Another season of Survivor is right around the corner and with it, comes a brand spanking new cast! Join our resident recap expert, Ozlet Jarryd, as he walks you through the twenty castaways competing on Survivor: Blood vs. Water and talks through all the news twists! Stay tuned to this post too as we update it in the coming days with full analysis, opinion and our MASSIVE preview episode coming soon as well!
So Survivor twenty-seven, Blood vs. Water is right around the corner. Which means three things. One, you get bombarded with material about the new season. Two, Jeff speaks about how fantastic the new season will be, and three, I’m back to bring you everything you need to know about Survivor: Blood vs. Water from start until finish!
Whilst a cast reveal always brings about excitement, you’ll have to lay off the red cordial and jelly beans for a bit longer. Blood vs. Water doesn’t premiere until Wednesday, September 18th, (Thursday the 19th for us Aussies), and will do so with a special ninety minute episode, (Just like Philippines and Caramoan).
However, after months of rumours and potential information about the new season, CBS has finally released information about the cast and about some game changing twists that we’ll see this season.
First of all, as we all suspected since about three minutes after the Caramoan finale finished airing, Survivor: Blood vs. Water will incorporate returning players playing WITH a loved one. This complete changes the way we have seen Survivor since Day One in Borneo, so it should make for an interesting twist.
The Galang and Tadhana Buffs
You might have noticed I clearly said the returnees will be playing WITH their family member and not alongside them. That’s important because at first the tribes will be separated into returning players and family members. The returnees will be the Galang, (Filipino for respect), tribe and will wear YELLOW Buffs, whilst their family members will comprise the Tadhana, (destiny), and will wear RED.
But the big question is… “Who is returning?”
GERVASE PETERSON – (BORNEO)
with his niece MARISSA PETERSON
Gervase: 43, Coach and Club owner from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Survivor: Borneo, finished in 7th place and was the 3rd Jury member.
Marissa: 21, Student form Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Gervase originally competed in Survivor’s first ever season of Borneo and after twenty-six seasons on he is back again to play for the second time! It’s unreal to think that after all these years, production has invited Gervase back again. In Borneo, Gervase was part of the Pagong tribe before becoming part of the Rattana tribe at the Merge. Unfortunately, he was part of the infamous “Pagonging” of his tribe at the hands of Tagi. However, he did succeed in winning both an Individual Reward and Immunity Challenge before he was voted out in seventh place. Gervase holds an interesting record in Survivor history as the first person on the show to eat a cooked rat, describing the taste as “good”.
Coming back after such a long time out of the game will be difficult for Gervase. Since Borneo, we have seen the introduction of an assortment of different twists and advancements in game play, which Gervase will need to adapt to in order to be successful. However, the only other returning player to return after a period of twenty seasons was Michael Skupin, (Philippines), and he finished in equal second place, so that can only mean good news for Gervase!
Gervase is playing with his twenty-one year old niece Marissa Peterson. Marissa describes herself as outgoing and adventurous and likens herself to Parvati Shallow. Marissa watched Gervase compete on the show when she was in the fourth grade.
To download Gervase’s Survivor Oz Interview, click here
Tina Wesson – (The Australian Outback & All-Stars)
with her daughter KATIE COLLINS
Tina: 52, Nurse from Robbinsville, North Carolina.
Survivor: The Australian Outback winner and Survivor: All-Stars, finished in 18th place
Katie: 25, Hedge fund support worker from New York, N.Y.
Tina was the first female winner after beating Colby Donaldson in Survivor: The Australian Outback. Part of the Okagor tribe, she aligned with Colby early in the game and the pair went all the way to the end together. In an often criticized move, Colby decided to stay loyal to Tina by taking her with him to the Final Tribal Council where she went on to beat him in a four-three vote. She returned three years later for Survivor: All-Stars where she was part of the Saboga tribe. Unfortunately, after her tribe lost the fist challenge she was voted out in eighteenth place because she was a former winner.
Ten years on Tina returns to play for a third time. At fifty-two, Tina fills the “older women role” on this season. Tina played a strong social game in her previous outings which will be important for her again considering she will be low down on the “strength list” on her tribe. Like Gervase, the game has evolved drastically since Tina last played so it will be intriguing to see how she can change her strategy to suit the game play we see today.
Remember: Rupert had a hand in Tina being the first boot of Survivor: All-Stars.
Tina is playing with her twenty-five year old daughter Katie Collins. Katie once raised thousands of dollars for the American Lung Association for climbing fifty-five flights of stairs. She likens herself to her mother and Survivor: South Pacific Jury member, Whitney Duncan.
To download Tina’s Survivor Oz Interview, click here
RUPERT BONEHAM – (Pearl Islands, All-Stars and Heroes vs. Villains)
with his wife LAURA BONEHAM
Rupert: 49, Mentor and Politician from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Survivor: Pearl Islands, finished in 8th place and was the 2nd Jury member. Survivor: All-Stars, finished in fourth place and was the 6th Jury member, won one million dollar Fan Favourite Award. Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, finished in 6th place and was the 7th Jury member.
Laura: 44, Merchandiser from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Yep, the famous pirate from Pearl Islands, All-Stars and Heroes vs. Villains returns as the shows second four time player… and as Ben would say, that means he would be the odds on favourite to take this season out considering four time players always win Survivor. Whether or not that holds true remains to be seen, however Rupert will still be a big threat this season. Despite a poor physical game in Heroes vs. Villains, (in fairness he did have broken toes for the entire season), Rupert will be a big physical threat once again, whilst also posing as a social threat because he is well liked.
His strategic game has always been a downfall of his across his previous three seasons so whether he has learnt from the past will determine his future this season. Rupert needs to drop the “hero” stereotype this season in order to make the Final Tribal Council. In his previous three seasons, he has been portrayed as the hero and to be successful in Survivor you need to be able to be both a hero and a villain. If Rupert can make this improvement in his game, he will be a threat once again this season.
Remember: Rupert had a hand in voting Tina out of All-Stars and didn’t see eye to eye with Candice in Heroes vs. Villains.
Rupert is playing with his wife Laura Boneham. Laura appeared in the loved one visits in all three of Rupert’s previous seasons and states that its a dream come true to be able to play the game with ehr husband.
To download Rupert’s Survivor Oz Interview, click here
ARAS BASKAUSKAS – (Panama)
with his brother VYTAS BASKKAUSKAS
Aras: 31, Yoga Instructor and Musician from Santa Monica, California.
Survivor: Panama winner.
Vytasa: 33, Yoga Instructor/Math Professor from Santa Monica, California.
Aras was the winner of the twelfth season, Survivor: Panama. Aras’ win is often deemed in the “middle of the road” category so it will be interested to see whether he is a better player than people believe him to be this time around. In Panama, Aras was part of the younger men tribe, (Viveros), before joining Casaya after the Tribe Absorption. There, he teamed up with Bruce, Cirie, Courtney, Danielle and Shane. A fierce competitor, Aras had a strong rivalry with fan favourite Terry Dietz during the season. Despite Aras losing multiple challenges to Terry, Aras’ alliance held true and he found himself sitting next to Danielle at the Final Tribal Council after she voted Terry out in third place. Aras would go onto win in a five-two vote.
Aras will be a fascinating player to watch this season. Being a former winner, he is bound to draw some attention. Who he aligns with will be a big talking point. Will be align with an older woman again like he did with Cirie? Will he have a fierce rivalry with somebody like Rupert or Tyson? Will he win the younger women over due to his sex appeal? I think Aras is one of the players to watch this season. He’s either going to deliver, or leave fans questioning whether he really was as good as the Jury perceived him in Panama.
Aras is playing with with brother Vytas Baskauskas. Vytas has beaten a heroin addiction, can’t stand stupidity and show-offs and likens himself to a combination of his brother, Jonathan Penner and Parvati Shallow.
To download Aras’ Survivor Oz Interview, click here
CANDICE CODY (née WOODCOCK) – (Cook Islands & Heroes vs. Villains)
with her husband JOHN CODY.
Candice: 30, Doctor from Washington, D.C.
Survivor: Cook Islands, finished in 8th place and 5th Jury member. Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, finished in 8th place and was the 5th Jury member.
John: 30, Physician, Army Orthopedic Surgery Resident, Washington, D.C.
Candice Cody, (nee Woodcock), returns for her third occasion. There’s no denying Candice is far from the most popular contestant to appear on Survivor, with questioning her spot on Heroes vs. Villains.
However, Candice does have the results to back it up. She’s finished in 8th place twice, meaning she’s also made the Jury twice. In the Cook Islands, she was the first castaway to ever Mutiny against her tribe when she decided to re-join Rarotonga. The move didn’t work so well for her as she become a victim of the Aitu Four’s rein of power. In Heroes vs. Villains, Candice was a member of the Heroes tribe and seen as the swing vote for a majority of the pre-merge game. After the Villains took control after the Merge, Candice briefly joined them to vote off her former tribe members before the Villains turned on her.
Despite Candice not displaying a great social game on screen, she has proven herself physically and has enough sense to know who to play the game. She isn’t a big threat, she hasn’t made power moves and doesn’t have any enemies in the game, meaning she’s a good person to align with. After playing on the outs most of the game in Heroes vs. Villains, she needs to establish a strong early alliance.
Remember: Candice turned against Rupert to save herself in Heroes vs. Villains.
Candice is playing with her husband John Cody. John has a high work ethic, is highly competitive and can’t wait for the opportunity to challenge himself against his wife. He likens himself to other doctors to appear on the show, Marcus, (Gabon) and Mick, (Samoa), but believes he also relates to Boston Rob.
TYSON APOSTEL – (Tocantins & Heroes vs. Villains)
with his girlfriend RACHEL FOULGER
Tyson: 34, Cyclist from Provo, Utah.
Survivor: Tocantins, finished in 9th place and was the 2nd Jury member. Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, finished in 15th place.
Rachel: 33, Cocktail waitress and graphic designer from Provo, Utah.
Tyson Apostol from Survivor: Tocantins and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains returns to play for his third time. In his first season, Tyson was part of the Timbira tribe and formed close bonds with Coach and Debbie, whilst he had a brutal relationship with Sierra. A huge physical threat, Tyson also charmed people with his eccentric personality. However, after the Merge, his strength was recognised by Jalapao and he was blindsided. Tyson returned as a Villain in the twentieth season and aligned himself with Boston Rob against “evil Russell”. Unfortunately for Tyson, Russell was able to outsmart him, by convincing him he was on his side and to scrap Rob’s split votes plan, so that he could vote out Parvati. In the ensuring Tribal Council, Russell’s true colours were revealed and Tyson was on the end of a cruel blindside.
This season will be an interesting one for Tyson. His name was questioned when he returned for Heroes vs. Villains by some fans and returning again is bound to cause some controversy. Like Rupert, Tyson is a big personality and a big threat this season. He’ll need to find himself in a strong alliance early otherwise he could be taken out due to his physical game. Whether he can live up to the “three time player” label is yet to be seen and he’ll need to play a strong game in order for him to be spoken about with the likes of fellow three times players such as Parvati Shallow and Coach Wade.
Tyson is playing with his girlfriend Rachel Foulger. Rachel is playing the game for the money and the challenge, she states that Tyson is her rock so she may struggle being on a separate tribe from him.
LAURA MORETT – (Samoa)
with her daughter CIERA EASTIN
Laura: 43, Office manager and fitness instructor from Salem, Oregon.
Survivor: Samoa, finished in 10th place and was the 3rd Jury Member
Ciera: 24, Hedge fund support worker from Salem, Oregon.
The outspoken grandmother from Survivor: Samoa, Laura is a surprise returnee after she spoke out heavily against Production after Samoa for fixing the game in Russell Hantz’s favour. Part of the Galu tribe, Laura served as a motherly figure for fellow alliance members Kelly and Monica, was more than capable in challenges and found herself in a heated animosity with tribe mate Shambo, (Shannon Waters). Going into the Merge with majority, (eight-four), against Foa Foa, Laura was part of the collapse of Galu which saw the Foa Foa Four, turn the game back in their favour by getting Galu to turn on each other and using the power of the Hidden Immunity Idol. Since Samoa, Laura has made her view on her season and Russell well known and therefore it is surprising that CBS and Production have given her the green light to return.
Laura is one to keep on eye on this season. She played a competent physical and social game in Samoa yet her strategic game imploded at the Merge. Similar to Corinne, she makes her feelings known, meaning if she gets on the wrong side on the majority of her tribe early on, there isn’t much hope for Laura, (unless she is carried through the game as a goat). She is similar to Monica in various aspects, (age, physical ability), which could mean there is only room for one of them on the Galang tribe.
Laura is playing with her daughter Ciera. Ciera had a child at seventeen and is most proud of finishing high school and her husband and children. Ciera beleives despite being the cute, young girl, she’ll be ten steps ahead of everyone when it comes to game play.
To download Laura’s Survivor Oz Interview, click here
MONICA CULPEPPER – (One World)
with her husband BRAD CULPEPPER
Monica: 42, Homemaker from Tampa Bay, Florida.
Survivor: One World, finished in 14th place.
Brad: 44, Former NFL Player from Tampa Bay Florida.
Monica is easily the biggest “eyebrow raiser” from this batch of returnees. Her time on One World was limited, as she finished in fourteenth place, only surviving until Day Fourteen after being blindsided. After initially being an outcast on the all-female Salani tribe, Monica became a member of the Manono tribe after the Tribe Switch on Day Twelve. Whilst some would argue that the Tribe Switch hindered her ability to move forward in the game, it can also be argued that she did deserve to remain in the game after proving she was the strongest physical player on a tribe that lacked physical ability. However, a big part in casting is Jeff Probst who Monica revealed spoke to her about his disappointment to see her go shortly after she was voted out; perhaps the decision to bring Monica back was because of heavy input from Probst? In saying that, she also has a very famous husband, Brad Culpepper. – A one hundred and thirty-three game NFL veteran.
As mentioned above, Monica shares similar characteristic with Laura. Whilst Monica doesn’t have as much Survivor experience as the other returnees, I think she has a lot to offer a tribe and an alliance. She’s physical, is likable enough but her strategy needs some work. However, the big obstacle in her footpath is her husband’s fame. Will a Jury want to vote for either of them to win a million dollars when they are clearly already well off due to her husband pro-ball career?
Remember: Colton was the reason Monica was sent home, she wasn’t apart of the majority female alliance that Kat was apart of.
Monica is playing with her husband Brad Culpepper. Brad is a former NFL player who is name an Attorney. He loves the outdoors, likening himself to Colby and Ozzy and his reason for being on the show is to redeem Monica for being blindsided by Colton. He also states that he will also put her first in the game.
To download Monica’s Survivor Oz Interview, click here
COLTON CUMBIE – (One World)
with his fiancé CALEB BANKSTON
Colton: 22, Student from Collinsville, Alabama
Survivor: One World, finished in 13th place after being medically evacuated.
Caleb: 26, Post Office manager and farmer from Collinsville, Alabama.
Regarded as one of the biggest villains to ever play the game after only lasting six episodes, Colton returns after to pick up where he left off after he was medically evacuated on Day Sixteen. In only sixteen days, (six episodes), Colton managed to create hysteria, as he went on to receive death threats after speaking his mind in One World. After feeling left out on the all-men Manono tribe, Colton was given a Hidden Immunity Idol which gave him a lot of power in the game. He managed to work his way into leadership of the “misfits alliance” with his power so strong he was able to convince an entire tribe to give up Immunity so that he could vote out nemesis Bill Posley.
Colton came under heavy fire for comments he made about Bill and Christina and their cultural backgrounds. Despite a severely awkward Reunion show for him, a young Colton has admitted he has grown immensely from the experience. A massive fan of the show, I doubt he’ll change the way he plays the game, just the way he goes about it.
Remember: Colton was the led figure that led to Monica being blindsided.
Colton is playing with his fiancé Caleb Bankston. Caleb loves the outdoors and describes him self has very hard working after growing up on a farm. Caleb says he is like J.T. (Tocantins & Heroes vs. Villains) and isn’t stupid because he talks slow. Caleb says that his and Colton’s relationship can withstand Survivor and that a major factor he decided to play was so that he could “show America what love likes like”.
To download Colton’s Survivor Oz Interview, click here
KAT EDORSSON – (One World)
with her boyfriend HAYDEN MOSS
Kat: 23, Timeshare Rep from Orlando, Florida.
Survivor: One World, finished in 7th place and was the 5th Jury member.
Hayden: 27, Real Estate Agent from Tempe, Arizona.
Kat was literally the “young cat” in Survivor: One World. After aligning on Day One with Alicia, Chelsea, Kim and Sabrina, Kat survived an early scare and went onto make the Merge. There she helped her alliance vote out the men on the way to an all female final five. However, Kat wasn’t apart of the final five, as she was blindsided, (after saying that she loved blindsided), by her alliance in seventh place after make several poor decisions, showing her lack of maturity and showing her strength in challenges. Kat took the betrayal hard but surprised many when she gave a very personal Jury speech discussing her medical issues and how not voting for Kim would mean she hadn’t learnt anything from the experience.
Remember: Monica wasn’t keen to see Kat saved instead of Nina and Kat didn’t include her as a member of the majority female Salani alliance.
Unfortunately, Kat won’t be playing with her crazy cousin who visited her as part of the family visit in One World but instead Big Brother 12 winner, Hayden Moss. Hayden believes that because he won Big Brother, he has some understand of how he can win Survivor. He will be a big threat, he’s athletic and confident and has already pocketed five hundred thousand dollars for winner Big Brother.
To download Colton’s Survivor Oz Interview, click here
What happens to the Game?
This season we are going to see some big game changing twists that are going to polarize fans. First off, the obvious one… this season features returning players, (the ninth season to do so), who will be competing against their loved ones.
Day Zero
This season will be the second to go for longer than thirty-nine days, (the first being The Australian Outback). This season, Mark Burnett has come up with the idea to get the castaways dirty before the game even begins! Therefore, Day Zero has been introduced. All twenty castaways will be sent to a different location with their loved one at sunset, the day prior to the game beginning, with the notion that they will be both placed in the same tribe. Everything will change the following morning when the game begins and the returnees and their loved ones are split up, returnees on one tribe, loved ones on the other.
First Impressions
Much like Survivor: Tocantins, straight after dividing the castaways into two tribes, a vote will be held, with one person from each tribe being voted off their tribe. BUT… they won’t be leaving the game.
Redemption Island
That’s right, Redemption Island is back and it’s where the first impression vote out’s will go. Everyone who is voted out this season will go to Redemption Island and compete in a three person duel. The loser is officially eliminated whilst the other two stay on Redemption Island. The big twist for Redemption Island is that each pair of loved ones will have the opportunity to take their loved ones place on Redemption Island, with the pair swapping places – The person on Redemption Island will take their loved ones place on the tribe they are on, whilst the other person will replace their loved one on Redemption Island.
For example, if Laura Boneham is on Redemption Island up against John Cody and Hayden Moss and the duel is a strength challenge, Rupert can take Laura’s place in the duel. Rupert will take Laura’s place on Redemption Island and Laura will take Rupert’s place on his tribe. If successful, Rupert remains on Redemption Island, Laura remains on the tribe. If Rupert losses the challenge, he is eliminated and Laura stays on the tribe that Rupert was on. Confusing I know… but it will add a very strategic element to the game.
Hidden Immunity Idols
The winner of each Redemption Island Duel will get to give a clue to the location of a Hidden Immunity Idol to any other castaway in the game. The clue is essential to finding the Idol this season so giving away a clue will be a big decision for the castaway who wins it. Do they give it to a their loved one? A friend outside the game? As a favour to another castaway? It will also add a new aspect to the game that we don’t usually see until Individual Rewards come into play forcing castaways to choose against each other.
With all these new twists coming into play we are bound to see a very different season of Survivor. However, they all are relevant the major twist this season, (castaways playing with loved ones), so don’t expect them all to stick around for future seasons and don’t right it off as stupid until you see it in action!
Finally, just three bits of trivia for you you ponder:
1. This is the longest consecutive streak of seasons to feature returning players, with three. – Have we seen the end of all new players?
2. It is the third season to feature players returning who didn’t make the Jury or Merge in their previous attempt/s. – How do you feel about lesser known castaways getting given second chances?
3. This is the first time winners will be playing with new players. – Is this fair? Will the winners be targeting first? How much of an advantage do the winners have?
Hopefully in four months time we can answer all these questions and more.
Stay tuned to our website in the coming week as we will be releasing a FULL analysis of the entire cast, plus our Survivor: Blood vs. Water preview episode featuring Ben and the Ozlets!