63 replies to this topic

[curemode]

A description from the Discovery website:

Two skilled experts. Many ways to survive

Experts agree there are some very basic — and universal — rules for surviving in the wild. Find shelter, find water, find food, find help. Beyond that, there's not much they agree on. Meet military trained Dave Canterbury and naturalist Cody Lundin — trained survival experts who have very different methods of meeting survival challenges.

Together, with their drastically different backgrounds, the pair are dropped into scenarios that could happen to anyone: marooned sailors, lost hikers, trapped divers and stranded mountain climbers. Equipped with minimal gear that would have been carried in the real-life situations, Cody and Dave must draw upon their arsenal of skills to devise extraordinary ways to use what they can find in their surroundings to demonstrate what it takes to stay alive.

Now, down to business... I friggin' love this show! The great thing about it is that these two men often have such different points of view, are both headstrong, yet are also, somehow, fair. They listen to one another and compromise when it's called for. They each know their strengths and weaknesses and readily admit when the other is better at some skill or situation and defer to that person. It's almost like watching two brothers, in that they're arguing one minute and laughing the next. It's uplifting to see two people from different background work things out in search of a common goal. If only the world could. For me, the show is a joy and something I look forward to Friday nights.

[Ahoskie59]

I LOVE this show too and yes Cody and Dave are like brothers. The only problem with this show is that it's on after that nonsense, "Man Woman Wild."

[Quilt Fairy]

So glad someone finally started a thread for this show. Another fan here. I watched the first show with some trepidation, but each of these guys is a strong personality and can hold their own. I think the fact that we have not one but two hosts, and they are each so different, really brings the show to a higher (i.e., more interesting) level than Man vs Wild or Survivorman.

They are certainly going to some fabulous places. I find it interesting that no matter where around the world they go, and they difficulties they encounter, the Lousiana swamps always prove the most challenging for survival shows.

One thing I don't like is that for the purposes of the show, they do things that an unexperienced person should not do. Dave will say 'You should never, ever, try to cross a bog like this', or 'You should never, ever, split up when you're lost in the desert', and they go ahead and do it anyway.

Another thing that bugs is how Dave frequently equates Cody's opinion with 'being a girl' or 'leave your skirts at home'. Cody is a pretty manly man to me. Look at the arms on him! At least Dave admits that Cody is 'the god of fire'. I swear that guy can get a fire started anywhere. I'd love to see him on Survivor. While I probably wouldn't watch the show if it was just Dave, I'd definitely watch it if it was just Cody.

I also don't understand why, in the show where their car broke down in the Valley of Volcanoes in Peru, they didn't advise to just walk back down the road. It may be a lot of miles, but you're assured that there is a town eventually, and there is also the chance of another car coming along. I realize it's not as dramatic to do that, but it still seems the best thing for an unexperienced person to do rather than taking off through the desert.

The only problem with this show is that it's on after that nonsense, "Man Woman Wild."

God, I saw a few minutes of that, it was totally unwatchable. I don't think it will be on long.

Anyhow, I do love this show, and curemode, I also look forward to Friday nights. And I'll tell you a secret: sometimes OnDemand will have the new episode up a day early

[beeziebee]

Another thing that bugs is how Dave frequently equates Cody's opinion with 'being a girl' or 'leave your skirts at home'. Cody is a pretty manly man to me. Look at the arms on him! At least Dave admits that Cody is 'the god of fire'. I swear that guy can get a fire started anywhere. I'd love to see him on Survivor. While I probably wouldn't watch the show if it was just Dave, I'd definitely watch it if it was just Cody.

I agree completely! Why does Dave try to emasculate Cody at every possible opportunity? Cody looks like he could snap Dave like a twig. And Dave, let up about the bare feet. Cody has a rationale. He's been doing it for twenty years, but he's going to stop doing it now for you? After you call him a girl? I'll take the gentle wisdom of Cody over the blustery bravado of Dave any time.

[Ahoskie59]

I too don't get why Dave always tries to make it seem like Cody's not a "manly man" like him. To me Cody is VERY manly, I mean look at the guy's arms. And I agree with him about being barefoot. If I could I'd never wear shoes either.

[angelblades]

I frikkin' LOVE this show. I think Cody and Dave have the funniest, unscripted dialog. Dave saying "Cody Homemaker." Cody saing, "I'm tired of being the wife." Dave: "I'm an American. I want red meat from four-legged animals." Cody: (words to the effect) If Dave doesn't stop bitching about this water, I'm gonna strain it through the crotch of my underwear. They act like almost all the guys I know. They bitch about each other in a teasing, but you can tell they respect each other.

I don't usually get all that charged up over the hotness of TV personalities. However, I want to go survive in a yert with Cody, rub his bare feet, and have his babies. Hell, I'll gladly do the women's work. Hee.

[curemode]

If Dave doesn't stop bitching about this water, I'm gonna strain it through the crotch of my underwear.

"Desert Style"!

Another good episode. Dave is not the God of Fire artist that Cody is, but he can get the job done through sheer brute force determination. I love that Dave picked up all of Cody's signals he left for him. Nice teamwork on the snake whackin'!

I didn't understand Cody's willingness to drink the water unfiltered though, when in past episodes he's opposed Dave doing the same thing. Maybe it's because in the desert you have to take whatever you can get and the other times were in the rainforest where water is aplenty. I'm not sure.

For having walked around barefoot for 20 years, Cody's feet are surprisingly NOT gnarly. And I agree with the others that complimented Cody's arms. Dave is obviously a strong guy too, but I think Cody has him beat. His body just looks dense and tough... like a caveman.

[Diane M]

Do I understand correctly that Cody never wears shoes, no matter what the weather is like, no matter what the situation? I saw a bit of them walking in snow last night, and Cody was wearing wool socks. How could he keep from getting frostbite? I guess he never goes to restaurants, as they wouldn't let him in the door.

[Xuewi]

Interesting and informative show. However; I think Cody's going a bit too far in trying to commune with Mother Nature/Earth via going barefoot even in Nova Scotia in the winter. I mean, how many barefoot,short wearing Inuits has he seen only wearing shorts? Hello, 'native' inhabitants in environments below freezing wasted NO time inventing moccassins and mukluks because they didn't want to chance loosing their feet to frostbite! And how many of them could have spent their entire lives in a shelter just to avoid wearing shoes? I was with Dave on this one. People need to remember that Mother Nature/Earth can treat you like a twelve-letter mother!

[beeziebee]

Interesting and informative show. However; I think Cody's going a bit too far in trying to commune with Mother Nature/Earth via going barefoot even in Nova Scotia in the winter. I mean, how many barefoot,short wearing Inuits has he seen only wearing shorts? Hello, 'native' inhabitants in environments below freezing wasted NO time inventing moccassins and mukluks because they didn't want to chance loosing their feet to frostbite! And how many of them could have spent their entire lives in a shelter just to avoid wearing shoes?

Yes, but Cody is training his mitochondria, trying to speed up his own evolution on a cellular level. And according to him, his mitochondria can kick Dave's mitochondria's asses any day!

[curemode]

I finally figured out who Cody has been subtly reminding me of all this time... Sam Kinison!

[Quilt Fairy]

But undoubtedly healthier....

[Punky B]

And much quieter.

[beeziebee]

And still alive.

[curemode]

He got much quieter after death. ;)

This last episode "Soaked" was one of the best. I loved the landscape! The green moss covering every patch of ground was beautiful, like something out of Avatar.

What's even more amazing than Dave hitting the turkey with a homemade arrow? The fact that there are turkeys in a rainforest! I thought they lived in the woods of Pennsylvania or Massachusetts or something.

My juvenile mind got a nice chuckle when Dave was making the first (non-arrowhead) arrows and said, "I need to test these out before hunting..." and then they cut directly to a shot of Cody walking back toward camp.

[Quilt Fairy]

"Hey, Dave, get your jarhear ass up and get moving!" Cody can bring it as hard as Dave does. Doesn't the Pacific Northwest have these giant sized slugs? I don't know if they're edible like snails but all Cody focused on was woodgrubs, and I thought he'd come up with more in his foraging trip.

Does anyone know if this show has any chance of getting renewed for a second season? Discovery seems to be putting much more PR effort into the (for me) unwatchable Man, Woman, Wild, and now I see that Man vs Wild is coming back. I was sure that MvW was over (I remember Bear talking about the supposedly final episode), but it seems that Bear's new show Worst Case Scenario didn't last more than 5-6 shows. I know I didn't watch it. What I'm getting at is that even on Discovery there has to be a limit to the number of survival shows that can, well, survive, and I'm hoping this one makes it because it is so enjoyable. Now if we can only get Cody and Dave to do naked jumping jacks ala Bear.....

[Ahoskie59]

I think the show probably will be renewed for a second season simply because in the commercials, Discovery refers to it as "the new HIT show Dual Survival." I think they push Man, Woman Wild because it's not doing so well. They probably felt the needed a new survival show or two since Survivor man isn't on anymore.

[curemode]

Quilt Fairy: You're right; Cody can mix it up too! I love that there's this slight tension between them where each man can hold their own. I really hope Dual Survival is indeed a hit because I love spending time with these two.

I agree with the few of you that mentioned "Man, Woman, Wild" sucking. I caught only the first and last 10 mins of one episode and it made me feel a little sad and achy. They just don't seem authentic.

[calliek]

Friday's episode was insane. Not only does Dave flint nap an arrow out of an old bottle, but he actually gets a kill with it. This is a guy I would want on my side.

I love how they work together.

I feel like Cody's bare feet would annoy me. It definitely puts him in a more vulnerable position if he were in a real survival situation.

[Quilt Fairy]

I feel like Cody's bare feet would annoy me. It definitely puts him in a more vulnerable position if he were in a real survival situation.

The more I think about going around barefoot all the time, the more it intrigues me. Does Cody ever go shopping, to a restaurant, to a movie? Even if he has developed his lifestyle so these things are not an issue, now that he's on this show, what does he do when he flies to a location?

ETA: Good grief I hate Shark Week. I want me some Cody and Dave. There is a new episode listed for Aug 13, and it looks like they're having a mini-marathon on Saturday evening with 4 earlier episodes in a row.

I was browsing the Discovery web site and found this about Cody:

He is the best-selling author of two books on survival and preparedness: 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive and When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need to Survive When Disaster Strikes.

Edited by Quilt Fairy, Aug 9, 2010 @ 7:02 PM.

[curemode]

ETA: Good grief I hate Shark Week. I want me some Cody and Dave.

Same here. One shark documentary every 5 years is about the right amount for me. But onto the good news... we got some Cody and Dave tonight!

The episode is titled "After the Storm" and it looks like our guys are going to be trying to survive by sifting through post-hurricane type debris and trash. Should be interesting!

[AlRockhead]

Spent the day catching up on all the episodes. Just one minor quibble with the Hoh Rain Forest (Pacific NW): Here in western WA, you can't go from the forest (or anywhere, for that matter) to the ocean without first crossing the highway! It runs from Canada to Mexico, right along the ocean.

[dogfish]

I love that there's this slight tension between them where each man can hold their own.

I guess I'm getting a different read. I see two guys who work together very well and have mutual admiration. I think they genuinely like each other.
When they first started advertising this show, it looked like it was going to include a lot of posturing and fighting..."nature guy vs. crusty special forces dude". I was pleasantly surprise to find that there has been very little of this. I think it would get old very fast (see Jr. v. Sr. on Am Chopper) and eventually ruin the show (again I cite Am Chopper).

PS - Cody can kick Dave's ass, and Dave knows it.

[Quilt Fairy]

I think they genuinely like each other.

I think they like each other now, or at least have a professional's appreciation of a fellow professional's skills. My impression is that they had not known each other before the first show, and there was - and continues to be - a certain amount of posturing from Dave. But Dave is simply that kind of guy, and Cody is not. I fully expected to hate Dave, but surprisingly I do not, because, like Cody, I've come to accept him for who he is, and he's really not an unlikeable guy.

But whoever thought up this show is a genius, because the interaction between Cody and Dave is priceless. Both their personalities and their survival skill sets make an interesting mix. My only problem with it is the boring title, which put me off so much that I was hesitant to even watch the first show. It feels like a working title that never got replaced with something more attention grabbing. Of course, that same person probably went on to name Man Woman Wild, which is an even worse title, not to mention an unwatchable mess.

This week is the season finale, which hopefully means that there will be another season, very soon.

Edited by Quilt Fairy, Aug 17, 2010 @ 11:45 AM.

[dogfish]

I fully expected to hate Dave, but surprisingly I do not, because, like Cody, I've come to accept him for who he is, and he's really not an unlikeable guy.

ITA. I thought he was going to be a loud-mouthed bully full of bluster, but he actually is quite capable. He made a bow, arrow AND arrowhead and actually shot a turkey! There are a lot of turkey gobblers out there that have $1000 equipment and have never brought home a Tom!

[ObstinantGirl]

Why does Dave try to emasculate Cody at every possible opportunity?

Because he's that kind of guy, where knocking someone else down a peg makes them feel bigger & more powerful? Just a guess! He also might be a bit unfamiliar with guys like Cody, and it makes him uncomfortable.

All of that said, I do like Dave. He seems to have developed a real respect for, and appreciation of, Cody. And they both have MAD survival skills!

I think Cody's going a bit too far in trying to commune with Mother Nature/Earth via going barefoot even in Nova Scotia in the winter. I mean, how many barefoot,short wearing Inuits has he seen only wearing shorts? Hello, 'native' inhabitants in environments below freezing wasted NO time inventing moccassins and mukluks because they didn't want to chance loosing their feet to frostbite!

Agreed. For him to do it in certain environments, whatever...but in some of the situations they're entering? It seems like an unnecessary risk just to prove a point and be stubborn. I would be annoyed and impatient, just like Dave's been at times.

The more I think about going around barefoot all the time, the more it intrigues me. Does Cody ever go shopping, to a restaurant, to a movie? Even if he has developed his lifestyle so these things are not an issue, now that he's on this show, what does he do when he flies to a location?

I thought about this, too. In terms of day-to-day living, he clearly lives "off the grid" and it doesn't impact upon his life. But he MUST go places where shoes are required. Maybe he just wears flip flops?

[Ahoskie59]

There was a point where Cody HAD to wear shoes, I don't remember where they were. He made himself a pair of sandals and he wore them, so I'm sure that's probably what he does when he has to wear shoes.

[Quilt Fairy]

He made himself a pair of sandals

That was the episode in the Peruvian volcano desert. He made a pair of flip flops using a tire.

Edited by Quilt Fairy, Aug 24, 2010 @ 6:09 PM.

[ProfCrash]

I wanted to like this show but hated it. Dave and Cody's discussion of "women's work" and that type of thing was just so sexist and off base. It was flat out offensive.

Survivor instructors regularly discuss the importance of shelter, water, and food. So Cody focusing on making a shelter is insanely important but it is deemed "woman's work"? Are you kidding me. And it was just Dave doing it. Cody bought into it hook, line, and sinker.

Ugh

Thank god Les is back doing a different form of Survivorman.

[curemode]

Dave & Cody must be in the woods right about now.... filming their new season. :) Les Stroud is good, but I want my bros back.