Throughout the week, CBS has been providing us with various Survivor: China videos to prepare us for the new season. The Survivor: China cast has also been revealed (name, age, location, occupation). Beyond that, we do know a couple tidbits. Obviously, the show will take place in China, which is a first for a major American television production. Also, CBS has finally acknowledged that Exile Island was a mistake and stupid (okay, I added the stupid part). It will be replaced by allowing the winning team to kidnap one person from the other tribe. From a strategic standpoint, I think this will add a whole new element to the game, something that Exile never did. Does this new person give away information, or are they more concerned with seeing what they can take away? It also will potentially help form cross-tribe bonds that would not be possible otherwise, so we may not be stuck with the traditional Pagonging. With that said, it’s time to jump right into a live blog of episode 1 of Survivor: China.
The Survivors start off in a temple. Jeff points out that it’s not a worship ceremony. Peih-Gee, who as the name probably gives away is Chinese, is especially touched by the experience. Courtney couldn’t care less. Yeah, she’ll be the spoiled brat of the season. Leslie, the Christian radio talk show host, gets up and walks out.
Going back to buddhist beliefs, they leave behind their worldly possessions, meaning their suitcases. Not good for the women with high heels or the one who doesn’t have a bra. Oh, and wet jeans? Can you say chafing?
Frosti, Dave, Jaime, Eric, Peih-Gee, Sherea, Ashley, and Chicken are on the yellow tribe, Zhan Hu. Jean-Robert, Leslie, Amanda, Courtney, Denise, James, Todd, and Aaron are on the red tribe, Fei Long. Everybody is given a copy of Sun Tzu’s Art of War.
When they get to camp, they find out they have received rice, something that’s normally provided when there won’t be much food available on the land. Courtney gets sick to her stomach by people being nice to each other. Because that’s a bad thing apparently.
Jean-Robert figures out right away that Todd’s the clever guy. Be interesting to see whether he’s right. Todd acknowledges he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win. Based on his pre-show interview, it does appear that he’s a student of the game who’s here to prove to people that Survivor is still Survivor, and based on that, he’s got my vote for sticking around a while.
Sherea immediately begins whining. Chicken tries to voice his opinion, but he does it in a way that’s perceived negatively, rather than offering up a solution. He then goes to the exact opposite extreme of pretending he doesn’t know anything about anything. Peih-Gee fears she’s on the lazy tribe that doesn’t want to do anything productive.
James, the gravedigger, is used to being alone. He’s worried that he won’t be social enough for this game, but in terms of work ethic and challenges, he should be a great asset. Leslie is very impressed by him and gives him some advice.
Ashley, who thought she was well prepared by her WWE wrestling experience, gets sick on the first night following a bad storm. Easy target if they lose immunity.
Fei Long decides to read Art of War before the challenge. After hearing the part about the commander, Todd volunteers Aaron to be the tribe’s commander. Can be a curse, but as long as someone’s not bossy about it, it could also be good.
Each tribe will carry a Chinese dragon/tiger through a maze, one person will go through an obstacle course and rejoin their tribes to continue through a swamp, and lastly a puzzle. The winning tribe gets immunity and flint, as well as their running shoes. It’s neck and neck through the maze. James has trouble getting unclipped, so they take off dead even in the obstacle course. Going into the next phase, it’s still even as James and Frosti return to their teams. Fei Long takes a bit of a lead going into the final stage, a puzzle of the correct order to put their poles in. Fei Long wins immunity.
On the Zhan Hu tribe, it’s Dave who takes the obvious leader role, likeable enough of it should work out well for him. Peih-Gee also tries to take a leadership role, but she does it in a less likeable way. She tries to get an opinion out of Chicken, who refuses to offer one. Ashley says she feels a lot better. Dave would prefer to keep Chicken around for his experience, even if he won’t share any of it.
At tribal council, Jeff Probst asks whether anyone wants to be the leader. Dave and Peih-Gee both raise their hands. Everyone says the decision will be based on contribution. Chicken acknowledges he doesn’t fit in but believes he’s worked. Ashley votes for Peih-Gee. Chicken votes for Ashley as promised. Peih-Gee votes for Chicken because he lived up to his nickname and is afraid to step up and do anything.
Votes:
Chicken
Ashley
Ashley
Peih-Gee
Chicken
Chicken
Chicken
Chicken is the first person booted out. Well deserved. He foolishly went too far out of his way to not be seen as controversial, to the point where he became no use at all.
It looks like James and maybe Dave are the two who are out of the gates early as potential fan favorites, and possibly Ashley if she’s popular with the wrestling crowd. Who’s your favorite so far?
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live blog of Survivor: China Episode 2, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on CBS.