Survivor-Is blood thicker than water? Episode 1 Discussion Thread-No spoilers about future episodes [View all]

[dr.strangelove]

Hey everyone. Welcome back to another season of Survivor. I will try to do a discussion thread every Thursday, but if anyone else wants to do one, feel free.

You know the rules, discussion threads are limited to only opinions about the castaways, the episode that aired or the clips about next week's show that aired after the episode. No spoilers that CBS has not already aired. If you know who wins, good for you, but many of us have no desire to know this, so please don't spoil it.

First of all, when Probst said this this was the 27th season of Survivor, I almost fell off the coach. My wife and I realized that we have "gotten old" with this show. We started watching the first season and never looked back. I learned from the paper that this was the 400th episode. It seems like just yesterday when Hatch was naked and Greg was talking into the coconut phone and going off into the woods with Colleen. Every time I see a snake on the clips between location shifts on Survivor I still think of Sue Hawk's snake eats the rat final tribal council speech. This show may be the "granddaddy" of reality competition shows, but it is still my favorite.

Okay, so we got a little treat last night. We get an extra half hour again for the opening episode, then we get the extra half day when the 10 "couples" going into the woods alone for a night.
Here are the players:
Gervase and his niece Marissa.
Kat and Hayden (Big Brother).
Rupert and his wife Laura.
Monica and her husband Brad (former NFL QB)
Candace and her husband John
Aras and his brother Vytas
Tina and her daughter Katie
Colton and his fiance Caleb
Tyson and his girlfriend Rachel
Laura M and her daughter Ciera

So instead of playing with their loved ones, the contestants are competing against them in two different tribes. Brad says he might try to help his wife, which was dumb. Then each has to vote someone off right away. Team Vets send Candace "home" while the newbies send Rupert's wife Laura "home." Or Do They???

Nope, its the horrible return of the worst idea ever, redemption island. This dumb ass idea is back. Candace and Laura have to go to redemption island and play to get back in the game. But another twist. Each loved one is given the opportunity to take their loved one's place on RI. Rupert jumps before he even hears what it means. He is going instead of his wife. Sweet, but bad game play. Rupert knew everyone at the vets camp and would have been in a position of power. His wife will be the first to go there. Dumb move. John sees this and realizes he and his wife will do better if he stays in the game, but he looks like jerk for playing smart.

Finally to camp. Team Vets get a fire started and make a solid shelter easily. Team newbies suck it up, can't start a fire and seem to be all over the place. I know its editing, but this team needs a leader. Monica makes up with Colton, who seems to be trying to show he is not a jerk, but the evil just keeps poking its head out. I still think he is a spoiled brat who throws a fit when he does not get what he wants.

The IC. Wow, this was one hell of an opening challenge. What we learned is that Gervaise still can not swim (13 years and not a single lesson). Colton and Tyson can not row a boat to save their life, one uses too much muscle and the other not enough. Laura and Tina did not teach their kids much about puzzles.

The newbies kicked butt in the first leg. They swam well and had a seemingly insurmountable lead. Gervaise had to have Aras lifeguard him to the boat and Colton's evil came out when Kat was telling him to pick up the pace. After eventually getting to the puzzle, Tina, Monica and Laura showed that experience can help in these challenges and they tore through the puzzle. It was not even close. Gervaise talked a lot of smack, especially considering the fact that he almost drowned out there. Colton cries.

At Team Newbie, the muscle bound Brad organizes the boys alliance, which should last an episode or two at best. It become clear that they want either Katie or Marissa. I am blown away that they choose to keep Katie. Although she looks great in a bikini, she is not in Marissa's class as an athlete. Marissa looked great in that challenge. She will be missed.

All in all, I liked the episode, but I was sad by how bad Gervaise played. He was my pick for the season, but he needs to turn it around. Brad is going to go once he is not needed. Rupert is not long for the game. He is not built for Redemption Island. Any thoughts? Who do you all like/dislike this year. Any bets on how long Colton lasts. I hope he gets voted out this time. I felt deprived of the fun of seeing him voted out at tribal with his fake injury last time.