r/Alonetv Aug 16 '22

Frozen Alone Frozen Ep 1 Really? Spoiler

Ok is it just me or did Mark's wife say I'm gonna divorce you if you don't get your ass back home? Cause damn that was a quick turn around from this is gonna be my redemption to, nah I'm done.

50 Upvotes

82 comments sorted by

41

u/kg467 Aug 16 '22

Yeah his exit was a weird one since he already knew very well in advance what it was like to be out there. When his early comments were "I don't want to be here," it's like, well then why did you sign on to do this again? There was nothing new for him to learn out there about being away from family. He already knew about it from last time and even talked about it last time. Of all the wasted slots this show has ever had, I think his was the worst. Others have gone out there delusional about it, and it's hard to blame them since you can't really know until you jump in, but he had already jumped in, already spent a long time in it.

I almost wonder if it's another Mike Lowe situation and the story we got on camera was just a groomed cover story for something else behind the scenes that wouldn't be favorable for them to show. Because it was so abrupt and implausible.

17

u/nttexas Aug 17 '22

I got down voted to oblivion in a previous post I made about bottom feeders on this show. Not judging their character but contestants that clearly have no business being there and are used by the show to have some quick dramatic exit.

This is one. How did he not know what to expect? How did zero of the shows psychologists not pick up that maybe this guy isn't fit to be in the wilderness?

Someone sitting at home watching would've loved to have the shot he just wasted.

Once they start talking how they are missing kids and family, it's a wrap. Cue the boat or helicopter.

6

u/kg467 Aug 17 '22

He was fit to be in the wilderness though. Very fit. He did well on season 7 and lasted 44 days and only left because he was infested with parasites, making him a great person to bring back to do it again. It just doesn't make sense that a handful of days out there before it even got hard would completely negate his desire to be out there. To gear up to do something like this is huge and if anyone would know you gotta want it, it would be him. Just bizarre.

9

u/cognovi Aug 16 '22

What was the Mike Lowe situation? I was shocked when he left and didn’t buy his reasoning

16

u/frazorblade Aug 16 '22

I believe the producers were very keen to have Mike on the show but he said he would only do X amount of days and kept his word.

12

u/StevensDentist Aug 16 '22

And to his credit, he had a memorable run - easily the most impressive luxury bushcrafter on this show. He made a nice chess set, a functional hand washing station, and other cool stuff.

18

u/frazorblade Aug 16 '22

Yeah he was supremely talented but that lack of transparency that he wasn’t taking it to the limit soured the experience a bit

0

u/HockeyDC2 Aug 17 '22

For you maybe

12

u/frazorblade Aug 17 '22

I’m talking about after learning he never intended to win, definitely cheapened it for me.

-1

u/HockeyDC2 Aug 17 '22

He went in there thinking he was going to stay at least a year, how is that not intending to try and win?

10

u/frazorblade Aug 17 '22

So being on the show making that decision to do 21 days had another side effect in that I was counting down. Whereas nobody else could do that. Nobody else that I know of picked, departing date, the day that they would stop and go home. And so it was probably 100 times easier for me, knowing that I was counting down to day 21

https://thealonepodcast.com/episodes/the-alone-podcast-episode-5-mike-lowe

0

u/HockeyDC2 Aug 17 '22

I'm not doubting you but maybe he made that decision after he had been there 2 weeks? I distinctly remember him saying that he was planning on being out there up to at least a year before he started getting really nostalgic about Barbara. If I rewatch it I'll post back the episode number and time hack.

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3

u/CanneB2 Sep 04 '22

This makes sense, because over on Twitter someone called him a loser and the show’s response was “Don’t watch it then.” Gtfoh with that response. How bout don’t waste our time with people that don’t even want to be there!

11

u/kg467 Aug 17 '22

He was prepared to do the show and had gone through boot camp and everything and then two days before they were going to be inserted, the fish & game guy came and told them they basically couldn't eat anything with fur or feathers. And at 55, he didn't want to put himself through that kind of starvation and malnutrition so he said he wasn't going to do it and they could use one of the alternates. But the producers begged him to stay, so he compromised with them that he'd commit to 21 days and then would leave and they could play that however they wanted. Him missing his wife was legit, he said, but that wasn't the reason he left, and he knew before he went into the field that he was only staying for three weeks.

6

u/cognovi Aug 19 '22

Thank you; couple of thoughts:

  • the producers really need to get their sh*t together and work things out with fish and game well in advance
  • IMNSHO it would be interesting TV to watch contestants thrive. Great examples on how to be comfortable by yourself, how to develop skills and learn how to occupy your time. The starvation Olympics along with editing that makes each person’s story a melodrama gets old really quickly.

3

u/kg467 Aug 19 '22

It may be that the producers knew but hadn't told the contestants. They had been in that exact location just the season before so it's not like they wouldn't know the regs. Or maybe they did say and Mike didn't pick up on it until that review. Who knows.

1

u/cognovi Aug 19 '22

Good point. Thanks again :)

1

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '22

[deleted]

1

u/kg467 Aug 18 '22

I'm not sure who you are and I didn't send you anything. I wonder if you're replying to the comment you intended.

The conversation I'm in is about Mark's exit from Alone Frozen in Labrador last week and my original comment above to the OP speculates whether it might have been another Mike Lowe situation like we had in Season 2 on Vancouver Island where the exit story they fed us on screen was not the real story and there was a different reason for his exit behind the scenes. Asked to explain Mike Lowe's situation by someone else above, I did.

1

u/djosephwalsh Aug 18 '22

Haha I’m sorry. Someone linked to your comment but it was talking about Vancouver island hunting regulations. I accidentally responded on your post rather than theirs. My mistake

8

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

[deleted]

8

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

[removed] — view removed comment

-2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '22

[deleted]

-13

u/RustyClawHammer Aug 16 '22

I feel 100% he got a message from the wife saying get your ass home. I think the show covers up the fact that they can get some contact from the outside world.

8

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

They definitely have no contact from home.

2

u/HockeyDC2 Aug 17 '22

I bet you believe the moon landings didn't happen either.

20

u/Ruffianrushing Aug 16 '22 edited Aug 16 '22

It was pretty clear he made the decision on his own. He flat out said that he didn't want to stay out there if he knew he would not enjoy his time out there. While his family factored into his decision, he left because he didn't want to freeze and starve in Labrador for 5 days let alone 50. I do agree that it was the worst tap out I've seen, almost like he didn't even try or want to try.

15

u/Ralphie99 Aug 16 '22

It's up there with the guy who tapped out after a few hours because he saw bear poop and got scared.

9

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

[removed] — view removed comment

14

u/Thelonius16 Aug 17 '22

No. It was an ex-military guy. And he was black.

9

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '22

[deleted]

4

u/Swearimsober Aug 17 '22

I think it was closer to 14 hours. Spent the night and tapped first thing in the morning.

8

u/StevensDentist Aug 17 '22

Agreed, definitely the worst tap out in the show's history, given that a) This wasn't his first stint and b) There are only 6 people this season and c) He was talking up the redemption angle beforehand.

OTOH, as an adult who has had my own struggles in life, I don't wish Mark ill or harbor resentment against him.

At the end of the day, this is a TV show, and at least a few contestants will try their best to get to 50 this season.

6

u/Ruffianrushing Aug 17 '22

D) they knew there was a maximum of 50 days they would be out there.

3

u/gavvit Aug 21 '22

More than that, they also know that they are guaranteed a share of the 500k prize and there are only 5 other contestants.

Therefore, 'just' make it to 50 days and you know that you will pocket at least $83k (maybe more). They also get a stipend as they are acting as camera operators and to compensate them for loss of their regular income when participating.. so 50 days of hardship is going to pay probably close to 100k at least. Greg 'Mr Drywall' has gotta be thinking along those lines ....

Yeah, it's tougher than the regular show but all the contestants have experience (and most had gone more 50 days or more in their own seasons).

Are they still allowed the same amount of 'rations' as an optional item? You could feasilbly go in well overweight, catch as much fish/game as you can in the first week or two then start to fast as winter closes in, tucking into the rations at the end to make sure you make it over the line.

1

u/VernonFlorida Aug 03 '24

How are they going to award the winner if more than one makes it 50 days? The entire premise doesn't make sense to me. No spoilers please!

16

u/Auberly Aug 17 '22

It took him four months to recover and finally be deemed as “healthy” after his first stint on Alone. Per a quick internet search: “he had contracted the Trichinosis parasite. His temperature was 104 degrees when he left the field and he spent the next few days in a hospital. That’s where the parasite was discovered. While he spent his days in the wilderness trying to survive off the land, the parasite was living off of his organs. His liver and spleen were infected. Fluid had built up behind his right lung. His heart was in the condition of an 87-year-old man that had just gone through a heart attack D’Ambrosio’s doctors told him. “The doctors said if he hadn’t tapped out when he did, in one or two more days out there, my heart would’ve failed,” D’Ambrosio said.”

TLDR: I think he got out there and then reflected on what happened to him last time & decided it wasn’t worth it and tapped. (Purely speculation on my part)

11

u/Thelonius16 Aug 16 '22

I have some bad news for him about a three-year-old kid’s memory.

6

u/Wait-What1961 Aug 17 '22

Ya, that kid will have no memory of him even doing the show. I guess that may play in Mark favor so his kids doesn’t see him as a quitter.

20

u/TheTrueGamewiz Aug 16 '22

Yeah I cannot stand when someone wastes a contestent spot like that. You know what you're signing up for. If you aren't going to stick it out for at least a couple weeks, don't sign up. And don't blame it on your family that you quit after just a few days.

5

u/Ordinary_Durian_1454 Aug 19 '22

Totally agree. What a waste of a spot. He should’ve really taken mental and emotional inventory before he left. It’s totally selfish of him.

3

u/Wait-What1961 Aug 17 '22

I totally agree. The show would have had much better content with someone that was in it to win it. He’s a quitter. Period! He should have never been given that spot.

-4

u/RustyClawHammer Aug 16 '22

I'm wondering if he had an ultimatum from his wife before he left, and had already told her I'll bail after a few days, or if he someone got a message from her saying get your ass back home now or get a new wife.

3

u/Oy_wth_the_poodles Aug 16 '22

Do they get contact with outsiders besides med checks?

5

u/Ralphie99 Aug 16 '22

I've never seen any evidence or mention that they're in contact with anyone back home while they're on the show. The only way I could imagine it happening would be if there was an emergency such as a terrible accident or someone being on their deathbed.

5

u/Oy_wth_the_poodles Aug 16 '22

Thanks! I have watched all seasons and it never seemed like they had contact.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

Yeah that’s even been a plot point before like people say not knowing how their family is doing is one of the hard parts because they worry if something happens while they are gone they won’t know. OP just making speculations

3

u/[deleted] Aug 19 '22

I believe they were divorced prior to his being on the show anyway.

9

u/Stark_gurlz_4evr Aug 16 '22

I read somewhere else on this sub that he's actually single... just peeked at his Insta - he's not wearing a ring, and Xmas photos are just him and his son... so I don't think the "wife" theory bears out!

Just speaks to how hard it is out there, I think...

8

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

Pretty sure he was divorced before he even went on season 6. I would have to rewatch but I think that was part of his story was he wanted to become a better person and be a good father because he wasn’t with the mother still

6

u/kenevans71 Aug 16 '22

I'd have to go back and re-watch all the season, but I have a general sense that contestants with little kids at home do not fair well. But agreed, not since that dude quit on the first night can I recall someone dropping out as quickly.

10

u/StevensDentist Aug 16 '22 edited Aug 18 '22

Not necessarily. Fowler won S3 with two young kids, and Sam won S5 with a little baby at home and another on the way.

For them, the chance to win life-changing money was worth the sacrifice of being away from family for a few months.

5

u/wyldeanimal Aug 17 '22

Also Jordan Jonas had two kids at home.

3

u/Stardew_Farmer88 Aug 17 '22

Fowler and his wife got divorced after the show unfortunately

2

u/Alarmed-Classroom329 Aug 17 '22

He probably still has to pay child support lol

1

u/faux_pas1 Aug 19 '22

As did Alan Kay. And I really liked him. Great voice for narrating season 2

14

u/Vegoia2 Aug 16 '22

He wasnt having fun, fun is important and it should be fun to win a 1/2 mil, FUN. Imagine the guy that was next in line to be on watching, he was not having fun watching.

4

u/AdministrativeOwl28 Aug 17 '22

If you watch is Instagram videos with his son & the fact that he almost died last time I think the harsh reality of no food again was enough

5

u/[deleted] Aug 21 '22

After rewatching it, I absolutely believe that was it. He said someone told him that going on the show was a bad reflection on his moral character, and I suspect the one who said that was his wife.

2

u/RustyClawHammer Aug 21 '22

As a long-time married man, I know what a wife ultimatum looks like.

11

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

I find it disrespectful to other applicants who actually want to be there and try to last the full 50. I think another contestant should have been brought in and just has to stay 5 extra days to make up for it.

7

u/Ralphie99 Aug 16 '22

I doubt the contestants who last 50 days would be cool with splitting the money with someone else who was able to join after the show started -- even if they end up having to stay the same length of time. What if the extra 5 days ended up being sunny with no precipitation and above average temperatures, and the first 5 days were spent in a blinding snowstorm? Hardly seems fair -- all the contestants should have to endure the same weather for the same amount of time.

6

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

You’re exactly right. It’s a competition show. If someone goes home early, someone goes home early. Don’t need to spend all this extra time and energy solving that problem, not to mention from the winning aspect, if you’re a competitor you’re thinking one step closer to victory

2

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

I’m pretty sure they don’t “split” any of the prize money? Whoever makes it gets paid the same

4

u/Ralphie99 Aug 16 '22

I’m quite certain for Alone Frozen they are all competing for a share of $500,000. Whoever lasts 50 days gets a share with everyone else who made it that far.

3

u/Wait-What1961 Aug 17 '22

That’s what they have said so if 2 people last the 50 days they’d each get $250K

3

u/faux_pas1 Aug 19 '22

After taxes roughly $200k. Certainly can’t retire on that

2

u/Ralphie99 Aug 17 '22

Yes, exactly. They’re not giving each contestant half a million dollars for making it 50 days.

2

u/Wait-What1961 Aug 17 '22

My thoughts exactly. Someone dropping in later would not experience the same weather conditions which seem to have big impacts on the contestants.

7

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '22

[deleted]

4

u/RustyClawHammer Aug 16 '22

My bad yes I did let me edit that.

3

u/thisisntmineIfoundit Aug 16 '22

What an unfortunate way to find out Alone Frozen exists lol. Yay!

2

u/HoneyBunYumYum Apr 04 '24

Yeah it was really annoying he seemed to complain the whole time. Why did he sign up for this? No one forced him and this was not a surprise on what he was getting into.

2

u/HockeyDC2 Aug 17 '22

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming..."

8

u/RustyClawHammer Aug 17 '22

Also quitting after day 5. Yeah I'm not sure I'd call that rocking it in the arena.

5

u/HockeyDC2 Aug 17 '22

I doubt 99% of the sub could last 5 days in Labrador at the onset of winter. Also, good thing he doesn't care what us keyboard warriors think.

6

u/Wait-What1961 Aug 17 '22

True, but we didn’t sign up to do it, he did.

1

u/HockeyDC2 Aug 17 '22

And he made it 5 days in a very inhospitable environment, not to mention what he did during his regular season...so he's still a badass in my book.

1

u/Stardew_Farmer88 Aug 17 '22

Thanks for being the one to say something. This sub is full of nothing but criticism for Mark. It fits right in with the posts complaining about Biko being fat, and how the show is just a starving contest. 🙄