Princess Buttercup

[Princess Buttercup]

link to CBS survivor web site

[Princess Buttercup]

starting tomorrow CBC had to say


A powerful new game-changing element is introduced into the competition and stands to give one tribe the upper hand before the game is even underway, on the season premiere of Survivor: Nicaragua.
   Survivor Returns to the Night That Launched the Series When Survivor: Nicaragua, Hosted by Emmy Award-Winner Jeff Probst, Moves to Wednesday Nights.

   "Young at Heart" - The castaways are shocked to learn that they'll be divided into tribes of older players versus younger players. The older tribe is especially surprised to learn that they'll be teamed with former NFL Coach Jimmy Johnson. Meanwhile, one castaway reveals a personal secret that could affect the entire tribe as they head into their first challenge."

[Princess Buttercup]

From TDT

Arrival/ Reward Challenge - contestants in teams, "Medallion of Power" grabbed
It's not enough to have 20 contestants, a final three, hidden idols and age-restricted tribes. SEG also felt the game needed to be further disfigured by adding some godawful contrived twist called the "Medallion of Power." E!Online's description: "Immunity Challenges will have another twist with the new, unfortunately named Medallion of Power: It gives the tribe who possesses it an advantage in the challenge—if they choose to play it. If they don't, they continue to keep it. If they do play the, ahem, MOP, it reverts to the opposing tribe."

 

missyae at Sucks says the first challenge involves getting said medallion: "The players walk in to join Jeff Probst. They have already been divided into 2 teams, but not the old vs young. Jeff talks about the Medallion but does not tell them exactly what power it will hold.... The first challenge is for the Medallion. Brenda Lowe's team wins the Medallion as she is the player who takes possesion of it during the challenge."

 

Evidence of this challenge, and the original "teams," is visible in the first set of ads for the show. They're lined up, talking to Probst in their teams, then we see both teams run off along the beach (similar to the opening challenge in Fans vs. Favorites?):

           Post-Reward Challenge - Tribes formed, "Medallion of Power" given to Espada
After the medallion is obtained, according to missyae, the "teams" are then dissolved, and Probst splits the contestants into their actual tribes (with Brenda keeping the medallion):

" At that point Jeff then splits them into the old vs. young tribes so the Medallion goes to the young tribe. However, Jeff gives them the option to give the Medallion to the old tribe in exchange for flint. After a quick meeting and deciding nobody could make fire, they choose to take the flint and give the Medallion to the old tribe."




Update: as ItsChevy and crocophile at MeSS first noticed, Brenda is wearing the Medallion of Power around her neck in the shot where NaOnka is congratulating her (which is more evident in a newer ad), and it's later visible in Espada camp. Updated update: In the TV Guide online preview, Marty is clearly wearing the MoP as the newly formed Espada tribe leaves the beach (below).

       

[Princess Buttercup]

looks like it will be a great show

[Princess Buttercup]

ON SUCKS TRIBES SWAP IN 2 WEEKS NEW TRIBES ARE

POSTED BY
Missyae

After the swap, these are the tribes. Now you can figure it out.

Brenda Lowe
Kelly Shinn
Fabio (Jud)
Sash (Matthew)
Kelly Bruno
Marty
Jill
Jane

VS


Naonka Mixon
Benry (Ben)
Chase
Alina
Yve
Holly
Tyronne
Danny