Wow, got some old timey favorites! Tina, Gervase, Rupert, Rupert's tie-dye...
We've got the following pairs in order of appearance:
Gervase and niece Marissa
Kat and boyfriend Hayden (who won big brother)
Laura and daughter Ciera
Rupert and his wife Laura
Colton and fiancé Caleb - seriously with the shoulder sweater?
Candice and husband John
Monica and her NFL husband Brad Culpepper (hello, sir!)
Tina (love her!) and daughter Katie
Tyson and girlfriend Rachel. Oh Tyson, he's one of my least favorites - he just irks me
Aras and his brother Vytas
**sidebar: this show would never "survive with any other host than Jeff Probst, he's 1/2 the reason I keep watching!
Each pair spends the first night alone together in different parts of the island with no supplies. The next morning, Jeff surprises everyone and lets them know they're playing against their loved ones, not with them. I love when the family members admit they want to go up against each other. Nothing like good old fashioned healthy competition. And then NFL Brad melts my heart answering that he'd rather make sure his wife has a tarp, even if he did just target himself with his team.
Returning players (Pros) named Galang
Family is named Tadhana
And twist #2 already. 5 minutes in, each team already is asked to vote someone out. I am a little surprised that the family voted for Rupert's wife, Laura. The pros vote for Candice, if I recall she's kinda snotty so that's cool. And then Jeff throws twist #3 out that redemption island is in play. And twist #4: Rupert is asked if he wants to switch with his wife to save her and puts himself in danger. Not only that but if he comes back, he goes with the family tribe. I love him and how big his heart is. However Candice's husband doesn't do the same based on what she wants. I can't keep up with all this already and it's the first day!
Time to build shelters and eyeball each other's abilities. Mostly, the pros were all sizing up poor Laura being the only newbie. Over at the newbie tribe, they're a little less efficient. And hello, hot husbands taking a waterfall bath together! You know what I've always wondered? Why do all these chicks wear regular bras and not a bikini or sports bra? Frankly my bras feel like they're falling apart after I wear it 2 or 3 times between washings, let alone looking at 39 days on a freaking tropical island!
Not going to lie, a lot of the strategy talk bores the crap out of me, but I wish they'd show Brad the NFL player trying to do simple math every episode. Hit in the head one too many times there, buddy? And newbies can't get a fire going but they're all spilling their skeletons to each other. Vytas has the craziest story by far. It's always amazing to see when someone can overcome addiction and drugs when so many people never can or will. He could be really inspiring.
Back at the pros tribe, Colton tries to really relate to everyone and breaks down sobbing about all the hardship he's faced being a gay man in the deep south.. He seems sweet but I don't remember his season so he's got a clean slate with me, although everyone else that does know him doesn't seem to be buying everything he's selling.
Next visit is to redemption island where Candice is hacking at a coconut calling out people's names that she's going to take down. Rupert uncharacteristically acts really lazy and let's Candice so all the work. I knew it was strategy to save his energy!
Tree mail! It's challenge time, about time. I enjoy the competition way more than all the drama and that's saying something! Another classic combo challenge, with an obstacle course. Ha, Hayden calls it perfectly, the newbies are a bunch of meatheads and couldn't get fire going, even though they lied to save face in front of the pros. Very perceptive.
Let the challenge begin. Not surprisingly, the pros are slower moving. Most of the newbies are kids of the older pros, especially Grandpa/Uncle Gervase who is so tired halfway through that he belly flops into the water off the platform. God, I love when Jeff taunts people during challenges! He calls the pros pathetic. What's pathetic is when Colton screams at Kat and threatens to hit her with his paddle. Hmm, I'd say its Gervase or him going home if they lose after that display. The pros make up some time on the puzzle when the moms just demolish their daughters, winning it for the Pros! And Gervase starts talking smack? He's damn lucky his team members carried his ass.
Let the challenge begin. Not surprisingly, the pros are slower moving. Most of the newbies are kids of the older pros, especially Grandpa/Uncle Gervase who is so tired halfway through that he belly flops into the water off the platform. God, I love when Jeff taunts people during challenges! He calls the pros pathetic. What's pathetic is when Colton screams at Kat and threatens to hit her with his paddle. Hmm, I'd say its Gervase or him going home if they lose after that display. The pros make up some time on the puzzle when the moms just demolish their daughters, winning it for the Pros! And Gervase starts talking smack? He's damn lucky his team members carried his ass.
Back at camp, lots of voting talk blah blah blah. I love that Marissa calls out Grampy Gerv for his gloating. Lots of "sore winner" talk.
It's tribal time! I love blindsides, I hope there's a few good ones this season. Last season I was screaming multiple weeks in a row all thanks to Malcolm. Not sure that can be beat. Nothing meaningful is said in tribal that wasn't already hashed out at camp. It's down to Marissa or Katie. I agree that it's not fair that Marissa gets judged on her uncles actions, but honey, this is Survivor - fair is not part of the game and she's the first person voted out. That's going to make for some uncomfortable future Thanksgivings!