LAST EDITED ON 02-23-19 AT 07:12 PM (EST)In the introduction, the cameras focused mostly on Wardog, Victoria, Wendy and Lauren who was on screen when Jeff mentioned the “million dollar prize”
Wardog had the first confessional of the evening: “You look at me, you think this is a New Yorker, oh! he’s a military guy but I’m currently in law school and I definitely don’t want anybody to know that I’m going to be a lawyer because first impressions could make or break my entire game.”
We can say that our first impression of Wardog isn’t that great. He does get credit for the first confessional of the season but it was rather bland. My first impression is that we’ll hear from this character but he won’t be very impactful.
Wendy’s interview was next: “I’m a super, mega, ultra fan of the show because you don’t know what’s going to happen. You don’t know when this is going to flip, when this is going to happen when that’s going to happen and this is my life.”
Well, Wendy, this show has become very formulaic and one thing we all know is going to happen is that you’ll be voted out early.
Jeff described the returning players as being either desirable allies or easy early vote.
Of the four, fan favorite Joe was interviewed first: “I’m going to have a target on my back but I’m going to try to never shine brighter than anybody else.”
He’s about 20 episodes late in figuring out that tactic.
Lauren had an interview when the group saw the returning players: “My two favorite players are Kelley Wentworth and my total Survivor crush is Joe so then you see the boat coming and you see the blonde like that’s freaking Kelley Wentworth and then they get closer and I’m like...Is that Joe too?”
If anything, this could be setting Lauren up to be one of the season’s narrators.
During the mad scramble for supplies, Dan of the Kama tribe found a secret advantage.
Being close to drowning gave Keith a chance at an interview: “I’m not the best swimmer out here and I’ve never been in open waters. Naturally, me, who can’t swim, could cause me to be the first one gone because in this game if you are on the outs, you’re on the edge.”
He called it. At least he’ll rejoin the majority before the end of the evening... but for how long? Knowing how Survivor likes to have specific types of character, I have to wonder if this scene was set up to create a new “Donathan”. We’ll soon see that either Reem is one of the world’s best swim instructor or Keith is one of the fastest learners ever but for someone who almost drowned during his first contact with water he’ll be developing a very strong crawl on his next occasion.
Manu Day 1
Rick had an interview: “When everyone was introducing themselves, I’m so overwhelmed by the fact that I’m in this game. I was so excited because I’m a huge fan of the show. I’ve watched it since the very first episode. No one thinks News Anchors are tough. I’ve got the dad body out here but I have a huge belief in myself. I want to come out here as the cool man; I want to break through the wall. Oh! yeah!”
As a news Anchor, Rick is certainly comfortable in front of a camera which could give him a narrator’s role. Usually narrators are chosen because they last a while. The editors want someone that we’ll get to know well telling their story.
Kelley’s interview: “Playing the third time, I know I may have a target on my back initially so getting in an initial alliance at the beginning is very important. I played from the bottom on Second Chance; that’s not a good feeling and so this time I want to have genuine relationships which can be hard for me because I am a closed person but I have to be more open, I have to get to know these people on a human level.”
We saw her forming a bond with her fellow soccer player and her fan, Lauren. How well will that serve her? I’m not sure. Her tactic sounds a lot like Spencer’s plan in his second chance and while it got him far, it didn’t earn him the win. But she is right; first day alliances often take precedence over later ones.
After hearing that people were waiting for his expertise, David reacted in confessional: “The first time I played Survivor I was afraid to voice opinions. Chopping the wood; the sound of that rattled me. I had to plug my ears with my fingers and I was worried that my tribe was going to have a bad perception of me. This time, people are coming to me; these newbies are like; what do you think? What should we do? I’m trying to give them ideas. I want people to feel that I can help them navigate especially the very early part of this game so that they know I’m a friend that you can trust me. Keep me around!”
Like Kelley, David has the right idea even if he is using a more laid back approach. Alliances made with friends are much stronger than the ones made out of convenience.
Right after, we learned that Wendy had a mild case of Tourette’s syndrome which she explained in confessional: “I have Tourette’s with a touch of OPD. They are like a combo; if I do this one, I’ll go ah! and do this arm one and then there’s a whole bunch all mixed in and I feel like right now they are kind of good but if I get really excited or I get really concentrated or I talk about them they act up a lot... I’m kind of an open book in a way... Let’s admit; I’m awkward...They vibe in a way that I could never but I have to understand that this is a game and I have to play by the rules of the game. I have to play ball.”
This confessional was simply adorable. I’m happy that she gets a chance to play ball. Wendy’s smile was great to see and I hope she’ll stay a while.
Kama Day 1
Victoria had the tribe’s first confessional: “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a kid. When I was 8 years old I asked Santa Claus for a Survivor buff. I’m just dying to get it started.”
For a first impression, this was rather superficial. A lifelong fan must have an idea on how they’ll play this game but Victoria is happy that her dream came through.
Joe’s interview followed: “Coming into this game, I’m really trying to put “Joe Amazing” away but it’s hard because new players are asking you what should I do? You don’t want to point yourself out as a threat but yet you have so much to offer to these new players so what do you do?”
What you do is bring back Joe Amazing and make fire by rubbing pieces of wood together, something very few people have been able to do over 37 seasons. Joe will always be Joe so he should form an alliance with other strong players and hope they carry him far enough that he’ll be able to win his way to the end. The season’s gimmick will help even if he doesn’t know about it.
Aurora had the next interview: “Having Joe on my team means that I am better set in this game. I don’t have to make fire; Joe did that. I don’t have to build a shelter; Joe did that. He’s just amazing and I would love to work with him. I’m gay and I’m still on Team-Joe!”
Aurora is showing a very pragmatic approach to playing with a strong, experienced player. That bodes well for her and maybe for Joe if she can spread that attitude around.
Julie’s interview: “I’m trying to help out around camp as much as I can but I live in New York City; I have no outdoor survival skill whatsoever. I think the closest I can come to is that I peed in the bushes of Central Park once but that was an emergency. So this is definitely going to be a test for me. I don’t want to be the person that everyone looks at like the older woman and she’s a mom, what is she doing here? She doesn’t have a clue.”
Juxtaposed with Aurora’s confessional, it shows Julie as being much less pragmatic but she does show some self-awareness and she seemed to mesh well with her tribe: She was applauded and received a high five just for chopping bamboo! It will be interesting to see if the camera focuses on her when Kama will be informed of Reem’s elimination. If we hear anything from Julie about that then that would be great for her story but if her reaction is ignored then we’ll know that Julie won’t be central to the season’s story. For now, we can wonder how she’d fare on the “Island of Extinction”. Would she even give it a try?
Ron’s interview: “I think Kama is off to the best start of any tribe I’ve seen any tribe on Survivor have. We’ve got all the rations; we’ve got fire on the first day. We have a positive spirit but I have something on my mind: I have a secret advantage in my pocket! There were 18 people on that boat and I found it and now I’m thinking; I got to get away and read this thing.” The clue told him to dig next to tree mail. He went right away while his confessional went on: “On Survivor, you have to lie, manipulate, cheat and as a teacher, I’m going to have all these students looking at me but they are not stupid: They know it’s a game and the rules allow you to do these things.” He soon found a scroll describing his “Advantage Menu”: He could either steal a reward, a vote or have individual immunity but the advantage lasted only for the first three cycles. His interview ended with these words: “Coming in, my goal was not to be the first one voted out. Now this has given me a new goal: I’m thinking this could propel me not only to last for a while but to win Survivor.”
While Lauren and Rick could be Manu’s narrators, Ron could have the job on Kama. He’s had an excellent start and winning the first immunity will only help. He’ll be a player to watch.
Kama Day 2
The sun was rising and the music was very mellow; a sign that Kama won’t be under stress any time soon.
Aubry gave us an interview: “Being a returnee, it is kind of terrifying to play with newbies because if I prop my head up too much it’s going to get locked up because I’m going to have that returning player target. So, I know that the best thing to do is to lie in the grass and come out like a cobra when the time is right.”
Interestingly, Aubry’s tactic is diametrically opposite to Kelley’s. Which one will be more successful? Unfortunately, the answer is going to be influenced by what players know about these players: They know Aubry is a strong tactician so they may not let her strike.
Gavin then had a confessional: “I’m from Irwin Tennessee but I’m not just the good Southern boy. I know the show and I’m here for one reason and one reason only and that’s to win the title of Sole Survivor. That million dollars is going to come in handy and for the town of Irwin I might buy us a fourth traffic light through Main street. I don’t know yet. We’ll see.”
Coming out of nowhere this confessional is very noteworthy. It contains a quote about winning the game so it’s something to keep in mind.
After telling Gavin that part of the fun of the game is figuring everything out, not being told what to do by returning players, Eric had an interview: “Being a firefighter, at the very core, it’s about taking care of people so we get good at developing lightning fast rapports. Like, for example, with Gavin: Right away, I get the sense that he is somebody that is thinking along the same lines. We’ll get rid of one of them if we lose and, if it’s up to me it’s about me getting Aubry out of here fast. If I can do it tomorrow: Great!”
Well, Eric didn’t get Aubry out on day three so will he come to regret it? The scene didn’t end before showing Aubry working with Julie which could be a sign that she’s be well entrenched in the tribe when they get to tribal Council. On the other hand, a first episode confessional that links one’s occupation with the way the person is intending to play the game is of the utmost importance in giving us a clue about the eventual winner. Like Rick and Gavin, Eric is a player to watch.
Manu Day 2
The music had more rhythm when we flew over to Manu. There wasn’t going to be much more stress than on Kama but there was something about to happen in this tribe.
Reem thought everything was going fine in Manu but she was already taking everyone’s clothes to the beach. She thought everyone was getting along.
Lauren’s Interview gave us the real picture: “Reem is so sweet and is just like such a helpful mom but I think some people are like: Stop moving my stuff.”
Keith’s interview came after he told Reem he was a momma’s boy: “I am young, I’m 19 and not having my mom out here is affecting me. I feel like Reem is a motherly person out here. I thought about going out to the water to practice swimming and Reem and Wendy even offered to help me with it. We live in a trailer deep in the country and that million dollars is going to change our lives so I’m willing to learn.”
Well Reem and Wendy proved to be great instructors because Keith was swimming much better after just one practice! With a “million dollar” quote coming right in the middle of that lesson we have to wonder if they thought him not only how to swim in the ocean but how to swim in the game also.
Back in camp, Rick and the others were quick to realize that Keith, Reem and Wendy had a nice little three person alliance. That led to Kelley’s remark: “Perfect! We got the numbers.”
Rick’s interview: “We started out as one big, happy family and we’re still a big happy family but, naturally, Keith, Reem and Wendy started doing their own thing and we saw that Keith wasn’t a great swimmer, Wendy is a whirling dervish and Reem’s a busy body. So, it’s been really helpful for the rest of us in the tribe because we’re sitting there going: Wow! Those three are dividing themselves and those might be the three we wanted to vote out anyway so OK; keep dividing yourselves.”
To stress that division, the scene ended with the camera going from the small group of three now working on palm fronds and then our view went over to the other side of camp where the rest of the tribe was huddled.
Day 3: The Challenge
The two tribes were fairly even until Joe took over at the balance beam. From there, the only members of Manu that gave them a shot at closing the gap was, surprisingly, David and Lauren.
With a gash on her forehead, Kelley had the exit interview: “Losing the first challenge is one of the worse things that can happen to you because you have very little wiggle room, like you’ve known these people for three days. I know from experience that any little thing can send you out of this game and you could be gone in a second.”
Manu Day 3
Keith had the first interview after returning to camp: “You never come out here expecting to lose that first immunity challenge but even though I feel more introverted, I need to have more one-on-one conversations.” With Reem and Wendy, he talked to Rick near the water well. Keith’s interview continued: “As soon as we got to the well, Reem and Wendy weren’t shy to put it out there: They want to get Kelley and Lauren. They have linked them as this dynamic duo who has control of everything so they are trying to get the vote together to get one of those two out. And there just dogging Rick down. He doesn’t even have a chance to breathe. So I wasn’t feeling the whole well vibe; that wasn’t going the way I liked it and something clicked in my head that I have to start playing this game for me and, at the end of the day, no matter who goes home, I just can’t be the one to go home.”
Keith walked directly to camp to tell the group all about Reem and Wendy’s plan. The group settled on getting rid of Reem so Wardog proposed talking to Wendy. She told him and David that she’d be voting with Reem.
Wendy’s confessional: “I feel like they are not giving enough credit to Reem. They are only taking her age into account. She can’t help her age but she can pull her weight which she has been doing.”
Wendy’s stubbornness got to Wardog who wondered out loud if they shouldn’t vote her out instead.
Wardog’s confessional: “Wendy; it was extremely surprising to me that no matter how direct we were telling her that it was going to be Reem, she pushed back. This caused an alarm in my head because what is going to happen down the road? Can I work with someone like that? So this vote tonight, it should be Wendy.”
Hearing that they were voting against her, Reem thought they were idiots. She promised to go down fighting.
Tribal Council
It didn’t take long for Jeff to realize that the target was directly on Reem. Like he said, it’s rare that we have a Tribal Council where almost all the conversation is centered on one person.
Wendy voted for Lauren.
Reem voted for Kelley.
Kelley, Wardog and Lauren voted for Wendy.
Chris, Rick, Keith and David voted for Reem.
On the walk of shame, Reem found herself facing a fork in the road and she decided to go to the Island of Extinction.
The StoryPremieres have often been exciting, counting as some of the most interesting episodes of the season but this one was truly underwhelming. As such, it doesn’t bode well for the season. Wendy was an interesting side story but what chance does she really have? Reem’s choice at the end of the walk of shame was very well presented but this scene will be repeated a dozen times so it will soon become rancid. This island is designed for Joe; a place where survival doesn’t depend on the vote.
Undiscovered Species – These players remain undefined. One of them may very well find a role before too long but their lack luster premiere put a big question mark on their chances of succeeding.
Chris: For an athletic guy whose tribe went to Tribal Council, it’s troubling that we didn’t hear from Chris. The only good thing was that it didn’t link him with the mob mentality that led to Reem’s demise. The audience got the chance to connect very well with Reem and even more so with her early allies, Wendy and Keith so to be partially distanced with their tormentors could be a good sign for Chris but he’ll need a strong episode fast.
Julia: I thought I saw a young black woman but it could have been my imagination.
Victoria: The cameras did spot a red haired humanoid but was it a real person or just a bad camera angle. What we heard from Victoria is that she loves the show but that does not set her up for a big role.
Aurora: It’s not the first time we’ve heard of a lesbian that has the hots for a good looking guy but Aurora’s meaningless presence makes it hard to catalogue her.
Endangered Species – While they are yet extinct, these players don’t stand a chance:
Wendy: I found her adorable. I enjoyed the way she explained her condition and how it affects her. I didn’t like how she stubbornly stood by Reem but her cool attitude at Tribal Council should enable her to reintegrate the tribe.
Julie: Contributing to the work on the shelter is a way to make friends but in this game you need allies and Julie did nothing to secure her spot in the game.
The Dinosaurs – Like Jurassic Park, these old creatures are reborn and they had an immediate role in the story but will they survive the votes?
Aubry: Returning players have one tremendous disadvantage: Everyone know if they can be trusted or not. Aubry is a player that showed clearly that she can be disloyal so laying low and waiting for the right time to strike is the worst tactic she can have. She needs to open up and make people forget her inclination to make big moves.
Kelley: Why does Jeff continue calling her Wentworth? It was understandable in her second season where we had 2 Kellys but now? Maybe he feels like this is putting her in the category of the Penners and the Savages but it’s rather defeminising. Unlike Aubry, Kelley was always loyal to her allies, her problem being that she never had enough allies but people manly remember how she used her idols and how dangerous she can be when pushed against the wall.
David: I prefer the relaxed David than the fake neurotic one we had the first time but what does he really bring to the game? Hopefully he’ll come up with something original to trick these newbies the way he tricked Jay.
Joe: The season’s format is designed to give the victory to this fan favorite but, like Boston Rob had to work hard in Redemption island, Joe has a lot of work to do this time around and not trying to shine isn’t the best idea.
Thriving Specimens: These players had strong roles in the premiere but let’s not forget that pests thrive in our cities.
Keith: The episode was very Keith-centric, first showing the problems he will have to adapt to this new experience then putting him in the minority and later showing how he can turn a bad situation around. He had to turn into a snitch to save himself and while I hate snitches, his tactic proved successful. Spilling the beans about Reem and Wendy’s plan will, for some odd reason, gain him some trust with the majority alliance but will he ever integrate into that alliance?
Wardog: As one of those that led the charge against Reem and especially Wendy, Wardog could become the season’s “Villain”. His name and his thick New York accent will help create the role so I expect to see Wardog go deep into the game but he’ll hardly be a fan favorite.
Lauren: I was pleasantly surprised by her athletic skills. Often “College Athletes” don’t do well on Survivor and the editors remind us of their status as college athlete as a way to mock them but Lauren did fairly well in the challenge. Her future depends a lot on how the tribe will treat Kelley because she didn’t hide her bond to the returning player.
Rick At Tribal Council, Jeff referred to him as Devins, something he only does for his favorites. How could anyone become his favorite so early? Well, Jeff could know something we don’t! Seriously, Rick had a strong premiere and he could be his tribe’s narrator so Rick could be a long term player.
Gavin: His role was rather small but we got to know that he’s a Southern boy and that he plans of winning the title of Sole Survivor. That’s more than enough for someone during a premiere where he didn’t go to Tribal Council. The audience is ready to hear more from him.
Ron: Of the Kama newbies, Ron had the strongest episode but that was influenced by stumbling on the secret advantage. How he uses it and how his role grows will tell us a lot on his chances. Stealing the reward would be a death wish, stealing a vote would also make enemies while needing to use an immunity idol would show that his social game wasn’t good enough to keep him safe. The best thing that could happen to Ron is letting that advantage go to waste. For now, we've learned that Ron is a teacher who won't be stopped by morals in this amoral game and we know he's going for the win so it's a good omen.
Eric: In this short premiere, we got to know that Eric is a firefighter, we got to know about his tactical inclinations and that he is part of a strong duo with Gavin. That’s very impressive. The last two seasons with returning players were won by front line Public servants so why not another?
Voted out – Reem: By splitting the votes between Reem and Wendy, the players showed what I’ve been saying for a long time: It’s impossible to keep track of someone 24 hours a day. Reem certainly wasn’t that proactive about looking for an idol yet the group wasn’t certain if she had an idol or not.
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