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One of the biggest tragedies is that this series ended abruptly due to HBO merger. I loved the world building, the characters and the unique mysteries that this series created. It was also visually stunning to watch. I wanted more.

In listening to the contestants, there are many of them who come poverty or who really need the prize money. They are not participating for our entertainment. They are willing to starve, freeze and put their health at risk to win. And while understand that there is a deep desire to outlast, and share with the world their amazing survival skills, there is a problem at the root of this show. At its heart, it is exploitative show with a zero sum reward system. It puts people in danger by simply giving nothing to anyone but the winner, thereby encouraging participants to push themselves far beyond their health and safety limits to be the last one standing. I don't understand why they are not providing financial compensation to all who participate. 100K for each to participant on the show would make a difference in these folks lives and the History channel makes a ton on ad revenue and selling content to other streaming services. They can still have the big prize money to whoever lasts the longest, but folks will probably make healthier and safer choices knowing they are not leaving empty handed. Otherwise, it will stay a brutal one-sided gladiator match against time for the entertainment of observers.

The opening of the first episode starts with a school shooting. The attack on the younglings. Pretty stressful and shows poor judgement after the events in Texas this week to have that scene without warning. And once again, it was very disappointing to have Star Wars cast bad child actors. It made it uncomfortable to watch. The child writing was bad as well...or maybe it was the delivery. Sure, the young girl was cute, but she was terrible. Embarrassing, even. It reminded me of watching young Anakin, who was not a strong actor. Why did they do this again? I know there is great child talent out there Lastly, watching her run, so slowly, and adults not being able to catch her was just weird and bizarre.