Following Episode 1, titled "We Can Do Hard Things."
Pictured above: the cast of Survivor 45. Image credits: CBS
As competition reality show Survivor returns for its 45th season, viewers of the franchise can expect a return of the “new era” format with an expansive new runtime. For the first time in the shows’ history, Survivor 45 is set to have 90-minute episodes all season long, as opposed to its typical hour-long installments. The season will feature only one returning player, insurance agent Bruce, after his dramatic medical evacuation in the first episode of Survivor 44.
The premiere episode of Survivor 45 introduces us to three new tribes; the blue Belo tribe, red Reba tribe, and yellow Lulu tribe. While Reba and Belo have strong showings throughout the episode, winning the first immunity challenge, it is the chaotic, dysfunctional Lulu tribe that takes up a majority of the edit.
Immediately upon their arrival to the Survivor 45 boat, Lulu investment manager Emily quickly became a massive personality. Only minutes into the episode, she challenged returnee Bruce and explained her opinion–that his mere 12 hours in the previous season gave him “an advantage” over the rest of the contestants.
Although the first reward challenge saw the tribe take an early lead, Lulu castaway Brandon was unable to climb a ladder back onto the boat and squandered their early advantage. Reba would later go on to win the challenge, awarding them vital camp equipment while Lulu walked away empty-handed.
With her brash remarks on the boat towards Bruce and accusations of alliances between her fellow tribemates, Emily quickly found herself on the outs of the Lulu tribe. Sensing this, she ventured throughout the island looking for the Beware Advantage; a clue which would lead to a coveted Immunity Idol but stake its holder’s vote until the idol was retrieved. Unfortunately for Emily, the advantage was found by Brandon, who gave it to ally Sabiyah to protect his own vote.
Emily’s pessimistic nature immediately made her both a controversial figure and fan favorite among the cast. She would go on to accuse castaways Kaleb and Sabiyah of being in an alliance and regarding their performance in the vital reward challenge. In a more “kumbaya” era of Survivor, Emily’s disposition and brutal honesty won over the hearts of many fans while causing internal chaos among her own tribe.
It was this disorder and infighting which sent the six Lulu castaways to a Tribal Council ceremony after a poor performance in the crucial immunity challenge, where one of their own would be voted off the island. While it looked like the pugilistic Emily–who burned many bridges with her tribemates throughout the first two days–would be an easy first out, therapist Hannah had other plans after recognizing the physical and mental effects the island had on her. At Tribal Council, Hannah revealed her intentions to quit the game only two days into the season, shocking host Jeff Probst and the other members of Lulu. Without even going to a vote, Hannah left the island, becoming the first castaway eliminated on Survivor 45.
In her exit interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hannah cited “caffeine, nicotine, sleep, and food withdrawal together” as motivation behind her decision to leave the game. While fans were disappointed at her decision to quit the game, many are excited to instead see more of Emily as she navigates her bottom position on Lulu.
With a plethora of weeks and challenges remaining, viewers can expect a season of twists and rich blindsides as the castaways battle for $1,000,000 and the title of Sole Survivor. How will this week’s Tribe Swap, where competitors are all reshuffled into the three tribes, shake up the game?
To continue following the season, watch Survivor 45 on Wednesdays at 8PM EST.