Let’s start with the good news. Those of you who have been clamouring for a Survivor season without returning contestants from previous years, particularly any member of the Hantz family, you’ve got your wish. Survivor: One World features 18 new contestants with seemingly no previous celebrity of any kind.
The not-so-good news? A player’s injury resulted not only in their being kicked out of the game, but also ended the premiere episode’s only challenge early, and effectively cancelled the first Tribal Council. Not exactly how I wanted my first Survivor viewing in two months to unfold, but there you have it.
This season, the Manono team of men face off against the all-female Salani tribe, with the added catch of having to live in the same camp, which is certain to test everyone’s loyalties that much more. Also, for the first time in several seasons, Redemption Island is not in play: once a player is voted out, there are no second chances.
Manono is full of memorable characters. Lawyer Matt exhibits a brash type of “man’s man” douchebaggery; muscular Leif is the first little person to appear on Survivor, and 64-year-old moustachioed plastic surgeon Greg idolizes “Tar-ZAN,” as he pronounces it. He’s even got the jungle yell to prove it, to the dismay of rival Troy, who wanted to be known as … Troyzan. Seriously,Troyzan.
Most polarizing of all has to be fabulously fashionable college student Colton, who apparently came out of the closet while still in the womb. And more power to him, because he’s going to need it. Kicking off the game by telling his fellow tribesmen that they’re all hot may not have been the best strategy.
The Salani tribe has its own standouts. Outspoken teacher Alicia is already at odds with the businesslike consultant Christina; motorcycle-repairing mama Kourtney announced she felt apart from her tribe just as the game began; and sassy Sabrina showed she’s playing the game by quickly finding the first hidden immunity idol, even though it was meant for a Manono tribe member.
Tension between the teams started early, with Jeff Probst giving all players one minute to strip a truck of useful items for camp. While the women of Salani had their backs turned, Michael crept over and stole some of their goods, including an axe, a must-have item on Survivor.
After the shock of arriving at the beach to find they had to share it, Salani scored two chickens, while Manono was the first tribe to successfully start a fire. Christina tried to negotiate with the men to have them build a fire for Salani in exchange for one of the chickens, which angered Alicia and annoyed the Manono tribe who had already made a “deal” to share the chickens with the women. Apparently it’s not OK to renege on a deal with the team that stole your axe in the first place? Whatever, guys.
And then we had the shortest Survivor immunity challenge ever. What could have been a close race to raise their team flags ended quickly after Kourtney injured her wrist following a 20-foot jump. As the medics took her away for an examination, Probst declared Manono the winners since they had been in the lead. He did, however, give the men the chance to show the Salani team some good will and complete the challenge, an offer the men denied, and wow — the women were not happy about it, not at all, no sir.
Tribal Council was also truncated, with Probst asking enough questions to get Alicia and Christina shouting at each other, as well as observing that Salani may be suffering from a lack of leadership. Rather than send the women to write a name on their ballots, the host announced that Kourtney suffered a badly broken wrist and would require surgery, and therefore would not return — as if we hadn’t guessed. At least the tribe was spared having to vote anyone else out.
It’s early days, so there’s plenty of time for the teams to pull together into more cohesive units, and maybe even learn to work together. And with Sabrina giving her hidden immunity idol to Colton (“I love you, guurrrrl!”), there’s even some intrigue building, especially when scenes from next week’s episode reveal Sabrina doesn’t love Colton back by any means.
Still, it would have been nice to see the complete challenge played out, and especially a proper Tribal Council vote. Somehow, it’s just not Survivor without it.
What do you think of the new players so far? Cast your votes in the comments below.
Survivor: One World airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Global/CBS.
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By day, Jacques works for one of Canada’s most renowned film producers and distributors, but at night, he makes time to watch and review television. His TV addiction began in the 1970s with The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, The Six Million Dollar Man and Wonder Woman, and continues today with competitive reality shows Survivor, The Amazing Race and America’s Next Top Model. Favourite scripted shows include Fringe, Nurse Jackie, Mad Men, Dexter, True Blood, Weeds and Friday Night Lights.
Jacques is a graduate of McGill University’s Cultural Studies program, and holds a certificate in editing from George Brown College. He blogs sporadically at theviaufromhere.com. |