What did former players have to say throughout the two-hour season premiere of Survivor: Game Changers?
At long last, Survivor finally returned to Wednesday nights for the premiere of Game Changers on March 8. With a cast of 20 returning players, we all should’ve expected that the gameplay would be fierce and that there would be high drama right away. However, even those that did expect it had to be delighted with all that happened.
From Tony Vlachos’ trolling of his tribemates by immediately running off yelling about idol hunting to his ultimate demise because “Queen stays queen,” episode 1 of Game Changers left plenty of reasons for fans of the show to get excited about the 33 days that still remain in the game.
Tony was the second boot of the new season, following in the footsteps of Ciera Eastin, who was unanimously ousted for trying to do way too much too soon. The former is the one that certainly hurts as the winner of Cagayan is one of the most entertaining characters to ever play.
But what Tony did manage to do prior to being voted out was get two-time winner Sandra Diaz-Twine playing a game that is somewhat uncommon for her. We’ve seen Sandra play aggressively before—but never this early, especially with all returning players around her. Subsequently, there has to be some concern about how this might affect her game overall.
Of course, the Survivor community is one that’s tight-knit and the vast majority of former players are also devout fans of the show. So what did they think about the premiere of Game Changers? Going from the start of the Survivor: Game Changers until the second boot, here’s what former players had to say about the premiere of season 34 (with some tweets from current castaways sprinkled in for good measure):
Wait. Did I miss something? Where are @HatchRichard and @russellhantz? #Survivor #Gamechangers
— Neal Gottlieb (@nealhgottlieb) March 9, 2017
"Is your name Troyzan???" Michaela you are the best 😂
— Will Wahl (@window2wahl) March 9, 2017
Ahhhhh Brad Culpepper being humble and wearing a Syracuse hat!! I feel so conflicted! Are we rooting for him this time around? #Survivor500
— Eliza Orlins (@elizaorlins) March 9, 2017
Wow everyone is fat lol
— Russell Hantz (@russellhantz) March 9, 2017
Conservative Gameplay does better in All-Star Seasons w/ lots of ego. Michaela has the right idea playing it cool. #SurvivorGameChangers
— Erik Reichenbach (@ErikReichenb4ch) March 9, 2017
I like how Malcolm is thinking, he needs the big threats as a shield... The "Jeremy Collins" strategy is the only way he wins
— Will Wahl (@window2wahl) March 9, 2017
"Lauras daughter" is working a little too fast! Hope she goes first so we don't ever have to see her again! :)
— Russell Hantz (@russellhantz) March 9, 2017
Nobody wants to be the "throwaway name" for the person going home. @survivorcbs #Survivor500
— John Cody, MD (@JPCodyMD) March 9, 2017
A lot of revealing talk going on at tribal council and everyone is picking up on it. Here we go!! #Survivor500
— Gervase Peterson (@SayGerv) March 9, 2017
Debbie DOES NOT HAVE A PROFESSION next to her name but she says she's a captain in the civil air patrol??? Omg. I love this loon! #Survivor
— Eliza Orlins (@elizaorlins) March 9, 2017
Damn girl #youareonlykinguntilthequeenarrivea @SandraDTwine I just love you! #survivor #SurvivorGameChangers #yeahbaby #igniteyourwilltowin
— Carolyn Rivera 💕 (@MamaC_14) March 9, 2017
I bet both Sandra and Tony doesn't make it too far...they both are doing too much too early!
— Russell Hantz (@russellhantz) March 9, 2017
WOW WOW WOW #Survivor #TheQueenStaysQueen
— Figgy (@hashtagfiggy) March 9, 2017
But side note- I'm surprised at how vocal Sandra is being this early on. ☝🏽A leeeetle dangeroussssss. 🤷🏽♀️ #survivor
— Alexis Maxwell (@alexis_maxwell) March 9, 2017
I'm sad to say it but Adios Toni! #survivor500 @survivorcbs The Queen spoke...
— Jessie Camacho (@jessiecamacho) March 9, 2017
Well with that I need a break... see y'all next week! #SurvivorGameChangers
— Will Wahl (@window2wahl) March 9, 2017
Sandra will NOT make it long playing like that! I guarantee!! #SurvivorGameChangers
— Russell Hantz (@russellhantz) March 9, 2017
Wow!!!what a great beginning to #Survivor500. Looks like another great game...,,changer???
— bob crowley (@survivor_bob) March 9, 2017
Suffice it to say that the former players feel the same way as just about everyone else about Tony going home. Yes, it’s horrible that one of the best characters in the show’s history is gone after episode 1. Of course, it was also predictable that might happen.
Next: Survivor: Game Changers Episode 1 Recap: It's Going Down
There are so many strong players involved right now and, with talks of shielding and some of those strong players clearly already being targeted, the early action could set the tone for a highly productive season. But for now, we’re off to a quick start.