S47 Episode 1: You Are Playing Survivor!

 

Tipped boats & found idols & a meltdown, oh my!  This was a great first episode, with some alliances forming early and others taking big risks. It started with an interesting observation: Jeff has started the show for the past two seasons by talking to the tribes about the game's complexity. Last night he told them that when they are hungry, they will crave community, but the game will be on top of that. Is he doing that for the players' benefit or for the audience? Or both? It's an excellent analysis, but the players should already know how difficult it will be. And if they don't, they will learn. Either way, I like his insight and how it sets the stage for the show.

Takeaways

• In the opening challenge, they showed Jeff at the starting/finishing line, then showed him in the jungle with the puzzle pieces. This means he was running back and forth (at least once, anyway). Props to you, Jeff! Way to keep those calves in shape!
• I loved how the tribes had to pick a member for the next challenge without knowing what it entailed.
• The Russian nesting doll version of the immunity idol was a great twist, and it highlighted the idea that the show is more interesting when the players are forced to decide. I would have loved to see Gabe go for the long-term idol, but I don't blame him for stopping when he did. 
• While Jon felt his age (a whopping 42 years) separated him from his tribe, Sue's age is an early advantage as Gabe and Caroline see her as an asset.
• Aysha losing the supplies because she got lost was a horrible way to start her game, but she appeared to recover by establishing strong connections with her tribe.
• Rome made a strong early impression. People liked him, and Genevieve said she feels "happy when I talk to him." But he put a big target on himself by looking too long for the idol. Since Rome dunked himself into the well, I hope we see someone say, "Does this water taste funny?" Cut to Rome: 😐
• Two boats tipped over in the challenge, which I think was a testament to the difficulty of the challenge and not a weakness in the tribes. And I couldn't help but feel that Jeff had been waiting for a moment like this as he shouted, "Paddles everywhere! Chests everywhere! Players everywhere!"  I only wish he had added the Bill Murray line from Ghostbusters, "Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!" 
• Andy, Andy, Andy. My heart goes out to him because he probably worked hard to build confidence and a positive self-identity, but it was clearly superficial as it quickly crumbled. Like, in record time. In his pre-season interview, I found him to be a little too cocky as he talked about "charm and disarm." I thought he was trying to be the next Austin, so I've been calling him Not Austin and I think it fits.  His coconut envy and comments about seeing the dislike in their eyes revealed a lot of dark insecurity.  I hope he recovers, but I fear there is too much pressure and paranoia in the game for that to happen in Fiji.  

The Departed

• Jon would not likely last long as his intellect would be a threat, but I would have liked another few episodes with him. I appreciated his vulnerability ("I really care what people think of me.") and his perspective ("People shouldn't be judged by their worst moments.").

Quote of the Episode

Jeff: "You want something soft? Pick another show."

Questions

• Is Gata the next Yanu tribe from S46?  They are not strong, and while they kept Not Austin for his strength, he collapsed during the last challenge and is a mess. Even though they came from behind to win the first challenge, I can easily see them losing the next two challenges.
• Will T.K. make an issue of the key Gabe found, or will he keep that to himself?

Steve has spoken.