In my preview article, I was pessimistic about this season. I am more encouraged after watching the first episode. The dynamic of returning players going against a tribe comprised of their loved ones is more fascinating than I could have ever thought. While I am still not sure if the players are intriguing enough to carry an entire season, the first episode is definitely entertaining. Here are my first impressions after the first episode:
1. First Survivors Voted Off
When host Jeff Probst welcomes the Survivors to season 27, he quickly breaks them up into the tribe of returning players (Tadhana) and the other tribe of their loved ones (Galang). In addition, Jeff immediately instructs both tribes to vote someone off. When I heard about this twist before the season, I thought it was a bad idea as it denies a couple of people a chance to really play the game as they do not get a chance to build any relationships before getting voted out. Rupert Boneham’s wife, Laura, gets voted off Galang while Candice Cody (née Woodcock) gets voted off from Tadhana. Laura gets voted off because she is in a tribe of fit and young people and she stands out since she is the only one who is not. One of the people that vote for Candice, Tina Wesson, says the reason is that she knows nothing about her. It is mainly because Candice was the last addition to the cast when another pair had to pull out last minute. While I do not like the idea, it is fun to watch as players scramble to vote someone out just on first impressions. It is also interesting to watch their loved ones upset as votes are read. Nevertheless, I think it only works in this format with returning players and loved ones.
While Laura and Candice are voted out, they are still in the game as Redemption Island is in play. There is an additional twist in that their loved ones can take their place. While I thought the concept was too complicated when I read about it prior to the show, it actually played out well in the first episode. Rupert immediately volunteers to take his wife’s place. While Rupert plays to the cameras, I definitely think it was a genuine gesture for his wife. As he notes, he has played the game three times and his wife deserves a chance to play. On the other hand, I expected John Cody to also take his wife’s place at Redemption Island. However, they discuss it first and decide not to switch places. Later in the episode, John feels guilt for not taking her place and abandoning her. For this reason, I change my mind and think this twist adds to the unique dynamics of the season. When individuals get voted out, the ability to swap positions with a loved one adds to the strategy of the game. First, each player has to weigh sympathy and playing with his heart against what is strategically better for him or the pair. Next, it has an effect on the strategy in who to vote out. If you believe one of the stronger players on the other tribe will take his loved one’s place, there is an incentive to vote his loved one off of your tribe to weaken the other tribe. On the other hand, you risk retaliation from the loved one later in the game. I watch Survivor for great strategy and game play and I can now see how this twist significantly adds to both.
2. Tadhana Tribe (Loved Ones)
When the tribes are originally formed, Jeff Probst asks the players about the format. Brad Culpepper admits that he may have a conflict of interest in challenges. His specific example is that if the reward is a tarp, he may tank the challenge so that his wife can be dry when it rains as he can endure it. Naturally, his fellow tribe mates do not appreciate the thought of one of its members not committed to winning. Marissa Peterson calls him out on it immediately. However, he is just trying to be honest about his affection for his wife and his tribe understands. Brad takes charge of the tribe and forms an all male alliance. However, the other men agree to the alliance as there is no gain in declining Brad’s offer. They are all physical. Keeping all the men as long as possible gives them the best chance to win the challenges. In addition, they will be a part of the majority alliance. More importantly, they are allowing Brad to play too hard too fast. As such, Brad will be the main target and take the attention off of the others in his alliance.
Within the all guy alliance, Vytas Baskauskas, Hayden Moss, and Caleb Bankston all look like strong players. Vytas admits that he has been to prison in his younger years and is a former heroin addict. The admission definitely appears to help him gain the trust of his tribe. He comes off as candid and trustworthy. In his pregame interviews, it is already evident that he is very personable. The first episode affirms that perception. His brother, Aras, is a former winner and Vytas is a player that can also win. Hayden has already won Big Brother. He can definitely win Survivor as well. He is physical and has a subtle, social game that can keep him in the majority alliance while not attracting too much attention so he can wait to make his big moves later in the game. Next, Caleb is a down to earth person as opposed to his drama queen, spoiled fiancé Colton Cumbie. He is also a farmer and hunter, which are attributes that will benefit his tribe. Caleb will stay in the game for awhile because he is useful and likeable. If he has a good strategic game, he can absolutely win.
On the other hand, the women on this tribe do not appear to be strong players. While it may be due to a poor edit in the first episode, they also did not look that great in their pregame interviews. Unless the men in the tribe start fighting, the women will be picked off one by one.
3. Galang (Returning Players)
Experience is a significant advantage in Survivor. The returning players quickly built a shelter and Tyson Apostol started a fire in fifteen minutes. As expected, Tyson is a fun person that others want to be around. Due to his blunders in his previous seasons, his tribe mates will also not see him as a serious threat. It will work to his advantage and allow him to go deep in the game. The most interesting relationship so far in the tribe is between Monica Culpepper and Colton, who are both returning from Survivor: One World. As Colton betrayed Monica in that season, Monica pulls him aside at the beginning of the game to determine whether she can trust him. In the pregame interviews, Monica noted that she wanted Colton to be on her side as it is better for the Devil to be with her than against her. If she knows what is good for her, she will pretend to be on Colton’s side then get rid of him as soon as she can. I can definitely see the divide in the tribe being the alliance that supports Monica and the alliance that supports Colton.
Due to Colton’s notoriety in Survivor: One World, he has an emotional talk with his tribe that he has changed. I have no doubt that he learned a lesson from the criticism he took for his behavior in his original season. He is probably more worried about his public image this season than winning. However, in the mental and physical strains of not eating and constant paranoia, Survivor tends to expose people for who they are really are in life. While Colton will probably not repeat his racist remarks, he will definitely go on a spoiled brat temper tantrum at some point. Unfortunately for him, he is on a tribe with saavy, returning players who will not put up with it. As Colton is a physical liability in the challenges, I do not see him doing great this season unless others want to take him to the end because he would not get any votes to be the sole survivor.
While former winners, Aras Baskauskas and Tina Wesson, were not featured prominently in the first episode, I still believe they will do well. While they did not stand out in the final edit of the episode, they have blended in with the tribe and avoided being targets as former winners. They are intelligent and likeable players. From first looks, the other winners do not appear smart enough to get rid of Aras and Tina. If they team up, I can see them taking control of their tribe later on.
Laura Boneham joined this tribe when Rupert took her place on Redemption Island. However, the tribe was hoping to get Rupert for his strength and abilities to fish and build a shelter. Moreover, they have no problem telling Laura this fact. The tribe is definitely weaker with Laura as she does not provide much in camp or in the challenges. Laura replacing Rupert on his tribe is the perfect example of the benefits of voting off someone to bait the loved one to take her place and weaken his tribe. Despite Rupert’s generous gesture, his wife is a top candidate to be voted off when Galang loses an immunity challenge.
4. Immunity Challenge: Brawn vs. Wisdom
It is comical how much the new players are more physical than the returning players. Gervase Peterson still cannot swim and is a detriment in the swimming portion of the challenge. One would think he would have learned to swim over time since he has had 13 years to do so before coming back to Survivor. The returning players are also a disaster at paddling their boat. In a funny moment, Colton is leisurely and lazily paddling. Without all players paddling in coordination, Galang has a very difficult time moving straight as it spins in circles for a bit. As such, Kat Edorsson yells at Colton to paddle better. In response, Colton snaps and threatens to hit Kat with the paddle. Of course, Kat is not amused and says “Oh hell no”. While I broke out laughing during the verbal exchange, it is also a perfect illustration of why I believe Colton will not last long in this game as his antics will not be tolerated by the returning players.
Although Tadhana has a huge lead, the end of the challenge is a puzzle. Caleb, Ciera Eastin, and Katie Collins have no clue on how to solve it and blow the advantage. When Galang wins, Gervase rubs it in. It is hysterical that Gervase trash talks as he hurt instead of helped his tribe’s chances of winning. Nevertheless, it shows how experience is crucial in the challenges. New players generally have a difficult time with puzzles and strategizing for the challenges.
5. First Tribal Council and Sins of an Uncle
Tadhana decides to vote Marissa off as it is upset with Gervase’s showboating. However, it does not make sense. Marissa is clearly the best physical female on the tribe. Moreover, the other women were terrible at the puzzle. I do not understand the strategy of voting out your strongest female because her uncle annoyed you. Regardless, it is a great example of how there could be repercussions for your loved one for your actions. It is a dynamic that can get really interesting as the season progresses.
About Pat Wong
Patrick is a contributor for Rookerville. He is an avid sports fan. Before joining Rookerville, he was part of a defunct New York Yankees message board, NYYankeefans, where he was its top poster and was inducted in its Hall of Fame for his contributions. Patrick is also a passionate fan of movies. He has enjoyed reading movie reviews over the years and is excited about the opportunity to review movies.