These people are phonies. I lived in Alaska for 17 years and they are the strangest people ever. Let's start with Billy, he is a published author, so they are not as poor, as they would have us believe. They only stayed in Alaska during filming, then went back to Washington state.They cheated the people of Alaska by accepting PFD checks they weren't entitled to, and got preferential from the legal system because of their celebrity. As for their closeness, I say bulls_ _ t. The old man kicked oldest son Matt out of the family because of drinking, so it is only all for one as long as you obey Billy. This show is so phony, I don't waste time watching it anymore