(S18E01) Yep, we're into the 18th season of Survivor. Why, it seems like it was only yesterday that Richard Hatch was wandering about Borneo naked. Now, don't get me wrong -- I'm a big fan of the show. But what can they show us that's new and fresh after so many seasons, so many strategies? You see, I want to be entertained. I want fresh castaways, fresh locales, fresh challenges ... and even fresh monkeys! After all, no season of the show is complete without a monkey. If I had my way, every reality show would have a monkey.
They've hyped this season as one which is all about first impressions. Okay, I can go with that. This review will be all about my first impressions of the season premiere. It's hard to get a grasp on most of the castaways when only a handful get any real camera time in the first hour. The ones I'm leaving out are ones I really have no first impression of yet. I'll have to wait until my second impression to give you my first impression.
The castaways
- Sandy: She's one OLD 53, isn't she? Not only that, she's a bit whacked and dumb as a rock all at the same time. I'm floored that anyone over the age of seven or so doesn't know what a "pace" is. I guess it's a good thing she's strong and can be energetic.
- Ben "Coach": The sooner this man is out of there, the better. He doesn't seem to get that the show is as much about surviving the interactions with the people as it is about surviving the elements. If he has his way, the alpha males will be grunting and flexing their way to the final four.
- Carolina: Hmmm ... a helium-voice, cowboy boots with shorts, and a need to boss everyone. That just ain't gonna work. (And didn't as she was the first one voted out this season.)
- Tyson: I can see him being in Coach's Testosterone Tribe. What's with the getting naked? Yes, he's not flabby like Hatch was, but I don't want to watch a blurred naked guy throughout the season. That's a mighty big chip on his shoulder, too.
- Sierra: Her little Drew Barrymore thing is going on, but I don't think that will save her. She got a few points from the others for working on the camp instead of looking for the hidden idol. (Not that they knew she had a choice there.) I think that was foolish. Had her tribe gone to Tribal Council tonight, she would have been voted out. She still can look for the idol as it's good for the first time they go. Let's see if she has the smarts to do it.
- JT: I have a good impression of him -- he knows camping, fishing, and seems to have pretty good people-sense. I didn't like how he went out way in the lead in the challenge. If he keeps that up, he will end up being targeted down the line.
Uh-oh. Rafts, puzzles, mazes ... I'm having flashbacks of previous seasons. The table maze was a bit different, though. I'm hoping that they'll come up with some radically new ideas this season. Maybe monkeys?
The lie
Yes, I know they want to get excitement going for the new season. Yes, I know the promos are almost always misleading. But ... do not lie to us and keep telling us two will be voted out before the adventure even starts! Oh, I know they technically were voted out. Sheesh. I was crunching numbers and all thinking they were already starting this season with a relatively low number of castaways. Acting like it was going to be something huge and new made the letdown even worse. Stop that. If you promise us excitement, give us real excitement. Or give us monkeys; your choice.
Final thoughts
Carolina did herself in and was voted out unanimously (except for her own vote for Sandy). Not unexpected at all from my point of view. I'm thinking this season is off to a slower start than some. However, you know I'll watch.
Survivor' Photos
- NEW YORK - MAY 11: Winner Parvati Shallow attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Parvati Shallow Getty Images NEW YORK - MAY 11: Survivor contestant James Clement attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** James Clement Getty Images NEW YORK - MAY 11: Survivor contestant Jonny Fairplay attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonny Fairplay Getty Images NEW YORK - MAY 11: Survivor contestant Ozzy Lusth attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ozzy Lusth Getty Images NEW YORK - MAY 11: Survivor contestant James Clement attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** James Clement Getty Images NEW YORK - MAY 11: Survivor contestant Amanda Kimmel attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Amanda Kimmel Getty Images NEW YORK - MAY 11: Survivor contestant Amanda Kimmel attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Amanda Kimmel Getty Images NEW YORK - MAY 11: Survivor contestant Eliza Orlins attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eliza Orlins Getty Images NEW YORK - MAY 11: Survivor contestant Eliza Orlins attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eliza Orlins Getty Images NEW YORK - MAY 11: Survivor contestant Ami Cusack attends the Survivor: Micronesia Finale and Reunion Show at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 11, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ami Cusack Getty Images
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-12-2009 @ 10:41PM
Donna said...
I miss Pearl Islands (Rupert, Jonny Fairplay). That's still my favorite season. Those were the good ol' days.
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 12:58AM
Clayton said...
Ahhh yes, that was a great season!
http://makeasitcom.com
2-13-2009 @ 12:37AM
Mike MacDonald said...
Jackie, Jackie, Jackie. I'm sure you watched the promos. "One person from each tribe is not going to make this journey!" Find it hard to believe you didn't suspect the twist that they wouldn't actually be "Voted Out".
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 12:42AM
Isabelle Carreau said...
One thing I would have liked to hear is Jeff say "If you have the immunity idol and would like to play it, now is the time" before he read the votes. That would have created a shockwave in the tribe as no one knows Sandy received a clue ;)
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 12:58AM
Clayton said...
I thought the EXACT same thing. I mean, if she had it, he would have been required to say it. So why wouldn't he have said it anyway?
http://makeasitcom.com
2-13-2009 @ 10:31AM
cdawg said...
Yup I was thinking the same thing. I was wondering if he didn't ask because she still CAN play it if she finds it later in the game, and the producers wanted to keep it a secret from the rest of the tribe for a little while longer.
Where did it say that the idol can only be played the first time they go to tribal council?
2-13-2009 @ 1:00AM
Clayton said...
I think the season is off to a good start. My favorite part of the episode was actually the preview for next week. Seeing the "old lady" bull riding the other chick in that water was HILARIOUS!
I hope she stays around for a while. It would be nice to have a new Rudy.
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 7:41AM
William said...
I might have to re-watch the episode, but I thought the note that Sandy read said that the hidden idol would be used at the first tribal council for each tribe. It was meant as an automatic protection from being voted out first if they found the idol. I think that if Sandy had been voted out Jeff would have then asked her if she had found the idol.
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2-13-2009 @ 10:40AM
Isabelle Carreau said...
Now that you point it out, maybe you are right about the idol only available for the first tribal council. I do hope it's not the case as it would bring great tension/friction/etc. if the idols can still be played and both tribes don't know about the existence of such idols.
2-13-2009 @ 11:07AM
Cody said...
I'm almost positive the note said the idol could only be played "the first time you go to tribal council", meaning that Sierra can still play hers if she finds it before her tribe's first trip to tribal.
So far I don't have any early favorites, though my first impression of Stephen is that he's a bit of a schemer, so he'll be fun to watch.
2-13-2009 @ 8:59AM
laura said...
Taj, used to be in SWV!!! i wonder if she will tell anyone? or if they will even know who that is!
I am just glad i dont have to stare at crystal anymore.
53? serious? wow.....rough life? one without paces obviously!
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 10:05AM
deebopalula said...
My very early favorite is J.T. Not sure why really. Just my "first impression". I am grateful to the "Jalapeno" tribe for voting out Carolina because I would have had to mute my sound everytime she spoke and she spoke a lot. "Coach" reminds me of Ace from last season. A similar kind of arrogance. Poor Sandy - she definitely gave it an effort, but why was she focusing on "paces" rather than focusing on the "lone palm tree". She's a tough old cookie though so I hope she sticks around for awhile. She may be the only amusement because nobody seems very entertaining thusfar.
Favorite line (from Tyson) "A MAN tiara" - lol!
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 10:33AM
cdawg said...
I could see immediately that Sandy was strong. I really dont know why they'd "first impression vote" her off...
Regardless, as soon as Jeff said "they wont be making the trek" I knew that they were going to get a ride to the camp instead. Good play though.
Carolina's voice - no no no no no. Thank goodness she was voted out.
Early favorites are JT and Sydney, just cause she's gorgeous. :)
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 10:34AM
cdawg said...
Oh and I when they announced the challenge, I said to my husband, "what the heck, are they just recycling old challenges now?" I guess having 18 seasons, there really aren't too many novel ideas for challenges left.
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2-13-2009 @ 3:10PM
jag said...
It's not so much that Sandy didn't know what a pace is but that the clue read palm tree and she just didn't start digging at the palm trees.
I do wish Survivor would change things around. Every year the same games happen and everything is the same. I am just waiting for the same team to keep winning and then they will just break them up and help out the losers.
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2-13-2009 @ 3:25PM
GL said...
Coach has to go. Now. Completely irritating.
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 3:45PM
seeker1321 said...
They have been doing this with the immunity idols the last couple of seasons. These first two can only be played the first time your tribe goes to council. There will be another one at Exile. Also, I heard something on a tv guide special that this year, whoever goes to Exile gets to take someone from the opposing tribe with them, and they can switch tribes if they want to when they get back.
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2-14-2009 @ 12:26AM
KTR3 said...
I'm hoping things pick up next episode, I was a little bored from the beginning. I know it's a small detail but I love it when the seasons start out big (i.e. Guatemala's 11-mile trek, Jumping off the giant ship in the Cook Islands) and really put contestants to the test right away. Yes, it was a hectic 60 seconds in the back of that truck, but I wasn't on the edge of my seat. I'm sure it's just me being picky, but I felt I was left empty...
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