Channel 4’s Eden wasn’t a failure – here’s what we can learn from it

As a TV programme, Eden failed. But as an experiment it succeeded in showing how how right-wing ideology conflicts with the aim of building a cohesive community.

Eden: Paradise Lost (Channel 4) episode five: burn the witch

The madwoman-in-the-attic trope is our Christmas gift from the self-proclaimed “Valley Boys” of Eden.

Eden: Paradise Lost (Channel 4) episode four: kill the pigs

The lazy comparisons with Lord of the Flies started before any of these new episodes were shown, but there are two key reasons why we need a new reference point. One, just because the female population of Eden has greatly reduced in number, that doesn’t mean the women are merely a side note in a

Eden: Paradise Lost (Channel 4) episode three: too many mugs

After failing at the “boy job” of chopping logs and losing his number one fan, cameraman Oli sets his sights on Anton.

Eden: Paradise Lost (Channel 4) episode two: locker-room talk

NO-ONE who watched – and properly remembers – the first series of Eden should be surprised by the turn things take in this episode, but I can’t get too exercised about dumb plumber Titch’s “boy jobs and girl jobs” ranting. I don’t doubt that the men, as a group, were more efficient when it came

Eden: Paradise Lost (Channel 4) episode one: Glexit

There’s deja vu for the viewers as Anton is portrayed is the villain of the piece … and a shock twist when two campmates announce they’re leaving.

Channel 4’s Eden is back after a mysterious silence – so what on earth went wrong?

It’s been months – the whole of autumn and half of winter – and we haven’t heard a peep from the participants. It seems clear this very expensive experiment hasn’t quite gone to plan.

Eden (Channel 4) episode four: Spring, or Operation Cunt claims its first victim

Huntsman Glenn turns over a new leaf when he develops a crush on shepherdess Caroline – but after she rejects him he forms Operation Cunt to bully women out of the camp.

Eden (Channel 4) episode three: Rations and Cabins, or The Men Know This Is Being Filmed, right?

A plan to starve the women into working harder makes the Anton controversy look like a storm in a teacup, while vet Rob loses the plot and Anton comes into his own.

Eden (Channel 4) episode two: Taps aff in the woods (and the massage tent)

Anton’s gang of social misfits gets a new recruit, everyone’s sick of potatoes and some strangers deliver a surprise onto the shore.