Board Thread:Virtual Tribal Council/@comment-1294345-20170928053033/@comment-5002930-20170928182238

Pretty underwhelming premiere. First time that we got a single-episode premiere that only lasted 60 minutes since, I think?

The opening was pretty lame. Felt like they were just going through the motions, like "Bla bla bla, you know the drill. 39 days, 18 people, 1 Survivor!" The opening confessionals have become such a staple that it feels weird to not get them this time. First time since that we didn't get opening confessionals, if memory serves right.

I was dreading Mike and Ryan from the moment the cast was spoiled. Both give off too much Cochran airtime-sucking vibes. I was surprised at how I didn't mind them that much in this episode, most likely because of the circumstances they were in (Mike and his confrontation with the much more annoying Joe; Ryan with the suspense surrounding the super idol and his unlikely bonding with Devon). Still weary of those two though. They could turn into Cochrans fast.

Chrissy made the best move she could, I think. If she used it to save Katrina, she would've had 3 pissed off people against the 2 of them. With the current dynamics without Katrina, she can ride the middle between the Alan-Ben and Ashley-JP sides. Plus, now she has an expired idol that she can use to bluff with. Who would question that, given how authentic it looks?

I agree on Katrina getting the short end of the stick. Most non-returnee first boots have been getting underwhelming edits in the past few seasons. Rachel, Darnell, David, and Marissa barely got anything. So and David only got airtime because of their boots being a result of the opening twists. Nadiya was always gonna get airtime because of the Twinnies being The Amazing Race crossovers. Zane was the last non-returnee first boot that I felt was decently-fleshed out. The 60 minute premiere really screwed Katrina in the edit though. Her past as an Olympian wasn't even mentioned until her final words.

Hoping the edit picks up soon. The cast has potential, unlike the cast, which I hated from the start (with few exceptions). Hope the editors go for more -style editing than the gameplay-centric edits we've gotten the past 2 seasons.