After spending the first chunk of the season governed by four leaders picked by the show producers, the pioneers of Bonanza City went to the polls on Wednesday (Oct. 17) night's Kid Nation. Some of the results were surprising, others completely satisfying.

The electoral races...

Green District:

The Race -- Laurel has always seemed like the most level-headed of the leaders, the only council member who hasn't pulled a power play or looked like an utter buffoon at any point. She's also the only leader to call a cohesive district meeting to see if anybody wants to run against her. Because she's the only council member practicing actual democracy, it's somewhat ironic and somewhat appropriate that she's the only one who goes unopposed. Michael, famed for his oratory skills and winner of a Gold Star, says he'd probably have run in a different district and even Sophia, outspoken in her opposition to certain council decisions, says she wouldn't have done as well as Laurel. The Massachusetts native is touched and says, "I guess I'm staying in powah."

Blue District:

The Race -- Anjay is sort of like one of those Chicago politicians who basically served as a front-man for the mob by looking the other way and taking graft on the side. He's held power well because Greg and Blaine have kept them performing well in challenges. Running against him is Olivia, self-righteous sister of Gold Star winner Mallory. Eager to step out of her pint-sized sibling's giant shadow, Olivia instructs her district, "This is not a popularity contest. Vote for the person you think would make the best leader." Anjay, for his part, admits that mistakes were made, but vows to do better.

The Vote -- Olivia comes to the meeting knowing that if the Greg alliance doesn't go her way, she's toast. Indeed, the race starts tight, but Anjay wins easily. "I will respect your opinions in the future," an ostensibly humbled Anjay tells his foe. "I don't believe you," is Olivia's gracious response. Look, I feel guilty saying I don't like a 12-year-old girl, but I don't like Olivia. Go Anjay!

Yellow District:

The Race -- As a beauty queen, Taylor may be aces, but as a leader, she sort of stinks. Deal with it. Tensions between Taylor and Zach have been rising since the first days and it's no surprised to see him try to take her down. After all, she sleeps in and complains, he works hard and brings Judaism to the masses. Who do you love? Taylor's speech acknowledges her poor behavior, but she makes a promise (her third or fourth of the kind) to work hard. Zach gives a long and well-prepared speech emphasizing actions over words. Everybody cheers. Taylor rolls her eyes and mutters, "I was like, 'Yeah, that was a good speech, but it's not the best I've ever heard.'"

The Vote -- Zach enters expecting to lose because the girls are all expected to side with Taylor. It's the tensest of the votes, with that annoying host guy reading every ballot extra slowly. Everybody in the room cheers when Zach gets a vote, with silence when Taylor gets one. The last and deciding vote goes to Zach, who yells "Viva La Revolucion!" Taylor is less of a poor sport than you might have imagined. And which girl turned on Taylor? It would seem to be 11-year-old Randi, my new favorite kid. Meanwhile, it would appear that by moving to a leadership position, Zach probably cost himself an inevitable $20,000 Gold Star sometime in the near future.

Red District:

The Race -- If Taylor has led by example (namely sleeping in and neglecting duties), Mike had led by loudly barking out orders to his fellow kids and by whining a lot. He's made an effort at leadership, though, however bullhead and it's a bit surprising to see Guylan, who first appeared on camera last week, opt to run against him. Nobody is more surprised than Mike, who thinks of the home schooled Guylan as more of a follower. In his speech, Mike says that he takes charge and leader take charge. Guylan promises to make Red more of a democracy and less of a dictatorship.

The Vote -- Sometimes the people just want change. That's what Mike finds out. Guylan triumphs easily. Mike response was priceless (something about his ego being chewed up, digested and spit out by a coyote), but I didn't transcribe it quickly enough. My apologies.

Other episodic things of note:

This week's Showdown Challenge was the silliest yet. A field of pinatas containing pictures of the presidents? Lame. But it did give us the one of Taylor's cronies who said that just because Zach is smart doesn't mean he should be in power, because our current president isn't smart and he's been elected twice in a row.

The reward choice was between a meat-filled party and a dental hygiene collection. It turns out that the kids have been using baking soda and their fingers for the first two weeks. That's gross. Naturally, the rank-and-file want the BBQ, but they get floss.

And the Gold Star? Finally it went to Greg, even though this was for a week where we didn't see him do any work at all. What we did see was the former bully consoling a sobbing Leila after Markelle destroyed one of Taylor's signs. That earned the beauty queen's dedication and even Mike called Greg "a pretty cool guy." Greg, on the verge of tears (and bringing several other kids to tears) said that this money would allow him to go to college. I appreciate that Sophia didn't tell him how much college really costs.

What'd you think of the elections? And of this week's show in general?

Comments

It was very to see Taylor´s reign is over. Mike´s defeat was harsh but very cool. Greg´s gold star, it was about time!

David Puerto Rico | Oct 18, 2007 6:25:02 AM | #

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Ditto on the Greg gold star. I was pretty touched by that scene, as was our whole family whose been following this show from the first ep. If it wasn't for Greg, the town would have folded a long time ago.

Good riddance to Taylor. Hate bashing such a little kid, but its my honest opinion!

Anyone else notice how 3 of the 5 gold stars have gone to someone from the green district? Guess Laurel is indeed a quality leader. She OWNS that council.

Houston Guy | Oct 18, 2007 6:35:05 AM | #

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It was satisfying to see Taylor replaced on the council, but from the looks of it her behavior doesn't improve. I'm not sure if she is just spoiled or acting her age because she doesn't do anything she doesn't want to do. Next week looks like more of the same and she's only thinking of herself. Since she's now a part of the Council team and is not required to work, I predict she won't do much and what she does do will probably not amount to much. Let's hope that her propensity to peer pressure and cliquiness don't bring down the whole town around her.

It was such a shock to see that the only person who voted for Mike to stay on the council was Mike. That was cold!

FLA Gal | Oct 18, 2007 10:11:48 AM | #

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I'm glad that Taylor is done on the concil, but she could still cause trouble. I was sad to Mike go, since he has been my favorite TC member from the beginning. Laurel and Anjay stay, which is cool. I wish that Michael would be able to run but I was glad that Zach fially got the job.

Andrew hopkins | Oct 18, 2007 1:21:53 PM | #

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finally Greg wins the gold star...i hope he wins it again...cause 40k is closer to paying for half of college

Tony from Jersey | Oct 19, 2007 7:31:04 AM | #

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What an entertaining episode! I am SHOCKED that this show is not doing better than it is. I can't wait to see what these kids do next!

Billy | Oct 19, 2007 8:04:11 AM | #

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hey yellow team you all rule and so does the blue team and the green and the red but this week i was votting for the yellow team because they have never be the upper class and i wanted them to wim so LETS GO YELLOW TEAM and other teams YOU ALL RULE TOO but i want Taylor to be on the council because she was a good council member

Elisa Rubin | Oct 19, 2007 5:50:18 PM | #

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I ♥ GREG!!!!!!!! HE IS SO HOTTT

ASHLEY | Oct 20, 2007 5:36:35 PM | #

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GREG!!!! WRITE ME A SONG WITH MY NAME IN IT!!! CAZ I ♥ u!!! ♥ ♥

Paige | Oct 20, 2007 5:37:38 PM | #

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I think Zach is soooooooooo HOT!!!

Haley | Oct 27, 2007 10:54:11 AM | #

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♥I love you zach!!!♥

Haley | Oct 27, 2007 10:56:05 AM | #

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I am so glad that Taylor is out of concil because she is a "BIG FAT SPOILED BRAT".
I think that Laila is being controld by Talor.Pluse I think that Zach is cute to.
Go Zach go DK GO Zach go DK.boooooooooo TAYLOR!THAT LITTLE SPIOLED BUETEY QWEEN!

yolimar | Oct 28, 2007 4:42:34 PM | #

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Okay, the people who host that show messed up when they told those kids that the Goldstar is 20,000 dollars, now they just work for the star not Bonanza! It is a cool show though. Plus i think Hunter is cute! Alex is a 9 year old GUINES! He is sooo smart, but he screamed when he got the gld star and his 1 tooth was showing. It was hilarious, he was all " Oh my gooooooooooooooosh! It was funny. And Taylor is probley tooo embarred rigth now. She is a spoiled brat! Greg is ugly, and he just worked for the gold star and after he won it he is like, " Hey letts be a bully, I mean I already got 20,00 dollars." he just worked for the star and now he is one counsil? What the money sandwich! Well I can't wait for the season finally!

P.S who was the first gold star winner?

Awesomeness | Dec 6, 2007 4:32:51 PM | #

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how do you guys put the lil hearts

hayden | Dec 10, 2007 3:36:26 PM | #

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