I watched everything at once, so this will be long. Apologies in advance.
NIKKIAutomatic strong competitor, with just enough Cuththroat Bitch in her to surprise the hell out of anybody and everybody who buys into her wholesome cheerleader personna. "I gave them the Let's do it! Let's win! I'm a cheerleader! So annoying." But she's forming bonds already, although I got the sense she hasn't been quite as available as she thinks she has. Even so, nobody is annoyed by her, worried about her, or otherwise looking at her as an early boot. Good start, grrl.
AMANDALove that she called out Katie as a "lying, backstabbing bitch", stating that she's more than happy to let Katie be loyal to her, but that she'll cut her out without remorse. Given that she portrays herself as "the nice one" of the two, I'm starting to suspect just how wrong that assessment is. She's played with Jess before, to a limited degree, and was voted out by her. She's being "cautious" on that score, and I think that's only prudent.. I also like that she's thinking hard about the numbers, and what that means in a six person tribe.
ASHHer first call she states that she was "faking" her smiles. Like everyone else is, sweety. Doesn't make you special. That's what people do on Day One. She's considering an alliance with Yapp and Nikki, with preference for Yapp... but I like that she's cautious about any deal made this early. Also love that she gets the dynamic of the half-tribal, half-individual nature of this first challenge. People are seeing her youth as a detriment to her game. I think she's going to jump out of a broom closet and yell "BOO!" Bitches gonna be surprised.
ASHLEEFacebook Stalking: Good girl. Taking notes: GOOD GIRL! She's doing all the right things, and being less loud and obnoxious than a few standouts means that she's attracted positive attention for other more reserved callers in the form of Charlie and Hodges. This is going to be good for her game, at least for awhile.
CHANDNILiterally nobody could pronounce your name.... well, not literally, literally. See further down for the exception. Meanwhile, I noticed two traits about her: she added video effects and a music track. Maybe a little OCD? On the other side, she exhibits NO speech hesitation. That's a whole lot of confidence for a 14 year old! Otherwise, her speech patterns are a little dull, but then, again, she's 14 - still hasn't fully developed her own personality. But she does seem to be getting along with people, in general. Sadly, not the right ones...
CHARLIEOK, he's kind of growing on me. His Confessional is packed full of good information about what he's up to and, insofar as he can see, what others are up to. THIS is a strong confessional, and from a PW perspective, it's very much appreciated. Already has a 4 person alliance formed (Hodges and Ashlee, with Katie as the 4th)... who bonded over the fact that the others (Kevin and Chandni) are chatterboxes that won't let other people talk, and who go on and on about games they've played in and people Charlie doesn't know or "give two shits about". Really starting to grow on me. (see? I told you I'd reserve judgment!)
CHRISTINANot a lot of meat in her Confessional yet, but I liked her comment about Taylor being "maybe a little too great". Good observation for a noob. She's in with Taylor & Vic, based on being the first people she talked to. Classic noob mistake, if she banks on it: The Earlybird Alliance never lasts. Let me repeat that: The Earlybird Alliance NEVER LASTS! I hope she realizes this before it's too late.
DEREKHe's suffering a bit for being in an outlying time zone from certain members of his tribe... but he knows it, and is trying to compensate. Good move, Derek. "Ash is nice.... kind of odd". He repeated this sentiment later. If this sense persists, he's not going to be able to connect with her at all. And that could cost him even more than time zone issues. He knows Jared from Tengaged, and apparently talked with him all day, but remains leery of him being "too social". I like that he actually studied Venezuela, and gets what this first challenge is about because of it.
HODGESAnother one without a lot of meat on the bone that is his Confessional, but I really like his charm. Comfortable, a little awkward. He's going to be very likable. Once he starts talking about what's actually HAPPENING in the game.
JOANNEShe talks a lot about not wanting to be judged as Trevor's Girlfriend, that she wants to stand on her own merit. Good for her, but given how much she talks about it - and not just in confessionals, but also to her tribe! - I think that's going to be a self-installed weight around her neck for awhile. It will define her game, possibly until it's either over or she's voted out. In the first part of her video she made a comment about the "returning players" ... did she not get the memo? Otherwise, she seems pretty chill and social. I have hope for her.
KATIEAnnoyed that she hasn't made a video confessional, yet. It's all well and good to type up something comprehensive, but the vids are necessary. Get with the program, girl! She's got a good attitude toward her entire tribe, great things to say about everyone.... but I'm worried this will make her unwilling to choose a side when the time comes.
KEVIN"Video Removed by Loser" (yeah, I changed that last word)
TAYLORCool note that he saved someone's life while working as a lifeguard. The first thing I noticed about him is that he won't look at the camera, nor even at the person who's "interviewing" him. I found it very distracting, but I think it stems from a profound lack of either confidence or ability to personally connect with people. His eyes were literally everywhere except straight ahead while he talked. He also mentions that he was having issues with "happy people". WT actual F!? Maybe just a touch of sociopathy? If so, he's trained himself well to fake it. Also, he's the ONLY PERSON who could pronounce Chandni's name (see? I told you I'd get to it). He's aligned with Christina and Vic, but he claims to want to work with Jacob. Trouble for that Earlybird thing already...
VICUm. You don't know what an Introvert or Extrovert are? REALLY!? This made me flash back to Rocky's (Survivor: Fiji) exit interview where he admits he never heard of PC. Made me laugh, and then made me a little sad. Still, I find the guy funny, in a purely unwitting sense. He just says funny things, never intending to get a laugh for them. Both Amanda and Taylor told him that they know other people in the game... bad moves for both of them, but good for Vic for just filing it away and not insta-targeting them. Way too early for that. Also, aligned with Taylor and Christina, but like Taylor, is also looking at Jacob as a better option. His video was the longest, at 14:48. Tone it down just a bit, there, Vic. Final note is a quote: "American Cheese is the shit. The Shit!"
I'll have to look at Yapp's video later, and still waiting on one from Jess. Now, I sleep.