This is an amazing example of group and individual dynamics in a commune. There isn't a clear leader of the group, just some individuals that are perhaps more knowledgeable and assertive. Then there are people that need to follow someone, but also people that can't work well with anyone. It's basically what you would get in any kind of group, no matter what the number of individuals is. It seems chaotic at first, but over time, a hierarchy is established. It's natural. It's clear that they are paranoid because of their bad experience with previous outsiders, yet newcomers attribute that to secrets that have yet to be revealed. Anyone who ever tried to make a group of very different individuals work together, in this kind of setting, will understand that this is very difficult and most often doesn't work out. Other people might even see the patterns that aren't there and compare it with what they think they learned from documentaries about cults.
The reality show "Survivor" is a great example. What does every person say after a few days? That they watched every season but they never understood how hard it is going to be, until they spent the first night out there. Without the experience, you will never truly understand and connect with people on screen.