Survivor Caramoan 1x1 "She Annoys Me Greatly"

Before we dive into the first episode of the new season, let's have a look at the Favorites returning for Survivor: Caramoan and where we last saw them:

• Francesca (Redemption Island) Apparently best known for two things: being a notable first-voted-out player and being Phillip's first nemesis from that season.  Otherwise I couldn't tell you much about her.
• Andrea (Redemption Island) Best known as an ally of Boston Rob and for having a relationship with Matt, who would have been awesome to have back (although he already did return several times in that season, so I guess it's Andrea's turn).
• Cochran (South Pacific) An automatic legend, the new Dragon Slayer, Coach's disciple, the nerd fan who made good until he blundered horribly by believing he had a shot at making it far after flipping against his original alliance, one of the best interviews ever in the history of Survivor...
• Malcolm (Philippines) Looked like he would be the new Ozzy but kind of fizzled and faded into the background.  Still hoping that was a strategy but I guess we'll see this season.
• Brandon (South Pacific) The least crazy member of the Hantz family was still pretty nuts but seemed willing to work on it.
• Corinne (Gabon) Scrambled a great deal in her season when her alliance evaporated, and was a minor note in Bob's genius fake idol shenanigans, but otherwise was not a true standout of that season.  Hopefully will redeem herself this time.
• Brenda (Nicaragua) Part of the reason this season is so hard to remember is that everyone was playing the game so hard that it was hard for anyone to stand out.  Great viewing as it plays out, but hard to remember when the dust settles.  Brenda was a part of that.
• Dawn (South Pacific) Originally a counterpoint to Cochran.  Probably will be the same this season, although she won't have evolved her game the same way he will have.
• Erik (Micronesia) The most famous fan from the original Fans vs. Favorites season will hopefully be far less naive this time around.  
• Phillip (Redemption Island) The man everyone assumed was crazy proved to be an immediate standout "regahdless" of whether or not you liked him, and that's the mark of a true Survivor legend.  Very glad to have him back.

Anyway, here are my insights, if any, for the first episode!

Love that Shamar says from the start that the Favorites don't immediately look all that impressive.  That's the summary of the dynamic in this edition of Fans vs. Favorites.  Malcolm has the advantage of already looking more impressive than any of the other Favorites.  He somehow stands out more than in Philippines.  

Perhaps predictably, the Favorites win the first challenge, though it's pretty equal for most of it.  Malcolm once again looks pretty impressive.

Matt and Shamar are the immediate Fans standouts, but neither seem to be aware that they are the prototypical dysfunctional tribemates.  They will probably be fine.

It's funny to listen to Francesca try to explain how she won't be voted out, or her continued impressions of Phillip, because she doesn't have anything to contribute other than that.  (Well, she wasn't so bad in the challenge.)  She's just not interesting, and I'm sure it's not just the viewer who thinks that when listening to her.  

Breaking news: Shamar made fire!

Breaking news: Phillip is a strategic genius!  Erik is not.

Reynold apparently didn't learn FROM ANY OTHER SEASON that making an alliance with an attractive female (in this instance, Allie), MAKES YOU A TARGET.  Neither did Eddie.  Good fans!  Both are doomed in this game.  They were cast exactly as the types to behave this way.  How do they not know this?

Cochran sunburns!  But he's the guy who gets ahead because it's so easy to underestimate him, so hard to take him seriously.  It worked the last time.  And this time he knows better (hopefully).

Michael, the other male Fan who is not a generic pseudo alpha male (more often than not, that's a bad role to play in Survivor, even for Colby, the ultimate incarnation of that type), so obviously he strikes it up with Matt.  Keep the glasses on, Michael.

Of course, as Survivor has well demonstrated, potential doesn't always lead to perfect execution.  Malcolm is in the position to get the win for the Favorites in the immunity challenge, but doesn't get the job done.  Story of his experience so far in the game.  Also likely developing an idea that Reynold is his true rival at this point.

Francesca apparently didn't realize that there's no strategic reason to get rid of Phillip.  But she pushes the idea anyway.  Brandon, who's far more sedate (so far) this time, is game for the move, and so is Erik, and that's all you need to know about those two.  Cochran, meanwhile, talks with someone who has a more concrete future, Dawn.  They knew how to play the game the first time around, and now they both know what needs to be done differently.  Still, this is once again all about Cochran.  And Phillip.  That's this whole season.  Then again, that much was obvious before a single shot was taken from the season.

Andrea is just the excuse necessary for the idiot alliance to fall apart before it goes anywhere.  Just to make that clear.  Because they're idiots.

Anyway, Francesca should hopefully learn something from going home first again.  And hopefully Survivor won't bother with her again.

Next time on Survivor!  Brandon may get his Hantz on!