Cambodia Episode 1: Schools Of Thought

They're not here to sightsee

Probst begins this season with narration about how the losers of Survivor live a life of regret. Andrew Savage reinforces this, talking about how his life is perfect, except for the fact he didn't win Survivor. Well, for the first time ever, we have 20 people who know what it's like to lose this game, and all of them are reminiscing about what they did wrong and how to fix it. Spencer says he's learned to engage people on an emotional level. Kass and Abi promise to not be as villainous as they were before. Tasha says the opposite, and that she's going to backstab more. Don't think the location is playing second fiddle though...we're already treated to a gorgeous tour of an ancient temple.

Ta Keo's taste of victory

Probst invites the 20 second chancers onto a boat for their first challenge - they have to strip everything they can from the boat onto their raft and then race over to get the rice on the other boat. Ta Keo get their raft off first and Kelly swims ahead for them. Bayon bank on her getting tired though, and send Joe after her once they get close. Woo then joins in the fun and manages to beat both of them to the boat to win the rice for Ta Keo. And he gives it a big hug.

After Ta Keo touch down, Kelly tries to prove her worth in the classic old school way...with her work ethic. Meanwhile, another old schooler, Terry, is trying to improve his social game by making quick contact with Spencer. Abi goes looking for her bag that has gone missing, which is making it difficult for the old Abi not to come out.

Savage giving direction already

Over on Bayon, Jeremy tries to bury the hatchet with Keith. He then hooks up with Tasha, Savage and Joe, hoping that the big threats can shield eachother. As the Joe and Savage bromance blossoms, Stephen feels very out of place already. He then watches Savage cut down a huge tree, whilst struggling with his own tiny branch.

Shirin gets the old man up to speed

Vytas is up to his old tricks and schmoozing the women. It doesn't work on Shirin though, who brings in Varner and Spencer to tell them he needs to go. Varner is happy to be brought into some plans, but keeps saying the game is going too fast for him. Abi finally finds her bracelet, and it's in Peih-Gee's bag. Predictably Abi is not too happy with this, so Peih-Gee goes to clear the air with her and stress that it was just a misunderstanding.

Bayon all help Joe make fire, sharing in a teamwork moment. But the person who needs it most, Stephen, is off looking for the idol in a gross lake. Way to alienate yourself further. Back on Ta Keo, Varner and Peih-Gee comment on the split between old school and new school, revealing Varner's a lot more aware of what's going on than he's showing. Feeling in the middle of two groups, Varner asks for input and Peih-Gee suggests sending Abi home first...for obvious reasons.

Now it's Kelley's turn to search for the idol, and she pulls a package out of a tree that she thinks is it. Upon opening it, she sees that it's just a clue to the idol - and it tells her the idol is in the middle of a challenge. Will she be bold enough to go for it?

Joega now in session: Even Fishbach gives it a go

Joe and Vytas both lead yoga sessions on their beaches, but whilst the girls eat up Joe, Vytas is just annoying everybody. Terry and Vytas get together and decide to target the other annoyance on the tribe, Abi.

Fortune favours the brave, Kelley

The first immunity challenge is another throwback to season 1 where contestants have to grab onto the side of a raft, light torches, and then carry that raft across the beach. Oh, and there's an added jailbreak section. Both tribes jump into the water, with Spencer and Keith lighting the torches. Keith loses his flame and starts struggling, allowing Ta Keo to take the lead. Joe and Kelly are facing off at the gate, as Kelley keeps looking back to where the idol is located. As the challenge reaches its climax, Kelley picks her moment and snags the idol whilst all eyes are on the other Kelly. Once Joe gets the key, Spencer subs in, but it's too late at this point - Bayon win, and Kelly looks pretty distraught. It gets worse for the losers when Jeff tells them they're going straight to tribal with no time to plan.

Abi in trouble already, who could've guessed?

At tribal council, Woo outlines the old school vs new school divide, which is funny because he seems to be on "old school". Abi talks about the restraint she's shown since she's been back but it seems not everyone agrees. Vytas wants to beat Terry especially because Aras did. Varner takes it up a notch when he starts calling people out for pretending to not know what they're planning. Woo says he's not sure who to vote for, and I believe it, but Abi seems to have surmised he's voting for her.

The votes come back and Abi lives to see another day: it seems most people saw Vytas as the bigger threat. Probst sends them back to camp with a reminder that their second chance can end at any time, so they better make the most of it. Vytas is left trying to figure out whether it was even worth coming out here.

STAR OF THE WEEK: KELLEY WENTWORTH

She snatched an idol right from under everyone's nose in probably the tensest scene in the episode, and also got herself in a good position numbers-wise. Welcome to the big leagues, Kelley - maybe you do belong here after all.