The 30th season of Survivor premiered last night and I could hardly my excitement. It felt like a lifetime since the end of season 29, and to finally have Words Apart begin is fantastic. This season has received a lot of hype from CBS and the big dog Probst. If the first episode is any indicator on how the whole season will be...I think I'm going to buy into that hype.
So the show kicks off with the reveal that it's going to be white collar/blue collar/no collar tribes. I think this is a pretty interesting divide and the cast seems to fit it pretty well. I love when Probst asks a few of the players if they feel like they're on the right tribe, like anyone is going to say no to Jeff in front of everyone.
"EHHH SORRY, JEFF! I'm actually a homeless person so I'm not sure why I'm on the white collar tribe???"
Everyone gives the typical answer of how much they love their tribe and how much they belong together. My favorite was Dan, who basically gave a Captain America speech about working hard and calluses, it was very touching. I also really liked what Joaquin had to say, "my nine to five doesn't define who I am." It was a great line from him that made a lot of sense. I'm glad that I really soaked it in since it was the last good thing that Joaquin did all episode.
Jeff reveals that each tribe would need to select someone to make a big decision, which is basically asking...who wants a target??? Anyone??? There's beans involved!"
No one seems jumping to take the leadership role, which is good to see. It's interesting to see the position universally accepted as a trap, which means everyone is thinking about the game. Will seems to take it the best, taking the opportunity to debate with Jeff about the potential to make island sandwiches. As a superfan, I think Dan did not want to take the role but unfortunately was pushed. I think that if the position is pushed towards you then it's better to just accept it and smile then show any resistance.
The three leaders then have to pick a partner to help them with the decision. I think in this scenario that it's best to avoid being one of these two people. In a tribe of six, you want to do as little as possible to avoid being seen as a target. Paranoia sets in fast and people won't be able to stop themselves from thinking that the two people set to make a decision are going to form some sort of bond. As one of the two people selected, your goal should be to try and prevent any sort of ostracization. I have to harp on Will for a bit for going out of his way to explain that he picked Jenn because he felt she would do what was best for the "team". Tribal unity is very important at this point and props to Will for supporting that.
The tribes finally split and the game begins!!! Nina reveals to her tribe that she is deaf. There didn't seem to be any reason to hide it since her earing aids are very visible. Since no one had a confessional reacting to it, I'm going to assume that no one really cares.
And neither do I so lets get to the big decision!!!
Each pair has to decide whether to be honest and select a big bag of beans for the tribe or to be deceitful and select a small bag and a clue to the idol. I think this decision is a lot easier than the players suggest. You take the big bag of beans...always take the big bag of beans. It's important to start this game on the right foot and you know what makes a great first impression? Bring a big bag of beans to camp. You're going to get idol clues...there's no need to worry about it on the first day. Also, if you do decide to take the clue, you're automatically aligning with the other person with you. You don't know a single thing about this person so it's very risky to lock yourself down with them that quick. Let's see who passed the test...
Will and Jenn hit it out of the park. They don't even hesitate to take the big bag. The mindset that Jenn offers is perfect. They are no where near the individual game and if you need to be looking for an immunity idol this early, you're in a lot of trouble.
Dan and Mike do make the right decision. Mike isn't the smartest to be super resistant with Dan on picking the honest option. I think it's a little red flag for Dan to see someone so willing to be a villain that early. Dan is smart about the choice to be honest because it's too early to be a villain. Although, I think he messes up on how he talks to the group about it. He basically gives them the same speech that he just confessed to us. I don't think it was necessarily a terrible way to tell them about it but I think Dan's mistake is that he just talks too much and overanalyzes everything. We see this a lot in the episode, where he basically blows up on the girls about the shelter. I get that you're concerned about your weight on the bamboo, but there are better ways to get your point across. Dan's heart is in the right place, but I think it's too much for the girls that he is with. It's not his fault that Sierra was expecting an actually beanbag of beans instead of a regular bag of beans. Whoops!!!
enjoy those beans, Sierra
Joaquin and So...oh So and Joaquin. I really feel bad for So this episode. I think if she was with anyone else, that she would have been down to take the honest route. Instead, she gets stuck with the biggest bonehead in the game who declares that being honest is a silly decision. Now So is already thrown into a position where she's lying to the tribe and is aligned with someone who obviously has no concept on what it takes to be a good player. So refers to the situation as making a deal with the devil...but didn't she call herself the devil in the beginning of the episode? I'm confused!!!
Choosing the idol isn't that bad of a decision if the lie that accompanies it is believable. Maybe say...that there were three boxes that were marked food, advantage, idol clue and you decided to choose the food in order to keep the tribe strong? That would be a good lie right? Well unfortunately So and Joaquin go for the "neutral lie" which gets sniffed out by everyone immediately. I'm really surprised that so many of the white collar people admitted that they would have done the same thing. Really? The white collar tribe seems to be playing way too hard in the individual game and I think it's going to hurt a lot of their chances. The game is only 39 days but there's no need to run right out of the gate. Lying on top of other lives and searching for the idol is only going to hinder you from creating the important bonds that you'll need later in the game. Shirin and Carolyn have the right mindset, they agree to an alliance but only after they've felt each other out. It's funny that So's and Joaquin's dishonesty was the factor that connected everyone else on the tribe.
We're taken back to the blue collar tribe and introduced to Rodney's strategy. Rodney is a mix of Tony and Russell with a Boston accent and some really....REALLY bad hair. As much of a tool as he is, he does seem to have a solid strategy and is connecting with the girls really well, while Dan is yelling at people separating himself completely from the group and Mike is eating scorpions (I think Mike is related to Fabio). Wow...who would have thought that Rodney would be the smartest guy on the blue collar tribe?
Finally, we have the no collar tribe or the hippies. Vince is fascinated with Jenn and her big "eyes" and immediately offers to work with her. I think this is a testament to how great of a social player Jenn is going to be. Having the ability to draw people to you is very important in Survivor. Too bad that in this case, Jenn attracted the guy who was an extra in the Pirates of the Caribbean. She handles his crazy personality very well, knowing that she should get close but not too close.
The other big star on the no collar tribe is Joe. Joe quickly becomes the "guy" for the no collars which is extremely risky. He is playing into the leadership role extremely quickly and I think he's going to earn himself a target way faster than he wants too. It's bad enough that Vince already sees him as a threat to his blonde beauty. Joe should be safe for the time being, but he could be in a pickle if he doesn't tone down his game.
Right before the challenge, we get a important scene back at the white collar camp where Carolyn finds the idol. I swear, those things having giants signs above them nowadays. That's the thing about idols...you don't need clues to find them. This discovery makes So and Joaquin's decision that more hindering.
CHALLENGE TIME!!!
So the big twist of the challenge is having to choose between a 5,10, or 50 piece puzzle. Of course hindsight is twenty-twenty but I think 10 is the way to go. 50 is such a huge drop off from ten, and no matter how easy it might be, it's still going to take a lot of time. The 10 piece puzzle might be more difficult but it's only 10 pieces!? Trial and error is going to make it easy!
It's tough watching white collar lose after having such a big lead. Shirin definitely was the losing factor. The puzzle looked super time consuming by itself, so her sucking at it really put the nail in the coffin. The easy vote would be to take out Shirin in the hopes that it makes the team stronger but we're dealing with the white collar tribe...so it's about to get nuts.
Judging by the conversation that So has with Max, I think she would have been safe with just going with Shirin. So really hurt herself by pushing the vote on Carolyn which forced her to just actively campaign. At this point, So really should have tried to go with the flow instead of gunning for someone in particular. Her reasoning for targeting Carolyn made absolutely not sense. You're worried about someone late game? Focus on the now or else you're not going to experience a late game. A mix of campaigning, the lie, and Carolyn having the idol is what ultimately led to her demise.
The tribal council is absolutely insane. I'm surprised at how willing everyone is to just spout out their feelings. Max saying that he would have taken the idol and came up with a better lie came across as super arrogant to me. It might sound critical, but I think Max is going to have a big head (and beard) in this game.
Props to Carolyn for laying it out how it is. She realized that she was in danger and made it her mission to discredit So and Joaquin during tribal. So and Joaquin didn't do much to help their case either. I was very shocked that Carolyn didn't use the idol. It shows an outstanding amount of loyalty, trust, and faith that the other tribemates are not going to ignore.
Was this the best decision for the tribe?
Other than Joaquin, voting for So was for the best. So made it known extremely quickly that she had no problem lying and playing hard right out of the gate. Challenge performance is important but in the three tribe format, it isn't totally necessary. It's better to keep someone they know will be loyal 100% for the eventually shuffle and/or twist. I just hope that they don't wear themselves thin from losing too many people. They need to start winning.
POWER RANKINGS!!!
Okay, so every week I'm going to post my power rankings. This list doesn't necessarily reflect who I feel is playing the best game but rather who I think is the least likely to go home. It's all about safety!!!
(From most safe to most likely to leave)
1. Kelly- A weird choice for number one but I think Kelly is well respected by the young and old people of the tribe. I see her as the swing vote if blue collar goes to tribal.
2. Hali
3. Rodney- Hate him but can't deny he's put himself in a good position. He's with the girls and isn't likely going to be targeted by the guys. Good for you Rod!
4. Will
5. Jenn
6. Carolyn
7. Max
8. Tyler
9. Lindsey
10. Sierra
11. Joe- He had a great episode but the reason I have him ranked a little low is because he's playing a bit too hard on the leader role. The potential of a blindside is there.
12. Mike
13. Shirin
14. Vince
15. Nina- I would have Nina ranked a little higher if it wasn't for the preview of next week. Girl is going to have a meltdown and the chill no collar tribe is most likely going to band together and remove the discomfort.
16. Joaquin
17. Dan- Let's be real, if blue collar loses...Dan is done. The only thing that can save him is immunity or an idol. I'm willing to bet on neither.
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