Alone Season 5 Episode 1: Redemption
Kim Russell
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On Alone Season 5 Episode 1, we follow four of the ten returning contestants through the first five days in Mongolia. It was fun to see familiar faces and remember back to when they first competed on Alone.
It doesn't look good for Sam already. He was crying on day one because he missed his family. I get it, Sam, I really do, but day one?
If Sam's going to survive, he needs to push those emotions down and rechannel his energy into finding food and making a fire.
That's what gets a lot of these contestants. They psych themselves out and dwell in what's waiting for them at home. They forget their families will still be there and there's no need to rush.
When you try to push your agenda on mother nature, you're gonna lose. And I lost.
Sam
Listening to their stories and why most of them went home before, I realized it was mostly psychological. Being alone is tough. Some people can't be alone for too long in their own houses, but when you're alone in your house, you have the option of going out and seeing people.
To be totally alone, for the social creatures humans are, seems to be very tough.
The trick is keeping themselves and their minds busy. If they can do that, and not hurt themselves, any one of them could last a long time.
They have the skills. Heck, they've all been out there once already, and I'm sure when they applied to come back, they sharpened their technical skills even further.
So, as you can see, I just woke up. I'm in my jammies.
Jesse
It's almost like being in solitary confinement. Don't people go crazy in there?
I was happy to see Nicole. She is such an impressive woman! She used to be almost immobile with MS until she completely changed her life with herbals.
Now, look at her!
Nicole has a leg up on the other contestants. When she was on Alone Season 2, she was foraging like nobody's business. She knew each and every plant and how it was used. That can come in handy when you're not catching any fish, and you're starving to death.
Speaking of fish, poor Carleigh. If you were watching her on Alone Season 3, you remember she was completely emaciated, and the Alone crew had to pull her out for medical reasons.
She was devastated.
I'm so thankful for this fish. First one!
Carleigh
Now she hooked herself.
Carleigh was so happy and excited to catch fish and to eat this season.
I'm not going to lie. When Carleigh was trying to pull the fishhook out of her hand, I had my hands covering my face, peeking through my fingers. That must've hurt!
Once again, she had to leave before she was ready. It's a shame because she probably would've made it far.
Jesse, who was on Alone Season 4, only made it five days last time, so we don't know what he's made of yet. He's working on his shelter and has a positive mental attitude, so we'll have to watch him and see what skills he has before making a judgment.
If I had to bet money, it would be on Nicole. Not only because of her foraging skills and knowledge but her attitude!
She is so confident and funny and doesn't let much bother her. The only reason she left last time was because she felt like her kids needed her.
Motherly instincts, they're strong.
This time, her kids gave her the big go-ahead and told her to stay as long as it takes, so I think she will.
Huge hit. Come get Nicole's Mongolian ant separator!
Nicole
The real test for all of them is going to be when the temperature drops. Mongolia is supposed to drop down to 40 below, so it'll be interesting to see how the contestants deal with that.
They should get their fires going, and build insulated shelters because they're going to need it!
What do you think, Alone fans? Who out of the remaining three we've seen so far do you think has what it takes to make it? Were you squeamish when Carleigh had the hook in her hand? What are your thoughts on Mongolia for the environment?
Leave me a comment and let's talk about it! Remember to come back here for my review of Alone Season 1 Episode 2!
If you miss any episodes, remember you can watch Alone online here on TV Fanatic. In fact, catch up on all your favorite shows while you're here, and join in the conversation with other TV Fanatics like you!
Kim Russell was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in January 2019.
