Spoiler analysis for Episode 1 of Survivor 2
The Dog That Didnt Bark
Tape review of Episode 1
By TapeWatcherB65
As anyone who watches Survivor knows, there was a major spoiler in the first series when Rich said Im the winner in Episode 1. Mark Burnett has hinted there might be a clue in S2s first episode as to the final outcome. However, it would have been highly risky of him to place an obvious Rich like clue in the opening episode or during the opening credits when everyones looking for it.
However, a close review of how the edited cut shots and pan shots for Episode 1 were put together shows something quite ingenious from an editing perspective. Instead of looking for a clue to be SEEN, there is a huge clue about what was NOT SEEN in Episode 1. Please note that the one survivor edited differently in all the points outlined below is the same person:
1. Fifteen survivors are shown talking while they are the sole person on the screen. One is not.
2. During the trek and arrival at the campsites, 15 survivors receive cut shots where they are the sole or primary person in the picture. One does not.
3. From the moment construction is started on the camps through the entire construction sequence, 14 survivors are given cut or pan shots of working on the camp where they are the sole or primary person in the picture. The 15th, while not working, is shown around the construction and fire building sequences either commenting or in a pan shot alone. One person does not receive a solo cut shot working on either of the camp construction or fire building and does not comment on them.
4. The one person who has no shot of them speaking or solo shot of them working DOES have one spoken line when theyre NOT on camera and one cut shot when theyre doing NOTHING.
5. The relay race torch lighting can be interpreted as to who the winner is. The person
singled out by the editing so far plays a significant part.
6. The one character to be edited differently in Episode #1 has continued to be edited differently throughout the series.
7. The beginning of Episode 2 is edited the same way as Episode 1.
An analysis of these seven points is detailed below. Reviewers are encouraged to review a tape of Episode 1 to confirm the validity of what is outlined.
1. Fifteen survivors are shown talking while they are the sole person on the screen. One is not.
During the first episode, 13 survivors give interviews away from their tribe members with their names appearing underneath them. For the record here are the subjects talked about in their first interviews, in order broken down by tribe:
Kucha:
Alicia: Everybody was designated a certain thing to do; Nick got the compass.
Nick: Kimmi cant stand Debb.
Kimmi: Debbs not someone Id talk to in the outside world.
Jeff: Im really feeling pretty weak, on the verge of throwing up.
Elisabeth: Everything was heavy to carry, some things more awkward.
Mike: When we started building the shelter, everyone started chipping in.
Debb: It seems one individual in the group is ordering everyone around and its Mike.
Rodger: One thing we tried to do to start the fire was use my Bible.
Ogakor:
Maralyn: The hike was intimidating.
Colby: That trek let me know this was for real.
Jerri: Keith actually ran ahead to scout where the camp was.
Keith: As soon as we hit the beach, we all dispersed to do something different.
Mitchell: Colbys luxury item was the Texas flag.
Three Os do not get interviewed during this episode. However, two of them still manage to be on camera by themselves saying something. This occurs on the hike to the camps and is the only time either talks during the episode:
Kel (camera pans to him): Keith, whadda you see?
Amber: This rice is very heavy. I really want to get there soon.
Of all the survivors, only Tina is not shown in a solo shot saying anything. This is not to say she doesnt speak, but when she has her one line of the show, shes not on camera when its said (see #4 below). Well, what of it? Maybe in the first three days of footage Mr. Burnett couldnt find anything worthwhile of hers to show saying (Are we there yet?). By itself, its just an oddity, until its also considered that:
**********
2. During the trek and arrival at the campsites, 15 survivors receive cut shots where they are the sole or primary person in the picture. One does not.
After the tribes gather their supplies from their boxes, they are shown carrying their things to their respective campsites. Each group celebrates when they arrive. During this sequence, 15 of them receive cut shots where they are the sole (or in one case, primary) person in the shot. This excludes interview sequences. Looking at Kucha (who are actually shown arriving second), these cut shots occur in the following order:
Kucha:
Jeff: Twisting his head as his voiceover discussed being nauseous.
Rodger: Carrying water jug during Kimmi voiceover about carrying jugs.
Mike: Carrying water jug during the same Kimmi voiceover.
Kimmi: Carrying water jug during same Kimmi voiceover.
Nick: Carrying water jug as he arrives at Kucha flag.
Debb: Smiling, drops bag at camp arrival during Kimmi voiceover about arrival.
Elisabeth: Drops board off her head as she arrives at flag.
Alicia: Twirling in the water after they all jump in.
Ogakors shots occur as follows:
Colby: Dragging two water jugs behind him.
Amber: Previously noted rice statement.
Keith: Runs ahead to do some recognizance.
Mitchell*: carrying items as he walks through the water.
Maralyn: walking through the water; Never let em see ya sweat.
Jerri: Whee!, as she arrives at camp.
Kel: Drops backpack as he arrives at camp.
Mitchells shot has to be qualified as Jerri can momentarily be seen in the distance behind him, but she was barely noticeable and Mitchell dominates the picture. In addition to all these cut shots, many of the survivors can be seen in solo pan shots as the camera moves from one person to another (Colby and Keith talking about Keiths running ahead, for instance).
Tina, however, is at no point alone in any shot, either cut or panned. We see her in group settings (getting stuff from the box, carrying stuff on the box lid with Maralyn, arriving at camp, etc.) but at no point is she allowed to be alone in a camera shot.
On a somewhat ironic (deliberate?) note: Tina is shown in the last group shot of Ogakors arrival at camp hugging Mitchell. The camera then cuts to a spider in its web. Considering what will happen to Mitchell, this can be seen as some very definite black widow foreshadowing.
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3. From the moment construction is started on the camps through the entire construction sequence, 14 survivors are given cut or pan shots of working on the camp where they are the sole or primary person in the picture. The 15th, while not working, is shown around the construction and fire building sequences either commenting or in a pan shot alone. One person does not receive a solo cut shot working on either the camp construction or fire building and does not comment on them.
Each camp is shown going through two sequences, one building the shelter and one trying to start fire. In Kucha, each person is given a cut or pan shot where they are solely or prominently featured:
Kucha:
Mike: Pulling plant out of the ground.
Jeff: Carting wood.
Kimmi: Looks at stringy thing in the rocks.
Debb: Looks at Mike during her Mikes bossy voiceover; trying to start fire.
Rodger: Building shelter.
Alicia: Moving packs to a different place.
Nick: Sliding sticks together.
Elisabeth: Holding stick for Debb during fire starting attempt.
Several people have more shots than those listed above, one was given for each as an example. There are also featured shots of Nick, Jeff, and Kimmi during their first night in the tent during this sequence (Ogakor doesnt have bedtime shots). And of course all Kuchas are featured prominently at Tribal Council later on.
Ogakor:
Kel: Carries piece of wood.
Colby: Drives stake in the ground.
Keith: Twirls string around stick in order to start fire.
Maralyn: Wrapping the rope in her hand as Keith and Jerri argue over pole placement.
Amber: Holds wood while Keith starts fire.
Jerri: Tying string around tent after conflict with Keith.
Mitchell does not have any actual work shots but hes shown around both work areas, commenting (Bad news) on the Keith/Jerri pole conflict and watching Keith and Amber start the fire (where he has a pan shot alone). This could be explained as a conscious decision by Burnett to portray Mitchell as lazy (enforced later by Keiths Episode 3 comments). But actually, this could be Burnetts attempt to save up Mitchells work shots for the torch run during the immunity challenge (See #5).
Tina appears to take a vacation during Ogakors camp/fire building. While featured in beginning group shots as the stakes and flag are being set up, she has no solo work shots during the sequences, either cut or pan (even Kel gets a solo pan shot during the Keith/Jerri conflict).
And yet, Tina does manage a solo cut shot and a vocal line during the show. Its just that theyre not shown together:
**********
4. The one person who has no shot of them speaking or solo shot of them working DOES have one spoken line when theyre NOT on camera and one cut shot when theyre doing NOTHING.
Excluding the sequence when they jump out of the plane at the beginning, Tina has only one cut shot and one vocal line in the show (NOTE: This is not during the relay race. Tinas famous running through the jungle with my boobs bouncing shot as well as when she puts the wooden stake in the ladder both feature other people in the background. She yells during the race along with everyone else).
Tinas vocal line comes as Ogakor is discussing where to put the shelter. She IS alone for a moment in a cut shot during this discussion but Jerri comes in the picture before its completed. Tinas statement is that she doesnt want the camp near the water because of electrical storms. The only problem is that the camera is on Colby, then quiet Amber (of all people) while this statement is being said. Tinas sole cut shot where shes the sole one in the picture occurs after Keith collapses after failing to start the fire. Shes shown lying on the ground with her head in her hands and her face filling much of the screen. Previously, she had not been seen with the others during the fire building sequence.
Consider how the editing has gone up to this point. Why would Burnett give 15 people multiple solo cut or pan shots of them working or talking, and give one person only one cut shot when theyre doing nothing and one vocal line when theyre not even on screen? He allows 13 people to be interviewed and their names given on screen so that viewers can form impressions of them. Two (Kel and Amber) only talk once, but viewers could infer in later episodes (correctly) that theyre generally quiet people. The way Tina is being edited is not only obvious, its misleading. In later episodes, this person is shown to be a hard worker with a strong character (Stop it or youre both going to timeout!) who knows how to plot. The whole point of the editing seems to be to bury this character or to show her as some insignificant middle aged woman with bouncing boobs. Why?
**********
5. The relay race torch lighting can be interpreted as to who the winner is. The person singled out by the editing so far plays a significant part.
As is well known, fire represents life in Survivor, and it has often been theorized that the appearance of fire (during the opening credits for example) can be interpreted as to who the winner is. The way fire is used around Tina from the moment Keith fails to start one in camp through the lighting of the fire at the end of the relay race can be interpreted as signifying her victory:
A: Her sole cut shot shows her looking depressed when Keith cant start the fire (she has no life).
B: Before going to the challenge Mitchell is shown speaking about it and says we have to have fire. He says its for the rice, but theres much to be considered by this statement. Mitchell is the torchbearer during the challenge. He also is the only one whose cut shot to camp wasnt unambiguous (Jerri was in the background), who was hugged by Tina after arriving at the camp (followed by a spider in a web shot) and who wasnt shown doing any work during the camp building sequences (even Tina had work shots in the background). Mitchells work is to be the carrier of fire (life), something that Tina wants.
C: The tribes listen to Jeff Probst describe the challenge. After speaking awhile he says: That brings us to challenge number one, youre playing for fire we immediately get a cut shot of Tina (still surrounded by others, but shes the focus of the shot) as she turns and looks out to the water where the challenge is). This is where the fire is that Tina needs.
D: Probst further describes the challenge and then says that the winners get a hot meal, security in being around, losers, cold immediately cut to Tina who looks back from the challenge to Probst she understands what to do, she will not be the loser.
E: During the challenge, the famous shot of Tina with her chest bouncing is followed by Mitchell running and carrying the torch. Tina is leading him and the torch to where it should go.
F: When they arrive at the ladder Tina is the last one shown putting in the wood plank for Mitchell to climb to light the big torch. She has successfully guided the torch to its destination (and has symbolically achieved the life that she needs). Note that Tina may not have been the person to put in the actual last plank; Kel was arriving with the rest of them as she was putting hers in. It was edited for her to put the last plank in.
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6. The one character to be edited differently in Episode #1 has continued to be edited differently throughout the series.
As the series has progressed, it has become clear that Tina is the best strategist in the game. Consider all these strategic insights that Tina has shared during the series run:
A: On our initial walk to set up camp, I was one of the earliest of the five people to be in Jerris alliance.
B: Kel told Maralyn and me he was voting against Jerri, but I made no promise to also do so as I had already joined Jerris group.
C: During the Butch Cassidy diving challenge, I talked to Kimmi and got out of her that Debbs vote at the first tribal council had gone against Jeff. Discussing this with the tribe later, we all agreed to vote Jeff off first at the merge.
D: On the walk to our third tribal council, I went around to several people trying to find someone to not vote Keith off as I thought he was our strength. I approached Mitchell and suggested either Amber or Jerri should be voted off instead but Mitchell declined to do it. I then approached Colby and persuaded him to vote off Mitchell.
E: I knew I needed to step down from the water post so that Keith would have immunity. If I didnt do that, he might be voted out and I would shortly follow.
F: Keith wanted to vote Jerri off but Colby didnt. Obviously, my views were then decisive. I decided that Jerris leaving would be good for morale as well as help me with Elisabeth and Rodger should they be on the jury.
Well, actually NONE of these insights have been shown on the show; they have been gleamed through other analysis or subsequent interviews with other cast members. The question is WHY they havent been shown. Tina appears to be a pleasant person grounded in hard reality. She can be friendly with Maralyn (while not allying with her) and Elisabeth (while matter of factly saying it makes sense to vote her or Rodger off). She seems willing to share insights on how the game is played (her speeches at the council when Mitchell was voted out).
Why would Burnett not show the other insights Tina obviously has (is it really likely she wouldnt have been interviewed about her machinations to get rid of Mitchell or her views on Jerris removal?). Tina has been criticized by some for being a sneaky player who shouldnt be trusted is this her doing or Burnett not showing everything she has to say? Would showing her describing her thinking make her look too much like Rich in S1? If Tina is going to be eventually outmaneuvered by someone else, why not show all of her planning and then show her receiving her comeuppance at the end? Perhaps because she received no comeuppance? At the time this is being written (six people remaining on the show) Tina is in a majority alliance with no votes cast against her and under little threat of being removed anytime soon. And with her previously demonstrated speech giving skills about the game, does anyone doubt that she could present a friendly, yet (Rich like) realistic argument in front of the jury on why she played the game the way she did?
Two final points about the first episode:
A. During the plane ride before the opening credits, Jeff Probst is giving an opening speech. Note that when he says These 16 Americans the camera is on Tina in the foreground and Keith in the background the shot then pans to Keith. This can be interpreted as Burnett reminding us that 16 people are on the show, but the one being panned away from Tina isnt being shown like everyone else this episode.
B. Note the order the survivors are introduced in when they leave the plane. In S1, Tagi was introduced first with Rich in the fifth position. In S2, Ogakor is introduced second with Tina (the anti-Rich) in the fifth position.
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7. The beginning of Episode 2 is edited the same way as Episode 1.
Without rehashing Episode 2 the same way as Episode 1, note that the beginning of it is similar to the first episode. The episode begins with Kucha discussing Mike and his rice, journeys over to Ogakor and Maralyns family whirlpool (where Kel has his first interview concerning rice as their current food strategy), goes back to Kucha to discuss Rodgers fear of jumping off a cliff and then the Butch Cassidy challenge. Note that during all this everyone but Tina and Amber talk (and Amber may have yelled as she jumped off the cliff this is unclear); even Lis gets in a Go Kucha as they go through the water. Also note that even excluding when they jump off the cliff - everyone gets a cut/pan shot where theyre the center of attention except Tina (even quiet Amber gets a nice long bottom up shot as she wades into the family whirlpool). Tina finally gives her debut interview after the first commercial break (Were not getting eight hours of sleep a day) followed by Ambers (Keith is a chef and its not that I dont believe it).
In conclusion, this analysis like any other should be taken with a grain of salt and be reviewed to see if it is accurate. But always remember the things you DONT see are sometimes more interesting than the things you do.
TapeWatcherB65
The Dog That Didnt Bark
Tape review of Episode 1
By TapeWatcherB65
As anyone who watches Survivor knows, there was a major spoiler in the first series when Rich said Im the winner in Episode 1. Mark Burnett has hinted there might be a clue in S2s first episode as to the final outcome. However, it would have been highly risky of him to place an obvious Rich like clue in the opening episode or during the opening credits when everyones looking for it.
However, a close review of how the edited cut shots and pan shots for Episode 1 were put together shows something quite ingenious from an editing perspective. Instead of looking for a clue to be SEEN, there is a huge clue about what was NOT SEEN in Episode 1. Please note that the one survivor edited differently in all the points outlined below is the same person:
1. Fifteen survivors are shown talking while they are the sole person on the screen. One is not.
2. During the trek and arrival at the campsites, 15 survivors receive cut shots where they are the sole or primary person in the picture. One does not.
3. From the moment construction is started on the camps through the entire construction sequence, 14 survivors are given cut or pan shots of working on the camp where they are the sole or primary person in the picture. The 15th, while not working, is shown around the construction and fire building sequences either commenting or in a pan shot alone. One person does not receive a solo cut shot working on either of the camp construction or fire building and does not comment on them.
4. The one person who has no shot of them speaking or solo shot of them working DOES have one spoken line when theyre NOT on camera and one cut shot when theyre doing NOTHING.
5. The relay race torch lighting can be interpreted as to who the winner is. The person
singled out by the editing so far plays a significant part.
6. The one character to be edited differently in Episode #1 has continued to be edited differently throughout the series.
7. The beginning of Episode 2 is edited the same way as Episode 1.
An analysis of these seven points is detailed below. Reviewers are encouraged to review a tape of Episode 1 to confirm the validity of what is outlined.
1. Fifteen survivors are shown talking while they are the sole person on the screen. One is not.
During the first episode, 13 survivors give interviews away from their tribe members with their names appearing underneath them. For the record here are the subjects talked about in their first interviews, in order broken down by tribe:
Kucha:
Alicia: Everybody was designated a certain thing to do; Nick got the compass.
Nick: Kimmi cant stand Debb.
Kimmi: Debbs not someone Id talk to in the outside world.
Jeff: Im really feeling pretty weak, on the verge of throwing up.
Elisabeth: Everything was heavy to carry, some things more awkward.
Mike: When we started building the shelter, everyone started chipping in.
Debb: It seems one individual in the group is ordering everyone around and its Mike.
Rodger: One thing we tried to do to start the fire was use my Bible.
Ogakor:
Maralyn: The hike was intimidating.
Colby: That trek let me know this was for real.
Jerri: Keith actually ran ahead to scout where the camp was.
Keith: As soon as we hit the beach, we all dispersed to do something different.
Mitchell: Colbys luxury item was the Texas flag.
Three Os do not get interviewed during this episode. However, two of them still manage to be on camera by themselves saying something. This occurs on the hike to the camps and is the only time either talks during the episode:
Kel (camera pans to him): Keith, whadda you see?
Amber: This rice is very heavy. I really want to get there soon.
Of all the survivors, only Tina is not shown in a solo shot saying anything. This is not to say she doesnt speak, but when she has her one line of the show, shes not on camera when its said (see #4 below). Well, what of it? Maybe in the first three days of footage Mr. Burnett couldnt find anything worthwhile of hers to show saying (Are we there yet?). By itself, its just an oddity, until its also considered that:
**********
2. During the trek and arrival at the campsites, 15 survivors receive cut shots where they are the sole or primary person in the picture. One does not.
After the tribes gather their supplies from their boxes, they are shown carrying their things to their respective campsites. Each group celebrates when they arrive. During this sequence, 15 of them receive cut shots where they are the sole (or in one case, primary) person in the shot. This excludes interview sequences. Looking at Kucha (who are actually shown arriving second), these cut shots occur in the following order:
Kucha:
Jeff: Twisting his head as his voiceover discussed being nauseous.
Rodger: Carrying water jug during Kimmi voiceover about carrying jugs.
Mike: Carrying water jug during the same Kimmi voiceover.
Kimmi: Carrying water jug during same Kimmi voiceover.
Nick: Carrying water jug as he arrives at Kucha flag.
Debb: Smiling, drops bag at camp arrival during Kimmi voiceover about arrival.
Elisabeth: Drops board off her head as she arrives at flag.
Alicia: Twirling in the water after they all jump in.
Ogakors shots occur as follows:
Colby: Dragging two water jugs behind him.
Amber: Previously noted rice statement.
Keith: Runs ahead to do some recognizance.
Mitchell*: carrying items as he walks through the water.
Maralyn: walking through the water; Never let em see ya sweat.
Jerri: Whee!, as she arrives at camp.
Kel: Drops backpack as he arrives at camp.
Mitchells shot has to be qualified as Jerri can momentarily be seen in the distance behind him, but she was barely noticeable and Mitchell dominates the picture. In addition to all these cut shots, many of the survivors can be seen in solo pan shots as the camera moves from one person to another (Colby and Keith talking about Keiths running ahead, for instance).
Tina, however, is at no point alone in any shot, either cut or panned. We see her in group settings (getting stuff from the box, carrying stuff on the box lid with Maralyn, arriving at camp, etc.) but at no point is she allowed to be alone in a camera shot.
On a somewhat ironic (deliberate?) note: Tina is shown in the last group shot of Ogakors arrival at camp hugging Mitchell. The camera then cuts to a spider in its web. Considering what will happen to Mitchell, this can be seen as some very definite black widow foreshadowing.
**********
3. From the moment construction is started on the camps through the entire construction sequence, 14 survivors are given cut or pan shots of working on the camp where they are the sole or primary person in the picture. The 15th, while not working, is shown around the construction and fire building sequences either commenting or in a pan shot alone. One person does not receive a solo cut shot working on either the camp construction or fire building and does not comment on them.
Each camp is shown going through two sequences, one building the shelter and one trying to start fire. In Kucha, each person is given a cut or pan shot where they are solely or prominently featured:
Kucha:
Mike: Pulling plant out of the ground.
Jeff: Carting wood.
Kimmi: Looks at stringy thing in the rocks.
Debb: Looks at Mike during her Mikes bossy voiceover; trying to start fire.
Rodger: Building shelter.
Alicia: Moving packs to a different place.
Nick: Sliding sticks together.
Elisabeth: Holding stick for Debb during fire starting attempt.
Several people have more shots than those listed above, one was given for each as an example. There are also featured shots of Nick, Jeff, and Kimmi during their first night in the tent during this sequence (Ogakor doesnt have bedtime shots). And of course all Kuchas are featured prominently at Tribal Council later on.
Ogakor:
Kel: Carries piece of wood.
Colby: Drives stake in the ground.
Keith: Twirls string around stick in order to start fire.
Maralyn: Wrapping the rope in her hand as Keith and Jerri argue over pole placement.
Amber: Holds wood while Keith starts fire.
Jerri: Tying string around tent after conflict with Keith.
Mitchell does not have any actual work shots but hes shown around both work areas, commenting (Bad news) on the Keith/Jerri pole conflict and watching Keith and Amber start the fire (where he has a pan shot alone). This could be explained as a conscious decision by Burnett to portray Mitchell as lazy (enforced later by Keiths Episode 3 comments). But actually, this could be Burnetts attempt to save up Mitchells work shots for the torch run during the immunity challenge (See #5).
Tina appears to take a vacation during Ogakors camp/fire building. While featured in beginning group shots as the stakes and flag are being set up, she has no solo work shots during the sequences, either cut or pan (even Kel gets a solo pan shot during the Keith/Jerri conflict).
And yet, Tina does manage a solo cut shot and a vocal line during the show. Its just that theyre not shown together:
**********
4. The one person who has no shot of them speaking or solo shot of them working DOES have one spoken line when theyre NOT on camera and one cut shot when theyre doing NOTHING.
Excluding the sequence when they jump out of the plane at the beginning, Tina has only one cut shot and one vocal line in the show (NOTE: This is not during the relay race. Tinas famous running through the jungle with my boobs bouncing shot as well as when she puts the wooden stake in the ladder both feature other people in the background. She yells during the race along with everyone else).
Tinas vocal line comes as Ogakor is discussing where to put the shelter. She IS alone for a moment in a cut shot during this discussion but Jerri comes in the picture before its completed. Tinas statement is that she doesnt want the camp near the water because of electrical storms. The only problem is that the camera is on Colby, then quiet Amber (of all people) while this statement is being said. Tinas sole cut shot where shes the sole one in the picture occurs after Keith collapses after failing to start the fire. Shes shown lying on the ground with her head in her hands and her face filling much of the screen. Previously, she had not been seen with the others during the fire building sequence.
Consider how the editing has gone up to this point. Why would Burnett give 15 people multiple solo cut or pan shots of them working or talking, and give one person only one cut shot when theyre doing nothing and one vocal line when theyre not even on screen? He allows 13 people to be interviewed and their names given on screen so that viewers can form impressions of them. Two (Kel and Amber) only talk once, but viewers could infer in later episodes (correctly) that theyre generally quiet people. The way Tina is being edited is not only obvious, its misleading. In later episodes, this person is shown to be a hard worker with a strong character (Stop it or youre both going to timeout!) who knows how to plot. The whole point of the editing seems to be to bury this character or to show her as some insignificant middle aged woman with bouncing boobs. Why?
**********
5. The relay race torch lighting can be interpreted as to who the winner is. The person singled out by the editing so far plays a significant part.
As is well known, fire represents life in Survivor, and it has often been theorized that the appearance of fire (during the opening credits for example) can be interpreted as to who the winner is. The way fire is used around Tina from the moment Keith fails to start one in camp through the lighting of the fire at the end of the relay race can be interpreted as signifying her victory:
A: Her sole cut shot shows her looking depressed when Keith cant start the fire (she has no life).
B: Before going to the challenge Mitchell is shown speaking about it and says we have to have fire. He says its for the rice, but theres much to be considered by this statement. Mitchell is the torchbearer during the challenge. He also is the only one whose cut shot to camp wasnt unambiguous (Jerri was in the background), who was hugged by Tina after arriving at the camp (followed by a spider in a web shot) and who wasnt shown doing any work during the camp building sequences (even Tina had work shots in the background). Mitchells work is to be the carrier of fire (life), something that Tina wants.
C: The tribes listen to Jeff Probst describe the challenge. After speaking awhile he says: That brings us to challenge number one, youre playing for fire we immediately get a cut shot of Tina (still surrounded by others, but shes the focus of the shot) as she turns and looks out to the water where the challenge is). This is where the fire is that Tina needs.
D: Probst further describes the challenge and then says that the winners get a hot meal, security in being around, losers, cold immediately cut to Tina who looks back from the challenge to Probst she understands what to do, she will not be the loser.
E: During the challenge, the famous shot of Tina with her chest bouncing is followed by Mitchell running and carrying the torch. Tina is leading him and the torch to where it should go.
F: When they arrive at the ladder Tina is the last one shown putting in the wood plank for Mitchell to climb to light the big torch. She has successfully guided the torch to its destination (and has symbolically achieved the life that she needs). Note that Tina may not have been the person to put in the actual last plank; Kel was arriving with the rest of them as she was putting hers in. It was edited for her to put the last plank in.
**********
6. The one character to be edited differently in Episode #1 has continued to be edited differently throughout the series.
As the series has progressed, it has become clear that Tina is the best strategist in the game. Consider all these strategic insights that Tina has shared during the series run:
A: On our initial walk to set up camp, I was one of the earliest of the five people to be in Jerris alliance.
B: Kel told Maralyn and me he was voting against Jerri, but I made no promise to also do so as I had already joined Jerris group.
C: During the Butch Cassidy diving challenge, I talked to Kimmi and got out of her that Debbs vote at the first tribal council had gone against Jeff. Discussing this with the tribe later, we all agreed to vote Jeff off first at the merge.
D: On the walk to our third tribal council, I went around to several people trying to find someone to not vote Keith off as I thought he was our strength. I approached Mitchell and suggested either Amber or Jerri should be voted off instead but Mitchell declined to do it. I then approached Colby and persuaded him to vote off Mitchell.
E: I knew I needed to step down from the water post so that Keith would have immunity. If I didnt do that, he might be voted out and I would shortly follow.
F: Keith wanted to vote Jerri off but Colby didnt. Obviously, my views were then decisive. I decided that Jerris leaving would be good for morale as well as help me with Elisabeth and Rodger should they be on the jury.
Well, actually NONE of these insights have been shown on the show; they have been gleamed through other analysis or subsequent interviews with other cast members. The question is WHY they havent been shown. Tina appears to be a pleasant person grounded in hard reality. She can be friendly with Maralyn (while not allying with her) and Elisabeth (while matter of factly saying it makes sense to vote her or Rodger off). She seems willing to share insights on how the game is played (her speeches at the council when Mitchell was voted out).
Why would Burnett not show the other insights Tina obviously has (is it really likely she wouldnt have been interviewed about her machinations to get rid of Mitchell or her views on Jerris removal?). Tina has been criticized by some for being a sneaky player who shouldnt be trusted is this her doing or Burnett not showing everything she has to say? Would showing her describing her thinking make her look too much like Rich in S1? If Tina is going to be eventually outmaneuvered by someone else, why not show all of her planning and then show her receiving her comeuppance at the end? Perhaps because she received no comeuppance? At the time this is being written (six people remaining on the show) Tina is in a majority alliance with no votes cast against her and under little threat of being removed anytime soon. And with her previously demonstrated speech giving skills about the game, does anyone doubt that she could present a friendly, yet (Rich like) realistic argument in front of the jury on why she played the game the way she did?
Two final points about the first episode:
A. During the plane ride before the opening credits, Jeff Probst is giving an opening speech. Note that when he says These 16 Americans the camera is on Tina in the foreground and Keith in the background the shot then pans to Keith. This can be interpreted as Burnett reminding us that 16 people are on the show, but the one being panned away from Tina isnt being shown like everyone else this episode.
B. Note the order the survivors are introduced in when they leave the plane. In S1, Tagi was introduced first with Rich in the fifth position. In S2, Ogakor is introduced second with Tina (the anti-Rich) in the fifth position.
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7. The beginning of Episode 2 is edited the same way as Episode 1.
Without rehashing Episode 2 the same way as Episode 1, note that the beginning of it is similar to the first episode. The episode begins with Kucha discussing Mike and his rice, journeys over to Ogakor and Maralyns family whirlpool (where Kel has his first interview concerning rice as their current food strategy), goes back to Kucha to discuss Rodgers fear of jumping off a cliff and then the Butch Cassidy challenge. Note that during all this everyone but Tina and Amber talk (and Amber may have yelled as she jumped off the cliff this is unclear); even Lis gets in a Go Kucha as they go through the water. Also note that even excluding when they jump off the cliff - everyone gets a cut/pan shot where theyre the center of attention except Tina (even quiet Amber gets a nice long bottom up shot as she wades into the family whirlpool). Tina finally gives her debut interview after the first commercial break (Were not getting eight hours of sleep a day) followed by Ambers (Keith is a chef and its not that I dont believe it).
In conclusion, this analysis like any other should be taken with a grain of salt and be reviewed to see if it is accurate. But always remember the things you DONT see are sometimes more interesting than the things you do.
TapeWatcherB65
