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How Did the Big Survivor: Redemption Island Surprises Go Over?

The Survivor: Redemption Island contestants (the fresh meat, anyway) had quite the shock coming their way when Jeff Probst revealed that two other folks would be touching down momentarily and joining the game.
/ Source: E!online

The Survivor: Redemption Island contestants (the fresh meat, anyway) had quite the shock coming their way when Jeff Probst revealed that two other folks would be touching down momentarily and joining the game.

Of course, we knew that Boston Rob Mariano and Russell Hantz were there to shake things up in Nicaragua, but it was definitely a hoot to see the young ladies sqeal for Rob and the entire group react to Russell as if the devil himself had just descended from the helicopter.

But on this show, it's one twist after another...

RELATED: Was Survivor villain Russell the source of spoilers?

Seemingly seconds later, the 18 contestants were informed that, if they were voted off at Tribal Council, they wouldn't immediately be going home.

Rather, they'd be sent to Redemption Island, where, as a castoff, one of them would camp out alone until the next castoff arrives and they're forced to battle it out, MTV Challenge-style, for a shot at rejoining the game.

Whoever loses that battle finally goes home.

"Redemption Island does not scare me one bit. It's a vacation!," Russell said with signature confidence. "Put me on that island, see what happens...I win the challenge, I'm going to come back and take some heads off."

He didn't have to give it a second thought on tonight's show, but...we can only hope the two-time Survivor finalist is forced to spend some quality time with himself at some point.

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