Survivor Samoa, Episode 1, and the First to be Voted Off
Posted: Friday, September 18, 2009
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
"20 People, 39 days, and only one survivor", and the game is on for its 19th season.
This season's opener jumped right in with the two tribes, Foa – Foa (Yellow), and Galu (Purple) pre-selected and ready to play. Each tribe had to choose a leader based on first impressions. Russell, an attorney, was chosen as leader for Galu and Mick, a doctor, for Foa – Foa.
Next, each leader had to choose the player whom they believed was the fastest swimmer, the strongest person, the smartest person and the most agile. Once done, the challenge began; the swimmer set out to retrieve a key, bringing it back to the strongest, who then had to carry a heavy bundle of logs, passing it on to the most agile, whose job it was to unravel the rope rapped around the beam he/she had to walk across. Finally, the smartest player pieced together a puzzle-like statue. Yellow was the first to complete the task and walked away with flint as their reward.
Back at camp, personalities were revealed with a focus on two players: one on each tribe. Coming in as the self-proclaimed puppet master is Russell, an owner of an oil company out of Texas. He moved quickly to build alliances with each of the women – defaming their intellect in the process. "I'm not here for the money", the self-proclaimed millionaire says. "I'm here to show people how easy it is to play the game and win." Sabotaging his own teammates, by emptying their canteens and burning socks, he proved he would stop at nothing to outwit, outlast, and outplay. I understand it is a game; everyone will have a different strategy, but claiming to be a victim of hurricane Katrina revealed a part of this man's character that goes beyond playing a game.
Moving over to Purple, we meet Shambo, the ex-marine. She was not afraid to speak her mind as she expressed her annoyance toward John, the rocket scientist. Not yet knowing his occupation, she wasn't far off when she called him an "engineer or something" based on his ability to talk about plans and thinking instead of "doing".
On day three the tribes came together to compete for the immunity idol that would spare the winning tribe a night with Jeff at tribal council. Russell, the leader of Purple was mocked by Yellow after expressing pride in his tribe, causing Eric the bartender to speak up and say they were ready to whip some A…..
And whip some A… they did. Working together, Purple came in first and walked away with immunity.
Back at Yellow's camp, the puppet master (Russell) wasted no time running around vying for a unanimous vote to send Ashley, a spa salesperson home stating she was their weakest link. Fortunately, she was spared when Marisa, a student, shared her feelings with Russell – PM for short, and how she was worried and concerned because she had seen him talking with everyone in the camp. She was wise to worry, but unwise in her choice to share her concerns with him.
Tribal council heated up when Betsy, a police officer expressed her opinion that Ashley was the weakest link. The attention shifted when Jeff asked Marisa whom she considered the weakest link to be. Not wanting to answer the question, she responded by saying weakness has different levels. PM piped in and confronted her about her lack of trust. In the end, Marisa was sent home with six votes to Ashley's four.
Survivor Samoa – Episode 1 has set the tone for another season of excitement and fierce competition. I am hooked and looking forward to getting to know the players, while learning a bit more about Samoan culture and the beauty of the land as the weeks go by. Nineteen people and 36 days to go – who will walk away with the check for one million dollars – Mick the doctor has my vote.
ah t,you should be a reporter! :)i don't watch, but i might now!great synopsis, and filled with excitement.you're going to be unbearable these next weeks :)thanks for sharing,my best,sueHi Sue, thanks for the great review of my review :-) It is a great show - strategy, backstabing, trust issues, and incredible challenges, which is why I really like it. Very fast paced show. I haven't missed a season since it first started. You should give it a try! Or at least check in with me each week :-) First time I have ever done something like this - out of my comfort zone for sure. It was a challenge and lots of fun and now I can't wait til next week's episode!
Wow, T! I almost want to watch this season from your review. In the past, I have watched maybe one season. Thanks for filling us in. If I decide to watch, I will know who to keep an eye on!Thanks Lorrie! I am looking forward to seeing who makes it through the next round and I personally hope Russell is found out. Betsy is already on to him. I am leaning toward the Purple trible after episode one, but there are many surprises ahead for sure and next week I might change my mind completely :-) Let me know if you decide to watch or just follow my weekly updates :-) Blessings to you! Have a wonderful weekend. T
Great article. Well done.I have never heard of this program. Is it only on in America?HI Connor, thanks! Good question, I am not sure. I will look into it and get back to you. i think you can go to CBS website and watch it on-line. I will double check and get back to you. It is a great show - it's interesting to who walks away with their integrity intact in the end. I personally love the players who are stategic enough, to play clean and win. Over the 19 seasons there have been several who have.
Hi Teresa.Bernd and I have never watched any of the Survivor shows. And I have to say that after your description of just one episode, I'm glad that I haven't. Sorry, this passion of yours just isn't something I can share. I'm not saying it's bad, just that I don't do well with contention and this show would seem to have a truck load of it. That and meanness and back-stabbing. But you wrote it up well. I'll stick to the completely fictional stuff. That way if something bad happens, I have the comfort of knowing it's not real. Wimpy aren't I.Love ya'DianneHi Dianne, no apologies :-) This is definitely a show you love or hate. No in between. I don't like family reality tv, but for some reason I just love Survivor - and the Amazing Race which is starting soon!. I wanted to try a new style of writing and stretch my skills so I thought a good place to start would be here, being a commentator on a show I enjoy watching. We will see how it goes as the weeks forge on. Thanks for reading :-) You are anything but whimpy. I think we had this conversation on the other spectrum as well. I love true crime, but not fiction crime. :-) Have a wonderful weekend. And thanks for the great review on the writing despite the content being far from up your alley. Hugs! T
I absolutely despise reality tv, but your article was interesting and your enthusiasm for the subject matter has softened my dislike of the subject matter slightly :)Ahoy Matey, thanks for your generous comments, as I mentioned to Dianne, I despise family reality shows, but Survivor and Amazing Race have me hooked. I'm glad you can appreciate the writing even though you could do without reality :-)
Great article, Teresa. I've never watched the show, personally, but I have been hearing a little about it from friends. You, however have put it in a totally new perspective. I may just want to watch it myself now. Sounds interesting, competative, and fun!Thanks for sharing,Sandra.Thanks for the kind words. It really is fast paced. A lot going on and the game shifts constantly. Miss a week and you could be lost. I love that we also get to learn a bit about the culture in the process. I gotta be honest and say there is a lot of back-stabbing that goes on, but I am most impressed by the challenges and by the players who can maintain integrity and who use skill and wisdom to play their game. There will always be the slimes, but it goes with the territory. If you watch it, you will either love it or hate it. I choose love :-)This game has two russells, 2 micks and I think two Jeffs, one of each on each tribe. That will take some getting used to. By next week I should have them all down :-)
Hum, I think we have been without TV for too long? I am sort of clueless here.Hi Marijo, you can head over to cbs dot com and catch a clip of the game. I am surprised you have never at least heard of the show. Not a bad thing. :-)We might have even watched once or twice when we had my Mom's TV in our basement but basically we haven't had TV since 1983 excedpt about a year with her TV in our basement... watched Apprentice once or twice too. Marijo
Teresa,I have never watched Survivor but your description of each was so good that I could now start watching and know who is who. You did a great job, good descriptions, and it will be interesting to follow your writings through this. I wonder if I'll be able to pick the winner without viewing the show?You have piqued my curiousty...NancyHi Nancy, thanks for the great comment. I really feel the pressure now :-) I hope to improve on next week's report. This style is the first for me :-) I will do my best to keep you in the know without watching the show. Blessings to you! Teresa
Teresa-I don't think anyone could have written a better recap. You are the true Survivor fan. Thanks for sharing! Maybe one day I might actually watch.Aw, thanks LT :-) I am looking forward to tonight :-) Watch or read, Although if you watch, you might feel differently about my recap :-) Hugs, T
Well, that explains it!You are quite the "survivor"-er
