Opening Sequence

So Jeff Probst dives right into the season's gimmick, perhaps something we haven't seen so stressed in previous Survivors. There is really no mention as to where they are (Panama) but rather, the focus is completely on this Exile Island. Without being too redundant, he explains each week (at least in terms of us watching the show) somebody will be sent to Exile Island where they are given very meager rations such as a machete and water that is useless without fire. The pitfall of coming to the island aside from the poor conditions is being away from camp while the others are plotting, bonding and basically playing the game without your presence. However, there is an upside to being on Exile Island - a hidden immunity idol that can be used at anytime up to the Final 4. The person that obtains the idol does not have to say they have, and in fact, they can use it after they receive the most number of votes. Probst promises this change will turn this game upside down. Time will tell.

Reward Challenge - Fire for Winners, Exile for Losers

The four groups of four arrive to Exile Island and Shane and Cirie make the observation that the tribes have been divided by age and gender. Austin was hoping to be in the mix with the ladies to flirt and perhaps utilize it in his strategy (this can be said practically everytime there has been a gender division). It is the first time in Survivor history this has been done. After Probst gives his little spiel about Exile Island, he sets the Survivor straight into their first reward challenge.

Each tribe must select one member on a brief foot race where they will find a pile of skulls. Cracking one skull at a time, the Survivor must find an amulet and run back to the finishing line. The first three tribes to successfully bring back an amulet wins reward. The reward will entail flint, which will be essential for fire. However, losing will be devastating, as the tribe that loses must have one person stay on Exile Island.

The tribes decide to send Austin, Terry, Ruth Marie and Danielle. Terry returns to the finish last first, followed by Austin. Ruth Marie pulls one out for the women's tribe and brings back the final amulet. Danielle jogs in upset over the loss. When called upon to choose a member to stay behind, Danielle tries to volunteer herself, however, at the wishes of Courtney and Sally, they decide to do paper, rock, scissors instead. Misty gives a confessional on how she hopes she is not the first to be exiled, and sure enough, she loses and is left behind. Jeff explains to Misty to evaluate if fate decided that she was left behind and this should serve as a clue as to the whereabouts of the hidden idol.

Getting Settled In

Older women: Tina has emerged as a leader as she is the one who found water, and her experience as a lumberjill has helped the women to erect a shelter relatively quickly. Ruth Marie is content that Tina has taken on the leadership role and says that she is fine being a worker bee. Cirie comments on living outdoors and how she is not used to it. A segment on the show is devoted to Cirie collecting leaves but having reservations about doing it. Tina comments that Cirie might have signed up for the wrong show.

Older Men: Dan confides in Terry, almost an unspoken alliance along the lines of "I'll trust you as long as you trust me." He reveals his past as an astronaut while Terry reveals his military experience. Shane discusses the dynamics of his tribe and is not thrilled that he is on a tribe that have tons of workaholics. He would rather chill but since he is the youngest of the bunch, he doesn't want to step on the wrong toes and get sent home early. During one segment when Bruce asks Shane for a machete, he calls Bruce Daffy Duck. Clearly, being without cigarettes is amplifying Shane's irritability. Terry is excited about being placed on the older men tribe - they clearly have the attitude to make it far in the game.

Younger Men: The men seem to be on the more frolicking side, as they are shown playing baseball. When they attempt to make a camp, things don't go too well. Aras get the other men (without Bobby) to partake in some yoga-like ritual before making fire. Nick comments that Aras is a little weird. In any case, the fire doesn't get started as easily as they would have liked.

Younger Women: The three women scout possible places to set up camp but can't seem to agree on the same thing. As a result, they make each other irritated without knowing it. After deciding to go for a swim, Courtney sees a dead turtle on the shore and makes a long speech about how it represents earth and how it's ironic for them to see such a symbol on an island that should flourish in life. After tracing a heart in the sand around it, she suggests rolling it into the ocean but the other women don't want to have anything to do with it. Danielle stresses that is more important to find food, water and create shelter. The general consensus on Courtney is that she is a little off the wall.

Misty: Well Exile Island was by no means pleasing. Misty wakes up and searches for the idol, using the clue given to her. She is not thrilled being exiled because it may weaken her tribe for the upcoming immunity challenge. Also, the lack of time bonding with the other girls would make her an easy boot. She plots to find the idol, and if she doesn't, she intends to lie about finding it.

Immunity Challenge - Young Women Fight Back

The tribes file into the immunity challenge and Misty is brought back to a tribe of women smiling back at her. She gives them a hug and is ready to compete. Jeff explains the challenge: each tribe will be on a platform out in the ocean. Each individual member must climb over a small tower, untie a rope holding a raft together and row to shore. Once to shore, they must solve a puzzle that involves removing a ring from a rope. The tribe has an option to dig for a clue as to how to solve the puzzle or dive right into the challenge. Some focus entirely on the puzzle, others divide the tribe into two. Once the ring is released, it is used to pull a grappling hook to drop a flag. The first three will win one part of the three part immunity idol. The young women have a great lead and finish the challenge with ease. Melinda tries to observe the other tribes on their progress and how to solve the puzzle but as Probst said, could be very costly. In the end, the two male tribes win, leaving Bayoneta as the tribe who must attend to Tribal Council.

Tribal Council: Cirie Plots to Take Out Strength

So the older women are all vulnerable and trying to figure out what to do. While Tina is away, sitting alone on the shore, Melinda comments on how 'weird' it is for her to sit off all by herself. We are then told a tragic story about Tina's son, Charlie, who died 4 months ago (at the time of taping) in a car accident. She writes his name into the sand and says she will talk to him alone. Cirie discusses with Ruth Marie that it may be in their best interest to get rid of Tina, whom she could not beat in a challenge. She tells Ruth Marie that Melinda is on board with the plan. As soon as this is done, we are then taken back to Tina who 'finds' a fish on a pile of rocks. She brings the fish back and the tribe rejoices. Cirie takes the fish and takes off its scales, attributing that she and the other women could get along without Tina around.

The women file into Tribal Council, in a decorative cave scene. The women sit down and discuss the tribe and it's status. Cirie warns those sitting at home to stay there and that it is one of the most difficult things she has done in her life. Tina talks about how much she is enjoying the experience and is ready to move on. Jeff then touches on the point that Tina is the token leader of the tribe. Ruth Marie gives her praise for doing so while Cirie passes it off as something Tina has declared for herself. When asked whether everyone was pulling their weight or not, Tina responds saying that the other women need to work harder, but Melinda says everyone is contributing, just not necessarily doing the same thing.

With that said the women vote:

Cirie votes for Tina: They never really clicked and she wish she got a chance to know her better.

Tina votes for Cirie: She talks about how someone has to go and she is not impressed by the fact that Cirie is afraid of leaves.

Ultimately, when the votes are read, Tina, the lumberjill, is voted out of the Bayoneta tribe 3-1. During her final words, she bids her tribe a terrible performance in the rest of the game.