Survivor 50 kicked off Wednesday, featuring 24 former players. It is the biggest cast in Survivor history. The Old School and New School Eras are represented by six players each, while the New Era has 12 players.
Among the Old School players returning for Survivor 50 is one Benjamin “Coach” Wade. It is his fourth appearance on the show. The first time he played was in season 18, Tocantins. He was then cast as a bad guy in season 20, Heroes vs. Villains. The last time he played was season 23, South Pacific.
To be frank, three seasons were more than enough of Coach. Of all the people who have played Survivor, surely there was someone else better for such a significant milestone season than him.
Coach Wade can be entertaining, but how was that enough for him to be on Survivor 50?
Sure, Coach can be entertaining at times, but his schtick wears thin quickly. Remember, this is the guy who nicknamed himself the “Dragon Slayer,” and then, when he couldn't live up to that moniker, he changed it to the “Zen Slayer,” whatever that means.
The most annoying aspect of Coach is how he insists that he is all about honor and that he is going to always play an honorable game. He never does, and that is okay. This is Survivor, and players have to be willing to be cutthroat and stab people in the back. He's done both plenty of times in his career on Survivor. That's fine; it's part of the game. Just quit spewing about honor.
It didn't take long for Coach to jump on the honor wagon again, even as he was being dishonorable. Probst revealed that the fans had voted that the tribes would have to earn supplies. Each tribe chose one player to go off and compete. Coach, Ozzy Lusth, and Q Burdette were chosen.
Of course, Ozzy and Coach have some history. In season 23, Ozzy may have cost Coach the win. When the three tribe representatives prepared for their challenge for a pot, a machete, and flint, the two seemed to make up to an extent. They even briefly discussed being allies this time around.
The challenge was a Survivor classic. It involved tying several sticks together to make a flimsy pole, then using the pole to lift a key from a distant peg. The difference in this instance was that there was only one key, and just because one pulled the key from the peg didn't mean it couldn't be stolen.
None of the three had any initial success, and at one point, Ozzy suggested that whoever pulled the key free, the other two should allow that person to maintain possession. Q agreed, but Coach remained silent. After about 45 minutes, Ozzy, despite straining his back, finally got the key off the peg. He pulled the key close, but Coach fought him for it and eventually snagged the key for himself, winning supplies for his tribe.
Ozzy was visibly upset. In all fairness to Coach, this is Survivor, and Coach did not agree to anything. Ozzy whined about Coach's tactics to Q when they were forced to stay in exile for the night, and then again to his tribe. Ozzy didn't come off great, but neither did Coach.
As Coach was walking along the beach on his return to his tribe, he was still spouting off about playing with honor. It's not that he stole the key, because that is the game, but it is because he still holds himself up to be honorable, and in the game of Survivor, he is not.
Of course, Coach returned to camp the conquering hero, to the chants of “Coach! Coach! Coach!” As Jonathan Young pointed out, Coach always wants to be the hero, even if he isn't. He was reportedly upset about being on the Villains tribe in season 20, Heroes vs. Villains.
Coach isn't the worst player ever to play the game. He's finished fifth, 12th, and second. He's made the jury every season he's played. His gameplay would probably gain more respect if he didn't try to convince everyone about how honorable he is.
Still, little in his game makes him an all-time great. He is egotistical and a blowhard. His entertainment value doesn't outweigh how annoying he can be. It will be interesting to see if he makes the jury in Survivor 50. Don't be surprised if he falls short this time.