I loved the way this episode started. 4 tribes of 4? That'll be tough politics. First vote will need a 3-1 vote, so who's the odd person out, or else a 2-2 split, and then what? Some sort of fire-challenge? Excellent start.
Episode started ON Exile Island, where the loser of the four tribes had to exile one of their own players until the next challenge.
TWIST:
On Exile Island is a Hidden Immunity Idol. The power of this Idol was extreme in this season and the next season (Cook Islands) because the Idol needn't be played until AFTER the votes are cast AND read. In Guatemela it was before the votes were cast and it'd act as a 2nd Immunity Necklace; from Fiji onwards it was after the votes are cast but BEFORE they are read, thus the player with the Idol needs to risk it, and could get voted out with it, a MUCH better idea that they finally sorted out. In other words, the person who finds the Idol in Panama will be 100% safe. If they have the most votes, they simply lose their Idol, and the person with the next highest number of votes gets das boot [in future seasons the Idol is re-hidden if used]. One can already see the power of this bargaining chip and how it can be used to further one's position. A great twist this exile island is.
My favorites:
Shane, psychotic maniac proves endless entertainment. Speaks his mind. No BS. But still a gameplayer in his own way.
Cirie, managed not to get eliminated in the first episode. Watch out for her. I bet she's good at holding her tongue and weasling her way deep in this game. Since she's obviously not the outdoors type the producers must have hired her for her wit.
Dan & Terry, the fighter pilot and astronaut with a seemingly unbreakable bond. Will be interesting to see if either betrays the other or if they ride this friendship to the Final Two. My guess, if it's shown this early it ain't meant to be.
Danielle, cutie from Boston who seems to be a competitor. She may last long if she allies with the right people. I'd like to see her and Sally go far together. I don't trust lying Misty, and neither should they.
The interesting thing will be seeing how long they keep these tribes of 4 together and how soon they assimilate into 2 or 3 tribes. I could see the older women tribe pulling an Ulong (from Palau) and getting whiped out, but I'll bet the producers change it up before then. This is also the first time there's been just 16 contestants since Season 7: Pearl Islands. Doesn't seem as big or difficult to win for some reason when compared to 20.moreless





