MovieChat Forums > The Colony (2009) Discussion > There was really no point in moving.

There was really no point in moving.

posted 14 years ago by PlaceboOverdose
24 replies | jump to latest

Moving away is too much of a risk full of unknown entities. When two of the party members were infected and had to go their separate ways it should have sounded some bells. This all really boils down to security issues and how being a bunch of pushovers for so long opened them up to a world of hurt. When someone thinks they can walk all over you they will repeatedly come back until their knocked on their ass. Fleeing from opposition is not any sort of answer.

Some people will probably point out that food was becoming a huge issue, but I would argue that they could simply get a couple of people to take the boat out and get food every several days. Especially since they know where food is. One of the upsides to the old area was their familiarity with it. Who is to say that the house they found won't be a sitting duck? There might be bigger and badder gangs in that area. If they couldn't handle gangs in the old area then what makes them think they could potentially ward off bigger gangs? Completely uprooting and moving elsewhere is a huge gamble as evidenced by two members of the group already getting infected.

Then there's the whole issue of them having to leave behind their resources and inventions. A lot of work left behind to collect dust just because they couldn't defend themselves. On a closing note, I can't articulate how stupid it is for a group that routinely gets defeated to pick a fight with a gang before they leave. Not only does it raise a flag that states, "Hey, we're leaving", but it also sort of challenges the gang to come and find them. It would have been much more prudent to try to sneak out without drawing any sort of attention to themselves.

In summation, what can be learned from this show is that security is the most important thing. Even more so than food or water. If you can't defend the food or water you have then you may as well not have any. When the group said that they absolutely had to leave then it was a white flag being thrown up.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] PlaceboOverdose 14 years ago

That's true, but I still don't think they have a valid reason for moving. They have everything they need at the old compound except for food. Now they know where to find food so they have everything they need. They're essentially moving because they have no type of security and that is their fault. Because of their lack of security, they're moving into an area where they know virtually about it. It's a huge risk.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Bernnard_Black 14 years ago

The move is about a hell of a lot more than just food. As Tick pointed out, it's about security; the fish camp house is FAR more secure than the place they're in right now. The militia camp guys can't get to them there without a boat. The proximity of the food and water is a huge plus as well, not to mention the fact that the house is much more comfortable. Moving makes total sense.

[–] Banjo_oz 14 years ago

I agree, except for... well... blood spitting virus carriers! :(

[–] PlaceboOverdose 14 years ago

But moving doesn't make sense. At the old compound, the group was relatively safe from the virus. They knew their surroundings. They knew the lay of the land. They knew where their enemies are. They don't know anything about the new place. Yes, they gained food, but they lost two group members. Do you think that is an even trade off? I sure as hell don't. Sure, they got away from their old enemies, but who is to say that the new area won't give birth to bigger and badder gangs?

[–] Banjo_oz 14 years ago

One thing that gets me is that they're talking about hitting the raiders hard just before they leave (ridiculous idea, IMO, unless they plan to actually KILL them all). So will have the surviving raiders looking for them at worst, or ready for them if they ever come back at best?!

And while I agree that the fishing camp is a better place to be (food, comfort, defense, etc.), the fact the virus killed two of their people within hours of arriving would make it MUCH less a rosy and safe prospect in my mind!

[–] Bernnard_Black 14 years ago

I'd still rather move. Sorry, but it makes more sense. The fishing camp is isolated, with no other structures around it. It's easier to defend, it provides better shelter and more food. The current house is hard to defend, miles from food sources, and most of all, a known target for the raiders. Sitting still when you're enemy knows where you are? Bad move. They're outnumbered now about 4 to 1; another good raid could finish them off. They need to get out of there. Is the virus a danger? Sure. But you could just as easily run into an infected person at the current house as at the fish camp; more easily, in fact, since they have to travel much further to secure food and water. Traveling is the time when they're most at risk.

[–] lonesocialist 14 years ago

Totally agree. When you are on the move, your chances of coming across resources and mitigating danger are greatly reduced. I don't agree that getting together in such a large group is safe either, but that's the show.

[–] PlaceboOverdose 14 years ago

I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. It was too much of a gamble. It was also enormously moronic for them to pick fights with someone before leaving. Now they have nowhere to go and they can't go back either. They should have just sent people out on the boat to get food, have them bring it back, and have the rest of group focus on security measures.

[–] tvbuff-7 14 years ago

Moving was an odd risk to undertake. Two people were infected within 24 hours in the Bayou, no one has been infected in almost 50 days in the main camp, let's go to the Bayou. Raiding the other camp was just dumb. They worked hard trying to justify it, but it never made sense. If they were going to a place that was supposed to have so much food, why not save your energy for gathering and hunting there rather than antagonizing an already aggressive camp. Did they even put those fuel canisters on the boat?

[–] PlaceboOverdose 14 years ago

tvbuff-7, I totally agree with you. That's what I was trying convey throughout this thread.

[–] Tousdae 14 years ago

And they lost their house!

There was no need for them to raid the others for a few cans of food, especially when where they were going provided enough. That decision infuriated me. So they raid the others for a few cans of fruit, get to the new house to find it was occupied and oh! guess what! becuz of our raid we got our old house blown up! Now they have nowhere to go. Dumb Move! Out of all the colonists, (and not raiding the others should have just been common sense!) shouldn't Tick have at least been against that with his military background?

[–] DasBuch99 14 years ago

"That decision infuriated me"

You realize that this show is completely scripted, right? I am not saying that the people who played Colonists were actors, but there are no "decisions" made by them. They are told exactly what to do, everyday that they wake up by a director and two on set producers. If they don't know what to do, they are given off screen assistance and education on how to accomplish certain projects.

[–] Tousdae 14 years ago

Nope. I figured the colonists were guided at certain times, but didn't think that everything was completely scripted. There isn't much point of the show then.

[–] DasBuch99 14 years ago

The whole show, scripted from day one. There are constantly set people accidentally appearing in scenes and if you watch the eyes of the cast members you can actually see them watching for direction from the director.

It's scripted reality. Nothing more, nothing less.

[–] Soundb2 14 years ago

When they got the engine running in the VOPA tent Sally was most definitely talking to someone off camera (not a colonist).

[–] The_highlander 14 years ago

Where do you get this information? You think you see them looking at crew and directors giving them commands off screen, but thats a stupid assumption given there are other colonists they could be looking at, not to mention the obvious camera man and of course the medics that are there around the clock for safety reasons. I had the opportunity to speak to one of the camera operators (friend of my cousin, even got to see a photo of him filming during the final day) and specifically asked him how much was fake and real, and his response was "Well, I guess I would put it at about 5-10% directed, 20-30% being guided and 60-70% being their own choices." I also asked if the projects being built were designed ahead of time and pushed to them off camera, and he stated "Well... Yes and no. I guess. Its not really that simple. Sometimes they get it right when they are designing it, and then we just step back and let them do their thing. But sometimes there are problems with little parts of the design, like a piece they are having problems finding or figuring what to use or where to get it. Then we may throw out a suggestion, or even point them in the direction where they may find what they need, but its still up to them to find it, retrieve it, and then put it to use. As far as the builds go the crew does all it can to keep from interfering unless it has the potential to disrupt the flow and continuation of filming or the potential to seriously injure someone. The biggest way you could claim we interfere is after they are done with a "project" the crew inspect it thoroughly to be sure its not gonna blow up and kill someone."

Now is this show 100% real. Hell no. But claiming its scripted 100% is as asinine as it gets. That would eliminate the entire purpose of the show. When people claim this I think its more out of jealousy for some of the accomplishments made by the colonists and disbelief that some things actually work. I love to build things out of junk and could have made some of their projects easily. These claims read as "I couldn't do it, so it must be fake" probably because of a dislike for those involved. There's a small chance they could find that many people with even a small ability at acting to fill all of the rolls and still be unknowns and be as believable in some of those situations. Some parts, especially in the beginning may come across as acting because they start out thinking is gonna be like a game or a big joke...

The idea that the show must be scripted because the people in it are too stupid to do these things on their own is completely pompous. At most its about 35% scripted because if they do fail, then the show would end prematurely and all the money and time spent preparing would be wasted. Only in extreme situations do they actually disrupt the artificial reality for safety's sake and production problems, but these instances tend to be rare.

Even counting the 35% scripted, most of that is "don't eat that it might kill you" and suggestions regarding resources and places to check out. But the colonists have the freedom of choice to follow a good portion of this advice or go their own way. Some things have to be scripted (but not to the colonists eyes, they just get a push in that direction, which is arguably cheating, but no where near your claim of "completely scripted")other things are left up to them.

Of course they talk to people off camera who aren't colonists. Do you really think you could have other people working there and not speak to them from time to time or build some sort of relationship, especially after several weeks. Yes they have to pretend as far as the cameras are concerned, but I do love how every last time one of them talks to someone off camera people always claims its someone who is telling them what to do, with absolutely no evidence of that. I am surprised no one is bitching about the interviews they each give every episode...

Is it completely 100% real? No. Is it 100% fake. No. Its a mix, and a hell of a lot closer to reality than any of the other "reality" tv shows out there. Survivor anyone?

[–] Soundb2 14 years ago

I didn't say its scripted... I have been one of the people claiming its authenticity. I just pointed out that she did talk to someone off camera, but I think it was more out like "Hey I actually did this! I want to share it".

[–] The_highlander 14 years ago

Sorry, that wasn't directed at you it was directed at DasBuch99

[–] Banjo_oz 14 years ago

Awesome post... and that's exactly how I always imagined the show (both seasons) were done.

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[–] Promontorium 11 years ago

Nope. Food and water were insecure. They were being attacked by too many people. Moving out to a more remote area seemed brilliant. Yes they failed on security, but the way it was presented was an untenable situation. Constantly being attacked is no way to live. No security set up is fool proof.