Episode Report Card Sara M: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Stuporbowl
By Sara M | Season 21 | Episode 1 | Aired on 09.15.2010
Probst announces the game's first twist: the all-new "Medallion of Power," because this show just didn't think it was cheesy enough already. Yes, hidden somewhere near Probst is a clunky prop necklace that Probst promises whoever finds will gain a "huge advantage" for his tribe. Probst sends them off to look for it with a half-hearted "you can go any time you want." I guess now that his Reality Host Emmy category has been relegated to the Creative Arts show, he doesn't give a shit anymore. The contestants search the area as the soundtrack desperately tries to convince us that this is exciting. Soon, Brenda spots a shoddily-made "gold" medallion in a tree. That's great and all, but what is Brenda's current relationship status? I wish there was some way to find out. She easily climbs the tree and grabs it, and her tribemates are thrilled for her. And themselves. On the way back to the beach, Art Student Alina notices that one contestant, Kelly B., has a limp. "I think she has a hip problem?" she guesses, apparently mistaking Kelly B. for an eighty-year-old woman. Anyway, way to keep your teammates in the dark about your amputation, Kelly B. They don't suspect a thing.
Probst asks Marty how he feels about Brenda getting the stupid medallion, and Marty says he's very happy to have her in his tribe. This is the moment Probst has been waiting for, of course. "It would be great if it were that way. Unfortunately, Marty, this is not the way the tribes are gonna be divided," he smirks. The contestants are shocked, as apparently none of them noticed that, despite being in different groups, half of the contestants are wearing dark colors (mostly blue) while the other half wear bright colors, especially yellow. The dark colored outfits head for the Probst-appointed "40 and older" section while the bright colors go to the "30 and younger" side. Apparently, they can't be bothered to cast people between the ages of 31 and 39, and therefore are missing out on a crucial interesting demographic. The young athletic men are sad not to be on Jimmy Johnson's tribe, and he's also sad to see them go, saying he was hoping the young people in his tribe would "carry" him. If that's your game strategy ... why play this at all? Besides the fact that you totally know the producers.
Probst says the "older tribe" will be named Espada, which is Spanish for "arthitis" and wear blue, while the young attractive people are wearing yellow and named La Flor, which is Spanish for "the flor." Jimmy Johnson has trouble putting his new buff on, as it will require him to mess up his legendarily perfect hair. Probst then half-explains the stupid Medallion of Power, saying that Brenda and her tribe now get to choose between keeping the Medallion and using its still-unknown advantage, or trade it for flint and fishing supplies. What Brenda doesn't choose will go to the old people. La Flor huddles up. Jimmy Johnson hasn't had enough camera time yet, so he mutters that he's hoping they keep the Medallion and give the old people supplies. On that suspenseful moment, we go to a commercial.