Amish In The City: Episode 7
The International Episode
By Evan D. Baltz
September 2, 2004
The house is divided into basically two camps: the Amish and Kevan versus the city kids. Kevan seems to be the fulcrum around which most of the house's arguments and discussions revolve. I'd prefer to hear some discussion about the stupidity of Reese's silky red robe. Did he steal that off of some featherweight boxer? Is his secret boxing name, "Kid Flamboyant"?
Kevan tells us that he is half Persian. His father is from Iran. Meagan, who thinks Kevan doesn't know who he is, says that he is aggressive towards women because Persian men are that way. Upset by this over generalization, Kevan tells Nick that it is actually his step-dad that is Persian. Kevan does this knowing that Nick will blab this to the rest of the city kids and it will make them look stupid.
Which of course he does. Nick becomes upset then at Kevan for pretending to be half Persian. It insults him apparently because he is half Lebanese.
This week's theme is apparently internationalism. The first field trip is to the Cairo Carnival, where the kids learn about Middle Eastern culture. The city kids are upset when Kevan tells one lady he is half Middle Eastern, because they think he is lying (even though he really is half Persian). This starts a big fight between Kevan and the rest of the city kids. They think they can't believe him at all now. It all blows up back at the house in the kitchen. As the city kids gang up on Kevan, Mose stands up and states, "Anyone who has a problem with Kevan also has a problem with me." It was good to see Mose stand up for Kevan.
Meanwhile, Jonas is studying for his GED. If he does not return to the Amish, he wants to go to college. The next day Jonas takes the test. I assume we will find out how he did in a later show.
Reese talks about missing his "boyfriend" Eduardo. And we get to see Reese in some equally ridiculous attire. Please, some of us are trying to eat while watching the show.
The girls are tasked with picking up supplies for a party using a Mexican theme. The guys are to find Chinese stuff. So they go their separate ways to find supplies. Of course, a piñata is thought to be in order, so they make one. Mose becomes fascinated with a golden horse at a Chinese store and decides to purchase it. Kevan attempts to reconcile his relationship with Nick, but Nick refuses to try to make things better.
The next trip for the group is to some place called Bollywood. They have no idea what that might be. It is a place known as Little India. They can get henna tattoos or get their eyebrows "threaded." Then they try on traditional wedding clothes. It looked like a scene from "Bend it Like Beckham." It's funny how the LA version of India sure looks a lot different then the real thing itself as shown in "Amazing Race" this week.
The city kids ask Mose why he would ever go back to the Amish. He says it would be for family and friends. To leave the Amish would mean giving up your family and all your friends for life. Reese proclaims the Amish life "shallow." Such a meaningful criticism coming from a "club promoter" who wears red silky robes. The decision for all the Amish is a difficult one. It comes down to family vs. the outside world.
The next journey is a pilgrimage to a local Islamic Mosque. The girls are told they will need to wear head coverings. The city girls aren't too excited about that, or the fact that some religion or culture would force women into inferior roles.
When the group returns they are greeted by a "special" guest. It is Eduardo. Oh yippee. Just what the show needed, some more clichés. He helps them prepare the international meal as they decorate the house. At dinner, Kevan takes an opportunity to apologize to everyone for anything he might have done or said to offend anyone and says he would like to make an effort to leave the house as friends. He asks if anyone would like to join him in making that effort. Queue the chirping crickets. No one accepts the offer. After the meal they break open the piñata and gather up the candy. Then it is time to say good bye to Eduardo. Memo to UPN, we saw enough men kissing last week during the men's gymnastics in the Olympics. Didn't need to see it here.
Ruth and Miriam close the show by again discussing whether or not they will leave the Amish for good. Ruth would like to do something with her life. She wants to "be somebody." I guess time will tell.
Evan is a Web Designer and Corporate Training Specialist by day, and a Reality TV junky, author, and movie reviewer by night.
You can write to Evan at RealEvan@RealityTVCalendar.com
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