At first, I'm going to admit, I was pretty unsure about the turnout. By the second day though, things have turned around and I'm liking this group of people. We have a decent mix of strategic players and UTR players on Helios and some of the most unlikable and mean-spirited people on Asteria. It's going to be hilarious when these two tribes come together, finally.

Thoughts on both tribes:

Helios

Helen - I'm in love with her. I'm not sure how I feel about her revealing that she is sneaky (her strategy for the challenge) this early but her tribe doesn't seem too concerned about it, so I think she can get away as the hero. She's very strategic, appears willing to make big moves and wants to work with Penny; arguably the biggest character in the game right now.

Penny - Yeah, I mean, I knew she'd be awesome as soon as she was casted. Her confessionals are hilarious, she is confrontational and isn't afraid to make big moves early. I really hope she goes far and seeing her position on the tribe, I can see her doing it.

Erin - I like Erin. She is kind of oblivious, but she seems pretty nice. One of the more active newbies and is really trying to learn and put the effort in. The tribe does seem concerned about her, however. So, unless she makes a move to align herself with the right people, I can't see her going too far.

Jan - Possibly the best casting in terms of character and she doesn't even know it I think Jan is hilarious. She isn't the most aware contestant, but she reminds me of a curious toddler. I can't see her lasting too long though.

Jake - As a huge fan of the real Jake, I was disappointed by his early activity. Now, he seems eager to contribute in anyway he can and and overall nice guy. He seems to have a connection with everyone and playing with his emotions; a great contrast to Ken's "robotic" style gameplay.

Ted - I appreciate Ted. He is the closest thing to a villain we have on the Helios tribe. We need that negative energy to cause conflict and chaos. He is doing a crappy job at keeping suspicion away from him, however. Unless he finds the idol (which he very well might) I can't see him lasting longer than the second tribal council.

Brian - I LOVE Brant, but I hate his strategy so much, you don't even know. I don't understand what he is thinking. He is basically is own worst enemy right now and is causing suspicion and doubt amongst the people he wants to align with. He needs to snap out of it and pull in Penny/Helen before it's too late. The whole "unspoken alliance" is really only good for a little while before you start annoying people, and the last person you want to annoy is Penny.

Ken - I'm not sure how to feel about Ken right now. UTR but leaving all emotions out basically makes him a floater. I can see him just being used as an extra vote and either making the end as a goat or being discarded along the way. Basically, he's boring right now.

Asteria

Shawna - The confidence that Poody has in this player delivering is enough for me to be interested. Right now, I am happy that she showed up and seems eager to play, and that's about it.

Jeanne - What a bitch. I thought Joanna is supposed to be the resident bitch of the Asteria tribe, but wow. She is completely retarded as well (taking a clue when half your tribe hasn't showed up yet? lol)

Joanna - Not happy that she doesn't want to fill out her confessionals but I love her attitude. I love her dislike for her tribe (I feel the same way about Asteria, right now) and I love that she was the only one who used her brains and didn't grab a clue.

Christy - Christy seems very likable and a decent strategist. She is the only likable person on her tribe, really and her dedication and activity will likely mean she'll last until the merge. I like her, but I wasn't a fan of her taking the clue.

Butch - ???

Rob - Whiny, pretty annoying and demanding. Not loving this guy right now but I know, with the activity and likability of the people on his tribe, he'll likely make it far. Hopefully his attitude changes because unlike Jeanne, he ain't even entertaining.

Ryan -

Daniel - Late to the party but people seem interested. I'll wait to give him a chance.

What do you think are the chances that Joanna will switch tribes? I say no way, despite her hatred. I'll be interested in hearing her thoughts on the twist.

Joanna won't do it this early. If they keep taking clues, she may act impulsively out of rage, but she is in too much of a good position with a boot fodder in Butch and the retarded Jeanne. She has a huge head start over Shawna and Daniel in terms of getting to know her tribe, and is likely in the third best spot on the tribe.

Only way I can see her flipping is if she is left out of the vote or she feels like they'll lose all the challenges. If she does flip though, expect her to rub it in her tribes faces time and time again.

I love you, Jan

Ugh she is too adorable for words <3

Episode 2:

I almost hate Assteria right now. They are boring as hell, half the tribe is brain dead and no one but Christy and Joanna seems to be thinking long-term. Helios is by far, the superior tribe. They are active, they have a plan, and they have a billion secret alliances and deals floating around. There is no clear cut bootlist because everyone is trying to be in control.

Helios

Helen - One of my favorites from Helios, for sure. She reminds me a lot of Erinn, from Zambia. Smart, witty, down-to-earth and has positioned herself great within her tribe. Her idol plan is pretty smart, and the suspicion won't fall on her because of it.

Penny - I can't help but love Penny. Her confessionals are hilarious, she is always doing something and I know she'll be giving us some great blindsides whenever they go to TC. I can definitely see some conflict between Brian and her or Ted and her down the road. All three want to make some impact on the game but in different ways.

Erin - Erin saving Jan Other than that, I think she is in a great position, she just isn't doing much for me though.

Jan - Favorite person in this game right now, easily. I love her so damn much and if she can survive the first TC and send Ken home, I'll just be in awe.

Jake - I don't think Jake is as stupid as he is naive. Sorry, Penny, I disagree with you there. Jake just wants to create one big happy family, where they share rainbows and eat cakes made from butterflies and babies

Ted - Ted has really grown on me. He's starting to position himself very well, his dislike for Ken pleases me and I can see him causing a lot of tension and conflict in the future. He obviously wants to be the villain and you can't hate him for that.

Brian - I wasn't so sure about Brian at first, but finally he is coming out of his shell. He positioned himself better, has ties with a great number of people in the game but is still seen as a threat and a dirty player. Hopefully that doesn't bite him in the ass, and Penny thinks she can use him as a goat or "meat shield" down the road.

Ken - Ken is just so unlikable. He's not a villain, he's not a hero. His personality reminds me of his tribe color. Just so bland...

Asteria

Shawna - I don't get the Shawna love. Sorry Probst. She is boring, she doesn't really have much strategy. She's just the sweetheart right now.

Jeanne - Still a huge bitch but at least she's a huge bitch that wants to do something. Wake the fuck up Jeanne and start pulling people together.

Joanna - Bonding through insults is the best way to bond. I love the Joanna/Christy partnership. Such a condescending bitch, and her confessionals are just pure comedy.

Christy - Best player on Asteria, easily. Has the best confessionals and the best alliance. As much as I want to see a counter-alliance get formed, I don't want it to cost me Christy or Joanna.

Rob - Overly confident and completely unaware of his position. The women of your tribe will hang you upside down and drain your blood the first chance they get.

Ryan - I despise Ryan. He's so damn stupid and lazy.

Daniel - Great on figuring out that RCJ have an alliance. So stupid for accepting your position and hoping you'll win the next challenge. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Episode 3:

I still don't like Asteria. They appear to be the more entertaining tribe from the outside, but in reality, they really aren't. They are very one dimensional, with the exception of a small group and the first TC was one of the worst in Stranded History. They seem to be coming out of their shell a bit more though, especially in regards to arguing with Penny. Penny manages to bring out the best in people.

Helios

Penny - Still love her. I think she's probably the most consistent person in this game for me in terms of likability. She brings the entertainment and she's still in a decent position. She seems a little too happy about the Ted-Gate strategy, which could be very good, or very bad for them.

Erin - Lol @ her thinking she is a strategic mastermind. Erin is possibly the most unintentionally funny person in this game right now. She's really grown on me.

Jan - Jan is useless but she knows how to stay alive. She's an underdog to herself and you can't help but love her.

Jake - Jake voting emotionally and causing drama is perfect. His rivalry with Helen came out of nowhere and I love every minute of it. He'll definitely pay for it with his game though Still appreciate and like Jake.

Ted - Ted has made so many stupid moves the last "round" that I don't even know what to think of him anymore. If he goes through with the plan, it could bring one of the biggest and most epic moments in Stranded History. I just wished he hadn't revealed he had the idol. There was so much chaos at Helios up until that moment.

Brian - Brian is on top right now. He's loved by basically everyone and that's a great position to be in.

Helen - Still my favorite person in this game. She's untouchable for me at this point, even though she's not playing nearly as good as a game as she thinks.

Asteria

Shawna - I sort of get it now. She's the closest thing to a sweetheart this game has. She's got herself in the Rob/Joanna/Christy alliance and likely will take Rob's place late game. Not bad, not bad.

Jeanne - So useless and awful. She's hilarious If Christy gets her way, she'll probably be the next one leaving, even over Ted... which is

Joanna - Bitchy as hell but again, so damn awesome. My favorite person on Asteria after Christy's confessional about keeping Ted over Jeanne.

Christy - Keeping Ted? Realllly? I don't even... I understand not liking Jeanne but why risk it? There is absolutely no reason to risk keeping someone with ties to the other tribe over someone who has no ties and doesn't think they are in any danger.

Rob - Blah. Bring on Ted playing the idol and blindside this awful piece of shit already.

Ryan -

Daniel - Getting better but still not in a great position. Hopefully he is taking this time to build a relationship with Joanna, Shawna and Christy because they'll definitely want to blindside "threats" down the road, which he most certainly isn't.

I reckon Ted is Asteria to the core at this stage. He won't play the idol and will become some part of their tribe, likely outlasting the three bottom feeders.

Although I do look forward to the inevitable "Ted has an Idol btw, and here is the pw" call-out thread from Penny once she realises he's flipped and not going through with 'the plan'. That might even lead Rob to realising Christy has the second idol, or suspecting Ted has both

Which is a huge shame tbh. Ted was in a fantastic position in his old tribe prior to revealing he had the idol (stupidest move ever). Knowing how vocal Penny is, why bother? She's going to out his plan and the idol, he's going to lose trust in both tribes, and Asteria will likely split the votes between himself and Jeanne.

But it will bring some much needed drama to Asteria, so I'm all for it

How do they split the vote when Ryan doesn't PM & Jeanne is following her heart?