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.