Survivor: South Pacific.
Date – September 14, 2011
Episode 1 – ‘I Need Redemption’
Remember – NO SPOILERS WILL BE POSTED IN MY RECAPS. I do not read them. Ever. My recaps will cover only what is shown on the current episode. I WILL be talking about all info from the episode I am reviewing (including who wins immunity and who is voted off) so you may wish to watch the episode first before reading. Each week I will be posting my recap of the show as soon as it airs.
– Each season I try to predict the winner just from watching the first episode’s theme; where they show all the castaways. I do not read bios about the characters beforehand. I try to avoid all discussions of the show until it airs. I go into this as blind as possible. I didn’t know Russell’s nephew was on it until he watching tonight.
– That said, after watching the theme, my picks for the Final 3 are – Elyse, Albert, and Ozzy. My pick for winner – Albert. My pick for first voted off (tonight) – John. I haven’t even heard them speak yet. Just going with initial reaction.
– The cowboy Dale Earnhardt looking guy…he will be a strong competitor unless he has too strong of a personality. Then he will go quickly.
– Russell’s nephew. Russell is my favorite character ever. Nephew? Only time will tell.
– So, there’s a lingerie football player (Mikayla) on the island. The women will hate her. The guys will love her. She should be safe for a long time.
– Christine’s “they’re temporary players” comment about Coach and Ozzy makes her annoying beyond all belief. Get rid of her. I don’t want to see her any more already.
– Cochran, he seems really cool. I admire his innocence and his awestruck-ness over Coach and Ozzy.
– I want that wooden turtle. It would look nice on my fireplace mantle.
– The Ozzy vs. Coach puzzle was insane. Would have taken me a year to do it.
– Edna helping Coach. Very classy.
– Semhar’s poem. Cool. She will get along well with Coach. They are kindred spirits.
– Cochran’s 90210 ocean/underwear moment. He’s awesome.
– Sophie’s Russian talk? Where’s Ivan Drago when we need him? If I can change, and you can change, then we all can change! (That’s from Rocky IV.)
– Christine is a teacher!? I wouldn’t want to be a kid in her class. Not fun. She went after the Idol already? Sealed her fate.
– Jim is a medical pot dealer? Interesting. He will be the Russell of this season – smart, game player, and not to be trusted.
– Mark Papa Bear. Love him! Want him in my alliance if I’m on his tribe. Such a real, genuine, good soul.
– Ozzy doesn’t want to be the leader. That’s a smart strategy for Survivor unless you are returning player Ozzy. The tribe expects you to be leader.
– Mikayla NOT being the princess. Awesome. But Russell Jr. has it out for you.
– Coach 3.0 – “First day alliances are the most solid.” This could be foreshadowing future episodes to come. Wouldn’t be surprised if the ‘Coach 5′ go far.
– Ozzy calming Dawn down? I think Jim showed Ozzy how to make medical…something…on the island.
– I seriously thought Cochran was gonna chop his fingers off while chopping the coconut. Seriously.
– If they are smart they won’t vote Cochran off, ever. He will reward them when he creates the website that makes Facebook obsolete.
– My prediction – Russell Jr. will be revealed as Russell’s nephew no later than next episode.
– I want that Immunity Idol. It would look nice next to the wooden turtle on my fireplace mantle.
– Albert is a machine of strength. This will carry him far.
– Semhar is the Shaq of coconut free-throw shooting.
– Immunity Challenge Winner – Coach’s Upolu Tribe.
– Not looking good for Semhar. But Ozzy has a big target on his head and Christine is sighting her sights.
– How did she not see that Immunity Clue in the tree?
– Jim (the medical pot guy) looks like Seth MacFarlane (creator of Family Guy).
– Papa Bear needs to try to assimilate into the younger people’s part of the tribe or he won’t last more than 3 Tribal Councils.
– NOOOO! Don’t target Cochran. He makes for good TV watching.
– It took one hour (premiere episode was 90 minutes) before somebody (Jim) used the worst Survivor cliche of all-time, “On the chopping block”. Hate that phrase. It will be heard approximately 508 times per episode. Yuck and yawn. If I were there I would say something different like “Face the firing squad” or “The hangman is tightening up his noose for thee”.
– I think Cochran and Papa Bear could be the coolest duo since Locke and Mr. Eko on LOST. I love LOST.
– If Ozzy keeps that camo shirt with red paint smear he will be able to sell it on eBay for about $50,000 after the season ends. It has the chances to be epic and a memorable TV prop.
– So…it will be Cochran the hummingbird vs. Semhar the brick shooter in the vote. I think Semhar will be voted out first. (Wrote this before the vote. I write all these thoughts live as I watch the show.)
– Ooooh. Cochran has a few guts and punches in him (about Semhar’s cooking pot stirring talents). Awesome. Stop being so self-depricating dude. You are your own worst enemy.
– The guy in the yellow shirt (forgot his name) looks like a very young Rick Springfield.
– FIRST PERSON VOTED OUT – SEMHAR (unanimously).
– I liked Semhar but I like Cochran more. Good job tribe. Felt bad for Semhar as she was crying as she left. That’s sad.
– Next week’s preview (from the footage shown at the end of the show tonight) – Return of the Dragonslayer!! I love Coach!
Well, that’s it. Great episode. This season has the makings of a very good season. There are already some cool new characters (Cochran, Papa Bear) and some strong people (Albert). I don’t think either Coach or Ozzy will be able to totally dominate like Boston Rob did last season but it will sure be fun to watch.
If you liked this recap, and the way I write it, please come back each week as I will be recapping every episode of Survivor. Just click on my name (Jason Lindholm) to access my recaps. I will also be doing similar recaps for The Amazing Race once it starts later this month.
See you next week. The tribe has spoken.