Finisher

"Guys" is now offensive apparently.

Was zoning out, didn't even realize there was a former NFLer. He didn't get much air time and the other guys (can we say "guys" here?) seemed kinda passive but obviously it's early. The backstories, overdone talking heads were grating. Just weak personalities and everything felt neutered.

Inhumans99

The Come on in guys to Come on in thing is a big nothing burger I quickly moved on from. Survivor has been “woke” since the beginning having LGBTQIA+ contestants on so no big they removed guy from the catchphrase.

I actually liked the first episode and am curious to see how fast things really move since what, 13 days were chopped from the time they spend on the island.

ETA: I noticed that Windom was not happy with the highlight on back stories last night, but I would have been more surprised if we did not get this first "after school special" episode of Survivor, especially considering they filmed during a pandemic and well, at least one person on the island lost someone to Covid. Not shocking we got some of this last night, but I bet that due to the shortened season we get much less of this from this point forward and more focus on the gameplay. Also, at least one of the ladies with a backstory highlighted last night was eliminated from the game.

I know it is too early to fully form an impression of most of the candidates, but so far I do not actively dislike a handful of players, so that is cool.

In the past I felt that there was a lot of filler in Survivor, and some of the episodes that dragged had me thinking of the this film could have easily been shortened by 15-30 minutes and still been great saying, so now that nearly 2 weeks has been removed from the game time this shall be put to the test. Maybe a shorter season is just the refresh Survivor needed, or not. We shall see.

mugwump

Glad to see they're going more hardcore but we'll see how long that lasts. If it turns out that every challenge ends in a food reward then skipping the rice will be a non issue. And realistically I'm sure they're not going to let people starve to Alone-like levels.

Shannon Nutt

I know Probst isn't a spring chicken anymore (he'll be 60 in November) but he looks like he's aged 10 years since the last Survivor.

Inhumans99

Shannon, I did notice that and I was thinking to myself, wow...Probst is starting to look like a much older dude. To be fair, while he does not actually play the game he is 60 and has spent most of his life in the elements so it tracks that he more or less looking like his age.

Also, Mugwump you are right in that they will constantly get food rewards throughout the show, but if the water barrel challenge was anything to go by the contestants will have to work hard for some nourishment. So I am okay with them getting fed all the time but I am also okay with them being put through the wringer to get fed especially considering the show is called Survivor.

AaronHernandez

Even though the show this season is 26 days as opposed to 39,if someone hypothetically won 10-12 food rewards(which would be a high amount) that is still a food reward at a ratio of less then once every 2 days. If you only getting 800-1000 calories a day at camp an occasional food reward isn't gonna stop you from feeling like you are going through the ringer physically and cause a lot of weight loss.

mugwump

The fact that they were, I believe, three days in before the first challenge yet no one looked weak from hunger leads me to believe they're eating more than just coconuts. The show said they weren't getting rice, not that they weren't getting anything. I have no faith in the show to be truthful so I'm skeptical.

windom

I thought this might be an episode where they go to tribal council just to get to know each other a little better, but luckily Probst explained to us viewers that someone will be getting voted out. Thanks for the info, Jeff! You might want to give that throat a rest though. You sounded kind of hoarse tonight.

Double_Oh_7

The number of unnecessary gimmicks this season is laughable. Secret phrases??

Inhumans99

Jeff does indeed need to give his throat a break, less screaming at the players during challenges (I am okay with that). Also, that teacher is so un-self aware of how lazy she came across to the viewing audience, much less her teammates it is not even funny, get a clue woman! She is on borrowed time and unless someone takes her to the end as an easy person to win against she is toast. I am fine with that, as there is nothing about her that makes me go dang, why did they have to vote her out so soon. I do like her teammate, Liana Wallace, who I think can go far in the game (I think the promo showing her freaking out is just a fake-out and she will be fine). Even the Pastor, Shantel, seems to be a player to root for.

Finally, the funniest line of dialogue on last nights episode was when Jeff said Welcome to Day 15...day 3 of the game, I did indeed laugh out loud at that.

Jeremy517

Fans have been complaining for years that the idols have been too easy to find, so this is what we get. I thought it was pretty great.

Decker

Man that was a dumb decision they made in tribal. There had to be some reasoning behind not voting out Xander before he gets super powerful besides Tiff freaking out, but I still don’t get it. @ Jeff still being amazed that Voce knew what 1/6 is as a percentage, even days later. Is it really that astonishing a feat divide 1 by 6?

Also for super-fans I recommend the Ringer podcast The Pod Has Spoken. Hosted by former winner Tyson, it’s a fun listen and give good behind the scenes info about the show.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Aa...3w&dl_branch=1

Jeremy517

If there is a merge or a swap, Xander can't even help because his vote doesn't count. I don't get their decision either.

davidh777

I assume it was just because Tiffany was freaking out about the three-part idol. Just one more reason she’s useless.

So does Xander need to throw out that random phrase at every challenge? That won’t be suspicious at all. Maybe he can just wait till the next person speaks up.

lwhy?

I know Tiffany said her shorts were chaffing, but I don't see how she couldn't straddle the balance beam and crawl across the first time. Didn't it take her at least four times? That's ridiculous. She needs to go.

Bill Needle

So thanks to Xander's blabbermouth tribemate even if the idols become activated everyone will know exactly who has them so any chance to leverage that info was stupidly thrown away.

Cardsfan111

Yep. While the gimmick povided a measure of entertainment--seeing this random phrase brought up (and I thought the guy did a good job fitting it in), it really is burying that guy's chances by taking away his vote indefinitely. And his choice to share the info will potentially have negative consequences for some others going forward.

windom

It seems like all these goofy risk/advantage tasks are just a way to fill time in the show so they don't have to build and shoot a reward challenge. It probably helps with the shortened schedule that way also.

Cardsfan111

Brad finds the "beware" advantage, attempts the goofy phrase (though he butchered it) and is voted out. No word, but one would have to assume that gets put back into play.

cdollaz

I assume Brad could have used his "steal a vote" last night and tied it up. Always a bummer to go home with an unused advantage available.

Inhumans99

I think Brad went home with what, three(!) unused hidden idols/advantages, the steal a vote, the 3 way advantage, and I forget what the 3rd one was but could swear he had found a third idol/advantage. Incredible. He must have gone all in on trusting one particular castmate and just got so unlucky relying on that person to not turn on him. So far, so good...enjoying the season. I actually like that there is not an immediate Rob/Coach/Russell/etc. hero/villain to root for, it is just a bunch of folks doing what they think is necessary to stay in the game. Kind-of refreshing and also glad that a shortened season means slightly less filler as we quickly hurtle towards the final episodes.

davidh777

I think he said he couldn’t steal because the unactivated three-part idol cost him his vote.

bluesix

I agree about the gimmicks and twists...I really don't think it's needed. If the producers think that is the key to keeping people interested I think that's a huge mistake.

It's always been about CASTING! Give me a villain you love to hate like Richard Hatch or Jeri Manthy or Russell or a loveable good guy you want to see win like Tony Vlachos or Colby or Rupert and just play old-school Survivor with a reward and an immunity challenge every episode. Make them eat gross shit and give away a car again and the viewers will come!

I don't see any memorable personalities in this bunch at all....

Finisher

Yep, none of these people stand out and that's been the case on most recent seasons. I bet a lot (almost all) of the big personalities of seasons past would not be cast today. They wouldn't get past the psych testing/social media background checks/not PC or SJW enough.

Decker

Considering that their last season with new players was totally overshadowed by sexual harassment claims, I don't think stringent background checks are a bad idea for this show.