Bonanza City becomes Upset City for 'Kid Nation'

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:

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