'Kid Nation' goes from democracy to fascism

I've made several joking references to how Kid Nation has been advocating Communism, but Wednesday (Nov. 21) night's episode offered the most telling depiction of how kids are naturally and instinctively drawn to fascism since the 1981 telefilm The Wave.

[If you have issues with this recap containing spoilers, I may need to take away your Constitutional rights. That'll learn you.]

Put a different way, I have little choice but to reference locally respected newsman Kent Brockman, who once famously observed, "I've said it before and I'll say it again... democracy simply doesn't work."

As Kid Nation fans will recall, last week's episode ended with Boring Host Man making the stunning announcement that it was time for another set of elections in Bonanza City, followed by the equally shocking discovery that all four district seats would be up for grabs. While the first Bonanza City election had all of the trappings of a school popularity contest, complete with signs and campaigning, Wednesday's election took place in the opening minutes of the episode, following only quick speeches.

The Races:

Red District: It was Guylan versus DK, but Guylan's speech was short and simple. "Guys, Vote me off!" Since there were no objections, DK was elected without a vote. Guylan seemed overjoyed to be done with the responsibility, though his predecessor, Mike, couldn't resist giving the camera a big "Told him so."

Yellow District: Zach versus Blaine. Zach said he loved his job ("You suck at it," Taylor thoughtfully informed him) and that he hoped to progress. Blaine said that the town needed greater motivation. Despite only having been on Yellow for a couple days, Blaine won a 5-to-4 vote. "This job sucks, but you'll love it," Zach told him.

Blue District: Anjay versus Greg. Anjay begged, "I just ask you to look at my whole track record. All I'm asking is that you give me a second chance." Greg countered, "I may have a bad past, but maybe this is my chance to show that I'm not such a bad guy. Vote for me." By a vote of 7-to-2, the Blue district remembered that this would actually be Anjay's third chance and elected Greg.

Green Distinct: Laurel versus Michael. While Laurel swore that she loved the town and representing it, Michael just said he wanted to test himself. Sensing that the spirit of change was in the air, Green elected Michael 6-to-3.

That left Bonanza City with a council newly composed of four of the town's oldest males, but the gender discrepancy wasn't what was concerning Sophia.

"This is for me, one of the worst case scenarios for Bonanza City," Sophia told Laurel, before adding to the camera, "I feel like someone just won the presidential election with no background check."

The newly formed Council's first determination was that things were getting too rude and, at Blaine's suggestion, they decided to do some communication exercise that would have been useful on their first day in the town, but was treated with outright hostility by the community 29 days in. Each kid had to get up and say something about themselves, but if there was laughter, derision or any comment at all, everybody had to start over.

We never saw if they finished, but back in the Green bunks, Michael admitted the game was a bad idea and said he should have stood up for what he believed in. As the Green District discussed Greg and Blaine's autocracy, the two big kids snuck up on the bunk and listened in on the conversation. The next day, they brought DK over and lied to him that Green had been talking trash about all three of them cut off their noses to spite their faces in an immature display of willfulness on Main Street.

So we have a new regime, elected by a razor thin margin, that begins by imposing order and repressing negative feedback, follows by improperly wire-tapping the opposition and proceeds to swaying opposing political leaders through misinformation?

"What is this? A Nazi regime?" an enraged Sophia complained.

That's one way to look at it.

There were signs of conciliation later, but things looked mighty ugly in Bonanza City and there's no real reason to believe that things are going to get better. Even if they promise to change, kids -- especially Greg and Taylor, it appears -- are prone to backsliding.

Other facets of the episode?

Showdown: Since we didn't have a journal entry this week, Boring Host Man explained that communication was a problem in original Bonanza City and that the Showdown would test their communication skills. Actually it tested their ability to throw pie around and to put communication devices in historical order. Although Michael had the lead, Greg put his devices in order properly first, getting Upper Class for Blue. From there, it went Green, Yellow and Red, which came in just in time for the town to earn reward. Their choice? Four ponies or letters from home. "We've decided to take the ponies... And throw them out the window," Greg announced. And even after telling the perpetually lazy Taylor that should couldn't have reward, they backed down, saving everybody a tantrum of epic proportions.

Town Meeting: Asked if anybody disagreed with the work of the Council, the Green District uniformly raised their hand. Greg then proceeded to personalize the insult and challenge everybody to vent, picking fights with each and every one of them. Although he volunteered to leave if half the town wanted him gone, Michael, DK and everybody else made it clear that everybody just wanted him to be a better person. Greg finally semi-backed down and said, "Now that I think about it, I can see where they're coming from, in a way."

Gold Star: Despite two straight lackluster episodes, with last week's obstinacy and this week's resignation, Laurel still deserved the star. Only Divad was probably unhappy.

What'd folks think of this week's episode? And Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

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