I was shocked that the show came to Tiananmen Square and did not even mention the 1989 massacre where hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters were brutally murdered. Sure China is developing and their economy is growing but one must acknowledge the fact that the PRC is still strictly authoritarian and many freedoms we enjoy at home are severely repressed. To gloss over that is a shame.
I know the show is meant to be fun and light, and China has much to offer, but I think the show has a responsibility to at least address some important issues.
This is a travel show not a political show. Tinanamen Square happened in the past. Let me give you an advice wanfu22, even if you are a Chinese, not all Chinese agree on your point of view. I'm a Chinese and I don't agree with most 89' protester's view. Lets keep this strictly about travel. If you want to discuss politics, find another thread.
I agree completely with silverice. This is not a political show, and you should be glad that she showed the stuff that she did seeming as she's in Communist China.
I must a say that Sam did a great job this with episode. We got the same old spunky, but informative, tour guide Sam. Also, I loved that Sam added in some more fun cultural aspects of China, like the acrobats, and the street snacks. I can tell this series is going to be a success.
Ditto. Samantha's job is to show us what there is to see. We must judge for ourselves whether it's good or bad or what. Sometimes she gives her opinions, like the food market, but she is careful not to sit in judgement on political or cultural things. I thought the episode was good. Samantha trying acrobatics, climbing the Great Wall, attempting the language, even driving the peditaxi was just like the same old Samantha.
I agree with all the replies here. I have to say, I LOVED the show!!! I didn't care about going to China before, but now that's changed thanks to Sam! Nice to have her do a one hour show, and she did show us a lot of sights. She made me feel as if I'm traveling with her. Her weekend getaways, I don't feel that. But the China series are more like the PTE series, and I like that very much. Can't wait for tonights show!!
I'm guessing here -- since neither I nor PineRidge was involved with this show -- but I would suspect that even if Samantha HAD wanted to allude to the events in Tiananmen Square (in historical terms, not political -- there is a difference), she would not have been allowed to by the Chinese government, of which there must have been a representative on site. Even today, there's a report that journalists covering the Olympics in Beijing cannot even access the website for Amnesty International because it's been blocked by the State. Foreigners must stay On Message. It would not surprise me at all if Samantha was not permitted to make reference to 1989, and still be allowed to shoot there. But, again, this is just supposition on my part.
I suspect David may be right, and they weren't allowed to mention it, but frankly I was horrified when Samantha exited the train station into Tianamen Square and happily says "this will be fun!".
Regardless of the political causes of the dispute, there was a significant loss of life. If they weren't allowed to mention all of the location's history, perhaps they should have skippped that location and gone to other locations.
Other than that, I enjoyed the show, but frankly, that big gap in the commentary made me wonder what else we might not be seeing or hearing about the locations.
I'm loving the Passport to China shows! I didn't think I would enjoy them as much as I have because I've never wanted to go to China. I think Sam has highlighted both ancient and modern aspects of China wonderfully. And I like that Sam is so positive...it's fun to watch her show and see her discover things! I find it to be a very informative show. Of course, I'm not one who has done any kind of research or reading on China so my opinion doesn't count for much on the informative part of the show. At least I'm learning something about China, even if it's a small amount! Going to the Great Wall and the Chengdu Panda site are definitely added to my list of places I would like to visit. I would cry if I got to hold a panda...they're so cuddly and cute! I wouldn't want to leave!
Originally posted by david the editor: I'm guessing here -- since neither I nor PineRidge was involved with this show -- but I would suspect that even if Samantha HAD wanted to allude to the events in Tiananmen Square (in historical terms, not political -- there is a difference), she would not have been allowed to by the Chinese government, of which there must have been a representative on site. Even today, there's a report that journalists covering the Olympics in Beijing cannot even access the website for Amnesty International because it's been blocked by the State. Foreigners must stay On Message. It would not surprise me at all if Samantha was not permitted to make reference to 1989, and still be allowed to shoot there. But, again, this is just supposition on my part.
As an insider in the know, how about giving us the low down on the whole SB PineRidge split. Inquiring minds want to know.
Originally posted by wanfu22: I was shocked that the show came to Tiananmen Square and did not even mention the 1989 massacre where hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters were brutally murdered.
In this episode Sam does say in a voiceover that it is "the site of the famous student uprising" right before she comes out of the subway station at Tiananmen Square.
bon888, good you pointed that out. I missed that remark when watching the show the first time. I watched it again in a re run, and noticed it this time.
David the Editor is right. In a totalitarian country, the government watches everything filmed & can confiscate anything which they disapprove. Usually, production crews are given lists of what the government allows & doesn't & are constantly watched by a government official. Howeever, Sam did give it a brief mention while in the subway on the way there.
When we'd go to Tiananmen with visitors to show them the square, we'd play a game to see who could find the security people the fastest. They're all over the square and all kinda look the same; pretty easy to spot if you know what to look for. You bring a TV camera and crew to Tiananmen and believe me, they're listening to everything you say. Allowances are not made for foreign productions.
Tiananmen isn't just what happened in 1989, it has a lot more historical significance. Since everyone is already aware of what happened back then, is there a need to bring it up every time someone visits?
In the viewer's mind, there is always a contrast made between what they see on the show and what happened back then, no matter which stand you take. (Steve from San Diego)
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