LAST EDITED ON 09-12-11 AT 12:43 PM (EST)

LAST EDITED ON 09-12-11 AT 09:56 AM (EST)

WELCOME BACK TO SURVIVOR BLOWS, S 23: South Pacific

Welcome back everyone! It's great to get this ball rolling! Welcome to the first SOTS of the season! Just a quick reminder that it's a great time for all of us here at Blows to go back and give our guidelines the once over, they really are the reason we all have such a fun, exciting, and CIVIL board. As in the immortal words of S1 Colleen,

Be nice and play fair!!

Now, let the game BEGIN!!! The Samoa location was announced par usual at the Reunion show immediately following last seasons finale where my favorite, and Jiffy’s favorite, FINALLY WON! Hoooray for Boston Rob! Entertainment Weekly announced this regarding S23:

Filmed in Samoa (the same location for seasons 19 and 20), Survivor: South Pacific will also feature a few twists to the format. The first involves the hidden immunity idols. “This year with hidden immuinity idols, we’re hiding the clue,” explains Probst. “No clue as to where the clue is. Once you find the clue, then you have to find the idol.” And while the Redemption Island twist is back, there will be one major change to it, with the elimination of group duels — meaning each competition will truly be a win-or-go-home situation (as opposed to last season, in which players often simply did not have to come in last to stay alive). “We’re not having multi-person duels,” says Probst. “That was part of the experiment . We wanted to see how many people we could keep in the game until the end. And that’s why we let more people live out there. But we felt like it’s too many people and now we’ve got half the group still in it at the end. So it will only be a one-on-one situation. Loser’s out, winner stays. Otherwise, we’re playing it the same way.”

When Jeff Probst was asked in an interview by Dalton Ross, why Coach and Ozzy? Jiffy responds that it needed to be two things, first they needed two people that needed some redemption. The second reason is how do they complement each other? Jiffy responds that while he hates to acknowledge this, it’s true. Ozzy is the “real deal” while Coach is the “pretender”. Ozzy is the one who dominates in almost every challenge, while Coach “lives” bigger than life, but has never proven it. They are each others yin and yang...yet, what they share together is that their social games sucked.

Jiffy goes on to note that the question that remains is, did either Coach or Ozzy learn from their past social games, or lack there of? He notes that judging from the first 5 minutes of the game, Coach did not, yet Ozzy may have...

For Pre-season spoiler “stuff”, please note Kircon’s thread here. One bit of encouraging news is that the guy that posted that Rick Nelson would not be on, got Semhar and Dawn correct, also noted that the cameramen reported that this will be a great season, as noted by Krautboy, here.

For pre-season press, you can go to Scarlett’s thread, here.

MEET THE CAST

Click on the Survivor pics below to see their CBS bios....

SAVAII

Dawn

41 year old from South Jordan Utah, Professor at Brigham Young University, Adoptive mother of 6 children. Describes herself as driven, positive, and enthusiastic. Jiffy notes that “she’s excited”. She works with young kids and knows she can get along well with them. I think she’ll be loyal and a positive player, I think she will be able to contribute physically as well. I question if she’ll be able to be cut throat or lie, however.

Elyse

27 year old ex-pageant girl who placed as 2nd runner up in Miss America, dance team manager from Las Vegas. She describes herself as “enchanting, indomitable and spunky”, and revels in the fact that she’s a real character. Jiffy says that she’s “trouble”. Jeff notes she’s a party girl with a head for business, could run into trouble if she’s a “girly girl”.

Jim

35 year old, Medical Marijuana Dispenser from Denver, Colorado. MBA from Michigan, ex-Wall Street employee, professional gambler. Describes himself as “ambitious, magnanimous and competitive”. Jiffy describes him as “slimey”. He’s single and likes the ladies, Jeff doesn’t think he’ll win.

Cochran

24 year old Harvard Law Student from Washington DC. Declares himself a Survivor junkie and real fan of the show. Hopes to disarm his competition with endearing revelations about himself. Not the most athletic, “geek”. Describes himself as neurotic, insecure and brilliant. Jiffy says he’s “hilarious”, their own “Woody Allen”. Wants to be called Cochran because he loves it when Jeff calls contestants by their last names. He could be the guy that wins it all.

Keith

26 year old, Water Treatment Tech from Edina, Minn. Likes to surf, swim, and long board....should get along with dolphin boy then...and describes himself as fun, adventurous, and driven. Must of had some congenital heart block that affected his conduction system as he has a permanent pacemaker that is visible on his upper front chest. Jiffy says “he’s cherubic”. 6’5” Jock, really likable, but most likely won’t be the winner.

Mark Anthony

48 year old retired NYPD detective from Forest Hills, NY. Openly gay, father, notes hobbies are the gym and tanning. Describes himself as funny, sarcastic and lovable. Wants to be everybody’s “daddy”, Jiffy describes him as “excitable”. Jeff says he should be “the specialist” and reveal to others when folks are lying.

Semhar

24 year old spoken word artist from LA. Describes herself as silly, flirty, and sensitive. Lived in East Africa for a year. Jiffy says that “Semhar is short for this game. She’s gone”. Jeff says she has no business being out there, and that she is only worried about her hair and not the million.

Whitney

27 year old, Country Music Singer from Nashville. Saved by Jesus and inspired to sing by Elvis. Describes herself as outgoing, happy, and honest, and as “kick-a$$ Barbie”. Jeff says that she’s “rootable”. She’s a very likable girl, a rebel country music singer with tats. She could go deep.

Upolu

Albert

26 year old, baseball/dating coach from Plantation, Florida. Describes himself as an expert in body language, and says he’s versatile, dynamic and resourceful. Appears to be the most athletic one in the entire group, discounting Ozzy of course. Jiffy says “he’s a possible poseur”. Jeff calls him a dark horse, he’s young, good looking and fit and some could call him a fav, but Jiffy is not so sure. I think because he stands out so much that he’ll most likely be toast at some point.

Brandon

19 year old, nephew of RussHell, oil-tanker crewman from Katy, Texas. From what I can gather he’s a 19 year old husband and father who wants more from life than being a “crewman”, so he’s trying to take advantage of his Uncle’s Survivor celebrity, and trying to become a DAW in his own right. He’s well on his way! Plans to deny his sir name. But, Jeff informs us that he has the word HANTZ tatooed across the back of his neck and over his shoulder....? Describes himself as headstrong, bold, and clever. Jiffy says he’s the underdog and likable. We all know that Jiffy loves the underdogs...choke!

Christine

39 year old Teacher from Merrick, NY. Got on Survivor by sending in a tape that ranted about NaOnka and Purple Kelly....describes herself as helpful, stubborn, and self-motivating. Says she has accomplished all of her goals in life. Says if there is a returnee on her tribe they will be the first one voted off...look out Coach! Jeff says that she makes him want to have a beer with her. Jeff says with a little luck she will be there at the end, she’s funny, a good story teller, and doesn’t hesitate. Her only obstacle will be fitting in.

Edna

35 year old Anesthesiologist and business owner from LA. Knew Mick Trimming and that’s how she got on the show. Describes herself as a self-starter, adventurous, and ambitious. Jeff thinks that she’s a “dominatrix”! Jeff says that she’s a control freak and a flirt.

Mikayla

22 year old, Lingere Football Player from Tampa, Fl who is proud to have been a Playboy Cover model in the Feb 2011 issue. Wow, didn’t know there was money in Lingere Football !!! Grew up in North Jersey. Describes herself as outspoken, humorous, and witty. She’s a tomboy. Jiffy describes her as a “female Boston Rob”!!! Says the girls will want to be like her and the guys will want to be with her.

Rick

51 year old Rancher from Aurora, Utah. Sent his tape in 14 times to make the show...definitely is persevering! Describes himself as outgoing, strong-willed and self-motivated. Appears to be a “character”. Jiffy says “he’s the real deal”. Jeff says that he is aware he is going to have to adapt his game, that these are younger people and he’ll have to play their game.

Sophie

22 year old Medical Student from Willsburo, NY. Thinks she’s the smartest one out there. Ex-Prom princess. Describes herself as purposeful, resilient and shrewd. Jiffy says that she’s the observer, and that it will be hard for her to fit in.

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Stacey

44 year old Mortician from Grand Prairie, TX. Single mother. Describes herself as determined, fun, and versatile. Can’t stand any negativity. Jiffy says that she may be overlooked, and says that she will have a hard time, she looks at the world differently.

Now for our RETURNEES:

Ozzy

Ozzy is a surfer from Venice, California. Formerly known as “Dolphin Boy” for his extreme water athleticism. He is a real contender in any and all challenges. This is his third and final go round in the game of Survivor and he’s hoping to stay humble and learn from his past mistakes. Jiffy calls him the real deal and thinks he may have learned from those previous mistakes.

Coach

Benjamin “Coach” Wade will be making his third appearance on Survivor having won neither of the previous shows. He’s a 39 year old ex-Soccer Coach, and Symphony conductor from Susanville, Ca. His alias is “the Dragon Slayer”, who he will be bringing back from the very start...here’s what last season’s winner thinks of that...

Still don't feel like you know the S22 Cast yet? Then go to Krautboy’s thread on cast assessments.

EPISODE ONE, I NEED REDEMPTION

The episode starts out with the arrival of 16 castaways from all walks of life, stranded together to compete against one another and survive the 39 day ordeal that we know and love, Survivor. They arrive by tribe on rafts and once gathered at the redemption arena, Jiffy announces that yes, they will be joined by two former players each seeking their own redemption. As the helicopter lands, out jumps an exuberant Ozzy and a more guarded but happy, Coach.

JIffy explains that they will pick an egg from the basket and break the egg to determine which tribe they are on...

Looks like Ozzy has learned that he needs to be more social...

While Coach has not...

Up above, we can see that there is something covered on the table next to Jeff with Ozzy and Coach. Most likely it’s a reward of some kind...flint, fishing gear, etc. Ozzy and Coach will then play for this as their respective tribes sit in the arena area and watch...The challenge most likely involves climbing poles and obstacles in search of puzzle peices and ends with the completion of a puzzle...seems to be a pyramid type puzzle that must be done over 3 tables. Coach receives lots of help from his tribe, while Ozzy needs none...

They must climb a pole and retrieve something, a puzzle peice perhaps?

Next they must dig under a log and most likely squeeze under it...

...then finish with the puzzle...

While we don’t see the end result, we do have these shots....

While fire has been spotted at both camps, the fishing net has not! Certainly looks like Ozzy hasn’t lost his challenge prowess! D'uh!

Then the episode takes us to their respective campsites, where they start to build their shelters and bond with each other. This is the time when annoying and bossy personalities are revealed, and the seeds of progression start to emerge. Alliances are begun and drama is played out. On day three they report to challenge beach for the first Immunity Challenge.

John Kirkhoffer tells us in the TVGuide special that the first challenge is Coconut Conundrum. It’s a long and very physical challenge. On Jiffy’s go, they start racing through lanes that intersect their opponents lanes, wrecking havoc on them all....

After this leg, there is most likely a hanging coconut crawl through leg...

Then there is a climb the wall obstacle. The tribes must strategically get a strong male up first to lift the others up. Savaii gets Keith up first, and Upolu gets Rick up first...

Note that Ozzy is the last one over...Also note that Coach and Upolu are already onto the next mat doing the next portion of the course...

This is the point that the Upolu’s start to get a lead....note in the last frame the Upolu’s have already moved on to the next station. One where one member of the tribe, Rick for Upolu and Ozzy for Savaii, must dig in a sand pit to retrieve a hatchet, that then must be used to chop rope around a log. Once all of the rope is chopped, it will release 250 coconuts into a frame on the ground, that are then used to be thrown, one at a time, by three selected tribe members. The coconuts are thrown into a hanging net, that once reaches a certain weight will lift another bag of netted coconuts. Most likely first one to lift the weighted bag will win the challenge.

Digging for the buried hatchets...

We know that Rick is cutting his last rope, while Ozzy has only chopped one (note the one hanging rope under Ozzy’s log). Here is a shot of Ozzy releasing the coconuts for the red tribe, while the Upolu’s are already firing away at the coconut net...

Keith, Ozzy, and Semhar appear to be the throwers for Savaii, while Mikayla, Brandon, and Albert are throwing for Upolu. There does not APPEAR to be too much difference in the coconuts in the net at this point...One thing that I noticed in the video of Jeff’s cast assessments, was that Semhar throws the coconuts UNDERHANDED...

Here Keith is showing great form, and despite Semhar, Ozzy and Keith probably keep it close. But, I think these pics are telling:

In addition, while scouring promos in search of the perfect vidcaps to tell the story, I stumbled upon these of Whitney. Note these appear to be shots from a future challenge...

At first Whitney goes and unties the red belt from the rail...

She quickly dons the red belt and goes onto compete here...note the rest of her tribe are standing on their red mat waiting and watching...

Left to Right, Note Mark Anthony’s head on the far left of the image, then see Keith’s yellow shirt in front of Mark Anthony’s head, see Keith’s shoulder is obscuring Mark Anthony’s lower left chin, then there is a pole, then we see Jim’s head and peachy colored shirt, and finally on the far right the group as we view it is Ozzy standing in front.

Note Jim is wearing the peachy shirt and long khaki slacks.

The red belt is connected to the black strap during the challenge...It's some kind of May pole wrap challenge, or it could be an untangling challenge as well...There must be "legs" to the race as the rest of the team is waiting to "move on" to the next leg....

Having vidcap documentation of Mark Anthony, Jim, Keith, Ozzy, and Whitney means that they all live to see another TC. They are all safe in ep 1.

The PREDICTIONS

Coach vs. Ozzy:

Immunity Challenge: UPOLU

BOOT:

Jeff says she is only concerned about her hair out there. She throws the coconut balls underhanded and most likely choked in the challenge. Dawn seems confident in her ability to fit in with the younger ones, as a University professor and she looks like she's in kick A$$ shape. Cochran is endearing. I'm with Jiffy on this one.

CLUES This season the clues to the HII will be hidden at camp. I don't believe that anyone will find a clue in Episode 1....

For more boot speculation, see Krautboy's thread on Boot Discussion. I want to thank Krautboy for also putting all of those vidcaps in some kind of order in the Vidcap chronology thread.

Welcome back to Veruca Salt and her phenomenal The Players, The Game, and The Editing Thread. Folks are really amazing in this thread, and it's always insightful when trying to unlock the Survivor puzzle.

I would also like to encourage folks to sign up for an SOTS. WE could all use some fresh input in that thread! I am available for assistance if needed! And, THANKS so much to Tribephyl for the lovely new SOTS graphic. It rocks!