I liked the episode!
Esther is an enjoyable presence in the show. I think her presence balances out Mose Gingerich's. Mose Gingerich is a likeable guy and I'm not being negative,but I just wonder how typical his experience is of ex-Amish? Sounds like he came from a very conservative community with extraordinarily rigid rules. But I think he sowed a lot of goodwill by helping a non-Amish become Amish in tonight's episode. To me that showed that he's not out to bash the Amish, he's pragmatic and open-minded and I like that. The 16-year-old girl who wanted to join the Amish, to me, seemed way too young to make that decision. The Amish are Anabaptists - they're baptized as adults - so she wouldn't even be allowed to join a church for a couple of more years. The Amish believe only adults are equipped to make such a choice about their faith.
Other observations:
Where'd they find an Amish bishop willing to talk on camera? Very unusual, even with evolving views within the church towards cameras. And the Amish bishop said that the ordnung is a set of "written rules." That may be true in his church but in most Amish churches the ordnung is unwritten.
Otherwise, I think it was an enjoyable episode. I think Mose Gingerich and NatGeo are doing a good job so far of blending education and entertainment. Just my two-cents, anyone else have any thoughts?
Zelka Cani
I would love to watch this series but do not seem to be able to find it. Can it be watched in Australia?
Ellen Wycuff
you maybe able to find episodes online. Try hulu.com or the national geographic website here is a link but it only shows bits and pieces:
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/shows/amish-out-of-order
Connie
I forget it is on tv...caught the last 1/2 hour or so and liked what I did see. I am impressed that he is trying to find a good fit for her to live with. I agree with you though, I think she is too young to make such an important decision. She seems to be looking for acceptance in a new 'world'...she likes playing at being Amish but, will she really want to stay there after she's lived that lifestyle for a year or more? Tough call.
I am going to try to remember to watch the rest of this program.
Thanks Kevin for bringing it to my attention.
Brenda
I enjoyed the show. I never gave thought of all the struggles the young men and women leaving encounter - no money, no education (so to speak) no drivers license, etc. I do believe the young girl wanting to join the Amish is looking for a "normal" family. However, she is leaving herself an "out" by saying that she would have to reconsider her decision if she were not able to still communicate with her existing family. She has a very tough decision at such a young age.
lorraine stoddard
I like the show very much. It was nice that the 1 young man got a loan to buy a house. I doubt very much that the teen girl would make it as an Amish person. She was interested in the Amish,but,that was about it. The only part I didn't watch was with butchering the chicken. When I was 10 years old I was on a farm in Sawyer,Michagain and I seen this. Because of that,I didn't eat chicken for 15 years. Mose sure is a nice,understanding person,and so was Ester.
Mona G.
I am enjoying "THE AMISH, OUT OF ORDER on Nat. Geo. this beats some of the other reality shows on TLC......to me the young girl wanting to go live with the Amish is just a faze she's going thru.......I don't see it working out......and I do think Mose is doing a great job helping the kids that come to him for help.....he's been there, done that and he understands what they are going thru.....thank God for Mose......
Lynette Sowell
I enjoyed the episode a lot. I think it shows that there are all "kinds" of Amish and you can't make a sweeping generalization because there are always exceptions. I have a friend whose parents left the Amish when she was a little girl. She is not shunned, but her parents are--to the extent that if the family visited for supper, the parents would be served from different bowls/plates and sit separately. I think Michaela is looking for loving stability and less pressure to look a certain way. Ironically, though, English teens have their own "same" look, if you think about it. I'm looking forward to next week. (and bravo to the young man who bought his own house and saw the possibilities. I saw them too!)
SC Susie
I am really enjoying the show although I have a hard time processing Michaela's joining the Amish. She is looking for a "true sense of family" and "simplicity" - which can all be found outside the Amish faith too. She's had a rough home life so far but I'm thinking she is in for a heck of challenge when she truly meets the cultural differences. I could not fathom living under the Ordnung especially when it comes to music, art, creativity, Internet, movies - just to name a few. I wouldn't last a week!
Erin
I enjoy watching the show. It helps me to understand my Amish neighbors and shows that it isnt as easy as everyone thinks it is to be Amish.
Mona G.
Everyone, be sure and watch this tomorrow nite (Tues. 6/5 ) at 9:00 and at 10:00 the HUTTERITES comes on.......looking forward to both these shows tomorrow nite on NAT. GEO.....