Can you believe that Survivor, the show that practically christened the term “reality TV”, is entering its second decade? Often imitated, often duplicated, but never matched. Once again (for those of you who read my preview last week), I have to give full props to Mark Burnett and the folks at CBS for continuing to keep this show interesting. Though some seasons have been better than others, Survivor has never rested on its laurels, continually changing things up and keeping things interesting through twenty seasons.
Of course, the show wouldn’t he half as entertaining if it weren’t for the fact that every season, there are always the requisite number of awesome heroes, hissably evil villains, and, of course, Jeff Probst’s tan, which by now should get its own dressing room. I’m hoping that this season, the 21st, will continue to deliver. And when you’ve got a former NFL coach topping the list of castaways, how can it not?
Though we already know, going in, that the two tribes will be divided according to age, it’s going to come as a surprise to the 20 castaways. This oughta be good. The two groups take their place on the mats, unaware of the pending twist. Jeff singles out a few individuals for questions, including technology exec Marty, who goes out of his way to let us know that he has no idea why Jimmy Johnson is even there and hopes like hell that they’re not on the same tribe. (Tee hee. Sucks to be you, dude.)
Jeff directs the group’s attention to a nearby lagoon, the vicinity of which hides the brand new Medallion of Power. For those not in the know, the tribe that possesses the MoP gets to use to their advantage during challenges… but once that tribes uses it, it moves over to the other tribe. It will be interesting to see how it’s used. Anyway, the group scatters immediately, and it is found in fairly short order by paddleboard company owner Brenda. Marty comments how awesome it is that the MoP is on his tribe, and then… Jeff drops the bomb. It’s old vs. young, experience vs. enthusiasm, Depends vs. Dependents.
Some are happy, some are not. Jeff then dispenses the buffs; the 40-and-over tribe is Espada and will be wearing blue, the 30-and-under La Flor will be wearing yellow. And then Brenda is offered a choice: keep the MoP or trade it for flint (for making fire) and a chest of fishing gear. La Flor accepts the offer, and Espada walks off with the MoP.
Day One is always a good yardstick; whoever gets their camp up and running the fastest is usually the tribe who gets the early momentum. Dog trainer Jane, using a borrowed pair of glasses, gets a fire going in no time flat, which impresses even the cynical Marty.
The first face we see at La Flor is real estate broker Sash, and he flashes his pearly whites and arrogant smile at the camera and promises that youth will easily dominate the game. It’s always good to have one castaway to hate with a passion, and I’ve got mine! Pest control company owner Shannon comments that surfer Judd is even dumber than he looks, even dubbing him “Fabio” in front of the rest of the tribe. And just like that, I’ve got my favorite alliance, as Shannon allies himself with racecar jack-man Chase (who later on, will bond with Brenda). And another great moment: amputee Kelly B. shows everyone her orthotic leg, and they practically fall over each other with admiration. Just awesome. This was bound to come out at some point, but this is a tribe that will probably see this as a weakness, and may peg Kelly B. as one of the first to go. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.
Day 2 at Espada finds Jane’s fire still going, and Jimmy J. not feeling too well. He puts his game face on, but the rest of the tribe is already looking askance at him. Uh-oh. Later on, however, he gets his tribe in a huddle and plays his strategy card: he knows he can’t possibly win, but he can definitely help someone win, so it’s in their best interest to keep him around.
At La Flor, Kelly B. and art student Alina pick up the first treemail, which includes a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol. It looks really tough this time, and I’m wondering just how long it will take someone to figure it out. The duo agree to hide the clue, and another uneasy alliance is born. (Interesting side-note: if Espada got a similar clue, it wasn’t shown. Hmmmm….)
Immunity Challenge! La Flor comes in sashaying and singing (except for Chase and Shannon, who are trying like hell not to look embarrassed), and Espada just shakes their heads at the whippersnappers. After a bit of mutual tribal chest-thumping, Jeff lays it out: one group will send buckets of water down a series of hand-held gutters, filling a barrel that are attached to a bag of puzzle pieces. Fill the barrel, the pieces drop, the rest of the tribe assembles the puzzle. (It’s tough to recap things like this, so the onus is on me.) Espada is offered a one-bucket headstart if they use the MoP, but they decline, believing themselves to be equal to the task. La Flor is able to start on their puzzle scant seconds ahead of Espada, but the Espada women make a dog’s dinner of the puzzle and La Flor wins. Dagnabbit.
If you’ve watched this show at all, you’ll know that the first to go is always the one who is perceived as the “weakest link”. Fisherman Jimmy T. immediately singles out Jimmy J., who down the beach has realized that he’s on the proverbial chopping block. He tells swim coach Holly that it will probably be either him or goat rancher Wendy, who she bonded with earlier. Marty says that it’s tough to really gauge anyone’s strengths, as they all barely know each other.
Tribal council. Espada collects their torches and lights them. Jane gets props for getting the fire started. Jimmy J. says again that he’s there for the adventure only, but Jimmy T. isn’t buying it. Holly is in a quandary about voting off Wendy. Wendy feels like an outsider, and regrets biting her tongue for three days when that’s not what she’s really like. She pleads to her tribe to keep her around, but judging from the bemused “WTF?!” looks on their faces, her clock is all but punched.
Voting time. Fire captain Tyrone votes for Wendy, but his vote is all we see. Jeff brings the urn over, and out come the slips. Wendy. Yve, misspelled “Eve”. Wendy. Wendy. Wendy. Wendy. And… Wendy. Sorry, cowgirl, back to the ranch. It sucks to be the first one out, but you don’t make friends by alternately talking too little and talking too much.
Next week: Holly vents on real estate exec Dan, P.E. teacher NaOnka yells at Jud. And tribal council is apparently going to be one for the books.
