One Way Out

Ever wonder what would happen if Jackass ever came to the Discovery Channel? Yeah, well check out this television show and you’ll get your answer. The show revolves around this very simple idea: Place expert escape artist Jonathan Goodwin in a unique and dangerous challenge to escape from every episode. The challenges vary from him having to work his way out of a locked chamber while covered in bees, or having to break free from handcuffs before a hoard of ostriches peck away at his corn and honey covered body. Most of the time he manages to succeed. However, you can always guarantee he’s going to walk away with more than just a few scrapes and bruises.

Each episode is divided into three segments. The first two segments are Goodwin’s attempt to understand the elements he’s going to be battling against. For instance, let’s say he wants to plan to escape from a burning post like a witch being burnt at the stake - this actually happens - he may make two attempts to understand how painful and distracting setting yourself on fire is. See... he’s learning; hence Discovery Channel. Then the final segment culminates into the finale where he sees if he can actually escape from the major challenge he has laid out before him. Like I said earlier, he doesn’t break away with success... but damn is it entertaining.

The best episode - in my humble opinion - was the pilot episode. Goodwin decides he wants to build a mock setup of an typical office room, then flood it while he’s lock in the supply closet. The main event isn’t really what I find amazing about this episode, but rather one of his initial tests. Goodwin decides he wants to see if he can focus while trapped underwater, so he constructs this strap in a bath tub that goes over his throat and is then weighted down with an anvil outside the tup. The goal: Free his braced hands, then pull up some slack in the rope to free his head and jump out of the tub. He sets up some stationary cameras around his bathroom and then pulls his (surprised) helper in to supervise. Goodwin manages to quickly do away with the hand restraints, but finds he’s too weak to pull up the rope. Rather than just calling it quits there, he begins to flail about with his partner just starring on doing nothing. Eventually he pulls the plug and squirms about as the water slowly drains down to a level where his lips break the surface of the water and he can finally breath. It was intense, and a little scary that his partner didn’t even budge when it began to look like the guy was drowning after being under for over three minutes.

Anyways, I could go on and on about the wacky stuff this guy does, but if this sounds interesting to you, I suggest you see it for yourself. It’s on Netflix. Check it out.

Oh! Also, I’m not completely sure if the show was canceled or not because it did just premiere last year. So Goodwin may return for more pain. Let’s hope he does.