KID NATION Recap: 12-5-07

(by Deb Porter-Jones)

The Town Council consulted the Town Journal and decided to go outside the town’s borders to learn about other cultures nearby. 

While the Council was gone, they placed the responsibility of any decisions to be made in the hands of Sophia, the town sheriff.  Not sure if that was a good idea; she always strikes me as power-hungry.  The town’s not happy about it either; remember she was the one that was upset about the council choosing the arcade over the library last episode. 

The Council starts out for other civilizations, and before long they come upon some Native Americans who give them some valuable lessons about cultivating the spirit of learning for the young people.  After all, the children are our future.  I know; what a cliché!

 Alex and Jared are two of the most incredibly smart kids I’ve ever seen.  While out exploring, they come across some bones from maybe a cow or something; some large animal.  They discuss some type of procedure that is used to date bones and carcasses called “carbon processing” and wish they had this procedure available to them in Bonanza City so they could find out the age of the bones that they found.  Yeah, this is a conversation between a 9-year-old and an 11-year-old.  After watching these two, I’m pretty sure I was riding the short bus for most of my life!

 Challenge!

The kids have to complete a challenge which consists of dismantling  a small “town” (a small building, a flag and an alpaca) and re-assembling that “town” a few yards away in one hour in order for the town to win the reward.

Green comes in first place and wins Upper class; Red takes second place for merchant class; Blue comes in third for Cooks and Yellow comes in last for Laborers class.

 The reward?  Either a monument to Bonanza City’s Kid Nation.  A HUGE testament to the hard work that they’ve accomplished, with some really eloquent words about the sacrifices and choices of the kids of Bonanza City that would stay out in the desert in Bonanza City long after they had all gone home (yada, yada, yada), or hot air balloon rides above Bonanza City for all the children… an experience that the kids would cherish and remember forever (yea!!!). I guess you know what my choice would be.  I’m all about creating memories.

Sheriff Sophia chooses the hot air balloon rides (thank God!). 

 A girl named Migle gives an eloquent speech about how they’ve progressed and learned so much during their experience there. 

 The kids are overwhelmed, exhilarated and really appreciate the experience way atop Bonanza City.  I think it was the perfect choice.

While they were flying high, the Town Council comes back to town and goes back to work. 

 Gold Star Nominations!

Alex decides to nominate himself because he says he’s been working really hard.  And many of the children nominate him also (remember; he’s the nine-year-old kid with the big tooth.). He’s brilliant and is always spouting some super-intelligent jargon to mostly his best friend in Bonanza City, Jared. I doubt anyone else would understand the stuff that comes out of this kid’s mouth.

 Jared also nominates himself for the same reasons.  Zach too, nominates himself for the same reasons.  While he’s giving his little speech about why he deserves the Gold Star, Greg snickers and Zach leaves, feeling rather humiliated.  Zach then goes back in and confronts the Council about their obvious disrespect for him and his feelings.  DK blows up at Greg over his treatment of Zach. 

Many of the other children nominate Migle, whom we haven’t seen all season until this episode.  Of course, the Gold Star goes to Alex who says winning the Gold Star makes him feel like a lot of people appreciate him and he feels all warm and bubbly inside. Is that not the cutest?!

The Council also votes to close the arcade forever because it’s taking up too much of everyone’s time and they’re not spending any quality time with each other.  Some kids love the idea; others not so much.  But Council votes to close it anyway and they spend the evening around a campfire telling stories. 

There are only 2 more episodes of Kid Nation left – and 3 more days left of the children’s 40 days in Bonanza City.  Can’t wait to see what happens next!

Similar Posts:

• Kid Nation Recap: 11/28/07
• Kid Nation Season Finale Recap
• Kid Nation Recap 11/21
• Kid Nation Recap: 11/14/07