The much anticipated premiere of Survivor Gabon was finally here and for the first time in high definition, Survivor snuffed two torches in the land of Africa. I must say the show does feel very different with the feature of HD and the stunning views of Africa sure didn’t hurt the transformation into the world of high definition. With a brand new cast following last seasons half all stars, Gabon began with a tribal pick em. After all 18 castaways gave a little blurb about themselves, Jeff asked the two oldest players Gillian and Bob to begin the picking as it was African tradition. 

When all 18 were chosen it was obvious that one tribe was stacked compared to the other. Fang housed most of the older survivors while Kota was a more well rounded group. With the tribes out of the way it was then time for the first challenge. Far away in the distance were two individual immunities, one for each tribe. The first person from each tribe to grab an idol would be safe at their first tribal council. Food was also up for grabs as the first entire tribe to get to the finish line would win a bag of beans, something very important as Gabon features much less food then past seasons. With Jeff’s go everyone was off. GC and Marcus were the first to get to the finish for their tribes, giving them the idols. Michelle, who was the last person chosen, was the third across and the first girl. She proved she wasn’t the weakling they all though of her but others didn’t impress. Crystal, the Olympic gold metal winner for RUNNING came in dead last. Of course she did have some trouble climbing up the steep hill. Guess she’s only fast on flat terrain.  

Since Fang had two of the older ladies they finished in last, giving Kota the extra bag of food. Althogh it wasn’t much of a challenge it did hamper their spirits and led Jeff to believe Fang will have some trouble in the future. As the tribes got to their camps for the first time they realized they already had some shelter. Three somewhat built huts allowed them to remain safe from late night animal visits but not safe from the hut themselves! At Kota Bob became the leader and immediately began building the rest of the huts. Everyone began looking up to him since he seemed to be doing most everything. Over at Fang things were a little more unorganized. Gillian began her annoying “love fest” immediately by saying they didn’t suck like Jeff said. Others took notice to Gillian’s craziness, considering she grabbed a huge pile of elephant poop wanting everyone to look at it since apparently elephant dung is interesting. Oh and good to burn. 

Since the tribes were starting to get comfortable friendship and alliances began to form. On Fang both Ken and Michelle were the youngest and began to flirt a bit. Ken said he was rather shy back home but out here he wanted to open up a bit. Michelle seemed to have fun with Ken as he got her to eat a termite. At the Kota camp things were getting annoying and this time at Ace. He wanted to tell people what to do, let them do it, then take the credit. Most saw right through it and realized he won’t last long. Two of those were Marcus and Charlie who immediatly banded together to form an alliance. Since Charlie has a crush on Marcus, and he realizes it, it was somewhat “fate” that they would align. Charlie said he felt a connection since Marcus chose him and any trace of him being like China’s winner Todd just flew out the window. 

As night fell the elephants returned to place more “interesting dung” for Gillian to find. But while the others were in the hut nice and safe Randy decided to go outside for a listen. As he returned he banged his head on the hut beam and cracked a gash into his head. With blood streaming down Gillian, who is a nurse, couldn’t do anything for Randy since it was “too dark”. On the very first night and on the very first show the medics were called in and gave Randy a few stitches. Hopefully that’s the only time they get called because if Gabon is anything like last season injuries will probably be abound. With morning approaching Michelle decided to complain. It put a bad idea in every one’s head of her and mad her an early target. On Kota Ace led a pre-immunity yoga session. Everyone joined in except for Paloma, making her seem somewhat outside but on the other hand giving a good few lines!

For their first immunity challenge the 18 survivors had to run an obstacle course chained together, dig for three bags of puzzles then assemble the puzzle. When Jeff said go the six tribemates who were chained together ran through the leech infested waters. At the net climb Fang pulled out ahead and also got to the dirt mound first as well. While digging up the bags Fang caught a snag and couldn’t seem to find any of their puzzle bags. Kota quickly found all three and as they rushed to the puzzle makers Fang basically gave up. Since Kota was so far ahead they easily won the immunity, giving Fang one of the worst first losses of the show and giving Jeff the chance to diss them once again. 

Knowing they were going to Tribal Council Fang had to act fast to know who would go. GC was the only one safe since he won the individual immunity the first day so the target changed to Michelle. Everyone hated that she complained but Randy wasn’t really for it. He couldn’t stand Gillian and wanted her gone, but everyone else was playing “stupid survivor” and voting who they can’t stand instead of voting who hurts them in the challenges. With Michelle on the bubble Ken let her know she could be going. She didn’t understand since Gillian was the weakest and Michelle was obviously one of the stronger girls. At their first tribal council Fang struggled to tell Jeff that they were actually doing ok. As Michelle and Gillian quarrelled everyone else jumped in, having somewhat a fighting match. Since he saw there was no leader Jeff had everyone vote and they all chose GC. He didn’t really want it but with the vote he got it. After that vote it was time to vote someone out of the game. With all but the vote she cast, Michelle was voted out of Survivor Gabon for simply being a complainer. 

Since they went to Tribal Council Fang went back to camp with their flint. Since GC was the new leader they let him make the first fire and he took advantage of the power. The next day we get to see a bit of Kota again. Charlie and Marcus were once again the focus and Charlie told Marcus basically that he can’t live without him. In different words of course. They decided to create a layered alliance and pull two in. Both decided that Corinne and Jacquie should be the two to join their “onion alliance” and play the four of them from there on out. Back at Fang GC was using his power as leader to boss people around. He thought he was doing a great job but it was pretty obvious he was barking out orders and doing no work. Randy pointed out that GC was too young and inexperienced as a leader but played it cool. Randy played it smart by keeping his mouth shut, even though GC couldn’t understand the simple fact that making rice with pre-boiled water would be boiling it again. I was expected a fight but with Randy’s quite strategy he pulled it off well. 

Flipping back over to Kota Marcus pulled Corinne into his alliance but she already pulled herself in. She wanted to pulled Jacquie in along with Charlie, giving Corinne the thought she made the alliance although Marcus already premade it with Charlie. As the four got together they realized they needed a fifth and all agreed Bob could be their swing vote. They didn’t want him totally in the alliance but rather just for a vote. The four could be a powerful group as long as they don’t get discovered. With more drama over on Fang the night time switched to them. During the night GC was woken by his tribemates snoring and Gillian woke up to ask EVERYONE to keep quiet while she’s sleeping. GC thought she was telling him to be quiet and he took it out on her. He then quit his leader status simply because they all forced him to do it. It could hurt him in the end since he quit, especially if nobody else picks up his spot. 

At the next immunity challenge the Fang tribe arrived with face paint hoping to unit. What the two tribes had to do was roll a boulder through several gates, collecting keys. Once six keys were collected they would have to unlock three keys before going to the finish line. The winning tribe would get immunity along with fishing gear while the losing tribe would go to Tribal Council. One of the losing tribes members would also go to Exile Island where a new twist emerges. With the boulder rolling on both tribes were neck and neck. Both went through the gates around the same time and it came down to luck in the locks. Kota was able to get their last lock opened faster which gave them a lead. Although they did have trouble getting the boulder on the podium, Kota won their second Immunity Challenge, putting Fang in an even bigger rut and sending Dan to the first Exile Island of the season. 

Since they won their new fishing gear Kota was eager to test it out. They quickly got to things and found their nearby lake to be very full of fish. As the celebrated their win Jacquie mentioned how they will probably never lose! Oh since you said that I’m pretty sure you will next week. Over at the new Exile Island, which really isn’t an island, Dan found the small twist to the season. Before he does anything in exile he can choose either a clue to the hidden idol or a luxury. He would have only gotten an apple so he chose the clue. Since he’s a lawyer he thought he could quickly find it but he didn’t search far enough. Dan was stumped and bummed that he couldn’t find the hidden idol, allowing the clue to beat him. Back at Dan’s Fang tribe everyone discussed who should go. Matty, Ken and Crystal wanted Gillian to go since she was weak while Gillian worked on Susie to change things up. She didn’t want to go and allow the young ones to gang up on her. Gillian wanted Kenny to go but Susie wouldn’t really jump on her bandwagon.

Before Dan returned from exile the group at Fang finally got things together. They didn’t win the fishing gear but they did catch some fish! Randy was able to fasten a realistic fishing hook from his glasses and thanks to shoe laces Fang was able to catch five fish! They reveled in their prize of food and hopefully they turn that protein into a win next week. With the food gone Dan returned to camp. After filling everyone in on the choice twice they dispersed to realize Dan could have the idol. Although he didn’t win it Dan’s profession of a lawyer made others think he could have found the idol. Because of the paranoia Dan’s name came up to leave that night at Tribal but his move there probably saved him. When the group returned to Tribal Council once again Jeff was stunned to learn that GC quit his position as leader. Dan’s idol also came up with Crystal calling him out that he had it. Dan immediatly dumped out his bag, showing no idol. Asking that nobody voted him out to flush the idol out early since well he couldn’t use it anyway. With that statement it was time to vote. With all but her own vote Gillian’s torch was snuffed. She could have been good for the show if she just wasn’t so damn happy all the time!

With the first two voted out and the premier of Survivor Gabon over, what do you think? Are you liking this season? Leave a comment and discuss with fellow fans!

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