Ep 3. Lenore / Steven / Ellen & Jim

I Survived... is a gripping and harrowing documentary series. Each episode explores the incredible survival stories of people who have come face to face with death and lived to tell the tale. In season 9 episode 3, entitled Lenore/Steven/Ellen & Jim, viewers are introduced to four individuals who have each encountered their own deadly experiences.

Lenore is a mother of three who, while hiking in a remote area of Arizona with her husband, was attacked by an enraged mother bear. The bear knocked her husband down before turning its attention to Lenore. With her husband injured and unable to respond, Lenore was forced to defend herself and her family against the powerful animal. In a fight for her life, Lenore managed to grab a stick and strike the bear, eventually driving it away. Miraculously, she and her husband survived the attack.

The second story is Steven's, a man who nearly drowned after being swept away by a fast-moving river in California. Steven, who was on vacation with his family, had gone for a swim in the river when he was suddenly pulled under by strong currents. Despite his best efforts to reach the shore, he found himself trapped in a swirling vortex of water. In a desperate struggle to stay afloat, Steven managed to find a tiny air pocket beneath a rock and held on until rescuers arrived.

Ellen and Jim's story is equally terrifying, they are both avid bikers who were hit by a car and left for dead on the side of a remote road. Ellen, who sustained severe head injuries, was in a coma for several weeks while Jim had to deal with several broken bones. They were both lucky to have survived the ordeal, but the emotional and physical scars lingered long after the accident.

As with each episode of I Survived..., Lenore/Steven/Ellen & Jim is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The stories are told in the survivors' own voices, offering a poignant and often heart-wrenching glimpse into their incredible journeys. These are accounts of individuals who have been pushed to their limits, facing situations that few of us can imagine. Yet, through sheer grit and determination, they have managed to pull through against all odds.

The show enhances the storytelling with vivid reenactments that bring the survivor's stories to life. In Lenore's case, we see the bear attack unfold before our eyes, with the viewer getting a firsthand account of the horror she lived through. For Steven, we witness the moment when he was dragged under by the river, feeling the very real sense of helplessness and fear that he experienced. And for Ellen and Jim, we join them in their accident, feeling the impact of the crash and the pain of their injuries.

Overall, I Survived... is a gripping and emotional series which showcases the indomitable human spirit. It's a reminder that even in the face of unspeakable tragedy, hope and resilience can help us to overcome the darkest moments of our lives. Each story serves as a testament to the power of the human will, offering a message of inspiration and hope for anyone facing adversity. In Lenore/Steven/Ellen & Jim, viewers are presented with four incredible tales of survival, each of which will stay with them long after the credits have rolled.