Man Vs. Wild "Malaysian Archipelago" Review

Bear Grylls took on an archipelago of islands off the coast of Borneo, in between the Philippines and Malaysia. Island episodes in both Man Vs. Wild and Survivorman always seemed more joyous to the hosts than the other episodes. I remember that Les Stroud had such a good time in one Island survival experience that I doubt the man wanted to return home. The stakes of island survival experience are always murky in Man Vs. Wild. The key to survival's food and water. Food's easier to find and hunt than water but fresh water sources reside somewhere on the island. There are a few scenes when it seems like Bear's trying to force the stakes of the situation. He continuously draws comparisons to Robinson Crusoe. Bear talks about his family much more, as if he's never going to return from his island isolation.

Sometimes, it's nice to see Bear thrive in his environment though. With the skill of Bear Grylls, an island survival scenario's in his wheelhouse. Anywho, let it begin:

-Bear's in a helicopter. He's going to sky dive. As per usual, danger surrounds his jump. The islands are surrounded by a coral reef as large as the country of Australia. Bear worries about landing on the coral reef and being destroyed. He aims for the deeper water. Upon landing, he explains the importance of carefully trekking along the reef. If one cuts his or her self then expect bad times. Bear successfully makes it to the island coast. Now, he has a few islands to choose form. Bear explains that he can easily swim to another island if the materials, possible food and water are scarce in his current island locale. Before swimming to another island willy-nilly, he advises any survivor to climb to the highest ground, so he or she can get a great view of the entire area.

-As always, a few moment exists in every episode that separates Bear from the normal person. I've long maintained that I'd die imitating the majority of Bear's survival techniques because he's Bear Grylls. Let me tell you, friends and well-wishers: I could not even climb to the top of this island successfully. The rock faces are not ideal for rock or mountain climbers because of its design. Bear tests the various vines hanging down from the top of the island. He finds two strong vines that he can climb up. Bear advises one to use one's feet to push the body further. Curiously, he doesn't put much emphasis on upper-body strength. Now, I had enough trouble climbing ropes in freshman gym class because I was the size of a safety pin in my early teenage years. I've since ceased looking like a safety pin and more like a normal male; however, I'd simply swim from island-to-island willy-nilly because my upper-body strength would betray me halfway through the climb. Bear even says that you're committed once you begin the climb.

-Bear eventually swims to what he calls Pig Island because of the abundant wild hog population. Before that, he builds his shelter with a roof and gutter system because the gutters can collect fresh rain water for him to drink. Since an island's so small, it makes sense to set up shelters and camps because rescue will usually be drawn by signal fire. Rarely do people find rescue on a man-made raft in the middle of the ocean. So, Bear sets up camp and the signal fire. Afterwards, the hunt's on for food. He builds a fire over the ocean for night fishing. He easily catches some dinner.

-The next morning, his search for food intensifies. He travels to Pig Island, builds a trap to capture the foot of any wandering hog. Bear finds a hog calmly walking around, and Bear naturally begins stalking the hog, hoping that it hits the trap. The hog walks into the trap. Bear quickly stabs the hog in the heart, killing the animal instantly. The hunt's less brutal than Bear's hunt of a wild pig in Alabama. Bear stabs the hog behind a bush rather than in clear view of the camera. Bear looks uncomfortable but acknowledges that it's an act of survival, and the pig will provide plenty of food and energy for the future.

-Bear cooks parts of the hog, smokes other parts to make into jerky. Soon, he's full and laying next to the ocean. He talks about the lack of companionship when one's alone, and how he longs for companionship. The next morning, he awakes to a magnificent rainfall. Bear prayed for rain because of the suffocating heat and humidity. Bear's always amazed by how re-invigorating nature can be. Bear searches for a fresh water source because the existence of fresh water's the difference between survival and death. He finds a fresh water source on pig island. Shortly thereafter, he spots a boat in the ocean, signaling rescue.

-I'd be remiss if I ignored his spear fishing exploits. He caught a crayfish that absolutely brightened his day. Bear also spoke of his family and how they have hold-your-breath-under-water contests, so Bear once again talked about how important it is to think of family in a survival situation.

Anywho, it was a good episode. It's nice to see Bear enjoy somewhat of a break that island survival offers. Of course, I doubt that I would have such an easy time stranded on an island because I am not Bear Grylls. I appreciate that these episodes give the illusion of ease on an island though.

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