Think the whole idea was to get away from the surviving in the woods type programme and make something that would entertain more of the public at large.
I thought it was excellent, some basic skills but more a history program about a true visionary and alround hard dude.
Obviously i'd have watched it even if it wasnt the mears himself presenting as i find such things interesting, it depends on your viewpoint i suppose, if you wanted the normal bushcraft/survival fodder of the big man then maybe the next series will be for you.
David Attenborough won't go on for ever though and somebody will be needing to fill his shoes