Stranded

Standed is the first episode of Survivor: The Australian Outback.

Challenges
Reward/Immunity Challenge: Bridging the Gap

Tribes must traverse certain obstacles, including a dilapidated bridge, and pull a raft across the river while keeping their torch lit. If at any time during the race one of the tribes' flames is extinguished, that tribe automatically loses the challenge. The first team to climb to the top of a 30-foot tower and ignite it with their torch wins immunity.

Reward: 50 waterproof matches and Tribal Immunity

Winner: Ogakor

Day 1
16 new castaways landed on one of the most unforgiving places on Earth, the Australian Outback.

A DH-C4 Royal Australian Military Aircraft containing the survivors landed on the Herbert riverbanks. The survivors must not talk to each other until they land. Upon landing, the castaways (who are already assigned to their tribes) raced to their supply crates, and they were given only five minutes to empty their crates. After the allotted time, they would start their five-mile trek to their respective camps.

On their way to camp, the blue Kucha tribe found themselves annoyed by Michael Debb, both of whom tried to take charge, stumbling the tribe longer than expected. Similarly, the green Ogakor tribe also had difficulties in finding their camp. Keith ran ahead of everyone else just to find the supposed encampment. Maralyn, the oldest of the Ogakors found it hard to hide her fatigue. Kel on the other hand started to rub his tribemates the wrong way with his militant method of communication.

After plunging to the cold Herbert river waters to celebrate their arrival at camp, the Kucha tribe started to build their shelter. Upon realizing that all of their clothes were wet, no shelter and without fire, the tribe started to feel the harsh environment.

That afternoon, Rodger became secretly upset about Michael's bossy behavior while creating their shelter. "I have built plenty of homes in my time, but sometimes, especially in this situation, it's better to just keep quiet," Rodger mumbled.

During the night, Kucha cuddled together to keep themselves warm. Kimmi's liberal nature became the focus point of the conversation. This made Jeff Varner, who was nauseous the whole day, irked by Kimmi's squeaky voice. Debb had this to say: "Kimmi is a happy-go-lucky person; nothing is taboo with her, dignity is irrelevant."

On Ogakor, Colby revealed his luxury item, a Texas flag and asked his tribemates if they could use the flag as their tarp. After everyone agreed, Jerri and Keith squabbled over how the flag should be placed.

Day 2
Fire was of utmost importance. At Ogakor, Keith was especially relentless in his attempt to start fire. A professional chef, he wanted to prove his worth and show that he is a necessary commodity to keep around.

Friendships were forming. Mitchell Olson, Amber Brkich, Jerri, and Colby had the most in common and spent most of the day learning more about each other, while Tina Wesson charmed her way into the hearts of the tribe and took on the role of den mother.

At Kucha, hunger was met by excitement when the tribe found figs to eat. To their disappointment, they were bug-infested, although they decided to eat them anyway.

Late afternoon, the contestants met Jeff Probst for their first challenge, a combined Reward/Immunity competition. Ogakor quickly took the lead, but it was a decisive victory once Kucha's raft flipped over in the river, extinguishing their flame. Team spirit prevailed, however, as they decided to finish the race nevertheless. But Debb, defeated by the loss, merely sat on the raft while her fellow tribe members pulled it to the finish.

And so the victorious Ogakor received the Immunity Idol—and fire—and returned to their camp. They would be safe for another three days. Kucha would have to return for another cold and dark night, and the next day make the dangerous hike to Tribal Council.

Day 3
The Kucha tribe discuss their first three days with Jeff Probst. With the dreaded vote looming over them, the Kucha tribe began strategizing amongst its own. Debb informed Alicia and Rodger that Jeff didn't want to stay because he was too sick to continue. Unbeknown to Debb, Alicia relayed this information to Jeff, who vehemently denied ever having made such a declaration. Michael suggested that it could be Rodger who'd be voted out because it would be difficult for anyone older to follow through on the challenges.

But, ultimately, in a 7-1 vote, it was Debb Eaton who became the first Survivor to have her flame extinguished.

Voting Confessionals
''Alicia, Jeff, Elisabeth, and Nick's confessionals are only available on DVD. Michael's confessional are currently unavailable.'' "kucha"

- I love this guy dearly, but I came here deciding that I was voting on the strongest surviving, Jeff has been the sickest from all of us. He's still not over it, so I'm gonna vote for Jeff. I hate to do it. I love him.

"kucha"

- She just chooses to be independent. She's a strong willed person, it's not a bad thing. But it's not what I need.

"kucha"

- No real reasons actually. A hard worker more than anybody out there. But somebody had to go.

Final Words
"kucha"

- I wouldn't mind getting voted off if I had fallen during a competition, if I was lazy, if I wasn't a team player. But, when I come here and I give all of that and I still get voted off? I betcha if Jeff read those votes it would've been seven to one and that's a shame. I still thought a lot of it boiled down to mental toughness and physical ability and none of that even mattered!

Trivia

 * In this episode, Rodger is revealed to have acrophobia (fear of heights).