You've gotta figure though, in season one with all the "hit the actuator rooms" they were relatively new to the contestents, and I'm sure the kids in the later seasons watched enough of the show to know how the temple is laid out and where to go etc.
I mean a perfect example is the episode I watched yesterday, "Keys To The Alhambra" I'm sure if she would've watched a show or two, she would've figured to climb up into the shrine, instead of backtrack, then it looked like she just panicked and lost her marbles.
Also, you figure in the first season, there probably wasn't that much interest in the show, therefore the talent to pick from probably wasn't there as it was in later seasons.
When you think of that, how many people do you think signed up with the intention of winning the competition, instead of something to do for fun. When you watched the show, I'm sure you always wanted to compete and win, so you'd figure the kids down in Florida probably were doing the same thing, and gave them something to motivate them.
I think Season 2 is the best, but Season One is not as terrible as everyone makes it out to be.