Survival And Prosperity

On TV: Apocalypse PA

I’m adding a new series of posts to Survival And Prosperity in which I’ll be discussing television shows and specials related to the blog’s focus (financial and personal safety and growth).

To start the series off, a couple of weeks ago I managed to catch a pilot on the History Channel called Apocalypse PA. The two episodes that comprise the pilot center on the Belcastro family (dad Frank, mom Kim, son Adam, and daughter Emma) from “somewhere in Pennsylvania,” and who strive for self-sufficiency in anticipation of a catastrophic event. Here’s how the patriarch of the family introduces each episode:

My name is Frank, and I’m not crazy. I know the world’s not ending anytime soon. But just in case, I want to be ready. Back in the day, our grandparents and great-grandparents- I mean, they knew how to take care of themselves. Now, it seems, everybody depends on somebody else. But my family is declaring a new independence day. We’re going to learn to fend for ourselves- whether we like it or not.

The family’s ultimate goal? In episode 2, Frank declares:

I want to get myself into a situation where me, and my family, could ride out any storm that comes our way.

Preparing for the Apocalypse? I guess. More like preparations for long-term societal breakdown originating from a number of potential catastrophes (economic collapse, natural/man-made EMP event, nuclear terrorism, take your pick).

Sure, the title is a little bit misleading. But I have to admit- it’s the main reason why I tuned into the show when I saw it on my satellite TV guide.

Episode 1

In episode 1 of Apocalypse PA, viewers are introduced to the Belcastro family and what the show is about. Frank explains:

You know, I can’t do too much about the way that our society has evolved. But I certainly can take care of my own family. So what we do is we get together and we work on preparing ourselves for whatever might be coming our way. We’ll do it one job at a time.

The family of four gather in the basement “classroom,” where Frank reveals what they’re trying to accomplish in this episode:

I want to build a vehicle that will run on nothing more than wood. If we can’t get gasoline- I mean, we live in Pennsylvania, the place used to be called “Penn’s woods”- that’s where it got its name. There’s wood everywhere around us… We’re not talking about having to do it because gas is too expensive. I’m talking about what happens if there is no gas.

In addition to building a wood-burning vehicle, the Belcastro family acquire goats as well for self-reliance purposes. For me, the funniest part of the entire pilot took place in this episode when Frank is telling his son about the numerous ways goats can be served up as a meal while at the very same time his daughter is shown doting on the new baby goat they’ve just acquired. She even goes so far as to have professional “baby” pictures taken of the goat at what looks to be a pet store.

Episode 2

Frank sets up episode 2 of Apocalypse PA right off the bat when he says:

If we have alcohol, if we have guns, we can get almost anything we need…

In the basement “classroom,” Frank explains what it is the Belcastro family will be trying to accomplish in this episode:

History doesn’t lie- societies do collapse. Look at Rome.

I think that’s where we’re at right now. I think we’re Rome.

If society were to collapse, the paper money is going to be absolutely useless. Look what happened during the Civil War. Confederate money at the end of the war was totally useless paper. About all that you could use it for was to light a fire.

We are going to need to be able to have stored our own barterable commodities. Or better yet, be able to make our own barterable goods.

At this point, Frank proposes that the family build a still to produce alcohol and that they should acquire firearms using ammunition they can manufacture themselves.

Overall, I really enjoyed the pilot. For the casual viewer, it was educational, humorous, and not too scary- despite the show’s name. For the survivalist, homesteader, prepper- there are some useful ideas that can be taken away from the material covered.

In my opinion, I think that the History Channel should leave Apocalypse PA “as is.”

The History Channel’s online TV guide shows “No episodes in the next 2 weeks.” It also displayed the same message about a week ago as well.

Here’s hoping it’s not being butchered or cancelled.

Tags: alcohol, alternative fuel vehicles, Apocalypse PA, goats, still

7 Comments to On TV: Apocalypse PA

1. 

   Thanks so much for such a positive post! Unfortunately, The History Channel has decided not to pick up the show as a series… I really enjoyed reading what you had to say about the pilot episodes. We’ve had such positive feedback…

   Thanks again.
Emma on December 16th, 2010
2. 

   Wow Emma, You seem to know something other people don’t. Do you work with History Channel? I had been waiting to hear if the show would be picked up by the network or not. I really liked it and was looking forward to more. That is very sad if there will be no more episodes.
Andy on December 28th, 2010
3. 

   Well, you could say I work for the History Channel… We received a phone call a few weeks back letting us know THC was no longer interested in filming Apocalypse PA as a series. The 2 episodes they aired were just pilot episodes, a trial run, if you will…
Emma on December 28th, 2010
4. 

   We are working on a “new” version of Apocalypse PA! It will no longer be called Apocalypse PA (a name has not yet been decided…) and details have not been released yet as to WHEN the show will start! Keep your eyes out!!
Emma on November 6th, 2011
5. 

   Thanks for the comment Emma. I, for one, am looking forward to Apocalypse PA 2.0 (although 1.0 was pretty good too). Expect another review from me once the new show debuts. Try to keep us posted of any new developments if you can!
Editor on January 25th, 2012
6. 

   I very much enjoyed the pilot run of the show and shared with engineer “maker” type friends. The wood burning truck looks cool!

   Judging by the names of people involved I think the show is now running in online version called Independence USA.

   http://web.gbtv.com/shows/index.jsp?content=independence_usa
JP on February 14th, 2012
7. 

   Thanks for the comment JP. You’re spot on about the series. It’s now called Independence U.S.A., it runs on GBTV.com, and I would love to check it out sometime. The series website is here.
Editor on March 7th, 2012

Leave a comment