Contemporary Americans and Britons spend five months on an isolated stretch of the Maine coast recreating the life of American colonists in the year 1628. The modern colonists struggle to create a functioning and profitable colony using only the tools and technology of that era. Extensive research went into recreating this 17th-century environment in which the colonists negotiate personal and communal challenges as they deal with the demoralizing weather, rustic living conditions, and backbreaking labor. Among the points of dissension that arise in the colony are: the rigid class and gender roles, mandatory religious observance, and the puritanical civil laws of the era, particularly those pertaining to profanity.
(IMDB.COM seems to offer an alternative title to this series, "Pioneer House". The site confirms there was eight episodes made.)
The library dvd case holds only one disc, though the indication from the 'full record' tab indicates it is a two disc set. Consequently, we see only four of the eight produced episodes. The library has no other listing for the remaining episodes, under either title.
This may be a good thing. Notwithstanding that the previous reviewers sarcastic mini-rant aimed at the First Nations scenes was just as unnecessary as the scenes themselves, I agree that this was simply a mediocre reality show. I wonder if the producers aimed higher but fell short? It is always the case that contrived reality fails to replicate bygone eras or any real life events. This is the pitfall of all 'reality' tv. A well written movie or series script - a historical fiction - would be more watchable.
EuSei
Jan 04, 2012
This was supposed to give us a taste of how people lived THEN, not how much people now would have hated living then. The result is actually a “reality show” not a historical recreation of the 1600’s mores. Most participants didn’t try to adapt to the era’s life-style—especially the women. One character even went to a nearby pub—so they were not as “isolated” as the review implies—and mentioned his experience! Then, there is the scene with the Indians whining about how their “ancestors” were treated. (Big, big sigh) OK, you win, so let’s return “your” land—but without factories, stores, cars, roads, malls, houses, forests, National Parks, dams, and, above all: no casinos!
Comment
Add a Comment(IMDB.COM seems to offer an alternative title to this series, "Pioneer House". The site confirms there was eight episodes made.)
The library dvd case holds only one disc, though the indication from the 'full record' tab indicates it is a two disc set. Consequently, we see only four of the eight produced episodes. The library has no other listing for the remaining episodes, under either title.
This may be a good thing. Notwithstanding that the previous reviewers sarcastic mini-rant aimed at the First Nations scenes was just as unnecessary as the scenes themselves, I agree that this was simply a mediocre reality show. I wonder if the producers aimed higher but fell short? It is always the case that contrived reality fails to replicate bygone eras or any real life events. This is the pitfall of all 'reality' tv. A well written movie or series script - a historical fiction - would be more watchable.
This was supposed to give us a taste of how people lived THEN, not how much people now would have hated living then. The result is actually a “reality show” not a historical recreation of the 1600’s mores. Most participants didn’t try to adapt to the era’s life-style—especially the women. One character even went to a nearby pub—so they were not as “isolated” as the review implies—and mentioned his experience! Then, there is the scene with the Indians whining about how their “ancestors” were treated. (Big, big sigh) OK, you win, so let’s return “your” land—but without factories, stores, cars, roads, malls, houses, forests, National Parks, dams, and, above all: no casinos!