Hal,
I can tell you that the show was not pitched as a fantasyfest. Not to me or anybody involved (as far as I know). I knew there would be a lot of poetic license taken, but I can tell you I don't think Wayne nor Frank knew how it would wind up in the editing room.
Mike
gollum,
Last night I took three trains to visit friends who had watched and recorded the series. Not too long ago, I took their son into the range hoping that the experience would help settle him and rebuild his confidence which, for reasons that are unimportant here, had eroded. It was a great hike, a little hairy at moments, but the kid discovered a new affinity for nature and a new set of skills. Outside of a terrible flight home, the experience, for both of us, was overwhelmingly positive.
When I got to their house last night, the father pulled me aside and said, "What the f..., I don't know why I ever let you take my kid with you on that trip". Surprised, I ask him to explain the sudden change in attitude. He explained that he watched all the episodes in one evening and had no idea just how much danger he was sending his kid into.
He was not talking about the very real inherent dangers which are manageable with a little caution. He was talking about gun slinging murderers, warnings from dark nefarious groups, death traps and the list goes on.
The father is about as smart as they come but with no insight into the history of the SWA, he swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. No matter what I could have said, they now think that I was irresponsible for having taken such a HUGE risk with their son.
I was floored. We saw nature at its best. A flowering desert just coming into color. A landscape unlike any other and parts of history that were lost. Unfortunately, those things were obscured by the dark shadow that program casts. And no matter what I explained, it was real, because it was on television with no disclaimers.
I don't buy the excuse of "entertainment". I have been in that industry for most of my life. What I see is intentional deception and not even a very good effort at that.
So, I am not a fan of the show, being one of the few that have now in fact, been hurt by it.