Cuore d'Africa

We have Acorn-TV - so, we can stream every season. It is kind of a unique show wherein a blended family also tried to adapt to like in Africa. The photography and scenery are splendid. Some of the family conflicts are needlessly mean-spirited, in pursuit of meaningful plot lines. And the early episodes 'regress' - by which we mean, the characters get over a hurdle, and then climb back over it to repeat the process.

In this case, the 'step' family almost breaks up when 'Daddy' of the 2 kids flies in with his new juvenile-looking chickie to stake a claim to his offspring. Such a situation is awkward enough to resolve in real life, but we do get there in this episode.

However, in the next episode, the kids cross over certain lines and resolve to depart (again) after outbursts of anger, dredging up hurt feelings and sadness we just got over. Let me tell you how this works in real life: There is NO 'my family, my kids' - there is only OUR FAMILY. No one is leaving. There is husband and wife - the kids in the brood are a STAGE of the marriage - they are NOT the reason for the marriage. Sorry. Sound cold-hearted? Darn right. It works no other way. Once everyone in a blended family understands that they are stuck on this desert isle together with no escape, they will quit whining and get on with the job of survival. Step family survival 101.

The writers seem to be sadly lacking in how 'regression' can spoil a series. Soon, in a following episode, we have ANOTHER problem when a nearby plantation owner makes subtle advances on the wife in this little caper, but she fails to inform her husband, leaving HIS daughter to inform him. Oh, boy. She isn't believed - and now, we have 2 difficult problems instead of one. The husband is a great problem-solver (however), a nice easy-going guy - he'll patch things up. I'd like him for my dad. But this isn't what I was expecting him to deal with. Some of the above caught the eye of a few other reviewers.

I still like the series and will persevere. Like when dealing with a real step-family, I can look for the good things. 8/10

I love it. Sometimes the writing makes the acting is a little forced, but the characters are touchable and grow and change. What else is there? I'm a US native, who has lived abroad and tried other ways to live in this modern world. This show follows the great BBC tradition of showing modern characters CHOOSING an alternative life, for good or ill. If you can get past the not-great writing, and focus on what it might be like to change your life, radically, this is a fascinating show. And then they bring in Hayley Mills, and what is not to like? It's all about relationships, and what it takes to really deal with the people you love.

The most awesome part of this series is definitely the featured animals, landscape and local favor depicted (essentially, an African animal preserve). The storyline and arc of early seasons clearly made this a family oriented show which had a message contained within each solved "problem" that doubled as a lesson about life, people and how we should treat each other. Even DuPlusses meddling was for the greater good of those he cared for and more importantly, within reason for how someone might act in real life.

Season 5 and beyond saw these lessons become on-existent with that endearing meddling becoming more about his own needs masked as helping the situation with any lesson that could've been taught clearly no longer the focus. In fact, if one turned to the shows final seasons for any of life's lessons, there would be more immoral theirs and criminals created than the same masses who received fair moral guidance from early episodes.

Dup wreaked havoc on the oil company that wants to purchase the land in clear childish fashion and yet expects his antics to be rewarded with assistance when he needs it even though he clearly would not do the same in return. The heroes becomes the antithesis of people that the world wants to hate; arrogant, self-righteous, entitled. I truly find it sad and an undignified end to a story/series that did it right for so much of its time as a family oriented show. Why would it not just continue focusing on the animals, building (and salvaging) relationships that we should all find important (family), growing pains and guidance overcoming the trials of coming of age (through all age groups)? The formula worked fantastically for 5 years +/- and I believe it could have ended its run without resorting to the unrealistic antics seen in the final couple of seasons. It's what brought this from a 9.5/10 star rating to a 6/7 for me. I just couldn't relate to their resolutions any longer as they moved right out of the realm of believability transforming this once solid series into just another far-fetched fantasy that betrayed all of the good will it had built for itself.

When Wild At Heart first came on T.V. I was like "What is this??!!" But then I watched the first 3 episodes and I just fell in love with it!! It is about a British family that goes to Africa to tie up some loose ends. The father of the show is a veterinarian and what do they have no shortage of in Africa (Yet)? Animals!! Now this premise may sound slightly strange, nonetheless it is about the family and the various forces that can and sometimes do happen to help or hinder. It will make you laugh and will probably make you cry. This series is in it's 5th season now and it is truly a refreshing television show!! If you cannot see it in America on T.V. try Netflix or Blockbuster. This is one series that you will truly fall in love with!!

This new T.V. show titled "wild at heart" started in Ausrtalia just before Christmas 2006. so far it has been worth its weight in gold. i first noticed this new series on channel ten on Sunday at six o'clock, it was by sheer Happenstance that i even noticed it at all. i had decided to give it a chance. As i sat down to watch this new show i found it entertaining and a great change to all the other shows that were on. since that time i have enjoyed every second of the show and encourage the makers to continue doing a great job. i recommend this show for any one that wants a change from the usual shows on TV. this is a great family based show with excellent story telling and human Endeavour of how one family tries to come together as one.

This is a great show and at first look may seem to be like all the others but it is different and it tackles with many of life's issue's overall it is a fantastic show that is worth watching