The Colony - Season 2

I didn't really think much of season 1 of The Colony.  The group was too skilled (not 'average'), their surroundings were too stocked, and their efforts were too focused on rebuilding modern civilization (electricity: lights, power tools, etc).  I would think in the immediate aftermath of The End, basic survival would take up most of your time.

Season 2 is set in an abandoned town outside New Orleans, so the setting is about as real as it gets.  The set up is there has been an outbreak of a deadly avian flu, and these 7 unaffected people have been relocated by the government to this location to await further relocation.  They were dropped there with minimal supplies (about a week of food, cots and blankets, some basic medical supplies) and no further directions.  So a pretty good start: BAM!  THSHTF! 

Basic survival needs were addressed right from the start.  A water source (canal) is nearby, and they rather quickly had a fire going to boil water, plus had built a sand and charcoal filter as a first stage to their water purification efforts.  All well and good.

Security was ignored, and the show quickly exploited that omission.  First it was 3 roamers asking for food.  The Colonists wanted to play nice guy and easily offered up water and some milk.  I heard nothing about trading, which would be my tactic.  I'm not just going to hand over the goods, you gotta give me something in return, even if it was just info.

The wanderers tried to explore the Colonists 'house' and things escalated rather quickly.  So what did the Colonists do after they had finally driven off the wanderers (who kept their water and milk, BTW)?  Nothing.  back to normal ops.

So sure as anything, the next day the wanderers returned with about 20 of their friends to take the Colonist's med supplies. Being armed with pepper spray and superior numbers, the bandits got what they wanted.  Seems like the Colonist's could have used a military/security type.

Here's some things they could have done to better prepare for the inevitable confrontation with the Bandits. 

1. I would have dispersed and hidden all my supplies.  Then if the worst happens and you are forced to lead the bandits to the goods, it's just one small part. 
2. I also would have fortified the 'house' by boarding up the windows to at least make entry slow and difficult (so you could stand inside and beat on the intruders as they tried to squeeze through), and had a barricaded single entrance. It's a two story house, so hopefully you could barricade the door and rain debris down on the intruders from the safety of the second floor.  There is plenty of ammo around the site: bricks, wood, metal debris, etc.  I would also have barricades and defenses/ammo at the top of the stairs as a fall back position. 
3. Most importantly, I would have a security plan.  A warning word that is not obvious (like 'Hey Martha!' when no one is named Martha) to alert the group to danger.  Upon hearing an alert everyone would execute the defense plan: rally at the house and take up defensive positions, if possible. 
4. Folks that were too far away to rally at the house would rally at a secondary defensive site, that only had a few supplies for the defenders.  This could also serve as a diversion from the main house.
5. Part of the security plan would be that everyone was armed (clubs a this point), and everyone had the same response: we have no supplies to give; what do you have to trade?; you have entered our house (the compound area), so do what we say or we will treat you as threats.

So after losing all their medical supplies and water bins to the bandits, the Colonist's were left battered and shaken.  I hope they regroup fast, prepare for the next attack, and forge ahead with improving their situation.  They need to gather food before their supplies run out: I would think fishing would be their best bet.  They found fishing gear on day one, but a couple of guys have only tried very poor efforts at cast netting.  I've only done it once, but even I know that you can't just throw a net into the water and expect the fish to swim into it and get caught.  Maybe some weights? A circle net with a draw string?  Or use the darn fishing poles!

So more food.  More and better weapons/stockpiling of 'ammo' to throw.  Better shelter: get a dry area to live in, and water buckets out and ready to catch the next rain.

Once they get food and water stabilized, dry shelter set up and fortified, then they can start exploring more thoroughly, and ranging farther from their base.

But I suspect electrification efforts are going to take priority again soon, just like season 1, and they will be scratching their heads again when they run out of a critical supply like food or water, and the bandits strike again and they are not prepared.

Bottom line though: I'll be watching again.  If nothing else because this abandoned town is right out of Fallout III!