Yul Kwon is a legal expert, management consultant, and, of course, the winner of "Survivor: Cook Islands," making him a most unusual choice to host "America Revealed," a four-part investigation into the systems that drive the American experience. Taking to land, sea, and air on multiple occasions to cross the country for maximum cultural immersion, Kwon grabs the reins of this enlightening but cushy documentary, an effort that carries a distinct ADD atmosphere of information overload. Perhaps fearful of exhausting scope as it dissects national manufacturing and connectivity 53 minutes at a time, "America Revealed" piles on numerous topics without any intent to investigate the true ramifications of agriculture and industrial advancements. While technically sound, the program is messy and disappointingly non-confrontational, sure to irritate those on the prowl for deeper meaning with issues of corporate responsibility and consumer protection. Still, as a surface blast of information, "America Revealed" highlights an enormous amount of issues worth investigating further, backing up ideas with fascinating visuals of life on the go. There's also Kwon, an appealing man making a smooth transition to PBS stardom, able to connect the dots with a few bad jokes, some distinct fear when accepting daredevil tasks, and an earnest sense of discovery.
Disc 1
"Food Machine" (53:42)
There was once time in our history where we had to fight for our food. Today's technology and mass farming has erased the battle for survival, attacking the quandary of hunger with a mighty show of agriculture influence. The episode begins with Raju Hossain, a Domino's Pizza deliveryman working a complex network of streets in New York City. Attempting to break down the pieces of the pizza puzzle, Kwon travels to California to understand the tomato growing effort, visiting the Shasta Dam, which controls the flow of water to a great portion of area farmers. The tomato story concludes in Nevada, where excess stock is used in the annual Reno Tomatina food fight, where hundreds gather to raise money for cancer research by throwing rotten tomatoes at one another. Kwon next heads to Kansas to meet Ted Sheely, whose massive land captures an ideal portrait of the modern farmer, using innovations in irrigation to bring life to seemingly dead land, creating an area of food production that feeds a worldwide network of business. The corn and cattle boom are also discussed, exploring how meat is created on a massive scale, with cows now bigger than ever due to changes in diet and artificial growth procedures. Food industry trends are debated, understanding how America developed into an overfed nation, with explosive calorie counts taxing farming techniques. The process of "Ag-Flying" is displayed, kicking off an examination of genetic modification and crop protection, which has possibly contributed to the decline in the bee population, threatening to end crucial pollinating needs. The mystery of the bees is put forth by David Hackenberg, a "bee trucker" who chauffeurs insects around the country to help keep the food machine rolling along. Finally, the show studies technological advances in farming, contrasted with the rise of the urban farmer in abandoned cities such as Detroit, raising crops without the pressures and chemical influence of corporate farming.
"Nation on the Move" (53:43)
With America's population on the rise, the demand for smooth, safe transportation has increased as well. Kwon's commences his tour of the nation in New York City, embarking on a study of its historic and essential subway system, built over 100 years ago, providing a popular alternative to the nightmarish delays faced by cabs and cars as they enter Manhattan. In Kingman, Arizona, the voyage of the average school bus is detailed, establishing just how much ground these giant yellow transports cover in a day as they bring students to their place of education. In Chicago, Kwon surveys the troubled railway system, gradually clogging due to limited track and increased cross-country shipping and traveler needs. In Houston, Dean Burri introduces himself as a "road warrior," taking to the skies on a daily basis as an air commuter, depending on planes to carry him from one end of the globe to the other. The FAA's headquarters in Virginia are also inspected, highlighting the inner workings of the National Flight Plan, which is inching away from radar requirements to GPS and "NextGen" systems, helping to maximize airspace. Heading to Alaska, Kwon is faced with a land without much in the way of roadways, taking to the skies yet again as the locals embrace air passage as their preferred method of travel. In Dallas, fresh freeways have given birth to suburbia, connecting the expansion of roadways to the development of planned communities, thus reducing the need for big city life. Time spent in Las Vegas uncovers the treatment of "green time," where city workers manipulate traffic signals to keep cars moving along. And we conclude in Los Angeles, home to one of the nastiest rush hours in the country. A brief history of botched freeway construction is covered and a future hope for mass transit acceptance is shared.
Disc 2
"Electric Nation" (53:43)
America is addicted to energy consumption, with traditional resources feeling the pinch as more of us plug into nationwide need. There's no place that embodies America's energy lust more than Florida during the Daytona 500, a NASCAR event that puts monumental strain on local resources. Kwon returns to New York City to establish Edison's invention of the power grid, an accomplishment brought to its knees during a 2003 blackout that left 80% of the state in the dark. When high-tension wires need repair, a helicopter unit is dispatched, with Kwon observing the danger of such efforts up close. Traveling to Wyoming, our host rides along with a coal-mining unit, who dig out enormous amounts of the energy source, loading up the goods on mile-long trains that travel across the country on a well-worn rail network, feeding need everywhere. To study the future of nuclear power, Kwon drops in on a Tennessee plant -- likely the last to be built on American soil after worldwide disasters have curbed demand for the hazardous process. In Boston, natural gas is processed and delivered, also shipped via boat in liquefied form, requiring a steady captain skilled at navigating challenging bridge clearances. Slapping on cross-country skis, Kwon visits a possible shale gas deposit near Ithaca, New York, which carries potentially devastating environmental damage if controversial extraction methods should commence. Wind energy is detailed on the Columbia River Gorge, where Kwon rappels down the side of an enormous turbine to assist in the meticulous inspection of mammoth blades. California's battle with renewable energy sources is analyzed, along with the surprising amount of energy loss found in suburban Cleveland. Lastly, "cow power" in Vermont collects manure for methane gas, while a Washington D.C. church sings the praises of solar power.
"Made in the U.S.A." (53:43)
Routinely declared dead and buried, American industry is actually thriving these days, accepting new directions in manufacturing and innovation that's helped to support the country as more household items are being built abroad. Inside a bustling port in Georgia, paper has become America's largest exported good. Flying over Chattanooga, Tennessee, site selector Dennis Cueno helps corporations select their place of business, with a nearby Volkswagen plant an impressive reminder of shifting American manufacturing modernization, employing robots to assist in the construction of cars. The future of arms manufacturing is also inspected, segueing into the newly efficient production of the U.S.S. Gerald Ford. In Alabama, scrap recycling has reenergized the steel industry, with waste turned into product, returning might to a dying business. Kwon visits the Intel factory in Chandler, Arizona, where cleanliness is a priority as the machines work furiously to build tinier machines, assisting in the formation of the company's formidable brand. The continued success of Martin Guitars proves there's life left in America's "rust belt," thriving where others have fallen, embracing smart management and dependable product. In the remote reaches of Ten Sleep, Wyoming, fiber optic cable is being laid, an important step in the communications revolution swallowing the globe. And there's the curious case of Facebook, where a physical product isn't being sold, ushering in a new age of internet manufacturing, also viewed at Willow Garage, where experimental robotics hope to change how we experience the world.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation maintains a crisp HD look for the majority of the program, with a range of cameras employed to capture Kwon in all manner of action. A few moments of banding are present, and some mild macroblocking is visible when the documentary introduces low-resolution footage, revealing editorial seams. Fine detail is useful here, excellent when viewing expansive locations filled with lights, buttons, and activity, while exteriors retain their intended splendor, with environmental particulars easy to study. Facial close-ups are also expressive, with natural skintones picking up elevated blood pressure on the host's face when approaching danger. There's a negligible amount of crush to contend with, mostly with thick hairstyles. Overall, the image remains textured and communicative, with a realistic color palette that stays consistent and vital.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound mix isn't nearly as enveloping as it could've been, featuring only a few compelling moments of directional movement and surround placement, typically involving helicopter and airplane excursions. Interview and narration audio are of primary concern here, with a comfortable central force that keeps discussions and explanations easy to understand, with Kwon carrying a full vocal presentation, assisting his dominant position on the program. There's healthy frontal activity for scoring, which sounds very clean and nuanced, expressing changing moods and synth lift with an ideal consistency. Low-end is modest, keeping the listening experience surprisingly calm for such a manic show. While a true sense of space and circular activity is missing, the track doesn't reveal any imperfections.
"Homegrown Solution" (3:06, HD) and "Eye in the Sky" (3:28, HD) expand segments covering urban farming and Los Angeles traffic concerns.
Disc 2
"Live Wire" (3:25, HD) and "Robot Relationships" (3:18, HD) enlarge visits to the helicopter lineman who dance with electricity on high-tension wires and the Willow Garage robotics workspace.
Behind the Scenes (6:38, HD) returns to Kwon, who worked to overcome his fear of heights and motion sickness to bring the story of America's various systems to PBS. Kwon shares his favorite adventures and production challenges, and how his time on "Survivor" endeared him to certain interview subjects.
"America Revealed" supplies a rich impression of growth in our beleaguered country, hitting some patriotic notes worth listening to. What's missing here is a sense of warning, with a few of these subjects far too dense with details to be simply glossed over in a slick five-minute segment. The program is completely watchable and built to incite debate and further investigation. However, with the pacing's brake lines slashed, "America Revealed" steadily reveals itself to be overstuffed and awkwardly considered. It's a slippery conversation about a complex topic, though it's executed with a laudable sense of space and location, skillfully hosted by Kwon.
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