- The castaways are shocked to learn that they'll be divided into tribes of older players versus younger players. The older tribe is especially surprised to learn that they'll be teamed with former NFL Coach Jimmy Johnson. Meanwhile, one castaway reveals a personal secret that could affect the entire tribe as they head into their first challenge.—CBS Publicity
- Against the stunning backdrop of Nicaragua, 20 Americans set out to win $1 million on the 21st season of "Survivor."
Getting on the with the usual introductions, host Jeff Probst asked the group what they've gotten to learn about each other in the time they'd spent getting to the location, despite being unable to speak with one another.
Kelly B. said in a testimonial that she was keeping her leg amputation a secret (she was wearing pants). One guy, Marty, instantly recognized ex-NFL coach Jimmy Johnson, and said he wanted nothing to do with him. They thought they'd already been divided into tribes.
Jeff immediately sent the tribes off into the jungle where a "Medallion of Power" was hidden. The first person to find it would claim it for their tribe. It was not an individual challenge.
Brenda, a younger girl who said she'd be using her charming, single, flirty ways to win friends, found the medallion and put it around her neck. On their way back to Jeff's spot, a girl named Alina said she noticed Kelly B's limp.
Jeff asked Marty what it felt like to have Brenda claim the medallion (he was on the "tribe" with Brenda). Marty said it was great, but Jeff threw the first curveball and said those groups were not the tribes. Then he split into two groups: those over 40 and those under 30.
The older tribe was named Espada (in blue), and the younger tribe was La Flor (in yellow). They were handed their buffs and Jimmy Johnson first balked at messing up his hair (he eventually put it on as a headband).
Jeff explained to Brenda that the medallion holds some power, but the tribe would have to decide whether to keep it for use later, or trade it for fire (flint) and fishing gear. Whatever they didn't keep, the other tribe would get.
The La Flor tribe eventually decided to take the fire and fishing gear, leaving the medallion to "the old people," as a guy named Shannon described his opponents.
Espada's camp: Jimmy Johnson said he was willing to play "the superstar status" to win some allies. A swim coach named Holly quickly went to a woman named Wendy to say she trusted her and wanted to align with her. Wendy, though, said she wasn't expecting that kind of approach so soon. She didn't want to be "naive," even though her brother calls her "sheltered."
A dog trainer named Jane said she isn't some meek old lady who "toodles around the house all day." She's 56 and she was attempting to start a fire with someone's glasses. She said her dead husband's spirit is what would keep her going. Her fire was a blazing success in half an hour.
La Flor's camp: Guys named Sash and Jud were happy to be around young people. Shannon quickly took to calling Jud a "dumb blonde." The rest of the guys took to calling him Fabio, but he didn't care.
Shannon and another guy, Chase, decided that they "would be the strongest -- strength-wise" (thanks for the clarification, fellas). But they'd also be targets for that reason. Then, the guy named Shannon said it was important that the guys "sack up" and win this season, rather than letting the girls take over.
Kelly B was worried people were staring at her leg, so she decided to show it to everyone and try to prove immediately that she was as capable as anyone else. She revealed it, and the rest of her team was fascinated. They asked her about how it worked. Shannon told us that he was feeling all warm and fuzzy and that if it came down to him and Kelly B for the million dollars, he'd want her to have it. For that reason, he said, she's gotta go as soon as La Flor loses. Then, a girl named NaOnka said she wasn't going to feel sorry for Kelly B, saying that if she felt like she could compete against the others, she should be ready to compete. "If we're going to race, let's race," she said.
Espada camp: Jimmy Johnson was having a bad night, up throwing up and not sleeping. He said the next morning that he'd watched every second of "Survivor" and never could have imagined it was "this difficult."
La Flor camp: Brenda told Chase that she was a Dolphins cheerleader, so she knew Jimmy Johnson. Chase told her he trusted her. He instantly told her that he had an alliance with Shannon.
Meanwhile, Kelly B and Alina found a clue to a hidden immunity idol, but couldn't figure out what it meant. Alina later said she wished they hadn't found it together because it somewhat forced them into an alliance. Alina said she didn't want to go to the end with Kelly B because of the "sympathy vote."
Espada camp: After getting some tree mail with info on the first challenge, coach Jimmy decided to give the tribe a little pep talk, and he called for a huddle. Seriously. He did that. He told the whole group, flat out, that he was there for the adventure and he knew no jury would give him $1 million. He said nothing would make him happier than to help one of his tribe mates win it, though.
Immunity challenge: The La Flor tribe came into the challenge doing some kind of chant and dance (but Shannon and Chase were too cool to join in). Jeff asked Tyrone (Espada) if seeing Kelly B's amputated leg would make him go easier on her, and Tyrone said it wouldn't. "We're all here to compete," he said. Kelly B smiled and nodded.
The challenge had the contestants pour water down a series of gutters in an attempt to fill a bucket first. When their buckets filled, they'd get puzzle pieces and then have to put the puzzle together.
Jeff explained that the medallion of power gave a "huge advantage" at challenges. If they wanted to, they could use it to get a head start on collecting water. They decided not to use it.
La Flor got their puzzle pieces mere moments ahead of Espada. Jeff asked whether "wisdom or enthusiasm" that would win the challenge. La Flor nearly had it figured out, but one piece didn't fit. Then, after a brief moment of drama, they figured it out and won immunity.
Back at Espada: Jimmy T., who seemed a bit crazy-eyed and insisted on being heard, set his sights on Jimmy Johnson right away, saying he thought he was trying to dupe everyone.
Jimmy Johnson, meanwhile, was talking to Holly about voting Wendy out because she was the weakest link. Holly was instantly regretting her decision to align with Wendy. Wendy was starry-eyed and worried.
Marty, too, said he wasn't buying Jimmy Johnson's speech about the jury not wanting to give him $1 million.
Tribal Council: Jane said she was able to start the fire because of something Jeff Probst had written about how important it is to know how to make fire.
Jimmy T. complained to Jeff that Jimmy J's presence made him feel less important. Jimmy J said he knew he'd be targeted, but again said there was no way he was going to win $1 million. Jimmy T. still wasn't buying it (and Marty was nodding along).
More than half the tribe raised their hand when asked if they thought they were in trouble. Holly announced her alliance, for some reason. Wendy thought she was in trouble because she didn't connect very well with anyone. Wendy started talking a lot about how she didn't want to come in and talk all the time. Then, Jeff said it was time to vote, and Wendy asked if she could say something else. Then she talked a little more about how great of an asset she could be to the team.
The vote: Tyrone wrote down Wendy's name, saying his decision was tough at first, but after hearing her talk at Tribal it was a done deal.
Jeff read the votes: Wendy, Eve, Wendy, Wendy, Wendy, Wendy, Wendy. Six votes was enough to send her packing.
Jeff sent Espada home with flint, even though they already had a fire.
Wendy's last words: She regretted changing who she was coming into the game, and wished she could go back. "Maybe they'll stick me on the young people's tribe," she said.
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