The waves pushed against the shore of the aged island known as Camp Wawanakwa. An island that became a staple in Canadian TV history finally saw life again for the first time in decades. Production teams covered the wooded island once again. A young man stood alone on the rickety dock as he held his cell phone to his face.
"Listen, I didn't ask for this gig, okay?" He complained to the person on the other line, "Just because you can't show your face on TV anymore doesn't mean I'm going to do it all for you. I'm not gonna be a puppet…"
"We're rolling!" A crewmate shouted, startling the man as he hung up his phone and straightened the collar of his shirt.
"Should I start then?" He muttered aside before clearing his throat,"Over two decades ago, 22 pretty naive teens signed up for the fight of their lives and 100 thousand big ones. Now, 20 of their children are going to stay in the same old cabins, doing the same old challenges and fighting for the same old cash prize. My name is Bobby and you're watching Total Drama Island. Was that good?"
The camera cuts away for a moment before rejoining Bobby on the edge of the dock.
"Here is where we'll meet our mostly unwilling competitors," He explained, "Looks like the first boat is making its way over now…"
The first boat dropped off a pair of siblings that both sported thick brown hair and a pretty face. The brother had noticeable scuffs on his face, a chip in his teeth and a hockey stick bag slung on his back. His younger sister had long flowy hair, a lanky stature and a confident demeanor.
"Okay, you must be…" Bobby mumbled as he looked down at his clipboard.
The brother chimed in, "I'm Ike and that's Ivonne."
"Right, right. Welcome to camp"
"This is the right island, right?" Ivonne questioned as she looked over to the campground. As she took a small step towards the host her sneaker caught between the dock boards causing her to lose balance. Luckily, Ike was able to catch her fall and he helped her to the other side of the dock.
"Please be more careful."
The next boat approached the island and dropped off a tall darker girl with pink round glasses and long curly hair.
"Uh… hi."
"Juliette," He interrupted as he pointed down at his clipboard, "Yes, welcome welcome." She raised her eyebrows at him and stepped over by the others.
"He's a bit new to this whole thing." Ike whispered over to her, causing her to chuckle.
"I am too."
The next set of teens dropped off were not a sibling pair but may as well have been. The girl had asain features and a bitter look on her face with messy black hair falling down her back. The boy was an energetic type. His hair was in a short frohawk and had a shark tooth hanging from his neck.
"Oh come on Mavis." He begged, "We used to hold hands all the time!"
She rolled her eyes, "Don't touch me."
Bobby chimed in, "You must be Malik and Mavis then."
Malik nodded and joined the other while Mavis looked over at the unenthusiastic host, "Weren't you on a podcast last week talking about how you didn't want to take this stupid job?"
Ivonne laughed, "I don't think anyone would want to fill Chris' shoes anyway."
Bobby sighed and explained, "Much like you all, I didn't get a say in the matter but, unlike you, I actually get paid hourly to be here." During the confrontation another boat drove past the dock. The group looked over in confusion as the dock was seemingly empty, that is until a large hand burst from the waters and grabbed the host by the leg. Bobby remained unamused and helped the teen out of the water.
"The producers warned me about you, Callum."
Callum had broad shoulders and dark features with curly hair on top of his head. He was dressed darkly and had braces over his teeth.
"I didn't scare you?" The teen laughed. Bobby shook his head with disappointment as Callum joined the rest of his colleagues. The next boat dropped off a short girl with her hair in twin braids and freckles on her nose. She had a large open plaid shirt that reached down to her thighs and a black beanie on top of her head.
"Rosalie, right" Bobby asked while looking down at the clip board.
"Uhh…" She cringed, "Just Rosie is fine."
"Fair enough." He scribbled that down on his list as she joined in with the others.
"He's not in a very good mood today." Callum bent down to whisper to her as they stared back at him.
"I'll take anything over Chris." She snickered back and Bobby looked at the group and pretended to take a head count.
"Looks like 20." He shrugged.
"There's 7 of us…" Juliette corrected, causing the group to laugh. Bobby rolled his eyes and turned back around as the next teen stepped onto the dock. He was a messy kid with dark auburn hair and freckles surrounding his tan face.
"Hey Bobby." He muttered to the host while walking past him.
"Alright," Bobby presumed, "Mordecai… that's that one." As Mordecai joined the group, Ike moved towards the center of the dock to greet him.
"Hey, welcome to camp!"
Mordecai chuckled awkwardly, "Um, thanks."
The next boat dropped off a young teen with a pale face and a frail stature. Her hair was in a bright blonde pixie-cut and she had a naturally sad look on her face.
"Campers, this is Nora."
She greeted them softly, "Hello… It's nice meeting you all."
"Aww it's Nora," Ivonne commented before rushing over to greet her, "I follow your blog. You take a lot of nice pictures!" Nora smiled back and walked with her to the rest of the group. The next boat dropped off another brother and sister duo. They were both pale, short and had tired eyes. The brother had a soft face and a retro sweater with a small black pouch clipped to the back of his pants. His younger sister was dressed darkly and had a crystal around her neck. Her hair was a bright green with blonde roots poking in through her undercut.
"Sara, Cameron, welcome to camp." The host greeted them as he motioned them over to the group.
Sara squinted over at the host as she leaned over to her brother "You told me there were going to be bears here. These are just people."
"Thanks Bobby." Cameron smiled awkwardly while he and Sara joined the group. Mordecai noticed the teen and looked at him quizzically.
"I haven't heard of you before," He noted, "Also, wasn't there already someone named Cameron on this show?"
"Was there?" Cameron questioned, "I wouldn't really know since I've never seen the show before. Also I don't really use social media or anything so I don't expect you to know me."
Rosie chimed in, "How have you gone this long and have never watched the show before?"
"I'm not really a big TV guy… kinda hard when you don't have cable."
"Alright campers, let's try to get through this with less chatter." Bobby intervened as the next boat drove by. The short energetic teen stepped onto the island. She had an athletic jacket and a ball cap covering her dark bob.
"Wow you're like a tiny Chris!" She exclaimed.
The host sighed as he scrolled through his clipboard list, "Right you're Ja… Jelene…"
"Jacey is good." She noted before standing with the others.
The air fell dim as the next contestant stepped onto the dock. He towered over the others and was swimming in his clothes as the cuffs of his hoodie barely stayed put on his boney arms. A fabric mask covered his mouth, revealing only his grey eyes and his eerie stare.
"Why do so many of them have short brown hair," Bobby muttered under his breath while looking through the list, "Oh! Liam! Welcome to camp." Liam nodded and joined the others.
"Oh hey!" Ivonne greeted him as he walked over, "It's been a while!"
"I guess it has."
As Ivonne leaned over to hug the lanky teen, Rosie stared over at him curiously.
" I guess you're not a talker then huh?" Rosie gibed at the newcomer. He leaned down, towering over her and pulled the mask down off his face.
"Was there something you wanted to hear me say?"
The next boat dropped off another teen equally as tall but better fitted to his stature. He had dark curly hair tied behind his head and a permanently brightening look on his face.
"Wow, it's so crazy being here." He marveled as he examined the familiar campgrounds.
"I'm assuming you don't want us to just call you Cody?" The host noted as he looked up at the teen.
"Junior's fine. Or CJ, it doesn't matter to me." He noted, "Thanks Aubrey."
"Wait back up, Aubrey?" Mailk blutered, "I thought his name was Bobby?"
The groups of teens started to snicker as the host's face turned red.
"Okay, okay, okay," Bobby deflected, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here."
The next contestant was covered in soft colors and had a bold demeanor. Her orange curly hair barely touched her shoulders and she had a large book under her arm.
"Hey Chris! Or, um Bobby." She called out as she walked up to the host.
"Yes, Petunia. Welcome." Bobby monotone as Petunia walked past him. She spotted Juliette among the crowd and sped over towards her.
"Hey Jules! Long time no see!" She greeted her as she reached the end of the dock.
"Oh, Petunia, you're here too?" Juliette smiled, "That's a relief."
The next teen to join camp and a bright smile and short curly hair. Notably, he had a black eye patch over his right eye
Bobby sighed at the sight of the teen, "Oh no it's this one. Addison… welcome to camp."
"Wow thanks for the warm welcome!" Addison laughed as he walked up to the group. Sara stepped over to him and eyed him.
" Are you a pirate?," She giggled, "Or a wilderness explorer?"
"Which do you prefer?" Addison joked, "I do birthday parties; $25 a day and all the cake I can eat."
"I wouldn't trust this one around cake." Junior chimed in, "The last thing Addy needs is more sugar."
"Hey," Addison whined, "This doesn't involve you!"
The next boat dropped off a cheery girl with long dark hair and a pleasant face. She had a guitar case in one hand and a bookbag strapped over her shoulders.
"Alright everyone, this is…"
"Sophie." She interrupted as she held out her hand to greet the host.
"Right." He mumbled as he shook her hand loosely before motioning her over to the group.
"Hey Sophie, it's been a minute!" Junior greeted her.
Addison butted in, "Hey, this is total drama, not theatre camp!"
She laughed before reaching over to hug her friends, "Aw I missed you too Addy."
Another boat approached the island and dropped off a pair of twins with dark hair and slim faces. The first twin had glasses, messy hair and a bright smile; meanwhile, his brother had a cleaner appearance and a bitter attitude.
"Aiden and Landon, welcome." Bobby greeted them, "Don't expect me to remember which is which."
"Thanks for having us here Bobby!" Aiden exclaimed before nudging his brother, "Aren't you excited?"
"Hmm, I guess so." Landon muttered as he rolled his eyes. The twins walked into the crowd where Juliette made eye contact with them.
"Hello." She greeted them.
"Aw hey!" Aiden exclaimed, "I love your glasses." She blushed back at him before smiling and waving over to the quieter twin who waved back awkwardly.
"Okay campers," Bobby raised his voice to the group, "Don't get too excited… but our final contestant is here."
He motioned over to the last boat that dropped off a teen with black hair that sat atop her head in a messy bun and large square glasses framed her face. She had tired eyes and an old soul.
"Zarra," Bobby teased, "late as usual."
"Oh, shut it." Zarra rolled her eyes. As she stepped over to the other end of the dock, she quickly caught the attention of another contestant.
"Oh Zarra!" Sophie exclaimed as she hurried over to the other side of the dock, "You didn't tell me you were going to be here too!"
Zarra's face turned red before she scoffed, "I don't have to tell you everything I do."
"Alright everyone!" Bobby announced, "Let's break you all into teams so we can start the first challenge, okay?"
"No photo?" Jacey asked.
"Take your own photos, I got a show to run."
The new contestants followed Bobby off the dock and over to the campfire. The young eyes marveled at the familiar surroundings as they gathered around the host.
"All of you should already know how this game works," Bobby explained, "As teams, you'll compete in a series of challenges. The winning team will… win. The losing team will send someone packing. Last contestant standing will be generously compensated. In the meantime, you can make some friends, make some enemies, or vent your nothings in the outhouse confessional."
CONFESSION
Zarra: I'm slowly coming to the realization that I'm probably the oldest kid here. I really didn't want to spend my summer hanging out with a bunch of highschool kids that barely know how to drive, but here I am. Also, Sophie… she's my half-sister. So I guess there's that as well.
Malik: I'd like to give a shoutout to my little bro back home. Also, I'm crossing my fingers and hoping Mavis gets to be on my team, even though I'm sure she thinks otherwise. I need to prove my love to her eventually.
Rosie: I noticed that a lot of these idiots seem to already know each other which leaves me in an awkward spot. How am I supposed to build an alliance when everyone is either friends with or related to each other?
Liam: … Do I have to stay?
END
"And now, time to meet your teammates," Bobby explained, "You're all being assigned to the team your mom or dad was assigned to all those years ago. Makes it easier on me to draft the teams anyway."
Addison raised his hand, "Can I pick which team I want to be on?"
"Nope," Bobby explained, "Teams have been decided already. When I call your name please step forward:
...Cameron…
...Sara...
...Jacey…
...Malik…
...Ike…
...Mavis…
...Mordecai…
...Nora…
...Callum…
….And Zarra…
I hereby dub thee as the new Killer Bass."
CONFESSION:
Addison: What? You're telling me that Chris, the producers, and the entire viewing audience, didn't want me, Addison, on the Bass team? I deserve to be on that team! I don't care if they swap the team names entirely. Addison the Bass has a nice ring to it.
END
"We should have a team uniform!" Jacey suggested.
"They don't even have the budget to keep Chris here let alone buy us shirts." Malik joked.
As the first team stood in a small crowd the host continued, "The rest of you are now the Gophers:
...Juliette…
...Aiden…
...Landon…
...Petunia…
...Junior…
...Liam…
...Sophie…
...Ivonne…
...Addison…
...And finally, Rosie…
Go forth and make yourself comfortable with your sleeping arrangements. Food will be served in the dining hall in about an hour. Oh and I almost forgot." Bobby pulled out a small bag from underneath the podium and handed each contestant a button. As the teens inspected the buttons, they realized the picture within it contained a familiar face.
"You want us to wear our parents' faces around like name tags?" Rosie asked.
"Not quite. You don't have to wear them but don't lose them. See, if you make it to the point in the competition where your parents met their untimely elimination, you'll receive a small leg up in the challenge that day."
"What kind of leg up?" Mordecai asked curiously.
"Guess you'll have to find out when you make it to your advantage day… if you make it that is. Your advantage will be granted to you before the challenge begins."
CONFESSION
Rosie: Well having an advantage sounds nice, I don't won't get to use it until the very end! How is that fair?
Petunia: I'm so excited to be on a team with Juliette! I haven't had a lot of time to really see her or get to be close with her back home. So now is really my chance!
Mavis: How did I know I'd get stuck on a team with Malik? I love him like a brother but recently he's gotten this idea in his head that we're meant to be or something. My gay ass does not want to deal with that.
END
"Bass you're staying in the east cabin," Bobby explained, "Gophers you're in the west. Just head up the path and you'll find them eventually."
The twenty campers headed off towards their temporary homes in a scattered group. As they were walking, Ivonne spotted her lengthy teammate in the crowd and hurried up beside him for an introduction.
"Hey, I guess we're on the same team, I'm Ivonne!" She greeted Junior as they walked together.
He smiled, "Hey, I uh.. guess we are."
As she gazed back at her teammate, she felt a slight touch on her shoulder.
"You're not flirting already are you," her brother teased as her face turned red, "I'll see you in the dining hall!"
CONFESSION
Ivonne: Oh. My. Gosh. Junior is so cute! I know it's wrong and we just got here, but what can a girl do?
Ike: Am I upset that Ivonne and I are on separate teams, yeah a bit. The big brother in me wants to be beside her in case something happens. But the competitor in me wants to see who will make it closer to the end. Maybe Ivonne and I need to just battle it out to see who comes out on top.
END
"Alright!" Addison demanded as the gopher boys stepped into their cabin room, "I get the top bunk. Be my bunkmate if you dare."
"I'll be your bunkmate Addison." Liam offered as he set down his bags. Junior immediately realized what was happening and tapped Liam on the shoulder.
"He's just trying to scare us so he can have his own bunk."
Addison deflected, "Liam, I'm sorry but I only like you as a friend. Please respect my boundaries."
Liam rolled his eyes and set up on a bunk bed with Junior instead. Addison smiled as he realized he'd won himself two beds.
"Did you want to share a bunk with Addison?" Aiden suggested jokingly to his brother, "Maybe make a friend or something."
"I feel like Addison would bite my hand off while I'm sleeping." Landon commented.
"You guys probably share a bunk bed back home, right?" Junior chimed in, "Probably feels more at home sharing the bed with you."
Aiden explained, "At our mom's we used to have bunk beds. Right now it's just a couple mattresses on the floor. But Landon spends most nights at dad's anyway. Right Landon?"
Landon shrugged awkwardly and started to set up his bed.
CONFESSION
Aiden: My dad is very close friends with Junior and Addison's parents, so it means a lot that I'm able to spend time with them in the cabins. It's crazy to think that they've both got to meet him before Landon and I got a chance to. Really a great opportunity for me to connect with people and learn more about the things I missed out on. I hope Landon doesn't stay down for too long. I think he's been a little overwhelmed by everything.
Junior: I was worried about adjusting from having a bedroom to myself back home to sharing a cabin with 4 other guys. Never really been a fan of sleepovers either. But now that I'm here I'm a little more concerned about sharing the cabin with Addison more than anything else.
END
In the Bass cabin, the girls started heading into their own room to make their bed arrangements. Sara walked into the room last with the accompaniment of her brother.
"Uh, shouldn't you be on the other side?" Zarra commented.
"No boys allowed!" Jacey shouted jokingly.
"Yeah I know I'm just helping Sara with her luggage." He explained. She climbed up the rickety ladder of her bed and sat up on the mattress as her brother stood by and passed her her items.
"I think it's nice," Nora commented, "He's just trying to be a good brother.
"Well it would be easier if she packed her own luggage bags instead of complaining that bags were bad for the environment before shoving all her stuff in mine."
"Okay," Mavis complained, "Can you leave? I need like 10 minutes where I don't have to look at a gross boy."
Cameron laughed, "My bad. I'll see you ladies in the dining hall, I guess."
Cameron swiftly stepped out of the room and joined in with the other boys where he was met with Mordecai already making demands.
"I have two rules that need to be kept: one, you will not bother me between 11 and 5 when I'll be trying to sleep and two, you will not be bringing any girls in here. We don't need any distractions."
Ike nodded, "I can agree to that."
"And I have a rule as well," Cameron butted in, "Don't touch or look at my luggage." He made eye contact with Malik who was on the floor close to Cameron's backpack.
"Oh, is this your bag? I thought it was Ike's." He explained.
"Wait, why did you want to go through my bag?" Ike questioned.
Malik stammered for a moment before he was interrupted by another roommate who had crawled out from underneath one of the bunks.
"Callum, can you please not do that?" Mordecai sighed with annoyance.
"I couldn't really fit under there anyway," He admitted, "Maybe we can ask Bobby if he has bed risers?"
"Or maybe you can sleep out in the woods with the bears." Cameron suggested sarcastically, "That'd be pretty scary, right?"
"Or you can sleep in a bed like a normal person and not worry about something as dumb as bed risers!" Mordecai complained. Callum sighed and decided to comply with his teammates' demands.
CONFESSION
Callum: The others don't know it yet, but I'm planning something big. Something that'll scare the pants off them! I just have to figure out what that plan is.
Cameron: I've been excited to meet some new people but I don't think I'm getting along with the guy or the girls on my team. What's the fun being here if Sara is glued to my side the whole time? I want to make friends and not be the awkward kid that just hangs out with his little sister but how do you make friends with a kid that leaves bucket traps on the cabin door?
END
In the dining hall, the gophers sat in a cluster at the middle of their table.
"What's the challenge you guys are most excited for?" Sophie asked her team, "I'm kinda excited to be a part of the talent contest."
"Oh!" Petunia commented, "I love the one where they cook food and Heather gets locked in the freezer."
"I nominate Landon to the freezer." Aiden added jokingly, causing his brother to sigh and the rest of his team to laugh.
Ivonne chimed in, "Well if anything, Liam should get to pick who goes in the freezer. It's his advantage day after all."
The connection dawned on Petunia and she asked, "Wait Liam, you're Beth's son, why are you so tall?"
Liam explained, "Well some people are good at growing peppers or corn or flowers. I'm just really good at growing legs."
"We shouldn't really be judging people on their appearance," Juliette added.
Petunia flattered, "That's easy for you to say when you're the cutest one here! We all got that nasty Wawanakwa DNA in us." Juliette blushed at the compliment before realizing her differences and sighing.
CONFESSION
Juliette: It never bothered me that I'm adopted. I love my new life and everything but seeing all the other kids here kinda makes me feel left out. They all kinda grew up with this atmosphere and know each other through that but I've only been in Canada for the past couple of years. I don't want to fall behind.
Liam: It's a little frustrating that the only thing people really know about me here is my mom. I haven't lived at home with my parents in a while; I've been staying with my biological father who probably hasn't realized I've left yet. But things haven't really been great and being here doesn't help any. Maybe a stage light will fall on my head and I can leave.
END
"Where is the chef guy?" Jacey asked from the other side of the table.
"Our budget was not big enough for the big guy," Bob explained, "Also, between the twenty of you, there's more dietary restrictions than I can count on one hand. So all meals will be brought in by our team."
Mordecai teased, "What, did the producers ask our mommies what kind of sandwiches to put in our lunch sacs?"
"Maybe they did," The host replied, "But I don't run the food so you'll have to take it up with the production crew. Grab your swimming gear teams. Your first challenge will begin in 1 hour."
Sophie chuckled nervously, "You're not going to make us jump from the cliff, right?"
"What show do you think you signed up for?" Bobby shrugged before turning to the camera, "And the show you signed up for is on next so don't go anywhere. Will the teams have the courage to dive from the cliff or will they be sleeping with the fishes. Find out when we return."