(S20E01) We've already had epic hype for an epic season of 'Survivor.' More intense than a typical 'All-Stars' version, this season pits the (supposedly) best of good and evil in a battle to be the sole survivor. It's kind of like the Stephen King novel, 'The Stand.' Forces for good and evil, perhaps with a few shades of gray in-between, ready to duke it out for the win. Well, I could see Evil Russell being Randall Flagg, can't you? The casting is right for both sides. I would have liked to see Richard Hatch and Yau-Man Chan in there, but it wasn't my decision to make. I'm just a witness to the chaos.

Due to the 20th season hoopla, as well as the casting, they changed up the format for the premiere a bit. Usually, in a two-hour premiere, we'd see two people voted out. This time, just the basic intro for the cast took up fifteen minutes. Mind you, I'm not complaining. It was interesting to revisit the castaways and get their take on being on the show once again. Russell was star-struck. Most of the female villains think they're heroes. I agree with them. With the exception of Jerri Manthey, most of the women are just strong competitors and good strategists more than they are actual villainous evil people.

Judging by the reward and immunity challenge tonight, it looks like we're in for recycled, yet made a bit tougher, challenges for the season. Okay, I'm game with that. Just make 'em tough on them! Um, well ... perhaps it's not a great idea to literally kill the castaways off in the first reward challenge, though. Sheesh, Stephenie's dislocated shoulder made me feel the pain. I can't believe she didn't shed a tear! And, Rupert's broken toe is going to haunt him for the rest of the time he's there.

Overall, down and dirty and physical right off the bat in the first challenge. The high point for me was Sugar racing to the finish, scoring, and shooting the bird all while topless. The low point was my man Colby being trounced by Coach. Yeah, Coach, of all people! I'm no Tyson fan, but he called it right -- "Owned by Coach, he may as well be a woman." (Nothing against women, of course. I'm a woman. Meow.)

Although the ginormous amount of time spent in the camps dragged a bit at times, I can understand why they did it. After all, they have the 20 greatest players of all time (according to them), and to throw one out to sea really soon would be such a shame. It's too bad they don't use this format during regular seasons where we barely get to know the first one out. Each tribe had their high moment -- Rob made fire to the awe of all who are in awe of him; the heroes managed to work together to net three hens and a rooster roaming about their camp.

And then there was the showmance angle. Coach and Jerri? Say it ain't so! He's a loon! While she's an evil so-and-so, I never thought she'd fall for his delusional ways. It's definitely unrequited love for Sugar and Colby. I don't know what was up with that. He was giving all kinds of go-away hints, and she wasn't taking them. Not a showmance per se, but the alliance building between Boston Rob and Sandra is one to be watched.

So many of them told us they were changing up their games, and I don't see them doing much different than they did before. Russell is still way too full of himself and going into final two deals with many people. Coach is still delusional and thinks he's out there slaying dragons while he's better at tilting at windmills. Rupert is still a furry man-child caveman. Tyson is still mean, as is Randy. Most of the guys on the villains tribe tend to be more character and buffoonery than strategy. On the heroes side, Tom is already delving into strategic moves. JT is switching up a bit and won't be the nicey-nice boy this season. We'll see him do some backstabbing.

You notice I'm not saying much bad about the women on either side. With the exception of Sugar, both tribes have the best women strategic players and the toughest physical competitors, too. If a good amount of women remain after the merge, they can rule the roost. Actually, after the merge, this show might get more intriguing than it is already. If memory serves, Sandra and Rupert were tight -- she threw out the fish he caught when his tribe voted him out. Jeff made it out to be evil, but it was because Rupert was her ally.

Dreams crashed and universes collided when the heroes lost the immunity challenge after starting off so great. I'm really not sure why they put Rupert on a puzzle, but his fellow puzzle people weren't anything to write home about either. I tell you, it's that Sandra and Rob combination working the puzzle for the villains that made for the win. They need to be watched. I might just have to get on the Boston Rob train this season.

My heart skipped a few beats when the heroes went from talking about taking Sugar out to taking a stronger player out. Yes, they have a point -- keeping a stronger player in makes it hard to get rid of said stronger player down the road. But, dang it, they're ALL strong players except for Sugar! While I really enjoyed Sugar at times in her season, she's not in the same league and needs to get out of the ball park! What Tom said about getting Cirie out, what Cirie said about getting Stephenie out ... that could be said for each and every one of them ... except Sugar. The first person out isn't the time to start getting rid of the best players.

I'm glad they came about to my way of thinking. Sugar, the tribe has spoken, don't let the palm frondle you on the way out. The vote was unanimous for a Sugar ouster with the exception of Sugar's vote for Amanda. Do you think they made the right decision, to get rid of the weaker rather than the stronger at this time?



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