Original subtitles

I'm on the steps of a 16th century Buddhist monastery in one of the oldest

countries in the world, China.

Sixteen Americans are beginning the adventure of a lifetime in ultra -modern

Shanghai.

But as their journey continues, they are being transported back in time.

Over the next 39 days, the survivors will experience a culture that dates

nearly 5 ,000 years.

These survivors come from a wide variety of backgrounds.

A former Miss Montana.

A middle school lunch lady.

A Christian radio talk show host.

A gay Mormon flight attendant.

A professional wrestler.

A University of South Carolina honor student.

A chicken farmer from Virginia.

A professional poker player.

There's a fourth grade school teacher.

A Nashville musician.

A gravedigger from Louisiana.

a jewelry designer from Los Angeles, a New York City waitress, a

surfing instructor, a bartender and former model, and a 20

-year -old student and athlete, the youngest survivor ever.

Their adventure will play out in a remote section of China where they will

in the shadows of this temple on the lake of a thousand islands.

a harsh and remote land that will challenge even the strongest of

It is the ultimate challenge.

Sixteen people, all from different walks of life, forced to work together to

create a new society while battling the elements and each other.

They must learn to adapt or they'll be voted out.

In the end, only one will remain to claim the million -dollar prize.

39 days, 16 people, 1 survivor.

I walked in, you know, and it was an adventure for me.

I was just like a damn kid in a carnival. I ain't never been no worse,

loved it.

Being Chinese is so amazing. Coming to do Survivor in China, my grandfather

passed away like a couple weeks ago.

And he would have just gotten such a kick out of seeing me here, you know,

with this.

Welcome to Survivor China.

Hope you have enjoyed your journey so far.

Before the game can begin, you are going to participate in a Buddhist ceremony

inside this 400 -year -old temple. I want to assure everybody, because I

everybody has different beliefs, this is not a worship ceremony.

The people of this land want you to feel welcome.

That's the whole point.

So when you're finished, return back out here to me.

I work as a lunch lady behind the counter in the cafeteria.

And to actually be in a temple like that, what a great experience.

It almost made me cry, to tell you the truth.

It was just spiritual. It was very emotional for me.

I'm a waitress from New York City, dude. What do you think? Do you think I know

how to do any of this stuff?

Like, I'm not trying to be a monk here. Like, I'm tired.

I want to go sit back with a lemonade. Like, I don't really want to be, like,

bowing 37 times.

And we bowed. We bowed for, like, days. I swear to God, we were there forever.

I'm a believer in Jesus Christ, and in the Bible it says, Thou shalt not bow

down to any other god.

You know, it really felt like worship. I mean, we're in a temple, there's the

Buddha.

I just couldn't do it.

It was emotional for me, because I knew I did the right thing.

But it was so hard.

Okay, so, Leslie, you didn't make it through the whole ceremony.

What happened?

You know, I'm not a religious person, but I have a relationship with Jesus

Christ, and the only time I'm going to put my face on the floor is for him. So

even though I had said that this was a welcome... I really didn't want to be

disrespectful, but it felt like worship.

Worried that it might impact the next 39 days?

You know, I'm really not.

I'm just going to play the game and be me. They like me great. If they don't,

you know...

I'll deal with that.

A big theme in Buddhism is the leaving behind of your worldly possessions.

That applies to suitcases.

It means you will be going into this game wearing the clothes on your back.

These are like 20 -pound jeans.

I don't have on a bra.

Well, that's going to make you either very popular or a big liability if you

it get in the way of challenges.

Camp life.

Yeah. All right. The game is about to begin.

We're going to divide into tribes.

There's a bag over here for each of you with your name on it.

Come find your bag. Put on your buff.

Ashley.

If you have yellow, head to the left.

If you have red, head over here to the right.

Put on your buff.

Your name is John Who, which means fighting tiger.

We have Frosty, Dave, Jamie, Eric, PG, Sharia,

Ashley, and Chicken.

From the get -go, I thought we had a pretty strong team.

I'm the youngest and the smallest guy out here, so I've got to prove my worth.

Red Tribe, your name is Faye Long, which means flying dragon.

We have Jean Robert.

Leslie, Amanda, Courtney, Denise, James, Todd,

and Aaron.

Leanne. I am so happy to be a Say Long member because I think James

and Aaron are definitely two of our strongest members. So I think we're

be a powerhouse in challenges.

All right. You are about to engage in a battle. For the next 39 days, you will

be involved in a struggle for survival.

The single greatest document on the history of strategy was written by the

Chinese, the Art of War.

Look through this. There is wisdom about strategy in battle that could help you

win this game and the million dollars.

I also have a map for each tribe to your new home.

Fei Long, come get your Art of War and your map. Head out and go to the right.

The boat will be waiting for you.

John Hu, come get your Art of War and your map.

Head out and go to the left of the temple. The boat will be waiting for

Good luck, guys.

Guys,

the person farthest back has the count.

I have a question. Okay. Does anybody know how to do this?

Okay, let's just all calm down and like nice and easy.

We're all going straight rather than... So we're on this lake in the middle of

China. We have no idea where we are. You know, it's like rice paddies and

tropical rainforests. And I don't think my tribe, for the most part, knows

what's going on.

Right side, everybody.

Everybody. Right side.

No left side.

I see myself as a leader, but I try and do it as subtly as possible.

I don't want the target on my back.

Home sweet home.

We've got a great team.

We do have a good team.

We've got like an action.

Oh, we've got rice, you guys.

Is that all that's in there, rice? Yeah, just a great big bag of rice. We've got

to keep that dry, you guys.

No.

Oh, no.

I know it's raining.

It looks like the big guy upstairs is providing.

What's your name, Todd?

I'm a flight attendant.

You're a flight attendant? No way. I am, yeah.

You are so cute.

I'm sorry. I am being really irritated.

I seem to be, like, sort of marooned in a land of, like, flight attendants and

Sunday school teachers.

Like, come on. I live in a city. Like, people who live in New York don't act

like this.

All right. Let's do this.

Yeah.

Just, like, my own private hell.

They're, like, exactly the kind of people that, like, I don't like being

who are all like, everything's always great. Isn't it amazing?

Like, you're doing a really good job with that.

High five.

High five. Woo -hoo!

Oh,

look. What is it?

Wow. I found something.

Yeah, dog!

Cool one, Nell.

It's going to be our tree mail, dude.

No, man. There's nothing here.

You said you're a flight attendant?

Yeah. Are you really a flight attendant? Yeah.

I really am.

For some reason, I just don't... I don't know.

You don't believe me?

It's like, I kind of believe you, but... Why would I lie about a job like that?

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know, but you seem like somebody who's a little devious to me.

I don't know. I like you. I like you, but for some reason, you seem a little

devious. I'm a professional poker player, and one of the strengths that I

is my ability to read players.

I'm just letting you know that I know that you're sharp. I don't know why. My

gut feeling tells me you're particularly sharp. My conversation with Todd was

deliberate. I wanted him to know that, listen, I know that you're the clever

guy. Hey, I'm on to you. Don't come this way, and we'll be all right. Right now,

honestly, and I mean this, is...

I really want to be here.

Like, I just really, really, really want to be here. And I will do whatever day,

you know? Jean Robert was very right. I will do whatever I need to do to win

that million dollars.

Can I ask you, though, to not tell other people you think I'm sharp?

To not tell other people I'm sharp?

I don't see why that's anybody's business.

I mean, I'm not saying that I am, but I don't want to become that one.

I can't have someone walking around saying, watch out for Todd. You know,

saying watch out for Jean Robert now.

I'm here to win a million dollars.

A million dollars?

That's a lot of money.

So hoping we'd have time. What are we going to do about shelter? Something for

the night.

All right, let's start thinking.

So when I first walked up, I have on a dress with heels.

I'm a southern girl, but I'm not an outdoorsy girl.

And this situation is so disgusting, so nasty.

Camp sucks way harder than I expected.

Definitely build some kind of like lean -to with it.

Right. I mean, if we can salvage any of this, it would be helpful.

Ready?

Good, good. Watch that big wedge.

It's rotting.

That's okay.

Guys, stop thinking about this a minute.

When you get that up, it ain't going to be big enough for all of us to sleep

under, even if you can use that.

Okay, so what do you suggest?

I suggest we build one.

Okay, well.

This is essentially what we, you know, this is the foundation already.

Plus we have more back there. I've got a painting just like that one. Go ahead.

I'm from Virginia.

I lived in the woods.

I got a lot of experience over these characters.

Do you think this is going to hold up?

Come on.

We have to build something. We have to build something, though, so let's stop

being negative and let's start being proactive.

It's only what, like, me. I just give them my opinion and nobody wants it, so

I'm done suggesting.

You know, I won't do that no more.

Oh, God.

I'm sorry, I've got a little bit of gas. I can't help it. I don't mind, really.

I'm around wrestlers. It's noise.

I seriously can't believe that you're a wrestler.

It's so fun. It's the greatest time in the world.

It's the funnest job ever.

I'm a WWE diva, and I wrestle for a living. I compete.

I think that it's probably prepared me a great deal more for this game.

I need to chop something up, y 'all. Because there is that competitive nature

that you have within the locker room, and that's a great positive that I'm

to have going into this game.

We are going to have a really awesome shelter.

I don't want to go home a loser, you know what I mean? Because I know my fans

are going to want me to win.

Oh, hell no. I can't dance at all. I'm the worst dancer in history.

My girlfriend's in the locker room. They always play music while we're getting

ready.

How do you do stuff?

We're like the tribe who's hanging out and has no food and no fire.

I can't believe I'm on the lazy tribe.

Just seeing half the people want to just stand around and talk about the most

ridiculous stuff I'd ever heard. Oh, yeah. What's wrong?

It don't matter.

I can't connect to the wackiness out here.

Like, I mean, I could probably do it at home, but I just, I feel like so

serious.

Why can't we do the shelter right here because it's much more open and cleaner

than up there under the tree?

Chicken, what do you think?

We do the shelter here instead of back up there.

Whatever y 'all guys want to do, I'll do it.

Honestly, we just need to make a decision.

Why am I here?

Oh, God, please help us.

I

need

some wine.

Is that helping you guys? Yeah.

Let's get more, though. Yeah, oh yeah.

I just need a few more for the bad.

You guys are like regular lumbermen.

We're getting a lot accomplished with our shelter.

We are a very strong tribe. We get along great, and we work well together.

How you doing, James?

Hey, man.

I think James is amazing. He's like Superman. I've never seen, he's worked.

But I'm worried about James because he's been very quiet.

I mean, you're an interesting guy. What do you do?

Bury people.

You bury people.

That's interesting.

Are you serious?

Yeah. Yeah,

I'm a grave digger. I like that work. You know, I'm kind of by myself. That's

part of my problem over here now.

I'm just used to being by myself.

I could be more sociable and charming.

You know what? Charm is deceptive.

You be you, and we'll be fine.

The whole initiation of the social thing, talking and trying to strategize,

yeah, that's going to kill me.

Okay, ask people questions because they love to talk about themselves.

I'm definitely worried about the social aspect. I need to pay more attention to

that. So I need to do a little bit more hustling, hopefully pull out the

challenges and make them love me.

Very important and this was obviously a temporary thing.

Yeah, it was terrible idea What do y 'all want to do?

Tell me. Yeah,

what do you want?

Last night was really wet.

Just a reality check for these guys up here.

We'll try to straighten this mess up a little bit.

Maybe everybody will come together today, you know?

There you go.

Does someone want to find stuff with me?

What are you going to do? I'm going to go find some leaves.

I think we need fawns and vines.

If you're going to go everywhere, where are you going to find stuff?

I'm not feeling so good.

My first night was pretty rough.

I was soaking wet for the whole night.

I think I'm pretty sick.

I have chills,

like, really bad.

And, like, I keep driving.

Like, I want to throw up, but there's just nothing in there.

What about Ashley? She's not looking at all.

I feel so worried for her.

I've wrestled sick before.

I wrestled with a 104 fever before.

I have to stay in the game.

I'm not leaving.

Hopefully it'll pass.

I know you're feeling bad.

Don't start thinking you're on the block just because of this, okay?

Ashley, I thought she'd be a lot stronger person considering her

how her demeanor is.

But if Ashley's health stays the same, Ashley's going first.

We got some tree mail.

Wow!

Dude, check this out.

Kind of cool.

You guys, we got some tree mail.

Fellow!

You guys, check out how cool, hey?

Flying dragon.

The untested enemy you must face today.

They may have the power to send one of you away.

With your namesake held above you and with honor in your heart, Will you lead

your tribe to victory or be the first one to depart?

This is immunity, obviously.

The game is on, huh?

That book, Art of War. We should take a look at that probably before our

challenge. Yes.

All right. Chapter one. The commander stands for the general's qualities of

wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness. In a way, it's saying

we need a commander.

And I can't help but notice that you've kind of taken that position.

We do need someone who's strong and knows how to take lead, and you're very

at it. Is that okay with you?

It feels weird, but I think I can do it. Okay.

Aaron's a very strong player, and I'm very, very smart in trying to push the

leader role more so onto Aaron, because I don't want to take that position, but

also to keep him close to me. I want him to trust me.

We're all here for you.

It'll be like a democracy.

Being in the leadership role, it's not someplace that I want to be, but

leadership is just going for it. I'm ready, but I'm nervous.

With your namesake held above you, and with honor in your heart, will you lead

us up to victory, or will you be the first one to depart?

Ashley, you hanging in there? Yes, I'm going to pull through.

If it's like obstacles, I should be probably thinking probably one of the

guys. I'm small, too, so it's easy for me, but climbing stuff isn't hard.

Cool. I'm a parkour and freerunning performer.

He's under control.

Parkour basically comes down to what's the best, fastest, most efficient,

way to get over anything.

So if there's a wall, you're going to run up it, jump over it. If there's

you're going to vault them.

Whatever it takes. There we go. We got it.

I'm gonna use my skills to do whatever I can to get my team across that finish

line first and win.

Come on in guys!

So, tell me about the first three days. Chicken, how's life been over at John

Who?

About as well as expected.

Camp, overall, we're doing okay.

We're okay.

John Rivera, what's the worst part?

The worst part, honestly, Jeff, is just being fully drenched and trying to

sleep. I haven't gotten a wink yet.

All right, you guys ready to get to your first challenge?

For today's challenge, each tribe will be tethered to and carrying a ceremonial

mascot that is both awkward and heaven. On my go, you must maneuver through a

series of obstacles.

When you get to the locked gate, one tribe member will race ahead and scale

walls, releasing a drawbridge at each wall.

You'll then retrieve a key, race back, unlock the gate, bring the rest of the

tribe. You must then make your way through a swamp.

to the finished platform where you will need to solve a puzzle. Each tribe

member must place their poll in the correct spot.

First tribe to do so wins the challenge.

Want to know what you're playing for?

The single most important thing in this game is immunity.

This is the immunity idol.

When you have this in your possession, you cannot be voted out of this game.

Winning tribe.

Gets immunity.

And winning tribe gets fire.

Fire in the form of flint. This will dramatically change camp life.

Worth playing for? Absolutely.

One more thing. You were given your running shoes for this challenge.

You can take them back to camp with you.

Take a spot. We'll get started.

Here we go.

It is the first challenge of Survivor China.

At the head of the dragon and retrieving the key for Fei Long is Jane.

At the head of the tiger for John Hu, Frosty. For immunity and fire,

ready.

Go!

Denise falls for Fei Long.

John Hu trying to figure it out.

We're dead even early on.

The tribe that works together the best will win this challenge.

Still dead even going up the first platform.

Faye Long in the lead with the Red Dragon.

John Hoos, slow going with the Yellow Tiger.

Stay long with a bit of a lead.

James got it unclipped.

James having trouble getting unclipped.

John, who's catching up?

Frosty is now unclipped. So is James.

Frosty forgot to lower his drawbridge. He lost some time.

James now with a bit of a lead for Fay Long.

Frosty right behind.

Got to unlock the gate and then clip back in.

James has his lock open.

Frosty's got it open.

Both are clipping in. Got to get clipped in.

We're neck and neck again.

Come on, come on.

Go there.

Neck and neck going into the swamp.

Got to stick together.

Gone who?

Struggling with the yellow tiger.

Stay long. Taking that red dragon in the lead.

to the finish platform.

John Hu falling behind.

John Hu now to the finish platform.

You've got to put your poles in the correct order.

They go in one way and only one way.

Bay long with some progress.

John Hu getting nowhere with the puzzle.

You've got a date with me, Tribal Council, tonight, where one of the eight

you will earn the distinction of being the first person voted out of Survivor

China. You have the afternoon to figure it out.

See you, Tribal.

I need to go, like, take a seat down there.

Have a seat, take a break, okay? You need five minutes, do what you got to

Hey, hey, let it all out.

Don't care if you cry. Ball your little head off, okay?

Don't sweat it.

As I see it right now, we are all still a complete tribe.

I'd like to see us function as such, pretty please.

We have unfortunate business to do tonight.

It sucks.

It is a fact of life.

We need to all, like, really pitch in at camp because I just feel like I know

everybody's doing stuff, and I just feel like there's so much to do, and it just

sucks. Like, it sucks to know that, you know?

We're not going to win any challenges if we don't have, like, a decent shelter.

It is hard out here, more so than I ever imagined, and I'm trying to get through

it without being down about it. We have to do two crossbeams under like this. We

need two more of these things.

What do you think is the best way? Do you think doing it the same way is the

best way?

You need to get everybody's opinion.

I'm asking your opinion.

I don't agree with you.

In your

opinion. I'd put two more pieces. I'd like to see it.

I know you want to put two more pieces, but how?

Chickens won't give an opinion on how he thinks.

Anything should be done.

It's not worth anything to me if he chooses not to apply his strength. We're

going to try to keep the instruments, if they're not in use, just in one area so

everybody knows where they are and they don't get lost.

PG, all of a sudden, she's sort of barking out orders and trying to step

this leadership position.

Take these two jugs and pour them out into that big thing. If you're going to

that, then you shouldn't be crying after challenges.

You know, that's not a leader role.

I know we have to work and everything, but we still have to think about what

we're doing at tribal council.

I would hope to think that I'm not going to be voted out by anybody because I'm

not sick at all.

I feel a million times better than I did before.

I'll see what I can do.

I would hate to think that one day being sick would dominate over everything.

Ashley, what's your day?

She was sick yesterday.

That's not the point.

Yeah, that's true. I didn't ask you if you're sick. I asked you what you done

yesterday. When you're laying up there and you're weak, whether you fell down

the bank and sprained your ankle or you got a damn headache or whatever, it's an

ailment that can take you out of the game.

It's just that, you know, it's just that simple.

I feel like Ashley's gone.

That's why I'm writing down tonight.

She ain't done nothing since she landed down there.

What are you doing?

You're doing nothing.

I need to figure stuff out.

Whatever happens, happens.

You know, I don't even know if I'm 100 % safe tonight. You know, for whatever

reason, that's what makes the element of the game.

I think

the heads on the block tonight

are chicken.

Actually, in PG.

Chika and I, you know, we're the two oldest guys.

And I've got nothing against youth, but, you know, in this kind of environment

situation, I would prefer to have a little more experience in our tribe

now. I know whose name I'm writing down, and it's not yours.

You sure?

Uh -huh. Okay.

I don't wish anybody bad here, but I want our tribe to be strong, and it's

to make stuff happen.

Behind each of you is a torch. Go ahead and grab a torch.

Approach the flame.

This is part of the ritual of tribal council because in this game, fire

represents your life.

As long as you have fire still in the game, when your fire's gone, so are you.

Let's talk about the first few days.

PG, was this more than you bargained for?

You know, I came in here thinking this is a piece of cake, but it is mud

everywhere. Trying to build a shelter is hard because we don't have the right

implements. Chicken, you held up two fingers.

It took us two days to do that. We should have had it by dark the first

Did you try to become the leader and say, hey, let's go, guys?

I'm not grabbing the bull by the horns and done that. No, I haven't.

But I guess somebody's going to have to before we come together. That's what's

going to have to be done.

Show of hands, anybody here willing to say right now, I will step up and be the

leader of this tribe?

Well, now you got two. One man, one woman.

We don't have time to mess around.

I did not want to step into this position at all.

And you know what? If I don't step up and kick someone in the butt to do

something, I don't know what's going to happen. But I will step up and do what I

can to help get this tribe together.

and proficient and then focus on the challenges at hand and hopefully get it

really nice and tight.

PG, you put your hand up. What would you bring as a leader?

It is hard because you don't want to be bossy. You're like, these are grown

people and I don't want to be sitting around trying to tell people what to do.

But on the other hand, somebody has to kind of do it if it's not happening

naturally. If you're just floundering around, you're going to die out here.

So did you guys just make a decision? Your first tribe decision?

Yes.

But after tonight's tribal council, there will only be seven people left, so

you're probably wise to always be a little concerned.

Okay, so made a little progress as a tribe. Now you have to make your first

decision. Who do you get rid of?

Dave, what does this tribe need to do with tonight's vote to make it a better

tribe?

Trying to trim the least productive people out of it.

Chicken. What are you going to base your vote on tonight?

I'll base my vote on tonight the person who's done the least in the last three

days. Is this cut and dry?

Eric, how important is it whether somebody is pulling their weight or not

pulling their weight?

I think contributions is huge. I mean, especially now that we've realized how

long it takes to build a shelter. And so I think we're going to really have to

hold each other accountable.

Ashley, think you're fitting in with this group?

I did for a while, and I mean, now that I'm hearing everybody speak freely, I

kind of feel like that if you broke it down per day, I was throwing up, I was

laying on the ground, I pretty much was feeling like I was going to die.

And I guess if you put that into the equation, then I would have technically

been the one who's done the least amount of work. I don't feel like that I

should be judged on it.

So you're feeling a little uneasy.

Right now I am, because I hear how they're talking.

Chicken. How do you think you're fitting in?

I don't fit in. You know, I don't. But I'm not the one that's done the least

amount of work. And you're out there in the middle of a jungle. You ain't got

nothing. So do you want the guy that don't fit in, or do you want the guy

works? You know, if we don't open our eyes, we're going to be seeing you a

Okay, so it sounds like you have a plan to have leadership in your tribe. Now

you have to make the first big decision, who to get rid of.

It is time to vote.

Frosty, you're up.

Wrong time, wrong place.

I'll go tally the votes.

Once the votes are read, the decision is final. The person voted out will be

asked to leave the tribal council area immediately.

I'll read the votes.

First vote.

Chicken.

Ashley.

Ashley. Two votes Ashley.

One vote Chicken.

PG.

Chicken. That's two votes Chicken. Two votes Ashley. One vote PG.

Chicken. That's three votes Chicken. Two votes Ashley.

One vote PG.

First person voted out of Survivor China.

Chicken. Damn!

That's four. That's enough. You can bring me your torch.

Chicken? Tribe has spoken.

I heard them.

Time for you to go.

Well, if there's one good thing about coming to tribal council tonight, you

go back to camp with your torches, which means you will have fire.

Oh, my God.

You're splint.

Grab your torches. Head back to camp. Good night.

Stay tuned for scenes from our next episode.

Next time on Survivor. At Bay Long, the poker player's bluff is called.

John O 'Brien, you need to start cooling your weight. Why don't we go rest?

Dave takes command at John Who.

You're the leader, and I'm going to let you do what you want. How many fires

have you built, sweetheart?

If she wants to fight, I can give her a fight. And the pro wrestler comes out in

Ashley.

It was kind of a shock that the young group didn't come together, and I don't

think they ever will.

They're just playing by the seeds or paint.

I put a lot of thought into it, but, you know, I never got nowhere.

But there's no one more proud to be in such a small part of one big adventure.

It's truly an honor to be here, without a doubt.