★★★★ It’s proven that every competitive reality show makes viewers wonder how they would approach the same experience. Perhaps it is the reason why these programs are still so attractive. But that never happens with “Naked and afraid (Naked and scared)”, such the original name of “Naked Survival”.
For those who have never seen it before, it lives up to the Saxon title and its Latin translation, because it is about resistance to survive in hostile territory. In each episode, contestants who have just met must subsist for several weeks, thousands of miles from where they live, in places without running water or electricity or any of our modern conveniences. Completely naked, without even shoes, stockings or underwear, they only receive a rustic bag (used to protect their genitals from the sun, carry wireless microphones and a portable camera) plus an essential item, usually a machete, and another of their choice.
After meeting in their assigned arena, they must find and/or produce potable water, food, shelter, and clothing within the field. Half the time, the contestants are left alone and when a cameraman is around, they are instructed not to interact with the contestants under any circumstances, even if a wild animal is stalking them. Of course, in an emergency, they are assisted and at any time, they can give up continuing. Because the environments range from the mountainous forests of the Himalayas and the arid deserts of Madagascar to the swamps of Louisiana or the jungle of Nicaragua.
The novelty of this eighth season is the presence of a trans person, in a duo with a South African farmer, as well as a girl with Asperger who finds ways to overcome challenges that she did not think possible. We also see a tour guide and a software engineer endure the Botswana desert, until, at night, his safety is threatened by roaming lions. Meanwhile, a former Navy sniper and a housewife try to endure the harshness of a Colombian swamp, besieged by extreme humidity, insects, and infections. Meanwhile, a vet and a South African farmer face the deadly jungle of Zambia, where territorial elephants, baboons and crocodiles threaten their every move.
Surely the audience should feel like they are watching the behavior of cave men and women. Worth seeing.
