SURVIVOR

[Ricochet]

Oh, well you see, for a second, I thought you typo'd smilie lol

Also, being a music man, simile is first of all "similarly / the same way".

[Golden]

That what?

A simile is like a metaphor

No, a simile is a metaphor

[Scotty]

That what?

A simile is like a metaphor

No, a simile is a metaphor

Mine is righter (hi Epi)

[Golden]

That what?

A simile is like a metaphor

No, a simile is a metaphor

Mine is righter (hi Epi)

No, yours is a simile and mine is a metaphor. Both are equally correct

[Golden]

In case you missed it, here is my episode 4 blog

http://www.truedorktimes.com/s34/martell/e4.htm

[Scotty]

That what?

A simile is like a metaphor

No, a simile is a metaphor

Mine is righter (hi Epi)

No, yours is a simile and mine is a metaphor. Both are equally correct

Correcter*

Almost as correct as 'Malcom'

[Ricochet]

That what?

A simile is like a metaphor

No, a simile is a metaphor

Mine is righter (hi Epi)

No, yours is a simile and mine is a metaphor. Both are equally correct

So they're... simile.

[insertnamehere]

Spoiler: show

[Scotty]

Spoiler: show

I bet Debbie came in 12th place in her acrobatic qualifiers out of 11 people.

But hey, she has experience.

Holy fucking shit balls. Never have I seen the editors so blatantly set her up as a doofus as much as they did this episode. I mean, she is a bonified idiot, but man...that flashback to 2 minutes prior really takes the cake for the most forcefed labeling I've ever seen.

[Golden]

Spoiler: show

I can only describe that episode of Survivor as absolute tier one on every level. What I don't really understand is why Brad didn't just say to the rest 'lets throw the challenge'. They should have put Debbie on the balance AND on the slingshot and let her die on her own sword.

[Scotty]

Spoiler: show

I can only describe that episode of Survivor as absolute tier one on every level. What I don't really understand is why Brad didn't just say to the rest 'lets throw the challenge'. They should have put Debbie on the balance AND on the slingshot and let her die on her own sword.

Spoiler: show

Nah, because that would have been Bossy Brad's fault.

Dude, Debbie's going all the way.

As the goat

[Ricochet]

Forgot to write an update in here just as much, over the weekend.

Spoiler: show

Business as usual, but still an uneven spectacle. I've yet to describe anything serious going on over at Drake or remember any faces, apart from Sandra, Rupert and Jon. I sort of enjoy, quasi-schadenfreude-like, how nothing really works strategically for Morgan, i.e. remove the weakest link -> the muscle pack still don't manage nothing in challenges afterwards. Commendable effort, though, in the imm challenge, their best change and fight so far.

I'm kinda disappointed with the vote choice, although the montage beforehand didn't offer, I felt, a clear picture of why people went this way. Maybe they didn't get enough footage or it was just plain meh. I didn't see the advantage of keeping Darrah. The episodes I downloaded also don't have that post-credits talk and full vote reveal, so I'm not sure what "tactic" Andrew spoke of, but whatevs. He is still a figure I respect, even if he ends up on the losing side of the stick time and again, compared to, now that Lil is gone, a bunch of others I have not learned a thing about or that I do not like (Osten). Makes me feel this tribe should just sink completely - or get reshuffled, to provide at least different results for different people.

[Ricochet]

Pearl Harbour 04

Spoiler: show

Hey now, consider this the first episode I liked. Not in its entirety, 'cause come on, its first half was like a redux of the second episode's Let's Show How Osten Is Actually Pretty Suck at the Physical Prowess He's Supposed to Actually Have. But after Drake decided to stir things up, drop the imm ball on purpose and such, boy did things get interesting.

I was pretty much on board with Rupert that trying to shake things up just out of boredom or lose a challenge on purpose was silly or that Burton's first attempt at an alliance was so tryhard it stank. I'm satisfied overall with Burton getting punished for it, though the pre-Tribal stuff was a fair jumble of several people being under fire, with no discernable lead.

I liked the twist of the imm challenge loss also costing Drake Rupert. Plus, in light of all those prior Rupert - Burton machinations... so funneh. Of course, though, Rico Cynico resurfaced, as surely this twist was easy to prepare, following a whole day of filming Drake wanting to lose on purpose and stir stuff and such.

I liked how reprobable Jon behaved throughout all of this. Knowing myself, the guy instantly jumped to my top spot of undesirable trickery personalities in the game. I disliked his attitude, especially during the Tribal Council, but the ballsiness also made me kinda restless. This could be a dangerous player in the brew.

I liked Jeff picking on them instead of just holding a therapy session talk.

This episode had a lot of Drake dumb move that might cost them the edge.

[Golden]

You didn't like the premiere? The whole 'buy supplies in the village' is one of my favourite Survivor openings.

In any given season, the pre-merge usually has some weak episodes, especially around eps 2-3 like this season.

Fair enough for Rico Cynico to surface, although my cynicism over single events has waned over time as Survivor shoots itself in the foot just as frequently with their twists (just this season a big twist eliminated one of their most beloved contestants to the benefit of a complete no-name). I do think there is evidence that, more often than not, they are pre-planned - and the kidnapping twist fits with the pirate theme. Besides that, though, I believe that production will never tell people how to vote or endeavour to control the outcome of a tribes decision, but they are more than willing to do things that can influence the game that fall short of that. This is far from the only time in Survivor history that a healthy dose of cynicism about a twist is appropriate.

Is it possible this twist was cooked up simply because Drake wanted to throw a challenge? Sure. As it happens, in my this weeks blog on the last Survivor episode, I talk about the merits of throwing a challenge, and one very firm view I hold is that production will do what they can to make sure it doesn't work out for you, since they don't want it to be seen as a popular or successful strategy (as that undermines the basic concept of tribes and challenges). In that sense, I could completely believe that this twist was cooked up on the spot. It still required the other tribe to pick Rupert (which was highly likely but not guaranteed) or potentially Burton (their most likely second choice), which also might have changed the course of events, so production fell short of giving Rupert immunity from being blindsided.

[Ricochet]

You didn't like the premiere? The whole 'buy supplies in the village' is one of my favourite Survivor openings.

Mine too, but did I like like the entire episode, as I've written? Mneh.

Fair enough for Rico Cynico to surface, although my cynicism over single events has waned over time as Survivor shoots itself in the foot just as frequently with their twists (just this season a big twist eliminated one of their most beloved contestants to the benefit of a complete no-name). I do think there is evidence that, more often than not, they are pre-planned - and the kidnapping twist fits with the pirate theme. Besides that, though, I believe that production will never tell people how to vote or endeavour to control the outcome of a tribes decision, but they are more than willing to do things that can influence the game that fall short of that. This is far from the only time in Survivor history that a healthy dose of cynicism about a twist is appropriate.

I am willing to believe this.

Is it possible this twist was cooked up simply because Drake wanted to throw a challenge? Sure. As it happens, in my this weeks blog on the last Survivor episode, I talk about the merits of throwing a challenge, and one very firm view I hold is that production will do what they can to make sure it doesn't work out for you, since they don't want it to be seen as a popular or successful strategy (as that undermines the basic concept of tribes and challenges). In that sense, I could completely believe that this twist was cooked up on the spot. It still required the other tribe to pick Rupert (which was highly likely but not guaranteed) or potentially Burton (their most likely second choice), which also might have changed the course of events, so production fell short of giving Rupert immunity from being blindsided.

I am willing to believe this, as well.

[Ricochet]

W-what happened? O.o

[Ricochet]

Anyhoo

Pearl Harbour e05

Spoiler: show

This episode had a lot of Drake dumb move that might cost them the edge.

I'm not even going to call myself a prophet for this. It had it written on them.

It's interesting how much I identify with Rupert on what he's thinking or saying. Even though I would for sure not be a Rupert in this game. I'd probably be worse than Skinny Ryan. Alternatively, assuming I'd bulk up for a year in preparation for this, I'd probably only do better than a guy like Osten.

Speaking of which, that man is a p u s s y. Those two minutes of him saying "why not wait for the worse to come" was the dumbest shit I've seen a human say - and I'm a certified procrastinator, mind you. I'm glad the episode only had two minutes of him having an opinion on anything.

Bit surprised, still, how bad Drake did in the reward challenge. Up until now, apart from the strength challenge in which he came ahead of Osten, I did not necessarily take Rupert to be the lynchpin of Drake's success. I thought teamwork and the push to fight till the end (in those challenges that Morgan almost had the upper hand) was the reason. But now, sans Rupert... wow, wtf. How did Jon not frigging know what a steering pad is.

Bit confounded by the vote this time. Not so much, if going back to the early phase of the episode, where Michelle was shown in a severe minority, after Burton's exit. For a moment I though the pre-voting montage's intense focus on Michelle would mean that she ain't going home, but color me surprised, I supposed. My issue moreover is whether the rationale was, like Jon said on camera, that Michelle downplayed her skills in the upcoming immunity challenge. Cause... why should that matter, she still did well in the challenge. Not so much that it counted, since the whole thing was tied during normal rounds, but still "Yeah Imma vote you because you bitched too much about doing poorly in an upcoming something, which you then didn't" sounds like kindergarten nitpicking. I didn't care much about this contestant, but I had a feeling she was a worthier elimination contender last episode (vs. Burton and Christa) than here.

Fair, good episode. That seafood stuff especially gave me the ewwsies. Most funny part was Rupert trying to talk voting while Michelle was barfing.

[Ricochet]

Pearl Harbour e06

Spoiler: show

Enjoyable and engaging, with a strong finish just like the previous time. But on the whole a bit more watchable than the previous one. I pretty much surfed through the reward challenge, cause meh go on and shoot ya things and stuff. But after that, there was more to observe and interpret. For once, the post-edit montage during Drake's loot and the imm challenge was rewarding. It paired Andrew's getting affected by Jon/Drake's shenanigans and trolling, followed by his sublime performance in the imm challenge. That was heart stuff.

Also, Jon... that dude needs to get blindsided like nobody else. Throw him to the Kraken style. He seems to have ended up on the loner side of alliances after how this vote turned out and I think Drake will keep losing, so hopefully there'll be a next chance to target him.

I'm also enjoying more Drake's undoing compared to the first three episodes of "welp, there goes Morgan again, faceplanting". And this, despite Trish's mistake having been basically identical with Nicole's, back on Day 3 - and it's now Day 18. Tsk tsk. There's backstabbing and there's blindsiding and I'm glad to see Sandra (only focusing on her because Shawn, well, he pretty much went with the wind on this one), for one, had enough dignity now to mess up with Rupert on a power play move as small as this. But so early, overall, to try a big removal, wow.

[Golden]

Episode 6 remains one of my favourites. Perhaps it's because Rupert was a favourite. Perhaps it's because we had never seen someone pull off a countermove so overtly and, frankly, with as much cockiness as Sandra did. Whatever, that episode is an indelible one for me. For all we know Trish would have been a good Survivor player, but she got got first.

[Ricochet]

Interesting. Didn't see Sandra as cocky, at least not at this stage, not with this rebuff.

[Golden]

Interesting. Didn't see Sandra as cocky, at least not at this stage, not with this rebuff.

I mean the way she was able to make them believe she was in for voting Rupert without ever saying it outright. Perhaps cockiness it the wrong word. Chutzpah, perhaps.

[Ricochet]

(lol @ this being in Side Missions part... of the Museum section)

Can't use spoiler tags any more, right now, but since this thread has an audience of 2 (two), frak it. I watched the whole two-parter that was Pearl Harbour ep07 & 08 and this was around the time the update happened on the site (hence me waiting on writing about it, afterwards). Here be my stray observations:

-- I don't remember the exact moment - sometime after returning from Tribal and having a meltdown about having received votes, or maybe the morning after - but in this ep, perhaps for the first time, there was a confessional from Rupert out of which he came off a bit too, idk, bitching and eager to complain, profile others and maybe even scheme. His tone gained some kind of edginess and resentful.

-- interesting experiment with the outcasts (for the record, I had read that this would be introduced, having read Skinny Ryan's wiki page, but aside from knowing his votes, I didn't pick up after all on who would re-enter, so I think I'm still on course with a non-spoiled viewing); I don't have anything special to say about the face-off with the other two tribes, it seems like that contest at the end of which you just say "this team won and no loser is to be faulted for it, that's that"; Burton was a given, following his performance; pretty ok with Lillian's re-entry as well, purely on the basis of her unjust blindside; maybe I would have felt the same about Michelle, but that's about it - Nicole didn't deserve to re-enter, her strat game was shown to be poor right off; nor Trish, her late phase strat game would have probably been just as poor; and Skinny Ryan, aside from the episode of him being bullied by more macho men in the tribe, wouldn't have struck me as a player going deep into this game

-- Shawn's removal from Drake was sort of a clean-up business, nothing special to comment; Osten's quitting was frustrating, especially after forgetting about it for, what, 15-16 days since his first meltdown; kinda amusing that both Jeff gave him the glare treatment and then the production team skipped on airing any confessional from him - banned from collective thought, lol. Anyway, I've read since that he did contract strep or something, plus he felt disenchanted with The Outcasts return mechanism, which is interesting and changes my perspective a bit on his quit, nonetheless I still wouldn't say he was a competent and likeable player in any way.

-- Savage falling one short of Jury duty was, well... savage, because he really gave it all in Morgan, during tough times and all. However, his post-Outcast game was quite execrable, moaning and being so resilient about their return. It's sad to see that his involvment and performance in the game was undone by one strategic move of his own - which was blindsiding Lillian (plus that he's out, whereas players I still have no idea, opinion or impression on (Darrah? Tijuana?!) are still in it and will make it on the Jury seat at least), but yeah, this elimination had "doomed" written on it, ever since Lillian happened to return and it was clear she was not in a forgiving mood. If there is one player I would have punished with falling one short of Jury space, it would have been Jon, obviously, which almost happened, but nah, this was all about Lil flipping or not.

[Ricochet]

So... guess I should wrap this up?

I think the site revival cut off only your answer to my post above, Golden, and my post on Rupert's exit. If you recall your notes on that and want to post them once more, feel free, otherwise I don't think it matters that much. I'll now go in order of the remaining eliminations, which more or less still makes for an episode by episode review.

8. Rupert was of course a "NOOOOOOOO" moment, although not truly entirely so. For one, I really think his mental game was toast; his exit episode was a tough one to watch him in (and a tough one overall - borderline weird and almost inaesthetic): mumbling, rambling, being delirious about wanting to catch a figgin' shark. Sure, he went down as a strong threat elimination, but overall I doubt he would have been able to hold up till the end. I really liked Rupert, but his last two active episodes both made me go 'dude, he okay'. Otherwise, this episode was cut like a pure Rupert send-off, which further damped the shock of him actually going. Overall this might rank among my favorite episodes, although I'm not sure if that's because of how crazy and "ugly" it looked - those scenes back at camp, with everyone bruised and battered after the ship reward challenge, looking sickly and with fungi growing all over their body... that was not an easy watch.

7. Next was Tijuana. Mkay. I don't recall much about this, other than Jon negociating to keep Burton alive (which, given that he used his dead grandma talk, made me think it was sure to turn out a blindside move). I don't recall much about Tijuana per se. I have nothing (additional) to comment on this player, really.

6. Christa was interesting from the point of view of the Rupert-Sandra-Christa alliance purge proceeding further, after a one phase halt, less so from the point of view of Christa as a player. I think Christa was a nice person, engaged but not power moving, loyal to her core group - it just wasn't a winning one (well not in the sense a winner didn't emerge, you get what I mean). I think Christa had jury member written on her even if her alliance would have made it deep.

5. Burton's exit was also more interesting from a strategic (Sandra's scheming and the other women turning their weapons - I'm sure Burton did not go into Tribal Council oblivious of their attempts, but that the real burn was that it paid off), gameplay ("strong player not quite making it to the finish line" trope) and psychological (Burton's cockiness becoming his downfall) viewpoint. If I would have played like Burton (just go with it, I don't even had a semblance of abs or muscles) and then see on reruns how macho I've turned by endgame, I'd probably facepalm myself. But hey, maybe that was him. He played a daring, scheming, outlast-intent game and got too comfy on the power throne, I suppose.

4. Darrah... remember when I said I've no idea why Darrah was still in this or who Darrah was in this game? Man, did that change once she started racking up immunity wins. Honestly, if there's one person I regret not having made Final Council (at least), it's probably her. Even more so than Rupert, after a point in the game. I know! But yeah, I basically see Darrah's exit as a "Weakest Link" blindside move from the rest - as in that stage in the Weakest Link game where you get to the final three and actually vote off the strongest challenge, rather than a less worthy finalist. They did it and that was that. Sad for her strong endgame, but such moments are bound to happen, along with bitter juries and other psychologically unfair - or at least "unkosher" - moves.

3. So Jon made Final Three......... F*ck! Funnily enough, re: his dead grandma shtick, I'd be more willing to salute it as a gutsy move than be all outraged by it; within that game, I would have hated his move and called it reproachable, of course, but looking from the outside: it's a game, yo, and he clearly stated some ideas of treatchery and manipulation throughout the game that are not out of the game's bounds. Nonetheless, Jon ends up far from a player I can say I liked. There's a swag to his villainy, sure, but that doesn't mean I have to praise it all the way through. Not in my nature. It was rather headspinning to see on how many reward boats he got, as a co-reward receiver. He sure got a lot of space to scheme and weave webs with individual members, that's for sure. I don't even know how to interpret his loss... it came down to Lilian's... moral sense?!

2. If I were to describe Lillian's endgame move "in a nutshell", I'd probably say she made a Final Three vote/choice that cost her the game. I find it reasonable to conclude like this - and I remember this even being tested during the post-show talk (Lil would have gotten at least the necessary four votes over Jon). I read there's another season in which a runner-up made an even derpier such wrong move, but whatever. Otherwise, however, I'd compliment Lillian overall. She lost bad on paper in the final, but I would certainly not rush to downplay her performance - her first elimination was undeserving, so I personally liked that the Outcast twist allowed her back in; she did a heckton of outlasting, even if, yes, she tied herself to the "vote off everybody" boulder. I don't even recall too many jury rebuttals that were sketchy or weak - Sandra really just burned her in one or two instances with a strong(er) answer or evidence against her deserving the win. I'm surprised by Lillian as a Final Council player (my preference would have been Darrah, of course, for the sake of giving the Ceaser what belongs to him), but not underwhelmed.

1. Now, I know (have read up on) who Sandra Diaz-Twine is, in the history and legacy of the game (and did know before agreeing to watch this season; tbh was hoping Golden and INH would recommend nothing but one of Sandra's winning seasons to contemplate and evaluate); I know how her game's been described. And yet allow me to play the fool, act all pleb and express some partial bewilderment to her win and go all Russell Hantzy with the evaluation: no challenges wins or prowess, a whole lot of invisible or under-the-radar presence in the game (this is probably more elegantly labeled as "understated" by the community), a surprising amount of times she's been blindsided in losing allied players (both Rupert's and Christa's voteoffs left her in a daze) or voting way off (she didn't even vote right to give Rupert the numbers to hold on close, ffs). So... how? How did she do it? How did she manage to win this? Of course, given my 2) viewpoint, it could be as simple as "Lillian made the wrong million dollar vote". But focusing on Sandra, this is quite intriguing.

Of course, I said partial, because I have to at least recognize she faced a big Final Five hill of outlasting. Since Rupert's exit and the shift of power, she was always slightly hounded by the prospect of not lasting much longer (even though the other players failed to act on that, overall). Her scheming to get rid of Burton was probably her strongest move - afterwards it was coasting-while-the-alpha-threat-got-booted (Darrah) and being-at-the-mercy-of-the-Final-Three-sole-voter. The one moment my brain switched on noticing Sandra's finespun deeper game was when she gazed into the camera, away from the players, letting out a small grin after screwing with the tribe's fish load. That was glorious. That almost made me jump on my couch, when it happened.

So, cheapeau to her, overall. Not... 100% sure what for, but there you have it.

[Golden]

How did she do it?

Many words have been written on this, but in the most simple form:

She told the truth so hard and so often, that when she lied (or omitted the truth) she was never suspected for it. She was able to ensure targets would sit on others. Take the Tijuana boot - she took Tijuana to hear Burton and Jon talking smack, and then joined with the boys to vote her out. She saw her alliance mate Christa get blamed for the fish? Sure, she can live with that. She could see through bullshit from a mile away (Jon's grandmother lie) and as a result she always knew where the vote was going - from both sides. When she is under threat, she knows that she doesn't need to direct who goes home. She only needs to direct who others perceive to be the threats.

There's a scene in her most recent season where you outright see how she goes about painting the targets on both sides of the fence so that she knows that even if her side loses, it's her ally that goes and not her.

And she manages to make people believe she is too temperamental to be respected (through all her 'getting loud too'), but the reality is that everyone loves her even after all of that.

The way you felt about the Darrah boot - well, that's classic Survivor. The way to win is (in theory) to peak just late enough that you are only the second biggest threat on the board when the last person is voted out. There are a plethora of truly great players who went out at 3/4 because no-one could have beaten them. The best winners are usually people who should have been taken out at that final vote but somehow they've managed to take people along who can't see it (or they win final immunity). Having said that, I'm not convinced Darrah would have beaten Sandra. It's possible that she may have, but I'm guessing that Sandra gets the votes of Burton and Jon (along with Rupert and Christa, obviously), and still comes out on top.

Would you watch another season?

[Ricochet]

She could see through bullshit from a mile away (Jon's grandmother lie)

(wow quote codes suddenly got 2.0 complicated)

This is the only part I don't recall. I mean, I remember her giving frowny looks in the background, but I far from interpreted that as "I'm on to you, Jon". The only time she didn't bother with Jon's swear-my-hearts was when they voted Burton - but that was because she was already set on that.

Would you watch another season?

I suppose?

[Golden]

OK, well try season 13 (Cook Islands) on for size.

[Ricochet]

Also, I never think I said or impled that Darrah would have won over Sandra... (did I?). I said I wanted her as a finalist. Though I do think she could have easily played the "hey guys remember me winning stuff" card. Ok, so she was not quite Opt_Outside dominant tier, but she still had two more challenges to make it there. (Though funnily I think Lil would have beaten her too at that stay-on-your-feet final challenge. I only have the image of scout Lil beating anyone apart from Spiderman at that final challenge.)

I sort of feel worse about the Jury vs Final Four immunity challenge trick, rather than the Outcasts' insertion. That quiz thing was recooked from an earlier challenge (the last one Rupert won?), anyway, and "nobody gets immunity" - wow, what a twisteroo. Ech.

Another thing I forgot to write down was that her social game got interesting. It halfway seemed like she willingly wanted to stay out of the debate / conflict boiling pan at times. Maybe that blindsided her a bit in the end?

[Ricochet]

OK, well try season 13 (Cook Islands) on for size.

Huh. Not Heroes vs Villains. Now that's a twist.

[Golden]

No, you didn't imply that. It was just an interesting thought experiment for me. I can't remember who would have gone at 4 if not darrah.

I like to mix it up and give you different experiences. There's no good reason to jump into hvv, in fact I'd go so far as to say that you should avoid any returnee season for just now. I'd do at least a couple of other seasons first.

[juliets]

Hey Golden, are you. still doing your blog for the current Survivor? Do you have a link to it for last week's show?

[Golden]

Hey Golden, are you. still doing your blog for the current Survivor? Do you have a link to it for last week's show?

Yes

http://truedorktimes.com/s34/martell/e13.htm

That's this weeks one.

https://www.truedorktimes.com/s34/martell/index.htm

That's the season index.

I'm also covering Survivor NZ now! lol.

[insertnamehere]

OK, well try season 13 (Cook Islands) on for size.

*SPOILERS SPOILERS RICO DO NOT READ*

Ew, really? Not to pick a fight with the site's premiere Survivor expert, but the twist in Cook Islands is dumb, the editing is so lopsided that seemingly half the cast is barely shown, and IMO the strategy is nothing to write home about. Yes, it has the introduction of a few big Survivor characters, but even then, all of them go on to be much more interesting in later seasons. I would have recommended Marquesas, Panama, China, or Palau before that one.

[Golden]

Cook Islands is a season that many people really love (including me) and others don't get the love for it. I think it is a very unique experience though. Panama is what I'm going for next if Rico's still in by then.

[insertnamehere]

Anybody watching this season?

Haven't really had my socks blown off yet by it, but there's some potential in the cast.

[juliets]

Anybody watching this season?

Haven't really had my socks blown off yet by it, but there's some potential in the cast.

I'm watching and agree with you. Haven't been bowled over by it, it doesn't seem as good as last season but maybe it will develop some teeth.

[Gumshoe]

I saw this thread and thought, "Hey, cool, a Survivor thread!" but... it's all about old seasons xD

I'm about as big a fan as your gonna find so I hope this thread only grows in activity.

Obviously some of the posters are playing catch up, are we not supposed to discuss the show openly here then...?

[juliets]

I was under the impression we could discuss the show here openly as long as you put in big bold letters something like "SPOILERS BELOW - DO NOT READ IF YOU'RE NOT CAUGHT UP! SPOILERS BELOW

[Scotty]

[mention]Golden[/mention] are you blogging the current season?

I feel like the editing this season is vastly different this season than any I can remember. Lots of withheld information leading up to tribal- I have no idea who is the favorite or who is going home. I don’t quite know if I love it or not, but I don’t dislike it I guess

[Golden]

I haven’t had time for the most part, which is really a shame because there’s plenty to say.

I like it whenever they shift their editing style. I’m fine with single episodes having telegraphed stories but not whole seasons, mixing it up helps.

But I’m calling a Wendell win for now. That Chris episode was all about him if you looked under the surface.

[Scotty]

I haven’t had time for the most part, which is really a shame because there’s plenty to say.

I like it whenever they shift their editing style. I’m fine with single episodes having telegraphed stories but not whole seasons, mixing it up helps.

But I’m calling a Wendell win for now. That Chris episode was all about him if you looked under the surface.

My gf and I both have a bet every season with another couple where we each draft 4 players after watching the first episode and whoever loses has to buy the other couple dinner. we snatched him up as our 3rd pick. I got super nervous with Laurel throwing shade but I feel good now about him too. Hopefully Kellyn goes home soon- she looks good to go far as well

[Golden]

I haven’t had time for the most part, which is really a shame because there’s plenty to say.

I like it whenever they shift their editing style. I’m fine with single episodes having telegraphed stories but not whole seasons, mixing it up helps.

But I’m calling a Wendell win for now. That Chris episode was all about him if you looked under the surface.

My gf and I both have a bet every season with another couple where we each draft 4 players after watching the first episode and whoever loses has to buy the other couple dinner. we snatched him up as our 3rd pick. I got super nervous with Laurel throwing shade but I feel good now about him too. Hopefully Kellyn goes home soon- she looks good to go far as well

Who are your other picks?

[Scotty]

I haven’t had time for the most part, which is really a shame because there’s plenty to say.

I like it whenever they shift their editing style. I’m fine with single episodes having telegraphed stories but not whole seasons, mixing it up helps.

But I’m calling a Wendell win for now. That Chris episode was all about him if you looked under the surface.

My gf and I both have a bet every season with another couple where we each draft 4 players after watching the first episode and whoever loses has to buy the other couple dinner. we snatched him up as our 3rd pick. I got super nervous with Laurel throwing shade but I feel good now about him too. Hopefully Kellyn goes home soon- she looks good to go far as well

Who are your other picks?

Michael, Dom and Morgan.

Keeping the happenings in this season in spoilers in case someone doesn’t want to be spoiled:

Spoiler: show

Obviously Morgan was terrible pick. It was between her and Angela. My gf wanted Desiree or Morgan since she had the legacy advantage, and I didn’t disagree but now I wish we had Angela. Dom looks too strategic to stick around to the end, unless the tribe is full of idiots. Which they’re not I don’t think. It Was a ballsy pick. He fits closer to the Ben type from last season (which we also picked last season and was laughed at by the other couple because he was too “big” of a personality)

I was having a field day when Michael, Dom and Wendell found idols on the same episode.

Wendell is a sneaky play and the good news is, he’s got a larger target next to him in Dom and as long as he can continue remaining UTR (and laurel not blow up his spot RE the idol), the edit has shown that he is very clever and good at reading people to stay for a while in the game. He needs to let up on the gas for challenges though for now so the girls don’t get any ideas..

[Scotty]

[mention]Golden[/mention]
Attention: ***Spoilers about this season, beware!!! Only look if you've watched the season/finale

Spoiler: show

We did it! Good call on Wendell. Glad I picked him too. What an awesome final tribal. Except for the whole forum bullshit format they’ve switched to in the past 2 seasons, I thoroughly enjoyed that piece of history. Dom might have gone a little too arrogant in that last speech and if Sebastian had one strategic bone in his body, he would have seen Dom’s play for what it was, and Dom would have won. But man...goes to show that a smart move is currying favor in everyone at the end while riding in the shadow of the mob boss is a viable strategy.

I just wish we saw more of wendell’s ‘inventions’ that the jury talked about. I sorta miss some of the good ole tribe life in the edits.

All in all, I came around to liking the tribal council edits this season- in no tribal did I feel like I had any idea of who was actually going home, whereas in previous seasons I at least had a good assumption. I also really liked most of the challenges. That big maze fell flata even though it was big, it looked fairly straightforward as far as mazes go. But I liked the balance/endurance/strength challenges and felt they were varied, as opposed to some seasons where I’m left going “fuuuuuck another balance challenge??!”

I also really like the new advent of the autofire challenge at final 4. Because if you can’t make fire on survivor, you probably shouldn’t be there anyway.


Also we won our bet- they had laurel in the final 3 but it was obvious there was no way she was winning at the beginning of the finale. So now we get treated to a fancy dinner again