by Gina Scarpa

 

When they announced Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains on the finale of Survivor: Samoa, I couldn't wait for the season to begin. I wondered how heroes would deal with having to lie and backstab in order to get ahead or which villain would be perceived as the biggest threat. Tonight's premiere had some moments I could've predicted (Amanda and Cirie teaming up) and some I never saw coming (Coach and Jerri are having a romance?!). If tonight was any indication of how this season is going to go, I won't be able to help but be glued to my television every Thursday night.

 

The 20 all stars arrived in the South Pacific already divided into teams. Probst wasted no time getting to their first reward challenge. You've seen the show. You know what's up for grabs. Flint to make fire. In this challenge, teams of two would race out to dig up a bag in the sand and get it back to their mat but the opposing tribe could use any means necessary to get it away from them and, oh, how they did!

 

Stephenie dislocated (and relocated) her shoulder, Rupert broke a toe, some were held in wrestling moves, and most got a faceful of sand at one point or another. The villains took an early lead but the heroes evened it up. Colby was embarrassed by Coach, who rode him all way back to his own mat. It was kind of hilarious. The heroes were able to pull off a win, thanks in part to James, who is seriously a beast. I mean, who can take that guy down? No one.

 

You might think that the villains would be out of luck with no fire and no water but never underestimate one of my all time favorite players: Boston Rob. He got fire started with two sticks, even though Randy scoffed that he'd never be able to do it. I'm not sure how Rob will play this season but so far, he's doing a hell of a job. He's back to that fun loving Rob we were fans of in Marquesas but don't think he won't turn back into the throat cutting, take no prisoners Rob that got himself to the finale in All Stars.

 

I don't understand it but I really think Coach and Jerri might have something. They seem attracted and intrigued by each other but don't want to draw attention to themselves so they're keeping their distance. I never thought I'd see the day where Coach got some lovin' under the stars... and hopefully, I won't have to!

 

In the immunity challenge, teams had to build a boat, paddle out in the ocean, retrieve a torch, paddle back, disassemble the boat, take the planks from the boat which they would use to build a ladder after a seriously tough puzzle was solved. There were a lot of steps to this challenge! Candace and Parvati were no strangers to it - they competed together and won this challenge during their time on Cook Islands. The heroes took a HUGE early lead but Amanda, Cirie, Sugar, and Rupert struggled and panicked on the puzzle, leaving a window of opportunity for the villains to smoke right past them and get some revenge. Villains win immunity. Secretly, I'm happy because that means Boston Rob and Russell aren't going anywhere yet.

 

It seems that Sugar is the easy target. She annoyed people around camp, especially Colby, and she has no friends in the game. Buzz starts around the camp, though, about getting rid of stronger players, like Cirie, Amanda, or Stephenie. When I hear a plan to blindside Stephenie, I'm about ready to kick my ottoman over because I want that girl getting to the end... or close to it, at least.

 

No worries, though. It's pretty obvious where this tribal council is headed. Steph boldly states that she's voting for the weakest person and who else can we be talking about? Jeff points out that everyone is a threat for different reasons - people who have pre-existing relationships, people who have won the million already, people who have played this game three times, and so on. Still, in the end, it's Sugar heading home, just as you probably predicted.

Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS.

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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