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It was supposed to be the dream. Billy Brown had spent decades dragging his family through the Alaskan wilderness, dodging the "lower 48" like it was a plague, all to build a permanent homestead on Chichagof Island. Then came Alaskan Bush People Season 7.
Everything changed. Fast.
If you watched it when it aired in 2017, you remember the shift in tone. It wasn't about building wind turbines or hauling lumber anymore. It was about survival in a way the "wolfpack" hadn't ever really faced. Honestly, it was the season that effectively ended the show's original premise. No more Browntown. No more Alaska.
The Diagnosis That Stopped Everything
The heart of Season 7 wasn't the bush; it was a hospital room. Ami Brown had been complaining of back pain—something she'd chalked up to arthritis—but by the time the cameras were rolling for the season premiere, things were dire.
In April 2017, doctors at UCLA Medical Center confirmed the worst: Ami had Stage III non-small cell lung cancer. Later reports pushed that to Stage IV.
The news hit the family like a physical blow. You could see it in Billy's face. He wasn't the invincible patriarch anymore. He was a husband watching his wife face a 3% survival rate. It’s heavy stuff for a reality show that usually focused on Bear jumping off things or Matt’s "bush innovations."
The family had no choice. They had to leave. Alaska doesn’t have the specialized oncology care Ami needed. So, the "wolfpack" traded the woods for Southern California. It was weird seeing them in a suburban rental house, trying to maintain their "wild" persona while sitting on a manicured patio.
Dismantling Browntown: The End of an Era
Watching the kids go back to pack up the homestead was basically like watching a funeral. Bear, Bird, and Rain were the ones left with the dirty work.
They had to "give the land back to the bush." Basically, that's code for tearing down the structures they’d spent seasons building. Why? Well, there’s been a lot of talk about whether they actually owned that land or if it was a lease that couldn't be maintained. Regardless of the legalities, seeing the crane pull apart the cabin was the definitive end of the Browntown era.
Key Events from the Season 7 Episodes:
- Matt’s Injury: In the middle of the family crisis, Matt suffered a head injury from an accidental explosion involving a "bear deterrent" (a mason jar and gunpowder). It required nine staples. Talk about bad timing.
- The Decision: Billy made the call—the family was never going back to Alaska.
- The Remission: By the end of the season's cycle (and into the 2018 updates), the miracle happened. Ami’s cancer went into remission.
Where Did They Actually Go?
Most people think they went straight to Washington, but it was a bit more chaotic than that.
For a while, there was talk about Colorado. They even looked at property there. But logistically, it didn't pan out for the whole family. Eventually, they landed in Loomis, Washington, on a 435-acre ranch in the North Cascade Mountains.
They traded the rainforest of Hoonah for the high-altitude winters of Washington. It wasn't the same. Fans felt the difference immediately. The "bush" felt a little less "bush" when you could drive to a grocery store in an hour.
Why Season 7 Still Matters to Fans
This season is the dividing line.
Before Season 7, the show was a pioneer-style adventure. After Season 7, it became a family drama about legacy and loss. It’s where the "reality" in reality TV actually got real. You can't fake a biopsy or chemotherapy.
It also sparked a massive wave of "fake" allegations. Online trolls claimed Ami was faking the illness for ratings. It got so bad that her doctors eventually had to release a public statement to People magazine confirming the diagnosis. People can be pretty cynical when it comes to the Browns, but the medical reality was undeniable.
Moving Forward After the Wolfpack Split
If you're looking to catch up or revisit the series, here is how you should approach the aftermath of Season 7.
First, watch the "lost episodes" that Discovery aired during the hiatus. They fill in the gaps of how the kids handled the transition to the lower 48. Second, keep an eye on the family dynamics in the Washington seasons. You can see the shift where the older boys—specifically Bam Bam and Noah—start seeking more independence outside of Billy’s "wolfpack" rules.
The best way to experience the show now is to watch the Season 7 finale "Blazing a New Trail." It’s a 1-hour and 20-minute emotional rollercoaster that effectively serves as the series finale for the Alaska chapters.
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If you want to understand the current state of the Brown family—especially following Billy Brown's passing in 2021—you have to understand the trauma and the transition that started right here in Season 7. It was the year they lost their home, but in many ways, it’s the year they actually found each other.
To get the full picture of the transition, your next step should be checking out the Season 8 premiere to see exactly how the Washington ranch, "North Star Ranch," differs from the original Browntown setup.