We can almost hear the tide lapping on a Grecian shore, and feel a Mediterranean sun on our necks as each of us settle in to read the first episode of Mr. Lanza's latest Survivor-themed novel. At least, this is the sensation I was expecting to receive from the opening sentences. I shall henceforth be more careful in presuming such things about others.

Having spent some time on choppy waters in temperate climates, the opening sentences immediately drove me from my semi-tropical reverie, and placed me squarely in the Aegean setting. The water does not lap, it crashes. The sun does not shine benevolently, it is invisible except for the greyish light which filters through the thick clouds. The mist off the water is not cool and pleasant but cold and harsh. Welcome, dear friends, to (All-Star) Survivor: Greece.

After a stormy, ominous beginning, the weather improves so that we can enjoy the tribebuilding process. Gabe and Diane employ very different strategies. It causes one to remember Jan and Jake in Thailand. Jan selected maturity, Jake selected athleticism. And, remember this for later, athleticism did NOT prevail. In the same way also, Diane chose friends and workers, Gabe chose athletes, competitors and Sonja. Ahh... Sonja stands out among his choices. Next to Hunter, Stephanie and John... she seems frail and almost ridiculous. The answer to this selection is not to be found until much later in the narrative. She is to be a sacrifice, in the great Greek tradition of appeasement.

Our stranded castaways arrive at their respective camps to find, while not an Olympian paradise, at least a quite usable shelter and enough supplies to feed them for a few days. But foreshadowing abounds... this comfort shall not last we are repeatedly warned. However, our Robinson Crusoe's do not have the benefit of said foreshadowing. They happily settle into daily routines.

Friends, we have twelve episodes ahead of us, and I am running late, so I will cut this essay short. I will not go into alliances and schemes and plots on both teams. I shall forego the analysis of the challenge. The important part is... Taygete loses, and must go to face their judgement. Why Linda? The Africans needed to be broken up, and she was the only one that could be spared. It's a sad truth, but there is nothing she could have done to prevent it.

I apologize for the brevity and lack of depth of this writing, but I shall promise more in a few days. That is a sacred promise from writer to reader.