To me, this was a stellar premiere episode, one that should be emulated in all future seasons if possible.

- Got to know pretty much everyone on all three tribes; even when some didn't speak much, we got to know where they fit in their tribes.
- Tough challenges that highlighted who were strong and weak in both physical and mental aspects.
- The concept of forcing the tribes to pick a leader and then have that leader designate someone as the "weakest" and have that weaker person go to camp and make a decision whether to go for the clue or to give the tribe extra rice worked very well here.
- A good look at tribal dynamics and line-drawn-in-sand divisions.
- Mocking catfights (particularly Trish and Sarah and later Lindsey).
- Batsh!t-crazy moment courtesy of J'Tia.
- Comedic gold moments, especially when Cliff and Woo were together and in the boat.
- The obligatory Baywatch beach jog.
- Legit idol searches, no Hantzesque hand-outs.
- Blindside that the recipient didn't see coming but a source of schadenfreude for the audience.
- Complete blindside that neither the recipient nor the audience saw coming.
- All-new cast.