Survivor: South Pacific - I Need Redemption

Survivor is back! Along with one of my favorite players of all time: Ozzy Lusth! Will he win it this time? Maybe. Will I ever get used to his new god-awful hair? No.

The season premiere always starts with a whole bunch of people we don't know (for a while), focusing the story more on those who are in danger of getting voted off and what not.

For Survivor: South Pacific the most interesting characters so far are the two returning castoffs: Ozzy and Coach, plus Russell Hantz's nephew Brandon and super-fan Cochran.

Brandon doesn't want anyone to know that he's related to Russell -- but he has "Hantz" tattoos all over his body. So he's going to have to wear a t-shirt all the time. He also apparently has issues with getting "tempted" by the beautiful girls on the show. Oh boy. This is going to be interesting.

Cochran meanwhile is a nerd with no physical skills. This is important in the beginning of the game, so he'll have to step up his social game early.

The Savaii Tribe gets Ozzy and the Upolu Tribe gets Coach.

Redemption Island rules from last season are in effect (if you get voted off, you get a chance to return to the game via Redemption Island duels).

Ozzy and Coach faceoff in the first challenge for fire for their tribe (on Redemption Island).

It's a complicated puzzle, and Ozzy pulls off the win after some help from his tribe screaming directions. Coach is dejected as his tribe seems to want to get rid of him ASAP.

Savaii Tribe:

Ozzy and the rest of the tribe are laid back and go for a swim before making shelter. Cochran already feels out of place.

Then, Dawn, one of the oldest cast members this season, has a nervous breakdown on Day 2! Wow. She did get over it after a talk with Ozzy.

Upolu Tribe:

Christine tries to look for an Immunity Idol early and everyone knows it. What a bad player. She's so obviously scheming, which will not bode well for her.

Nephew Hantz has so many issues! Girl-temptation. His uncle's reputation in the game. I don't think he'll last long. I think he might break.

Lucky for Coach, he is able to bond with some tribemates to form an initial 5-person alliance. But who knows if that will last.

Immunity Challenge:

Coconuts Obstacle Course

Upolu had great team work, but Ozzy is a beast! Semhar from Savaii blew it for her tribe by failing to shoot any of the coconuts into the net - she had no upper body strength! And to think she volunteered enthusiastically saying it would be easy for her because the net was so big.

Upolu wins immunity! They also get a clue to the hidden Immunity Idol.

Upolu Tribe:

Christine is so paranoid! Did CBS cast another unstable cast member? And... the mortician Stacey is blind, LOL. She missed the clue to the hidden Immunity Idol right in front of her. Yikes.

Savaii Tribe:

It's between Semhar who blew the challenge or Cochran who Ozzy thinks is weak. Ozzy wants to keep Semhar.

Tribal Council:

Cochran makes a case for himself during Tribal Council saying that he can learn. Did it work?

Votes -

Semhar - 8
Cochran - 1

Semhar is voted off Survivor: South Pacific and heads to Redemption Island.

Ozzy: "I should have taught her how to make a fire." LOL!

A good start. Not great. But since I am a fan of this show, I look forward to next week.