Episode One: Three votes, one show

It’s a new ‘Survivor’ and wouldn’t you know it, there were some new twists as well. 16 fresh faces were dropped off in the middle of the Brazilian jungle and before they knew what hit them, the time-honoured game had already begun.

After the Jalapao and Timbira Tribes emptied a truck of valuable camp materials, host Jeff Probst immediately threw a curve ball at the unsuspecting players by instructing them to vote a member out. Jalapao kicked Sandy Burgin, the 53-year-old bus driver from Kentucky, to the curb while Timbira booted Sierra Reed, the 23-year-old model.

"I am so pissed. They voted me out before we ever got to know each other," grumped Granny Sandy.

"I could have brought a lot to the team," said a miffed Sierra who admitted to having strep throat, a fever and being on antibiotics.

While Granny Sandy and Sierra fumed, Probst revealed another twist: both women would not be participating in the four-hour trek to camp. Instead, they would be flown there via helicopter.

When both arrived at their respective locations, Sandy and Sierra had a decision to make: start building their camp or look for the Hidden Immunity Idol. Sandy elected to spend her time figuring out the clues while Sierra began building Timbira’s shelter.

Granny Sandy’s hard work at camp and during the challenges paid off as it was Carolina Eastwood, the 26-year-old bartender from California who gained the distinction of being the first player to be voted out of ‘Survivor: Brazil’. Carolina’s perceived bossy nature and complaining just didn’t sit well with the others.

The tribes at the start of the episode were:

The Jalapao Tribe

SANDY BURGIN

JOE DOWDLE

SPENCER DUHM

CAROLINA EASTWOOD

STEPHEN FISHBACH

TAJ JOHNSON-GEORGE

JAMES "JT" THOMAS JR.

SYDNEY WHEELER

The Timbira Tribe

TYSON APOSTOL

DEBRA "Debbie" BEEBE

ERINN LOBDELL

SIERRA REED

JERRY SIMS

CANDACE SMITH

BRENDAN SYNNOTT

BENJAMIN "Coach" WADE

Highlights: Episode One: "Let’s Get Rid Of The Weak Players Before We Even Start"

Jalapao Tribe – Day One

Treking through the grasslands, Jalapao fumbles around with their compass. Finally, it is JT who steps up and shows everyone how to use the device properly. Stephen wonders if JT, a "Southern Boy", will have a problem with him being a "Jew from New York".

Timbira Tribe – Day One

Erinn, a hairstylist, wonders what the heck she is doing in the Brazilian jungle. G.I. Jerry is questioned about his workout routine. G.I. Jerry doesn’t want anyone to know he is a Sergeant in the U.S. Army who just returned from Afghanistan. He thinks that piece of information is best kept a secret for now. Coach Wade wants to target the weak to keep the tribe strong. He explains that to Brenden. Brenden is suspicious of Coach’s motives.

Jalapao Camp – Day One

Granny Sandy just wants to make it through the 39 days. She decides to spend her time hunting down the Hidden Immunity Idol rather than set up camp.

Granny Sandy: They wouldn’t like the camp any way and I need to look out for Number One.

Timbira Camp – Day One

Sierra takes a different approach. She starts building the tribe’s hovel. She wants to turn the game around and change their opinion of her before it is too late.

Jalapao Tribe – Day One

The rest of the tribe arrives to find that Granny…has done absolutely nothing at all. Carolina is shocked.

Timbira Tribe – Night One

It seems that Timbira never did figure out their compass because by the time find their camp it is completely dark. Nobody can see Sierra right away but find her putting the finishing touches on the shelter. They are impressed. Sierra reveals her strep throat to everyone and admits she tried to hide it so they wouldn’t think her weak. Coach is impressed by the amount of work Sierra completed.

Jalapao Tribe – Day Two

Carolina moans and groans that the tribe hasn’t finished the shelter yet. Granny Sandy ducks out to look for the Hidden Immunity Idol. Everyone finds her absence to be "unusual".

Timbira Camp – Day Two

Tyson decides to go naked. He swims and walks around in the buff. He claims not to be a typical Mormon. Ummm, no kidding, dude. He will do anything to win the million dollars.

Immunity Challenge

Retrieve ladder puzzle pieces from rafts in the river and assemble them back on land. Once done, the tribes can work on a maze puzzle that requires two people to control a guide using rope or string.

Reward

Immunity from the Tribal Council vote and flint for fire.

Result

Jalapao squanders their lead.

Winner: Timbira Tribe.

Jalapao Tribe – Pre-Tribal Council Happenings

While everyone bathes in the river, Carolina decides to open her big yap and advises her tribe to be more organized in the future. Maybe they could spend more time cleaning up camp as well.

The men of the tribe mind meld in the jungle. They agree that Granny Sandy has shown strength while Carolina does nothing but boss people around and whine.

Carolina has a heart to heart with Granny Sandy. She is sorry for voting her out because of her age. Carolina apologizes. Sandy forgives her.

Tribal Council Happenings

Sandy confesses to being mad when she was voted out. JT explains it was just a strategic vote. Granny Sandy agrees with Probst. She has been known to be a little "out there". Carolina knows she has to learn to watch her mouth more often.

Sandy votes for Carolina. Carolina votes for Sandy.

Final Voting

SANDY BURGIN: Carolina.

JOE DOWDLE: Carolina.

SPENCER DUHM: Carolina.

CAROLINA EASTWOOD: Sandy.

STEPHEN FISHBACH: Carolina.

TAJ JOHNSON-GEORGE: Carolina.

JAMES "JT" THOMAS JR.: Carolina.

SYDNEY WHEELER: Carolina.

Tribal Council Victim: CAROLINA EASTWOOD

On the next ‘Survivor’: The players are shown participating in a rough basketball like challenge. Probst says…"One shot changes everything."

Powell’s Thoughts

First off, it is wonderful to be back for another season of ‘Survivor’. Woo. Hoo.

It was disturbing to see all of the Jalapao men getting together to discuss the vote. Could there be another mind-numbing war of the sexes brewing? I hope not.

Keep your eyes on the Coach and Tyson. Coach could be another "King Brian" in the making.

Interesting how Jeff Probst didn’t mention the Hidden Immunity Idol at Tribal Council. I guess that information will remain a secret unless Sandy and Sierra want to share it. If played correctly, the existence of the Hidden Immunity Idol could be a massive bargaining chip.

What could "one shot changes everything" mean? Could someone get disqualified from the game for taking things too far in the challenge or might someone get injured?

The next episode is entitled: "The Poison Apple Needs To Go."

Exile Island does make a return in this series and it is reportedly so brutal it forces some Survivors to ponder quitting the game.

Reader Alerts:

1. If things work out, we should have interviews with all of the Survivor: Brazil boots. Every Wednesday or Thursday look for the post-game interviews here.

2. You can check out the weekly boot predictions at ‘The Tale of the Torch‘

3. You can also submit any questions you have by clicking on the email address in the byline at the top of this blog. Your questions could be used in next week’s entry