Corinne Kaplan, 29 year-old sales rep from L.A.: “I’m gonna be a total bitch and I’m gonna get rid of who I have to get rid of and I’m gonna hurt people’s feelings and I’m gonna laugh when people cry and I’m gonna own it.”
Jeff Probst Blogs Gabon Episodes 1 and 2

Official CBS Survivor 17 site

We watch Survivor as a family and it is our “guilty pleasure.” For me,  the best part about Survivor, even more than the challenges, are the human dynamics that emerge as the game spins out.  People arrive with the intention of “flying below the radar” or as Corinne (above) says, “being a total bitch,” or their plan is to “lay low,” but time after time they do the exact opposite! I don’t know if the showrunners deliberately pick people with little-to-no insight into their own behaviour or if there’s something about being stranded with a bunch of strangers in the wilderness that does it but it happened right out of the gate last night.

The “Fang” tribe (a misnomer if there ever was one) lost two challenges back-to-back and went to tribal counsel and voted out Michelle, despite appearing to be their strongest woman because they didn’t like her personally. Upon viewing a video extra on the Official CBS Survivor 17 site I can see exactly what they meant. She was a miserable, foul-mouthed b-word. Though she ragged on “fat people,” she maybe could have taken a look in the mirror as her acne ravaged face betrayed what lay beneath. For Michelle, her self-proclaimed street smarts didn’t translate to jungle smarts.
The Fang tribe continued to unravel but not before Gillian annoyed every creature within earshot. To make matters worse despite a bio that boasts of her physical prowess her feats must have been accomplished many years ago because she acted weak and clumsy throughout the challenges, except the time she sat out and hooted “encouragement” to her team who were so far behind they had no chance what.so.ever. Gillian claims to want to be a “motivational speaker” but news flash, darlin’ you are merely annoying and come across as completely out of touch with reality. This is how she perceived her behavior: “I should’ve just continued flying low under the radar and I didn’t.”
She was never under the radar because she never shut up! The showrunners are going to need to switch the teams up soon because Fang is a team of losers–Gillian had gotten the ball rolling during the “school yard pick” of her team. The initial criteria: being a mom(!)

Michelle: Being thin couldn't save her from herself.

Season 17: Episode 01: Disconnected Tribe Votes Out First Survivor

“After losing back-to-back challenges, the Fang Tribe was the first to go to Tribal Council. Torn between voting out Gillian, the weakest person in challenges, or Michelle, whose constant negativity around camp began wearing them down, Fang came to a unanimous decision. In a landslide vote, Michelle Chase, the 24-year-old music assistant from Los Angeles, California was the first person to be voted out of SURVIVOR: GABON — EARTH’S LAST EDEN. Michelle leaves behind her final words: “I’m not really surprised. Losers stick together. Fat people stick together. They decided to keep Gillian, who’s like a hundred and five, and to vote me, who’s twenty-four and completely fit. I mean they’re all idiots. They’re all voting off the strongest member, so it’s going to be interesting to see what happens. Very interesting.”

Michelle’s Final Words: “They’re idiots, they’re doomed.”

Season 17: Episode 02: Defeated Tribe Sends Next Survivor Home

Gillian: A disaster from the get-go

“After losing “GC” as their leader and another immunity challenge, the Fang tribe’s morale had reached a new low. At their second Tribal Council, the tribe came to the conclusion that they needed to get rid of the weaker players if they are to win any challenges. Although paranoia had risen around camp that Dan may have found the hidden immunity idol on Exile Island, it was Gillian who was sent home. The tribe agreed that she was the weakest player, with seven out of the eight votes cast against her. Gillian Larson, the 61-year-old nurse from Temecula, California leaves her final words. “There’s a huge part of me that would’ve wished that I could’ve won Survivor Africa because I am still not done with wanting to play it. I guess it doesn’t work to speak your mind when you know you really shouldn’t. I should’ve just continued flying low under the radar and I didn’t. It’s been an absolutely fantastic experience and I wish the tribe good luck because I think they’re gonna need it.”

LINK to E1and E2 (Season premiere of Gabon)

Next week on Survivor:

“She Obviously is Post-Op!”

Tension boils over as food runs dangerously low after some Castaways over-indulge in three meals a day. One Castaway is tossed around like a rag doll during a Reward Challenge. Will her performance cause her tribe to toss this rag doll right out of Gabon? One Castaway sets out to prove her strength on Exile Island. Will emotions caused by the recent death of a loved one prove to be an inspiration or a hindrance to her success?

1. Survivor: Gabon S17, Episode 05: “This Camp Is Cursed!” E06 Promo Video *SPOILERS*...
2. Survivor: Gabon- Episode 10, “Nothing Tastes Better Than $500″ Preview, Episode 11, Promo Videos, Photos...
3. Survivor: Gabon Episode 4,”It Was Just Like Christmas,” Immunity Challenge, Episode 5 Promo Video,*Spoilers*...

Tags: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Jeff Probst Blogs Gabon Episodes 1 and 2, photos, Preview, Season 17, Spoilers, Survivor spoilers, Survivor: Gabon, Television, video