Everest: Season 2

Tim Medvetz is aggravating to watch & listen to
I enjoyed this series (both season 1 & 2). There's a bit too much screen time spent re-re-recapping what occurred in previous episodes but it was still thoroughly engaging drama.

Now on to one hugely annoying element of this series: Tim Medvetz, one of the expedition members.

Why did they have to spend SOOOO much screen time on this buffoon? I found the other climbers much more interesting & agreeable. By contrast, Tim is a cartoonish caricature of the loud, obnoxious, arrogant, reckless, self-absorbed, pompous American. He treats everything like a party and acts as if he's the center of the universe. Oh, and he also grunts "U.S.A!!!" like the walking cartoon that he is. As an American, I'm tired of seeing the same old onscreen formula that says "American" = "rugged individual" = "loud obnoxious jerk".

Through both season 1 & 2, this man NEVER does what he's asked to do. He always leaves late, does what he wants, goes where he wants, creates...

High altitude drama....and repetition
Having done some climbing, (many years ago) the subject matter and cinematography are highly compelling, and season 1 was very good. Season 2 however, is a study on how you can take an already very dramatic subject, and stretch it "beyond the limit" to the point of ridiculous.

I am not by any means berating the expedition members, (well, except for Betsy, who was a joke) but the film makers quest for high ratings seems to be the guiding force here. I can almost hear them asking the following questions -
1. Just how many times can we show spinning images of all the metal in Tim's body?
2. Seems like there isn't enough drama this year, how about a fight between Tim and Russ?
3. How many times can we talk about HAPE and HACE? I mean, after all, people need to hear it at least 30 times, don't they?
4. Why would we show all of the compelling, but silly aspects of climbing, when we can repeat the same footage, over and over and over and over and...

Grab this one! Close to 7 hours with the bonus extras!
Don't hesitate on this one! Grab it! The second season PLUS what in my opinion is an equally important bonus area of discussion [all visual material] including various of the series participants and extra input from those who need no introduction to their high altitude climbing credentials and mountaineering achievements. So too, in the bonus material, the hard questions [read: TV documentary criticisms] of the documentary on Everest are not avoided nor in any way sugar-coated. You're looking at approximately 7 hours of visual material here between the TV episodes and the added bonus discussion material consisting of 4 extended episodes entitled, "Everest: After the Climb" . You absolutely can't beat it for under $15.00! This was the price [$14.97] when I did the review.

I'll lay my cards on the table and as I always do especially if commenting on films [documentary or fiction!] or books that deal with the climbing and/or mountaineering community. I'm tired of seeing...

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