Two heartbreaking exits set the scene for a milestone season

Emily Flippen, Cirie Fields, Christian Hubicki, Jenna Lewis-Dougherty, Ozzy Lusth, Savannah Louie, Joe Hunter, Rick Devens, Kamilla Karthigesu, Benjamin "Coach" Wade, Charlie Davis, Dee Valladares, Tiffany Ervin, Chrissy Hofbeck, Jonathan Young, Mike White, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Aubry Bracco, Genevieve Mushaluk, Rizo Velovic, Angelina Keeley, Q Burdette, Kyle Fraser, Colby Donaldson

Survivor season 50 premiere episode.Credit : Gail Schulman/CBS

 

Warning: This story contains spoilers for the premiere Feb. 25 episode of Survivor‘s 50th season.

Survivor‘s milestone 50th season began with a bang — and a break.

The show’s largest cast ever — 24 contestants ranging from season 1’s Jenna to the show’s most recently crowned winner, Survivor 49‘s Savannah — was welcomed by Jeff Probst. While there were cheers, smiles and laughs as the cast offered their first thoughts and met their tribes, game faces came out quickly.

After the Vatu tribe secured fire by winning the marooning challenge, the first big twist of the season came: each tribe sent one player to compete for the rest of their supplies, without knowing what exactly their task would be. Q, Ozzy and Coach stepped up — offering a faceoff between former adversaries Ozzy and Coach that didn’t disappoint. Coach emerged victorious when he grabbed the key first, but did he hurt his “honorable” reputation in the process?

Survivor 50

Survivor 50 premiere.Robert Voets/CBS

Back at the tribe camps, bonds began to form and targets began to be painted.

Over at Vatu, previous Heroes vs. Villains castmates Colby and Stephenie clicked immediately. They seemed to have control after teaming up with another pair: Kyle and Geneieve. There were also some side alliances strengthening of the group. Kyle and Q appeared to share trust, and despite initially calling Rizo “annoying as hell,” Colby warmed up to the newbie. The most character-filled group also delivered on the entertainment front, holding a fashion show that highlighted Geneieve’s pea coat, Angelina’s jacket and the Q-skirt.

SURVIVOR, Season 50, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Colby Donaldson

Colby Donaldson on Survivor 50.Gail Schulman/CBS

Tiffany, Dee and Kamilla seemed to click on Kalo, but other tribe members had their eye on Dee, the winner of season 45. But perhaps the significant bond? The one that happens when Coach lets you wear one of his toe rings.

Survivor 50

Survivor 50.Robert Voets/CBS

On Cila, Jenna wasted no time in naming fifth-time returnee and The Traitors winner Cirie Fields as her prey. When Cirie failed to ace her part of the first immunity challenge, costing her tribe valuable time and ultimately leading to their loss, it seemed the target on her back was only growing bigger as tribal council neared.

Despite Jenna casting a vote for Cirie, the rest of the tribe aligned in voting Jenna, making the first member of this all-star cast to ever play Survivor also the first person out of the game in season 50.

Survivor 50

Jenna Lewis Dougherty on Survivor 50.Gail Schulman/CBS

But she wasn’t the only person to say goodbye to Fiji early. An intense obstacle in the immunity challenge that required the players to help each other climb up a steep wall while they were covered in mud led to Kyle injuring his ankle. Despite working together to complete the challenge and win immunity, Probst and Dr. Joe Rowles came to the Vatu camp to perform some further tests. Dr. Joe’s assessment ruled that Kyle had likely torn his Achilles’ tendon, which required him to be removed from the game despite Kyle’s pleas. When the news was delivered to his tribemates, many broke down in tears.

Colby and Q lifted Kyle into the boat as he left the island. His final words? Asking one of his tribemates to win the whole thing.

SURVIVOR, Season 50, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Kyle Fraser.

Kyle Fraser on Survivor 50.Robert Voets/CBS