Colonial House Season 1 Episode 4 The Outsiders

The Outsiders is the fourth episode of the first season of Colonial House, a PBS reality television series that follows 21st-century modern-day colonists as they try to recreate life in 1628 in 17th century New England. In this episode, tensions begin to mount between some of the colonial residents, while new arrivals enter the picture and threaten the delicate balance the original group has established.

At the start of the episode, viewers are privy to the arrival of two additional colonists, a young girl named Casey and a married couple named David and Carolyn. Prior to their arrival, the group had already established certain customs and roles, and so the new arrivals upset the reigning balance immediately. However, tension soon becomes downright animosity when Carolyn bristles at the more traditional gender roles inherent in colonial life. She takes issue with the notion that women should not have active roles in the building of the colony, and this creates immediate friction.

Meanwhile, another group of outsiders is also threatening the stability of the colony. Native Americans, or the Wampanoags, have been showing up more frequently, and while some of the colonists believe they can coexist peacefully, others feel threatened and unwelcome. One particularly contentious moment occurs when the colonists decide to build a wall around their settlement as a means of protection; the Wampanoags take this as a sign of aggression and directness, and their tense encounters with the colonists leave many unsure of how to proceed.

Throughout the episode, the viewer is witness to the various political and social dynamics that develop in the colony. Some colonists struggle mightily with the physical demands of life in 1628, while others have made peace with it. Some believe in peace and tolerance, while others believe that any perceived threat should be met with force. The question of leadership also comes to the forefront in this episode, as the previously agreed-upon leader, Peter, is seen by some as incapable of making difficult decisions.

Overall, The Outsiders is a fascinating and complex look at the realities of trying to recreate life in a world that is long gone. It is a microcosm of human society at large, with all of its strengths and weaknesses on display. This episode is not just an engrossing hour of television; it is an opportunity for viewers to consider some of the big questions that have plagued humanity since the dawn of time.

While Colonial House may not be for everyone, those who have an interest in history, sociology, anthropology, or simply want to see what happens when a group of modern-day people tries to live like it's 1628, should not miss this series. The Outsiders is an episode that provides a particularly good starting point for anyone interested in checking it out.