LAST EDITED ON 12-09-18 AT 12:02 PM (EST)
They’re so Smart, They’re Dumb Previously on Survivor, Gabby and Christian voted out a David, shocking Nick, Davie and Angelina.
Now that has to be the shortest recap ever. Strangely, it was meant as a recap for 2 episodes but it seems that the only things that matter these days are what transpire at TC. We’ll soon have a season with only Tribal Councils where the tribes will live, play their challenges and vote. I think that would make Jeff happy. The only thing to note about this TC is that it sort of made Angelina an honorary David because she was part of the trio that was shocked when a David left.
Koka Kola Night 30
The shocked Nick had the first interview: “Tonight’s Tribal Council was a shock. Christian and Gabby voted out Carl and I was blindsided. I don’t get it. I mean, those two, they’re so smart they’re dumb. Like, what kind of move is that?” Nick asked Christian for an explanation, adding that they used three advantages to get the majority and then gave the numbers right back. His interview continued and he was just as irate: “I regret saving Christian. We burnt every advantage we had to get a David lead and now he does this ##### and doesn’t even tell me the vote. Yeah! I’m pretty mad.” Christian tried to convince Nick that they were still good with Gabby and that everyone wanted Alison gone next. That still didn’t stop Nick from saying: “In my mind, the Mason-Dixon alliance is dead. I’m still going to play it up but I’m going to remember this and as soon as I get a chance, I won’t hesitate to blindside Christian.”
The Reward Challenge
What I noted was the way the cameras focused on Gabby when Christian’s girlfriend came on the beach. It was as if telling us that Gabby felt cheated and would be turning against Christian in part out of jealousy.
I also got to understand Davie’s character a lot better by listening to his mom; he’s the reincarnation of Borneo Gervase, using his natural charm to get everyone on his side. At least Davie has learned from watching 36 seasons!
Interestingly, Gabby told her mother: “I’m almost done”. Indeed she was.
Angelina used her time with her mom to point out that she sacrificed her chance at immunity to get rice for the tribe.
With that making it on air, it makes me think Angelina will use that heavily in her speech to the jury.
Even if they had fallen far behind during the first part of the challenge, Nick and Angelina won the reward. For Angelina it was her first reward. Having to choose two players to accompany them, Nick held his promise to Davie by choosing him. Angelina chose Mike.
The Reward: A Floating Platform in the middle of nowhere
Don’t you just love the local charm and culture that we get to enjoy during the rewards these days?!
Davie told his mom he caught an octopus.
Nick told Dad that this could be the Final 4.
Mike told Josh that he was working the middle and that the four present could make a Final Four deal.
Angelina told her mom and Davie’s that this was her ideal group of four.
Angelina had the first interview: “At the Bar-B-Q, we obviously spent a majority of time with our loved ones catching up but we also used this time to talk strategy. The Loved ones visit worked out perfectly for me because the group of four who went was actually the group that I wanted to be in the Final Four.”
Davie had other ideas as he told us during his interview: “Mike, Nick and Angelina; they’re talking about Final Four but they’ve all spent much longer with each other than I have because they were all on the Jabeni tribe together. So I feel a little bit on the outside. I don’t think this alliance is the smartest move for me.”
Back in Camp
Christian was explaining his relation with Emily to Kara who was obviously finding it cute.
The camera cut in on Gabby a few times and it didn’t look like she was finding it as cute.
Alison was bent over and she easily made fire.
Let’s remember this; it could be a hint that Alison wins the Final Four Fire Challenge.
It was time for Gabby to expose her plan: They had to do Christian. She then brought Kara into the mix.
Kara’s interview: “Oh! my gosh! Gabby wants to blindside Christian. I couldn’t believe it was coming out of her mouth. It blows my mind. I’ve been trying to find a way to get Christian out of the game for a while. He’s a pretty good player so I’m all for this plan.”
The Immunity Challenge
In this endurance challenge, we had Mike, Gabby, Alison and Angelina fell before the fifteen minute mark. That’s when the spectators started giving advice to Nick. No one answered Christian when he asked if he was square.
Maybe one day someone will figure out that it’s smarter to encourage or give advice to the person you’re targeting instead of your own ally.
Despite the advice, Nick was the next to go. That’s when that old challenge bug came bugging Davie. It wouldn’t go away despite Davie’s attempts at blowing at it. Christian was the one to fall though. Davie put up a good fight but that bug got the better of him. So, in the end, Kara who had been solid in a couple of previous challenges won this one.
Alison had an interview as the group headed out: “I like the way Gabby is thinking right now; it’s time to take out Christian. I am cautiously optimistic that this plan will succeed. However, we’ve tried to get Christian out before. What’s to say that he doesn’t pull out something from his hat as well for this third time around again?”
Back in Camp
Sharks were circling the waters, a sign that there would be a big kill coming up soon.
Gabby said it was time to go big or go home.
She wasn’t quite right; it was time to go big AND go home!
Informed of Gabby’s plan, Nick had an interview: “Of all people, Gabby comes up to me to say how do you feel about voting out Christian? I’m like; I’m totally fine with it. I was trying to find a way that I could come up with the numbers for Christian. I’m pissed off; I’ve saved Christian’s butt from going home twice and what does he do? At the last Tribal Council, he totally betrays me. At this point, Christian is dead to me and it’s time he gets a taste of his own medicine.”
The four people who had been together on reward considered Gabby’s plan and when Mike wondered if Christian had an idol, Nick informed him that he had seen Christian’s idol so the two of them should put votes on Gabby. Mike and Angelina really liked Nick’s idea to split the votes.
It didn’t sit as well with Davie who gave this interview: “Nick is totally down with voting out Christian with Gabby has a back-up just in case he plays an idol. But it just doesn’t feel right for me. Even though Christian blindsided me twice, I don’t take it personal. That’s part of the game you know. But Nick is convinced that Christian’s got to go. I’ve shielded myself so far by hiding behind people seen as a big threat but who is going to be my shield if I get Christian out? So, I got to keep Christian in this game.”
While Nick was ready to get the Rock Star band back together for one special gig, Davie was going behind his back and warning Christian of the new developments.
Christian’s interview: “I’m floored. According to Davie Gabby is gunning for me. She feels like she doesn’t have a chance to win unless she makes a move and takes me out. I’m stunned. Gabby and I have been together this entire game. We probably haven’t been separated for more than an hour over the course of this whole month so I’m having a hard time believing it. Apparently, Nick is so burned by the Carl vote that he wants to take revenge on me. I still have my idol that I can play to insure Alison goes home but that would leave me vulnerable at the next vote. The best course of action right now is to try to repair the damage with Nick.”
Mason talked to Dixon on the beach, one admitting his error.
Nick’s interview: “Christian is apologizing profusely to me, saying you know, he took our relationship for granted but I don’t trust Christian fully anymore and probably never will. Now I’m going to manipulate him because, if he’s convinced he’s got the Mason-Dixon back together that is going to make it that much easier to blindside him.”
Christian’s final interview: “Not being immune has put me in a bit of a tight spot. I know I’m getting votes. Fortunately, Nick still wants to work with me. I’m pretty sure I can marshal enough votes to vote out Alison out. I’d rather not use my idol but I’ll use it if I have to but hopefully, I don’t have to and so far, I’ve been right every time.”
Tribal Council
Nick told Jeff that not all big moves are smart moves.
Someone has been listening to us!
He added that he was mad at Christian but that they fixed their relationship.
When Jeff asked if anyone wanted to play an idol, Christian let the seconds tick and just when Jeff was about to open the urn, he asked Jeff for a second.
Jeff could have said sorry, too late but he knows good drama when he creates it... I mean sees it.
As for Christian, he did something that we’ve been advocating for a long time: He observed his rivals, looking for clues about their intentions. He must have seen something because he pulled his idol from his shoe and played it.
The votes cast on Christian by Gabby, Alison, Kara, Nick and Davie were nullified.
Christian voted for Alison which made Gabby think her plan was going to sink her friend. She apologized to Alison but soon found out there was another layer to the plan.
Mike and Angelina voted for Gabby sending her to face the grim reaper.
The StoryThe Loved Ones visit episode used to be an occasion to learn more about the castaways through the eyes of their family members. It was also an occasion to visit a spectacular area of the land hosting the game. Now? It’s reduced to some sort of talk show hosted by Jeff. His attempts at his own show having failed miserably, he’s using his tribune on Survivor to interview people and joke with them. There are enough late night talk show on TV we don’t need Jeff’s pathetic imitation.
As for the episode itself, I usually like to find the quote that fits best them theme of the evening myself but this time Nick’s line was just perfect that I used it as well. These players are smart and understand the game very well but it seems to confuse them, to make them hesitate or to push ahead too quickly. The way they forgive each other for votes received is admirable but the old rule of playing with someone until that person proves they can’t be trusted is still the smartest way to play.
The Characters7- Alison: For someone who was almost voted out during the previous episode, she didn’t do a lot to guarantee her safety. She let the game come to her even if it had almost run over her. It almost got her this time and it could be argued that Nick’s plan would have been better if he had told Mike and Angelina to vote against Alison.
6- Kara: She was rock solid during this challenge and has done well in a few previous ones but she’s now left with only Alison on her side. She’ll need another switch in the game if she wants to make it to the end but she has been quite shy about initiating any move other than her failed attempt at getting Dan out.
5- Davie: So Davie managed to keep his shield but will that really help him win this game? What if Christian wins immunity at the next challenge? Or what if Christian finds another idol? With the stupid format that this game has adopted Davie should have realized that a solid Final Four is all you need. There are no votes at F4 or at F3 anymore so get a Final Four deal and then practice making fire! Gervase thought he could win Survivor by being the most charming person in Borneo and 36 seasons later, his doppelgänger hasn’t yet accomplished anything more substantial.
4- Angelina: She walked to the merger and quickly lost everyone’s trust but she quietly managed to create the necessary conditions to be in the strongest Final Three deal out there. Interestingly, it’s her old Jabeni alliance that almost got her out of the game BEFORE the merger. It’s unlikely that the jury would reward her in the end but if she makes it there it will be a nice accomplishment especially considering she proactively rebuilt that alliance during the reward. She helped create the Final 4 deal so she wasn’t carried by it.
3- Mike: Rarely has a player been pushed out and pulled in to alliances as often as Mike. Right from the start he was pushed out of the Goliath alliance when Jeremy was eliminated but he was pulled into a cross-tribal alliance almost as soon as the Jabeni tribe was formed. That got him in the Strike Force but that alliance didn’t survive the first vote after the merger. He was pulled back into the Goliath tribal alliance but the clever play of the Davids forced him to abandon that sinking ship. He first went with Christian and Gabby to blindside Carl and shock Nick but then he was pulled back into the Rock Star alliance when Angelina chose him to partake in the reward. Now it looks like he’s in the alliance that will make it to the end game but how much respect will he have gained from the jury? Rats and cockroaches are well suited to survive cataclysms and this game has been close to cataclysmic but the jury would prefer to vote for a more worthy survivor than the rat that played the middle.
2- Christian: Like we noted last week, breaking up the Mason-Dixon alliance was a bad decision and it has forced Christian into his last entrenchment. His survival depends on finding an idol, winning immunity or finding a way to turn the game back in his favor. For some, all three methods are equivalent but if outwitting still means something Christian would need to find new allies if he still wants to be considered one of the best winners ever. The other two methods rely mostly on luck and while that could still bring him the million we wouldn’t forget that he made it despite making a dumb move.
1- Nick: The public defender found a way to turn a bad situation into a positive. Winning reward played a role in creating the perfect conditions to rebuild the Jabeni alliance but that was only a catalyst. The alliance of Nick, Mike and Angelina took over the game because they had been tested by the vote and because of Nick’s charm. Mike said it; playing with Nick is fun and that kind of fun plays a role out there. Last week, it looked like Christian could go on to win if he survived Gabby’s betrayal but the battle cost him too much. The way that the beginning of the episode focused on Nick’s feelings and how it showed that Christian was wrong in not telling his friend about his intentions are good indications that Nick will not only make it to the Final Tribal Council but will win the vote.
Booted - Gabby: We can understand the need to build a case but it was much too early to turn on your closest ally. Christian wasn’t going to vote against her any time soon so she would have been stronger with him than against. I liked Gabby because she was a fun character but her game was weak.
Email this topic to a friend
Printer-friendly version of this topic
Bookmark this topic (Registered users only)
