‘The Wilds’ Recap: ‘Day 36/14’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘The Wilds’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One of the biggest and most eye-opening surprises that we will ever encounter in life, is when we learn that humanity is not the apex being on the planet. Because we are taught from a very early age, that we dominate in all things and cannot be brought down by nature or anything else; when that simply is not the case. For there comes a day when we discover that animals can quickly make the hunter, the hunted and of course… mother nature has no problem in humbling us and reminding us of our place courtesy of a natural disaster or say… a raging virus. But what matters more about this particular lesson, is that it is quite powerful, and can be quite healthy… since it changes our perspective upon our place in this world and humbles us and teaches us to look at nature and life differently. 
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If anything, this particular lesson is top of mind, simply because it was featured in the next episode of the Prime Video series, The Wilds, in a unique manner no less. For ‘Day 36/14’ featured the moment we learn that lesson, alongside a reinforcing of that lesson and the reinforcement aspect, was handled by the girls. Because let’s be honest, they’ve already come to learn this lesson in the worst ways imaginable. So harshly in fact, that they moved their camp into the interior of the island to feel safe and quickly learned… that there was no safety to be found there either. Since a tree branch came dropping out of the canopy and nearly caused great harm. Hammering home, the message to be vigilant and ready.

Of course, it also reminded the girls to be cautious and to treasure what’s in front of them. Which led to some powerful moments for certain. The kind that saw them do just that in unique ways since some embraced love while others embraced the moment, giving rise to a sense that perhaps the girls might learn a great deal from this experience in the end… provided of course a shred of happiness and/or freedom awaits them. But what was fascinating about this, is that their journey and reintroduction to that all-important lesson, served in great contrast to the boys’ journey in this tale. Because they got to learn the hard way that nature can be quite cruel, and that when humans are vulnerable and without weapons and shelter, they can be easy prey. 

A lesson that came forth, by way of the appearance of a jaguar at camp late one night. And this smart cat ate a fair chunk of the group’s food stores and of course, terrified the boys to no end. For they have never been in this kind of situation or faced that kind of trouble and that left them besides themselves. To the point where infighting over food took place, as did a desperate attempt to chase the jaguar off, by hiding atop the nearby cliff at the end of the beach. But even then, nature found a way to scare these boys further and remind them who the real boss is. Since a frustrated stroll for Scotty and Bo, resulted in them garnering the attention of the hungry jaguar, who was quick to strike and teach everyone a lesson regarding nature’s fury. But while that definitely opened their eyes to the reality of the world in a terrifying manner, at least Scotty took something positive from the lesson
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Since he decided that the only way to survive in an environment that was gunning for them, was to try and fight back and at least scare the hell out of that cat, and it will be interesting to see if his and the group’s attempt to hunt a hunter will pay off or if nature will surprise them further, and it will also be fascinating to see… if they learn something valuable from this. In the end however, this was simply an engaging tale through and through. One that did a fine job of reminding us of the day we learned that all-important lesson, and perhaps showcased it early to folks that haven’t learned that lesson yet. Either way, this just goes to show that this series continues to surprise us, since it keeps finding new ways to explore humanity in a dynamic manner and truly, this episode compels us to continue the journey. To see what other stunning lessons await these two vastly different groups as they fight with all of their might to survive nature… in all its savage glory. Until next time.

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