Rank: 4/5
“Survivor: Kaôh Rōng,” season 32 of CBS’s competition reality show, “Survivor,” brings out the intelligence, athleticism and attractiveness of its 18 contestants.
Players are divided into three teams based on their dominant attributes, forming Brains, Brawn and Beauty tribes.
This season was filmed in Koh Rong, Cambodia, and premiered Feb. 17. Host Jeff Probst dubbed this season the most grueling 39 days in “Survivor” history.
This area is known for its unbearable humidity and sweltering heat. Dehydration and heat stroke are both potential threats, and the smallest cut can lead to a life-endangering infection.
This season’s contestants come from all walks of life and boast a former NBA player, a 72-year-old former FBI agent, a bounty hunter, a former army veteran and “Big Brother” contestant, along with a Vietnamese immigrant who spent 11 days on a boat without food before spending a year in a refugee camp.
The premiere episode began as the castaways were given two minutes to ransack a boat for supplies and load them onto their rafts. The teams then separated and went to their respective camps. In typical “Survivor” fashion, the first three days were not without strife.
On the Brains tribe, a woman quickly became overheated and dehydrated. After only two days on the island, she had a panic attack. Her behavior clearly warranted concern from her tribe.
A woman from the Brawn tribe was left in extreme pain after a bug crawled into her ear. Not only could she hear it crawling, but her ear bled, leaving her unable to sleep. Luckily, one of her teammates was able to pull it out before the immunity challenge.
For the challenge, the tribes swam out to a boat. One at a time, team members dove down to retrieve paddles. They then paddled to shore, converted their boat into a cart and pushed the cart up a track. At the top, they were given the option to either complete a puzzle or a dexterity challenge.
Each tribe chose the puzzle and the Brains and Beauty tribes emerged victoriously. They were both given immunity and flint, while the Brawn tribe was sent to tribal council, where one of their teammates would be sent home.
This high-intensity episode was entertaining throughout its 90-minute duration, but many of the contestants can easily irk viewers. After only three days, they are failing to work as teams and are letting their cattiness and stupidity show.