I agree, it was a mistake. And keeping Abi? They'll regret it!

Here's the recap http://www.ew.com/recap/survivor-season-31-premiere

Yes, there was a vast difference between Vytas and Joe doing yoga. Vytas was yoga porn, while Joe was poetry in motion :) I loved it when one woman called it Joega!

I am so glad that Abi found her "power" bracelet, even the monkeys on the island were sick of hearing about it lol. Maybe her bracelet's powers will help get the target off her back.

I was a nervous wreck waiting for the girl (sorry cant remember her name) who was trying to get the hidden immunity idol during the challenge. Rarely do I yell at my tv, but did so last night. Yah for her!!!

I love having all returning players!

I kept wondering when it would be coming back and was pleasantly surprised when they announced it the other day....In our house, everyone knows, I do not take phone calls, visits, even bathroom breaks during Survivor time....

Sleeperblues, I agree completely....Having someone run around in his underwear and do what he was doing would have turned my stomach...Don't you wonder why he did what he did? And there is Joe, oh my! All he has to do it just sit there and he'd be my winner.....I sure do hope Abi goes next week but then you know how it is...You dislike someone and they seem to stick around for ever......

I was so glad to see Joe returning....love that kid! But he is so good at winning that he is a threat to others, so he will be voted out just like before.

They were talking about new school vs. old school. Originally, they'd all sound each other out for awhile. Now they start working on their endgames before they get water, let alone fire. They take threats out immediately. I don't think it was the strong guy thing that got Vytas out--nobody even cares much about team challenges now unless they're the ones on the chopping block--it was the unreliability. If they don't understand how someone thinks, he's a threat. Abi, for all that she's annoying, shows her hand. She'll probably last a long way if she can keep her tongue.

BTW, remember that they edit to heighten the drama. That bracelet thing was probably a lot less than it seemed. More interesting than Abi wanting her bag back was Peih-Gee, the one who took it, put her name on it, and "didn't notice" that there was a big, heavy leather cuff in it. That there was some pot stirring that the edit glossed right on over...

Be sure to watch the video clip of Jeff, right after Tribal Council. Great stuff!

Sushipup, I watched it, on your recommendation, but the only thing that stood out was the impetus for going straight to the elimination from the challenge. Is there something in particular you were pointing out?

I have to admit, I don't remember half of these people, and half of the ones I do remember, I recognize, but would not have remembered if they weren't on screen. I guess I find the game overall more interesting than the people, who, for the most part, seem to be interchangeable puppets, typecast from the casting manual. :) It's a lot like watching one of those banned psych experiments, with palm trees. :)

When I was looking for a list of participants, I found another blog where the writer was at the site while they were filming or something. He interviewed Vytas, who said that the whole creepy yoga thing happened when he was asked to help one of the girls who had a bad back. I seem to remember that he's a long time professional yoga instructor, so that makes sense. The blog also said that Peih-Gee sewd a flint into her outfit as a decorative element, got all the way out there, but when she went to use it that first day, the production crew stopped her and confiscated it.

I liked the description of all that happened at the tribal, that got cut. Far more than we ever saw.

Ah. Thanks for the explanation. Yes, it was interesting to see how voluble J.P. was. I just thought you meant there was some particular point that stood out and which I'd missed. Thinking on it some more, I did notice what he had to say about Jeff Varner--whom I really don't remember at all. :)

I think they kept abi in since she is just no threat and has no chance of playing a good social game so will not win, it's a safe bet to keep her in unless she becomes too much. I think it makes the show more interesting when you have an antagonist like abi anyway. :)

I wonder if her attitude is a cultural thing though, she is brazilian and I wondered if it's typical for brazilians to just be very vocal and outspoken like she is?

ps. thanks for starting this thread, I had no idea it was on and because of the time difference (it's shown on Thursday night here) I was able to catch it

I just watched it this afternoon. I have to say, I'm disappointed. Although Vytas' yoga was creepy, like someone else said, remember how the show is edited.

I just cannot stand Abi. She's no different than last time. Please, oh please send her home next week. And if it's the other tribe, send Ciera packing. Ugh, gag. Those two girls are the pits.

Joe is never going to win. He's too good, too much of a threat. Which is sad, because the big strong guys get the tribes through all the challenges and as soon as they merge the weak ones vote them out.

I will say it again, don't bring people back. There are so very many people that want a shot at this game, there should be new people every season.