Survivor: Tocantins preems today

MANILA, Philippines - Q-11 premieres Season 18 of Survivor today at 3 p.m. Dubbed Survivor: Tocantins, the new season continues the cherished traditions of the past 17 seasons — which include cash prizes, millions of viewers, franchises across the globe — and then, it cranks up the ante for a more exciting show.

Simply put, it’s going to be brutal this season. Tocantins, the Brazilian Highlands, is said to be one of the series’ most rugged locations ever. The area is rougher than Season 6’s Survivor: Amazon, the show’s first foray to Brazil. Season 6 was set in the rainforest near Manaus.

Survivor: Tocantins, on the other hand, is right smack in the central part of Brazil, in a high-altitude desert area that’s scorching, with temperatures that hit nearly 110 degrees early in the morning. The only relief it offers from the harsh conditions is a river oasis called Rio Novo.

The castaways will be divided into two separate tribes. Afterwards, the individuals will be forced to begin their game plan and strategies based on their first impression of each other. Then, it gets tougher — minus any formal introduction, let alone a chance to speak to one another, one castaway from each tribe will be chosen to remain behind. It could mean a quick end for two castaways or, maybe there could be a second chance waiting for them.