Australian Survivor: Blood Vs Water’s premiere is a wild ride

This Survivor season throws contestants for a loop the moment they enter the game. Read our spoiler-free review of the show’s jaw-dropping premiere.

NON-WARNING: No spoilers below! Read on for our spoiler-free verdict on Survivor’s new season premiere, airing Monday 7:30pm on Ten.

This season of Survivor comes with a new twist – at least for Australia, which has never seen a Blood Vs. Water game before – and a not-so-secret weapon.

I am of course talking about Sandra Diaz, the two-time million-dollar winner and undisputed ‘Queen of Survivor’ who’s travelled down under with her daughter to compete for our comparatively paltry $500,000 prize money.

And they certainly milk this Survivor moment for all it’s worth in the season’s impressive premiere, having Sandra and her daughter arrive last in the game as the other contestants look on, awestruck.

Sandra Diaz (left) and daughter Nina Twine both came to win. Picture: Network Ten

“Is that Oprah?” one contestant asked in a hushed, reverent tone as Sandra’s first spied in the distance. No, but … in the world of Survivor, not far off.

It’ll be fascinating to watch how this reality TV legend – famous for her scheming gameplay and secret chaotic stunts – fares in a game that’s usually populated by pretty straightforward Aussies.

Judging by episode one, her very presence is a destabilising force for at least one other contestant, starstruck to be playing alongside the Queen.

Elsewhere, Monday’s premiere acquaints us with the diverse 24-strong cast, all competing with a loved one – that is, until host Jonathan LaPaglia immediately breaks each pairing up into two opposing teams (not a spoiler, Survivor fans – LJP told news.com.au about this “complicated” twist in a recent interview).

It’s a thrilling dilemma – several then struggle to get their heads in the game, realising they now have to compete against their partner (you probably won’t be surprised to hear Sandra is not among those fretting over this twist).

This season’s crop of Survivor contestants. Picture: Network Ten

And among the usual mix of Survivor super-fans, there’s one contestant whose total lack of knowledge about the franchise provides a few laugh-out-loud moments. Put it this way, the words “Tribal Council? I don’t know what that means” are uttered. I winced.

And once again, some contestant outfits are absolutely stupefying – a beefy ex-NRL player probably regrets his choice of wearing skinny white jeans when it comes time to do the first challenge. Another male contestant has opted to play this season of Survivor in a get-up that can only be described as “porno farmhand.” You do you, Jordie.

And it all culminates in a Survivor-classic tribal council with a very satisfying ending: seven seasons on from Ten rebooting Australian Survivor back in 2016, Blood Vs. Water breathes new life into one of the world’s best reality TV franchises.

Australian Survivor: Blood Vs. Water premieres 7:30pm Monday January 31 on Ten.

Originally published as Australian Survivor: Blood Vs Water’s premiere is a wild ride