Survivor: Game Changers - Mamanuca Islands (US)-[**SPOILERS**]

seligehgit

Survivor: Game Changers - Mamanuca Islands (US)-[**SPOILERS**]



Season 34 of the greatest show in town CBS Survivor is due to premiere on Wednesday 8th March 2017 8/7c,8 PM Eastern Time/7 PM Central Time with a 2 hour episode,featuring 20 returning castaways who were considered to be "game changers in their respective seasons.The premiere will be the 500th episode of Survivor!

This is the third time Survivor has been shot in Fiji and the fourth season to feature an entire cast of returnee players.

To entice players to use Hidden Immunity Idols further,this season will feature more opportunities where these idols can be found,representing a change from previous seasons.Host Jeff Probst said that with their scarcity in past seasons,these idols were typically held and never played.Hence they wanted to encourage their use the idols more often as to shake up gameplay strategy.

Chrome link to the cast.

http://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/photos/1007303/survivor-season-34-meet-the-cast-of-game-changers/

It truly is an all star cast,the in my opinion grossly over rated two time winner Sandra Diaz Twine is going for a three in a row.Tony Vlachos,a seriously great player is back to try and secure another win."JT",Malcolm Freburg,Andrea Boehlke,Cirie Fields,Caleb Reynolds,Zeke Smith,Ciera Eastin,Tai Trang,Brad Culpepper,Troy "Troyzan" Robertson,Jeff Varner and Aubry Bracco are amongst the other favourites returning.

However I'm rooting for the great Oscar "Ozzy" Lusth to finally become the sole survivor.

S.M.B.

I'd like to see Sandra win it but there's zero chance she does.

Looking forward to it.

My outside shot is Andrea.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

I must be one of the only people who doesn't like Ozzy. I think he was fine in his first season, but every other time he's just come across as a massive dick.

Just from glancing at the cast I'll be rooting for Ciera, Andrea, Zeke or Tony to win, but in fairness it's a fairly solid group and I could see most of them potentially sitting there at the final 3.

Thargor

Ozzy hasnt a hope, its like Rupert getting however many chances from the producers, good player but nobody will let him get to the end.

4 more weeks

seligehgit

Thargor wrote: »

Ozzy hasnt a hope, its like Rupert getting however many chances from the producers, good player but nobody will let him get to the end.

4 more weeks

Spoilsport!:p

Of course I know you're probably right as he's not perfected the necessary social/strategic side of the game.Boston Rob finally got his day in the sun after his fourth outing.

GreNoLi

Would've preferred another newbie season, beggars can't be choosers, Sandra to somehow win again.

kingtut

Really looking forward to this season!

Hoping to fly over for the finale/re-union so I am trying to get in touch with all of the contestants to try and plant my name in their head lol (and to find out what date the finale will actually be on!!).

So far Caleb, Aubry and Sarah have responded to me Oh and Caleb let something slip which I don't think he was meant to lol

kingtut

and boom response from Debbie who said

"Hi Alan - wow Ireland! I didn't know survivor was on in Ireland. I do not know the reunion date yet but when I do I'll tell you ASAP !"

Be cool hearing from all of them!

ManofStraw

I would love another Team TV win, but I think JT is really well placed in this season. 

@Kingtut, I thought the finale was a ticketed event ?

kingtut

ManofStraw wrote: »

@Kingtut, I thought the finale was a ticketed event ?

It is but there are a few different ways of getting tickets, one is with seat fillers (kind of a lottery) and another is through the cast (which is why I'm trying to get my name in their heads and have them be like - holy **** someone is flying from Ireland let them in lol).

Even without a ticket I want to go and meet them in the lobby (just not willing to book a flight until I have the finale date)

Also Starring LeVar Burton

kingtut wrote: »

It is but there are a few different ways of getting tickets, one is with seat fillers (kind of a lottery) and another is through the cast (which is why I'm trying to get my name in their heads and have them be like - holy **** someone is flying from Ireland let them in lol).

Even without a ticket I want to go and meet them in the lobby (just not willing to book a flight until I have the finale date)

If you do manage to get an invite to the finale, you should message Probst in advance and tell him you're travelling in from Ireland, how much memorabilia you've bought over the years, and how you played the ORG's - if he knew all that you could be one of the people he comes down to talk to briefly in the crowd during the finale/reunion that he's done in recent seasons, because that would be awesome!

S.M.B.

Although you'd have to pretend that you have no idea who who quarter of the cast were as you'd only just have watched Second Chances on TG4.

Daggermouth

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

If you do manage to get an invite to the finale, you should message Probst in advance and tell him you're travelling in from Ireland, how much memorabilia you've bought over the years, and how you played the ORG's - if he knew all that you could be one of the people he comes down to talk to briefly in the crowd during the finale/reunion that he's done in recent seasons, because that would be awesome!

God. I hate when Probst does that. I don't give a **** what the 8 year old random girl in the audience has to say about Ozzy being good at holding his breath, or Boston Rob's new book.

kingtut

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

If you do manage to get an invite to the finale, you should message Probst in advance and tell him you're travelling in from Ireland, how much memorabilia you've bought over the years, and how you played the ORG's - if he knew all that you could be one of the people he comes down to talk to briefly in the crowd during the finale/reunion that he's done in recent seasons, because that would be awesome!

That would be awesome however highly unlikely to happen! I'm going to keep trying to get a hold of contestants in the hope that they remember me and who knows maybe get a ticket!!

From facebook I can see that Sandra read my message but she didn't reply. Hope she is first boot :mad::mad:

S.M.B. wrote: »

Although you'd have to pretend that you have no idea who who quarter of the cast were as you'd only just have watched Second Chances on TG4.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

kingtut wrote: »

From facebook I can see that Sandra read my message but she didn't reply. Hope she is first boot :mad::mad:

lol. I hate replying to Facebook messages and What's App and all that nonsense though, so I kinda feel her pain. Sometimes I read messages from people on facebook that seem pretty time sensitive (from people who have my phone number I might add) and I just think, "really you went with Facebook to contact me out of all the options? You'd have gotten a quicker response sending a carrier pigeon..."

pooch90

Really glad that Caleb got another shot, really liked him in BB US and for the short time he lasted in Survivor. Also like Malcolm.
We watched the seasons in reverse order so thought Ozzy was great in the one where he basically spent the whole time on Redemption. The realised he was an arrogant ass! Could watch him swim all day though. Don't see how some of them are Game Changers though, look more like filler really.

kingtut

At least half are not game changers in the slightest and Sierra was not meant to be part of the original cast.

In fact it was meant to be Winners vs Jury vs Pre-Jury but they couldn't get enough Winners to sign up.

S.M.B.

I hadn't heard about that but it makes sense.

Did Natalie Anderson pull out last minute?

Jeff's case for how some of them are game changers are embarrassing. The theme is simply ****e.

kingtut

S.M.B. wrote: »

I hadn't heard about that but it makes sense.

Did Natalie Anderson pull out last minute?

Jeff's case for how some of them are game changers are embarrassing. The theme is simply ****e.

Yes she pulled out last minute and as a result it was a last minute call to Sierra to get her on the show.

I don't understand how someone like Caleb is a game changer, think Jeff said it's because he was willing to risk his life to win.... ummm that's nonsense, everyone played hard but not everyone collapsed and had to be medivaced.

S.M.B.

What about the guy who never even went to Tribal Council? “Caleb? That one baffles me,” says the host. “How would you ever not say he’s a game changer? He was willing to risk dying to win. That’s a game changer. So if you’re going to live in a tunnel, like I know a lot of people who are tweeting me right now saying ‘You are a douche,’ well, then yeah, you’re right and I’m wrong again. But if you just take off the blinders that are holding you back in life, and they are, you could be so much more — I think you’ll see that all of these people have their own story.”

Probst went on to define what makes a Game Changer in his eyes. “This is about people who might have made a big bold move like Tony that says ‘Hey, everybody it was me,’ people who make really subtle moves like a Varner or maybe a Sandra, people who made moves that worked, or people who made moves that were a disaster. But it’s like Ciera Eastin said: ‘You’ve got to make moves in this game.’ And part of this is becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy now. They are making moves and I think you’re going to see moves made in this game.”

Such nonsense and a little off putting if I'm honest. Blinders holding me back in life? G'way outta that Jeff! You're talking out of your hole.

I really like the cast. Just call it something else. How about Survivor - MAMANUCA ISLANDS?

Also Starring LeVar Burton

The "gimmicks" have been a tired trope, and it's usually easiest to ignore them. To be fair Fans vs Favourites, Heroes vs Villains, Blood vs Water, and to a lesser extent Gen X vs Millenials were themes that worked well, but some of the other themes are just meh. If they want to have a real "Game Changers" season you need the likes of Russell Hantz, Jonny Fairplay, Rob Cesternino, Parvati Shallow, John Cochran, Tyson Apostol, and other such actual Game Changing players...

To be fair to Mamanuca Islands, I would group Ciera Eastin and Tony Vlachos in with the people I've mentioned above, and I'll also give Andrea Boehlke, Cirie Fields, Malcolm Freberg, Zeke Smith a lot of credit there as well (they got good Survivor CV's). Even though I can't really stand him, I can even consider Ozzy a game changer, but most of the rest of the cast for the season, not so much - some good likeable players for sure, but not Game Changers by any means, so it's easier to just not think about the "Game Changers" title too much once the season begins and just hope it's a good season.

seligehgit

TBH I think they threw the name gamechangers out there on a whim,nothing too deep in season title.

Conversation went something along the line... Well we've tended recently to put some context in season title relating to the player type,tribe type etc... Who cares if it's particularly accurate or not.

Anyway I am really like the lineup for this season.

small town girl

Are you guys watching this online or on scheduled tv?

Thargor

This time next week we'll have new Survivor! My weekends are complete again.

I hope we get a season of all complete newbies again though, how else are you supposed to find the next Russel type players?

S.M.B.

So it looks like they'll be doing 4 consecutive seasons on the Mamunca Islands in Fiji including Millennials vs Gen X so that explains the need for a theme.

Thargor

S.M.B.

*goes to watch Jeff's cast assessment and the opening 7 minutes of tonight's episode*

Agent Coulson

The opening episode was nothing to write home about really.




Seriously thought why wouldn't you vote the two time winner out first now that would be a game changer.

S.M.B.

Didn't realise it was a double episode until they went back to the beach after the first vote.

Tony going out like that feels really anti climactic and the edit felt like it was solely trying to create suspense as opposed to telling us what actually happened. I really dislike these kind of episodes.

Kind of happy to see Ciera gone, I've grown a little tired of her at this stage.

kingtut

My opinion on episode 1:

Not exactly the most exciting opening to a season!! Thought there would be a lot more drama. Not overly surprised that Ciera went first or that Tony went second. What on earth was he thinking by running off to find an idol within the first few mins??

I reckon Sandra will stay around for a while (she is not a challenge threat although if she makes the merge she could end up going all the way!! they are stupid if they don't get rid of her pre-merge!)

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Probably my 2 favourites out first, which sucks, but I didn't really expect them to last too long.

For some reason until midway through the episode I was confusing Sierra with someone completely different from an entirely different season, but she was on that Blue Collar Tribe in the season with that asshat Rodney, right? Same season Hali is from? And if I'm not mistaken Sierra was a somewhat decent player in that season?

Would love to see Jeff Varner go really far into this game - he's such a great character. Also Andrea, because she's not only a competent and likeable player, but also candy of the eye variety...

seligehgit

Pretty average premiere,very disappointed that Tony has been voted out so early if only for the entertainment value.He was definitely one of my favourite players.From the get go it appeared as though he was on a kamikaze like suicide mission playing a ridiculously hyper induced hard game.The underground hut would have been hilarious.I was sorry he lost out to Sandra who I dislike greatly.No great tears with the departure of Ciera whom I've always found it very hard to warm to.

Ozzy's team are likely to continue to enjoy a significant headstart/advantage in water based challenges although they've a tendency to nearly blow same.A number of the players seem to have learned from previous mistakes and be playing a more grounded game.

Love the Immunity Idol,ditto the new rule around a tie at tribal which negates the power of splitting the vote.It will require a much more clever thought process with greater inherent risks.

Sierra who I can't recall at all and Andrea are welcome additions to their tribe!:)

The season thus far has a distinct lack of menace and is far too nicey nice.:D Step forth a villianous character to make it a tad more interesting.The music is disappointing,lacks real tempo and menace,most especially at tribal council.

GreNoLi

Poor sportmanship from Sandra during Tony's exit, can't see her lasting long.

Substantive confessionals from Sarah, Sierra, and Brad and a lot of focus on Cirie, hope she does well.

Very glad Ciera's gone, I found her gameplay to be distasteful, went beyond the game.

Pre-game alliances will likely figure massively this season, this should be avoided in future returnee seasons.

Thargor

That opener didn't click with me at all but I say that every year so Ill reserve judgement. Next weeks promo looked very interesting anyway.

Too many of those faces are still way too familiar to me though, feel like I just watched them and am a bit bored of some of them already. WTF is Zeke doing there? He's not a gamechanger in any way.

S.M.B.

I'm more than happy with the cast. They ain't all game changers but it seems like a decent balance.

Feels like it's a season for some under the radar contestant to win.

Aphex_

Really enjoyed seeing Sandra and Tony going up against each other - Tony arguably deserving his boot due to causing the controversy with his paranoia. Can't see Sandra making the merge, although playing a bigger game might help her this season?

I think what Sarah said about people needing to make flashy moves due to the seasons title is true - and she'll benefit from being that silent assassin. She could be a potential winner, although it's hard to say with how little of that tribe we got to see. Also, looks like JT will have his work cut out next week judging from the preview of next weeks swap! Wouldn't be surprised to see all 3 winners going out pre-merge.

Foxtrol

seligehgit wrote: »

Love the Immunity Idol,ditto the new rule around a tie at tribal which negates the power of splitting the vote.It will require a much more clever thought process with greater inherent risks.

Not totally sure that it will end up helping the game. Some of the best blindsides come when people split the vote and it gets turned. It can help immunity idol play but may lead to more lopsided votes

Thargor

Agree but I hate drawing rocks, why not make it a firestarting challenge? There's nothing more tense on Survivor...

S.M.B.

I think drawing rocks is pretty damn intense in itself.

I'm not sure if the rule change is going to add to the game but I kind of understand where they're coming from. The revote acts as a safety net for the vote split strategy and they want to remove that. The problem as others have mentioned is that false sense of security often leads to some very interesting blindsides that simply would not be possible without this rule. I guess it will lead to the stronger targeting of those who don't appear to have an idol.

I'll tell you what is a sh*te recent addition? The legacy advantage!!!

Thargor

17 years ago today:



I was only 13 or 14 :eek:

Cant think of anything else besides the Late Late Show that Ive been watching all my life like that...

Tigger

Hatch

kingtut

Another great episode although I didn't find the 2 tribes switching to 3 to be too much of a surprise!!

I think nowadays it's pretty hard to surprise people (only surprise for me was the voting rule).

Glad to see idols are being hidden at challenges again, makes it super hard to get them, also I'm guessing if someone else was to spot it and take it it's fair game?

Glad they let the goats go! Not surprised Caleb went over Hali although they should focus on strength until the merge at least!!

Aphex_

I enjoyed that episode! Glad Caleb is gone - he was doomed from the minute he was put on a tribe with Tai while also being in the minority! Not too happy about Cirie being stuck on a tribe with Ozzy once again... Hopefully they won't have to target each other if Troyzan keeps his idol quiet - or at the very least hides it from Ozzy! How awkward was Troyzan getting the idol and pretending to be exhausted after doing a horrible job at untying a few knots?

Great episode for Brad I feel - played his part in turning Tai perfectly and looks to be in a really good position no matter how the next few tribal's go as him and Sierra can really choose which direction they want to go in. 2 tribal's next week will certainly be interesting, but with 3 tribes with one person supposedly on the bottom we'll need idols for it not to be predictable!

seligehgit

kingtut wrote: »

Another great episode although I didn't find the 2 tribes switching to 3 to be too much of a surprise!!

I think nowadays it's pretty hard to surprise people (only surprise for me was the voting rule).

Glad to see idols are being hidden at challenges again, makes it super hard to get them, also I'm guessing if someone else was to spot it and take it it's fair game?

Glad they let the goats go! Not surprised Caleb went over Hali although they should focus on strength until the merge at least!!

Yip I would imagine it's fair game if the HII is spotted by other tribe members.Troyzan was anything but smooth in his execution of the move to attain the HII.The concept of the HII at the challenges and heightened reward/risk scenario continues to be beneficial to the viewers tension.

Delighted they let the goats go,as a fully paid up member of the carnivore community there is no rationale for my sharing their sentiments re the release of the goats.Except leaving either party motherless or minus a baby.There's four tasty hens for consumption.

My loathing for Sandra knows no bounds,I'm really hoping her other tribe members grow a pair and wrestle control of the tribe from her grasp.

Brad did impress again.Sorry to see Caleb go as he appears a very decent guy but totally understand how big a threat he potentially was.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

It's a shame Caleb went so soon, but despite being a challenge beast and likeable guy he's never going to be a good strategic player (you just have to watch his season of Big Brother to realise that), so his days were probably numbered anyway.

I recall Troyzan being one of my favourites in his original season (granted that was one of the worst ever seasons of Survivor), so I'm glad he got that idol and at least has a chance now...

S.M.B.

Caleb came across really well in the first episode so I was surprised to see him go.

I do like the 3 tribe structure but the swap always seems to be very harsh on an unlucky few.

Hyzepher

I'd prefer if they didn't reveal those who have found an idol - maybe except for the ones found at challenges. It would add to the tension for the viewer if we didnt know

noveltea

omg. tonight survivor. what a great ending. I honestly did not know who was going to go. Not a big fan of Sandra this year. She was fairly confident she was not going home. I am going for Brad Colepepper. JT seemed annoyed the voted for Malcolm but it was the right move even though I would of loving if Sandra left. Also I thought the editing did not make it obvious who was going home .normally it does.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

That was a damn entertaining Tribal Council. As twists go, having two tribes vote out one castaway, is a great one.

Agent Coulson

That was a great Game Changer Tribal Council.



I still can't believe no one is going to vote out the two time winner.

S.M.B.

That was fun. Looked like Haili got to call the shot in exchange for her vote. Can see why she's eager to vote out the physical threat.

Brad is getting a very good edit and I'm not sure if JT blew up his game or is now going deep.