[This portion written by: cman]  The Yasur tribe is returning from a shocking tribal council. It's a dark and windy night as they pace back to camp, and they are all a little shaken. To remind everyone, Eliza had switched from the young girls "team" to the older girls "team" to take dolly out and save herself. The older women were not expecting to be successful, and the younger women did not know what had just happened. The three younger girls, Mia, Lisa and Julie, do not trust Eliza anymore, and our feeling quite left out and vulnerable. Eliza expresses pride for taking Dolly out, while she's a outcast among the younger ones.

The shot shifts tribe to the Lopevi tribe during the day, while all the guys are building the shelter. Sarge soon peaks his end out and asks a question no one knows the answer to. "Where's Rory?". The shot switches to the jungle, where Rory is picking citrus, and is ready to go back to camp and show everyone. He gets there, and Sarge is kind of upset. "When it comes to Rory," he states, "what gets under my skin is that he's not a physical player". Rory gives him his "Oh yeah, check this out" sort of Rory way, flashing the fruit around, and this impresses Sarge.  Rory-"I'm a grown ass man," replying to Sarge keeping everything in order. Turns out, someone else says, it's "up to Sarge to decide for five (other) guys".

We come back to the Yasur tribe, Mia "seriously wants to go hunting, for some fruit". Twila makes a little comment about her not working, into which Mia goes off, saying that she COULD do all the stuff she is doing, but just doesn't, and tells her to "Go ahead and keep playing that card, because it's the only one she's got." This goes into Mia screaming at Twila, saying in an interview, "I'm going to call her out as much as possible." Twila later states "I ain't taking her crap".

After the commercial, we come back to Yasur, and Mia and Lisa go to get tree mail, and come back with Eliza's stern saying of how they have to get rid of Twila (Julie meets them there too, but is quiet). The girls can't entirely trust Eliza though. They read the tree mail, and realize it's Reward AND Immunity. What'll happen next?  Part I  [7 minutes].

Burly Girls, Bowheads, Young Studs and the Old Bunch:  
[This portion written by: CeCiMom]   Day 4 (Morning)  It was cold at the Lopevi tribe's camp without fire.  The men are talking about how they slept last night and that he told them... "he slept like a baby, woke up every 3 to 4 minutes and cried."

Chad, John K., and Sarge found some bugs under and log and eat them for protein.

Chris and John P. (JP) are trying to make fire. Chris says they need fire and it would really boost the moral of the tribe.  They rubbed two pieces of bamboo together, and almost got fire.  JP gets and amber and it starts to smoke, rain clouds are rolling in and the ember goes out.  Chris says the girls will kick their butts again  if they don't get fire to boil water.

Yasur - Day 4 (Morning)  At Yasur the girls were climbing trees (and each other) to harvest unripe plantines (like bananas). 

Mia says that the Survivor experience is 1,000 times harder than she thought it would be.  Eliza complains that it is cold, wet and uncomfortable, like one of the girls said last night... "it's like being in prison."

The women find maggots in the plantines that they cooked. Some of the girls are disgusted and stop eating. Twila says "Yeah, eatin' 'em up, give 'em to me."

Dolly is crying and talking about how it's all sinking in and then the maggots and all.  Dolly, says she is not complaining,  "I'm happy to be here, just hungry and tired."  Twila comforts her, but in here interview she says she has no problem with maggots. "Sorority girls... not mature enough, strong enough, don't understand the game, I guess." "If they want to be pampered, go back to the Holiday Inn."

Back at Lopevi
JP and Travis are walking along a trail alone. JP says... "Travis, can I ask you a personal question? Before tribal counsel, did my name come up?" Travis says, "Before this last one, yes it did."

Interview #3 JP (Sales Manager) Talks about tribal counsel being an eye opener and intense. He says, "It's me, John (K), and Brady. The older side, Sarge, Chad, Rory, Travis and Chris. It's 5 against 3, not good odds."

Cut-back to JP and Travis talking:  Travis tells JP he's too much of a threat, it's your personality and good looks, it's a threat. Travis tells him he has four kids and a wife at home and that's who he thinks about when he votes. JP gets upset and asks him that if he had kids would that change anything? Travis says, "If you had kids he would play differently.  [JP interrupts: "LIKE YOU?"] JP asks who else is a threat to him and Travis tells him that there were 17 threats at the start of this game, and only 1 winner.  Part I Fail with a Splash [14 minutes].

[This portion written by: nawlinsgal43]  Jeff Probst welcomes the women's Yasur tribe of nine strong to the beach, then welcomes the men of Lopevi to the beach and tells the women this is there first look at the men's tribe since the tribal council and the voting out of Brook. Jeff announces that this will be a reward challenge and that the reward will be for some luxury items 1. One Hammock 2. Two pillows 3. Three Heavy Blankets and in addition if the men win they will win the flint to start fire.

The challenge is walking across a beam over the water, the entire team will line up on the beam and one at a time will walk to the end of the beam by only touching one person at a time, this means they have to walk around each other and hold on to each other to get past to the next person. Since the women have one extra member Scout will sit out.

As the challenge starts Eliza gets across then Julie falls and has to go back to the beginning, Julie get across, then Mia and Leann in the meantime on the men's side finally Brady gets across, it's 4-1, then it's 5-1 the men are having a very hard time and keep falling in, back to the women it's now 6-1 then 7-1 men still falling in the water having a hard time getting past each other trying to hug and hold on but not having much luck, finally Jeff announces Yasur you only need to get the last person across and you have won the award and then the last women comes across and the women's team is so happy dancing and laughing having a really good time. Jeff sends the men back to camp without fire and tells them they can try to win fire at the next challenge. Tells the women this is your reward enjoy, they grab the goodies and head off to camp.  Part I Fail with a Splash [14 minutes].

At the women's camp Scout is talking about how Twila calls the young ones the sorority girls and Mia tells the camera that the groups seem to be Scout, Twila, Leann, Amy in one group and Lisa, Eliza, Julie and herself in the other group, stating that Dolly just floats between both groups.

At the men's camp Rory has a really bad attitude an is very upset with the way the girls acted when they won the challenge, he states " That was nonsense they are grown women doing that little dance, they have no class, Sarge if that was men you won't have taken the way they acted, they are classless." No one seems to agree with Rory Sarge even says he finds him "wrong as rain." and they are tired of him grumbling about the girls for hours. Men not happy with Rory being a sore loser and his attitude.

Next Morning at Camp Yasur someone is singing "good morning to you, good morning to you" being all happy. They slept good and were comfortable, everyone was in much better moods. A chicken was spotted and Lisa started stalking the chicken, they all try to catch the chicken to no avail, Twila was going to stab the chicken when it was laying eggs everyone was cheering her on and telling her to just stab it and pray for it, she tried but the chicken got away, but they did get 5 eggs and put them in the pot to boil them. Part II [8 minutes]. 

[This portion written by: beck]  Lopevi receives tree mail...Rory reads it to the team, it is in regard to needing to rely on and trust fellow tribemates to complete this task.

The "spirit stone", given to the Lopevi tribe during the first episode, did not seem to be bringing any luck to the tribe. They lost the first Immunity Challenge last week and the Reward challenge this week so they decided to pay some "respect" to the stone. They tied to the stone to a pole and Rory planted it in the sand. The skies were clear all day and the moment the pole was stood up a cloud formed and the rain started pouring. Rory has decided that the island is "magical".

Yasur and Lopevi meet for the Immunity Challenge. Yasur immediately wants to know which member was missing. Jeff informed them it was Brook. Jeff took the Immunity pole from Yasur and says it is "back up for grabs", Twila replied confidently, "We will get it back". Jeff explains the challenge will test communication and ability to work together. Scattered out in the fields and in the water are 12 sets of puzzle pieces, one member will be chosen to be the "eyes" for the team while the other members are blindfolded and tied together in teams of two or three. The members must retrieve all puzzle pieces before taking off blind fold and beginning to complete 3 separate jigsaw puzzles. Jeff informs the teams that Immunity is up for grabs and for Lopevi it will also include flint  Yasur must sit a member out and decides that will be Dolly, they choose Scout as their eyes. Lopevi chooses Sarge.

Sarge is directing in a military-type manner.  Scout is directing the members in a somewhat calm cool tone. The members complain at one point they cannot hear her.  When the team that was retrieving the puzzle pieces from the water returned with some pieces they ask Scout if they need to head back to the water and Scout tells them, "No, we have them all" However the camera immediately shows puzzle pieces still floating in the water.

Lopevi has retrieved all puzzle pieces and can take blindfolds off and begin working on their first puzzle.

A pair of Yasur members return and drop their 11th piece of puzzle on the ground and Scout yells for them to take their blindfolds off and start working on the puzzle... Jeff tells Scout they cannot because they still have a piece in the water. The water team has to go get it before they can start working on puzzle. Eliza tells Scout "I asked you if we needed to go back to the water and you said that we got them all".

Lopevi is taking a long time to complete their first puzzle as Yasur is beginning theirs. Jeff informs Yasur that "they are still in this competition" despite the mistake. Jeff comments to Lopevi that they are beginning to work well together and Lopevi wins Immunity!

Lopevi is celebrating and Sarge yells "Say my name, Say my name". Chris lifts JP into the air. Yasur is very disappointed.

Back at camp Scout comforts Eliza with a hug and tells her "There is no crying in Survivor". Eliza says she never expected to cry so much and Scout tells her and the others that "they played Lopevi very well". Part III [8 minutes].

[This portion written by: cappy]   Tribal Council- The ladies of Yasur walk in to the tribal council. "Behind each of you is a torch. Grab one and light it. In this game, fire represents life. If you fire is gone, so are you. Jeff asks the ladies about the challenge. A small talk about how they lost and who feels vulnerable. Dolly states that she is the swing vote tonight. "It is time to vote. Eliza your first." Jeff says. All the members have voted and Jeff goes to tally the votes. "Once the votes are read, the person being voted out will be asked to leave the tribal council area immediately. Ill read the votes. The votes in order: Leann, Leann, Leann, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Leann.

"The second person voted out of Survivor: Vanuatu Islands Of Fire... Dolly." Dolly brings Jeff her torch. Dolly, your tribe has spoken. "You voted out the person who they thought was the swing vote. Will this bring your tribe together or tear it apart. Head back to camp. See ya tomorrow." Leaving the tribal council, Dolly says that she is simple and that she belongs on the farm. Those that voted for Leann were Dolly, Mia, Julie, and Lisa. Those that voted for Dolly were Leann, Twila, Ami, Scout and Eliza. I guess we all can say that Eliza is the new Jerri Manthey. She backstabbed Dolly.  Part IV [10 minutes].

September 16, 2004  Survivor 9 Episode 1 (By odinsraven)

Survivors are met by an unusual welcome committee.

The castaway's boat was greeted by the island natives who took them by outrigger canoes to the island.  Jeff warned the group that they would be taking place in an authentic island ceremony, that might shock so of them.

Once on the island, it wasn't clear whether the natives were friendly or not.  The Survivor castaways were being poked with spears.  They separated the men from the women.  The men got to drink a special brew called "kava."  The women, got nothing. 

The tribe brings out a pig, hot-tied (of course) and hanging from a pole.  One of the women thought the pig was dead, and was going to be roasted, but the pig was alive.  One of the Vanuatu tribesmen clubbed the pig to death.  For Dolly, a sheep farmer from Pennsylvania, this wasn't shocking, it's part of life on the farm. A tribesman then smeared the foreheads of male castaways with pigs blood to ward off evil spirits.

Jeff Explains What's Next: "There's one element left to this initiation. It involves a spiritual stone. It is believed on these lands that this carved stone and other stones like it ward off evil spirits. Last thing you want in this game is bad luck. Possessing this stone could give you a spiritual advantage in the game. As you've seen, men and women are treated very differently. The chief is offering the men a chance to possess this stone. The only hitch is you have to get it from the top of that pole, which has been greased with pig fat. If you fail, the women get it. The chief will decide in which order you go. To show you that it can be done, she's going to instruct a tribe member to take it up and put it there now." 

Brady (33) rubs dirt on his hands then climbs the pole. He retrieves the spiritual stone on the first try.  As he retrieves the stone from the top of the pole, is starts pouring rain. 

Jeff says, " Because you have been divided in groups of men and women by the chief, you will stay that way." The men are the "Lopevi" tribe with red buffs. The women are the "Yasur" tribe named after the volcano wearing yellow buffs. Jeff says, "your next task is to find your tribal beaches. You will not have a map to guide your way. You will not have fire to guide your way. It will be a long, dark, wet walk! When you get there, you will have a pot. You will have a machete, and a map to water and that's it!! Have a good 39 days." Part I The Adventure Begins [15 minutes].

The Yasur tribe, comprised of: Scout (59 has an artificial knee), Ami (31), and Dolly (25) sat down because it's pouring rain, dark, and the trek over lava rocks is dangerous. Eliza (21) was not happy about it. This was the first minor disagreement. The team all wanted to arrive at the camp together. So they continued on to their camp. Through the rain and the mud the Yasur tribe had a bit trouble getting to their camp. 

Lopevi tribe: Rory (35) was also not happy about the dark and seemingly walking around in circles. Brook (27) doesn't think Rory is going to fit in barking out orders. I already hear someone saying, "some of the younger guys don't listen.....and there was tension on the first night."

DAY TWO:   Scout, Twila (41), and Leann (35)are busy building a shelter while Eliza and the other girls ( Scout calls them sorority chicks, another calls them bowheads) are swimming and basking in the sun (does this remind you of Jerry?). Tension seems to be mounting between Eliza and Scout. Eliza does not like the idea how hard Twila is working because she says, "this makes us look bad in her mind at us who have taken reasonable breaks." Hum, I see a little problem beginning with the age difference!!! It does not show the girls trying to start a fire or finishing building the shelter.

The women's tribe, Yasur, wins the first challenge and immunity.

At the men's camp, the Lopevi tribe, they're trying (without success) to make fire. Chris is talking to a camera man about his dislike for John P Chris says, "He wants to prove himself bad. I'm buff, I'm bad, I'm young. I'm going to the end of this. You know, he's got the frame, but he aint got the brain. JP is unsuccessful with fire. And I don't see any shelter. Chad has something to show his teammates.  He pulls up pant leg, "You guys check it out. I have to show you this. Do you guys agree I had a pretty good run down here, I didn't fall or anything?  After doing things that are physically demanding, I felt like it was the time to reveal the fact that I have no foot, that it's a prosthetic."  Part II Getting to Know You [10  minutes].

DAY THREE:   Immunity Challenge, matches and flint, 4 parts: (1) Mud crawl: all 9 members have to go under the mud crawl and not continue on until each tribe member is through. The men are slightly ahead. (2) Maze box: 3 members have to maneuver a ball down a board until the ball comes out a hole. Then the ball is unwrapped with matches inside to be used in the final task. The men are still ahead. (3) Balance beam: All tribal members have to cross a balance beam and wait until each one is across before they continue to the last task. If anyone falls off or touches the net, the person has to start all over. The women make up ground here, so both teams are neck in neck.

Few tribal members walk across, but most everyone crawls or scoots on the beam. It's down to Chris and Scout. Scout gets across first and leads her team to the final task. Chris tries every way possible, but cannot make it. (4) 3 tribe members have to start a fire in a big wok that will burn a rope overhead which will cause their torch to drop. Then they light the torch and run to the finish line. The women win the immunity and the matches.

The Scheming Begins: JP (31 John P) , Brook, Johnnie (22 John K), and Brady decide to get rid of the weakest link, Chris. They approach Lea (40) with the idea. He tells them that he will have to think about it. Next you see Travis (33 AKA Bubba) talking to Chris about getting rid of the younger people. Chris agrees, but he wants to vote out JP because he's too strong. Bubba wants to keep him because he is the only trying to make fire. Bubba says, "I say Brook. Brook is cocky, and we don't know where he lies." Chris says, " O'kay, I'll talk to Chad." Next Johnnie and Brook are talking about being targets because they are young and strong. I see a pattern starting here and good editing. It might be a competition on both sides with the youngest against the oldest. We will have to wait and see. In the meantime, Brady has not fully made up his mind who he is going to vote for. He is not too happy with the way Rory (35) is not making a group effort.  Part III Someone's Gotta Go [10 minutes].

Tribal Counsel: Jeff is very good when it comes to stirring up the pot. First he points out that Chris could be a target because he lost the challenge for the whole group. Next Jeff asks Rory how he is on fitting in with this group. So Jeff must know how some feel about him. Then Jeff gets the guys to thinking about how good some of the girls look , and then saying, "you had to be a little surprised that 9 women kicked you guys butt ." Oh he's good!!

The Vote: 1 Rory, 3 Chris, 5 Brook. Jeff says, "Brook, the tribe has spoken. It's time for you to go." It's been a long time since we've heard those words. " Hooray!!! Jeff continues, " 3 different tribe members received votes. You guys are going back to camp; no water, no fire because you're going to earn it or build it. You guys can head back to camp, good night." Voting tally's: Brady (Rory) Brook, JP, and Johnnie (Chris) Chad, Bubba, Rory, Chris, and Lea voted for (Brook). "Brook, the tribe has spoken. It's time for you to go. Three different tribe members received votes. You guys are going back to camp. No water, no fire because you're going to earn it or you're going to build it. You guys can head back to camp. Good night."   The exciting conclusion [11 minutes].

 I'm having trouble learning who's who, are you?  Meet the Survivors. 

I am pleased that this is the first episode summary written by one of this site's forum members, odinsraven.  Can you write like this?  Each week we're looking for people to write even just a portion of the show's synopsis (so I don't have to).  The next episode is on September 23rd.  Why not volunteer for a quarter of the one hour show.  Post a message here letting us know if you're interested.  And really big thanks to odinsraven for the great job he did, and without any prior notice, on the first episode.  -Morty-

Back Row: Lea "Sarge" Masters, Brook Geraghty, Leann Slaby, Mia Galeotalanza and John Kenney. Middle row: Travis Sampson, Ami Cusack, John Palyok, Dolly Neely, Scout Cloud Lee, Rory Freeman, Chad Crittenden and Julie Berry. Front row: Eliza Orlins, Brady Finta, Chris Daugherty, Twila Tanner and  Lisa Keiffer.

Hi, I'm Morty and I write about TV.  Over the summer my web site gets very busy with the fans of Big Brother checking in to read my take on the day's events. 

This year I added a Big Brother message board.  Hundreds of people logged in and posted thousands of messages. We all got to know each other and found that most of us are also fans of Survivor.  So, by popular demand, here's your new Survivor fan page. 

I won't be writing a daily commentary of Survivor, (can't it's taped and only airs once a week)  but I will try to provide clips and whatever else you ask for.  Over the summer I got to read the posts of my readers, and I'm hoping they'll pitch in and write some commentary for this front page. 

I'd like it understood that this page is just a small effort of a small group of fans.  The web sites listed to the left, are far better resources of in depth coverage, we're just here for fun.  I'm hoping this page becomes a unique little Survivor outpost, that you'll enjoy visiting once or twice a week.