Alone Australia

[StingBitten]

My thoughts...

• The first 2 out were just plain embarrassing. Both were mentally weak, and should never have been selected. The fact that she burned through her ferrule rod in 48 hours says she doesn't have the skills to be out there (i.e. the fundamental basics of keeping a supply of dry kindling).
• Hippie chick seems the most prepared of all of them. She's gained significant weight in preparation, and is the only one so far to have any plans for a long-term shelter, building it early while she still has the energy reserves to do so. Clever... Not having a sleeping bag is an odd choice, but it does allow her to bring another survival item which the others won't have. Let's see how this plays out. The hippie dance during drop shock was amusing, certainly less pretentious than the welcome to country crap that dreadlocks put us through.
• Big White Hunter can't find anything to hunt, and doesn't have any of his hunting tools to kill them, even if he could find them. LOL.
• Ex-Army guy seems quite manic. Apparently he suffers from PTSD (mentioned in news reports, not in the show so far). Doesn't have the "go home factor", which afflicted dreadlocks so badly. Will be interesting to see how he fares.
• Air Force Pilot seems to know what he's doing with the fishing - looking for the type of food that the fish actually like to eat. Also has a plan to get beyond the snags close to shore. Seems competent.
• Young Kid. Catching COVID just before starting the adventure of a lifetime really sucks. He seemed to be struggling, but a fair chunk of that could be put down to illness. Feel sorry for him, and he certainly doesn't deserve to be lumped with the two idiots who tapped voluntarily.

Is anyone else amused at the irony of having 2 of the 3 "first nations" contestants being the first 2 eliminated?

What are you suggesting by 'irony'?

 

[Vader]

What are you suggesting by 'irony'?

The original inhabitants lived their whole lives off the land. Their descendants can't survive there for 24 hours, while the non-indigenous participants are all still going strong (except for the kid who caught COVID).

 

[CaptchaProofBot]

well I was hoping to actually learn a few basic survival skills......

will have to keep watching I guess...snort

if i had to choose one, do i take an axe...or hand saw ? axe seems more robust

 

[Vader]

I wonder if there's a diversity-pick element with those first two? Both clearly not up to it.

I'm all for seeing strong Indigenous people succeed in this show, and even a few I know in the south-west of WA who'd give it a real crack if they were willing to leave their Country.

In my view they were set up for failure a bit. That Rod bloke looked like he knew a lot of culture but the survivalist stuff really is next-level and requires a specific skill set.

There are 3 females on the cast. All are lesbian. There are 3x indigenous Australians (or were - as 2 of them left inside 24 hours).

They clearly went out of their way to cast a diverse cast, noting that the first season of the US version was criticised for casting 10 white men. Maybe there's an element of self-selection though, with many indigenous people maintaining a connection with the land that most non-indigenous people do not. Thus, they are more likely to apply for, and be selected for, a show like Alone.

 

[StingBitten]

There are 3 females on the cast. All are gay. There are 3x indigenous Australians (or were - as 2 of them left inside 24 hours).

They clearly went out of their way to cast a diverse cast, noting that the first season of the US version was criticised for casting 10 white men. Maybe there's an element of self-selection though, with many indigenous people maintaining a connection with the land that most non-indigenous people do not. Thus, they are more likely to apply for, and be selected for, a show like Alone.

I read somewhere there were less than 1000 applications, although that could be wrong.

I'm really not sure more Aboriginal people applied, indeed probably only those 3 did. As I mentioned in a previous post I've worked with a few Aboriginal people in the south-west and far north of WA who have grown up in the bush and would do incredibly well in 'Alone' - they'd never apply for the show because the prize money wouldn't be an incentive, they'd hate to leave Country and being on television would be a negative (they're very private people).

In my industry I find those types of Aboriginal people talk less about what their descendants would have done in X situation because it's disrespectful. I've always noticed when I've visited Melbourne and Sydney it doesn't seem to take much for some Aboriginal people there to claim expertise over their people and culture. Bizarre.

 

[StingBitten]

The original inhabitants lived their whole lives off the land. Their descendants can't survive there for 24 hours, while the non-indigenous participants are all still going strong (except for the kid who caught COVID).

I'm not sure you can sum up the capacity for all Aboriginal people to survive off the land based on those two numpties who tapped out.

 

[Vader]

We're now 2 episodes in, and there's still at least 1 contestant we haven't seen yet, and several others I don't remember seeing (maybe they just didn't make any impression on me).

Looking through the list, I can definitely remember the following contestants:
Beck - useless, self-eliminated
Chris - manic ex-Army
Gina - hippie
Jimmy - eliminated due to COVID
Mike - ex-RAAF pilot
Peter - Big White Hunter
Rob - embarrassment to himself & his family

Those I do not recall:
Duane
Kate
Michael

Does this suggest that these are the players who are likely to go deep into the game? Or, am I just reading too much into the editing choices. Maybe their Day 1-2 footage just wasn't very exciting.

 

[Vader]

I'm not sure you can sum up the capacity for all Aboriginal people to survive off the land based on those two numpties who tapped out.

No... the point was that the failure of this specific pair was ironic.

 

[Vader]

I read somewhere there were less than 1000 applications, although that could be wrong.

I'm really not sure more Aboriginal people applied, indeed probably only those 3 did. As I mentioned in a previous post I've worked with a few Aboriginal people in the south-west and far north of WA who have grown up in the bush and would do incredibly well in 'Alone' - they'd never apply for the show because the prize money wouldn't be an incentive, they'd hate to leave Country and being on television would be a negative (they're very private people).

In my industry I find those types of Aboriginal people talk less about what their descendants would have done in X situation because it's disrespectful. I've always noticed when I've visited Melbourne and Sydney it doesn't seem to take much for some Aboriginal people there to claim expertise over their people and culture. Bizarre.

Possibly. Given that we're not privy to the selection process, and know nothing whatsoever about the unsuccessful applicants, I guess we'll never know.

I remember hearing that there were around 1000 applications, over or under, it was around that figure. The US version has a lot more applications - probably because the off-the grid and "prepper" survivalist thing is much bigger over there.

These 2 contestants were staggeringly incompetent, but most of the others seem to have been well cast.

 

[StingBitten]

Possibly. Given that we're not privy to the selection process, and know nothing whatsoever about the unsuccessful applicants, I guess we'll never know.

I remember hearing that there were around 1000 applications, over or under, it was around that figure. The US version has a lot more applications - probably because the off-the grid and "prepper" survivalist thing is much bigger over there.

These 2 contestants were staggeringly incompetent, but most of the others seem to have been well cast.

If they wanted a couple of diversity picks, then up the number to 12+ contestants.

Only having 7 left after the first episode feels like a massive rip-off.

 

[Vader]

As far as food is concerned, so far we've seen a couple of attempts at fishing - and the Great White Hunter searching unsuccessfully for big game. So far nobody has gone looking for non-animal based food. Allan, the winner of the first US series, survived largely on a seaweed/kelp diet. Most contestants in the US version live largely on berries & greens, at least until winter kicks in hard (as it does in every US series). So far we haven't seen any of the AUS contestants even looking for this kind of food.

** I have no idea what kind of foods are available in the Tasmanian wilderness. They certainly won't be living off cranberries, like they do in the US version. The media releases mention them receiving training from the local tribe, so presumably this would have included non-animal food sources.

 

[CaptchaProofBot]

We're now 2 episodes in, and there's still at least 1 contestant we haven't seen yet, and several others I don't remember seeing (maybe they just didn't make any impression on me).

Looking through the list, I can definitely remember the following contestants:
Beck - useless, self-eliminated
Chris - manic ex-Army
Gina - hippie
Jimmy - eliminated due to COVID
Mike - ex-RAAF pilot
Peter - Big White Hunter
Rob - embarrassment to himself & his family

Those I do not recall:
Duane
Kate
Michael

Does this suggest that these are the players who are likely to go deep into the game? Or, am I just reading too much into the editing choices. Maybe their Day 1-2 footage just wasn't very exciting.

now c'mon Kate, 41, Wildlife Biologist, ACT

"“I’ve learned to think how animals think and understand their behaviour. I can identify species from tracks, traces and their calls. I’m not going to be in a rush to kill our native species as I’ve worked so hard to protect them, but I’m keen to take a shovel so I can target the unseen food, right under our feet; tubers, roots and other edibles.”

counting on you to teach me something useful here

Michael, 43

"With a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Bachelor of Applied Science – Medical Radiation Technology – Nuclear Medicine, Diploma of Conservation and Land Management and a Certificate IV in Business Management Diploma as tertiary credits, Michael worked as a veterinarian in his own practice for 14 years before selling the business to focus on his farm as well as his new passion – bush regeneration.


A committed Christian man who takes his faith seriously. He enjoys the quiet of his own company, Michael’s beliefs will be a source of strength to him at times when the isolation and loneliness prove toughest. "

has to be the brainiest of the lot here..............on paper, but as they say, it's a jungle out there....and a Christian to boot, just don't preach please, thankyou.

 

[Vader]

If they wanted a couple of diversity picks, then up the number to 12+ contestants.

Only having 7 left after the first episode feels like a massive rip-off.

It's pretty much standard, given what happens in many/most of the US seasons.

It's also worth noting that the producers have no idea who will pull the plug early, or how long the contest will last. They can't just drop 2 more contestants into the bush, just because 2 drop out early.

Typically, based on the US version, there's a high attrition rate early. Then it plateaus, and we see 0-1 contestant eliminated per episode. Then, as winter kicks in hard, and the food sources dry up, starvation becomes the main determinant. Typically there are only about 2-3 contestants left by the final episode.

 

[CaptchaProofBot]

As far as food is concerned, so far we've seen a couple of attempts at fishing - and the Great White Hunter searching unsuccessfully for big game. So far nobody has gone looking for non-animal based food. Allan, the winner of the first US series, survived largely on a seaweed/kelp diet. Most contestants in the US version live largely on berries & greens, at least until winter kicks in hard (as it does in every US series). So far we haven't seen any of the AUS contestants even looking for this kind of food.

** I have no idea what kind of foods are available in the Tasmanian wilderness. They certainly won't be living off cranberries, like they do in the US version. The media releases mention them receiving training from the local tribe, so presumably this would have included non-animal food sources.

haha I can't wait for the Big Game Hunter to do a David Attenborough impersonation as he creeps up to a can of Campbell's Chunky Stockpot....

"....and here's what we experts call...........Canned hunting....isn't she a beauty ?" smack lips.

 

[Vader]

It's worth noting that the first season of Alone had 2x contestants tap inside 48 hours - and 6 of 10 contestants were gone within 8 days. Then there was a big gap, to the 7th contestant, who left after 39 days (the winner was still standing on day 45).

The later US seasons had fewer early tap outs, and most of those were medically withdrawn. The contestants in these seasons were better prepared - having watched previous seasons, and thus having a better idea of what to expect. I suspect the casting agents may also have improved their selection, gaining experience in identifying contestants who are more likely to go the distance.

 

[CaptchaProofBot]

now c'mon Kate, 41, Wildlife Biologist, ACT

"“I’ve learned to think how animals think and understand their behaviour. I can identify species from tracks, traces and their calls. I’m not going to be in a rush to kill our native species as I’ve worked so hard to protect them, but I’m keen to take a shovel so I can target the unseen food, right under our feet; tubers, roots and other edibles.”

counting on you to teach me something useful here

Michael, 43

"With a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Bachelor of Applied Science – Medical Radiation Technology – Nuclear Medicine, Diploma of Conservation and Land Management and a Certificate IV in Business Management Diploma as tertiary credits, Michael worked as a veterinarian in his own practice for 14 years before selling the business to focus on his farm as well as his new passion – bush regeneration.


A committed Christian man who takes his faith seriously. He enjoys the quiet of his own company, Michael’s beliefs will be a source of strength to him at times when the isolation and loneliness prove toughest. "

has to be the brainiest of the lot here..............on paper, but as they say, it's a jungle out there....and a Christian to boot, just don't preach please, thankyou.

awwww nooooooooooooo I spoke too soon he's already declared he's representing the Christians out here, it's his secret weapon...

 

[CaptchaProofBot]

goes to show we need more skilled migrants...

skilled at not tapping out after one day...

 

[Vader]

Another thing I noticed last night is that the Aus version has a LOT more swearing than the US version. Don't know if that's because Australians swear more, or if it's a difference in the broadcasting standards between Aus & USA (with US footage of swearing not being broadcast). It could also be a casting decision, with many US contestants being very mild-mannered, and probably less prone to swearing in the first place.

 

[StingBitten]

I only really noticed the school teacher swearing and carrying on?

The US version actually bleeps the swear words whereas we hear it in full (our Aussie right!)

 

[Vader]

I only really noticed the school teacher swearing and carrying on?

The US version actually bleeps the swear words whereas we hear it in full (our Aussie right!)

Yeah, there's a few that creep through and get bleeped - but it's nowhere near as prevalent as it is in the Aus version. Not complaining, just noting it as a difference.

Several of them swore in the episode, usually when they slipped/fell over, or something along those lines.

 

[CaptchaProofBot]

well there you go, i did joke they shoulda dropped Jimmy on the other side of the island !

not really spoiler...we know Jimmy got Covid

Alone Australia's Jimmy reveals 'toughest' part of the show: 'Surprised'

EXCLUSIVE: Alone Australia's Jimmy has revealed the 'toughest' part of the show after being forced to tap out against his will. Read more.

au.lifestyle.yahoo.com

 

[Macca19]

Dreads leaving after one night. Carn bro. Thats not even trying.

 

[Sqotty from office works]

1/hippie chick gained an extra item by not taking a sleeping bag, the possum skin coat will be just as warm(great thinking)

2/you're allowed to eat wallabies.
You could smoke 40 kilos of meat and hang it high in tree away from devils.

3/ if you are the weakest person on earth and slept all day in your bivvy without doing anything you would last a week minimum.

4/ wallabies very easily trapped hunted in this situation.

5/ new age Christians sink,starve die of thirst quicker than the average person.

 

[Vader]

The highlight or rather lowlight was definitely the indigenous lady freaking out about some bushes moving in the forrest. LMFAO

Agreed. This is Tasmania - the apex predator is the Tasmanian Devil. We're not talking the USA, where they had to contend with bears, and wolf packs.

If you hear a noise, under those circumstances - go and investigate, it could be food!

 

[CaptchaProofBot]

1/hippie chick gained an extra item by not taking a sleeping bag, the possum skin coat will be just as warm(great thinking)

2/you're allowed to eat wallabies.
You could smoke 40 kilos of meat and hang it high in tree away from devils.

3/ if you are the weakest person on earth and slept all day in your bivvy without doing anything you would last a week minimum.

4/ wallabies very easily trapped hunted in this situation.

5/ new age Christians sink,starve die of thirst quicker than the average person.

zachary...as can be seen in animals all over...even apex predators....most hunts end in failures so you can go without food for a long time...that's why I think it pays to practice some fasting so you know you CAN do it...heck i did it for 3 days WITH doing weights as usual,
the hardest day was the 2nd morning, after that you get used to it...and 3 days is not that long anyway. Water is def more important.