Retro Survivor rewatch: Borneo episode 1, “The Marooning”

Survivor: Borneo is the season that started it all, and it’s time to take a look back at the very first episode, “The Marooning.”

Fun fact: yours truly has not seen Survivor: Borneo since it originally aired. Yes, that was 17 years ago. Yes, it’s been on several streaming services for quite some time. But I haven’t, and now, for the sake of Surviving Tribal, I have not hopped into my time machine, but rather have loaded up the first episode, “The Marooning.”

My colleague, Daniel George, warned me it would be weird. He’s not wrong. Let’s get into some observations.

A lot of the ritual of Survivor isn’t in place yet. By now, we expect an elaborate setup, including Jeff Probst standing somewhere special and rattling off the number of days, players, and ending with “one Survivor.” Now, he does that here, too. But it’s not loaded with any meaning. It’s just part of his little spiel explaining to the viewers at home why he’s standing on a boat with a bunch of people running around him.

Indeed, the first few minutes really do put Probst in the role of storyteller. He spells it all out for us — how the votes will happen and when they’ll happen. Midway through the episode, he even gets to explain how challenges work to the camera! Then, before Tribal, he rehashes everything that’s happened and what’s about to happen.

But then we get the basics of camp life. It’s refreshing to remember that people have argued about shelters from the very beginning.

One thing that I have forgotten, though, was that the horn used to announce scene changes. In fact, the music here is a lot more intrusive overall. It has a faster, more driving beat. This isn’t to say that Survivor doesn’t employ music now, but the music is generally mixed differently. And almost every scene here has music. It’s noticeable! And all very 2000, really.

This is also our introduction to Richard Hatch, where he gives that confessional about already having the million.Knowing what we know now, you have to appreciate the editors leaving that in. They’ve been smart from the beginning.

And indeed, Richard gets to play a major role in Tagi’s scenes. He’s talking to people already. In fact, he says something about the “first seven eliminations,” which seems to indicate that he knows when the merge is, which is also different and weird. He straight up kills a rat to get bait for his fish traps!

Eventually we come to the very first challenge, with Probst offering 50 waterproof matches (how very easy; these days you get flint as the first reward and you like it) and telling the tribes what he told the camera about two minutes before. He also seems a lot more … earnest, in that he even reiterate the rules and says he doesn’t want to have to make a “judgment call.” And the ritual of asking the Survivors if they’re ready is also missing.

Rather than have Probst narrate every move (oddly enough considering that he narrates everything else), all we hear is the obvious music and tribemates talking to each other, with subtitles on the screen. As I have seen The Australian Outback in recent memory, this isn’t surprising. It’s all very quick and simple. Probst doesn’t announce who wins immediately (it’s Pagong).

Survivor also uses flashbacks for once! Sonja talks about how she might go home after her performance. Indeed, Probst narrates who’s in danger tonight for us.

Perception wise, I remember thinking that the game wasn’t really in place yet based on those old memories. But Sue straight-up says that she will vote for someone other than whom the other women on the tribe think she will vote for! The strategy is basically based on interpersonal things and performance, but it’s still there.

Tribal Council also seems less … pointed. Probst has a chest with a million dollars sitting next to him, and he just kind of asks how everyone feels (and reminds the players and the viewers at home that Tribal is bad and how to vote). The Tribal Council music is at least mostly in place, although it’s a little slower and different.

The votes do end up falling mostly into place, though: 4-3-1, Sonja, Rudy, and Stacey. Richard throws the lone vote Stacey’s way, which is a weird thing considering how we lionize him as this master of strategy.

And, to complete the feeling that Survivor isn’t quite Survivor yet, Probst says “Next week on Survivor” in a very normal tone of voice, instead of that distinct “Next time on Survivor!” cadence he has now.

Next: 5 silly ideas for Survivor: Ghost Island

Best line of the episode: “He’s fat, but he’s good.” — Rudy, about Richard.

Want to rewatch Survivor: Borneo with us? Stay tuned for next time, when we look at episode 2.