This was filmed right around the same time as a show with a similar premise in the US, and I was curious as to how the two would compare as well as whether there were any differences in pioneer life in Canada versus the US. That said, this review isn't a comparison of the two, but just observations on this one.
The interactions and overall grit of the two couples, both together and separately, are really nice to watch. Both are committed to sticking it out for the full year, they're fairly upbeat even when things get hard, and even when the two couples have disagreements, they still work together cooperatively and treat each other with respect. The show does not thrive on the drama between the couples or on the relationship issues (of which there aren't many) within the couples. However, the premise of two stranger couples homesteading together seems weird...was that a thing in Canada in the 1870's?
However, the show lacks authenticity. The couples are "roughing it" in the fact that they live in the middle of nowhere without modern conveniences, but they receive regular supplies every two weeks from the film crew, including comforts (like snow boots) that may or may not have been available for real pioneers. It undercuts the idea of having to survive on their wits and their skills when there's no real stakes to be had. They're also working with the latest, up-to-date technology for the 1870's, including the "latest" in plows, tillers, wood stoves, shovels, etc, which seems unlikely for a homesteader in rural Manitoba. They also regularly trade work for supplies with neighbors and the neighbors do the bulk of the work at times around the homestead just to gain experience of what it was like back then; while working with neighbors would be authentic, having droves of them come over to do work is not. This is given lipservice in the series, but is never addressed to the point where it would be close to period authentic.
And then there's the treatment of the animals, which is...problematic. I'm not sure whether the homesteaders weren't trained enough or what, but it's concerning. It rains for the first several weeks after the couples arrive, and a shelter is not built for any of the animals until much later. The chickens are kept in their cage for weeks, and the horses and cow are left to hang out in standing water. The emphasis is put on the growing season, and the couples dedicate several days to things like plowing and planting before even thinking about building shelters for their animals. While complaining the chickens won't lay. They build smudge fires to get rid of the bugs but don't bother to make sure they're put out properly in dry weather, which causes the barn to catch fire and their pregnant sow to die a horrific death. The horses are kept in a simple lean-to in deep snow and temperatures that drop to -45 degrees F, which the homesteaders are told by locals is "fine." Yet the horses begin to drop weight from the energy it takes to stay warm coupled with the lack of nutrition in their feed; nobody notices until the horses' ribs are showing, all the while using them to pull a sleigh that took four men to move. The horses were eventually treated and recovered, but the lack of concern for their wellbeing is appalling.
All in all, a fairly enjoyable watch. If you like shows like this for their authenticity, this is not the show for you. If you watched the American series and didn't like the drama, you'll like this one.
The interactions and overall grit of the two couples, both together and separately, are really nice to watch. Both are committed to sticking it out for the full year, they're fairly upbeat even when things get hard, and even when the two couples have disagreements, they still work together cooperatively and treat each other with respect. The show does not thrive on the drama between the couples or on the relationship issues (of which there aren't many) within the couples. However, the premise of two stranger couples homesteading together seems weird...was that a thing in Canada in the 1870's?
However, the show lacks authenticity. The couples are "roughing it" in the fact that they live in the middle of nowhere without modern conveniences, but they receive regular supplies every two weeks from the film crew, including comforts (like snow boots) that may or may not have been available for real pioneers. It undercuts the idea of having to survive on their wits and their skills when there's no real stakes to be had. They're also working with the latest, up-to-date technology for the 1870's, including the "latest" in plows, tillers, wood stoves, shovels, etc, which seems unlikely for a homesteader in rural Manitoba. They also regularly trade work for supplies with neighbors and the neighbors do the bulk of the work at times around the homestead just to gain experience of what it was like back then; while working with neighbors would be authentic, having droves of them come over to do work is not. This is given lipservice in the series, but is never addressed to the point where it would be close to period authentic.
And then there's the treatment of the animals, which is...problematic. I'm not sure whether the homesteaders weren't trained enough or what, but it's concerning. It rains for the first several weeks after the couples arrive, and a shelter is not built for any of the animals until much later. The chickens are kept in their cage for weeks, and the horses and cow are left to hang out in standing water. The emphasis is put on the growing season, and the couples dedicate several days to things like plowing and planting before even thinking about building shelters for their animals. While complaining the chickens won't lay. They build smudge fires to get rid of the bugs but don't bother to make sure they're put out properly in dry weather, which causes the barn to catch fire and their pregnant sow to die a horrific death. The horses are kept in a simple lean-to in deep snow and temperatures that drop to -45 degrees F, which the homesteaders are told by locals is "fine." Yet the horses begin to drop weight from the energy it takes to stay warm coupled with the lack of nutrition in their feed; nobody notices until the horses' ribs are showing, all the while using them to pull a sleigh that took four men to move. The horses were eventually treated and recovered, but the lack of concern for their wellbeing is appalling.
All in all, a fairly enjoyable watch. If you like shows like this for their authenticity, this is not the show for you. If you watched the American series and didn't like the drama, you'll like this one.