WOOOW!!! This is/was the BEST American based show in years! I've been watching BBC/ITV Masterpiece Theatre and the like via PBS and on-line (Thanks Youtube tutorial!) for as long as I can remember, and although Korea has fallen in line w/the British way of film making (YES), we Americans have fallen very short in this direction. It seems like we've dummied down EVERYTHING and it's getting much worse! The great thing about Teddy and Phil is that they represent what opp. is all about in the first place. God blesses all of us in our own way to pay [it] forward, but when you're in a possition to give the way these cats can, then yes, you most certainly should, for it's ones duty to help your fellow man in need! I could go on and on about season 35 of CSI (now in UK,,, why?) and how lame all of those have become; using the same ol' tired 'crime drama' formula. But like the well produced Trevor Eve dramas, 'The Philanthropist' is "as" excellent and note worthy!!! I'm tired of searching the net for brillantly produced and marketed BBC/Korean drama's, but it has to be done, eh? How the Kardashians made 50 million last yr. spoiling themselves silly, is a wonder to me, but Teddy and Phil made you feel happy that THEY had that kind of cash flow, because THEY were willing to sacrifice themselves to make a difference for others, unlike the selfish rich we are being forced to watch on American telly, these days. If anyone has the number to the NBC execs., PLEASE call and request (DEMAND,,, lol) they reserect this show, for it's America's 'Masterpiece Theatre,' plus I'm dying to know where in the world are Teddy, Phil, and our most beloved DAX. Please phone, this show 'must' return and soon, before I risk moving to Iran, just to flee reality tv shows on every bloody channel, here! DEATH to them all !!! Fat-twah, folks!

this show is amazing, as it hits on some very serious subjects. As americans, most choose to turn there back or ignore these topics. It will not change itself!
I love the controversy in this and wish this show would have continued

Ironically - this episode aired in 2009.
In 2010:
"The 2010 Haiti earthquake left up to 316,000 people dead and 1.6 million homeless."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti#2010.E2.80.932011:_Earthquake.2C_cholera.2C_and_flood_eventsThere is a lot about this episode I didn't care for (though I'm glad to see the body guard finally actually working).But, though "preachy" (as usual), I'm glad the show once again tackled a very real humanitarian issue.I especially liked the speech at the end . . . followed by the silence; all the very smart and rich people . . . at a loss for a solution.My solution:
- lots and lots of birth control (if you can't feed your children; if you sell your children - you shouldn't be having children).
- Martial Law - for five years (I call it Haiti's Five Year Plan).
- The "General" (powerful, noble, incorruptible) will not tolerate greed, corruption, political gamesmanship or violence of any kind.
- No more religious missionaries
- No more land disputes; no more arguing about who has what permission to do what where. The "General" takes away everyone's land.
- Everybody works - if you want to eat; you work. If you want a safe place to live; you work
- Work in schools, daycares, hospitals, nursing homes and prisons.
- Work in community law enforcement
- Work in clean-up and sanitation; farming; food distribution and preparation; permanent housing construction; roads; . . .
- Imagine over 6 million people working 8 hours a day to make their country a better place.
The Chinese moved mountains with shovels.
- In the beginning of the fifth year, the General allows the formation of political parties; the purchase of property. I don't know.
Has there ever been a benevolent dictator? One that allowed his subjects to peacefully transition to full democracy?I haven't checked in lately, but my guess is that Haiti is still horrible; filled with greed, corruption and cruelty. I don't think anyone can help; enable to continue down the same tragic path - yes, but truly help - kind of doubt it.I'm going to miss "The Philanthropist"; despite it being depressing, condescending and laying quite the guilt trip.
But, most of we viewers are pretty darn lucky and should be reminded of this once in awhile.

LOVED LOVED LOVED this show. Loved the geography, the photography, the characters, the plot lines and the story. It was personal, and beautiful, and interesting. It was stimulating and I learned a lot. I miss it.