The Garden: Commune or Cult

I wouldn't describe this show as terrible. I don't really like fake drama passed off as real, but I could tolerate this show most of the time.

My blood would boil every time a character would deliberate about if The Garden is a cult. They would say asinine things like, "well, they have a leader, so they're definitely a cult." Or "they kicked someone out, which as everyone knows means they're a cult." Never mind that there is no religious component, people are free to leave whenever they want, there is no overt pressure of conformity, etc etc. The tagline question of "Commune of Cult" is clearly answered in the first 10 minutes.

Now, there are other dysfunctional practices that are still allowed to be questioned, but we've got the big one out of the way. Kinda click-baity to base the entire premise of your show around something so obvious from the get-go.

By the way, voluntary communities are allowed to have leaders, agreed-upon systems of governance (ie. Unanimity, consent through silence, etc.), and they can kick people out for whatever reason they want.

I just have to provide a retort to Tyler, from my neck of the woods here in (rural) Colorado, not too far from Colorado Springs: You are an ex-military person, a self-proclaimed end-of-days "prepper" who claims that when "the time comes," we'll all be begging for you to help us. And you'll just tell all of us, "F-- you!" So my response to that egotistical load of your b.s. Is this: I, for one, will never, ever ask for any sort of assistance from you. Sure, I might perish in this so-called "end-of-days," as many, many other people might, as well. So, no Tyler, F-- you man! Those sharing your fear, have said and will continue to say our prayers.

This show is a ride from the very first episode. While many "cult" docs as of late have been focused on the manipulation of the members by some evil leader, this one really gives you insight to their everyday lives and the natural struggles that come living in an ungoverned society.

If it is a cult... sign me up!!! There are clearly a lot of pros and cons to living off the land and even more barriers when it comes to living with each other peacefully but the community and bond that is formed as a result looks so fulfilling.

There's some level of leadership, sure. But this isn't how I think of cults. There's no one major leader at the top trying to profit or be a master manipulator. Patrick owns the land and has some level of authority but these people crying that it's some horrible cult need to go study/watch the NXIVM cult and some of the other crazy ones where a ton of crimes and financial/emotional manipulation is taking place.

I thought that I was watching a docuseries, what I got was a bunch of petty drama typical of a reality show. It's like The Real World, only off the grid. These people are insufferably disagreeable and sanctimonious. They're basically the kids that hated taking baths as children, only a few decades later. Now they live in the woods and mock the rest of us as "conformists. " I get the impression that the whole cult question is nothing more than marketing to hook people into check out this series. That Carrot Top looking mofo with "Tree Forrester" (so much cringe) as a sobriquet is also the last person that I would nominate as a spokesperson for any organization.

Bleeping out the curse words made it unwatchable. These are people who swear ALOT. They could have put a warning at the beginning and let it go.

I love a good documentary. I love living off the grid as much as possible. I hoped maybe I could get some good project ideas for my land. From the previews I could tell these were the kind of people I have known all my life, good and bad. I got 1/2 way through the first episode and gave up. Maybe it's a cult? Maybe it's just a groovy bunch of people. I'll never know because y'all think we can't handle a few curse words.

If you're too fragile to hear the naughty words this is the documentary for you.