Episode 01

[Mia Galeotalanza]

Hello, I'm Mia Galeotalanza from Stranded in Costa Rica!

You'll be seeing a lot of me here, but you'll also see some of the other hosts, Jeff, Brenda, Carl, Penny, Kim, and Holly around as well! My main focus here will be on the Tamanaco Tribe, so talk to me! Most of us are all-stars of the series who have been through it all, so if you have any questions about how the game is played, feel free to PM us and we'll do our best to answer - that's why we are here. Other than that, our duties will basically be to interview you in your confessional here, trying to get into your head and get some insight as to why you may be making certain moves. We will also be handling challenges, tribal council, and tribal council questioning.

Each round, we'll start by asking some introductory questions, and I just want to ask that you answer in complete statements. Oftentimes, we'll turn the seasons into fanfics using these stories, and we will be actively blogging on each episode, and it's easier to do so if we have real quotes and complete thoughts as opposed to simple yes or no answers. We hope you keep up with your confessionals daily during the week as a way to vent and discuss the events of that day. Just try your best to give us insight into what you're thinking or planning as the game progresses, and right now, as we're about to embark. You'll appreciate being able to go back after the show and really see where your head was at certain points in the game, and so will your fellow cast mates!

So here we go......

How confident are you going into this game that you will win?

What are your opinions of your fellow tribemates?

What is your strategy and approach to the game?

How do you feel the rep of Linda fits you? Will you adjust your game to fit the rep, or just play as you would regardless?

What are your thoughts on the upcoming "leader" vote? Is this position something you find yourself interested in, or is leadership not for you? What do you make of who will eventually become leader?

[Linda]

Why hello. I am Linda. Supposedly. I barely remember who she was in Africa other than one of the ones who the Mall Rats took out(I havn't seen Africa since it first aired..not my area of expertise). So no in character stuff for you :P

Anyways, let's take these questions one at a time

1. Confidence in winning on Day 1 is foolhardy. You come in "knowing" you'll win and you'll go home disappointed. I'm confident I have the ability to win this. I think I can be quite a social person and I was a decent challenge competitor in the last game I participated in. So do I have confidence in myself? Yes

2. My tribemates are cool for the most part. Havn't gotten a bad feeling from any of them. Lindsay and I hit it off right away, which has led to a quick early 5 person alliance with myself, her, Frank, and the two Kims. What's interesting is that Kim P is at the center of the two pairs and the reason we attached, just given that she's the hyper girl who doesn't actually say much in a conversation! Such a power broker! icon_laughter. Kim J and Frank are cool too. Didn't get as good an impresson from them as I did from say, Lex(who is adorable) and Tom(very nice, even if he sends me the same message 3 times!), but I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth on day 1!

3. Strategy? Take it as it comes, find my place, and run with it. That seems to be the case wth my 5 person alliance. Not the one I'd necessarily choose, but it's a strong horse and I will run with it. I will be loyal, I will be social with everyone else, so in case of numbers not being my way I can weasel in or at least be the last person scheduled to be voted off and then maybe pull a Chris

And I'm excited for Kim J as leader. Member of my alliance, yes. Badass older lady, yes. So it should go quite swell :)

[Jeff Probst]

You mentioned Kim P as a power broker, do you trust having her in such a powerful position? You also seemed genuinely excited for Kim J. Are you the type of player that is willing to let other people take control?

You also mentioned the initial alliance formed on day 1, do you foresee that holding throughout the entire game? Are you yourself 100% rock solid with that or would you be open to new bonds in the future?

[Linda]

You mentioned Kim P as a power broker, do you trust having her in such a powerful position? You also seemed genuinely excited for Kim J. Are you the type of player that is willing to let other people take control?

You also mentioned the initial alliance formed on day 1, do you foresee that holding throughout the entire game? Are you yourself 100% rock solid with that or would you be open to new bonds in the future?

For being a hyper player who doesn't say a lot in any given message it is clear she has a strong head on her shoulders. She knows how this game is played and is more dangerous than she is letting on. I bet she's telling you guys more in confessionals than she is to us . Still she knows the best path is with us, and she is in a fantastic position. So I trust her for now

And yeah, I love Kim J! She definitely is always thinking long-term which is what is necessary in a leader. And I am quite willing to let other people take control. I'm not the best at necessarily convincing people to do what I want, so if I fit better as a number and then appeal to them from a strategic perspective later on because I know them better, yeah so be it.

I would like for the alliance to hold throughout the game, but I also recognize things can change at any moment. If a swap happens, we could be put in a minority in which I have to give my word to other people to keep myself alive. And if that happens I will evaluate what I do moving forward then. I aways try to bond with everyone in the game, so I'm hoping to do that here too. I wish to not be the first targeted due to no one liking/knowing me after all

The current conundrum for our alliance is whether we get rid of Diane or Lex first. Diane makes sense she's since a paranoid wacko who is only going to cause problems in the tribe, but if we do that, we risk alienating Tom and potentially Clarence as well. Lex is the easy vote off since no one knows him that well(though I eally like him from the messages we have sent each other), but he's also most likely easier to manipulate. I personally lean towards taking out Diane, but it is not a big deal to me.

[Jeff Probst]

Do you find Diane to be a threat in the game or purely an annoyance?

[Linda]

At this point, purely an annoyance. "ER MA GERD HI. I SAW YOU WERE ONLINE HI! :D :D :D :D "

"LIKE WHO ARE YOU VOTING IF WE LOSE?" "It's only Thursday, I don't know Diane". "BUT YOU MUST HAVE SOME IDEA!?" "No, I really don't". "WELL ITS FRIDAY NOW YOU MUST KNOW!!!!!" "Nope". "I DONT BELIEVE YOU"

and yet she's the one messaging me the most :(

[Jeff Probst]

At this point, are you willing to boot a very active member of the tribe over someone who is the least active just based on personality clashes?

[Linda]

Possibly. Activity is subjective anyways. For instance, does it matter how active someone is between challenges if they then suck at said challenge and aren't part of the group anyways versus someone who isn't around much but helps us win challenges and isn't a threat socially/strategically?

[Linda]

This is a disaster...

[Jeff Probst]

What are your thoughts on that rather poor performance in the challenge tonight?

[Linda]

What are your thoughts on that rather poor performance in the challenge tonight?

The performance itself was not poor. Our tribe did well, our leader was just not able to get her stuff done from her location. Shit happens. It isn't a big deal. We still won, right?

[Brenda Lowe]

At this point, purely an annoyance. "ER MA GERD HI. I SAW YOU WERE ONLINE HI! :D :D :D :D "

"LIKE WHO ARE YOU VOTING IF WE LOSE?" "It's only Thursday, I don't know Diane". "BUT YOU MUST HAVE SOME IDEA!?" "No, I really don't". "WELL ITS FRIDAY NOW YOU MUST KNOW!!!!!" "Nope". "I DONT BELIEVE YOU"

and yet she's the one messaging me the most :(

I wonder, did seeing how your tribe gel (or not) in a challenge situation change your outlook on anybody here for better or worse?

How about a rundown of your tribe by member, not that you've had a round to weigh them all up. Let's say from people you like most to least, and a comment on each.

[Mia Galeotalanza]

Hi there Linda! Sorry I haven't been around to chat much.

Anyways, as for last night: Do you think that Kim J will be a reliable leader, or was last night just a one time thing? What do you do if Kim isn't able to pull her weight?

Also, I'd love to see your individual thoughts on all your ~other~ tribemates! (Aside from Diane, of course ). How about a ranking or something? *begs*

[Linda]

Haha well the challenge made Lex drop to last place. Though I guess he's getting a personality/activity transplant? O_o

As for Kim, I'm quite conident in her ability as a leader. She's done great at the tribe itself so far. Everyone likes her. That is important. I think she understands she can't just use her phone going forward :)

As far as a ranking

1. Lindsay - me and her hit it off right away and have been doing great. She isn't good at responding to individual messages though :/.

2. Kim J - She is fantastic. Witty, clever, and knows how to play this game

3. Frank - calm, steady force. Good head on his shoulders

4. Clarence - he's a cool dude. Great at challenges. Opposition, but Frank is trying to get an in with him

5. Kim P - very short and to the point. Sometimes obnoxious. Somewhat lovable though. Potential goat long-term

6. Tom - meh

7. Lex- lol

8. Diane - do I need to say anything?