We were in Fiji for the first episode and provide behind the scenes intel on what went down.
Not allSurvivorseasons are created equal.
I suppose this is somewhat obvious by virtue of the fact that I provide (highly-debatable)season rankings.
Robert Voets/CBS
Some seasons are, naturally, better than others.
When all is said and done, I have no idea whereWinners at Warwill fall.
But I can tell you this: Being out there for filming, itfeltspecial.
It felt like a milestone for the show.
The fact that it was season 40.
The fact that 20 winners were standing side by side on a sandspit in the middle of nowhere.
The fact that there was a $2 million prize.
Watching them learn about the prize money.
Watching them toast with champagne.
And then launch immediately into a physical battle in a heavy current.
It felt like the throw in of thing you have waited years to see.
Ive been on location 17 times forSurvivornow, and there are few instances where Ive had that feeling before.
My first trip out was forSurvivor: All-Starsand I was, quite simply, in awe.
I couldnt believe it was happening.
I was soaked, but also stoked, knowing I was there for something incredibly special.
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villainswould be, bar none, the most epic opening in the shows history.
The cast flew in on New Zealand military choppers and then engaged in the most physical battle imaginable.
Stephenie separated a shoulder.
Rupert broke a toe.
Sugar flipped people off while topless.
The entire scene was electric.
In all those instances, you knew you were witnessing something special, andWinners at Warhad that same feeling.
The theme (all winners) was something we had been pining for for years.
The list of winners they got was insane.
The setting was gorgeous.
Of course, there was one teensy weensy tiny little cloud in those otherwise perfect skies…
Edge of Extinction was back.
Find your happy place.
It neuters the most powerful and important moment of the entire show: the vote-off.
There are, of course, other reasons to dislike it.
Thats something Chris Underwood never had to do.
And now its time to make the best of it.
We were all riding high.
And then we found out Edge of Extinction was back as well.
Sad trombone noises started wailing in our heads.
Nobody wants a tarnished victory inWinners at War.
The season is too big and too important.Jeremy Collins said exactly thatto me when we spoke before the game.
(Keep reading for reactions from other players to EOE later.)
Personally, I would take the latter, but I do understand both sides.
But whats the point of me harping over and over about EOE week after week?
One of my favorite things aboutSurvivoris the way we can allRESPECTFULLYdiscuss and debate and often disagree about the show.
That diversity of opinions is agoodthing, not a bad thing.
Jeff Probst likes Edge of Extinction.
I know he loves the show with all of his heart.
And so do I.Thatswhat matters.
And thats the common ground we all share.
Passion always rules over apathy in my book.
So Im just going to let it go.
Its an exciting season and an exciting premiere, so lets focus on the things were excited about.
And there is a lot to beexcitedabout.
Also, this weeks recap is going to be a bit different.
Some juicy tidbits in there so I suggest you read on.
Do yourself a favor and check them out.
Especially if they are going to make us endure Edge of Extinction again.
Im completely on board with trying this one out.
If it doesnt play, then fine get rid of it.
But you dont know unless you try.
Im intrigued to see where this all goes.
Doing an immediate immunity challenge right off the bat was a great move by producers.
Thats the way to set the immediate stakes.
Producers were less than impressed with the idea, but I still think that would be cool.
In any event, I love getting right to it.
Its essentially a water-based (read: safer) version of theHeroes vs. Villainsday 1 battle.
What you saw on TV was Dakal winning pretty easily 3-1.
But there was plenty more to this competition that you didnotsee.
First off, the wind and swells were crazy!
(Check outthe video right hereon my Instagram.)
I want to be absolutely clear about something as I tell you this before any conspiracy theories pop up.
Nothing was done to give Dakal any sort of advantage.
Plus, currents can be super unpredictable and change at any time.
This was a random and unprogrammable natural element that had to be managed just like any other.
Think about when players are lined up in an individual endurance balancing challenge.
The wind can be different depending on where your spot is.
One area could be buggier.
In this instance, Dakal definitely got the advantage, but it easily could have gone the other way.
Just like a tribe swap some factors may favor you.
After that, Yul and Nick destroyed Ethan and Adam in just 40 seconds.
I do think had the current been even on that one that Natalie and Parvati would have won.)
I shouldnt have to say this (because its obvious) but will anyway.
I would have cut those rounds out as well.
Last thing I want to mention about the challenge.
Love the shot from the camera placed inside the ring.
It really made you feel like you were right there in the heat of battle.
The crew of this show never ceases to amaze me with the incredible work they do.
This time, it wasnt.
In fact, they leaned right into it.
Why did they show this clip?
Because Yul referenced it.
Because Yul is the freakin man and did his freakin homework.
Damn, Yul is good.
And that is exactly what he did, painting immediate targets on Kim, Tyson, and Amber.
It was brilliant, and it worked.
As a result of Yuls effort, three distinct groups started to form on Dakal.
Its very rare for me to take something so personal and feel so hurt about it, said Sandra.
But on Island of the Idols, Boston Rob told me he would never come out here.
Sarah was definitely in a funk on day two.
We all remember Lisa Whelchel and her infamous #SurvivorBreakdown.
I watched Dawn Meehan on day 2 in South Pacific crying her eyes out.
Both of them rebounded.
First off, he won 37 seasons ago.
Just that fact is amazing enough.
Who has done more to help others after winningSurvivor?
Oh yeah, and he almost died.
The show is calledSurvivorand Ethan has survived and thrived more than anyone.
Its an amazing story and I am so happy we are able to share in it.
And what a weird story it is starting off to be.
Ethan in an alliance with Boston Rob?!
Less surprising is Rob and Parvati working together.
But Rob is good.
Why, just look what he did to poor Ben.
Why tell him this, you may ask?
I HAVE NO IDEA!
And, apparently, neither did Ben!
Rob asked him what names.
Rob asked who was throwing the name out.
Ben feebly replied, Im trying to remember.
[Insert laughter here.]
Then Ben added, I think it was one of the girls.
[Insert more laughter here.]
Lets be honest: This was painful to watch.
Now will Ben take that lesson and apply it moving forward?
I do like the way Danni handled this when confronted by Rob.
But who was the real winner in all this?
Do you think everyones just dumb or just really scared?
You and I are the two biggest targets and I dont even feel really worried, said Rob.
But the players then turned their attention to the biggest connection on the tribe: Jeremy and Natalie.
The two not only played together inSan Juan del Surbut were close allies.
Here is some of what you missed.
Adam could not light his torch from the fire in the middle at the start.
Everyone started laughing at him.
One of the most noticeable things about the Tribal was the way nobody would throw out any names.
At one point Rob called it the best two-day poker game Ive ever played in.
In the episode, you saw Jeremy and Ben whispering, but there was a LOT more than that.
In fact, it was chaos.
After those two whispered, then Natalie and Michele started.
Then they whispered to Rob.
Then Rob and Jeremy started in.
Then Rob got up and went over to talk to Ethan.
Then it was Michele getting up to chat with Parvati.
Meanwhile, Jeremy talked to Ethan, then Adam, then Denise.
Then it was Ethan whispering to Parvati, Ben whispering to Ethan, and Ethan and Rob chatting again.
Everyone was pretty much everywhere, except for Adam, who never left his seat.
Then it was Parvati and Rob with one last whisper before everything calmed back down.
Right before voting, Natalie asked Adam if he had a plan.
Ill tell you in secret, he told Natalie.
Not in the open.
I hope the people who talked to each other stick to the plan.
Im sticking to the plan and I hope everyone else does too.
They did, just notherplan.
DENISE (for Natalie)kindly let this not be me tonight, said Denise before voting.
She then forgot to show her vote and said, Just hoping that the plan works tonight.
like let it not be me.
ETHAN (for Natalie)Natalie, youre the sweetest person in the world.
But you and Jeremy together are a superpower and we cant have that right now.
Its good to be back.
PARVATI (for Natalie)I like you a lot.
But youre the glue that sticks Michele and Jeremy together.
And you said I was weak.
BEN (for Natalie)Im sorry, is all Ben said.
Hope you’re able to forgive me one day.
JEREMY (for Adam)I dont even know.
Somebody had to be first.
(Rob also inspected items on the shelf behind the voting urn.
MICHELE (for Denise)I hope its not you.
But more importantly, I hope its not me.
This time: Well, were only two days in and the battle is clearly on.
Not his best effort, to be sure.
But, then again, he knows theyre not making it to air so hes probably like, F-it!
Old School vs New School?
He wanted to form a new school alliance with her, Jeremy, and Adam.
The Long Climb Up
Heres what I know about Natalie Anderson.
That woman is a workout warrior.
(The fact we both live in New Jersey helps.)
Items like beer (yes, like), peanut butter (crunchy or creamy?
I feel it should specify), or an advantage in the challenge to get back in the game.
And there was also a clue to journey to the last spot you might see the sunset.
This exchange raises an interesting point.
How many other players will get the same opportunity?
On Land and On Sea
Whats this?
Sandra sitting out a challenge?
Who woulda thunk it?
Anyhoo, totally solid second immunity challenge with a lot of different elements.
The highlight had to be the barrel roll.
Ive done that one before.
It sucks and is as difficult as it looks.
while he grabbed Jeremy and then Rob to help them across.
But Dakal blew it on the rings.
I mean no disrespect.
The rings are sooooo much harder than they look.
I tested this one out forGame Changersand it took us forever to get them on.
And now it was Dakals turn to vote a winner out.
Now Tony was all about following Yuls plan: We gotta break up the poker alliance!
This is not how I envisioned my comeback.
So it was off to Tribal Council to see if she would go from first to worst.
There was a bit more talk about Tonys… shall we say, exuberance?
(Yes, Sandra defending Tony.
My how times have changed.)
Kim said she was reeling, and the first 3 days were harder than anything she encountered onOne World.
Considering the level of competition onOne World, thats probably not surprising.
She also called her appearance at the poker tournament the biggest mistake of my life.
Edge of Extinction became a major topic of discussion at Tribal.
It started when Yul called out Chris Underwoods win as very controversial and polarizing.
Sarah, Amber, and Nick raised their hands.
The other 7 did not.
Jeff then asked Sarah and Amber what they liked about it.
NICK (for Amber)Two shots at two million dollars is too many.
Youre a nice lady.
But Ive seenSurvivor: All-Starsand dont want that to happen again.
SOPHIE (for Kim)Youre just way too cool for me.
TONY (for Kim)No speech.
TYSON (for Amber)Sorry, Amber.
Had to concede this battle and hopefully win the war.
AMBER (for Nick)Nothing personal.
Im just hoping Im with the majority and right with this.
WENDELL (for Amber)Amber.
Youre a great mother.
But in a season of pre-existing relationships, you are the deadliest combo.
Good luck at the Edge of Extinction.
SARAH (for Kim)Its not gonna be you.
YUL (for Amber)Amber, you seem like a wonderful person….
This is purely about neutralizing the strongest partnership in the game before its too late.
KIM (for Amber)Sorry, buddy.
Amber accidentally brought Sarah Lacinas torch at first to get snuffed.
(Each of the torches has the players initials on them.)
Fits in thematically with what happened and a nice nostalgic kick.
Well played, Jeff!
Danni is an extremely well-rounded player.
She had a very quiet but unmistakable confidence when I spoke with her before the game.
And then there is this: She is not on anybodys radar.
Nobody was worried about Amber Brkich heading intoAll-Stars.
Parvati was not considered a big threat going intoMicronesia.
And Sarah Lacina was barely a blip on the radar forGame Changers.
They are both very good players who can lay low out of the gate.
But I am going to put my one-season prediction winning streak (thank you, Tommy Sheehan!)
on the line and go with Danni.
May I not look foolish for doing so.
Okay, this has gone on forwaaaaaaaaytoo long already, so time to wrap this up.
Once again, we will have an exclusive deleted from the episode each and every week.
Well also have myweekly Q&As with Hostmaster General Jeff Probst.
I wish I could give you one right now.
But I can direct you to my Twitter@DaltonRossfor lots ofSurvivorgoodness.
You should also get to hitting that message board to weigh in on the premiere and what you thought.
It should be good and ready by next Wednesday, and Ill serve it up then.
