New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

As night falls on Upolu, a small group has gathered on the beach. There are five of them. Coach is telling them about how he wants to win every single immunity challenge. He says reward challenges are great, but the feeling after winning immunity is incredible. He goes on to tell them that if you have a strong five, you can go all the way to the end, even if you're down in the merge. He tells us that there will probably not be another chance for the five of them (Coach, Rick, Brandon, Sophie and the baseball coach whose name I still don't know) to sit around and talk like they are. So he pounced on it. As they talk, everyone seems to agree that this group works. Coach tells them that first day alliances are always the strongest. He even adds the, "We've all seen that." And as he talks, you can tell they are all buying in. What a difference a day makes, huh? Coach seems to have worked his way into a five person alliance; meanwhile, Ozzy is alienating himself from some members of his tribe.

The next morning over at Savaii, Dawn is continuing her meltdown. After dumping a full pot of water in the fire and coming off a night of no sleep, she's starting to self destruct. Papa Bear is telling her that she has to keep it together. Since they're the oldest, they could be the targets. As Dawn is trying to help out around camp, she's just having misfire after misfire. She confides in Ozzy. And he tells her that she has to get it under control. He tells her that the age difference doesn't matter and as long as she doesn't quit, she'll be in the game. He tells her to get rid of the part inside her that is unsure. He seems to be having a positive impact on her and he hopes that she'll become an important ally in this game.

We come back from break as Savaii brushes their teeth. I'm SO glad we got a 90 minute premiere. What would I do without seeing some good oral hygiene? Ozzy's feeling a sense of urgency now to get a shelter built and to get some fish caught. As the tribe gets to work, Cochran decides he wants to learn how to machete a coconut. To his credit, he does seem to be a quick learner. Ozzy is a little concerned about Cochran. He feels that he doesn't really offer a lot to the tribe. He tells us that he thinks he has enough social game to overcome his lack of a physical game.

At Upolu, Brandon is out fishing. He tells us that he wants to provide for his tribe and he wants to do what his uncle never did. He then comes up with his first fish. Sure, it's a two inch little fish, but it's a start. He's still convinced that he will not take his shirt off. He doesn't want to be judged by Russell's reputation. Sophie tells us that she is very happy with her new alliance and she feels that some of them are sincere. She's worried about Brandon, though. She's sure that he's hiding something. Whoa...freaky.

Continued:       1       2       3       4       5       6       7       8