Now that we are just about to hit the merger (ok, not exactly as Jiffy said but we'll assume it's a merger where players are still competing in two groups and only the losers can be voted out.) why not take a look back at our characters and how their stories have evolved from the first episode?

The Tourists: They are there in Fiji but not to win:

Chanelle Howard: We didn't get an introduction to Chanelle in the opening of episode 1 and we didn't get much either in this vital episode for Vati. As matter of fact, Chanelle did so poorly in the sling shot part of the challenge that I wonder if they were throwing it. Hearing Hai saying he was happy to lose that challenge reinforces my thoughts that the tribe had at least discussed not being too concerned about winning or losing.

The only story about Chanelle that we have as a viewer is that she cannot be trusted. With so little material in her book, we cannot see her as a potential winner. Maybe she'll be the one that takes down Hai now that she survived the Tribal Council where Hai was determined to get rid of the one person standing in his way. Did he choose correctly?

Rocksroy Bailey: He was the hero of the first challenge, winning supplies for his tribe despite a big deficit at the onset.

After being duped at TC, Rocksroy made amends by saying he agreed with their decision.

At the end of his journey with Lydia, he decided to protect his vote.

Alpha-male Rocksroy is ill-suited for this game: too headstrong to be part of an alliance too limited physically to run the tables. Rocksroy has the making of an early merger elimination, maybe even the first one.

Lydia Meredith: She had the 4th confessional of the season where she told us she only camps out at music festivals and so she was completely out of her element. That, from the start introduced us to a character who is on a growth journey and those rarely lead to a win.

Her journey with Rocksroy will probably be the culmination of her Survivor story. If you think about it, it has given her what she was looking for.

Lindsey Dolashewich: We heard her asking herself how much potential does she really have right when Jeff was explaining the complexities of the game to the viewers. Has she shown us great potential?

We next saw her taking the 2nd leg for her orange tribe in the season's opening challenge and she keept her tribe's lead. She also earned an amulet that is now worth an extra vote. Drea and Hai also earned that amulet.

Romeo Escobar: One of only two remaining players who didn't get introduced before the end of the season's opening challenge, Romeo had a quick start in the latest episode, telling us that with Drea, he pulled Tori to their side and blindsided Swati and Rocksoy in the process. They didn't tell Rocksroy because of his poor social game.

His mention about being a pageant producer made me realize that Romeo will crown a winner, not win it himself. And if that is so then a woman should win Season 42.

She does have potential as we saw when she helped Omar untangle his mess but it is fairly limited. She will probably get a chance for a cross-tribal alliance with Hai and Drea but that could hurt her as much as it helps her because they will be looking to improve the status of their advantage

The Longshots: They have a semblance of a story that could lead them to victory but they still have a long way to go:

Romeo Escobar: One of only two remaining players who didn't get introduced before the end of the season's opening challenge, Romeo had a quick start in the latest episode, telling us that with Drea, he pulled Tori to their side and blindsided Swati and Rocksoy in the process. They didn't tell Rocksroy because of his poor social game.

His mention about being a pageant producer made me realize that Romeo will crown a winner, not win it himself. And if that is so then a woman should win Season 42.

Omar Zaheer: He was introduced in the 3rd confessional of the season where he told us that he'll stay in the background and pounce at the right time. We haven't seen any owl imagery since that moment so is Omar all talk and no action?

During this latest episode we heard him say that he didn't like the infighting in his tribe, thinking he would need Maryanne's advantages but the other tribes would target her.

Omar was so ineffective at the challenge, needing Lindsey guidance to complete a fairly simple task, that you have to wonder if he'd have been voted out if Jonathn hadn't saved the day.

Omar, in his vey first confessional, had the makings of a Survivor superstar but fizzled quickly. What most people will remember of Omar is that he is a virgin who peed sitting down and messed up the latest challenge. That's NOT a winner's story.

Tori Meehan: The first glimpse we had of Tori was a false spoiler that led us to believe she'd find her tribe's «Beware Advantage» but it proved wrong when Drea actually found it. What is puzzling is that the spoiler did work in telling us that Tori would make it through the tribal part of the game. So we have to ask if it was intentional or a simple mistake.

More positively, the season's introduction showed us that Tori wasn't afraid to compete as she stepped up for her tribe to race against Jonathan and Daniel. She did very well.

In the latest episode, when talks turned to being 4 strong after TC, Tori quickly told herself that it wasn't for her. She wasn't planning on staying with this group. She wanted Rocksroy gone.

Just like in the season's first challenge, Tori did very well in ths epiosode's challenge, giving her tribe a lead that they would carry to reward and immunity.

Who will stay the longest between Tori and Rocksroy? If she triumphs over that hurdle then maybe she can profit from Drea's advantages but Romeo is already Drea's #2. Tori is a longshot for the win but she would represent the usual downplayed Survivor Female winner.

Mike Turner: Right away, Mike recognized that he would only have one shot at this game so he was going to give it every thing he had. Mike was asked what it took to win Survivor and while he said that it takes many qualities, a well-rounded person with a strong social and challenge game, the cameras focused on Jonathan and Omar

Mike reminded me of Rupert when he warned Daniel not to lose their spear! Both Mike and Hai turned against Daniel when they saw the guy who can't compete in swimming challenges spending hours fishing.

Put on the spot by Maryanne and Drea, Mike decided to say his secret phrase, letting the two know he has the idol and regaining their right to vote. If Mike hadn't regained his right to vote, Chanelle would have been gone.

On a smaller scale than Rupert the Pirate, Mike has been the season's male funny character. The 116 year old has navigated his way well through this part of the game but it will get a bit more complicated from now on. Mike would be well served to hop on an alliance with Maryanne and Drea but will there be room for him?

The Contenders: Our Front Runners, the ones in which the editors have invested the most:

Maryanne Oketch: As the tribes hit the beach we got to know Maryanne who gave us the 1st episode's Title: «It Feels Like a Roller Coaster». Jeff noted her enthousiasm.

Maryanne started the latest episode by recreating a radio show called the Taku News at 7» just like Rotu used to do. (Ha! The good old days)

It is to be noted that useless drama was created over eliminating Maryanne when Jonathan and Lindsey went to get water. The Orange tribe wasn't even going to TC but the audience had to wonder if she was getting snuffed at the end of this show.

Maryanne is a friendly person and making friends goes a long way in this game. Irritating people does the opposite so which will prevail? All three tribes will be scrambling at the merger to get the numbers on their side so a friendly player like Maryanne should attract a lot of attention and she could neatly tie in with Drea and Mike. There could be many ways to the Final 2 for Maryanne so I wouldn't be surprised to see her carried to the end. Or she'll get on everyone's nerves and will be the next one voted out. It didn't happen during the Tribal portion of the game so there is hope for her.

Jonathan Young: He had a strong introduction, a million dollar confessional in the first confessional of the season no less when he told us that «there are a million of world records out there but there is only 1 Survivor». Not only did the cameras show Jonathan when Mike was talking about well-rounded players, they focused on him again when Jeff said: «The Monster in the Horror movie. Either you slay the game or the game slays you.» The focus was on Hai during the second part of the comment. The image was clear: «Jonathan-Goliath» is to be viewed as the Horor movie monster while Hai is the projected hero.

The first scene of the latest episode for Orange showed us that Lindsey and Maryanne's constant talking was irritatring Jonathan, so he went fishing. While the silence of the depths helped him, he won't be able to sacrifice two or three hours of talks once they merge. Is that when he'll snap?

Is Jonathan the movie's monster or its hero? Telling everyone that his tribe is a solid 4 limits his wiggle room to form new alliances. His best hope would be for the orange tribe to pick up a couple of allies and carry thwe numbers to the end but that's not how the new Survivor works.

Hai Giang: During the season's introduction, he remarked that Jeff would be throwing twists at them so he had to be prepared. To his credit, he has navigated those early twists very well, especially the rock-dare where he pushed and broke Daniel who chickened out.

Hai told us that the tribe was tense and that he didn't trust these people. He led most of the discussion before Tribal Council.

Here is a guy that has shown he is ready for every twist thrown at him but the main problem is that he isn't aware of ALL the twists. Some have remained hidden. But with his amulet and knowing Mike's secret phrase gives him a good idea of where the power will fall. Unless Chanelle throws him under the bus in the next couple of episodes, Hai has to be a favorite to win.

Drea Wheeler: She also had a very strong introduction, telling us in the season's second confessional, that she fights and is very competitive. People say she can't do things but she proves them wrong. Will she prove all of them wrong by winning Survivor or will she be too much for people to handle?

Ika Day 10: It was time for Drea to go look for an idol with Romeo's help. Soon, Drea added that idol to her amulet and her extra vote. After finding the idol, Drea noted that women rarely found idols on this show but in the new version women are as good as men she first said, quickly correcting herself: «We're better than men». Realizing she wouldn't have a vote she was ready to give her extra vote to Romeo so that he could vote for her. She then said that with her 3 advantages, she was «Survivor Rich».

I would add that she is Survivor savvy!

Drea has proven to be a very dangerous player. She could easily form an alliance with Maryanne and Lindsey from the Orange tribe, Hia and Mike from the Green one and then keep Romeo and Tori by her side. If that happens she can easily maneuver the game to the end and be our Sole Survivor.

• RE: The Characters and their Stories,Flowerpower1, 08:25 AM, 04-10-22
• Videos from Home Backstory,Sheldor, 10:49 AM, 04-13-22
  • RE: Videos from Home Backstory,michel2, 07:41 PM, 04-13-22
    • RE: Videos from Home Backstory,Sheldor, 01:38 PM, 04-15-22
      • RE: Videos from Home Backstory,PepeLePew13, 01:34 PM, 04-17-22
• A Note about the Last episode,michel2, 08:59 PM, 04-17-22
  • RE: A Note about the Last episode,PepeLePew13, 09:16 PM, 05-04-22
    • RE: A Note about the Last episode,michel2, 09:33 PM, 05-04-22
• Videos from Home Backstory - 5/11/22 Update,Sheldor, 05:11 PM, 05-11-22

Michel: So happy to see that you posted these assessments at this stage of the game. For me the stand outs from the intro were clearly, Jonathan, Omar, and Drea. Now that we have some time under our season, I'm going to point out the order of the confessionals:

1. Jonathan
2. Drea
3. Omar

4. Lydia
5. Daniel
6. Marya

7. Lindsay
8. Hai
9. Mike

Then once they arrived on the beach:

10. MaryAnn

When Jiffy started to ask them questions he questioned:
1. MaryAnne
2. Mike
When Mike was asked what does it take to win this game. Mike replied diversity, see Swati, then he replied, Challenge game, see Jonathan, then he said and how you act around camp, and we see Omar.

So, when we look back we can see that the first 3 confessionals of the season are still in the game. Then, the next 3 appear to be lessor players....2 of 3 are gone, pre-merge. Will Lydia soon be gone? The next group are still here....Lindsay, Hai, Mike. Is this an end game group? And finally, MaryAnne. Who apparently is one of Jiffy's favorites....she gets a lot of face time.

Chanelle, Rocks, Lydia all seem like secondary players to me. But, last season the winner was all but dismissed in the pre-merge game and apparently was marked as one to get rid of. And, she won the whole game. So, I do feel that the editors choose to feature the characters more than the players at times.

For me, the producers, the editors, they have tweaked the game so far it's no longer about outwitting and outplaying and more about just outlasting the stupid twists that they feel so compelled to have. For the average or new viewer it's hard to follow.

Ugh, getting off topic. Sorry. Great thoughts and observations as always, Michel!

LAST EDITED ON 04-15-22 AT 01:32 PM (EST)

I wasn't sure where to post the list of players who have had a Video from Home Backstory shown but since Flowerpower posted here the First Confessionals of the season I thought maybe we should track the Videos from Home Backstory here?

Episode 1 Videos from Home Backstory
1. Drea
2. Swati (Ep4 Voted Out)
3. Mike
4. Rocksroy
5. Jackson (Ep1 Medical Evac)
6. Daniel (Ep5 Voted Out)
7. Maryanne
Medical Evac: Jackson (Ep1 Video)
Voted Out: 8. Zach (NO VIDEO!)

Episode 2 Videos from Home Backstory
9. Marya (Ep2 Voted Out)
Note: Hai talked about being Vegan, Omar talked about being Muslim but neither got a Video from Home Backstory
Voted Out: Marya (Ep2 Video)

Episode 3 Videos from Home Backstory
NO VIDEOS!
Voted Out: 10. Jenny (NO VIDEO!)

Episode 4 Videos from Home Backstory
11. Jonathan
Voted Out: Swati (Ep1 Video)

Episode 5 Videos from Home Backstory
12. Romeo
13. Lydia (Ep7 Voted Out)
Voted Out: Daniel (Ep1 Video)

Episode 6 Videos from Home Backstory
NO VIDEOS!

Episode 7 Videos from Home Backstory
NO VIDEOS!
Voted Out: Lydia (Ep5 Video)

NO Videos from Home Backstory yet...
14. Chanelle(Vati)
15. Hai(Vati)
16. Lindsay(Taku)
17. Omar(Taku)
18. Tori(Ika)

LAST EDITED ON 04-13-22 AT 07:42 PM (EST)

Good idea keeping track of these, Sheldor.

Now if we combine this with the order of confessionals in episode 1, a truly crucial episode, we realize that we have to pay attention to drea, Maryanne and Mike. Those match well with the ones I classified as contenders, especially since Mike is right on the fence.

Yeah it seems like Drea, Maryanne, and Mike are destined for the End Game!

I updated my post for Lydia Vote off who had her Video last Episode.

Summary

Videos from Home Backstory
1. Drea(Ika)
2. Mike(Vati)
3. Rocksroy(Ika)
4. Maryanne(Taku)
5. Jonathan(Taku)
6. Romeo(Ika)

NO Videos from Home Backstory yet...
1. Chanelle(Vati)
2. Hai(Vati)
3. Lindsay(Taku)
4. Omar(Taku)
5. Tori(Ika)

I would think if the next Vote Off already had their Video then it would be Rocksroy

Otherwise, maybe Tori or Chanelle get their video on their Vote Off episode like Marya did.

Swap out Maryanne and sub in Omar, and I'm with you on the potential end-game players. I can also see Hai in the mix.

Hai had what I thought was a very important comment just before TC:

At moments like these, good players fold and great players prevail.

Well Omar was the one that prevailed and Hai folded, seeing his ally Lydia get voted out. With that, Omar certainly has to be considered a contender, probably the top one along with Drea.

Definitely - it feels like it is Omar's game to lose, now. He's totally controlling the whole game, so the main thing to watch for over the next while is whether he gets caught on his big fib about Hai. If he doesn't, I think he wins.

I agree, Pepe and I don't think he'll get caught with his lie about Hai because who will tell Mike? They could say that THEY never heard Hai calling Mike a puppet but that wouldn't mean Hai didn't say it to Omar. The only place where the lie could be revealed is at FTC

We still have to keep an eye on Drea and her warehouse full of advantages. Maryanne also seems destined to the end and if there is animosity towards the other 2 she could get enough votes.

LAST EDITED ON 05-11-22 AT 10:58 PM (EST)

LAST EDITED ON 05-11-22 AT 05:13 PM (EST)

Episode 1 Videos from Home Backstory
1. Drea
2. Swati (Ep4 Voted Out)
3. Mike
4. Rocksroy (Ep9 Voted Out)
5. Jackson (Ep1 Medical Evac)
6. Daniel (Ep5 Voted Out)
7. Maryanne
Medical Evac: Jackson (Ep1 Video)
Voted Out: Zach (NO VIDEO!)

Episode 2 Videos from Home Backstory
8. Marya (Ep2 Voted Out)
Note: Hai talked about being Vegan, Omar talked about being Muslim but neither got a Video from Home Backstory
Voted Out: Marya (Ep2 Video)

Episode 3 Videos from Home Backstory
NO VIDEOS!
Voted Out: Jenny (NO VIDEO!)

Episode 4 Videos from Home Backstory
9. Jonathan
Voted Out: Swati (Ep1 Video)

Episode 5 Videos from Home Backstory
10. Romeo
11. Lydia (Ep7 Voted Out)
Voted Out: Daniel (Ep1 Video)

Episode 6 Videos from Home Backstory
NO VIDEOS!

Episode 7 Videos from Home Backstory
NO VIDEOS!
Voted Out: Lydia (Ep5 Video)

Episode 8 Videos from Home Backstory
NO VIDEOS!
Voted Out: Chanelle (NO VIDEO!)

Episode 9 Videos from Home Backstory
NO VIDEOS!
Voted Out: Rocksroy (Ep1 Video)
Voted Out: Tori (NO VIDEO!)

Episode 10 Videos from Home Backstory
Note: Lindsay and Omar got to see Videos from Home at the Sanctuary
12. Hai (Ep10 Voted Out)
Voted Out: Hai (Ep10 Video)

Episode 11 Videos from Home Backstory
13. Lindsay
Voted Out: Drea (Ep1 Video)

NO Videos from Home Backstory yet...
14. Omar

Voted Out with NO Video from Home Backstory!
Zach
Jenny
Chanelle
Tori