28 reviews
A great reality series about a remote little settlement in Alaska. The series tells the harsh reality of the small community in honest stories. A little gem told with wonderful pictures. But also the dark sides of a life far away from civilization.
The quick changes from scene to scene is aggravating. You are watching them out fishing and all of a sudden you are in a field watching them hunt a bear. Your mind definitely doesn't have time to process that quickly. And it gets confusing. We've been watching from the beginning and absolutely love the show. Hope it gets better next season or we won't be watching. I would also love to see how they survive the winter not just preparing for the winter. Some additional background on the characters would be a good addition. I hope it continue for a long time...makes me want to move there...well kinda.
- kimberlycooper-38327
- Mar 22, 2023
- Permalink
Interesting, instructive 'how to survive' show, but not a fan of Oliver Johnson. It's just weird how he keeps saying, "Dude" and "Man" to his female partner Breanna. Also, he seems sort of demeaning and belittling towards her. She doesn't appear to be a wilting flower, but is more of an accomplished, capable woman and he seems to be 'mansplaining' too often. The rest of the cast are more enjoyable to watch. It obviously takes someone hardy to live there. Beautiful scenery, but even though summers were spent on Granny's Eastern Shore of Maryland farm fishing, crabbing & clamming, retrieving eggs from the hen house there's no way I could live with all the bugs and freezing temperatures.
Love,love, love this show!!! This show is so relatable to those of us who dream of a quiet somewhat off the grid life! These people have a real community yet they are self sufficient in every way. While I love " Life Below Zero".. I really don't see myself ever living a total solitary life so seeing Port lets me fantasize that perhaps I could do it there! Love all the cast...please keep this going on forever‼️‼️ The board walk is so much like a child's dream of living in a forest! What could be more fun than walking on a boardwalk thru the forest to your friends cottage in the woods? Being alone in the woods may sound great but having neighbors when you need help sounds much better! I think all of these people are very aware of how lucky they are‼️
- danwaynealaska
- Aug 16, 2015
- Permalink
Exactly the dream of Peter Pan and the lost boys! It's a play land with deadly consequences but you have all the support from your friends and neighbors. Love this show. I wish I could live there! Keep this show going forever. The people are great and wonderful. I want to see them all develop more together in this harsh jungle.
- alaskan_reb
- Sep 3, 2017
- Permalink
Oh, my goodness I must have been born in a forest as I find this show so much fun to watch. I can't wait for the next show to be shown,These people are so real, so happy with this life they lead. I want it on every week to see how they handle all life has to throw at them. Please keep it going.
- nancylloyd-16383
- Mar 19, 2017
- Permalink
I absolutely love this show. Please advertise better when the next season will be on. I was looking for the 2017 season & only got an opportunity to let you know on this 2015 page that more show are encouraged by wilderness lovers like myself that may not be able to experience such things but only through others. Awesome show. Please continue it.
Although this is NOT a survival series nor does it claim to be. It is a choice to live in this beautiful place. I love Curly and Gary they are my 2 favorites on the show.
RIP Jethro And Welcome "JJ"!!!
- firballblaze-69689
- Feb 25, 2020
- Permalink
I don't know how long ago that the segment was taped of the women showing each other, or the newcomer, how to cut down trees but I had to turn my head away and close my eyes. I agree they all are "tough women" but they're giving each other congratulations on VERY dangerous practices. I've run chainsaw for over 50 years, cut down (and cut up) hundreds of trees (and have made many mistakes doing so...) and I would strongly suggest they PLEASE take someone like Curly out there with them to get them proficient with chainsaw use before they kill themselves. I'm sure one of the guys who are well-versed chainsaw operators would be more than happy to go with them to keep them from hurting themselves or one of the others.
- zubbie-21254
- Mar 23, 2023
- Permalink
After watching every single episode of this show, I wanted to revise my review. Many other people have talked about the editing technique and switching from scene to scene. I agree on that one and wish they would edit it differently so that it was not so erratic.
The real reason I wanted to revise my review is that I absolutely fell in love with everything about Port protection. Starting with the people. I hope some of them see these reviews and if I knew they were reading this here is what I would say. Thank you so much for letting us have a little window into your wonderful life. It is a very different lifestyle than most of us live today. But I get the absolute draw and beauty of living there.
Also, the way that you all take care of each other is inspirational. Contributing where you can and helping each other out. If I was a young man, again, I very well may be looking for property in your direction!
It is ironic that a show could literally show someone doing some thing as mundane as chopping wood, and it would be interesting. There is something graceful and simplistic about every aspect of their lives. Being in touch, not only with nature, but your food sources and providing for yourself in a meaningful way is incredible. I hope the show comes back for more to inspire us all again.
The real reason I wanted to revise my review is that I absolutely fell in love with everything about Port protection. Starting with the people. I hope some of them see these reviews and if I knew they were reading this here is what I would say. Thank you so much for letting us have a little window into your wonderful life. It is a very different lifestyle than most of us live today. But I get the absolute draw and beauty of living there.
Also, the way that you all take care of each other is inspirational. Contributing where you can and helping each other out. If I was a young man, again, I very well may be looking for property in your direction!
It is ironic that a show could literally show someone doing some thing as mundane as chopping wood, and it would be interesting. There is something graceful and simplistic about every aspect of their lives. Being in touch, not only with nature, but your food sources and providing for yourself in a meaningful way is incredible. I hope the show comes back for more to inspire us all again.
- markmalott
- Sep 6, 2023
- Permalink
This show is pretty well produced and has a few pretty interesting characters who seem to know what they're doing, how to fend for themselves, how to build interesting contraptions to help them do it, etc. These people are interesting to watch and listen to.
There are also a couple of characters who seem more like they just live in the town and aren't necessarily much more cut out for survival living than you or I are. They make the show more tedious and hard to watch.
If they got rid of the bad characters this could be a top show. As is, I quit watching after 3 episodes. The last straw for me was when a woman went fishing, just doing some basic fishing, catches a tiny fish and tosses it in her bucket, and they show a couple shots of her tossing the fish in the bucket in slow-mo as if it's some amazing thing.
There are also a couple of characters who seem more like they just live in the town and aren't necessarily much more cut out for survival living than you or I are. They make the show more tedious and hard to watch.
If they got rid of the bad characters this could be a top show. As is, I quit watching after 3 episodes. The last straw for me was when a woman went fishing, just doing some basic fishing, catches a tiny fish and tosses it in her bucket, and they show a couple shots of her tossing the fish in the bucket in slow-mo as if it's some amazing thing.
- happy_quadruped
- Apr 9, 2022
- Permalink
I have just discovered the show Lawless Island, about the lives of people living in Port Protection. I absolutely love it, and have been binge watching, and am now on season 5. I love all the older original folks, and listening to their stories and words of wisdom. It's nice to see the younger generation coming in, and learning to live that life, but sometimes they come across as a little cocky, and it's a bit annoying. But OMG, none are as annoying as Oliver Johnson!!! What a deuche bag. What makes it even worse, is the way he treats Breanna. What she's doing with that guy, or what she sees in him is beyond me. As somebody else mentioned, he is demeaning towards her, and disrespectful, and treats her like she's stupid. You can do better girl!!
Love the show, but hoping to see less of Oliver Johnson!!
Love the show, but hoping to see less of Oliver Johnson!!
I absolutely love this show. I've never been big into reality shows but I discovered this show during the pandemic and became instantly hooked. I love the entire way of life, the family like community, and the incredible way they choose to live their life. I've laughed, cried, and even times just in awe with everyone from this community. Even has me thinking if I would want to take the leap and join them. I hope this show keeps getting renewed so we all can continue to enjoy the small glimpse of their amazing lives. I definitely will have a special place in my heart for their family members that were lost.
- ramonmatos-71795
- Aug 3, 2023
- Permalink
This was an excellent series. I loved every bit of it.
The experience of the port protection people in the Alaska was shown in such a tremendous way, I too felt that every person should experience what a man is capablee of when there is now worldly law, and the only law they have to abide is the law of nature.
How the comfort and luxury has made us stubborn and we are just so more then what we think about ourself.
The experience of the port protection people in the Alaska was shown in such a tremendous way, I too felt that every person should experience what a man is capablee of when there is now worldly law, and the only law they have to abide is the law of nature.
How the comfort and luxury has made us stubborn and we are just so more then what we think about ourself.
- daamusafir
- May 3, 2021
- Permalink
You would be wise during bear hunts to-get that rifle off your shoulder and in your hands. That extra 2 seconds to shoot could make you dinner for a bear. Be careful please.
- rrbailie-94581
- Jun 13, 2022
- Permalink
I love this show for the simple fact is that I've always wanted to move back to Alaska and retire in a community like this. The community is so nice and almost pristine, until you see Oliver Johnson's cove. Reminds me of some of the hillbillies round here that trash their whole property with rusted out trucks and beer cans. Looks like a run down trailer in the middle of a beautiful cove. Broke down buildings along the shore line and no respect for nature or their surroundings. Its these kinds of kids that only care what they can take from nature and have no respect for it or themselves. Alaskan officials should see that and order them to clean that s#!? Hole up.
- chadklapper
- Mar 24, 2021
- Permalink
I'm fascinated by the "characters" (the citizens of the town) and following them closely as they struggle to survive. They have to hunt, fish and grow their own food. They must constantly cut wood for heat. Their town always needs "MacGyvered" repairs. If I were 30 years younger I'd probably run off to go there myself. If you watch the first episode you will become involved with these people and want to know what they are doing, and how they are getting along. Do yourself a favor and watch the first couple seasons on a rainy day and before you know it you will get sucked in.
I hope and pray that the "powers-that-be" at the network will see this review (and the reviews of many others,) saying we need to get our fix of these people's lives!!! Please bring this show back for S7!
I hope and pray that the "powers-that-be" at the network will see this review (and the reviews of many others,) saying we need to get our fix of these people's lives!!! Please bring this show back for S7!
- Queenbee60
- Aug 8, 2022
- Permalink
I would usually give this a 10/10, but since they got rid of the narrator, and switch between storylines every 7 seconds, the show has gone downhill. The new cast members leave more to be desired as well. I get it, some have moved, passed away, decided not to continue the show, whatever, but the new choices are bunk. Anyway...
A) Bring back the narrator.
B) Spend more time with a particular issue/storyline before switching to another.
C) Don't pick the new guy/girl who has decided to go out and "see if they have what it takes." All they've done is watched the show and hoped they could end up on TV. They'll do it for their 15 minutes of fame, and then move back to Cincinnati or wherever they're from once it's over.
I'm sure no one from the show will see this, but stranger things have happened. I loved the show before and wish it would go back to how it was.
A) Bring back the narrator.
B) Spend more time with a particular issue/storyline before switching to another.
C) Don't pick the new guy/girl who has decided to go out and "see if they have what it takes." All they've done is watched the show and hoped they could end up on TV. They'll do it for their 15 minutes of fame, and then move back to Cincinnati or wherever they're from once it's over.
I'm sure no one from the show will see this, but stranger things have happened. I loved the show before and wish it would go back to how it was.
- rhollanbell
- Oct 21, 2023
- Permalink
I want to like the show so I give it a 3 star that it does not deserve.
Wilderness survival is a very interesting topic for me. The set of skills involved is so remote from the lives of most normal people, it might as well be science fiction. TV shows like this one have the potential to bring us closer to otherwise lost or unreachable information and experiences.
Yet, time and again, we get to see overweight folk mill around. It is not a fault of this one show, it is the same elsewhere. Dramas are manufactured. Say, a broken engine leaves a boat at the mercy of a forever incoming thunderstorm... yet the camera crew must be on another boat right there filming (unless they can walk on water or the boat itself is by the shore).
But it gets far worse, really. These shows are about first worlders playing at being pioneers (at best). They have all kinds of gear, from weapons to weatherproof clothing to machinery (chainsaws and what not) to, come on!, plenty of food to grow near obese on (even the dogs are fat). And, let's be honest, they never are far away from support in case of a real emergency.
The fact is that it would be better if these folks were shown for what they really are instead of for what they are not.
Another wasted opportunity... too bad!
Wilderness survival is a very interesting topic for me. The set of skills involved is so remote from the lives of most normal people, it might as well be science fiction. TV shows like this one have the potential to bring us closer to otherwise lost or unreachable information and experiences.
Yet, time and again, we get to see overweight folk mill around. It is not a fault of this one show, it is the same elsewhere. Dramas are manufactured. Say, a broken engine leaves a boat at the mercy of a forever incoming thunderstorm... yet the camera crew must be on another boat right there filming (unless they can walk on water or the boat itself is by the shore).
But it gets far worse, really. These shows are about first worlders playing at being pioneers (at best). They have all kinds of gear, from weapons to weatherproof clothing to machinery (chainsaws and what not) to, come on!, plenty of food to grow near obese on (even the dogs are fat). And, let's be honest, they never are far away from support in case of a real emergency.
The fact is that it would be better if these folks were shown for what they really are instead of for what they are not.
Another wasted opportunity... too bad!
- imdb-487-881561
- Jun 22, 2016
- Permalink
I loved the first couple seasons but then it got pretty boring and monotonous. I wasn't really interested in the characters and a few of the men bugged me. The guy who kept calling his GF "dude" and would act like the expert even though she grew up in the life style. Totally annoyed me. I almost stopped watching, larger because of the new "bros" are just dumb, but then the series started to focus more on the women. Sure, I am bias because I am a women, but it was about time! I was getting really bored watching the men do the same thing over and over and over again. Sure Mary was front and center but the other ladies were not and it got boring watching the same people do the same things. Season 7, the ladies started to ban together and talk about things from their perspective. Smart move since not ALL viewers are men and not all of us can relate to these dudes.
- madmaywebdesign
- Mar 6, 2024
- Permalink
Repeatedly, these poor over-the-hill and overweight folks fail to find m/catch/kill food, their hunting, fishing, and trapping skills far below the standard. If they truly relied on these skills to survive they would, at the very least, weigh far less than they do.
They show no planning in their actions. It like they wake up and decide they need a moose for the winter, and they hadn't considered it all year... no planning, no preparation.
Then there's the manufactured drama. That part is laughable.
They show no planning in their actions. It like they wake up and decide they need a moose for the winter, and they hadn't considered it all year... no planning, no preparation.
Then there's the manufactured drama. That part is laughable.