Watch The Wheel

The Wheel is a survival game show that aired on Discovery Channel in 2017. The show revolves around six contestants who are tasked with surviving in six vastly different ecosystems across South America, where they face difficult terrain, lack of food, limited water supply, extreme weather conditions, and wild predators. What makes this show particularly unique is that each contestant is placed on a different wheel - a giant hamster wheel-like structure - that rotates throughout the series, determining which terrain they will face next.

The show's six contestants are Adam Kimble, a marathon runner from Illinois; Luke Soderling, a wilderness guide from Minnesota; Shon Joyner, an Army veteran from Texas; Kat Dellinger, a homesteader from Idaho; Josh James, a primitive survivalist from Texas; and Lindsay Phenix, a homemaker from Tennessee. Each episode features one of the contestants in his/her assigned terrain, such as the Amazon jungle, the snow-capped Andes Mountains, the bone-dry Atacama Desert, the mangrove swamps, the rugged mountain plateau, and the coastal plains.

The contestants are given limited supplies - an emergency kit, a knife, a canteen, and a camera - and must rely on their wit, skills, and instincts to find food, water, and shelter. They must also overcome physical and mental challenges that simulate real-life survival situations. For instance, they might have to rappel down a waterfall, cross a raging river, hunt for wild game, build a shelter from scratch, start a fire using only natural materials, fend off a predator, or navigate through dense vegetation without a compass.

Throughout the series, viewers get to see each contestant's backstory, motivations, and struggles. Adam, for example, reveals that he is running the race in honor of his mother who passed away from breast cancer. Luke, on the other hand, talks about his rough childhood and how he learned to fend for himself in the wild. Shon shares how his military training has prepared him for survival situations but also how his PTSD has affected him. Kat recounts how her homesteading lifestyle has given her a unique set of skills and perspectives. Josh reveals that he has been homeless and had to rely on his survival skills to survive. Lindsay talks about how her motherly instincts have helped her cope with the challenges of the race.

The hosts of the show, however, play a minor role. Adam Savage, the former host of MythBusters, serves as the narrator and provides some commentary on the contestants' actions and strategies. The main focus, though, is on the contestants themselves and their struggles to survive.

The Wheel is a visually stunning show, with breathtaking shots of South American landscapes, wildlife, and weather. The cinematography captures the beauty and brutality of nature, as well as the grit and determination of the contestants. The editing is also well-done, balancing suspense, drama, and character development. Each episode ends with a cliffhanger, as the contestants' fate is left uncertain until the next episode.

Overall, The Wheel is a compelling and entertaining show that appeals to fans of survival, adventure, and reality TV. It offers a fresh take on the genre by adding a rotating element that keeps the contestants and the viewers on edge. The show also provides some insight into human nature, as it shows how people react when faced with extreme situations and how they adapt to survive. Despite some criticisms that it is overly staged or contrived, The Wheel is still worth watching for its stunning visuals, engaging cast, and thrilling challenges.

The Wheel is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (8 episodes). The series first aired on January 13, 2017.