The Pioneers

2014 • National Geographic Channel
4.4
11 reviews
TV-PG
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (6)

1 Hitting the Trail
12/9/14
Four families from South Dakota, each with strong ancestral ties to the pioneer past, meet for the first time as they trade in their modern clothes and conveniences for those of the late 1800s. Packing supplies and provisions in covered wagons, the pioneers set out together on the journey of a lifetime.
2 Westward HO!
12/16/14
The pioneers recover from a broken wagon and continue their journey with their guide Chase Iron Eyes leading the way. Chase warns them of possible tensions arising as they cross Native American territory, and leaves them to complete the journey on their own. Spirits are lifted when they arrive at their new settlement. But the celebration ends when an encounter with neighboring tribes gives Diane such a scare that she and Mike decide to go home.
3 Full Settle Jacket
12/23/14
Still reeling from one couple’s departure, the pioneers put all hands on deck to start construction on their homestead. Their first order of business is digging the foundation for the first sod homes.
4 The Storm
12/30/14
The remaining pioneer couples are busy constructing their first sod home on the prairie. Getting used to their new surroundings and trying to source food and water is proving difficult, but it’s nothing compared with the giant storm rolling in over the prairie.
5 Down But Not Out
1/6/15
After a devastating flood, the pioneers decide to rebuild their settlement, this time on higher ground. They are reunited with Mike and Diane, who return to the homestead and bring along their son Kyle.
6 The Last Stand
1/13/15
Still struggling from the storm that took almost everything, the pioneers are desperately trying to make use of the supplies they acquired by trading their weapons with the locals.

About this show

Follow four couples of pioneer descent, as they leave behind their 21st century lives and establish a homestead on the vast South Dakota prairie. Supplied with a horse drawn covered wagon, tents, tools, and provisions, the pioneers face devastating storms, wild animals, and other dangers on their journey. Together, they push themselves to the limits and see if they can truly measure up to the family legacies they so revere.

Ratings and reviews

4.4
11 reviews
Dara st.angelo
October 3, 2016
They were THE LAMEST group of "settlers" to try and make a go of whatever it was they were trying to prove .They FAILED miserably & had to leave with their tail between their legs.A bunch of adults scrambling around chasing each others tail & burning down the prairie. WHAT A JOKE! They deserve to live in cynderblock houses and not be allowed to play "pioneer" without 24hr SUPERVISION!!! Those native men were laughin their butts off at those people come out to play with big dogs and got their tails handed to them LITERALLY
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Christi Nash
July 10, 2015
I think this is a great idea for a show, and I love the details of survival on the prairie. However I am about halfway through the season and honestly wondered if at least one of the incidents was contrived or staged by producers, making me hesitate to give it a full five stars. The cast is pretty likable.
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Roger Riggs
September 9, 2019
Many if not most of the pioneers went through "daily battle" failures before they won the war of the move west. Great show!
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