An "Insider" Look at Survivor: Guatemala, Episode 1: And That's Just the First Episode!

That’s right, I’m back for another season of Insider recaps. And unlike Big Brother and The Apprentice, I’m actually looking forward to a big new year of Survivor!

While I would have been excited anyway (that’s right, Palau brought me back to actually enjoying this show again), I’ve been stoked ever since the Palau finale, where we got our first glance at Guatemala and the Maya Empire theme. I don’t think I’ve been this happy about a theme since Pearl Islands, in all honesty.

See, in high school, I went on a trip to Mexico, and actually visited some ruins at Teotihuacan (the pyramid of the sun, Quetzalcoatl, all that) and I’ve been in love with the culture ever since. Granted, they are not the same culture exactly, but I love them both anyway. Living among such history would be incredible – not something even Survivors get to do. Way better than any beach.

Anyway, you know the deal – “Insider” videos at CBS.com (and whoever redesigned that system, I’d like to give ‘em a swift kick in the daddybags) that I will watch and recap for you, my faithful reader. Along the way, I’ll add in my own unique commentary (see above) and opinion.

Jim’s Final Words: As always, this is the immediately-after-boot interview from which they take the credit sequence voiceover. He’s not particularly surprised by the outcome, given the difficulty of the game and the older guy operating at 50%. He doesn’t blame them, wishes them good luck and hopes nobody gets hurt.

It was something he didn’t fully believe when they talked about the difficulty. He had some help, but to take people through the difficult jungle situation, 11 miles in 24 hours, is a difficult situation. It’s a credit to him and a credit to the kids. He did well with what he had to work with.

He’s not as strong as he thought he was, considering the challenges. Everybody overestimates their abilities, but as we get older, mother nature turns down the thumbscrews, and this brings it out. He knew he had strengths in people management and working with people, it was just a health thing. Running 12 miles a day on flat roads doesn’t compare.

He wants to motivate older people to quit bitching into their coffee cup and move on with life, not necessarily to do something like this, but get off the couch and do something for yourself. Good for Jim! It kinda sucks, because he seemed like the fun older guy, the Rodger type instead of the Roger type…

None of them fully realized how tough it is, not just the toughness, but the humidity and competition and lack of resources was grueling. He would do it again, it would probably never happen, but it was fun and something he’ll never ever forget.

Jim, the Day After: He’s out of the game primarily because of an injury he suffered in the second challenge (an injury which is not wrapped in any way, but he’s sure not moving it much), he picked up the canoe before anyone else did and he heard it snap. He was operating at 50% and he knew he was holding them back.

Headed back to camp, they knew they lost for a reason, some error they made. In his estimation, he thinks it was not going on the outside of the buoys, trying to hit the center. Whatever that means. He was against it. When they got back, he knew he was screwed. He wasn’t going to drag them down with him, it’s not him, it’s not in his character. He pulled them aside and told them they had to get rid of them.

All the guys got sick, and he doesn’t know why. The women were relentless and he’s so proud of them. The guys perceived themselves as being tough, but what happened? Beats him.

Had he stayed he definitely would have been a father type, or maybe an Uncle that would help take care of them. Hopefully he did help get them through the jungle and helped them win the first challenge.

Overall it wasn’t what he expected. He knew it was going to be tough, but he didn’t expect the conditions, the humidity, it was just stifling.

How does he feel today? Well, someone’s got to go first, but it’s still bittersweet. You leave the game that you work so hard to get in. It didn’t seem quick, it seems like he’s been there a week. He would have liked to have been there longer but injuries happen, it could have happened to anybody.

Bobby Jon & Stephenie Return: Replay of Stephenie and Bobby Jon descending from the pyramid to meet their fellow Survivors. Does anyone else think it’s funny that Probst called Steph and Bobby Jon “tools”?

So what do I think about “the worst kept secret in Hollywood”? Frankly, I’m shocked that we didn’t get tons of people whining and bitching about it like we did with the Outcast twist and the schoolyard pick ‘em twist. Stephenie and Bobby Jon played the game longer than any of those people. Why should they get another chance?