Kid Nation: Breaking Up The Greg And Blaine Train
Commentary by Cindy Rutolo Dietrich
November 15, 2007
Let me set the record straight once and for all. I do not love reality
TV It irritates. It galls. I actually don't like it at all. And I knew that writing this article
was going to be easy, because even the previews for this episode pissed
me off.
Things are hard enough for these homesick kids. I just resent the hell
out of this stupid, fake Pioneer Journal. Once again it suggests
something upsetting enough to shake up Kid Nation. Actually this time
the Pioneer Journal doesn't suggest. It doesn't even try to pretend to
be subtle anymore. It flat out orders them to 'mix up' their districts.
This very idea is one of my biggest pet peeves about Reality TV. This
tendency to suddenly decide to split up groups; break the
strong, familial-like bonds that form between people stranded in new
situations, just flat out feels wrong to me. I didn't like it when they
did it on Survivor. And I despise the hell out of them for them
suggesting it to these children, just to create a little more drama.
Someone at CBS; the producers, the writers, the director; thought that
splitting up these kids, and getting them riled up, would be a good plot
twist. Would make good TV. I just wonder if they care at all about the
kids themselves. I wonder if they get that these kids aren't actors, or
acting. This is real life for them Real situations. Real reactions. Real
emotions. Do they remember that they're not supposed to be writing
lines, and devising plot twists? This is supposed to be a reality show.
So why don't they let their reality unfold, naturally? Why can't they
leave them alone?
The Town Council's split right down the middle about mixing up the
districts. Laurel thinks it's a bad idea right from the start. Anjay
says it'll be a powder keg of drama, and upset. But Zack wants stronger,
and older kids in his yellow district. He and Guylan want a shot at the
gold.
There are four gold star winners in Laurel's green district. CBS focuses
on this fact. Makes a case out of it. But I wonder if there's any real
resentment about that. I think they just edit and shape opinion. By
asking leading questions, they stir up resentment, and feelings.
Greg and Blaine are really hard workers. They're the two oldest, and
strongest kids in Bonanza City. They're also best friends. Greg says
"Blaine and I have been the heart of the blue district." But Greg's
about to get his heart broken because Anjay wants to split them up.
When you're their age, best friends are family. Sometimes they feel
closer than family. Right now these kids have formed surrogate families.
The emotions, that bond can be so powerful, and so raw. The last thing
you'd want to do - is split that up at all. Because to them, it could
feel like a threat. Like a punishment. Even worse, it could feel like
the end of their world.
So when I hear blue district, town council leader Anjay say he doesn't
think that Greg and Blaine should be together, "Cause when they're
together bad things happen." I think. Great. Why does he want to split
them up? Do they bully? Is he intimidated by their bond? Have they
done something wrong? Cause it kind of feels like a punishment to me.
Just the mere mention of the Pioneer Journal -at a small meeting, has
the kids clutching each other. Then there's a loud roaring, "NO!" when
they hear the Town Council's proclamation. They hand it down like it's a
judicial ruling. '"We've decided to mix you guys all up." Laurel says.
Actually they really only make a few team member changes. Emilie
actually welcomed Anjay's invitation to join the blue district. She felt
the red district hated her so she was happy to change places. But when
Zack 'welcomed' Blaine into his yellow district, the whole crowd again
yelled out, "No!" Greg tried to shield his best friend. Said he'd always
have blue blood in him. The team was furious at Anjay for trading
Blaine. Olivia said it was like separating brothers.
I was surprised at the calm in Blaine's eyes. He seemed to really take
it quite well. Almost a little too well. Maybe he actually wanted to go.
14 year old Blaine said he didn't want to leave the blue district, "But
I knew that yellow needed help. So I just decided to go calmly."
It was the most I'd ever heard him say.....
Cindy Rutolo Dietrich is an entertainment writer, reviewer, rock journalist, poet, hotel reviewer, pianist, singer, songwriting artist from Pennsylvania.
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