Back to the Frontier

I'll start by saying I'd never do this. And for those that expected the producers to be homophobic, shame on you.

That said, the first episode was enlightening. Each family has their own strengths and struggles. It is odd that they didn't research what a family needed or did during that time. Although I'd never do this, I would've looked I to that.

I don't like that the homesteads are broken and missing walls etc. I think that was unfair. And I'm hoping they were given a means to purchase goods or barter.

I'm going to stick with this as all three families are interesting. I hope they all succeed but my money is in the Lopers as their kids seem to get it and want to help.

Most of these reviews are people saying they aren't really homesteaders and these families are spoiled. Duh, regular 2025 people dropped into 1880 without any creature comforts, that's the point. It's not 'naked and afraid' or 'ultimate survival'. I personally like the variety of families chosen and the fact that they do NOT have the skills so it is a real learning experience. There are a bunch of shows and videos where people have the skills, there are plenty of them on YouTube. I'm watching this to see how these regular people evolve and what new skills they obtain. People are being overly judgemental and not giving the show a chance.

There have been other shows just like this from about 20 years ago. But I don't recall the people being as shocked at the lack of amenities. I was surprised that the family that brought mom thought she would be any better at living in the 1880's. Just because she was raised on a farm that would have been in the 1950's-1960's she would have had electricity and not a wood burning stove. There was also a show based in England where people had to go back to the 19th century, but in the city. I plan on watching just because I enjoy watching this stuff. Plus I know I would never volunteer to do this challenge because I'm not into following in my ancestors footsteps lol.

First episode. A woman has a meltdown because of an outhouse. Uh, what did she expect it is back to the 1800s It's hard to believe she didn't reach what she was getting into. Her husband seems great, but the episode ends with him talking about how much anxiety he has of what's ahead. It's an 8 week experience so it just seems insane. The other family is the usual whining entitled kids we have seen from other pioneer shows. Then they have a couple of hyper neat freak gay dads who like tech. So obviously they recruited families not really suited for the 1800s. It would be more fun if it was a game show with 1800s challenges and they could win prizes or money and be more motivated. I predict there will be lots more kids whining and contrived drama.

As others have said in their reviews the concept of the show is fantastic and a really fun idea.

Watching people live out the lifestyle of frontier America is a huge contrast to modern life and an interesting watch.

However the families chosen seem like a strange fit for the environment.

They don't seem to have many practical skills and there doesn't seem to be any real urgency for them to learn any since their homes and necessities have been pre built and given to each family.

Building one's own home would be a huge challenge and one that could have been a way to bring the families together in it's requirement for cooperation but instead the challenge just seems to be going without WiFi in a shed in the woods.

Since I've only seen the first episode I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt but it doesn't give much hope for the show as it continues.