome." "That was so cool!"
Do I smell victory?
Anjay was up next......
Cindy Rutolo Dietrich is an entertainment writer, reviewer. rock journalist, poet, hotel reviewer, pianist, singer, songwriting artist from Pennsylvania. She welcomes, and enjoys hearing from you. Please email her at rovingreporter@webtv.net.
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