Pawel's Kenyan Experience

Pawel takes social development 101, while the troopers manage to piss off some African wildlife in search of the perfect snap shot!

Analysis

I seriously don't like the pattern I've been seeing on Road Rules recently. It's beginning to show evidence of "Latin America Syndrome" Where original--but uninteresting mission ride shot gun with unfulfilling character plots. And that's a shame because this episode had promise!

Take for instance the show's A Plot where Pawel reassess his social skills by attempting to open himself up more to his fellow travelmates; as well as to the 600 other students on board consisting of the "female" demographic! Yes folks, in a unprecedented and long overdue move, Pawel officially throws his hat into the dating pool ring! However, he should've consulted with his advisor Smooth Operator before putting the moves on some girl right "in front" of her boyfriend no less: "Hey dude, you won't mind if I borrow your lady for a while will ya?" Suffice to say if the cameras hadn't been there, we would've gotten a "Man Overboard" call for sure!

But unfortunately, Pawel's social development sessions are put to bed immediately by the show's B Plot in which the kids are flown to Chyulu Hills, Kenya to participate in a photo safari contest with Siegfried and Roy who lay down the ground rules for the mission: "Za team (Simba: Ayanna, Yes, and Pua. Tembo: Pawel, Veronica, and Shawn) zhat takes za most beautifulist picture vill vin a brrrrand new (drumroll) camerrrra!"

Man, the producers have really gone out of their way to hammer home the "All About Pawel" theme! Not only the mission, but even the prize appeals to his taste! C'mon, who else in the group would actually be thrilled about winning a camera other than Pawel? Essentially it's a can't lose scheme manufactured by the producers to ensure some "conflict" either way: If Pawel wins, everyone's pissed cuz they weren't offered a prize they'd like! If Pawel loses, then that gives him an excuse to gripe, pout and retreat back into his shell (which he did! Oh well, so much for character development. Hey! You want conflict? You got conflict!)

I'm really disappointed with BMP. In the past they were capable of pulling the wool over my eyes with class, now days their attempts are so blatantly obvious and sloppy it's laughable! In fact, I'm surprised that he lost considering it looked like this would be a for sure rigged contest (especially since he lost to Clueless who thumbs her nose to hands on work (Heck, work all together!), ends up winning? I smell a rat!

In addition, Pawel looked upon this mission as a way to prove himself to the rest of the group; much like Nate's attempts in "Shall We Play A Game" And we all know how that turned out! Well in the end, Pawel didn't prove himself, and neither did the producers if they expect this standard flare to sit well with me! Personally, I'd rather had seen Pawel in "Ladies Man Mode" as apposed to "Great White Hunter" eventhough he stood a 50/50 chance of sucking at that too; but at least it would've been more interesting to watch! Besides, what can you do against the powers that be at BMP?

Goofs

• X Files Material: While the group was lounging in their cabin, Pua was alerted to a knock at the door (which revealed their next clue); but you could clearly see that no one was standing at the door while the knock was being heard! [Insert Twilight Zone theme music here!]

• Consistency: What! No "Previously on Road Rules" this week? Just an example of how sheltered Pawel has really been on this trip! The producers (with hundreds of hours of film already) still couldn't cough up any footage of Pawel being "sociable" for the teaser, which in its self is a prelude for the show.

• Inquiring Minds Want To Know: I've dang near scratched a groove in my head trying to figure out exactly how Pawel... being in his field of interest still managed to lose to Clueless who performed her best "Gurly-Gurl" Act in hopes of copping out of the mission! Heck, even the camera buff... under imminent danger of being steam-rolled by a herd of pissed off pachyderms was able to capture a decent image; while the powers that be would have us believe that all Pawel did was kick the ground! What did Clueless do, buy out the judge (If you catch my drift)?

Viewer Rating	Results
Q: How do you rate Pawel's Kenyan Experience? (of 94 respondents) 7%   5 - Excellent. 12%   4 - Above Average. 32%   3 - Average. 24%   2 - Below Average. 15%   1 - Far Below Average. 10%   0 - I'd Rather Watch Informercials.

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