Ep 1. It Smells Like Success

Welcome to the premiere episode of Survivor season 38, entitled "It Smells Like Success." This season, 18 new contestants, divided into two tribes, the Manu and Kama tribes, will be stranded in the rugged wilderness of Fiji to compete in the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance.

The episode begins with the arrival of the Manu tribe on their island. The tribe is immediately faced with the daunting task of building their shelter, gathering firewood, and securing a stable source of food and water. In the midst of the chaos, alliances start to form and tensions rise as tribe members struggle to coexist in such harsh conditions.

Meanwhile, the Kama tribe arrives at their island and quickly sets to work on building their own shelter. It is immediately apparent that this tribe is more organized and cohesive than their counterparts. They work together seamlessly, waste no time, and are even able to catch fish for dinner on their first night. The Kama tribe's early success sets the tone for the rest of the episode and puts the Manu tribe at a disadvantage right from the start.

As the day wears on, the Manu tribe is dealt yet another blow when one of their members becomes severely dehydrated and must be medically evacuated. This loss rattles the tribe even more, and they start to question their own abilities to survive in such a challenging environment. Meanwhile, the Kama tribe continues to thrive and their morale remains consistently high.

As night falls, the two tribes gather for their first immunity challenge. The challenge involves a series of obstacles and puzzles that the tribes must complete in order to retrieve a set of keys. Once all the keys are collected, the tribes must use them to unlock a chest containing a banner. The first tribe to hang their banner wins immunity and a fire-making kit, while the losing tribe must send one of their members to Tribal Council to be voted off the island.

The challenge is close, but in the end, the Kama tribe pulls ahead and secures the win. They celebrate their victory, while the Manu tribe licks their wounds and starts to strategize about who they should vote off. The mood is tense as the Manu tribe prepares to head to Tribal Council for the first time.

At Tribal Council, alliances are put to the test and strategies are revealed. The tribe members each vote in secret, and Jeff Probst, the show's host, tallies the votes. The tension builds as Probst reads them out one by one. In the end, one tribe member's torch is snuffed out and they are sent home, marking the end of the first intense episode of Survivor season 38.

"It Smells Like Success" sets the stage for the rest of the season, revealing the dynamics of the two tribes and the challenges that will test each contestant's endurance and determination. With alliances and strategies already forming, it's clear that the competition will only intensify as the season progresses. Tune in next week to see what happens next on Survivor.