The Kilchers welcome home one of their own
Crown ‘Jewel’: The Kilchers are just like any ordinary family.They love and support each other, they’re close with one another and they get into their fair share of family squabbles. But unlike most families, the Kilchers live off the land in a remote part of the U.S.’s largest, coldest state, with few modern conveniences and plenty of challenges that make for an entertaining hour of television. Season 6 of the Emmy-nominated series “Alaska: The Last Frontier,” starring this intriguing family, premieres Sunday, Oct. 2, on Discovery.
For patriarch Atz, his brother Otto, his son Atz Lee, his nephew Eivin and the next generation of Kilchers, homesteading is a way of life — their 640-acre plot of land has been in the family for four generations, and they show no signs of slowing down in the new season.They hunt for food, gather supplies and prep for the harsh winters for which Alaska is known, bringing viewers on this thrilling adventure and welcoming us into their lives.
In the premiere episode, the family has to contend with a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that damaged a lot of their land, destroyed a road and started mudslides.They have to pick up the pieces after the devastating event, but it’s not all bad news for the Kilchers — one of their own is coming home.
Making her first appearance in “Alaska:The Last Frontier” is singer-songwriter Jewel, daughter of Atz and sister to Atz Lee.The American Music Awardwinning and Grammy-nominated artist grew up on the homestead, even singing in bars with her father to earn some money, but moved away to pursue her singing career.
She returns to her family’s land for the first time in a decade, and brings her young son, Kase, with her to show him how she grew up. Just because she’s been away doesn’t mean she hasn’t had a bit of a hand in the show already, though — the theme song in the opening credits is both written and sung by Jewel and Atz.
It’s time once again to head out to Homer,Alaska, to catch up with Atz, Otto, Atz Lee, Eivin and Jewel. With many new challenges — including a risky surgery — facing the Kilchers, it’s sure to be an exciting season. Catch the season 6 premiere of “Alaska: The Last Frontier” when it airs Sunday, Oct. 2, on Discovery.
Life on the ‘Edge’: Sunday nights are becoming Alaska nights on Discovery this fall, with the cabler taking viewers into remote parts of the state to see what life is like for folks living off the beaten path. Slotted behind “Alaska: The Last Frontier,” “Edge of Alaska” sees cameras head to McCarthy, a small town of roughly 40 people in the southeastern part of Alaska. Season 1 set up some big goals for the town, and now you can see how it all shakes out when season 2 of “Edge of Alaska” premieres Sunday, Oct. 2, on Discovery.
The big point of contention in “Edge of Alaska” is the Mother Lode Mine. Abandoned in 1938, businessman Neil Darish wants to get into the mine, clean it up and then use it as a main attraction to boost tourism to McCarthy. He faces backlash from many of the members of the community, including Jeremy Keller, who has lived in McCarthy for 15 years on a self-sustaining farmstead he built himself. Jeremy wants to protect the small town and keep it unblemished by big business, while Darish wants to share McCarthy’s wealth of natural beauty with the world.
It makes for some compelling television, especially since season 1 ended with Darish going behind everyone’s backs and breaking ground on a new 100-room hotel. Season 2 promises more drama and excitement, and the premiere episode sees Darish on the verge of reopening the mine — except a new arrival threatens to derail his entire empire. Keller also gets a new project underway, and it would seem two rivals form a surprising alliance.
Fans of “Edge of Alaska” will also be pleased to know that McCarthy’s resident “Old Man of the Mountain,” Tim Mischel, is doing well after the events of late last season. Mischel, who has lived in McCarthy for 40 years and lives alone atop a mountain, suffered a heart attack and refused suggested surgery last October, but according to the show’s Facebook page, he was “recovering nicely” and no other news about him has been heard since.
A few other familiar faces are back for season 2, as well. Gary Green has lived in McCarthy for quite some time, and has lived through many of the town’s ups and downs. Jenny Rosenbaum, who came to McCarthy right out of high school, is back and continues to learn how to live off the land. The heavily bearded Jason Lobo is a unique character, but he has built himself a strong homestead and is a mainstay in the community.
Catch the season 2 premiere of “Edge of Alaska,” airing Sunday, Oct. 2, on Discovery.