Ep 5. Off the Grid

In season 1 episode 5 of 30 Days, entitled "Off the Grid," viewers are taken along with Morgan Spurlock as he attempts to live off the grid for 30 days. For those unfamiliar with the term, "off the grid" refers to the way of living that some individuals choose where they are not connected to any public utilities such as electricity, gas, or water. They instead rely on solar power, natural wells, and other self-sufficient means to survive.

Morgan Spurlock is a good-natured and curious fellow who has tried his hand at many things over the years. Fans of his popular documentary Super Size Me, already know this. And in this episode, Morgan takes on the challenge of trying to live without relying on the public utilities that most of us rely on daily.

To start his journey, Morgan heads out to the wilds of West Virginia where he will spend the next thirty days trying to live without public utilities. Before he can start, however, he needs to find a place to live. After hunting around for a while, he finds an old storage shed that he decides to convert into a living space.

Morgan is not a craftsman by any stretch of the imagination, so he enlists the help of his new neighbor who shows him how to add insulation, windows, and windbreaks to the shed, turning it into a modest, livable space. The project takes a lot of hard work and ingenuity, but after a few days, the two men manage to create a cozy little home for Morgan.

Once the shelter is ready, Morgan now needs to figure out how to generate his own power. To do so, he purchases a small, portable solar power system that includes solar panels and a battery. The set up helps him generate enough power to run a small fridge, a few lights, and to charge his cell phone. According to Morgan, generating power through solar means is more challenging than he thought. Staying on top of the system, ensuring the batteries are charged, and making sure that everything is working correctly requires constant vigilance.

Food is another area where Morgan will have to learn a lot over his 30-day journey. To start, he heads to a local farm to get some fresh eggs and veggies. He then heads back to his new living quarters and tries his hand at cooking. Learning how to prepare food while living off the grid isn't as easy as plugging in a microwave, but Morgan adjusts as time goes on and even gains respect for the art of cooking.

Living off the grid means that getting water isn't as simple as turning on the tap. Instead, Morgan has to rely on a nearby creek to get the water he needs. Of course, this water isn't drinkable on its own, and so Morgan has to set up a few jugs with filters so that he can drink water from them safely. Again, this takes some getting used to, but it's just another part of the learning process that's sometimes painful, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately satisfying.

At times Morgan struggles with loneliness and even boredom as living without internet, television, or other distractions can be tough. But Morgan tries to stay busy by constructing a compost heap, chopping wood, and even attempting to hunt for his own food. Morgan's live-off-the-grid adventure ultimately provokes a range of emotions and challenges that viewers can relate to and learn from.

Overall, Off the Grid is an inspiring episode that looks at the challenges and joys of living self-sufficiently. It shows viewers that there are alternative ways to live that are kinder to the earth, more sustainable, and can even be more fulfilling. Morgan's experience is a reminder that we are capable of more than we think we are, and that sometimes all it takes is a little courage and a willingness to try something new.