February 03, 2006
Survivor: Exile Island -- Episode #1
First eps of a new Survivor Season are always rocky. We are supposed to be annoyed I think by the 2-3 weirdos who aren't gonna last long anyway, and we're also trying to remember who is who. This one was no exception.
Possible spoilers ahead...
I don't mind the four tribes so much. It's different. And having them go to tribal council with only four, so soon, is a dynamic we haven't seen before.
Another thing I liked about the more-smaller tribes, is I think it made it a little easier to begin to learn who is who.
Sherm has already posted some good comments over in the Forum.
I think that Burnett always picks a couple of real losers on purpose, to give the others some irritants which they can crystalize around.
What was with the blatant flirting going on from the very first few minutes!
I think that Jeff is calling them "Younger Women" "Older Men" cause four tribe names would be hopelessly confusing this early on. But did you notice in the "next week on Survivor" that the black woman commented on the quit-smoking guy. That suggests that there's some sort of merger. Also, I didn't record the ep, so I can't go back and look, but it seemed that when they were lined up for the challenge, they were boy-girl-boy-girls.
Here's an idea. The first thing that happens next week is that the three remaining older women, get distributed among the other three tribes. And then the first tribe reduced to two is absorbed too???
Misty eating worms, so early on, is impressive. She may be a tough one.
But Misty pretending that she found the special immunity idol doesn't seem like all that great a plan. What happens if one of her tribe-mates wants to see it? And won't bragging that you have it, motivate the others to try and vote you off just to make you use it up? But then again, maybe she really does have it. I don't think the audience will be shown who has it. We'll learn when it is whipped out at TC.
Going in I wondered if the Astronaut would try to pull another Football Quarterback thing, and keep it a secret, but no, "Hey guess what! I'm an astronaut!!" My immediate thought was that this was a huge mistake, but the dynamic between the fighter-pilot and the astronaut, could make for a very strong alliance.
Sherm commented on how the "dead son" moment was really awkward, and I agree. But they had to get it in now, cause she was about to be voted off, and this was their only chance to show that emotional thing. And it does explain a little about why Tina was on edge, and thus more likely to be rubbing people the wrong way.
I couldn't agree more that the "family moment" with the loser's family is awful.
Tribes:
Viveros "Younger Men"
Bobby, Attorney, 32
Nick, Financial Sales, 25
Aras, Yoga Instr., 24
Austin, Author, 24
Bayoneta "Younger Women"
Courtney, Performance Artist, 31
Sally, Social Worker, 27
Danielle, Medical Sales, 24
Misty, Engineer, 24
La Mina "Older Men"
Bruce, Karate & Art Teacher, 58
Dan, Astronaut, 52
Terry, Airline/Fighter Pilot, 46
Shane, Entertainment Marketing, 25
Casaya "Older Women"
Ruth Marie, Retail Leasing, 48
Cirie, Nurse, 35
Melinda, Singer, 32
Banished to Exile Island
1. Misty
Voted Off
1. Tina, "Lumber Jill", 45, Casaya tribe