How did they do that? and Why?

Starting with the Technos, "The Tribe" kinda started loosening up on their...well, reality I guess you'd call it. The thing that sticks most in my mind is the fact that, all of a sudden, Power was plentiful.

We spent the first 3 years of the show being very much aware of how little the kids in the city had. Food, clothes, shoes, shelter, warmth, water--it was hit home time 'n again that this was indeed a New World. The adults were truly and totally gone. The kids were left to figure things out for themselves.

I guess, after 3 seasons, the writers were finally allowed to loosen up again for the sake of "the story." That's when we got Technos. and Power. and Running Water. and various means of Travel.

You knew there were gonna be some major changes when the Technos showed up in the city parachuting out of planes -- WTF!!!!!

Ok, the power-thing they sorta explained. The Technos repaired the city's power plant, found a great stash of coal (of all things), and then used the city kids to keep the furnaces fed (if they wanted access to all the great things the Technos would supply).

What they never really explained was where the fuel for the planes came from. Or the gasoline that powered the delivery trucks and various cars and motorcycles. (Seemed like Slade never worried about that too much either.)

Ok so beginning with "The Tribe" season 4, it seemed like drama trumped practicalities. We had virtual reality and city-wide news via computers and VR games and running water...suddenly all the deprivations were pretty much a thing of the past. And of course the kids were hooked! Wouldn't you be?

I guess the reason I'm thinking about this now is because I'm realizing we're kinda the same in our game's season-6. Now and then a touch of unreality creeps in. How somebody got any gasoline at all in a world where it's pretty much gone. All of the unexplained knowledge of solar panels and solar cells. How somebody is putting out a city newspaper. Stuff like that.

But you know? It really doesn't bother me (as long as it isn't TOO rampant, maybe just a glitch now 'n then). Because our story is exciting and fun. Our players are doing a great job and sticking as close to the rules as they can.

And when it comes right down to it? Fun trumps being too damned strict about rules any day. Haha!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"