Ok here it is the triumphant return of my look back series. I will post the you tube link to part 1 at the end. So without further ado SURVIVOR episode 1: The Marroning
Re-watching the first episode of SURVIVOR was really weird. Its amazing how different it feels more like an adventure then a game. Jeff isn’t a judge or host but feels more like a narrator. As we get our first glimpses of the castaways I remember why I thought Richard Hatch would eventually win. Even in his picture on the theme song he oozes confidence. The rest look pretty miserable but hatch just stares down the audience and we know we are in for a great time.
Day 1
As the castaway hurry to grab their stuff and their backpacks (WTF I cant believe they got back packs lol) you can already see personalities come out. Greg is smiling, Gervesse looks awkward in the water, and there BB sits barking orders. The confusion on that boat was amazing the contestants still think this is about surviving the jungle. They will soon learn otherwise.
The Tagi tribe makes it to their beach first and right away the alpha males rudy, dirk and Richard (man he is out of shape) begin barking orders. Everyone breaks into groups and Richard and Sue have a heart to heart about team unity and communicating before action. It’s these interactions I miss the most in modern survivor. The red neck and gay corporate man talking and being forced to work together. Rich is very cocky but he does get the tagis working together.
Pagong takes 3 hours to reach their beast and Ramona is weakened. The first thing they decide to do is send bb and Ramona to find the water supply. And it’s another classic interaction.
Day 2
Tagi is up and working and having a wonderful time. Sonja gets banged up. Richard gets the machete broken. And Dr. Sean seems to be running the camp. Rudy is worried about fitting in with the younger crowd. Rich begins working the rat and fish traps.
Over at Pagong bb begins work on the shelter and is annoyed with the lack of help. Gretchen steps in to help and ease bb. They do get a fire started with bb’s glasses.
Tagi can’t get a fire going but that’s ok because like most 1st challenges in early survivor seasons, today’s challenge if for matches and immunity. It will be a challenge that will be revisited several times. The two tribes must paddle out to a raft and use a torch to light several smaller torches and then a beacon. Tagi jumps to an early lead but when they get out of the water Sonja drags and pagong wins the first immunity challenge, sending Tagi to tribal.
Day 3
Rudy and Richard are getting along very well. The talk of voting strategy begins. Sonja and Rudy are targets. Tribal council set is very creepy. The survivors light their torches and Jeff begins his spiel. No tough questions Jeff hasn’t really gotten the hang of being a good moderator yet. The biggest surprise tonight is Rich’s vote for Stacy. Jeff is very quiet and nervous. Sonja is the first to leave in a 1-3-4 decision.
Impressions It’s hilarious re-watching this. It gets so much more difficult on the castaways in later seasons. But these first few days looked like a lot of fun. On the other hand it must have been tough not knowing what to expect coming in. These 16 people shaped a phenomenon that would change television history it’s going to be a fun ride looking back on it I hope you join me. Comments and questions welcome.
I loved this episode, obviously because it was the first. I loved the "strategy" in this game, future seasons everyone tries to be a super mastermind, in this season it was pretty relaxed.
Ok here it is the triumphant return of my look back series. I will post the you tube link to part 1 at the end. So without further ado SURVIVOR episode 1: The Marroning