Put Up or Shut Up

This is the first episode of Survivor: Belize.

DISCLAIMER: I am aware that the Wiki policy states that we're only allowed to have one active fanon at a time. Aside from this sneak peek (which was written for the sole purpose of revealing the cast), I won't be touching this episode until after Book Smart vs. Street Smart is finished.

The Marooning
The season opens to show clips of different audition tapes, as different potential castaways are shown introducing themselves. As the clips roll by, the screen pans out to show the auditions on a series of television screens in what appears to be the Survivor production headquarters as unseen producers watch them. Jeff Probst stands in front of the producers as he introduces the season.

Jeff Probst: We have received numerous applications from all over the country, and the Survivor casting department has had a difficult time deciding putting together the most dynamic cast so far.

The camera changes to pictures of the potential castaways with their names printed beneath scattered across a table. Unseen casting personnel are seen discussing amongst themselves as they sort through the different pictures. A handful of pictures are placed in one pile, while a hand reaches in and pulls one out. The same hand places the picture back into the pile, before taking it out once more. The unknown picture is then placed in an envelope labeled SURVIVOR CAST. The sixteen final pictures are then pinned up on a cork board as the producers step back and marvel at the cast. The camera flashes four different photos before the scene transitions to footage of TJ, Angelica, Emile, and Cherry receiving their “Survivor Island Invitations”. The segment focuses on TJ as he holds up a stone medallion and pumps his fist.

The first castaway introduced is TJ, a 25 year old IT specialist from Seattle. He is seen typing and working in a computer room.

The camera crew follows TJ back home, where he shares a family meal with his family.

TJ: Welp, I guess everyone in America now knows I still live with my parents. (shrugs) No shame in that.

TJ’s Mom (in Mandarin): Where are you going?

TJ: I’m going to play Survivor!

TJ’s Mom (in Mandarin): A-ya! Will you be okay?

TJ: Yes, mom. I’ll be fine.

While TJ eats, his parents whisper to each other.

TJ’s Dad (in Mandarin): He won’t make it out there.

The two of them chuckle before the scene cuts to a view of the Las Vegas strip and then to a close-up of Angelica, who is busy playing a game of blackjack. She places a tall stack of chips on the center of the table.

Angelica (confidently): Let’s do this.

The camera shows a fast-paced montage of the game, which culminates in Angelica emerging victorious. With a smile, she collects her winnings, but amidst her stack of poker chips is the Survivor Island Invitation.

Angelica: No (expletive) way.

She giddily celebrates before regaining her composure and walking away.

With a flash, the scene transitions to a nightclub, where Angelica and her friends are partying away, and then to all of them seated together at a bar.

Angelica: When y'all see me again, I'm gonna be a million dollars richer.

Angelica and her friends raise cocktail glasses into the air as they celebrate before the scene cuts to an assortment of groceries move across a conveyor belt.

Emile: Do you need a plastic bag?

After Emile hands the bag of groceries to the customer, the scene cuts to later that night at a club.

Host: Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for... Tea-Rex!

Emile, dressed in drag, walks on the stage and performs a song and dance routine for the audience. Mid-performance, someone throws the Survivor Island Invitation on stage. He walks over, picks it up, and squeals.

Emile (breaking character): Je t'aime! (blows kisses)

After Emile walks out of the frame, the scene cuts to a dimly lit room filled with cozy couches and abstract paintings. Cherry walks in with a smile and takes a seat.

Cherry: How are you, honey?

She opens her clipboard, notices the Survivor Island Invitation, and falls out of her seat.

Cherry (recollecting herself): Ooh, that feels great!

Cherry continues her consultation with her unseen client.

Cherry: Honestly, honey, I'm glad you told me about what's going on in your head and I admire your strength, but I seriously suggest getting of your phone! Go take a walk, go ride your bike, just, just get some fresh air!

She scribbles something down before glancing at the stone medallion and smiling. The scene transitions to different castaways packing their bags and suitcases. Kwame, a 37 year old teacher, picks up a notebook and shows it to the camera.

Kwame (to the camera): In my past few years of teaching, whenever I learn something from my students, it goes into the notebook. This right here is how I'm gonna be playing the game.

He places it into his bag as the camera pans to a similarly shaped suitcase, which is being filled with a thick knitted blanket.

Elsewhere, Cath fits different dresses in the mirror and places them into her bag.

Cath (to the camera): If I'm gonna be stuck on some island, I definitely wanna make sure I look decent! Even if my hair's gonna be a total mess and I'll probably smell like a sewer, as long as I'm all dressed up, nobody's gonna care about all that. (chuckles)

She then struggles to close her suitcase. Cath unzips her suitcase, takes out a few items, then zips it again, effectively transitioning to Kris, who zips his suitcase and walks out the house.

The next set of scenes is a montage of the different castaways as they travel en route to Belize. Devin is seen walking through the airport as different people stare at them.

At the Denver International Airport, a group of passengers line up to board the plane. Riding in business class, Morgans walks to the front of the line and boards the plane. As he walks by, Velma notices him and the Survivor Island Invitation dangling from his bag.

The last person seen boarding the plane is Mason, who puts on earbuds as he takes his seat. A montage of planes taking off is shown, before showing a globe spinning and stopping on Belize. Stark in contrast from the urban setting of the earlier part of the introduction, the camera soars over a dense and mysterious jungle. A flock of tropical birds fly across the horizon, before panning down to a truck containing the sixteen castaways. The truck rocks back and forth, nearly knocking Camila out of her seat. As the truck zooms through the Belizean wilderness, Miguel is already scoping out the rest of the competition.

WHOOOSH. The truck cuts through a small stream, spraying mud onto castaways sitting in the rear end. Tamar, disgusted, wipes the mud off her suit.

The truck then abruptly stops. Two locals greet the castaways as they disembark the truck, with luggages still onboard. Joey helps Angelica and Cath down from the truck while flashing a smile. The locals lead the castaways through the jungle as they slash away at vines in order to create a clear path. The sun peeks through the towering canopies, casting mysterious shadows in this part of the jungle. At the end of the path, the camera focuses on Jeff Probst as he stands in front of a Mayan pyramid.

The music begins to intensify as the sixteen make their way through the jungle to the pyramid. Jeff Probst, standing atop the pyramid, gives the season opening.

The camera pans out to reveal the lush yet mysterious Belizean jungle.

Episode Polls
Episode 1: Who is your favorite castaway? Angelica Camila Cath Cherry Coralisse Devin Emile Joey Kris Kwame Mason Miguel Morgans Tamar TJ Velma Episode 1: Who is the player of the episode? Angelica Camila Cath Cherry Coralisse Devin Emile Joey Kris Kwame Mason Miguel Morgans Tamar TJ Velma

Trivia/Author's Notes

 * I was heavily inspired by the Survivor: Anambas premiere as well as Australian Survivor: Champions vs. Contenders (2019) when writing this episode.
 * This preview was initially going to be released in segments after each Book Smart vs. Street Smart episode, but I decided to reveal the entire cast early.