Ep 3. Shock and Awe

Life Below Zero is a reality TV show that follows the lives of individuals and families who have chosen to live in some of the most hostile and remote regions of Alaska. The show explores their daily struggles and achievements as they battle extreme weather conditions, wild animals, and isolation to survive in the harsh Alaskan wilderness.

In season 14, episode 3, titled "Shock and Awe," we see the show's protagonists fighting against the brutal Alaskan winter. As temperatures drop to dangerous levels, and snowstorms hit hard, the people featured on the show need to work hard to keep themselves and their families safe.

The episode follows Ricko DeWilde, a native Alaskan who lives in the Yukon Flats with his family. Ricko's primary concern is to ensure that he has enough food and fuel to keep his family warm and fed throughout the winter. With temperatures dropping to as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the DeWildes must stock up on enough firewood and make regular trips to hunt for food.

Another character we follow in this episode is Sue Aikens, who lives in Kavik, 500 miles north of the nearest town, Fairbanks. The show covers the day-to-day operations of her camp, including the general upkeep of buildings, generators, and other essential equipment to keep everything running smoothly. A brutal snowstorm hits Kavik, causing damage to several buildings and leaving Sue stranded without power. We see her working tirelessly to fix the damage caused by the storm and get her camp up and running again.

We also meet residents of the Dalton Highway that stretches over 400 miles and is considered to be one of the most isolated roads in the world. We see the road's construction crew battling to keep the road plowed as snow piles up, making it challenging to keep the road clear. In the episode, we see them working through the night to clear the road and ensure that essential supplies can be transported to the people who live along the highway.

Finally, we meet Andy Bassich, who lives in a hand-built log cabin on the Yukon River with his dogs. In the episode, we see Andy dealing with the consequences of a massive ice dam that has built up on the river, causing flooding and structural damage to his cabin. We follow him as he tries to repair the damage and protect his living quarters from further damage.

Throughout "Shock and Awe," we see the tenacity and resilience of the people featured on the show as they work to overcome the challenges of living in one of the harshest environments in the world. The episode highlights the day-to-day heroism of these individuals as they push themselves to their physical and mental limits to survive in the brutal Alaskan winter.