Survivor

The South Pacific.

Thousand of islands lay scattered across the world's most beautiful ocean.

But for centuries, man has traveled these waters to meet in combat.

From brutal, tribal warfare to the epic battles of World War II,

this is a place where rivals have long traveled to settle old scores.

It is the perfect setting for our biggest showdown yet.

Welcome to the 20th season of "Survivor."

Over the past 10 years,

"Survivor" has traveled to some of the most desolate, dangerous, and exotic places in the world.

Over 300 people have tested themselves in the most difficult, and groundbreaking show on television.

We have gathered 20 of them to play one more time.

Jeff: These are 10 of your favorite Heroes.

Versus 10 of the most notorious Villains.

In my world, I've always tried to show that good will win win.

I'm a Villain.

I think Villains are smarter than Heroes

because they don't mind stabbing somebody in the back to get where they want to get.

It's a fact.

It's a proven fact. Google it.

The Heroes are definitely people I would rather play the game with.

The Villains are the people I've always been against.

So this is perfect for me to be on the Heroes side and battle it out against these punks I don't like anyway.

I've been labeled things like "she devil in a blue bikini,"

"the Wicked Witch of the West."

"Man-eater Manthey."

That was my favorite one.

I'm back here to do what I came to do the first time,

get to the end and make the money.

So I'm definitely coming back to redeem myself.

This time, I slay everyone and trust no one.

This is my chance for redemption redemption.

I'm not in the shape I was last time,

but I still think they can hang in there as tough as any guy next to me.

But these people are smart,

they'll get rid of me right away.

It's the smartest thing they can do, but they won't.

They never do.

I'm almost a decade older than I was the first time.

So to me, it's a test to see if I still got it.

Last time I was mean, and this time I'm meaner.

You know, I'll lie.

I don't care.

But I'll make up a good lie.

People think they know me.

They really don't know me.

I'm a gangster in an Oprah suit.

But I'm not, like, a mean gangster.

I'm a nice gangster with a smile, you know.

Jeff: It is still the ultimate challenge.

20 people forced to work together while battling the elements and each other.

They must learn to adapt or they'll be voted out.

In the end, only one will remain to claim the million-dollar prize.

39 days, 20 people, one Survivor.

Flying in the choppers, my heart's beating a mile a minute.

I'm sitting right next to Tom and Cirie and all these people.

I know the game's going.

I'm finally back in the game.

Flying in on the helicopter,

you can feel something in the air.

There's an electricity.

There's a tension.

There's a level of excitement that is coursing through everybody's veins, especially mine.

And to start off like that I think sets a great tone for how the season is going to be.

Believe it or not, I'm a little nervous going in.

I'm still in awe of who I'm here with.

I mean, for God's sake, Boston Rob.

Parvati.

I mean, you know, I've got to get my mind straight and not let them get me too star struck.

I'm out here playing a game with them now.

I'm nervous and I'm excited.

And, you know like before you bungee jump or something,

you get that knot in your stomach,

and it, like, makes you want to throw up, kind of.

That's how I feel right now.

I look over and see my fellow tribe-mates with the blue buff on getting out of the copter.

It's pretty intense, you know.

My tribe, the Hero's train,

they're hard working, tough guys, good people.

And I was like, this is it.

I can't wait to kick some ass out here.

Here we are, we're on our nice little blue mat,

and then here come these Villains,

and you see... you see Boston Rob,

and he's already got the walk and the swagger and the attitude.

And then, you know, you see Coach, and Jerri.

I mean, they really are Villains Villains.

I'm the original Villain of "Survivor"

and I have to tell you I feel like mother Teresa right now with these people.

It's on.

Jeff: All right, let me officially welcome you to "Survivor 20: Heroes vs. Villains."

Yeah, baby!

Jeff: 10 years, 20 seasons,

over 300 people have played "Survivor" the greatest adventure game in the history of television.

Russell, how does it feel to be deemed one of the 10 most notorious of all time?

I'm still in awe that I'm here with... with all these great players.

Finally, I can play the game with somebody that respects the game.

Jeff: Boston Rob, you proud to be seen as one of the 10 biggest Villains of all time?

I'm a Villain?

Well, it's all in perspective, I guess.

It's now you see it.

Jeff: Rupert, a lot of people have played this game.

Jeff: You're still, to this day, one of the most popular.

It's... it's been an honor since the first time that I got to play.

And now when I found out I'm on the Heroes' side, I'll tell you,

I love the game, and being able to have this chance, it's an honor.

Jeff: Tom, another big Hero, played a very solid game.

A lot of people like you.

They were happy you won, which isn't always the case with some of our winners.

Stack up these two tribes.

You know, we kind of got maybe some positive energy going just because we've been labeled the good guys,

but I also wouldn't assume that anybody would stick with the game play that they had.

If it didn't work for them in a previous season I would say they might do a 180 on this thing

and spin it around and I think that could be from either tribe.

Jeff: Colby, in your season "Survivor: Australia" our second season, going back 10 years ago,

you were so popular,

people were naming their children Colby.

Most of the ones I heard about named their dogs Colby.

The kids, not bad. I'm take that.

What's the perspective now, almost 10 years later?

It's taken my almost this long to really get enough perspective to appreciate it,

and this is... this is my third time back, and it is humbling.

It's the experience and it's the adventure.

If you're not fired up at this point, riding in on those birds, you don't have a pulse.

Jeff: JT, is it at all intimidating, even within your own tribe,

when you look around at who's surrounding you?

It's definitely intimidating.

I was watching these people when I was in High School.

I was too young to apply for the show so I couldn't do it and now I'm competing against them.

I'm still a rookie out here.

I'm probably the youngest one out here.

I feel like a young kid against these people but I'm ready.

Jeff: Anybody out here feel they're on the wrong tribe,

legitimately feel they're on the wrong tribe.

Oh, yeah.

What did we do?

- Yeah, what did we do. - What did we do that was so bad.

Jeff: So pretty much every Villain thinks they should be on the Hero tribe.

Except Jerri Manthey, the original Black widow, still owning her title.

I even got a Black hat for this season.

Is there a little symbolism with her hat being Black and mine being white?

Jeff: Good versus evil?

It was not a mistake.

Jeff: Parvati, let's be clear,

while you did a great job and were rewarded with $1 million,

you led one of the most notorious tribe of women ever in the history of the game.

You betrayed people left and right.

You guys were responsible for many, many blindsides. Great player?

Yes, that's why you're here. Hero?

No.

James, from your two cent, Parvati, Hero or Villain?

Villain.

Jeff: James is bigger than me.

James is right.

I will fight him.

I'm not scared of him.

I don't care how big are you.

Jeff: Anybody here willing to say the sheer size of James does make them take pause fair moment?

Yes.

Hello!

Jeff: James, anybody on the Villain tribe intimidate you?

It's the same story every time.

The talkers are the most dangerous.

The ones who strategize are the best ones at the game.

They, bar none, have one most of the series, most of the seasons.

So you've learned something in your two times out here.

Believe it or not I have.

Jeff: Going back to when you were voted out with two idols, one in each pocket.

Yes, thanks for reminding me.

Jeff: Boston Rob, how big a factor is size versus scrap?

I think we have a huge advantage over them.

Our women are clearly stronger than their women.

- And our guys can hold the best of it... I'm being serious. - You got the gloves, Jeff.

I don't see how they're going to be able to keep up with us.

- I love you, Colby, but, man, you got the raw end of the stick. - I'm so glad he's here.

I'm so glad Rob's back.

So, Rob, nobody on this tribe of Heroes intimidates you?

I didn't say that, Jeff.

I just said I think we have the advantage.

And we're not going to be busy dealing with all the egos over there.

Jeff: All right, well, we are going to see how you match up right now.

It's time to get to your first reward challenge.

Here's how it works... you will square off two on two.

On my go, both pairs will race out to dig up one bag.

Once you have the bag, you must race back to your finish mat.

That's where it's going to get physical.

You have four people battling for one bag.

To score a point for your tribe,

you have to be touching the bag and your finish mat at the same time.

First tribe to score three points wins reward.

Want to know what you're playing for?

Yeah.

Jeff: In addition to the challenges being physical,

the conditions are going to be demanding as well.

Between the heat and the rain,

if you do not stay hydrated, you will not last long.

Fire for the winner of the first challenge.

Having fire 10 minutes into this game gives you a huge advantage going into that first immunity challenge.

You win that challenge, you have momentum, you could ride that all the way to the end.

I know it's worth playing for.

I'm going to give you a minute to strategize on your match-ups