Survivor: David vs. Goliath -- Season Premiere Blog Party

What a night we have ahead of us! It's the 90-minute season premiere for Survivor followed by the 90-minute season finale of Big Brother 20! And, that will be followed by live backyard interviews by Ross and Marissa on Facebook Live. I hope y'all napped some.

There are 20 castaways, so tonight's live blogging might be a bit rough as I get used to who's whom in the cast. I put up a cheat sheet with names and images at this link. But I won't really be able to access it while blogging and watching the show.

Here's the blog pool news from Lifeguard Laurie herself (she rocks!) --

Here's the pool. Same rules as before, nobody goes home the first night. They each get added to other teams (randomly).

Team David
Bi - Auntie Leigh, Janice, nana in the nw
Carl - DonnaNY, MikesGirl, tbc
Christian - ChicMc, Judi Sweeney, Sharon C
Davie - CherryPie, KelseyNY, Robin Allard
Elizabeth - Dennis Comfort, marthalight, Skyriverblue
Gabby - Cheryl in NC, Krysta Gibson, Rochelle
Jessica - Dr_Celine, ML, Terry is a Texan
Lyrsa - Buzzmaam, jennifer, Petals
Nick - Brian, Jennasmom, Paula Bell
Pat - Delee, Marlo Lee, Silk

Team Goliath
Alec - Carol C, Jean, Rbennie
Alison - Cher C, Jenna G, Renee
Angelina - Donna in FL, Margo, Vicki Volk
Dan - Donna in Alabama, Laurie Miles, SueGee
Jeremy - Andi l, Jackie, monty924, PDX Granny
John - Bizaro22, Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed
Kara - David, Karen in CA, Sharon N
Mike - Ed in Ohio, meb, Tammy
Natalia - Glenn Allen, Merrilee, TS14Fan
Natalie - Brenda, ITCHY, Nora
Thank you!

Survivor watchers ready? Let's GO! 

We're going through introductions and the theme itself. They're in Fiji, 39 days, 20 people, one Survivor. 

It's not who has the advantage, it's what is the advantage. 

Christian and Lyrsa (David) were chosen as the weakest on the David tribe by the Goliath Tribe.

Goliath has to choose their strongest -- Alison and John. 

They have a challenge ahead -- three stages, David gets to pick which one Goliath will take. They're obstacle course type things. They also chose their own course. The Davids won! Christian did the slide puzzle in about five seconds. It turns out that he wrote algorithms for slide puzzles in college. The Goliaths had a cube puzzle. The physical parts were pretty even. But he chose the right puzzle!

Ah, Mike White. I was a fan when he was on The Amazing Race. It turns out that Dan, the SWAT cop, lost over 100 pounds. He's already agog at Kara and even has a dog named Kara, albeit pronounced differently. She likes him, too. After all, they're both beautiful people! 

Over on the David tribe -- Pat says he can build the shelter as he swings a hammer every day. Others are gathering palm fronds. Christian seems to be taken a bit aback by Pat's direction as are some of the others. Uh-oh!

Goliath is having issues in building a shelter. (Maybe they would like a Pat!) Natalie is giving the orders there and now has a fresh target on her back. 

On David, the shelter is going well and at least Pat is working hard. Jessica and Carl (I think) build an early alliance. Already people are starting to want to work together. Elizabeth and Lyrsa? Oh my. Christian and Gabby have an early nerd alliance. 

Back to Goliath -- The wrestler of many names is playing as himself, John. Continued animosity towards Natalie for sitting there and barking out orders. Mike wants to go look for an idol. They all wonder where he is and they think he's out there looking for a hidden idol. So, now he also has a target on his back. They know he's wealthy, successful and was on TAR. Natalie, of all people, tells Mike he put a target on his back by looking for the idol. He feels foolish. 

Their first night was rough, heavy rain. The Kentucky lawyer wants to scheme while Elizabeth and others were commenting how much they care about people. Nick, the lawyer, is already getting on the sites of others because he isn't working. They're grateful that Pat's expertise did make them a good shelter. 

Angelina on Goliath is looking for an idol along with another gal. Oh noes! Now they're all looking for idols! The SWAT cop Dan found it and shared the news with Kara and Natalia. 

On David, Davie caught an octopus! Then it rains again. And then Jessica cries. Bits on domestic abuse from Bi after Jessica mentioned her mother's problems. Nick tells the others he lost his mother to a drug overdose three years ago. He says he has always been quiet about it. 

Okay, an hour into things and we have the first Immunity Challenge. Obstacle course, sandpit, machete, ladder second tribe has to untie knots to release flag, ends in a puzzle. Also playing for Reward -- flint. 

Whoa! Pat slows down John from Goliath! Goliath got the machete advantage. It's raining as they all work on the puzzles. The Goliaths narrowly win the first Immunity Challenge. 

Stormy, stormy. Oh geez! Pat is down! Medics are helping him. The boat they took back to the camp slammed on a rock, injuring Pat's back. He's gasping through an oxygen mask telling Jeff they can't pull him. The medics are concerned about spinal damage/fracture.

The medics, rightfully, decide to pull him from the game to get him to a hospital. Poor Pat. He was the impetus for the show theme this season. Plus, he's from my childhood stomping grounds. Horrible. I hope it wasn't fractured. I know back issues! 

No tribal council tonight as they lost a member. They get a flint anyway. 

A blurb at the end of the show says he's recovered fully.