Survivor 21 Ep 1: "Young At Heart"

[lazarus]

Jimmy Johnson is the new Russell Hantz when it comes to confessionals. He had seven, while nobody else had more than three, and some didn't have any.

The Medallion of Power: The MoP appears to be quite powerful. A full bucket would have made a huge difference in that challenge. I think both tribes made good decisions regarding the MoP tonight. Fire and fishing gear is huge, and can have long term effects on a tribe's ability to perform in challenges. And I thought the older tribe made a good decision in keeping it.

Jimmy T was, for once, right. The oldsters could easily have won this challenge. (They should have put one of the muscular guys dumping water.) Save the MoP for a more physical challenge that the children are more likely to win.

Speaking of, the editors sure made it look like the young'uns would be going to TC next week, didn't they?

The new clue for the HII is interesting. They claimed they were going to "Russell-proof" it this season. I guess they're admitting they made the HIIs way too easy to find the last two seasons. I didn't get a good look at the clues, but the two ladies who found it seemed, well, clueless.

I thought the older tribe made a good decision voting out Wendy. She seemed weird and annoying, and you can't have that in Survivor. Jimmy T ruffled some feathers, too, he may be in trouble soon. I think the new Coach is going to last for a while, actually. And I don't buy for a second that a jury wouldn't give him the money. It hasn't been about the money for a long time, if ever. It's about the title of Sole Survivor.

[murielm99]

1. The clue to the HII looked like either a rebus or a visual pun.

If the girls had worked it out together audibly, I think they could have solved it.

I think it is possible that Coach Jimmy figured out what to do to stay in the game awhile. It is a good thing that there was a flake there, or he might have been gone. I'm not worried about him. He catches on fast. I hope he stays for awhile, because he is interesting. At least he is a real coach, unlike the other one we had on Survivor!

I think the differences in outlook and ways of thinking are obvious between the younger and older tribes. Just look at how they thought about the medallion of power. The young woman said use it for today, live for today. The older players thought more long term and strategically. I think that shows a difference in age and experience. It is not necessarily a bad thing or wrong that the younger people think differently from the older ones.

There do seem to be quite a few younger players who are cold or selfish. They want to get rid of "Fabio" and the amputee as quickly as they can. Fabio may not be all that bad. He may have attributes that could help them. And the attitude toward the amputee girl was stunning. I think this is more a matter of personality than age. Some of those tribe members are pretty judgmental.

This looks like it is going to be a great season.

[dr.strangelove]

2. Not overly impressed with the cast

First off, I suspect Wendy was ousted because she is batshit crazy. She has those crazy eyes. I would not want to be friends with her. That said, it was one of the more entertaining first tribals. She really was pleadings her case while digging her grave deeper and deeper. It was amazing to see everyone say to themselves, yep, we made the right call.

On the episode, I loved the beginning. I wish they would have them all begin with a hike through the outback. I love how beautiful Nicaragua is. I also have to give CBS props on that opening Probst shot. They will never top the water caves shooting water behind him, but that monolith in the sea was impressive.

Kelly B looks like she will be okay for awhile, but eventually her leg will do her in. Jimmy Johnson, well, he goes home very soon. No one wants him there. But I hope he stays because I like him. Its weird seeing someone who I really think does not care if he wins. Its too much of a wildcard. Russell did not need the money, btu he needed to win. Jimmy is loaded, and I don;t think he cares if he wins. He just wants to show he can handle it.

On the "Medallion of Power" this should prove interesting. I actually agree with holding onto it this week. That challenge was not very physical. I imagine some will be more physical, and the older team may want to save it for something like that. I also think the younger team was right to take the fire and the fishing gear. The fishing gear alone is like a free win later.

I love the tribe names. La Flor and Espada. Props to Jane who made fire with the glasses. On the older tribe, I am hating Jimmy T. He is just annoying. On the younger tribe, I hate Fabio and like Chase. Mr. I love Women, Shannon, well, he is just going to be fun to watch shoot himself in the foot.

Wanda, I hope your blister free feet enjoyed the loser's lodge and you got to travel.

[Qanisqineq]

3. first few episodes, I'm always confused

I don't know any names yet. I wanted Jeff to stop calling them the "older" tribe and the "younger" tribe. Call them by the tribe names, you do other seasons. Were some people even introduced at all? I kept wondering who some of the people were. I found the older tribe (yeah, I don't know the names because Jeff rarely said them) more entertaining, the younger tribe (La Flor?) was less interesting.

I liked Jimmy Johnson. I found him genuine and I believed him when he said he just wanted the adventure.

Where's the in-between tribe, the people my age? :)

[Goblinmonger]

4. I think there is a twist with Jimmy J.

Because he's right: nobody gives him a million. The fact that he said that about 4 times makes me think even more that something is up. My guess: if he makes it to a certain point (maybe the finals) we find out that he was playing for a proxy person. They show all (including the jury) the application video of some go-getter in a wheelchair and tell us that Jimmy is playing for them. Because otherwise, what's the point? Just to see an old football coach on an island? No way I give him the million even if he was the best player. I'd tell him outright I'm giving my vote to the 2nd best in the final so that the million doesn't go to a millionaire.

That being said, I agree that goat lady was batshitcrazy. She might have made it through another week had she just shut her damn yap, though. Everyone knew they wouldn't want to be around that mouth for three more days.

[lazarus]

5. but nobody thinks that way anymore

if they ever did. Richard Hatch was more successful than Kelly in S1 and he won. They gave a million to Sandra after she'd won a million already. Brian Heidik in Thailand was much wealthier than Clay and he won.

The only time I can think of class coming into things was when dentist Carl was targeted by the younger crowd in Africa.

[dr.strangelove]

6. I agree Laz

Its not a factor for most people. They want the money to go to the person they think played the best. What that person does with it, or whether they need it, maybe good for tv talk, but its not a real factor.