For the third time in its 12-season history, the CBS reality series Survivor heads to Panama. Though the usual 16 contestants spend 39 days on the usual island for the usual million-dollar prize, a few changes in the format are introduced in this outing. For one, the season begins with the contestants divided up into four tribes rather than the standard two. The La Mina tribe consists of the "older men," the Casaya is comprised of "the older women," the Viveros is made up of "the younger men," and the Bayoneta represents "the younger women"; however, these four separate factions are quickly fused into two a few weeks before the inevitable merger into the single Gitanos tribe. The other major change finds certain contestants avoiding the indignity of being voted off the island by being banished to the separate "Exile Island," with the opportunity of returning to the game at a later date. Although the outcasts on Exile Island must fend for themselves without the minimal creature comforts enjoyed by the other contestants, there is one fringe benefit to their banishment: somewhere on Exile Island is hidden the coveted Immunity Idol, which will protect its owner right up to the Final Four playoffs. In other developments, this season represents the first time that a contestant receives three Immunities in a row; that lucky player is airline pilot Terry Deitz. Also, for the first time since the series' first season, another player is removed from the competition due to a medical emergency; Bruce Kanegai, a karate instructor and art teacher, is that unfortunate soul. Rounding out the "cast" this season are Shane Powers, the mercurial owner of an entertainment-marketing firm; Tina Scheer, a logging-sports promoter; Sally Schumann, a social worker; Ruth Marie Milliman, a retail-leasing director; Bobby Mason, an attorney; Nick Stansbury, a law-school candidate; Misty Giles, an engineer; Melinda Hyder, a professional singer; Danielle DiLorenzo, a medical sales rep; Dan Barry, a retired astronaut; Cirie Fields, a registered nurse; Aras Baskauskas, a yoga instructor; Courtney Marit, a performance artist; and Austin Carty, a novelist. These names are listed in no particular order -- we're not about to reveal the "Sole Survivor" until the time comes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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