Spoilers included! If you don't want to know what happens, stop here.
An interesting start with a medical evac to start the season. (Almost two or three of them.) They may want to start padding obstacles instead of leaving them unpadded. They're taking the survivor part seriously this year. A concussion, dislocated shoulder, multiple lacerations, dehydration, yikes! They may need to rename the show "Medics of Survivor!"
Kind of funny when the show starts with an exasperated producer coaching Carolyn on what to say in her jungle confessional. Bear in mind she'd likely been briefed several times before reaching the island on what was expected. She may not be the most focused player. It was nice to get a little behind the scenes stuff.
The birdcage thing was new. Clever though. Put it in plain sight where everyone can see it. It makes it hard for anyone to hide that they got the idol. I'm guessing there was a rule against smashing the cage with a rock to get the idol. Bird cages aren't built like a vault. A few good whacks and you'd be in. Since no one even tried that they likely got briefed not to try it.
The inheritance advantage is weird. You inherit any idol or power used at that tribal. So, if you're voted out, do you stay? The idol or power would have been used for someone. Do you only inherit it if you're not voted out? The other advantage where you can skip voting then save the parchment to vote twice at the next tribal is interesting. That could get messy if the rest of the tribe is counting the votes. (And they do.)
The first immunity challenge was designed for full teams but with the medical evac each team ended up down a player. With all three teams down a player the strength issue grew larger. Slide puzzles are something Survivor players should practice a lot before going. They're becoming a regular feature on the show. Another poor swimmer who had to be dragged by her team. Why go on Survivor if you can't swim well?
Lots of plotting about exposing the idol holder and getting him out. Good strategy on their part. Get the powers out while you can. Let people with idols or powers linger and you're in trouble later. Will it work?
A pretty good first episode. Lots of airtime for the medics. Their families were likely thrilled. We saw them more in one episode than we typically see in a full season. Two players used the shot in the dark. The idol was played. Only three votes counted and the person voted out got killed by a single vote. All of the powers/idols/advantages were played in week one. A very nervous group at tribal and no one trusted anyone else.
Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!
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