Survivor: Tocantis - Episode 1

Brazil – Vibrant, Dynamic, Soccer, Jesus Statues. Jeff introduces us to Tocantis. It's gonna be hot. There are some rivers, but there are dangerous animals. There are two tribes, Jalapao (in Red) and Timbira (in Black). That's gotta be an automatic disadvantage for people wearing black in the pounding sun.

No one has been able to talk to each other, so there are some first impression interviews. Erinn (who I keep wanting to type as "Erinnnnn") likes the "blonde guy with spiky hair" but he thinks she's a bitch. There are some misjudgments between others. There is a sick girl, Sierra, and she hopes that it won't affect her game.

Opening Credits. After last year's HD opening, this one looks about the same; just replace elephants with leopards.

The truck holding the contestants stops and Jeff introduces the groups, Jalapao and Timbira. Jeff explains that there are supplies on the truck. They have a minute to gather as much as they can. As the minute starts, they start tossing things off the sides of the truck. They eventually try to run items to their own section. There are long stalks of wood that are the only pieces left as time is up.

Jeff asks "guy in the black shirt" how the minute turned out; he thought it went well. Especially the fact that the black team got all the water and most of the food. Jeff points out that it's 110 degrees out. He tosses them a map and tells them that there's four hours to walk. Jeff tells them that it's twist time: a vote. They have to vote based on first impressions.

Jalapao – "Grammy" (Sandy) gets 5, Stephen gets one. The rest are left a mystery. She angrily walks to Jeff's side.

Timbira – Sierra (described as "Zebra Shirt") gets 5 votes. She is shocked and explains that she has strep throat. Erinn gets one. She's shocked and angry.

Jeff explains the twist. The two get to fly to camp in a helicopter. Jeff reminds Sandy that they have to reintegrate with the rest of the tribe. The tribes start their adventure as Sierra and Sandy get choppered to their camp.

Jalapao – One of the many reasons that Taj is on Survivor is because she wants to get rid of her baby weight. Spencer is the youngest contestant on Survivor (he's 19). He's excited but sweating profusely (Check his pre-game interviews online, he sweats profusely even more). The tribe stops to study the map. J.T. (the cattle rancher) loves the temperature and he helps read the map. Stephen's pants got ripped in the bum. He's worried that he won't fit with the southern gentlemen. They make jokes about "Psycho Sandy."

Timbira – The tribe on a whole pairs up, the pairs hold long sticks with several items dangling between them. Erinn already feels out of her league. They have to take a break. Jerry is part of the Army, he's a sergeant. He knows that he has to be under the radar since he is used to being in charge of soldiers. They steady their map/compass. "Coach" is a coach. Hmm, his name reminds me of Jessica (aka "Sugar"). I find it funny that the producers put his name in quotation marks. He also conducts music as well. He wants to be the inspirational leader. He philosophically explains that he wants the strong to fight the strong in a samurai-style battle. He tries to align with Brendan. He's a little confused. They pick up their items and walk.

The Helicopter – Sandy was still pissed about being helicoptered. She's dropped off and starts to cry. She vows to survive the 39 days after that initial vote. Sandy finds a pot and rice. There is a letter for her. She has the option to either clean camp or find a hidden immunity idol. She decides to go for it. She reads the first clue and heads to the beach. She starts digging in what seems to be the wrong place.

Timbira – Sierra feels hurt, but she also finds the same message that Sandy got. She decides to build the camp. She wants to change their opinions by looking good in front of the others.

Jalapao still keeps wandering past high grasses and small rivers. Sandy sees the tribe arrive and she hides her note in her bra. She hasn't found the idol. She excitedly greets the group. Taj asks her why the house isn't built. Carolina automatically calls her out. Sandy thinks that all of them are fake. She tries to joke with the group that their name is jalapeno.

Timbira – As nightfall hits, Timbira finally makes it to camp. Sierra continues to work and didn't notice them arrive. The tribe screams at her and she explains that she built a shelter that could fit the whole tribe. She decides to confront them and explains that she has a fever. "Coach" appreciates that she helped build the shelter, but thinks that the group has automatically bonded because of the trip.

Day 2 – Jalapao – The tribe puts their shelter together. Carolina considers making a chair with the extra material as well. She wants to get everything done as soon as possible, automatically making her look a little too aggressive. Sandy needs to "pee" aka look for her idol. She finds a stick for part of her first clue. She digs and finds another clue to tell her to find the lone palm tree after walking ten paces but she doesn't know what a pace is. In the main camp the rest of the group talks about how Sandy is antisocial because she walked away (little do they know). The camera points out the lone palm tree while she confusedly walks around trying to figure out what a pace is.

Timbira – Sierra explains that there is no water left. Several go to their water source to refill their canisters. Tyson is a "free spirt" and walks around nude as he gets the water. Sierra giggles constantly at his nudeness. He talks about wanting a "man tiara" if he wins the game.

The tribes walk in to their first challenge. It's a combination obstacle course/puzzle. Six members will race, retrieve a raft with puzzle pieces, then the remaining two will solve the puzzle. To make it harder two tribe members have to do another puzzle at the end. The prize? The basic episode one flint and immunity. Jeff reveals the immunity idol. It looks like a happy native sitting down.

Taj/Sandy and Sierra/Erinn are the puzzle solvers. As Jeff screams go, the tribes run past the hills and J.T. breaks away from the tribe. Everyone gets to the raft around the same time. Carolina struggles, while Tyson starts dragging the puzzle boat by himself for Timbira. They untie the ropes on the boat and Tyson brings a lot of pieces. Carolina continues to struggle as she drags puzzle pieces. Timbira gets to go for the puzzle first. Sandy's screaming is grating, but Sierra/Erinn stay calm. Jalapao gets to the next puzzle. While Jalapao struggles with the next puzzle, Timbira finishes the stair puzzle and Erinn and Brendan calmly work on their puzzle. They solve the puzzle before Jalapao and win. Jalapao gets nothing except for a trip to tribal council. Sydney doesn't want to, but feels almost forced to vote off Sandy as she is the obvious scapegoat.

Back at Jalapao, Carolina wants to vote off Sandy. Carolina talks to the tribe about how all projects should be done. Taj points out that they are dehydrated, they are hungry, and they just lost. She points out to Carolina that she can get whiny. Carolina sees the err of her ways after Taj mentioned it. Spencer talks to Sydney and thinks that Sandy's a lot stronger and smarter than the tribe thinks. The other men gather around the water hole and consider the fact that Carolina may be a detriment.

Carolina and Sandy start talking. Carolina asks for forgiveness for voting earlier. She then goes, "I feel sorry that you have to go home." Ouch. Sandy heads back to look for the idol and digs under the wrong tree. It's a palm tree. There was one palm tree in the area. Anyone who watched a season of Survivor knows what a palm tree is.

Jeff welcomes the tribe and makes the tribe light their torches. Jeff asks Sandy how she felt. She has "heart." J.T. wanted to make the group stronger and pointed out that she didn't do anything at camp. Sydney thought she was going off by herself (little did she know). Sandy wanted to be positive and tried to explain that she could be the old lady/mother. Jeff thinks that she's crazy. Sandy agrees. Carolina thinks that the age isn't fair, but smart way to vote. She explains that she can be vocal and demanding. She admits that she needs to shut her trap once in a while. J.T. is first to vote and it's left a mystery. Sandy votes Carolina. Carolina votes Sandy.

Jeff grabs the votes from the back. Jeff starts to read the votes: Sandy, Carolina, Carolina, Carolina (at this point Sandy is shocked), Carolina, and Carolina. She brings up her torch and it's snuffed. Jeff points out that: a) it's nice to see first impressions changed, b) he's excited that the blindside technique is still in effect (though it really wasn't a blindside), and c) he's generous and gives the tribe some flint. In the exit interview it shows that everyone voted for Carolina.

Next Week: Rain. Violence. Basketball.