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.

Three, well-to-do, clueless American families are tasked to experience the frontier and all that the 1800s has to offer.

Like other viewers, the families are all well off though diverse enough. I'm not sure non well--off families could afford a 3-month vacay experiment so it makes sense why all the families are rich (who knows if they are compensated or not). Furthermore, I'm not sure what their expectations were or what they were told, but from the git-go, they all seemed flabbergasted the couldn't wear makeup or bring their phones or thought there would be indoor plumbing or even a house to live in (not just have to pseudo fix up a house) or freak out over dirt/bugs and having to eat meat in a can.

The worst person in this show is Stacy--this woman cannot stop whining and crying about how 'hard it is' in every episode and she's catty and rude and annoying AF. What did she expect living on the frontier in the 1880s would be like??? Starbucks in the back yard and a maid at the ready? She's constantly surprised and overwhelmed and shocked by how hard it is. I'm no expert but DUH. Luckily, she is offset by her mother-in-law, who is freaking AWESOME and she makes Stacy less dumb and immature and annoying. The gay dads and their twin kids were the most interesting, not because the family dynamics, but the dad's ability to adapt and they really worked together and didn't whine or go on about how hard it is. They were probably the most well-off and the most out of their depth but the dads continued to push themselves and each other and they're just so darn likable. The other white family--the dad is a major JERK and he takes up too much space. I suppose it adds some spice/drama but wow, what a major jerk.

Anyway--the sheer ineptitude and cluelessness of these families is probably the point and part of the fabric of this 'reality' show. One, it showcases how ignorant all 3 families are of American history, though that's par for the course in general when it comes to education in this country but it just showcases their lack of awareness in general. Two, at least from my take, this show is to really see if these families can find a common, human and humane ground with each other versus drowning in the distractions of 21st century luxury where they are disconnected from one another as a family and a small community.

Whether this is intention or not, I do think seeing these families and individuals start to grasp what it is to be just people in the same boat and what struggling really is (though this setup is a mere concept as these families aren't really struggling at all, they just don't have the common luxuries) is the most interesting aspect of this series.

Do I wish this was more realistic? Yes, but also, realistically, you can't put modern families in the true rough and tumble for that long or they'd probably die...hahaha. I'd love to this series evolve to more realism, with more diverse families, and an entire year. The show has experts in homestead/history/frontier life so that makes this show somewhat education and informative vs just...whatever else this show is about.

Overall, it's escapism and we've got a whole season left so I have hope it develops more and more but we shall see!

I think the 1st episode was perfect! This shows how the families were before going to the frontier. I cannot wait to see what else is in store. This show may not be for everyone but my family loved it! You can learn how to cook, live and survive. No one knows what the future holds. Would love 2 episodes a week. But I guess I will have to settle for the 1. I think the Hayes family will make it pretty far. Working together as a little town and helping each other out will also make each family make it further.

I am hoping to see employment opportunities for families that were back then and how they bathe as well.

The kids of the 2 gay guys are clearly ADHD or perhaps on the spectrum or have some other developmental issues. Early intervention might help and clearly, these kids need some major intervention.. The loper mom is beyond ridiculous. She cries all the time and comes across as uneducated but entitled with some make believe accent and a mentality that I don't know who could understand . She also made that ridiculous comment about driving up the auction price for the other family. How nasty can one educated individual be? Wowzer, I just can't stand her. She needs a major overhaul.

I remember loving an older PBS series similar to this, so I was excited to watch Back to the Frontier. Sadly, the camera operators are right up beside the families and are way too noticeable. Also, you can tell the families are acting out scripted dialogue and contrived conflict. Watching them figure out how to cook and build is fun, and the grandmother is the star of the bunch with her life experience. I just wish the show creators had chosen to pull the cameras back where they don't interfere so much and resisted the urge to script so much of each episode.