Episode 2: Rule In Chaos

The honeymoon period of the premiere is over and now we are starting to settle into the season. Majority alliances have been formed on both sides and the first person has left the game. I was quite enamored with the first episode and found the second one to be pretty enjoyable as well.

After Jeff’s recap, we settle into the Galang camp where Colton complains that the “Zen, calm, yoga mentality” has finally become too much to deal with. I was not a Colton fan in One World but I had at least a bit of hope that he could come off better this season. However, I have no sympathy for someone who can’t appreciate an island vacation. Though he bemoans, “I came to play Survivor,” Colton is showcasing his ineptitude when it comes to conceptualizing and understanding the essence of the game. Unless you are a Boston Rob or a Brian Heidik, Survivor doesn’t work for you. To be a successful player you must roll with the punches and find ways to ingratiate yourself among the rest of your tribe mates. Regardless of whether you like massage lines, if the majority is into it, you should be too! The same goes for your work ethic: if you are on a tribe of workaholics, show that you can pull your own weight. However, if you are on a tribe like Samburu, where the mallrats rule the roost, there’s no reason to work hard because it does not correlate with your survival rate in the game. I know that Colton has a great strategic mind but he is still a terrible player.

Despite the unbearable amount of screen time devoted to Colton, we at least got a great perspective about the relative size of Tina and Gervase’s arm tattoo. I’m not sure whether Colton, Aras and Gervase are giants, the camera is playing tricks or Tina is really a tiny human being. In any case, I found this image quite comical. Additionally, we learned that Gervase sports a large tattoo on this left arm in memory of his original Pagong tribe. Luckily for him, if he wants to commemorate his time on this season, he could get “Galang” tattooed on his right arm while maintaining the same letter size and having two tribe names that rhyme!

At Redemption Island, Jeff appears on screen wearing a classic Survivor: Borneo hat. For years, Jeff has shown his preference for wearing this particular hat. I always find it pretty ironic because he is always so adverse to maintaining classical elements of Survivor (a final two, no idols, no Redemption Island etc.). To quote a recent article from Gordon Holmes, Jeff likened the evolution of Survivor to the use of steroids: “I look at it more like baseball. They juice up the ball a little bit, there’s more homeruns, it’s more exciting for the audience.” SOURCE Though I am not adverse to some change on Survivor, I hate to think that the steroid era will exist forever on Survivor.

Back to the game at hand, Rupert lost the duel and had to be the first person to leave the game. He joins the list of players who left the game without being voted out. Regardless of his early exit, I don’t think his legacy will be disrupted too much. Similar to his time on Survivor Israel, he made a short appearance doing the best he could but ultimately failing. For those that love Rupert, this was a self-less way to go out and showcases his loyalty and character. To the dissenters, Rupert doesn’t do anything to change their minds. Therefore, Rupert goes out of the game doing nothing to alter his public perception.

At the Galang camp, I was overjoyed by the relationships being created before my eyes. The anti-Colton/Kat/Lauras alliance was the amalgamation of all of my favorites: Tyson, Aras, Tina, Gervase (and Monica). I couldn’t be happier about the alliance and look forward to its success throughout the game. Furthermore, the Tyson and Aras bromance hit new levels. Dubbed “Arson,” this duo was seen intimately sitting around the fire with the rest of the tribe. It’s so rare that all of my favorite players end up in an alliance but these scenes proved to be exceptions to the normal rule.

Sweet lovin'

With the characterization of Colton as the “gay Russell Hantz,” I began to wonder how many times Russell has been mentioned on the show. Besides his three appearances on Samoa, Heroes vs. Villains and Redemption Island he has never escaped the mind of contestants. In Nicaragua, Chase and Shannon talked in the first episode about the rivalry between Boston Rob and Russell Hantz. In South Pacific, Russell appeared on our screen as Coach spoke about flashbacks he had while looking at Brandon. At the reunion of the same season, Russell blasted his nephew. I’m certain he was mentioned on One World, Philippines and Caramoan but these examples escape me. If anyone has insight, please let me know! Despite my disdain for Russell, I will never deny the immense impact he has had on the franchise.

Watching the challenges is never something I find wildly interesting but I do love to listen for Jeff Probst’s inappropriate, out of context quote of the week. Especially when balls are involved, but at any time, Jeff says something during a challenge that can sound quite sexual when heard in a vacuum. I will try to provide at least one line each week.




After the challenge, Brad threw a fit about Jarvis (is he on this season?). His tantrum was wildly reminiscent of Robb Z.’s post-challenge thrashing of Clay in Thailand. It brought back great memories so I have to thank Brad for that.


The animal imagery on Survivor is quite spectacular. As we came back from a commercial, we were greeted by a close-up of a giant click beetle (oxynopterus mucronatus) and the assurance that the show is rated PG. Our worst fears are realized just a few minutes later when the Tadhana beetle is seen ripped to shreds. Tadhana does mean destiny so is their fate doomed like the beetles?

Tadhana by Day 39?

Before Tribal Council, Vytas talks at length about his alliance, or is he giving airtime to his sponsors? He repeatedly name drops Five Guys so many times that I’m surprised we didn’t get some product placement.



Seeing Rachel go home was seemingly uneventful until we got a sneak peek at next week’s Survivor when the Five Guys alliance’s strategy seemingly came into play. The preview so definitively shows Tyson giving up his shot in the game to switch with Rachel that I have to be certain that the opposite will happen and he lets her battle it out for herself. Whether you’re a new fan or a longtime watcher, everyone should know that the previews are meant to deceive.


As always, you can follow and send feedback to me on Twitter @RobsFactChecker where I also live tweet every week during the West Coast broadcast.

Episode 1: Blood is Thicher Than Anything

With the dawn (Meehan) of every new season, there exists a possibility that we will come to know new and interesting personalities. During seasons with returning players, this is harder to achieve because we already know all of the characters. It has been my experience that  most people who return end up marring their original reputation or leave the game adding nothing to their legacy. Even three and four time-returning players such as Russell, Rupert and Ozzy have played the in virtually the same manner each and every time they have come back. I have no interest in watching these people play because they have no ability to change. Other characters have proven to be compelling upon their return because we see new aspects (both positive and negative) about their character. In this group I would place people like Coach, Penner, Cirie, Stephenie and Jerri. Upon each of their times coming back we got to see a multi-season story arc. Lastly, I would classify a small selection of players as those who have completely changed their original reputation. All-Stars created a whole slew of these people in the likes of Jenna L., Amber and Boston Rob. All of these people had minor influences on their original seasons but completely dominated the season in which they returned. In the case of Boston Rob, he altered the course of Survivor history as a result of the way he played the game. In this same group I would also add Parvati, Cochran and even Dawn who significantly improved upon their original characterization. I'm not saying that everyone else who has returned has been insignificant but these 14 players seem to stand out among the rest. That's just 25 of the 53 people that have played more than once (prior to the premiere of Blood vs. Water). Of the people coming back this season, we can only hope that more than a quarter will stand to improve upon the past.

Out of the ten returning players, I am most excited to see Aras, Gervase, Tina and Tyson back. This is a combination of nostalgia and personal preference. Using my above classification, I don't feel that Aras or Tina have much to gain coming back besides coming out victorious a second time a la Sandra. However, it can certainly be argued that Tina wants to restore her image after being the first to leave the game in All-Stars. Similarly, Tyson is surely looking to recover from his blunder in Heroes vs. Villains. If he can show some strategic thinking that doesn't blow up in his face and people just think of him as that silly guy then his time on the show ill be a success but nothing will change about his overall perception. The only way Tyson can do this is if he happens to make it deep into the game on the merits of his game. I was hopeful that Gervase would have learned lessons in the last thirteen years but it seems that he did not take swimming lessons nor learn the lesson of humility. If seeing Marissa on Redemption Island isn't a huge wake-up call for Gervase, I will be both worried and disappointed. I definitely feel bad that Candice had to be the first one voted off from Galang but at the same time she has no business being back. She fits right into the same category as Russell, Rupert and Ozzy: the people who play the same game over and over to no avail. In the case of Monica, Laura and Kat, they will have to make some big moves to greatly change their reputations otherwise they will just be seen as average grade players. I'm open to see what they might do but I'm not gong to be holding my breathe. Colton is the one person that I think has the most to potentially gain by coming back. So long as he isn't a blabbering idiot he will come out of this season looking better. The first episode certainly showcased his dramatic side but it also showed the duality within Colton: the person who struggles to be accepted as a homosexual yet outwardly shows an equal disdain for others (as he did towards Kat in the challenge). I know that previews on Survivor are usually misleading but I fear Colton is going down the wrong track.

In the case of the newbies, I saw a good amount of potential. For one, we actually heard each of them every person on the season. The last time that happened was in Heroes vs. Villains when there was a two hour premiere. Before that, Guatemala was the last premiere to feature every contestant having at least one confessional. I applaud the editors immensely for this! Going into the season I had high hopes for Vytas and he fully lived up to my expectations. The guy proved that he has an interesting past (the addict redemptive story arc is one we've never seen before) and that he has a natural inclination to play the game. He told us that he isn't keen on going against the majority alliance but at the same time he realizes that alienating anyone is not going to work in the long run, especially in a season with Redemption Island and so many other twists that can ruin an otherwise successful game plan. Caleb showed his knowledge about the game but at this point I'm not gushing for him the same way that many other fans seem to be doing. My other favorite had to be Katie. She wasn't exactly compelling but she seems to be someone who will learn on the fly and hopefully will evolve into a real force by the later part of the game if she can improve her puzzle skills! Hayden and Ciera are people who I will continue to keep my eye on but did not blow me away after one episode. It's still so early but I hope their stories will develop along with the season. As for the biggest crier, John, I am glad he did not switch with Candice but I'm not as stoked about the fact that he's still in the game. I can only hope that Candice is eliminated from the game very soon which causes him to go into a murderous furry against the rest of the tribe. That would move him up my rankings significantly. Until then we must endure. The only person that disappointed me was Rachel. I hope she can have a better future but I was not getting great vibes from her. Lastly, I'm more than okay that Marissa and Laura were "voted out." Marissa came off much more intelligent than I had expected but Laura I could take or leave at any point. Oh wait, how could I forget about Brad, the biggest meat head of all the meat heads! This guy reminds me of a cross between Russell and Jimmy T. He has a sense of strategy and seems to not want to be around any women except his wife (this is where he strays from Russell). However, he is simply grating to watch which makes him feel reminiscent of the former Sears Application Contest. He seems like the prime person to have a moderate amount of success before his game implodes on itself. I can't wait for that to happen! Even more likely, I can see him losing the game as he tries to preserve Monica.

As for the episode as a whole, I found it to be surprisingly character-driven. I thought that kind of show was lost eons ago. Hearing every person speak on a 20 person season is nothing shy of a miracle! The Day 0 twist was mainly ineffective on impacting the game but I will not discredit it because it set up a great way to introduce the viewers to all of the contestants. I feel that every season could benefit from a 90-minute premiere so I'm glad that has been a more common trend in recent seasons. I mentioned it earlier but the opening sequence introducing each couple was so refreshing to the usual introduction of three or four dominant characters that will rule the season. It reminded me of the introductions given in the first couple seasons just with modern flare. I'm worried that the honeymoon period with this season could come to a crashing halt after the next episode but I will get to watch it live on my birthday which hasn't happened since episode 2 of Gabon five years ago!

I've never blogged about the show before so I may eventually create a more rigid structure to my recap but only time will tell. The only thing I will definitely NOT do is to just rehash everything that happened in order. Anyone who watched the episode saw what happened and shouldn't have to hear about the same events over again. Thanks for reading and tune in again after episode two of Survivor: Blood vs. Water!

Follow me on Twitter @RobsFactChecker where I live tweet every week from the West Coast broadcast.

Pre-Game Thoughts

People often ask me why I watch Survivor. I am always ready to provide a detailed explanation but I usually find that it works best when you compare your love for the show with the dedication that many people show for sports teams. Ever year it is the same game but the players change. Additionally, both fan relationships are based in love, hope and dedication. No matter how horrible a season may have turned out, true fans continue to come back year after year. This doesn't mean that fans can't be vocal about the show/team's failings. That kind of discourse is certainly encouraged Therefore, it is acceptable for people to gripe while simultaneously loving Survivor.

For me personally, I always get excited for the start of any season especially after a long summer hiatus. Blood vs. Water proves no exception to the rule despite the plethora of twists. Is it Survivor that we will be watching or Jeff Probst's Fantasy Island? In either case, I am appalled that Redemption Island is back but am also a bit pleased by how much they have changed the set up. Besides the fact that people can be leaving the game without getting voted out or that one lucky loser can be voted out four times, I kind of love the absurdity. If the producers want to disrupt the game, they may as well let out all the stops! I'm hoping that some loved-ones will switch at the RI duels just to mix up the tribes a bit. I also have my fingers crossed that this season will be rife with examples of people overplaying the game. I think this cast seems relatively likeable so it should be a fun season to watch.

Loved Ones Assessment and Power Rankings

 In all honesty, I only skimmed the bios of each of these players and watched one video where they shared an interview spot with their loved ones. In any case, I am stretching that minute amount of information into broad generalizations. Enjoy!

#1 Vytas Baskauskas


It could be my bias for Aras coming though yet again but this guy seems like the most calm bad ass I have ever seen. He overcame a drug addiction and now leads a fruitful life. The challenge of Survivor should be a piece of cake for Vytas and I really hope he takes it all.

#2  Katie Collins

 
Watching the Australian Outback I had no idea that the girl we saw in Tina's IM chat would later be on the show giving it a go herself! I feel she has a firm grasp on who she is and could go far in the game. I'm wary that she will have the killer instinct to win it all though.

#3 Rachel Foulger

 
If she can stand being around Tyson 24/7, the other hooligans on the island should be a breeze to deal with. I think her social skills will be fine but I don't know if her strategic mind will be ready to compete with 10 players who have already had s hot at Survivor.

#4 Hayden Moss

I have only seen a couple seasons of Big Brother but I happened to watch BB12 where Hayden and the Brigade went all the way to the end. I was never blown away by his strategic mind but he certainly was fairly likeable. I just hope to God he doesn't yell during all of his confessionals. In either case, I am quite excited to see him play and hope he has a successful time. However, he will certainly be seen as a threat and may struggle to make it to the very end.

#5 Brad Culpepper

Just looking at Brad makes you think that he is a threat. That plus the fact that he has had a successful life already means that he will struggle to convince people they should keep him in the game. I am excited to see him play but I don't think he can win the game.

#6 John Cody 

Yawn. He's strong looking and clearly a smart guy but I have little to say beyond that. I'm sure he won't be the first to go but I don't see him making it deep into the game.

#7 Marissa Peterson

 

This girl has a fire in her belly and that could either work to her advantage or lead her to burn out far too early. I have my money on the latter option because she is so young.

#8 Caleb Bankston

 

Everyone can't stop talking about how charming and likeable he is but I am not buying into the hype. I would love to have him surprise me but I don't see him getting past the merge, especially if he ends up on a tribe with some returning players.

#9 Laura Boneham

 

Returning for her third time to Survivor, Laura could really be a veteran. However, she is also married to Rupert so I don't know if she has internalized all of the experiences they've had. With a bunch of macho guys on this tribe, I see her time on the island coming to a close much sooner than she hopes.

#10 Ciera Eastin

It's not just because she votes against same sex marriage that I have her ranked in the last spot but more a result of her love for her family back home. No matter how likeable she may be, I don't think she will have her head in the game. If anyone is going to quit this season my money is firmly on Ciera.

To Recap:

1. Vytas Baskauskas

2. Katie Collins

3. Rachel Foulger

4. Hayden Moss

5. Brad Culpepper

6. John Cody

7. Marissa Peterson

8. Caleb Bankston

9. Laura Boneham

10. Ciera Eastin

Returning Player Cast Assessment and Power Rankings

Despite the fact we are getting our third Fans vs. Favorites-type season, I am excited to see some of these players back again. I will give my ranking on how well I think each player will perform in the game in addition to breaking down my excitement/lack thereof to see them again.

#1 Aras Baskauskas 


I'm sure the average viewer has no idea who this guy is but that will certainly play to his advantage in the game. Even though he won the game already I don't see how that will make him a target this season. If he repeated as the Sandra 2.0 I would hardly be surprised. As a yogi myself, I can relate a lot to Aras so I wish him the best!

#2 Tina Wesson

 

Apparently I believe that past winners will do quite well this season and Tina has a better chance of gaining the same distinction as Sandra and not that of Francesca. Going into this game she really has nothing to prove so long as she isn't the first to go yet again. I hope that we can see her get a real second chance at the game and unleash her skill set on her unsuspecting tribe mates. 

#3 Tyson Apostol

 

In the case of this three-timer, I think my personal bias begins to seep through. Tyson has always been one of my favorite players, firstly because he is an avid cyclist and then later as a result of his quick wit and extremely nonchalant attitude. A Tyson victory seems somewhat unlikely but I see him doing quite well. In the worst case scenario, he upsets the older women on Galang with his humor but then he rallies on Redemption Island and comes back into the game. Fingers crossed for Tyson!

#4 Monica Culpepper

 

 Monica did little to gain my love or hatred back in One World but I feel that she is back to play a solid game this season. Getting beat by Colton certainly had to sting and now she's back for redemption (such a cliche on Survivor). I don't think it's likely that Monica will be the strategic mastermind of the season but given the right situation I can see her claiming victory at the end.

#5 Gervase Peterson

 

Of all the people returning to the game, I am most excited to see Gervase. People tend to underestimate his social game and focus too heavily on his easygoing attitude toward life and working. People also falsely associate hard work with success on Survivor. It can prove true but it isn't a hard and fast rule. I hope Gervase and Tyson can get together and set an easygoing attitude for the course of the season. 

#6 Kat Edorsson

 

Personally, I couldn't care less that Kat is back but I am very happy for her because she clearly has wanted desperately to come back since the second she was voted off. However, I fear she hasn't learned enough from last time and will not adapt to such an evolving game.

#7 Laura Morett

 

She's back? Nothing can really surprise me anymore but I would not have Laura at the top of my list of people most likely to return. Nonetheless, I think she will have a strong presence on the season because of her overbearing personality. I love when she dishes about Russell but I fear she could turn off some of her tribe mates who could be threatened by her ambition. I don't see her making it too far in the game. 

#8 Candice Cody

 

Will Candice learn this time that flipping prematurely is not always the best strategy? Possibly but I still don't think she will play her cards right this time around. She will most likely be cannon fodder before the merge hits. 

#9 Rupert Boneham

 

Congrats, Rupert! You have now played as many times as Boston Rob. Unfortunately, that doesn't translate to a victory even if your lucky number is 27. I have come to love Rupert as a character upon rewatching his time in HvV but I don't think the Survivor community as a whole embraces him in the same way. I hope for my own entertainment that he lasts a while but he'll be lucky to make the merge.

#10 Colton Cumbie

 With someone being voted out on Day 1, I think most guns will be pointed straight at Colton. Sure he may have grown as a person but I don't think people will want him around as a result of his cunning or tendency to say things that might offend. He'll be lucky to survive past the second episode.

To recap:

1. Aras Baskauskas

2. Tina Wesson

3. Tyson Apostol

4. Monica Culpepper

5. Gervase Peterson

6. Kat Edorsson

7. Laura Morett

8. Candice Cody

9. Rupert Boneham

10. Colton Cumbie

About Me & The Blog

I have been watching Survivor religiously since All-Stars and have stayed loyal to the series all along the way. As much as I enjoy watching the show, I get even more pleasure from taking about it with other fans. Tuning in every Wednesday night merely serves as a medium for later discussion. Within the framework of the show, I live for the interpersonal relationships that form and the ways people behave in such an extreme environment. I find it equally enjoyable to watch people who completely fail to understand the game (Russell Hantz) as it is to watch those who meticulously pave their way to the finishline (Brian Heidik). In either case, I prefer watching the social part of the game unfold more than listening to a plethora of strategy talk. I appreciate people who have a mind for the game but the real drama of the show comes when people's idiosyncrasies bubble to the surface. Those who can maintain a level head will always prevail as the ultimate survivor.

Additionally, I am quite a purist when it comes to the structure of the game. I do not sneer at every attempt to change the game because when done correctly they do make the show more interesting and unpredictable. However, I do not condone twists such Redemption Island that fundamentally alter the structure of the game. This kind of twist does nothing to improve the game. It neuters the finality of the torch snuff, it undermines the Survivor spiritualism that "fire represents life," it gives more power to those who are good at challenges rather than those who have the best social skills, it compels players to pursue more conservative game play and it eliminates the possibility for post-merge reward challenges where lots of game-shifting strategy talks often take place.

Despite my originalism, I tend to not disparage the show too much. I am vocal in my disdain for certain twists and ideas but I do not foresee a future where I stop watching the show. However, despite Jeff Probst's urging that "true fans" will embrace all of the changes, I want to use this platform as a way to talk candidly about the show and provide insight throughout each season. As the name of the blog implies, I will try to stay away from parroting what I hear elsewhere and provide my own "factional" viewpoint.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned through the entire Blood vs. Water season!

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