Amanda & Josh In Nicaragua
Finally getting around to adding the last three episodes of season 3 of "Naked & Afraid". See my previous reviews here And yes my episodes may be numbered differently. Some count the recap at the beginning of the season as episode 1.
In "Nicaragua Nightmare" Joshua and Amanda try to survive in the jungles of Nicaragua. It is home to a large population of cayman, monkeys, venomous snakes and spiders. For survival items Amanda brings a machete and Joshua brings duct tape? Seriously? Couldnt find anything better to bring than duct tape? Say maybe a fire starter?
PSR
Josh beginning 6.1; ending 4.3 (he left on day 5).
Amanda beginning 5.8; ending 6.3 (survives 16 days alone)
Amanda is from Texas and she hates spiders. I'm with ya sister! Josh is from Roxboro North Carolina. He is a self described redneck and "apex predator". He's using N&A as an opportunity to quit smoking. Really bad idea! No food, no water and no smoking at the same time? Recipe for disaster. I will say the two worked well as a team and had a good banter.
Josh digs a seep well. They cant boil water since they're not able to start a fire (so they dont have many options). The well continues to supply a good amount of water throughout the 21 days.
Their shelter collapses in the middle of the night so they have to build a new one. Amanda isnt able to get much sleep because Josh keeps bumping into her. They encounter a group of howler monkeys who try to pee on them and throw nuts. Never underestimate a bunch of territorial monkeys.
They each go out foraging for food. Josh finds plantains and pineapples. Jackpot! Josh becomes nauseous. When he starts throwing up blood the medics are called in. Josh starts sleepwalking at night. He is able to eat some pineapple but starts throwing up again.
Amanda Survives On Her Own In Her Duct Tape Underwear
Josh has to tap out on day 5. I liked the guy but this was not a good time to stop smoking. The challenge is extremely difficult without adding that. Amanda stays alone but she just sits in camp. She doesnt venture out to look for food. We think she'll tap out with three days to go but she hangs in there. Amanda has survived 16 days alone (longer than anyone in the history of N&A).
Michael & Ashley Considering Their Limited Options
In "Botswana Breakdown" Michael (a banker from Seattle) and Ashley (a bartender from Rhode Island) fight to combat the heat in Botswana. Michael uses his brother (who was accidentally shot when he was 15) for inspiration. Michael brings a machete but did Ashley bring a fire starter? Sorry, I missed that part.
Botswana is very hot and dry. There are few resources. They also have to contend with elephants, hyenas, hippo and deadly snakes. There are thorns everywhere. They cover themselves with mud to stay cool.
PSR
Michael: beginning 5.9; ending 5.7 (left on day 12)
Ashley: beginning 4.7; ending 3.7 (left on day 3)
They start to build a shelter (but its near a watering hole which is not a good idea). Ashley is feeling sick after just a few hours. They break down and drink contaminated water since there are no other options. There is nothing to purify the water with.
At night Ashley starts shaking uncontrollably. The medic is called in. Ashley leaves on day 3. Apparently the water did her in.
Michael continues to survive on plants and grasshoppers. So far, he's not displaying any symptoms from drinking the water. Bugs continue to drive him crazy during the day. Hyenas venture near his camp at night. He pees around his shelter to hopefully keep predators away.
He makes a snare trap (but doesnt catch anything) and finds an old pot. How convenient. Was that placed there on purpose? He finds two small eggs and eats them (shell and all). Next he eats some termites. They are high in fat and have a lot of protein.
Michael's kidneys start hurting. He looks for the root of the Devil's Claw plant. It has medical purposes. Eating too much can cause major bad side effects though. Medics are called in since he might have overdosed and is blacking out.
Michael taps out on day 12. He wants to walk out before he does any major damage to his organs. I cant tell him what to do (and Ive never done this show) but it seems like he quit fairly easily.
Michael's kidneys start hurting. He looks for the root of the Devil's Claw plant. It has medical purposes. Eating too much can cause major bad side effects though. Medics are called in since he might have overdosed and is blacking out.
Michael taps out on day 12. He wants to walk out before he does any major damage to his organs. I cant tell him what to do (and Ive never done this show) but it seems like he quit fairly easily.
In "Dunes Of Despair" Matt and Honora are in northern Brazil. The area is a big white desert with some lagoons (from rainfall). Matt brought a machete he made himself (he's a blacksmith and survival instructor). Honora (who is a herbalogist and college student) brought a magnifying glass. I dont think that's a good choice but she uses it to try to purify water (by using UV light).
Matt thinks the water is safe enough if it's from the best source. Honora thinks all water should be treated. I'm with her on this one. The sun of course is a major factor and scorches them. Matt builds a shelter and finds jotaba. I had no idea what that was. It's a tree that is also know as "stinking" toe. The pulp is edible and sweet tasting and has a high concentration of starches and protein. It is regularly eaten by indigenous peoples. See more info about it here
PSR
Matt: beginning 7.1; ending 7.7
Honora beginning 7.6 ; ending 7.2 (left on day 16)
Honora unloads on Matt. She says he's fat, stupid, lazy and smells bad. OK then. Tell us how you really feel. Matt takes it all in stride. He says he'll move out of the shelter and they split up the resources.
A storm blows in and temperature drops. Honora continues to whine and complain. Matt stoically carries on. Eating some cactus each day is keeping him going. Honora spends a massive amount of energy looking for food (and finds little)
Honora apologizes to Matt for what she said. She admits she was wrong. They bury the hatchet. Matt later finds her passes out. The show's producers take her to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible. She remains unconscious throughout the trip. Things are not looking good. She recovers but doctors advise her not to continue.
Honora tapped out on day 16. Matt survives alone. He hikes 5 miles to a river and then wades 3 miles downstream to the helicopter pickup spot. Matt and Honora are later reunited. Matt gives Honora her father's magnifying glass. That was sweet of him (especially after everything she said).
Not For The Faint Of Heart
Final PSR Scores For All "Naked & Afraid" Contestants to date:
Please let me know if I left anyone out (or have their number wrong):
- EJ 9.1 (on the show twice)
- Laura Z 9.1 (on the show twice)
- Billy 8.9
- Forrest 8.8
- Allison 8.4
- Shane 8.4
- Luke 8.3
- Dani 8.1
- Kelly 8.1
- Manu 8.0
- Chris 7.9
- Tom 7.9
- Russell 7.9
- Kim 7.8
- Adam 7.8
- Justin 7.8
- Matt 7.7
- Ky 7.7
- Vincent 7.6
- Sabrina 7.5
- Jaclyn 7.5
- Cass 7.4
- Hakim 7.4
- Lisa 7.4
- Eva 7.4
- Jeff 7.3
- Clint 7.3
- Honora 7.2 (left on day 16)
- Jonathan 7.2
- Lindsey 7.1
- Shannon 7.1
- Alana 7.0
- Samantha 7.0
- Phaedra 6.9
- Fernando 6.8
- Amanda 6.3 (survives alone the longest of any contestant, 16 days)
- Puma 6.1 (tapped out but Im not sure on what day)
- Michael 5.7 (left on day 12)
- Tom 5.4
- Julie 5.0 (left on day 18)
- Corinne 4.9 (left on day 13)
- Carrie 4.8
- Keith 4.5 (tapped out but I'm not sure on what day)
- Tyler 4.4 (left after 6 days)
- Josh 4.3 (left on day 5)
- AK (Amanda) 4.3 (left after 4 days)
- Ashley 3.7 (left on day 3)
- Cassie 3.4 (the lowest score anyone finishing the full 21 days)
Note: To be honest I'm not sure exactly how they score these since Honora (who tapped out on day 16) has a higher ending score than a number of people who finished the challenge. Amanda stayed alone for 16 days and Honora is .9 points ahead of her.
Grade: No grade assigned since this is a reality show
World According To GMonster
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality
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