Yes, Michael certainly deserved that star. I was almost thinking (here and there) that he just HAD to be an actor thrown in there, or something. Good grief, talk about a perfect kid/young man! A definite stand out (except for that pesky physical resemblance to Leif Garrett, of course ... but he certainly can't help that, I guess).

I was absolutely wrong about this show. I love the idea of kids running their own town. I think that Michael is so great and we have so much in common. Greg is just causing trouble and I do not really like him at all. It must be hard to see with all of that hair that Michael has.

P.S- I used to like Taylor, but now she just seems stuck up to me =).

I have a sneaking suspicion that the network deliberately stoked the "controversy" in order to get people to watch.

Well my youngest (age 10 and almost 12) were giving the thumbs down on the first episode but when the second came out they were strangely keen to see it!
I have to agree with above posters about Taylor and Michael(great kid!).. they can swap places as far as I'm concerned.
I didn't like the 'caste system' at first but I don't mind so much now since they're going to shake it up every 'showdown'. I'd rather have seen less adult interference but they need the challenges for TV I guess.
Now we're all wondering if Greg will grow from this or if he'll shoot himself in the foot from bitterness.

They (producers) always edit reality TV for more controversy. My husband can usually pick out what's going to happen by the way the shows are edited, and once he started pointing out the tricks, I've started to figure it out, too.

I'm hoping Taylor gets replaced because she really is lazy and doesn't do anything as a 'leader'. Just complains and aids her team in not doing their job, instead of encouraging them.

Taylor is a "beauty queen" and probably does whatever she wants. It's pretty evident that she has no experience with chores, especially, the cleaning up kind!
I think this whole thing will be good for her, if she survives!

I must say for the first time I was actually impressed by one of the kids yesterday. There are some who do more then I would think, but none were overly impressive.

The 9 year old Alex, who has always seemed to have understanding beyond his age, impressed me last night. There was mention during the competition that he as well as one of the other blue team members was a genius, don't know if he has been classified as such, skipped grades etc. But to take the personal initiative to do study on the religious beliefs of the community impressed me. Something the leaders should have thought to do before forcing their idea for a religious ceremony down the towns throat. There was a problem with the fact there were so many religions mixed in with the town, and trying to get them together for a spiritual time. Alex took the time to get to know the whole town and what they believed in, information that would help getting the whole group together. Morgans approach and timing was also good, still not as impressive as Alex.

Alex impressed me as well.

And is it bad that I'm just waiting for Taylor, the little 12 year old girl, to get slapped?

Alex is pretty smart. I didn't hear about genius...Taylor isn't long for the leader group, I'm afraid! When she is finally ousted, I think she'll go home.

At one point during he competition one of the other teams members mentioned it, regarding Alex and one of the other blue team members being geniuses, as to how blue was doing the puzzle fast.

Well! Zach and Guylan replaced Taylor and Mike on the Council! Good choices made by all. Although, I'm not sure why they kept Anjay...
Greg finally won the Gold Star! He made a very tearful 'college' speech. He's a good kid.
I can't believe I've become so obsessed with this town full of children!

Thank GOODNESS Taylor is gone...

Good episode, but not as exciting as some. The choice between Dune Buggies and Fruit and Veggies? Well, I'm glad they chose the food, because I could see trips to the ER in their future!
DK deserved the Gold Star, and what a performance Guylan gave, to keep him from going home!
Taylor will not get paid unless she does her job...What a concept!

I had not seen DK on camera alot before this episode, but he seemed to be the star of this one.
Made me wonder about the editing they do for the show.
He deserved the gold star, but I was suprised to see someone who as an audience we knew nothing about before this episode be the first unamious decision to win it.
Still amazes me to see faces around the town that I still have not seen speak or get any real camera time.
Seems to focus on a select few, and you would need to interact with them to get shown on the air.

It almost seems like they're trying to give each kid a 'spot' of their own, one episode at a time...However, I think there are too many to do that for!

This might have been my favorite episode! Who says these kids aren't learning anything? I was so proud of Greg! He was mean to Nathan, and later, he apologized. Greg apologized! Nathan also won the Gold Star in part, because Greg nominated him.
The kids are so smart, and they are really learning how to work together.

Nathan was the new face last night that won the star, I did notice that last week for first time they showed him during the challenge and called him by name. Then this week he had the larger on camera role. The second they showed him early in the show talking I got the feeling he would be the one to get the star, since they spotlight the person that ends up winning the star each show.

The believablity of the show was somewhat of a stretch yesterday.

The usually quiet kid destroys the snack stand and it ends up being no big of a deal.

The taking of the community food for the business venture and personal profit, and then the utter waste of food later for the fifty cents at the bottom of the pot struck me as odd. They must have a lot of supplies in the town then which anyone can use at anytime. Thus we haven't heard anymore regarding the yellow group not cooking when they are supposed to.

Also noticed that the other groups were doing the cooking groups duties of washing dishes before the competition.

It was nice to see Taylor barely heard from or seen during the show.

Still wondering if they are going to ever have someone like a sherriff on the show or a judge to mediate any disputes. As proven by Taylor last week the group leaders have little authority other then to possibly hold back someone's weekly money. Which you wouldn't be able to do if that persons gorup was upperclass. Does the opportunity for a gold star and $20,000 keep most of the kids from making too much of a scene? Anyone disruptive seems to have alot more to overcome to get the goldstar, as proven by how much Greg had to do, for a longer period of time to eventually get his, and it was still a debate when he did win.

After seeing Nathan's reaction, I do wonder if he really played it up for the star?
But I guess most are in someway doing that.

I enjoyed watching the show (as usual) again last night. You're so right about the editing, too - whoever pops up out of the crowd and gets some extra camera time is undoubtedly either going to win that gold star OR at least be seriously considered for it. I think (if I'm guessing through the modus operandi of the adults/viewer grabbers who produce this thing the right way and with the proper suspicion ) it would be a forcefully GREAT mesage for all the viewers, young and old, if ol' Greg gets the last "gold star" of the season. Hard to get a better point across than that would be, yes? The out-of-control bullying thug learns, after weeks of hard knocks and worthy life lessons, that it takes a "good guy" to succeed in the end of things. He's a hero. The audience sniffles a bit. Ratings spike .

Just a guess on that, though. It's even more likely that they'll ALL get some sort of star as the show ends. Which seems fair - but will have a somewhat flattening effect on a Season Two (if they even plan one, that is).

My husband taught me about how the shows are edited - now I find myself watching the reality shows for a sentence that seems out of place because that sentence will end up being a big clue as to what will happen later on. Watch shows such as "America's Next Top Model" and you'll see what I mean. For Kid Nation, they really have to show the kid who wins the gold star in that episode so you know why they're being chosen, so the editing is a lot more apparent.

Would it be more miraculous for Greg, who seems to have had a soft side from the beginin but has had it tough, as shown by the fact by age 14 he has allready worked with a butcher, handled live animals and prepped them to become food.

OR

Have the spoiled beauty queen Taylor do something to show she has changed and her get the last gold star?

Also since Greg has won a gold star would they give him another, rather then someone who has never won one?

Oh, whoops. I'd forgotten that Greg DID win that gold star already....
So, yes, giving that last one to Taylor would be more sensible.

All very true. I also liked the kid who made the 'jewelry' and then sold it on the street. He used the money to sort of "pimp" himself out with the clothes! Pretty funny. A businessman. Will he be next weeks Gold citizen? Can't remember his name!

We are assuming that Taylor WILL change? I certainly have my doubts, but you never know...

the kid who made the necklaces was the same kid who threw a fit over the girls snack stand, then destroyed the stand and the prepared food on it.

So I find it hard to give him much credit after he wrecked the girls snack stand.

I think the Taylor thing is just a way of looking at things through the producers eyes and what would get the best ratings.