On last night's episode of
Kid Nation, the town was faced with politics and town council elections which turned Bonanza City upside down. The worst came out in some of the kids while others had their best moments. The kids had a choice between dental hygiene and a political party complete with barbecue for their reward and the toothbrushes won.
Tonight was the first episode where some of the kids really started to get on my nerves. When the journal told the council that the town was going to hold elections, I immediately flashed back to my 7th grade student council elections. All these years later, I still cringe at the thought of having to give my speech and running against the popular girl in my class. I lost. But at least I didn't have to lose miserably while on national television.
I was most surprised by
Olivia's behavior, who I had generally liked before last night. I'm not saying
Anjay was going to win any awards for being a phenomenal leader, but the kid had been doing a decent job. Olivia was so angry, so determined to get him out, so nasty. Had she taken a different approach, she might have been able to win. She should have taken a lesson from
Zach who, though he called for change, did not disrespect
Taylor. He made a strong case, worked hard, and changed the mind of the yellow district.
When
Greg won the gold star, I have to admit that I felt happy. Sometimes, we don't understand people until we know their story. Greg had said that he didn't have any money saved for college at, at 15, that's a scary thought. He was difficult and abrasive in the beginning but I think he learned that he wasn't going to get anywhere that way and changed his tone. When he took care of
Leila after
Markelle ripped her poster down, I saw the heart that I had been looking for since the show premiered last month. Now, we will see if winning the gold star keeps him on this path or if he will revert back to his old ways. Fingers crossed for the new and improved Greg to hang around.
Though some may have been happy to see
Mike get voted off the town council, my heart broke for him when I saw his face after
Guylan won by a landslide. He seems like a kid who just wants to be liked and accepted, though maybe goes about it the wrong way sometimes. I even felt a little bad for Taylor. For a second. Zach has quickly become one of my favorite kids on the show, though. His parents must be so proud! The only reason I'm disappointed that he won his election is because now he can't get the gold star. If anyone deserves it, it's Zach.
We saw something interesting today. It's not that the kids didn't fight before but politics can really bring out the worst in people. Anjay was yelling to the kids, trying to get them to see how unhealthy it was making the town but no one listened. Not that I didn't want to see some new kids on the council, but I wish it had happened another way. Maybe it is real life to have to go through speeches, elections, and the voting process as a kid but it's one memory I'd love to forget!
- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of CBS)