AllMovie

In the 90-minute Survivor: The Amazon opener, the year's 16 contestants are dropped off near the titular river in the South American rain forest. Upon arrival, they are informed that, in a deviation from previous Survivor seasons, the men and women are to be segregated, with the male players comprising the Jaburu tribe, and the females comprising the Tambaqui tribe. The biggest crisis arising during the first episode is the reaction of contestants Jenna Morasca and Heidi Strobel) upon learning that the tribesperson Christy Smith is deaf. Meanwhile, the Tambaquis demonstrate a streak of cockiness as Butch Lockley shows off his luxury item, a banner proclaiming "Believe In Yourself!" Later on, the Jaburus elect to boil their underwear and briefs for hygenic purposes (not all the members are crazy about this), and an obstacle course is tackled and conquered. And, of course, by episode's end, the first person (one of the males) is voted off the show.