S37.E01: Appearances are Deceiving

[Whimsy]

A vicious cyclone stirs up emotions on the first day on the island, and the “David” tribe tries to take down the “Goliath” tribe.

[Whimsy]

This isn't a new rule, but we may have new posters and "old" posters who have "forgotten" the rule, so I am restating it here:

There is NO preview talk in the episode threads.  While not hard-core spoilers, previews contain information for the next episode that many of our posters avoid purposely.  To then accidentally read about the preview in the episode thread ruins the experience for them.  

We have a separate thread for Previews and (non-spoiler) Speculation.   Please take all preview talk there.  

PTV is a great site where the posters (mostly) respect each other.  Let's please keep it that way. 

Thanks and happy posting!!

[cooksdelight]

I started out liking the public defender, then I didn’t like him when he got lazy, but when he told his story and I cried I liked him again. What those people have been through .... 

They need to go somewhere besides Fiji. Especially with this weather. I want to see China, or maybe Mongolia. Put ‘em out there in the winter and let ‘em gather wood and build stuff. Alone does shows in the winter ... why not this one? Jeff, you can get some nice insulated clothing.

Poor Pat. He looked like he was about to go into shock. I realize he wanted to stay, but the show would be liable if there were any permanent damage and he wasn’t given treatment.

The Goliaths came off as conceited, to me. I can already see Kira (blonde girl) hooking up with one of the guys on her team. I’m rooting for the Davids. But the nerdy computer guy is getting on my nerves already.

[LadyChatts]

Damn that was scary.  I was wondering why they edited out what happened until they started talking about it.  Already a downer with the Davids losing but that was rough, too.  I feel sorry for anyone that has to leave due to a medevac.  Especially the first few days.

[Pepper the Cat]

Well, that was just devastating.

to go out on an injury on what, day 2, 3??

i wish they had given an update on how Pat is.

[Ms Blue Jay]

I'm just so glad that this stupid show is back.  I won't know what's going on for the first 5-6 episodes, but I'm just glad it's back.  All the POC and Mike White are still in the show.  I'm shocked and I'm happy.  (Deliriously:) I'm just so glad it's back.

Also I have no idea what the theme means this season .  Poor people versus rich?  LOL I'm half in the bag.

I am cheering for anyone nerdy, anyone who grew up poor, anyone POC, and of course Mike White.  "School of Rock" is in my top 20 favourite movies of all time and I have him and Jack Black to thank.

Edited September 27, 2018 by Ms Blue Jay

[LadyChatts]

I’m bored with Fiji. 

3 minutes in and I wanted an impromptu TC where Angelina got voted off.  Then I wanted the whole Goliath tribe gone.  I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed an opening challenge more than this one.  Glad the Davids at least got that one.

I think Jeff was already trying to walk back his own theme by telling the Goliaths ‘well, you’re kind of like Davids because you worked hard to get where you’re at’.  Make up your mind Probst!  I was hoping and praying that all the focus on Goliath meant they lost.  Even though editing was more balanced than normal, Goliath didn’t come off as well as David.  Should have known better. 

Is there ever a season where there’s not shelter building drama episode one?  Natalie may be digging her own grave.  She’s the oldest one on her tribe as it is so bossing everyone around probably isn’t doing her any favors.  Since I hate the rest of the Goliaths I like her.  Natalie for top Goliath!

And seriously, you know someone’s looking for an idol, why not go after them?  If he finds it, it’s not like he’s going anywhere.

Jessica’s “I think there’s a lot of cool people on that tribe and I’m not totally rooting against them” is code word for “how did that other blonde wind up on the hot tribe and I’m with the nerd herd?”

Not sure if Survivor plays men and women equally, but okay Angelina.  I didn’t want Mike to find the idol, but I really didn’t want Angelina and Natalia finding one.  Then hot cop found it and started running his mouth about being with the hot girls.  And purple string show?  Really?

Edited September 27, 2018 by LadyChatts

[mojoween]

First impression - Please don’t let the Giants fan be a douche.  Please don’t let the Giants fan be a douche.

Sorry.  I’m just very protective of the fandom and I’m glad he didn’t die.  Mark has to bring him back for another season since that was such a fluke.

Angelina can get got any minute now.  Dan and Kara are super annoying so they can bounce any time too.

If my life depended on completing a slide puzzle...well, nice knowin’ ya.

So very much eye candy and all I want to know is who is the smokeshow dude on Goliath in the red patterned button down. (Jeremy!  Halfway through the show he finally spoke!)

Why the hell was Mike subtitled saying “...hoisted up by my own petard?”  It was clear as fucking day what he said.

It is going to be a LOOOOOOONG season if in every interview the contestants are made to say it’s a David or Goliath way to do something.  Peachy yakking on about it constantly is already exhausting.

Having said that, how is Bi a David and not a Goliath?

That pole thing they used to cross the platforms looked super fun.

Expect the unexpected is Julie Chen Moonves’s line, Peach.  Step off.

[wallflower75]

I'm hoping we'll get an update with the closing credits.  And that he gets another chance to come back and play.

[ElleryAnne]

Gee, Jeff, way to turn someone's pain to your advantage by tying it to the theme.  Blech.

Speaking of the theme, I need it to be gone like yesterday.  I cannot do a season where half of the castaways are the human equivalent to the dogs in the commercials with the Sarah McLachlan song.

[Rachel RSL]

Really enjoyable first episode. I have high hopes for this season!

I really love the self-professed nerds. Those are my peeps! I could have done without all the sob stories but maybe now that they’ve got them out of the way, we won’t have to hear about them anymore. The only one I’m not crazy about on that tribe is the lawyer (Nick?) who wanted to name alliances. I’m fine with him going. I can’t believe that guy got injured on the freaking boat ride back from the challenge. What a shitty way to go. 

I’m not crazy about the Goliath people so far. I can’t stand the idiot who seems more interested in showmances than Survivor, of course he finds the idol. I liked Mike a lot when he was on TAR but it kind of annoys me that he’s on Survivor, I like when it’s all new people. I think we’re supposed to find the wrestler obnoxious but I kind of love him. His list of names was hilarious!

[LadyChatts]

1 minute ago, ElleryAnne said:

Gee, Jeff, way to turn someone's pain to your advantage by tying it to the theme.  Blech.

Speaking of the theme, I need it to be gone like yesterday.  I cannot do a season where half of the castaways are the human equivalent to the dogs in the commercials with the Sarah McLachlan song.

I've always thought it was funny that Probst just pops out of nowhere when there's a medevac.

[mojoween]

3 minutes ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

I'm just so glad that this stupid show is back.  I won't know what's going on for the first 5-6 episodes, but I'm just glad it's back.  All the POC and Mike White are still in the show.  I'm shocked and I'm happy.  (Deliriously:) I'm just so glad it's back.

Bad Survivor is still fantastic Survivor!  Next to sports, this is the only show I make a point to watch live.

I love you, show!

[wallflower75]

I'm sick of themes.  I'm sick of "twists."  I'm sick of Fiji.  And yet I still watch this show.  *shrug*  I'm a masochist that way.

I keep thinking that someday, the "theme" will be "Old Skool Survivor," the twist will be "no idols," and they'll actually go someplace else.  *shrug*  I'm an incurable optimist that way.

[Straycat80]

They posted at the very end that Pat was fully recovered from his injuries. 

[mojoween]

I’m glad to see that Pat fully recovered.  Now screw HIPAA, tell me what his injuries were!

[BusyOctober]

Episode isn’t over yet (for me...I am watching on DVR ) but I am already sick of the David vs. Goliath BS.  I know much of it is producer driven, but if we are going to hear “I’m a David b/c my family struggled with...” and “I’ve been a Goliath since birth!” all season long, I may not make it through the season. All the rationalizations of why or why not they fit their producer assigned tribe, along with Probst’s incessant bullying of the “nerds” & tongue bathing for the jocks, I am predicting a lot of FF’g in my future.

What’s with all the crying???  They’ve been on the island for 24 hours and they are already emotionally exhausted??  

Edited September 27, 2018 by BusyOctober

[DEL901]

5 minutes ago, Pepper the Cat said:

Well, that was just devastating.

to go out on an injury on what, day 2, 3??

i wish they had given an update on how Pat is.

They gave an update after his final words.   He recovered completely.  Thank goodness.  

Hated then liked and then hated the prosecutor.   And the Goliaths have a couple of choices when the go to their first tribal council 

[LadyChatts]

I wonder how bad he was hurt?  I thought at first maybe he just got the wind knocked out of him bad.  I probably shouldn't say this, but if someone was injured, glad it was a freak of nature and not a poorly designed challenge this time.

[ghoulina]

Well, I think this season is off to a good start. I was engaged the entire time and I'm pretty excited. 

 

I loved the way they did that first challenge. It was cool to see the choices everyone made. 

 

I'm definitely feeling myself rooting for David right off the bat. It's not just my tendency to root for the underdog, but there's some people on that tribe that I just instantly liked. Christian is adorable. Gabby is sweet. I'm interested in an alliance between Elizabeth and Lyrsa. 

Pat. Pat was definitely bossy and a bit crude, but he worked hard and I think he has a soft heart under it all. It really sucks to see a medical pull that early.

Overall I just like the vibe at David. They all seem really empathetic and supportive of each other. 

 

Meanwhile, Goliath seems all out for themselves.  Nathalie don't do shit. And a showmance already??? Ugh. I don't dislike everyone there, But no real strong standouts either. 

Except maybe Jack Black's nerdy roommate from School of Rock. How DID he end up on that tribe???

[LanceM]

8 minutes ago, LadyChatts said:

Damn that was scary.  I was wondering why they edited out what happened until they started talking about it.  Already a downer with the Davids losing but that was rough, too.  I feel sorry for anyone that has to leave due to a medevac.  Especially the first few days.

They don't have cameras on the boat (or van) that transports them to challenges, tribal council, etc.

[dkb]

2 minutes ago, LadyChatts said:

I think Jeff was already trying to walk back his own theme by telling the Goliaths ‘well, you’re kind of like Davids because you worked hard to get where you’re at’.  Make up your mind Probst! 

I was rolling my eyes, at the beginning with the theme talk. 

And continued rolling them, when all the Goliath's were making rookie dumb mistakes; bossing people around, looking for idols, showmance. Well I guess, I know which team I'm rooting for.

Then this stupid show got me all emotional, with the talk in the shelter between all the David's. That was a great scene on what makes Survivor so good, all these different people bonding and supporting each other.

Was scared for Pat, not my favorite person on the tribe(bossypants) but omg the pain he must have been going through and not wanting to leave the game, ya got me show.

I like pretty much everyone on the David tribe, since the lawyer stopped being a douche.

[BookThief]

9 minutes ago, mojoween said:

Why the hell was Mike subtitled saying “...hoisted up by my own petard?”  It was clear as fucking day what he said.

Just what I came here to ask! The only thing I can think of is that they did not want viewers to hear "petard" and mistake it for another word because somehow they've never heard this phrase.

Edited September 27, 2018 by BookThief

[Haleth]

First thought?  Mike White is a Goliath?  Really?

That nonstop, relentless rain was brutal. Yikes. So demoralizing to be cold and wet as well as hungry. 

Poor Pat. He was in a whole lot of pain. His face was almost purple. 

There are a few annoying people but no one I can say I hate yet. I look forward to them losing the theme though. That is already old. 

[Straycat80]

1 minute ago, BusyOctober said:

Episode isn’t over yet, but I am already sick of the David vs. Goliath BS.  I know much of it is producer driven, but if we are going to hear “I’m a David b/c my family struggled with...” and “I’ve been a Goliath since birth!” all season long, I may not make it through the season. All the rationalizations of why or why not they fit their producer assigned tribe, along with Probst’s incessant bullying of the “nerds” & tongue bathing for the jocks, I am predicting a lot of FF’g in my future.

What’s with all the crying???  They’ve been on the island for 24 hours and they are already emotionally exhausted??  

I feel the same way. Every time someone said I’m a David or I’m a Goliath I was rolling my eyes so hard I got a headache. I foresee a lot of headaches this season if I make it.

Day 2 and the David tribe is spilling their guts with their stories and crying. Maybe it was because of the depressing weather. 

[mojoween]

1 minute ago, BookThief said:

Just what I came here to ask! The only thing I can think of is that they did not want viewers to hear "petard" and mistake it for another word. because somehow they've never heard this phrase.

Right?!?  I mean, as soon as anyone on earth says the word “hoisted”, 99% of the time it’s followed by “my own petard”.  I thought that was a pretty common expression.

[Whimsy]

4 minutes ago, ghoulina said:

Except maybe Jack Black's nerdy roommate from School of Rock. How DID he end up on that tribe???

Because he’s a successful writer/director/actor. I think “David vs Goliath” is just a nicer way to say “privileged vs down trodden” or something. I think that everyone on the David tribe has had it rough either socially, economically, etc and the Goliath tribe had just floated through life, doing well with little effort. That’s my take right now, anyway. 

[Ms Blue Jay]

Mike White is a very talented writer/director :)  I admire him a lot.

[wallflower75]

2 minutes ago, ghoulina said:

Overall I just like the vibe at David. They all seem really empathetic and supportive of each other. 

 

Meanwhile, Goliath seems all out for themselves.  Nathalie don't do shit. And a showmance already??? Ugh. I don't dislike everyone there, But no real strong standouts either.

Yeah, I liked the vibe at the David tribe as well.  And as for the showmance, when they started doing the "OMG, we have soooo much in common even though we just met because you like Superman and my name is Kara and she was Supergirl blah blah blah"  bit, I was rolling my eyes so hard they'll be hurting for a week.

[Lantern7]

Wow. Things got dark. Usual blend of personalities, Christian trying to get on a "Real Life Sheldons" series with Cochran, Dan falls for Kara (yes, spelled just like Supergirl!), Pat going aggro with being enthusiastic, Mike not bursting into flames thanks to the rain . . . and then Pat almost dies. Okay, probably not close, but he looked fucked up, and he did not want to go. I'm hoping he comes back, because nobody deserves to get booted by a wave. It's like getting severely injured during the theme music to Gilligan's Island.

Oh, and Probst lodges his head halfway up his ass on the ship. It's a gift. Kudos to the one David person pointing out that that David wound up a king. Thank goodness that person skipped the part where David had to collect Philistine foreskins to marry a woman. Or something. Hey, I wanted to take Bible in college, but the professor went on sabbatical that term. I wound up with philosophy and a D-minus.

Barring disaster, Mike will have surpassed Nadiya Anderson's mark of three days in the game. Next up for the ex-Racer: Natalie Anderson, with 39 days. And a million bucks. Hey, no pressure. Bad form going idol hunting, though. I hope that doesn't bite him. I guess he was a Survivor geek from the start. And I liked that he was recognized as an ex-Racer. But that make him a target, even though he didn't win either time.

Anybody else wants someone to ask John if Mike "The Miz" Mizanin still takes his calls? I was amused by the collection of nicknames he had, as well as his currently gimmick as an ugly American in Mexico. You want to piss Mexicans off, you tell 'em luchadors wear masks to hide the ugly.

Christian . . . I thin he's overselling. Just . .. . please stop.

Natalie has people that would take a bullet for her? Damn. Even if she's Philip-level deluded, that's one helluva line. Fuck, I'd put that on my business card if I thought it was true for me.

Seriously, Pat should come back. I know he was too into things, but you don't want anyone to be sprawled out like that in obvious pain, begging not to get lifted.

14 minutes ago, mojoween said:

Bad Survivor is still fantastic Survivor!  Next to sports, this is the only show I make a point to watch live.

Swap out "Survivor" for "The Amazing Race," and you capture my feelings. I can't remember the last season where I was satisfied throughout. The tie last season was pretty cool, though.

Edited September 27, 2018 by Lantern7

[ByaNose]

Great episode. I wasn’t expecting that.ending.at.all. I felt bad for him. He wanted it bad.

[Haleth]

It was a nice change up to have a 90 min opening episode so we could get to know the survivors a little better early on. 

The editors were having fun with Christian going on and on about his slide puzzle algorithm.  

Edited September 27, 2018 by Haleth

[susannot]

Like everyone else, I like the David tribe and the Nerd alliances.  A promising start!

Has there ever before been a black guy on the show who identified himself as a "Blerd?"  A black nerd?  Love it!  I predict the smart science geeks, nerds and techies on David will win.

[Eolivet]

Wow, so much for nuFiji's perfect record of no medavacs. That was brutal.

I liked the organic sharing of stories with each other on the David tribe. Nary a contrived Ghost Island cry-fest monologue in sight. Though I was worried when Nick had this squirrely gamebot-y edit, and then was like "and my mom died." I seriously thought, "he ... didn't just make that up, did he? Please tell me we're not making up dead mother stories now."

Angelina is working my last nerve, though.

[susannot]

Just now, Eolivet said:

Wow, so much for nuFiji's perfect record of no medavacs. That was brutal.

I liked the organic sharing of stories with each other on the David tribe. Nary a contrived Ghost Island cry-fest monologue in sight. Though I was worried when Nick had this squirrely gamebot-y edit, and then was like "and my mom died." I seriously thought, "he ... didn't just make that up, did he? Please tell me we're not making up dead mother stories now."

Angelina is working my last nerve, though.

Hope someone can clue me in.....When Nick was sharing his story about his mother dying of an overdose someone (who?) said Dude you should have saved that for later, or words to that effect.  I thought that was a reference to the guy several seasons ago who won by playing the dying mother card at Final tribal  Who was that?

[Eolivet]

Just now, susannot said:

Dude you should have saved that for later, or words to that effect. 

Someone said that? I missed that. Ha, oh Adam Klein, that is your Survivor legacy.

I was more thinking along the lines of Johnny Fairplay and his dead grandmother, but heh.

[cdnalor]

The robotics guy (Christian) makes me think he's an actor playing a stereotypical nerd.  The way he talks, his mannerisms and the way he dresses seem fake and too on-the-nose to be real.  Also the public defender who lost his mother to a drug overdose seemed to be fake-crying when telling his story to the others.  Maybe it's just me being cynical but I think the producers are screwing with us more than usual.

[simplyme]

22 minutes ago, Whimsy said:

Because he’s a successful writer/director/actor. I think “David vs Goliath” is just a nicer way to say “privileged vs down trodden” or something. I think that everyone on the David tribe has had it rough either socially, economically, etc and the Goliath tribe had just floated through life, doing well with little effort. That’s my take right now, anyway. 

What I got from Jeff's explanation (using Allison as an example) is that the Davids never really had any assets to begin with. Everything in life has been an upward battle for them. They don't have the supportive families or communities, they didn't have a middle class upbringing, and people aren't going to give them a job or loan based on any connections or networking. If they fall, they have nothing to soften the blow.

In contrast, the Goliaths had some sort of support system. They may have worked their rear ends off to get where they were, but if they had options available to them that simple weren't available to the Davids, and there's a good chance that if they get fired or screw up, they won't end up homeless. People have their backs.

Ever heard the old Everlast song "What It's Like?" My impression of the theme made me think of that song.

And wow. Poor Pat.

Link to youtube of What It's Like:

https://youtu.be/qA1nGPM9yHA

[Babalooie]

11 hours ago, cdnalor said:

The robotics guy (Christian) makes me think he's an actor playing a stereotypical nerd.  The way he talks, his mannerisms and the way he dresses seem fake and too on-the-nose to be real.  Also the public defender who lost his mother to a drug overdose seemed to be fake-crying when telling his story to the others.  Maybe it's just me being cynical but I think the producers are screwing with us more than usual.

Well, include me in the cynical club because I told  Mr. Babalooie the exact thing.  Reality shows are not all real, as we know.  It's  show biz.

Edited September 27, 2018 by Babalooie

[LadyChatts]

I thought the editing was weird around Nick's story.  One minute he's sitting in daylight while everyone's pouring the their hearts out, the next it's night and he's got a weirded out expression on his face.  

Overall I thought the editing wasn't bad but there were parts that were just strange.

Edited September 27, 2018 by LadyChatts

[LanceM]

Yeah call me cynical too. I was waiting for Nick to say in confessional laughing that his Mom was back home watching Jerry Springer.

[howiveaddict]

53 minutes ago, mojoween said:

I’m glad to see that Pat fully recovered.  Now screw HIPAA, tell me what his injuries were!

Oh, he can explain it during the 3 seconds they give him at the reunion.

Already sick of all the I'm a Goliath because blah blah blah, as a David I do/act blah blah blah. It would be hilarious if  sometime before the merge, Peachy would tell them that It's all BS and we picked the teams by drawing names out of a hat.

[simplyme]

1 minute ago, LanceM said:

Yeah call me cynical too. I was waiting for Nick to say in confessional laughing that his Mom was back home watching Jerry Springer.

Add SimplyMom and me to the list. It was really awkward to discover we'd been mocking the man for lying when he then went on in his confessional to talk about her being dead and we realized that he was apparently (?) sincere. 

[howiveaddict]

10 minutes ago, LadyChatts said:

I thought the editing was weird around Nick's story.  One minute he's sitting in daylight while everyone's pouring the their hearts out, the next it's night and he's got a weirded out expression on his face.  

Overall I thought the editing wasn't bad but there were parts that were just strange.

It took that long for him to think up a sob story.

[LadyChatts]

1 minute ago, howiveaddict said:

Oh, he can explain it during the 3 seconds they give him at the reunion.

Already sick of all the I'm a Goliath because blah blah blah, as a David I do/act blah blah blah. It would be hilarious if  sometime before the merge, Peachy would tell them that It's all BS and we picked the teams by drawing names out of a hat.

I think the Goliaths would take it harder than the Davids.

Also, I think them giving an update on Pat means we won't hear from him at the reunion.  

[princelina]

1 hour ago, mojoween said:

It is going to be a LOOOOOOONG season if in every interview the contestants are made to say it’s a David or Goliath way to do something.  Peachy yakking on about it constantly is already exhausting.

Haha I was checking in here today on my Married at First Sight forum when Mr P asked if I was checking on Survivor because he wanted to know what the theme meant - I told him I was sure we'd find out tonight from Jeff, followed by every contestant giving their "As a _____" speech, and in my example to him I said, "As a David, I'm scrappy" - so we got a laugh out of the girl who used that term in her "As a _____" monologue :)

 

59 minutes ago, Rachel RSL said:

I’m not crazy about the Goliath people so far. I can’t stand the idiot who seems more interested in showmances than Survivor, of course he finds the idol. 

As a fatty who would love to be a former fatty, I can sympathize with him being excited with his new self.  He seems like a big dummy, but right now I still like him.  My dream showmance at this point, however, would be Gabby and Christian :D

 

33 minutes ago, susannot said:

Like everyone else, I like the David tribe and the Nerd alliances.  A promising start!

Has there ever before been a black guy on the show who identified himself as a "Blerd?"  A black nerd?  Love it!  I predict the smart science geeks, nerds and techies on David will win.

I'm loving it too!  A young friend of mine is so excited because he just got hired for his dream job at Microsoft - I'm looking forward to calling him a blerd :)

 

30 minutes ago, Eolivet said:

I was worried when Nick had this squirrely gamebot-y edit, and then was like "and my mom died." I seriously thought, "he ... didn't just make that up, did he? Please tell me we're not making up dead mother stories now."

It makes me feel better to know that I wasn't the only one who "smelled a Fairplay" :)

[GenerationX]

Random thoughts on episode 1 - "Advantage:  Producers"

• The opening challenge on the ship, while admittedly a cool idea that played out well, showed where the advantage really lies and always lies:  with the Producers.  Giving the Davids the choice of tasks was much more meaningful than picking the "strongest" and "weakest" contestants on first impressions.
• For some reason, Robo-nerd reminds me of Greg Kinnear, but younger and with more hair. 
• They caught the octopus two boots too early to divvy it up easily.

This was a solid start for the season, and I don't hate the theme ... yet.  There was one thing, though, about the premier that I already hate.  In the immortal words of Chrissy Hynde, "It is time for you to stop all of your sobbing."  Please, show, we're not even close to the dreaded, maudlin "loved ones" episode.  Give them some food or a tarp or something.

[thehepburn]

It's always a letdown when the premiere ens in a medivac and noone is actually voted out.

Looking back, it was a sign that S24: One World was gonna suck that I didn't know at the time. I already was underwhelmed with the theme of this season since it's pretty obvious to me that a "David" is gonna win it but now it's official. I'm out.

[TVFan1]

I like the David tribe way more than the Goliath tribe. The David tribe get along really well and work well together. I enjoy all of their personalities. 

Glad the Davids won the first challenge on the boat, and hated when the Goliaths won immunity. Felt bad for Pat for not wanting to leave though he had to to treat his injury. Happy to hear he's doing better.

Edited September 27, 2018 by TVFan1

[Silver Raven]

This is the first season where I've disliked every single member of a tribe from the first episode, but I hope all of the Goliaths are gone, stat.

I wonder if Christian is on the spectrum.