They are not thriving---but dying

Self evident. SAD.

"A stitch in time, saves your embarrassment." (RIP Ms. Penny LoBello)

Survival experts my arse.

First rule of Survival 101... don't eat fruit that might be contaminated.

This is a very hazardous location, IMO. The tick fever alone is something that will knock you on your ass for a week. My brother had tick fever once, and he had to be hospitalized.

Now it seems that Jake may have caught Hepatitis-C, with the jaundiced eyes. That will stay with him for a long time.

The producers were irresponsible in choosing this location. Carrie Booze was smart to get the hell out of there ASAP.

not a survival show, more a show about who can last the longest in a bad situation. I would say 90% of their time is down time, and usually one or two good results from any hunting/fishing/scavenging trip is enough for the duration, generally on their last legs when they get out. Not to mention, how many crew and staff have to be around, hard for it to be really dramatic, they do do a good job editing to make it seem as if they are always in danger, but hardly ever real.
One interesting thing I do get from the show, is just how some of our oldest customs and behaviors manifest themselves on the show. The respect of a hunter provider, the tendency and gratitude when sharing food with strangers or guests, how the women on the most part fall into the traditional roles. And how personality and ego's really do make a difference in stressful situations, vs our modern world where we can just leave those personalities we don't like.