From the desk of Alynda Wheat:
I had a point. I did, and it was a valid one, as I recall. Something about Laurel being a shining ray of magnificence, standing up to the arbitrary dictates of The Journal and refusing to shake up her beloved, quadruple gold-star winning green district. Then it ventured into how self-possessed she was to take on the council — indeed the entire town — to keep her team intact. There was stuff in there, too, about loyalty, and fighting for what’s yours no matter what some kidsploitation reality show manual says. Kelis’ "Bossy" played somewhere… perhaps it was in my mind.
And then Michael, who heretofore seemed as heaven-sent as his archangel namesake, blew that loyalty s— straight to hell. Because when Hostwassisname manip — er, distracted everyone from the fact that a second Bonanza Citizen packed it in (Bye, Randi!) by calling for elections, Michael raised his hand to oppose Laurel. So now maybe my point is that sticking your neck out only makes it easier for them to nick you in the jugular.
Politics and ambition can blacken the purest soul, mein PopWatchers. Macbeth was a decent soldier until ambition turned him into a regicidal creep with a crazy wife. Hitler was just a sour vegetarian until he started getting ideas about how Germany would be ever so pretty if no one looked like him. I’ve even heard tell that Cheney was nice… once. Michael, I trust that you have good intentions and an even better heart. But you disappointed me, man. I’m hurt.
… And now we’re getting over it. Because there are mysteries tosolve, people, and we do like a good whydunnit. Why, fer instance, nineweeks in, did we just meet Georgia preacherman Hunter? They’ve hadplenty of time not just to introduce all the kids, but to let us get toknow them. The fact that we’re still exchanging business cards withsome of them is inexcusable, as if CBS filmed the whole thing, pickedwhom they liked, and were caught off guard when their un-favoritessuddenly became integral to the plot. ("Quick, edit so-and-so in! Wethought he was just as an extra!")
Also, why did the producers cut whatever it was that Sophia said toput the beat-down on Guylan? Sure, sure, I get the wholeprotect-the-kid’s-dignity argument. But are we seriously suggestingthey’ve been as kind to Anjay? To Mike? Heck, even to our favoritePageant Princess? Other kids have had unspeakable things said and/ordone to them — hell, Greg’s cussed out half the town — and we’ve seenand heard plenty of it. So why keep this from us?
Finally, why didn’t I listen to you, PopWatchers? You told me Nathanhas some… preoccupations with cleanliness. I didn’t see it until lastnight. You said that Anjay and Olivia should get on with and just swapspit, already (and I don’t mean through pre-chewed gumballs). It didn’tregister until now. And why didn’t I pounce immediately when it seemedlike leading was something Guylan maybe shouldn’t do? You were alwaysright, my Yodas, and I will forevermore stand beside you.
Until, that is, one of you upstarts challenges my seat on this council — then it’s on.
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while firmly in the Laurel camp, last night she seemed very petty. Caring more for her district then the town as a whole (can’t say I blame her, they just got the upperclass for the first time). So maybe it is time for Micahel to lead them.
The crown rests heavy on Anjay (just gets heaped on all the time) and Guylan (what do you mean you dont love everything I do). so it looks like both of them will go…expecially Anjay.
Sucks they don’t have beds to sleep in!
Laurel was made out as the villain, but I see her point: why is it her fault that the other district leaders can’t get their teams functioning properly? And besides, Green has been winning gold stars because they’ve been the laborer class more often than anybody else. If they’re so strong (as the others complained), why have they been losing so many challenges?
I think it’s good that Laurel should have to defend her leadership in a new election, since she didn’t have to the first time. All leaders need scrutiny. What I did notice was that the older kids are now going after the council jobs, which didn’t happen the first time. And it’s the kids (DK, Michael, Greg) who have already won gold stars.
I loved this episode! Everyone backstabbing, crying, it was great!
I’m glad Blaine won the star and very glad he realized he need to get away from Greg.
Hunter? I didn’t even know the girl who left. The producers definitely have favorites, which unfortunately doesn’t give us the full spectrum of the show when some kids go unrepresented.
Laurel made a critical mistake, one which might mean that she loses her seat. Laurel has turned the Green team into an elitist group. Four gold stars for greens implies that she’s a strong campaigner (or maybe wrist-twister), but it’s bound to build resentment. If she’d succeeded in getting Hunter (a greenie) that gold star, blood would have been spilled.
Even more than adults, kids have a keen sense of what’s fair, if for no other reason than the age and size differences are so obvious.
I think that if Laurel had let one green meanie be traded, there wouldn’t be new elections. I mean, the yellows are happy with their new member, and the reds seem to be getting along with Nathan.
So, I think that next week we’ll see a new council, with three new members, at least. I just hope that the Greenies see that they are tainted so long as Laurel is in charge.
They called it “mixing up the teams” but really each district only got ONE person (except green). How is that mixing it up?
Anyway, I understand Laurel’s point. They’re close and they work together well. But in all fairness, she could have given up at least ONE person. “One perfect team and 3 crappy ones?” good point, council members. Laurel’s unwillingness to compromise dissapointed even her OWN team. Which makes me wonder if she was really thinking about them or herself.
Olivia is getting b*tchier to Anjay by the week.
I love that Guylan doesn’t think his team is smart- They nearly ate him alive for that one!
Greg never should have got that gold star, I knew he’d turn into a jerk again.
How could Guylan say that the town wasnt trying for the big prize? What an insult. Go Sophia! (She must have said something REALLY bad) I was shocked, but slightly pleased at her rebuttle. then dissapointed. Then proud of her for appologizing.
That lounge would have been great for upperclass…
Olivia is turning out to be a bigger b*tch than Taylor.
Especially for someone who was trying to come off as so pious the first time we met her.
The reason Sophia got bleeped was because she said “BOLSHOI”. Well, not quite, but clearly it was a matter of avoiding FCC fines, not slander.
I think Olivia thinks she can get w/ away w/ anything after her big hit comedy routine last week. I think she is just trying to get a reaction out of everyone. Not a very nice little girl.
I think Olivia thinks she can get w/ away w/ anything after her big hit comedy routine last week. I think she is just trying to get a reaction out of everyone. Not a very nice little girl.
I really thought some of the council leaders might have pull a LBJ and say I’m not seeking a next term. It seem everyone is going for an overhall and it started by picking help from other district.
I thought the Yellow team did nice job with there pick because majorty of there district is young ladies and need a older male…Blaine was and is the right choice and poor Zack…he want to change the view and attitude cause from Taylor and yet from the next preview…he turning into one…Seem his pick might cause more good then harm.
Laurel could be the FDR if she wins this next election(same with Anjay) One point she really didn’t have to split or added a member but it was seen has a selfish act do and I think Michael didn’t want her to run unopposed like the last time. Thought it was a bit funny because he was once on the other side and say we really didn’t to change. Real funny in the beginning how they were dance because there the gold district and Sophia stilling the spotlight
OK, now I feel a little bad about calling a child a b*tch…but it seems like “bully” is not so far off the mark, as in “I’m going to gang up on Anjay so that I can feel better about myself because no one likes me either.”
I don’t really have a comment but you misspelled “fighting” in the title.
What is BOISHOI?
Juxtaposition. That’s the word that came to mind after this episode ended. And boy, did everyone’s good and bad sides emerge. Laurel’s firm standing on her team turned into a double edged sword of admiration vs selfishness. I also thought the same thing ns did. For such a superior team, they sure lost a lot of showdowns. The usually likable Guylen made a searing comment to every other team after the challenge, which brought out a swear filled rebuttal from Sophia (though they both regretted it later, urging Sophia to apologize). Greg got upset at Anjay the whole time for losing Blaine, bringing back his rude behavior (though I laughed, seeing his $#!t eating grin when he decided to fight for Anjay’s spot on the council) yet comforted Randi when she got homesick before she left. Speaking of which, Taylor shows real compassion to someone else! Maybe there’s hope for her after all. At least Nathan, Rebbecca and Blaine adjusted well to their new teams, while it’s tearing the town apart.
I suspect a possible motivation for Michael is not just to overthrow Laurel or betray her loyalty, but rather just have that opportunity for himself. I think Guylan had that same motivation when he opposed Mike. I could relate to that, wanted to try your hand at “leadership.” But I suspect next week we will find out his motivation and see the reaction of the green team… will they see it as betrayal?
BOLSHOI…trying to find a polite way of saying Bullsh*t.
How many more of these kidlets have we yet to meet? (I’m too lazy to go to the CBS website to look). Hunter and Randi (who I thought Greg was really nice too, BTW)–I agree, don’t remember seeing them. I think there’s a whole tribe of them that we’ll never meet: there are only “12″ days left there. Weird editing choice, CBS. And maybe Laurel will realize she should get the boot from Council so she can get some gold, too? P.S. What’s with Nathan and the bomber jacket and the short pants? I mean, what season did they tape this in?
Maybe Michael wanted to take Laurel’s seat so she would be eligible to win a gold star?
Jeez KK, thanks for adding so much to the discussion… Drop by another time, won’t you?
I do believe there is amout of fair agruement about Anjay because he let two of his former blue citizen go to seprate district. Anjay has always been hard to stand up for cause most of the time he dose know what he doing but seem to me that be blue district never had his backing from the start. I’m pretty sure he ain’t going to get the seven votes like last time but he need to show why he at least is the better choice then PMS Greg…Who has sepration issues and of course don’t make him angry when he dosen’t get his way…which also mean he will punch someone with glasses. Rebbecca seem like a nice lady, once he was conforable with her group and like how the “paris and nicole” reaction to the hug of there new member as well as a sort of backlash for the new members…to me there more mean girls in the blue then in the yellow. Of course Olivia and her girly bully tactics…She is the queen bee and I’m just afraid that Greg might just beat up the election.
While I don’t necessarily disagree with Laurel, I think it’s good that she’s being challenged. She’s was getting a little smug. Some competition will be good.
Maybe before the show wraps up we’ll get to meet “older girl with long dark hair who sits in the background but generally seems like a pleasant person as she’s always smiling”. That’s what I call her anyway. She probably has an actual name way shorter than the one I gave her.
C’mon, you guys, Laurel’s AWESOME!!! The evidence: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/kid_nation/bios/laurel/
Also, I have no problem checking authority. I have a problem with change for change’s sake. She’s by far the best council leader of both regimes, and deserves to be recognized for it. The only argument for opposing her should logically come from the other teams—they may win more challenges, but Green takes home the green. That someone in her own team would challenge her, and only for the supposed crime of thinking too highly of her own district, seems ironically disloyal. Of course, it didn’t help that HostBoy made them decide on the spot.
This was the best episode yet… who needs writers!!! I laughed out loud several times, especially when Greg said that Olivia’s little sister (name?) was more of a man that Anjay! Greg is so mean but has moments of being a great guy! Besides we need a villian!
While I was slightly surprised that good natured Michael wants to throw his hat into the electoral ring, I was shocked that he blew up the way he did in the preview of next week’s show. Laurel has gotten a bit cocky in recent weeks, and maybe it is time for change. Why Anjay and his attitude were not booted in the first election, one may never know. But having Greg as a contender next week (wonder who will win this) may send our little Indian buddy pouting until the season’s end. Poor Guylan…he said from the start he wasn’t a leader, so we should have seen this coming (and I believe DK will have no problem getting his spot.) And finally, Blaine trying for Zack’s seat? Again, a once seemingly sweet and innocent Zack has turned catty and unmanageable, so this may be a breath of fresh air, too.
On another note, I have wondered myself why they are so slow to introduce “new characters”. I’m wondering when we get to meet the two emo kids.
I Semi-laugh at Michael comments when he said that he was worried about the mental state of the yellow district and as he was saying that…him and Zack with green crew act werid and immature(?) while Randi was “private” moment with taylor
So I do believe as well that Zack is getting confrotable with his postion and seem like he using taylor slogan in the preview.
Was anyone else a little creeped out when Greg tried to get Randi to stay? I think it’s great Laurel didn’t switch any of her district. Good for her! BUT…there is nothing wrong w/ Michael wanting a chance to lead the green district. Don’t be so hard on the kid.