Edge Of Extinction Episode 1: Blood For The Cause

The newbies react to the news they are not alone

14 new players are about to meet 4 returning veterans. But first, we're introduced to the Edge of Extinction, this season's secret twist. Probst greets the newbies by reminding them they are always on the EDGE of getting voted out...hey, he has to give them some explanation for the title. Then he brings in the vets, and Lauren is stoked to see Kelley and Joe. After giving them their tribes, we're onto the marooning. Ron picks up a secret advantage, whereas Keith struggles with his swimming.

Manu reach their camp and David ends up being a major help in constructing the shelter...quite a turnaround from his first season! We also learn about Wendy's tourettes, which she worries is gonna make it hard for her to fit in, but I find it adorable.

Well, he dug deep

Over at Kama, Joe is trying hard to keep down his threat level even though people keep asking him how to do things. Whilst Joe gets fire on his own, Julie struggles to even weave a palm frond. Ron finally gets the chance to look at his advantage and it tells him to dig by treemail. There he uncovers the advantage menu...a choice between stealing a tribe reward, an extra vote or immunity. I feel like you should take immunity every time, right?

Eric and Gavin are bonding, and it seems like they're both skeptical of the vets. Eric sees Joe as a great shield to have, so right now he wants Aubry gone. On Manu, Reem is playing the mom role, which works great for momma's boy Keith, but Rick and Wardog are annoyed that she's moving their clothes around. Reem and Wendy help Keith swim, and Rick takes the chance to paint a target on their backs by pointing out to everyone else that they're an alliance. Now there's an implied agreement that the rest of them will take out the other three.

Body on the line

The immunity challenge is to run through ropes, walk a three-tier balance beam, release a slide and then solve a giant slide puzzle. Kama go under the ropes whilst Chris hops over them. Joe and Chris race up the rope to the bell neck-and-neck. Joe is first to take on the balance beam and makes it, whereas Manu members keep falling. Eric and Aubry also get across, helping Joe untie the bridge faster. Somehow David is the first one over the beam for Manu, but Lauren gets it eventually too. Eric releases Kama's slide as Manu get Chris and Rick across. Kelley takes a hard hit to the head after falling. Lauren releases the slide, but Kama are on the puzzle now with Joe taking the lead. They all stop once Julia gives them advice, and seem to know what they're doing...but Manu are right on their heels. Kama edge them out and win immunity. Manu return to camp, bruised and beaten.

Reem says she doesn't like how close Lauren and Kelley are so wants to split them up, so tries to get Rick on board. Keith walks away and rats them out to the other side, hoping to save his own skin. With the target placed firmly on Reem, Wardog and Rick talk to Wendy to see what she says, but she insists on voting with Reem out of loyalty. Wardog now wonders if Wendy is the better choice because she's inflexible. Wendy tells Reem she's a target, and she goes out on the attack to defend herself.

Not threatening at all

At tribal council, Rick says a split began based on who was doing what the first day. Reem complains that her name is out there, and Kelley points out hers is too. Reem denies being the weakest and claims age discrimination. Wardog tries to calmly explain that people didn't like having their stuff moved, and she acts annoyed that this is the reason. It's clear to the whole tribe at this point Reem is going, which she's pretty open about saying is "a nightmare".

You've made your bed..lie in it

Reem does indeed get voted out (though they put some on Wendy too to be safe) and walks out upset, hoping it'll rain on the rest of the tribe. But at the end of the path she seems surprised to see a sign giving her a choice to stay in the game. She takes the torch and heads off into the unknown. Like something out of a horror movie, she gets off the boat in the dead of night, to see where she is. "There's nothing here" she says, confused. Cut to darkness.

Well, I haven't been the biggest fan of this twist but that was a pretty damn compelling closing scene. Reem is gonna have a rough night, but can she hang in there? Let's see how this plays out!

STAR OF THE WEEK: DAVID WRIGHT

David actually managed to be an asset to his tribe and even did well in the challenge. He got into the majority seamlessly and has even managed to avoid having a target on his back. Step one - get your foot in the door - complete.