If you’re an avid duck hunter you know about the Duck Commander, the best duck call in the business some think. Created by Phil Robertson, who went from crafting them in the swamps of Louisiana to a multi-million dollar company, it was only a matter of time before someone opted to put him and his wacky family in front of a video camera. Thus comes Duck Dynasty, following the Robertson family throughout their quirky life and business.
Following the family and their lives both in the business and out, the show follows the family as they run their business, of which they all work in, as well as leave fairly opulent lives because of the duck call. Normally this wouldn’t be quite as big a deal, following a wealthy family that built their wealth, but the key to the show is the personalities of all involved. Everyone involved is a bit of a stereotypical down south hillbilly, complete with requisite beards. The family is straight out of central casting; they just happen to be wealthy and run a remarkably successful business.
This combination of folksy values, and lack of change because of the money they make, gives the show a unique feel. It’s interesting to see people in their situations refusing to change to the new environment they find themselves. It’s refreshing in a way because there’s a rags to riches tale involved in all of this but they haven’t lost themselves to the money.
The show itself is fairly engaging at times; the one downside is that not all of their adventures are all that accessible for those who don’t live in the Deep South. While things like family interactions, et al, are universal but some of their wackiness feels more like a “southern thing” to those of us who hail above the Mason/Dixon line.
Additional Footage from the series is included.
A&E presents Duck Dynasty (Season One) Running time: 330 minutes. Rating: Not Rated. Released: November 13, 2012. Available at Amazon.com.
