Over the last few episodes I have tried (unsuccessfully so far) to let all of my apprehensions go and enjoy Crusoe for what it is. Despite the use of the setting and character of Robinson CRusoe, the NBC program is really not much more than excuse to have pirate sword fights between shirtless guys on television. This week, I pledge to try not to pay attention to the fact that this may be the most regularly landed on island in history to ever be called deserted and just enjoy the treehouse McGuyver-ism.

While hunting, Friday and Crusoe find remnants of the cannibals that brought Friday to the island. Friday’s father has been brought to the island as the cannibals latest sacrifice along with the Spanish captain who abandoned them in the 1st episode. Friday is wracked with fear of the cannibals and stunned that his father is there. It isn’t long before Crusoe and Friday and locked in battle with the cannibals. Using their mysteriously unending supply of gunpowder and their new Spanish ally the group raids the camp, finding it empty. The ritual of sacrifice had already begun.

The cannibals look slightly like extras from Lord Sauron’s army and are hilarious. Their ritual looks like something out of a Disney park ride. The rescue group rushes in and saves Friday’s father. Crusoe continues to be heavy on the ebony and ivory themes. The ending was pretty satisfying as Friday gets  to have a kind moment with his father and a redemptive moment with his former captures. We’re left with false hope about the prospects of the Spaniard and Friday’s father coming back to save Crusoe and Friday.

Crusoe’s weekly English flashback paints a picture of a gangland country where supporters of the crown randomly beat Crusoe up in the street. His brother-in-law apparently hung Robin out to dry on a business matter trying to drive him into poverty for some as yet unknown reason. As usual, the small amounts of detail that trickle out about Crusoe’s life in England are shadowy and everyone is suspicious.

Though not a bad episode in whole, there are still lots holes. I enjoyed this episode more than the previous ones, and there does appear to be some hope for Crusoe, maybe even hope for the jaded reviewer.