Les Stroud and Partners, courtesy of Discovery Networks
(Note – I’m posting this even though it’s late for those of you who will find it after the premiere has aired tonight because the show is that good. Also, it’s cable, so it should repeat sometime this week)
BEYOND SURVIVAL
Friendly Rating: Middle school and older.
Safety Rating: Mostly safe, some hunting scenes.
Quality Rating: Durned good and interesting.
Airs tonight at 10 p.m. on The Discovery Channel.
Les Stroud has been on the network as Survivorman for some time. You know the show. He’s dropped into some distant wilderness and has to survive with a knife and some toothpicks or something like that.
So who’dathunk that Stroud could put a spin on the whole survivor thing by looking at people who really know how to survive – ancient aboriginal tribes who still cling to their hunter-gatherer ways in spite of the modern world closing in around them.
It’s mostly about the cultures, even though Stroud learns some tips for his own adventures, cultures that are quickly vanishing. Stroud approaches them with the attitude that he’s there to learn from them – and, man, the effect is just plain good.
It’s not only fascinating viewing, it does raise some questions about what is good to keep about these kinds of vanishing cultures – many of which denigrate women and promote attitudes that many of us find repulsive, such as demon worship.
If you can get your kids to watch – and you may just be able to, Stroud is engaging and very good at bringing you into his reality – ask them what they think, then share the answers here.
