Sep 17 2006
By Amber Foreman
The Story Begins
The survivors arrive at the island by boat. Contestants are split into tribes of Caucasian, Latino, African American, and Asian. While a few contestants raise their eyebrows and some are concerned about stereotypes, most react well to the twist.
Moment that Made Us Shake Our Heads
Jessica also known as “Flicka” proves that she may not be the brightest light on the Christmas tree when she manages to accidentally free the Caucasian tribe’s two chickens during their first day of the competition.
Not Even Close
It was time to compete in a challenge. We watched the survivors try to piece together huge puzzle pieces to form a boat that would carry them across the water. They would eventually figure out another puzzle and use puzzle pieces to form a makeshift ladder they would climb to light their torches. Rewards came in the form of flint for fire, and immunity for the first three tribes to finish the challenge. The Asian tribe finished first and the African-American team finished last. They did not even come close.
Bon-Voyage
When the African-American tribe loses the challenge and is sentenced to endure tribal counsel, there is a silver lining. They are given the opportunity to send a member of another tribe to Exile Island for two days. Let’s just say the place is not your vision of paradise. They quickly decide on Jonathan from the Caucasian tribe. Nathan makes it clear that the decision was payback for Jonathan stealing a chicken from one of the Asian contestants when the tribes were trying to grab food and supplies at the beginning of the game.
Don’t Try This at Home
Caoboi, the hippie-rebel from the Asian team, makes viewers cringe as he practices alternative medicine on his teammate Brad. This comes in the form of whopping him on the head to cure a headache. It wores, but children, don’t try this one at home!
Tribal Counsel
During these first challenges, the African-American tribe has a hard time getting tasks accomplished. “Black people don’t like taking orders,” one of the tribe members laughed. In the end, they had to face tribal counsel. The three ladies in the tribe vote against Sekou, the only tribe member who had tried to take a leadership role. They claim he is holding them back.
