Although there are some very valid points in the negative reviews here, (enough to give me a good chuckle or two), I think they are missing some of the good aspects of this series.
I think the show is the first really successful effort at combining modern technology (phone, internet, computer, etc.) with a dramatic telling of a story with a moral (something they have been trying to do since the '80's).
Most of us have watched a million survival stories. Man against nature stories, Man against himself stories, (Man against his parents stories?), so of course we were all sitting back saying "Don't do that! That's stupid! Why are you doing that?" but it seems the show tried to incorporate every possibility of what any modern teenager could possibly mess up in this situation. Along the way there were several good lessons of what NOT to do, like how NOT to live your life, have relationships and get to a New Year's Eve party with your friends during a snowstorm.
Bottom line, this kid was messed up. His dad dying within the past year, he was not at all ready for the role of "head male of the household",especially while dealing with his own grief. Bright spot - during the ordeal he came to terms with more than a few important problems that were going on in his life and how to change it for the better. Kudos to you Kid! "Everything Happens For a Reason". ;)
Tye Sheridan gives an outstanding performance in an almost one man show. Can't say enough good things about him.
The only complaint I have regarding the 8 minute episodes is that it gave Roku ample opportunity to bombard with commercials. At 2-3 commercials between each episode I watched a total of 20-25 commercials just to see a 120 minute "movie". Not sure it was THAT good, but it was good. Innovative and thought provoking. I really liked it.
