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Episode Guide > Season 1, Episode 1
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Kid Nation: I'm Trying to Be a Leader Here

 

Episode Score

 
7.7 Good
65 votes

Your Score

Air Date

Wednesday September 19, 2007

Production Code

101

Episode Summary

40 kids from the ages of 8-15 are put into the abandoned town of Bonanza City, New Mexico for 40 days. They have to build their own society by electing leaders, passing laws, and establishing an economy.

  •  
    9.5 Superb

    A good start. hide show

    I read about this show and the first thing that came to my mind was "Lord of the Flies". I've read people saying this already, and making bad comparisons, but I thought it could be fun. And it was.

    Kids are always kids, and that's what I love about them. It's fun to see they trying to manage problems in kid's ways, and funnier see them playing around (the bandana fight at the end of the episode was awesome!).

    I watch this show not to see if they can build a good society being kids (and I really don't have this idea: kids are cruel, and your raw sincerity is not always good for human relationship. I watch this show because they're... kids. Oh, c'mon guys, don't you love to see them? :)

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  •  
    8.6 Great

    first episode... hide show

    This episode was the first episode of Kid Nation and, I must say, it impressed me. Forty kids were thrown out in the middle of no where with four kid leaders. I really didn't like how the leaders were already chosen. Oh well, anyways, the kids had to cook, clean, sleep, and do everything to make their city work. Sophia was the hardest worker and got the gold star. I really thought it was funny how all of the kids were so mesmerized by the gold star. They were like "shiny..." Anyways, I also thought it was funny how the oldest kid was the most immature. I really don't like the red team leader; he's annoying. I also don't like the yellow team leader; how hard is it to clean dishes? Overall, it was a good start to the show. I have mixed feelings about the stores though. I think it defeats the purpose of the kids doing it on their own when they can buy a ton of pre-made stuff. However, I like the idea that they are managing their own stores. Hmmm...I'll see how it works out. Anyways, overall, good episode and I can't wait to see more.

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  •  
    8.4 Great

    Sort of the pilot. hide show

    Kid Nation,
    First Episode,
    In the first episode of the season we are introduced to the show's rule and the kids.I quickley picked my favorites and hated kids.More on the lines some of the cousil kids.In the episode the jobs are choosen for each kid.Through a water challenge.When they were put into groups based on their age.I was a bit taken back by what the kids were put through.Maybe there should have been a lower number amount of kids maybe not.I found fun to watch the battles between each one.And to see that the kids will actually try.Just to win the $20,000

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  •  
    7.1 Good

    shocking.... hide show

    it was shocking that it wasnt that bad
    greg was shown as a bully and a rebel in a way
    the city council members were having a hard time trying to get the youngest kid to stay and the three oldest council members were having a hard time trying to make the little bueaty pageunt girl feel good and stay she did unlike the youngest boy
    in this eppy sophia got the gold star that is worth 20000 dollars and greg got jealous really wanting to step up his participation and the others also really wanted to step up there participation to
    it was a pretty good episode i gave it less credit i thought it would be horrible...

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  •  
    10 Perfect

    After all the press good and bad, it was time to see what all the talk was about. I think no matter what some people will find a way to complain. This show has a lot going for it. hide show

    First the show starts and goes 40 minutes without a commercial. It shows the kids, trying to figure out how to survive, not Lord of the Flies type as they have plenty of food, a cook book, shelter, water and a wide variety of people to help, like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
    I thought the couple mile hauling of the carts was a bit much, but in a real survival situation they would have had to do a lot of searching for shelter, so this was a team bonding exercise.
    The one kid thought he pulled a muscle, but later the same day he was walking just fine, a little dehydration and a muscle spasm. And if he was really hurt there were plenty of adults and medical people right there for emergencies.
    I still am not sold on the show picking 4 leaders, or the 4 colors and jobs, will have to see how that plays out.
    As for learning how to cope, the kids did remarkably well, they are learning just how hard it is to make a meal, get water and other things that the people back then did to survive.
    I see a lot of good kids, and a few that need a good kick in the pants. The blue team bullies need a reality lesson, maybe they should burn off some of their energy doing work instead of tagging others bunk houses.
    There are some strong kids on this show, kids with great character that no matter what are going to be a success in life, and the combination of the age groups and different backgrounds was well thought out.
    I will definitely well thought out.
    I do take exception to people on this site that disagree with all reviews on a show without bothering to put up a review to show us where we may have been mistaken.
    Years ago I was told that before you make fun of another person or group of people you must be able to take being made fun of, so in that mind set, before you critique and trash a review, do one yourself.

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Episode Cast and Crew

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  • The kids won their first town showdown and chose 7 Johnny-on the spots for their win over a TV. []
  • Sophia dances for buffalo coins for a bike. []
  • Job rankings after the town showdown:
    Red - Upper Class
    Blue - Merchants
    Yellow - Cooks
    Green - Laborers []
More Trivia
  • For this episode, the show was nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music." []
  • The other title of this episode is Welcome to Bonanza City, New Mexico. []
  • The city council is flown in via helicopter. The pre-established council consists of Mike, Laurel, Anjay, and Taylor. []
More Notes
  • Taylor: I'm a beauty queen. I don't do dishes. []
  • Guylan: If anybody ever tells you that it's easy living in Bonanza City, you should slap them across the face, because they're a smack-down liar. []
  • Jared: I'm not going to lie to you. I'm nervous as heck. []
More Quotes

Allusions

  • The title is based on a quote that Mike the red team council said in this episode. []
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