Survivor China: Season Premiere! Underwear, Muddy Camps, and a Backwoods Man Make for an Interesting First Three Days
This year’s “Survivor” features a vast array of people ranging from a former Miss Montana to a chicken farmer and a gravedigger. Already my interest is peaked. No matter what happens, I will always love “Survivor”.
China is beautiful. As they panned out over the landscape they settled on the lake of 1,000 islands. It was breathtaking. This season will be good for China and tourism.
There are only 16 people this time around. That must mean they are going back to only two people left standing on day 39. I’m glad. I wasn’t partial to the three finalists. I liked it better when it was just two. I also like that it is in China. It’s been awhile since they’ve done something inland. Usually it’s on the beach and I think we are all ready for a change.
They begin their journey in a Buddhist temple. I already love Chicken. He is a backwoods guy and the younger crowd will probably not appreciate them. Those young ones usually think they know everything. As they entered the temple they performed a non-worship ceremony. Courtney, the New York girl kept getting bopped by the Chinese guy next to her for not bowing correctly or holding her hands the right way. She totally acted her age, or so I thought. She’s 26 years old! By the way she handled herself I thought maybe she was 21 and that was only because they mentioned earlier that Frosti was the youngest player and he was 20. If I hadn’t known that information I would have pegged her for just out of high school. Leslie, the Christian radio host couldn’t stay in the ceremony and bow to the idols because of her beliefs. She was pretty sweet about it. People will either be offended by her or respect her for not participating. I think it will probably be a mute point, especially if her team wins immunity first.
After the ceremony Jeff informed them that they had to leave their baggage and enter the game with the clothes on their back. Jaime, the student let the world know she had no bra on (bummer for Jaime) and Ashley the WWE wrestler looked slightly uncomfortable in her fish nets, bustier, and twenty pound combat boots. They weren’t the only ones not dressed for the occasion either!
Jeff then announced that the teams were pre-picked. That’s different… I wonder how they decided who was on what team and why they decided to do it that way. We may never know.
After they got their buffs the teams set out to find their canoes to paddle across the lake to their camps. I can’t get over the shade of blue in the lake. It almost didn’t look real. Aaron, a surfing instructor and member of Fei Long the red team, taught his crew how to paddle and subtly took the leadership role. Courtney got easily irritated by conversations and with paddling and in turn I easily got irritated with her. She looks like Gwen Stefani but acts like Paris Hilton does when she’s out on the town.
Next we were on to the Zhan Hu tribe. Poor Sherea. As she climbed out of the boat she looked so miserable with her dress and heels. It didn’t take long to reduce her to tears. Chicken right away began to rub people wrong with his suggestions and Ashley, the professional wrestler was all about fun, dancing, and playing. Peih-gee the jeweler couldn’t believe she got stuck in the tribe that was all about laughing and doing nothing. They ended up having no shelter, no food, and no fire by the end of day one. Oh boy, if they can’t work together they certainly will have trouble winning challenges together.
Meanwhile the other tribe, Fei Long felled trees and built a shelter all the time working splendidly together. James was “Superman”, a complete and utter work horse. James, the gravedigger from Lousiana is a quiet guy and is seriously buff. He was used to being by himself because of his work so the social aspect was scary for him. Leslie pulled him out of his shell though and instantly I connected with him. I love James! I want James to win! I love that Leslie helped him out and encouraged him or we never would have heard hide nor hair of James the first 3 days.
Back at the other camp, Ashley the wrestler got sick with chills and a bout of dry heaves. Hopefully she gets better and can compete. If not she could go home. It’s good for her that she is a funky chick with a good personality so even if she is sick she stands a chance at sticking around for the likeability factor if they end up at tribal.
As they approached their first challenge I was reminded again that they arrived with only the clothes on their back. I know they have done “Survivor” before like this (Panama) but oh boy, almost everyone was in their underwear as they lined up for the immunity challenge. Thankfully nobody had tighty whitey’s on, although Sherea was in just her bra and uncoordinating panties (like most of us women here in America).
The first challenge was an obstacle course with them tied together. They had to haul a paper dragon through a maze. Jeff pointed out that the running shoes they were given for the challenge were theirs to keep. Good thing for Sherea who had those awful heels on and Ashley in her combat boots.
The teams were neck and neck for pretty much the whole challenge but Fei Long, the red team (who worked together well back at camp) won immunity in the end.
Zhan Hu then had to go back and figure out who to vote out. Peih-Gee cried and then cracked the whip about getting a shelter up. I’m not sure if that was the best method for her. Doesn’t she know that tribal council is looming just ahead? And what is with her turning into a little bossy pants? Ashley doesn’t want to go home but knows she was sick earlier. Chicken I’m sure annoys people but he’s strong. It really could be any of the three going home, most likely one of the girls. However, the team is young so they will probably vote more on popularity than anything smart and strategic.
At tribal council Ashley squirmed when everyone said they were voting for the person who did the least and she readily admitted that would be her since she was sick one day. Chicken admitted he didn’t fit in but he at least worked. Peih-Gee said she would take on the role of leader as well as Dave the former model. I really think Peih-Gee will go home based on her bossiness but who knows what really happened over those three days. We only get a forty minute glimpse you know!
Unfortunately for Chicken he got kicked out first and yelled a loud expletive scaring Ashley out of her seat. As Jeff told him that the tribe had spoken he said, “I heard ‘em.” I could tell Jeff was trying not to laugh. Why did they send Chicken home? He was pure entertainment for me and a strong player for them! It was all about who annoyed them the most, not strategy and THAT is not good strategy for Zhan Hu.
As they stood to leave Jeff sent them back with fire in their torches and flint. That was very generous of Jeff, usually they leave empty handed. I guess that speaks either of the harsh conditions or a change in “Survivor” policy. Anyway, with the chicken farmer gone I can only wonder who will get sent home next week on Zhan Hu. I’m only assuming they’ll be in tribal council again unless they pull it together and work as a team. From the looks of it though, that probably won’t be happening.
© Copyright 2007 Blindigo Magazine | Article written by Niki Tschirgi
