TheSurvivor 51premierewas engaging and exciting, not only because it introduced us to a new group of players, but also because it ushered the show into its newest era: the Open Era ofSurvivor. As said bySurvivor’s host Jeff Probst, any twist, idol, or advantage could be brought back from the show's 25-year history at any moment without warning, and players (and even viewers) need to be ready for when they do.
Right off the bat, Probst tells the players that from now on, their only guide will be permanent uncertainty. While some might take this phrase lightly or as a mere logo, others could and most likely will use this to their advantage and add it to their gameplay style. To me, it would mean adding even more fluidity and adaptability to ever-changing plans and backup plans, with the high risk of none of them being what ultimately happens and having to pivot accordingly.
Chaos and opportunity are the words thrown around to highlight what permanent uncertainty could mean, and they become reality pretty quickly. Amid the chaos of a marooning, 21 people are trying not only not to drown on TV, but also to immediately share their names and remember the others, like a networking event on an espresso run and on steroids. Later, an opportunity for strategy comes into play when everyone has to choose one player to be set apart from the others.
While Lewis Kelly volunteered as a tribute, it would’ve been interesting to see who the players would've actually chosen to go because first impressions are key not only in real life but onSurvivor. Regardless, Kelly goes into the jungle by himself, and everyone else wonders if they’re now in a One World situation. Alas, it is not, which it only makes it a double robbery scenario in my opinion.
Later, we see people starting to talk a bit more about working together, for instance, Jelly Loblack, Ori Jean-Charles, Aaliyah Puglia, and Devin Way. We all know these initial talks are key for people to bond and build trust in hopes of solidifying something that will help them go further in the game. Also, because there are two tribes instead of three small ones, more opportunities arise for people to want to work together organically rather than on a short-term basis just to survive round after round, especially if they’re stuck in a losing-streak tribe.
With that, the Savu (yellow) and Toka (purple) tribes emerge, and the fight for supplies begins through negotiation. Toka chooses Kristin Flickinger as their representative, while Danny Kilby volunteers for Savu. Way, Flickinger, and even the audience know that Kilby is immediately over his head. (Survivor101 people: do try to avoid putting yourself in a leadership position in case things go awry, as more often than not they do)
Confusingly, yet effectively for Flickinger, the two fought a thumb war to see who would get the better supplies. Another Survivor 101 strategy: do what you can with what you have.
AsSurvivorhas progressed, the extent to which anything a contestant shares on the island can—and will—be used against them has increased exponentially, which Jenna Doore experiences firsthand. Doore tells the audience she is dealing with personal issues unrelated to the game; however, this attempt at self-protection comes across as sketchy and standoffish to others, particularly to Way, who suspects it is game-related. There is no single formula for winningSurvivor, as both holding your cards too close to your chest and oversharing can have dire consequences; it all comes down to balance.
At the Savu tribe, two opposing gameplay styles emerge regarding what to do and what not to do, especially in the early days of the game. The key is self-awareness, because it is not only important to know what to say, but how to say it. Sharonda Cox is an example of forming bonds while keeping it on the down-low, while Eric Macksoud seems unhinged as he tries to get people to like him and open up to him.
While Kelly is on Exile Island, Probst gives him the chance to earn an immunity idol if he completes a task within an uncertain timeframe. This is obviously a no-brainer: any opportunity to get an advantage, you go for it, especially if you’ve already been warned that anything and everything will be thrown at you at any time. Despite the strenuous effort, Lewis is unable to get an idol in the end. (Unlike Rob Antonson, who did find one lying on a tree and without the beware aspect that plagued the New Era)
What’s clearly startling here is Probst’s game design questions, more specifically, his attitude towards the whole ‘’I knew I was right all along, and the fans hate me’’ demeanour. Like I previously said, putting yourself out there is a tricky business inSurvivorwhen all that anyone wants is for someone to stand out in some way to place the target on them; therefore, the five people who raised their hand against Probst’s proposition of taking away the fire-making challenge could face consequences later on. Only time will tell, but doing this to soothe Probst’s ego doesn’t seem like a smart idea on production’s part.
Back at camp after the immunity challenge, I want to bring up several instances. First, it is clear that Doore was the almost unanimous target going into the first vote. However, it wouldn’t beSurvivorif there wasn’t another target or ploy at hand.
Puglia’s comments about Booker’s demeanour during the challenge might have been innocent in passing, but saying them in front of everyone’s target wasn’t the smartest move on Puglia’spartf. Of course,, Doore was going to look for another route to get herself a reprieve, and she found one by shifting the hot seat onto Puglia and telling Booker what she said.
We also see Booker and Way starting to rub each other the wrong way as they try to control the majority of the tribe. Each guy starts to unite their respective faction to get a particular person out (Way wanted Doore out, and Booker wanted Puglia to be the one eliminated).
Booker and Way’s rivalry is only beginning to brew, as they said they’re apparently two sides of the same coin. Both guys have big and loud personalities, and clearly have a ‘’my way or the highway’’ mentality, at least so far. It’s going to be interesting to see whether they continue to target each other’s faction and eventually each other, or unite to slay a common future foe.
It all comes down to Tribal Council when the target narrows down to Puglia and Doore. Both play their Shots in the Dark to gain safety, but ultimately to no avail. The vote ended up being 6-2, and Puglia then became the first person voted out of the season.
So far, many interesting strategic storylines are seemingly about to unravel, including the rivalry between Booker and Way, the helicopter alliance potentially reuniting if they survive until the merge, whether Doore and Macksoud can avoid their torches getting snuffed, Kelly coming back from Exile Island and how he adapts, and more.
I, for one, I’m excited for the season and see a lot of potential in several of this season’s castaways. Wednesday can’t come soon enough!
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