MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - The Premiere

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's the last Friday of February, which means cyclists are riding tonight through the streets of big cities at rush hour. In Hollywood, preparation is in full swing for Sunday's Oscars extravaganza, while in New Orleans it's Mardi Gras Weekend as the Big Easy's biggest party goes into overdrive. And down in Arizona and Florida, Spring Training baseball is now underway.
   And for us here at DCBLOG, it's time to take you on our ride through a busy week in the MTV Trifecta. Coming up, Challenge underdogs look to make one last impression before the champions come to town, while the Are You The One? hotties are getting down & dirty. But first, something new to kick off your weekend.

A few weeks ago, we took a Look at what could be MTV's next big thing in Stranded with A Million Dollars, the channel's push into the survivalist form of reality competition shows as they will put 10 strangers on an island for 40 days, with $1 million in hand and plenty of obstacles awaiting them. Well, with their tie-in to The Challenge - including airing after the the big show and a poll of who viewers think could make the jump to that show, we've decided the give them the unique treatment we offer here at DCBLOG: our signature Pulse diary of the episodes as the cast sees them, and a mini-Wrap of the episode's key moments.

   This week, it's the premiere as Alex, Alonzo, Ashley, Bria, Chris, Coy, Eilish, Gina, Michael and Makani all move into that remote island in Fiji with nothing but their clothes and all that cash. In addition to the usual first impressions and "get to know you" vibe of any premiere, the group finds temptations all around their surroundings as any purchase of items crucial to surviving a month & a half will cut into their winnings should they go the distance. And after what we've seen in recent seasons of the Trifecta, could just this premise of being on this island for all this time lead one of the competitors to give in?

After the jump, it's week one of Stranded with A Million Dollars to kick off the weekend look at the week in the MTV Trifecta at DCBLOG.

►#DCSocialPulse  THE STRANDED PREMIERE
@MTVStranded: Tune in to this years most exciting social experiment, #MTVStranded, tonight @ 10/9c! How much would you pay to survive? 🤔💸 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5Mt92gWIAATTe-.jpg
@MTVStranded: Staying alive comes at a price... Find out how much 10 strangers will pay to survive on the premiere of #MTVStranded, TONIGHT @ 10/9c! 🔥💸
@Bella_naomi95: Let the countdown begin! Tonight Stranded with a Million Bucks is coming out🌴 MTV 10/9c… https://www.instagram.com/p/BQyB3OPh0Bo/
@makanime: During the show tonight, you can vote to see me compete in the next season🙈🏝🌿📺 here's the link!… https://www.instagram.com/p/BQyLkiEg-YU/
@MTVPress: Before you get @MTVStranded tonight meet @michael_schuur http://www.newnownext.com/michael-schuur-stranded-million-dollars-mtv/02/2017/ … @NewNowNext #stranded
@iamzoewhite: They run there mouth, I run my business ✔️ https://www.instagram.com/p/BQyo_jdBcuF/
‏@iamzoewhite: Big thank you to @937wblk & @Djyasminyoung for the amazing interview today! Really enjoyed… https://www.instagram.com/p/BQyxfOZBIhQ/
@iamzoewhite: Thank You 🙏@937wblk #wblk #thepeoplesStation For the amazing interview. Blessed & humbled. 🙌… https://www.instagram.com/p/BQy203fhNar/
@MTVStranded: #MTVStranded premiers in 1 hour! Come on this journey with us + see how much 10 strangers will pay to stay alive 🌴 💵 http://bit.ly/2lr95lU https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5MxkjfWQAArQ3F.jpg
@CodyThrive: THIS IS IT Stranded with a Million Dollars premieres tonight at 9pm. That's in 1 HOUR! I may or may not be freaking out (a lot) @MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: DONT forget Vote as many times as you can during the live episode using #CodyOnChallenge so we can surprise Cody &get him on The Challenge
@CodyThrive: Vote #CodyOnChallenge 👱🏼 to help Cody get on @ChallengeMTV — one of his long-time dreams: http://on.mtv.com/2lctD18  #CodyOnChallenge

@CodyThrive: Freaking the f out lmao
@MTVStranded: You know what they say, @AlexApple_ , "Adventure is just hardship with an inflated sense of self!" 👏 #MTVStranded (GIF: "I'm absolutely in this for the adventure.")s
- @AlexApple_: .@MTVStranded on @MTV now
@MTVStranded: Looks like we found the Alpha of the group @CodyThrive 🐺 #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: Im voting #CodyOnChallenge for my babeee
@MTVStranded: That's a lot of MOOLA! $100k, to be exact 😏💵 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: All you have to do is stay alive for 40 days, and the money is yours... but there's a catch 😈 #MTVStranded (GIF: Bria - "The ten of you are now stranded on an island with nothing but the clothes on your backs... and one million dollars.")
@CodyThrive: The girl cody was referring to was me #CodyOnChallenge @MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: When 1 gallon of water costs $3000 😱 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: When staying alive comes at a price, how much are you willing to pay? The choice is yours: stay rich, or stay alive 👏💸 #MTVStranded (GIF: Bria - "What price are you willing to pay to survive?")
@MTVStranded: This @CodyThrive guy seems like a real HARDO 🙄👅 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Bria is FIERCE! Get it, girl 👏 #MTVStranded (GIF: "I'm gonna be the Badass B...h of this jungle.")
@MTVStranded: Looks like @ChrisLacerra's strategy is to offend everyone and go it alone??? #MTVStranded (GIF: "I feel like I'm gonna out-survive all these Cub Scouts and little b.....s.")
- @CodyThrive: @MTVStranded This is hilarious #thrivebros #chrisonchallenge 😂
@MTVStranded: And with one look, a bromance was born @CodyThrive @ChrisLacerra 😍 #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: #thrivebros where it all began. @MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: Alex, the definition of a goober... @MTVStranded #mtvstranded
@MTVStranded: A #groupbuy is the chance to purchase necessities once every four days, but it's going to cost you! And majority rules 💸💸💸 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: You have two choices: Stay rich, or stay alive 🤔 #MTVStranded (GIF: Alonzo - "If we don't buy anything then we'll probably die.")
@MTVStranded: Just remember @tewsdaykate: Staying alive comes at a price! A HEFTY price! 💸 #MTVStranded (GIF: "You NEED supplies out here.")
@AlexApple_: Cody: "Alex is the definition of goober." Amen! #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Note to self: You can trust @CodyThrive about as far as you can throw him! 🙄 #MTVStranded (GIF: "I wanna be the last person standing, pushing people out of this game.")
- @MTVStranded: Note to self: You can trust @CodyThrive about as far as you can throw him! 🙄 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Watching the group try to decide whether to buy anything or not like 🍿👀  #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: Maybe he's thinking he wants to win what he came there for #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: AH! What's @michael_schuur going to decide!? To buy, or not to buy!? That is the question! 😬 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: AH! What's @michael_schuur going to decide!? To buy, or not to buy!? That is the question! 😬 #MTVStranded
@HeadOfHouseHoe: The fact that this is heavily recorded by drones is cool af! @MTVStranded #Stranded
@CodyThrive: Why buy stuff early on when you could hold off to make more people quit? I thought you were a strategist, Alex #MTVStranded #CodyOnChallenge
@MTVStranded: "@ChelsKatz: Ok I think Cody on @MTVStranded is more annoying than Corinne, and it hasn't even been 30 minutes. Come on @AlexApple_! #GoFrogs" RT You hear that, @BachelorABC? #MTVStranded
@jani_1287:  @MTVStranded if you arent watching this show after The Challenge.. theres something wrong with you🙄❤
@MTVStranded: Me when the group votes to NOT buy anything 🙄 You know they're going to need some of these things eventually!!! 👏 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Looks like the group will go the next 4 days with no tools other than their hands... SAVAGE! 🖐🖐 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Hearing Cody say he would have probably bought the machete 🙄 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Hmmm, does @GinaPandaBaby have what it takes to survive 40 days on this island!? 🤔 #MTVStranded (GIF: "I never really finish anything.")
@GinaPandaBaby: I voted to see Gina from @MTVStranded on @ChallengeMTV, you should vote too! http://on.mtv.com/2lctD18  #GinaOnChallenge
@CodyThrive: Foreshadowing of the future, Gina? #MTVStranded @MTVStranded #codyonchallenge
@MTVStranded: The campers be like "at least it can't get any worse! It could be raining, after all!" CUE THE RAIN! 💦☔️ #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: "@SpadeHutslar: @CodyThrive it's a good strategy to wait not only to weed out the weak but to test your surroundings and capabilities before spending money!" RT You would think that was fairly obvious.... #mtvstranded @MTVStranded #codyonchallenge
@CodyThrive: "@MTVTV: "Great analogy by me." -@CodyThrive 😂 #MTVStranded" RT Proud girlfriend. Don't think I can laugh any harder at this guy than I am. Yes, Cody is a character. Get used to it. @MTVStranded
@ambremaurer: Everyone cheer on @CodyThrive on #MTVStranded right now!!! And hashtag #codyonchallenge to help his dream come true!! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5PTeJ3VcAAKT_k.jpg
@MTVStranded: .@GinaPandaBaby, I don't think you're in Kansas any more! Welcome to the game!!!👏👏👏 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: The 3 🔑s to island living, right @makanime? #MTVStranded (GIF: "Stay strong, eat coconuts, drink plenty of water.")s
@CodyThrive: Makani!!! Love you 💗 #mtvstranded #makanionchallenge @CodyThrive
@CodyThrive: He didn't throw it at her.... lol he tossed it :)
@MTVStranded: Oh no he didn't! @CodyThrive @tewsdaykate 😱😱😱🔥🔥🔥 #MTVStranded
- @tewsdaykate: @MTVStranded @CodyThrive
- @MTVStranded: @tewsdaykate @CodyThrive Nothing to fear more than a pissed off mama bear! go get em, Eilish #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: Is his strategy that obvious?
@CodyThrive: "I know she's a mom, but she's not everyone's mom" -Cody #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge @MTVStranded
@Bella_naomi95: I voted to see Bria from @MTVStranded on @ChallengeMTV, you should vote too! http://on.mtv.com/2lctD18  #BriaOnChallenge
@AlexApple_: Who is more likeable? #MTVStranded   Donald Trump / Cody   Vote 98 votes•17 hours left
- @AlexApple_: Tight race so far! #Trump or #Cody
@MTVStranded: It's #temptaion time! What's a temptation, you ask? You'll see 😈 #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: No way??? #MTVStranded @MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: LOL @GinaPandaBaby's face! I'm dead! 😂😂😂 #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: How convenient, Gina is about to quit, so she gets a temptation... #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge @MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: This temptation got @GinaPandaBaby and @michael_schuur like 🍔👀👅 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: What do you think they'll do, cave into the temptation, or pass on the opportunity? 🤔 #MTVStranded (GIF: Michael - "Do NOT cave in to this")
@MTVStranded: What would you do if you got offered a #temptation? #MTVStranded   Take it / Pass   Vote 706 votes•17 hours left
@GinaPandaBaby: I voted to see Gina from @MTVStranded on @ChallengeMTV, you should vote too! http://on.mtv.com/2lctD18  #GinaOnChallenge :)
@MTVStranded: .@GinaPandaBaby and @michael_schuur are out here after 1 day like 😩😭 #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: Wish Cody was here to watch this for himself. Best TV I've ever watched @MTVStranded #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge
@MTVStranded: Just remember, @michael_schuur, that money comes out of EVERYBODY'S pocktes, including yours! 💸 #MTVStranded (GIF: "It's like one hundred dollars per French fry")
@CodyThrive: Was 15k$ worth it guys? #mtvstranded @mtvstranded
@MTVStranded: Meanwhile everyone at the camp is suspicious of Michael and Gina like... 😒 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: .@Bella_naomi95 reflecting on whether or not she should have eaten those coconuts like 😩 #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: You're not here to make friends, Gina. #mtvstranded @mtvstranded #CodyOnChallenge
@CodyThrive: "@sarahnthro: @CodyThrive @MTVStranded People who would spend 30k within the first week don't deserve the $$$ at the end! Cody is a survivor." RT Thank you
@Bella_naomi95: Hey my loves make sure you vote for me http://www.mtv.com/shows/stranded/stranded-on-the-challenge … right now!!!!!! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5PYmEzWIAEU8l4.jpg
@MTVStranded: "@TitheGirl: Watching @MTVStranded like "did MTV just make a real life Lord of the Flies? 🤔" " RT yes, yes we did! #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: #MTVStranded #CodyOnChallenge @ChallengeMTV @MTVStranded https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5PY9wGVUAAC9fR.jpg
@MTVStranded: That's the understatement of the century! #MTVStranded is unlike anything you've ever seen on @MTV! It's not going to be a cake walk!💥👊 (GIF: Bria - "This s... is not a joke.")
@MTVStranded: While the others try to build a fire and burn energy, @CodyThrive's just chillin' like... 😎 #MTVStranded https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5PZLQzXUAEXAv1.jpg
- @CodyThrive: @MTVStranded Has everyone not seen survivor?
@MTVStranded: NOW the group is regretting not purchasing anything at the #groupbuy like 😩 #MTVStranded
- @AlexApple_: @MTVStranded Nice move by everyone who was a "hard no." #whoops – at LifeWay World Bridge
@CodyThrive: The three best friends that anyone can have #mtvstranded @mtvstranded
@CodyThrive: Lol 😂😂😂 @MTVStranded
@AlexApple_: Those first three nights it rained twice. I thought for sure someone would flair. #MTVStranded
@AlexApple_: #AlexOnChallenge
@CodyThrive: Every person on this show is boring me right now. I think cody is the only one playing the game? @MTVStranded #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge
@MTVTV: It's guy love, that's all it is. #bromance #mtvstranded
- ‏@CodyThrive: @MTVTV The most pure form of love s a bromance #thrivebros
‏@MTVStranded: Make it to the next camp in 3.5 hours or lose $100k!?! 😱 #MTVStranded (GIF: "That's some crazy s...")
@GinaPandaBaby: Dang, that eyebrow makeup that I got was disgusting LMFAO #StrandedWithAMillionDollars #MTVstranded #Lordymyskinwasbad
@CodyThrive: #CodyOnChallenge
@MTVStranded: Cody is being so two faced right now #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: Cody's not completely bad. @MTVStranded #mtvstranded
@CodyThrive: Sad to see Bria go tbh @MTVStranded #mtvstranded #CodyOnChallenge
@MTVStranded: @Bella_naomi95 is deciding to take one for the team and self-evacuate! First camp, first victim! 😱 #MTVStranded (GIF: "I do not want to bring my team down.")s
@MTVStranded: Meanwhile @CodyThrive's over there like "my master plan is working!" 😈 #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: Alright, did @MTVStranded just show my boyfriend popping a squat....... #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge
@MTVStranded: How about that for a premiere! Who will flare out next!? Tune into #MTVStranded next week @ 10/9c to find out! 👏👏👏
@CodyThrive: Ripping your own money? That's the most stupid thing I've ever heard of #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge @MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: I agree with Chris! @ChrisLacerra #MTVStranded @MTVStranded #codyonchallenge
- @ChrisLacerra: @CodyThrive @MTVStranded #Thrivebros
@CodyThrive: Lmao "I feel like I'm going to outlast all these cub scouts and little bitches" -Chris #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge @MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: And the game claims its first victim: after 3 days, Bria is leaving the island! Who's gonna evacuate next!?👋 #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: Be a man Alex, and survive off the land!!!!! @MTVStranded #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge
@CodyThrive: I'm a hard no. #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge @MTVStranded
@AlexApple_: "@JR_Grif: @AlexApple_ Throughly enjoyed the show. Love the strategy aspect of it." RT Well the next 9 episodes only get wilder #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: "@remsisuhmazing: @MTVStranded "embrace the suck" isn't a new thing. It's a widely used term in the military and has been for at least 4 years." RT Cody says this on the daily forms
@CodyThrive: Don't hate the player, hate the game. #mtvstranded #codyonchallenge @CodyThrive
@CodyThrive: Well, that was fun. Can't wait for next Tuesday! Don't forget to cast your votes during the episodes #codyonchallenge @MTVStranded
@ChrisLacerra: Good ish, really was... Tears... Got my beautiful face from all angles. @MTVStranded  Make sure 2 vote during episodes! #Chrisonchallenge

@MTVStranded: WEST COAST! #MTVStranded premieres RIGHT NOW! Tune into @MTV to join us for this crazy adventure! 👏👏👏
@MTVStranded: Quite confident, isn't he? What do you think of @CodyThrive? 🤔 #MTVStranded
- @CodyThrive: @MTVStranded I love him. #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Sounds easy, right? WRONG! Staying alive comes at a price! 😈 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Time for a #groupbuy! Oh, only 1 catch: everything is crazy expensive. Will they choose to stay rich, or stay alive? 💸 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: This game is no joke, they're LEGIT STRANDED! 😱
- @CodyThrive: @MTVStranded 😂😂
@GinaPandaBaby: "Gina like vagina" #MTVstranded LOL
@MTVStranded: Is this a mistake, or a wise investment? 🤔 #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: No food or supplies for the next 4 days? Time to embrace #TheSuck! 😩 #MTVStranded
- @CodyThrive: @MTVStranded Pretty sure Cody says this on the daily #EmbraceTheSuck #mtvstranded @mtvstranded
@MTVStranded: Time for a #temptation! What's that you ask? The chance to buy food exclusively for yourself, BUT it costs everybody! What will Gina do? 🍟🍟🍟
@GinaPandaBaby: All I have to say is #ICannnnnnt LOL I am no longer supporting that make up company. Those eyebrows didn't last for a month😂😭
@MTVStranded: 1 episode down, 1 survivor down, and @CodyThrive is watching his plan fall into place 😈 #MTVStranded
‏@MTVStranded: #MTVStranded don't play! It's only going to get more wild out here! #ByeBria 🌴🌴🌴
@MTVStranded: MFW #MTVStranded ends! BUT tune in next Tuesday @ 10/9c to see who will survive, who will thrive, and who will nose dive! 🙌👌 #MTVStranded
- @CodyThrive: @MTVStranded I know who will be thriving 😏
@GinaPandaBaby: "UGH where are your eyebrows" LMFAO thanks friends.. thanks Bahaha they left the island

@MTV_NellyT: Watching #stranded with the million dollars
- @MTVASHLEYBROOKE: @MTV_NellyT fuck that shit.i almost died in the shelter. I mean not literally but in my heart 😂😂😂
- @MTV_NellyT: @MTVASHLEYBROOKE  You and I both 😂
@ChallengeMTV: Who from @MTVStranded do you think could make it on @ChallengeMTV? WATCH NOW and vote! #MTVStranded http://on.mtv.com/2lctD18
@ChallengeMTV: @MTVStranded Talk about a challenge! This show is gonna be lit! 🔥🔥🔥 #MTVStranded
@MTVASHLEYBROOKE: I heard a rumor #stranded kids are coming to @ChallengeMTV ? Watcha think so far
- @ChallengeMTV: @MTVASHLEYBROOKE Let's see what this is all about... 😏 #MTVStranded
@MTVASHLEYBROOKE: Well Ashley just spent $30,000 on champagne again #mtvstranded
@tylerobrienn:  I'd be walking around #MTVStranded like
@imdroc15: @MTVStranded I love this show already!
@MTV_AMANDAG: Did they say what country they are in??? #StrandedWithAMillionDollars
@MTV_AMANDAG: The shelter on #TheChallengeInvasion was fuckin GLAMPING compared to this hell! #isemifeelyourpain #StrandedWithAMillionDollars
@kailah_casillas: Are you all watching this new show Stranded? I'm not, should I?

▪    ▪    ▪ 

 THINGS TO KNOW 

● FIRST IMPRESSIONS: First, our players arrive in Fiji, and with Bria holding an iPad in her hands, they are informed of everything we know: they're stranded with money and they see the list of those items on offer for them to buy if they decide to use up the money - more on that shortly. As their stay begins, a few of the players begin to figure out that they have everything they have to make it through the 40 days in paradise. Among them are Cody and Chris, who form a bromance off the bat, and then decide to take a stand in not wanting to buy anything on the list and adopt a strategy to take out the weaker players early. Think, what we see on Survivor and Big Brother all the time, where MTV.com writes that Cody could be looked at as this season's villain as he is playing this game right off the top. And here, he targets Gina, name-calls Alex and boasts his alpha-male status, among others.

● TEMPTATIONS & THINGS: Cody's plan of telling the group to not buy anything on day 1 makes an impact when they decide not to buy anything on the island and cut into their cash. If the group wants to get a gallon of water, it would be $3,000 instead of $3 at the local 7-Eleven, soda costs $1,000, a box of matches - $30,000, and a 4-person tent is as costly as an expensive car: $60,000, not $140 as my sister & bro-in-law would folk over for one of their summer camping trips. And this becomes prevalent when everyone is forced to fend for themselves with not that much food or shelter, especially when a big rain storm rolls onto the island and everyone gets wet.
   In addition, there are also "temptations" around the corner, where one or two islanders can get tempted to take advantage of just for themselves, which also cuts into the prize money. For here, Gina and Michael see a food table with $5,000 for snacks, and $15,000 for lunch we would normally buy for $10 at the local Johnny Rocket's. Of course, this temptation gets to them, whereas the other day they rejected buying a hatchet that cost around 8 Grand for something the whole group could use.

● ONE PLAYER DOWN: As they all embark on this journey, every few days the competitors must take a timed hike to a new location, with $100,000 on the line to add to their bank. At the same time, as we told you in our preview, if this experience becomes too much for any of the competitors to take, they can fire a flare up in the air to evacuate from the game and leave with the money left behind. Before that first journey to the next check station, Bria - the aspring model - decides that she's unable to complete that, and the next day she pulls out the flare and announces her surrender. Again, Cody gives her some faux support, and him manipulating her was one of MTV.com's article giving "7 Reasons Why Cody Is About To Be TV's Next Bad Guy." Remember, this is just the first week.

▪   ▪   ▪   ▪   ▪

That's our look at Week 1 at Stranded, but the weekend is now in full swing here at DCBLOG. After giving you this appetizer from Fiji, tomorrow comes the main course of The Challenge Invasion as six underdogs battle for the last four spots in the Oasis before the crucial merge with the Champions. Plus, we'll catch up with one of the originals of TV's longest-running reality franchise and who has a stellar list of those he's met over the years an as MTV elder statesman.

   In the meantime, make sure to check out all of our outstanding coverage of the Trifecta, covering the people and stories of this ecosystem, which will soon usher in a new show in The Are You The One? All-Stars Challenge, for which it was revealed this past week and we'll be covering it for you on here next month.

Thank you for checking out our look at Week 1 of Stranded with A Million Dollars, and make sure to join us tomorrow when our coverage of the MTV Trifecta continues. Make it a great weekend.

- I AM DC