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Original Message
"S35 | The Editing ~ Characters and their Stories"

Posted by Flowerpower1 on 10-01-17 at 06:23 PM
I cannot see a season on these boards where we don't have an editing thread. I am hoping if I post, "HE" will come. I certainly do appreciate all of the work that goes into this thread, it's a huge task every week. Perhaps we could all chip in and take a week?

I will start us out!


Table of contents

Messages in this discussion
"RE: S35 | The Editing ~ Characters and their Stories"
Posted by kingfish on 10-01-17 at 08:25 PM
Or, She. She should be rested up by now, and willing to give it another go.

"RE: S35 | The Editing ~ Characters and their Stories"
Posted by michel2 on 10-01-17 at 09:48 PM
Well, there wasn't an editing thread before Veruca started one in S8 so why not let it end since Survivor lost most of its credibility?

But since you asked so nicely, I'll say this: Chrissy had a great episode. She already has an underdog story even if I suspect she never really was in danger and has a strong bond with Ben. Jiffy would certainly love seeing Ben as the Sole Survivor and we all know how that can influence the outcome. Allan had some night time camera shots that reminded me of Dreamz so that can't be good!

Dr. Mike could be going first for the Heels but if he survives their first TC which should be coming this week, then he's also got the great underdog story. The camera made sure we saw him receiving the torch from Roark at the end of the RC and he got the Idol from Jiffy. Joe could be the new Tony but I think we will be seeing what SHOULD have happened to Tony after playing so hard so fast.

I'm not high on the Hustler tribe, especially Patrick and Simone but it should be noted that Lauren was seen as giving orders during the shelter building scene but no one said she was bossy. Ali got a chance to seperate herself from the RC disaster.



"RE: S35 | The Editing ~ Characters and their Stories"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 10-02-17 at 11:02 PM
Thanks, michel! You can be so concise when you want to be, and as always, spot on.

"Episode 1"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 10-02-17 at 07:54 PM
Survivor: is BACK! Scenery, beaches...aerials, ship, see the 18 strangers,
"18 strangers are about to begin an adventure that will forever change their lives."
See close ups of the following in order: Cole, Ashley, (noting JP in the background,Alan, then see Devon and Ryan, with Laura looking on, then cut to Desi, then zoom out and see some challenge shots....
They’ll be abandoned(see Ryan) and forced - see Joe - to work together - see Alan - while voting - see Ashley - each other out, in the greatest - Ali then Ben - social experiment - see Devon diving in the ocean mid-challenge - on television. In the end, -see Desi swimming - only one will remain - see Jessica, then Simone, then Patrick - to claim the million dollar - see JP getting onto a floating dock in challenge - Zoom in to Jiffy: prize. 39 days, 18 people, 1 Survivor.

Cue start: Captain ringing bell telling to stop, drop anchor, hear vibrant up-beat adventurous island music...see the heroes first. They take their places and Jiffy arrives in uniform...

Welcome to 35th season of S. Clapping, For the first time you have been divided into 3 tribes based on the positive traits of how others see you. This is how the world sees you. First group, you are the hero tribe. You are heralded for your courage, your achievements, your ideals, your character. Jiffy calls on Ben.

Ben: have a family, was in the armed services, the marine corp, us just doing our job...just our job, that’s all it is!

Chrissy in confessional: I definitely feel I belong on the Heroes tribe. I feel proud that I had a career, I had my kids, then I came back and got an awesome career. But, I need to really down play that because I don’t want people to think she already makes a lot of money so we don’t want her to win a lot of money.

Next grp: you are the healer tribe, you receive gratitude for helping others heal their physical or emotional pain.

Cole: I am a wilderness therapy guide and rock climbing instructor. We take out disadvantaged teens that struggle with addiction and through the outdoors we teach them lessons like making fire and survivor skills. And, it’s what the outdoors did for me, it opened up my world and I want to open up other peoples worlds with the same thing that made mine so amazing.
Mike: I’m a sex Dr. Laughing I am a urologist specialize in sexual dysfunction and male infertility. Most guys are pretty happy when they are through with me.

Mike in confessional: Winning Survivor is the biggest dream of my life. My wife thinks I am crazy for doing this and my kids are worried I am going to die. But! I am going to rise to the occasion and win! $$ QUOTE

Brings us to the last grp: Hustler tribe, you are respected for your hard work ethic, your mantra is get it done no matter what, 100% all the time!
Chooses Ali: I’m a personal assistant, I happen to work for someone in youtube. I have to do normal desk duties, see Patrick - we know they knew each other out of the show, graduated from Auburn at the same time, he moved her into her home, ran in the same circles. If she needs me to do make up, I do that, if she needs a cook, I do that...I fill in the gaps, it’s just whatever that day, I wake up and find out what I have to do and I do it.
Jiffy: So being a part of a grp that is valued for it’s work ethic rings true to you? Oh yeah.

Confessional - Ryan: Just looking at our group, I hope they are strong and macho, see Devon, hopefully they know how to build a shelter, they know how to crack a coconut, see Patrick. I’m just going to defer to them. I am a 125 pounds soaking wet. I don’t drink and I don’t have a girlfriend....come on, who wants to align with me?

Jiffy: 3 good groups, this season is H v H v H. Here are buffs.

Mike: it’s like Christmas. Chrissie: Loving blue.
Jiffy: here is your first opportunity to prove your value to your tribe. This boat is loaded with supplies. Your job is to get as many of the supplies from this boat to your boat. Then here a musical lead up to the scene of the “secret advantage”. In addition, there is a even bigger reward at stake.

On the beach, each tribe has a burning urn 15 ft high, when you hear me ring this bell get all tribe mates into boat, go to shore, and lift one person high enough to light the torch. Get fire from the urn, wins fire. Win first you get a massive fire making kit, 2nd place - gets flint, Losers, nothing.

This is day one, see Simone, then Ali, of a 39 day adventure, see Alan smiling and shaking his head in agreement, and it begins now! Survivors let’s go....

This is it, the moment you have been waiting for....OMG, out of the gate it is chaos, overboard with lots of supplies still in the boat, Patrick launching fruit like a quarterback with no receivers. See Ryan see the advantage:

Ryan in confessional: OMG, I see something labeled secret advantage, my minds racing, my hands trembling, I think wooooo, hoooo!...

Jiffy rings the bell...get in boat and head to the beach...Jiffy’s verbiage through the comp:

Red tribe is struggling to even get in their boat
...healers working together well,
...heroes on their tail...and the hustler tribe pointing the wrong way. They are headed to a different beach. Hear Devon ask, which way are we going guys...?
Healers are going to get to the beach first, then the heroes, and the hustlers are leterally lost at sea.
Jessica yells, “someone jump out and start hooking, and off Cole goes.
Jiffy: Healers here first, gotta hook that boat! Healers hook boat, here comes the heroes, we are neck and neck right now..
...Now both tribes very even ...untie torch...Cole gets right to it, Ashley untying for Heroes....Cole has torch for the healer tribe, get high enough to get fire, they say that Roark is the lightest and she replies, “NO WAY”, and Roark gets the torch lit, then Chrissie lights it for heros. See Mike grab the torch and hug Roark...Chrissie had it almost at the same time.
Jiffy: It’s Healers then Heroes, with the Hustler’s still trying to figure out what show they are on! (Love Jiffy’s humor this season, LOL)

Healers get massive firemaking kit, know at your beach when see huge massive fire already burning. Zoom into Roark and Jessica.
Hero Tribe, you can make fire with this, hands the fireman the flint. Zoom into Chrissie.
See disappointed Simone with a zoom in.
Each tribe has a map in their boat, get in and start paddling and good luck.

Ali confessional: ‘Coming from that horrible competition, I was pretty pissed. I am hoping that our work ethic and our strength alone can push us together and get it done. But, at this point I am very nervous.” (See Ali pointing the way as the others paddle the boat!)

See Whales, light hearted music, island flutes...see healers rowing in. See the giant bonfire.

Roarke in confessional: As we row in we see the biggest fire that any of us have ever seen. And, it sets us up on the right foot. As they land some guy says, “Home sweet home!”

Mike: We just kicked #####!

Roarke continues....Healers are definitely a team based group in how we approach our careers, in terms of how we approach our lives and I think that’s really a distinct difference between us and the other two.

Joe, as they get out of the boat ...To be honest, I‘m not trying to be cocky or anything, but I literally wanted y’all three females...I was, like, listen....physical strength, right, points to Cole, and you, to Cole, you got the eight pack!

Jessica in confessional: Cole is Tarzan. I like him a lot. He’s trying not to be the tough guy but he is. I mean, he’s ripped. He has beautiful tanned skin, blonde hair, blue eyes, I think I have fallen in love! Giggle.

Hear Cole tell the group of 6. “I am so glad we have 3 tribes because even if we have an off day and we come in second....we’re still safe.” They agree, in writing we see Joe say, “I mean after today’s performance I just don’t see it. I mean it’s all about communication.” Roark: I think we have a good tribe!

Joe in confessional: I wanted to be in a tribe that I could easily manipulate and I feel like when you are a healer you have a big heart and when you have a big heart you don’t really think with your mind, you think with your heart. I am a healer because my main job is rehabilitation. But, I’m not a probation officer when I am out here. I came out here to win and I am probably more strategic then everyone all together. So, they are just all my victims at this point.

Meanwhile, at the Heroes beach, there are a lot of birds on the beach and they all take flight at once...then see the last heron take off...see them starting a fire with the flint. JP starts it with all the girls....Guys are directing the building of the shelter and they are well on their way with that. Hear the singing and music...they are all getting along and being poductive...

Ashley in confessional: The qualities of being a hero are going to help in the game of S because the whole idea of being a hero is that you are putting others ahead of yourself, as she says this we see Chrissie and Katrina in the picture working. ....which makes for a really strong tribe. Then cut to a pic of Alan working. You hear Ashley ask JP, “what about firewood, too?
Ashley continues: “But, game on, the hero cape falls off and automatically you are thinking alliances”, see Ashley and JP walk off together. ...”conversations need to happen”, as scene cuts to Alan, who is watching them go off together. “So, it will definitely start to get interesting.”

See JP and Ashley: JP: what are you thinking?
Ashley: I like Cowboy.
JP: yeah, Cowboy...me, you, Cowboy? that could be pretty good?
Ashley: He seems smart and useful.
See Alan watching them and cutting music...
JP: Well, I think we could make that work....

(I had to wonder if they also positively wanted Alan for strength too, but it cut to make them seem more antagonistic toward Alan?)

Alan in confessional: I played in the NFL for 9 years and after you play for a while you can see who’s a tempo setter. And, just now, I got a sense of how people are playing the game. And, I’m definitely going to play the game, which for me is a full out sprint out of the gate.

See Ben and Alan talking...Ben asks Alan: who do you think we need to work with? We need to win challenges,
Alan: we need strength
Ben: absolutely, We have to win
Alan: We need strength. Um, JP is an asset.
Ben: And, Ashley, that’s our four, they fist bump on it.

Ashley, Katrina, JP in the shelter braiding fronds...
Ashley: (flirting) I work with so many firefighters and to me you just remind me of all of them...
JP: Really?
Ashley: Yeah.
JP: They must be pretty cool guys?
Ashley: They are all my best friends!

Alan, conf: I’ve been watching those 2 for a while and I honestly think Ashley and JP are working together so I want to make them believe that I’ll work with them, but this power couple, or whatever it is they got going on is OVER. He says this with emphasis! Hear music play after...then we see the two moms working.

Ben yells over to JP and Ashley, after the moms left, and says, 4, right? JP says, yeah. Ashley says, “I wanted us four from the beginning.”

Ben, conf: Right now we’re looking at a core four and that’s me, Alan, Ashley and JP. We’re all younger, wer’e fit, and then we got the 2 moms.

See the moms aligning at the water hole, saying to each other, “It’s a whole young crowd”, Katrina suggests that they align, Chrissie says yes, we have to!

Ben in confessional continues: “We’ve named the 2 moms the mom squad, and that’s just an easy target at this point, here definitive music playing.

cut to the Core 4 in the shelter fist bumping to seal their pact. “Keep it strong, that’s it! Perfect! We’re done!.

Ben, conf: Winning is the most important thing right now for this tribe. When it comes down to it, we’ve got each others back.” Then see the two moms coming back..

Cut to island music...upbeat, adventurous as it goes over the mountain to the shores...to Tribe Yawa, the red tribe. Hear Lauren say, may I make a suggestion? Yes, this needs to be over here to away from critters spiders and snakes...

Lauren, conf: At this point I am disappointed that we didn’t win the challenge, but at the same time, let’s not give up. See Patrick and Devon building the shelter...

She continues: Being hustlers we are very hard workers and that’s just like kick it in gear and this is what we need to do the rest of this game. See Ryan. “Cause really, if we play as a team we will be fine. If not, we’re gonna be screwed.”

Patrick finds a walking stick, “should I eat it?” See him trying to eat the bug

Ali in confessional: My priorities from day one are to make sure that I connect with the group and Patrick....seems like he’s meshing well with the group from since the very beginning.
So, I kinda want to see where his heads at...then see Patrick yelp, oh, I forgot I had a crab in my pants....see Ali looking back over her shoulder.

(I have to wonder if this scene is what we saw in the preview vidcaps, Patrick with the crab.)

Ali continues, “If we don’t lose we really don’t have to worry about an alliance but the way we looked in the first challenge, we should probably start talking now.”

They go and talk: Ali: how do you feel about us?
Patrick: I feel good but we gotta win, we will be good,
Ali: but I got your back if you got my back?
Patrick: I got your back

Patrick, conf: “Ali, she’s a very smart girl and we are vibing really well, but on an island where we can trust no one, I feel like I could trust her but this is Survivor, so, ----I feel good but I’m not certain.” Where Patrick said ‘I feel good but I’m not certain’, he was sitting in a different spot, so I had to wonder if this one confessional was pieced together from 2 seperate confessionals.

A wise and cautious confessional from silly, Patrick.

See them all talk about who got the clue on the boat....as the camera zooms in on Ryan.

Ryan, conf: “I found an advantage on the boat. Nobody knows about it. It’s in my pants, I’m dying to know what it is. For the first time someone’s dying to get in my pants. I kinda just wait for the perfect moment to get away. I go into the jungle by myself, I’m super excited! I’ve never had a secret advantage my entire life, I’m a hustler, hustlers don’t get advantages, and the hustler got an advantage! “

See him reading it...”super idol, can be played after the votes read...gives immense power, comes with a twist, can only be used during the first TC, if you don’t lose you must give it to one that loses. They won’t know who gives it to them. I’m SUPER excited! If we pull out a win, I have to give it to a member of the losing tribe. That means that right now I have the most power in the game and nobody else has any clue, whatsoever!”
See him smile to himself!

Healers day 2:

They are gathering bamboo and planning where the shelter will go together.

Desi, conf: I’m fortunate to be a part of the healers tribe, first and foremost we can communicate. And, as long as we do that in camp life everything will run smoothly.
This is fluff, not significant to the story, or to her story, but foreshadows disharmony somehow?

Mike, conf: My son told me to look for the idol. He’s 10 years old and he watches Survivor. If my 10 year old son knows to look for the idol, I should go looking for it. See MIke looking at the map. And, so should everybody else.

See Joe, Jessica and all of them talking. They suggest someone go check on the fire, Mike volunteers...

Mike continues: My biggest fear is to be voted out first, I left my wife and my kids behind to play this is crazy game. But, I did not come out here for an adventure. I am out here for a million dollars, see him run to the shore...and be the best survivor player ever. $$ quote. And, so I am willing to do what it takes to win this game. See him picking up drift wood...

See Joe say to Roarke and Desi: You know when Mike comes back I ‘m going to ask him to draw us a map to the idol because he knows where it is ...like legit, he knows everything.

Joe, conf: Mike is definitely a player and I am a tad bit concerned that he’s running around and trying to find the idol. So, I think he went and looked for the idol and by now he’s probably got more than one. See Mike collecting wood and looking.

Desi defends him, “he’s getting firewood.”

Joe continues. I have a great lie detector and I am thinking Mike is not a trustworthy guy.

See Joe and Mike together. Joe asks him about the rope he has...Mike answers honestly.
Joe: Well Mike, I am gonna be honest with you, you are kind of suspect running around this island, you’ve been running around this island trying to find the idol. I personally think you got the idol.
Mike: I wish I did, that would be awesome.
Joe: Alright, so you looked through this whole island and you didn’t find nothing?
Mike: I didn’t look through the whole island. Mike looks away and down.
Joe: Mike, we’ve both watched the game
Mike interrupts him, I’m just saying I’m sort of honored that you think I’m hustling...
Joe: no, no, no, the thing is I respect you enough that I came to you individually. Right or wrong?
Mike: That’s nice.
Joe: Hopefully you respect me as well. That’s all I’m saying...
Mike: I do respect you, Joe.

Mike confessional: I don’t trust Joe for one second. He’s pulled me aside to have man to man talks with me to essentially bully me into telling him that I went looking for the immunity idol. I mean like, who is this guy?

Joe to Mike: I just wanted you to be aware that we are all aware. That’s all, that’s what I ‘m saying.
Mike. Okay.

Mike conf’l cont’d: “But, at the same time it puts me at risk. Perception is 90% of reality. Right? Unfortunately, and with that you don’t want to be having to fight perception.”

I noticed that Mike got the last word, and these two are a conflict. The fact that Mike comes across as the victim or hero, and Joe as the bully coupled with Mike having the last word makes me believe Mike will out last Joe.

Yawa, Red tribe, day 2. New music. OMG, as they share the load of a big log...building shelter together.

Ryan, conf: These first impressions are crucial and I really like having Devon in this group because he’s different than me.

See the group ask Devon what he does, I teach kids how to surf...I don’t make a lot but it pays my rent. See Ryan shake his head yes. (I think that he’s channeling his Stephan Fishbach vibes when he spies JT, the good ole country boy)

con’td: he seems like he is someone who is looking for someone that is more strategic...more strategically sound. So, I am waiting for the perfect moment when everybody’s cleared out of camp, so I can build a connection.”

See Ryan talking alone with Devon.....
Ryan: “So, I found an advantage...on the boat, only for the first tribal.” See Devon eating it up. “It’s an idol that can be played after the votes.”
Devon: “Dude, I was so scared of being the first one”
Ryan: “Oh no!”
Devon: “like, my biggest fear”
Ryan: “You are not going to be the first one...”
Devon in conf: “Ryan tells me about this special immunity idol. He said that he’d be willing to use the idol for me. Ryan and I have the same ideas the same plans, our chemistry is perfect.”

See them talking....Devon: we’re gonna cause chaos together
Ryan: I haven’t told anybody and I’m not gonna tell anybody else
Devon: keep it between us
They shake
Ryan: That’s how much I trust you
Devon shakes his shoulders

Heroes at night, night two, see two mice/rats, then see Alan, who is standing away from the group while we hear Ashley and JP flirting constantly. Cut to Chrissie looking over at them.

Are the rats supposed to represent Alan, or are the rats supposed to represent Ashley and JP? There are 2 rats, so perhaps they are the couple Jp and Ashley?

Hear Ashley and JP still flirting and yacking together. JP: that’s the first time
Ashley: First time for what? For us to fight?


Alan, conf: I know there is something going on between JP and Ashley. There’s red flags all over the place between those two. I need to let everybody know those two are stronger together right now than we are all as individuals. (the confessional is the next AM?)

Alan to JP alone: Alan: It’s cool if you got it!
JP: I don’t have the idol. 100%
Alan: How far are you willing to go to prove that?
JP: Shakes his head
Alan: Let’s go for a swim, let’s go to the water...go to the waters edge right now.
JP: I swear on my mom’s grave, I do...
Alan: No, I don’t want to do that to you...
JP: I promise dude...
Alan: I don’t want to do that to you...
JP: A man’s handshake?
Alan: I don’t need that, I know where the idol is right now....
Just pull your pants down
Jp: I swear to God...
Alan: I know where it’s at right now...I’m just trying to know what’s going on....see Ashley near the shelter
JP: Trust me, I promise
Ashley approaches them and asks, “What did you just say, I know what’s going on?” (see Ben laying down...)
Alan looks to Ashley and asks: Are we 4 strong or not?
Ashley to Alan: I thought so until right now! You are tripping...

Alan in confessional the next day: I don’t know if they had an idol or not, but I didn’t actually see anything, I just threw it out there. I know I look like the crazy man, but now I got some fishing going on. I just put a target on their back if it worked the way it’s supposed to work.

Ashley at night to them: “You are just insinuating that there is something going on that you don’t know about. There’s not that I know of”
Alan: So, there is no idol?
Ashley, incredulous....THERE IS NO idol!

JP in confessional: Alan is a crazy guy. He just all of a sudden gets this crazy look in his eyes just his drama and everything that he causes is, I think, maybe not worth his strength. Just a loose canon like that kinda rocks the ship.

Alan: to Ashley and JP, are we 4 strong? YES!
Alan: Yes, I know cause it looks like I’m tripping, right?
Ashley: YES!
Alan: So, the idol in your pants right now, I’m tripping about?
Ashley: If he has an idol, I know nothing about it.
JP pulls his pants down and Alan says, no don’t turn around, why you’d turn around? *snicker* As Alan grabs his pants at his ankles, “I know you got the idol down there...”
Alan: Dog, where’s it at?

Ashley in conf the next AM: Alan is starting to loose his mind. He had JP strip to check his pants for an idol. So, my mind is literally blown right now. His paranoia is like so bad, I mean where is this coming from right now? Cause, I trusted him and I thought he trusted me, but it’s snap, just like that, trust is out the window. Moving forward with him seems like it could be a liability down the road....see JP by the fire, then Alan by the fire alone.

Challenge...

Come on in guys...

race up cargo net, top of tower, pull heavy cart, push to bottom, find a choice of 3 S table mazes...first gets first choice, etc., then get maze to top of taller tower, get 3 balls in pockets, first 2 tribes safe from TC.

Tie votes are back in at TC....what does this mean?

Here we go....for immunity....shows the II’s, loser TC, where someone first voted out, Hustlers playing for fire in the form of flint.

Gotta get up that cargo net, attack it
heroes first then healers, hustlers
Adrenaline is your friend, strength you didn’t know you had
once you are in, release it.
Hustlers down first
Blue gets first choice, choose three, the hardest puzzle. Healers got third choice and got the easiest...(They may be heroes but they are not too bright, lol! - It was Ben that just made the choice. took the closest one....Patrick made the choice for Red.

Surprising Ryan choice to be pulling....Joe taking long time to get to top, can‘t pull till he gets there.....Finally Joe and Cole going to pull for the healers, healers working to make up some time. Hustlers first

It’s Chrissie and Ben for the Heroes with a traditional maze. Devon and Ali for the Hustlers with the obstacle maze and Dr Mike and Desi for the healers with the rail maze.

This is where adrenaline works against you now...
learning curve, gotta figure it out....healers doing it, Roarke gave them the big tip, lean to left, right, hustlers have first point.

Heroes then get on board. Healers are first and second.

Red have second ball....Heroes close, in and out, then drop. then Hustlers drop

Healers, Dr Mike and Desi win! Safe

Looking for one more...big move, who can get that third ball to drop first....red gets it! Scream! Sending hero tribe to TC...see JP and Ashley, then Chrissie

Healers, congrats, impressive start, gives to MIke
Hustlers Lauren gets it...and Jiffy gives them fire in the form of flint.

Blue: Chrissie is on floor collapsed...I just ....she throws up....Ben: can’t say we didn’t give it our all, as he takes his hat off and fans her, here Katrina, we will make lemons out of lemon ade, Jiffy says this is what S is all about, work together or go to TC where you vote someone out....see JP, then Alan, then Chrissie...

Ryan, conf: I found this super immunity idol. It’s only good for the first tribal, so I now have to give it to a member of that losing tribe. I can give this to someone that is in the minority, see Chrissie, and save them tonight and they could take out some one who maybe a threat, see Ashley and then Alan, and maybe change the game.

Heroes: Day 3

They return to camp, Levu, whale and whale sounds heard...see a school of fish dart away and then the large whale with the ominous whale song music
Hear Katrina with some comforting empathetic words....

Ashley, conf: “Before last night the vote was easy....Alan created a spectacle out of nothing”... see the 2 moms get up and go get firewood....”In less than 12 hours”, see Ashley laying next to JP, “everything went from 100%, nice, we’re solid 4 to there” (see Katrina’s back walking away....then a quick glimpse of Chrissie) “there really is no trust.”

Then see the core 4 get together and say, Katrina or Chrissie? We all good?, asks Ben.... Ben says, you good? Keep it simple...

Alan in Confessional: “Ashley and JP think I am in the core four with them, but I don’t trust Ashley and JP further than I could throw them.” See JP and Ashley walk off. “They might be like, so Alan, gotta go. So, whatever they trying to do, I’m blowing it up.”

See Katrina approach Alan and say, what are you thinking? He says, ain’t nobody talk to me about game....
Katrina: Huh?
Alan: Ain’t nobody been talking to me about game
Katrina: Nobody has?
See Ben...then Chrissie
Katrina: We gotta work together
Alan: At this point there is still only two votes
Katrina: We could go with Chrissie and Ben?
Alan calls Chrissie over, see Ben watching from the shelter

Alan tells Chrissie that he’s thinking that it’s me because nobody’s talked game. And, I talked to her (Katrina), and she’s saying nobodies talked game to her either. Chrissie says that she thinks it’s her. She thinks the three of them plus Ben could make a strong four. See Ben come up.

Katrina, conf: I don’t feel totally safe, I don’t have a good alliance on the team. I knew I needed to get people together, we need four people to vote for somebody...

Ben says, so what? Ashley and JP, says Katrina. Chrissie suggests to write down Ashley.

Katrina: Right now I think I have a plan with Chrissie, Alan, and Ben. I have to put faith in 3 people that I am not sure totally have my back. Hopefully it works.

See fire

Then see Alan talking to Ben,
Alan: “I’m with you, if it keep us stronger”, camera focuses on Ben, who does look suspicious of Alan.
Alan continues, Ashley...I just know, Ashley, she’s a wild card. But...I’m with you.
Ben: Okay
Alan: Still keep our eyes open

Ben in confessional: “If everyone had just calmed down and talked it out, we’d be fine. But, here we are, day 3, and we’ve all just blown up.”

See Katrina and Chrissie say, I feel good with the plan....

Ben cont’s. : “Yup, at TC tonight there’s two ways that Alan and I can go...we can go with the mom squad and go straight for Ashley, (see Ashley chop a coconut), or we can go with JP and Ashley and get Chrissie or Katrina out. I’m a little worried about JP and Ashley having something going on. But, as a tribe we have to stay strong, see Alan, to win, but the two older women, see them, are probably the weakest link in our tribe. Whether or not you go with strength, see Alan, or loyalty, in the long run it’s about Alan and I. Who do we trust the most.”

This confessional is telling because Ben tells us that he is WITH Alan.

Cut to Chrissie getting her bag, as someone talks about it’s getting short on time.

Chrissie, conf: “I was getting ready for tribal and looked in my bag. I see a package. I have no idea what it is. She pulls out the idol, OMG! Reads: Some one has secretly chosen you to receive immense power early in the game. OMG! This is an immunity super idol. This idol can be played after the votes have been read but it can only be used at tonights TC. Wow! How lucky did I get? she puts it on. I got the super immunity idol and it feels incredible. I think the decision of what I do with the super idol is extremely important tonight. Especially since half the tribe is potentially on the chopping block. See JP, then Katrina. Katrina, me, Ashley, Alan, we don’t know. Clearly, If it’s me on the block, I’m using it to save myself. I just want to see what plays out and I will let the discussion at TC dictate what happens and for whom.” Cut to walk to TC.

Tribal Council: When Jiffy says when the fire is gone, so are you, camera on JP and Katrina.

Jiffy asks Ben: are you feeling the game really does move this fast....”It’s exciting, it’s scary, but that’s the game we all came to play.”
Chrissie: what was the vibe the moment you hit the beach? “Immediately I felt that I didn’t belong with this group...yes, I thought the 4 major threats would probably get together”....Jiffy: and, who is that? Chrissie: “Ashley, JP, Alan, and Ben.”

Katrina, did you have the same feeling? “Yes, we are older than a lot of the other people here. They look to us to vote out first vs somebody else.”

JP: Ashley, one of the unique things about this game is that you find yourself surrounded by people you may never even meet otherwise and the people out here will tell you exactly what they think, true or not, we never know.
Ashley: “Right, there is a lot in this game that you never know, and we’ve kind of figured that out”, see Alan.
Jiffy: How so?
Ashley: “Day 2.5, there is already a little bit of a commotion going on,” Alan said, “JP and Me, we have an idol. I have no clue where that came from.”
Alan: “An idol or a clue?”
Jiffy: We are talking about Ashley
Alan: “I’m not talking about Ashley, I’m talking about Ashley and JP. There’s two people and I am not going to back down from saying that.”
Ashley: “Jeff, we tried our best to convince him that what he thinks he saw is not true.”
Alan: “But, that’s not going to change my mind....you can deny, deny, deny...”
Ashley: “He had JP strip off his clothes last night. chuckle. To check for a non-existent idol.”
Jiffy: So, JP, you’re wrapped up in this as well?
JP: “Yeah, I guess a little bit, but at the end of the day”
Jiffy: A little bit? You took your clothes off to prove you didn’t have an idol.
JP: “Yeah, it’s all part of the game, everyone is entitled to their opinion and things like that so you can only do so much.” See Alan, look away.
Jiffy: Chrissie: the one thing about S is the minute you get linked to somebody else, now you are seen as two votes.
Chrissie: “Yes, and that is exactly what we had, people were concerned that we had a power couple.”
See Ashley and JP, OMG
Ashley: “To have the term power couple be thrown around is ridiculous to me. There is no me and JP, there are no conversations going on except for right in front of you...”
Alan: “My thing was to let the tribe know that there is something stronger in the tribe than the tribe.” See Ben shake his head in agreement. “Whether these folks believe what I believe, I know what I know. And, I’m not crazy, I’m confident.”
Ashley: You are going to feel very silly
Alan: “If I go home tonight because I am silly, than so be it.”
Ben: “But, I don’t think we need to bicker and banter about this”, Alan nods.
“We were labeled the heroes. We need to have the mentality that we can do what we planned and make our team strong and then we’ll hash out whatever we need to hash out later.” (The voice of reason and maturity)
Jiffy: Alan, that sounds like Ben has another plan and he’s trying to make sure that’s what is happening.
Alan: “Definitely, I could have avoided and sat back with my feet up because everybody is talking about getting rid of Katrina. Everybody threw out names to get rid of Chrissie. But that is the risk I had to take to let people know what is going on.”
Jiffy: Chrissie: look Alan says Look I am going to let you know what the early talk was, two older women.
Chrissie: “That feels terrible, I think that would be unwise. I think that voting me off is losing my skills.”
Katrina: “Jeff, I think it’s a point that everyone’s on the chopping block at some point, we have to see what we can do to connect with people. because if we can stay more honest about what is happening we can get alot further as a tribe then pretend things don’t exist.”
Ben: “I have no idea as to what is happening but we had a plan, right now it’s up in the air, we are going to have to do some damage control one way or the other.” (See Katrina)

No one plays the idol, Katrina, Ashley, Katrina, Katrina, first person voted out of S HvHvH: Katrina.

See Ashley then Alan, then Chrissie...Good luck guys. Alot of focus on Chrissie with the vote out of Katrina.

JIffy’s parting words: while the vote was united, this tribe is clearly not, see Alan...


I didn’t like that we only heard one time from JP when he was the one that was directly accused by Alan of having the idol. We heard 3 times from Ashley.

Thoughts:

Jiffy really flew through the intro this season, probably because it was only a one hour premier. The people that he chose in the beginning as he was introducing the tribes and their themes were most likely because those people best exemplified the themes, heroes, healers, hustlers. They were Ben, Cole, Dr. Mike, and Ali. There were 3 confessionals mixed in among them however, and they may be significant.

The first confessional of the show, as well as the last, was Chrissie. She definitively believes she should be on the heroes tribe because she had a great career, then stepped away to have her kids, then started another new, great career. But, she will down play all of it because she doesn’t want people to think she already has money.

The next was a confessional by Dr. Mike, who was one of the ones chosen to talk about his profession. He had a million $ quote in this spot. The third confessional was from Ryan, who talks about how he hopes his tribe is strong and macho, he’ll defer to them and ingratiate himself...

So, I get the feeling that Chrissie, Dr. Mike, and Ryan could be significant characters.

To make a long story short I will say that the most significant player for me of the whole premier was Ryan. He played finding the “package” as best he could. He used it to rope in Devon, a very complementary character for him; he’s strategic, Devon is physically strong, surfer dude type. What’s more he was able to identify the weak link on the Hero tribe and has since set himself up for a nice bond to her and her associates. And, that is exactly where I see this season headed on the very first day.

Ben is solidly with Alan. Ben is going to get with Chrissie next week. Their solid trio could hook up with Ryan + Devon and now there is a solid 5. So, those 5 players are my strongest at this point. I also think that Ali and Dr. Mike may be significant to the story. I see Ali outlasting Patrick, who she knew well before the show. I see Cole out lasting Jessica. Cole had no confessionals but had a nice presence in the show. He was chosen to speak on what he did to exemplify the healers, he is seen dominating challenges, and we hear Jessica and Joe talking well about him.

Regarding Ashley and JP. I see Ashley as in trouble, and JP as well. JP is valued for strength but he clearly doesn’t have anything to say. Regarding Dr Mike vs. Joe. Dr Mike had the last word in their exchange, and Joe comes across as over the top - too much too soon and I think the women are going to find him abrasive in comparison to Dr. Mike. Cole will do what Jessica wants him to do, perhaps.

Here are my underlying assessments of them all....

Insignificant characters:

Simone: Who is she, completely invisible.
Jessica: Her only contribution to the show was to swoon over Cole. *Giggle*
Desi: She got a fluff confessional, BUT, was heard defending Mike to Joe
Lauren: Again, just one fluff confessional, she’s the odd one out on the tribe being the older woman

Characters to watch...

Joe: He’s coming across as a bully and the girls are noticing, while Dr. Mike is endearing and helpful. I see Joe coming up short
Ashley: She spoke up for JP more than JP spoke up. She is a strong woman, but her flirting got her in trouble immediately. She should have tried harder with the others. They all are onto her now.
JP: Stong, but not bright.
Roark: She had one confessional when they got to camp. She was the one they lifted to light the torch and she was seen directing them on how to navigate the puzzle portion of the maze. She’ll perhaps be a voice of reason, I have hope for her.
Patrick: He had a nice confessional, he looks whacky. He’s with Ali at this point, but Ali doesn’t seem too enamored with him. Does he have a plan B?
10. Cole: No confessionals but strong presence as noted above.

Characters with depth:

Ali: She seems like the one that is receiving the most attention at camp red, after Ryan that is. She’s a jack of all trades, she seems like a leader, but she doesn’t want to be the leader. She’s one to watch. Could hook up with Ryan and Devon?
Dr. Mike: Jiffy gave him as one of the reasons to watch this year. He got chosen to talk about his profession in the beginning as it related to “healers”, as well as an intro confessional. He’s endearing, he’s the nerdy dad giving it his all. He is the target of Joe’s wrath....I think the girls will choose Dr. Mike over bully Joe.
Devon: He’s hooked up with Ryan and he’s solid. I can’t help think there is more to this surfer dude than meets the eye. I think he’s got a little more game savvy than we see...
Alan: Alan framed a couple pretty quickly. By being so adamant, he indeed cast doubt. But, he’s a threatening physical presence, can he tone it down. Will he be loyal to Ben and perhaps Chrissie? Can he reign it in?
Ben: The voice of reason had a great first episode. Considered all things and played it well in the middle. Seems to be hooked up with Alan, and next week, Chrissie.
Ryan: Played the secret advantage as well as he possibly could. Will adjoin with Devon and perhaps Chrissie and company later.
Chrissie: First confessional and last confessional of the episode. She’s a very smart cookie that seems to know the Survivor game. I think she will reign Ben in next ep, and therefore Alan. With her direction, that’s one formidable trio.


"RE: Episode 1"
Posted by Agent99 on 10-03-17 at 01:08 PM
I just posted a eulogy of sorts after scanning the boards for michel2's name. After posting I saw yours!!!!!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

"RE: Episode 1"
Posted by kingfish on 10-04-17 at 11:42 AM
Michel ain't dead, but he has fragile personality, so don't give him ideas.

You should offer your own perceptions of the players.


"RE: Episode 1"
Posted by kingfish on 10-04-17 at 11:43 AM
Thanks FP, that was some analysis. Haven't finished it yet, but will keep at it. So far it sparkles.

"RE: Episode 1"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 10-04-17 at 02:54 PM
Haven't finished it yet, but will keep at it.

BRRRUUUUHHHHAAAAAHAHAHAHA! Lol. Dear Kingfish, I just wish I had your grasp on the written word, no one writes like you do! In a good way! xoxox



"Episode 2"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 10-07-17 at 07:48 PM
I always agreed that you could get a lot from the producers by listening closely to the intro that Jiffy gives at the start of each episode....whether he dismisses some, while focusing on others can lead us in the right direction...

Jiffy: At the Healer tribe, Joe interrogated Mike. “I personally think you have the idol”.
Mike: "I wish I did!"
Joe in conf: Mike is public enemy number one.

At the Hustler tribe, Patrick found his partner in crime....Patrick to Ali: I got your back, Ali: I got your back if you got mine...

See Ryan and Devon... And, Ryan confessed to having the super idol.
Ryan: If we don’t go to tribal, I have to give it to somebody else.

The hero tribe was facing TC...And a core 4 came together.
Ashley to the others: "I wanted us four from the beginning'...which put the 2 moms on the outs. Chrissy to Katrina, "you think it’s you? Because, I think it’s me...."
But Chrissy received Ryan’s super idol. See Chrissy read: "It can only be used at tonights TC, WOW", as she puts it on....

At TC, Alan accused JP and Ashley of being a power couple...hear Ashley: to have the term power couple be thrown around is ridiculous to me.
Alan: I know what I know and I’m not crazy, I’m confident.

In the end, the alliance of 4 stuck together. And, Chrissy decided not to use her now powerless super idol. 17 left, who will be voted out tonight?

This intro he called out Joe, Patrick, Ryan, Chrissy, Alan, and Chrissy again. Something to keep in mind.

What this tells me: Conflict between Mike and Joe....one or the other when they go to TC? Patrick and Ali....not that strong a bond whereas Ryan and Devon working on a strong bond. At heroes, Chrissy perseveres, holds on to idol to be used to help her in the future...

At night 3, Heroes, see snake...

They never want to go to TC again...

Chrissy: TC was really heated and angry. Great for me, right? I started out on the bottom. And now I think I am no longer on the bottom because all these little cracks come up among themselves. I was also glad I did not use the immunity super idol because in the future if I feel my name is on the chopping block, I can use it as a decoy idol. FORESHADOWING ~ It has no power but it still has power.

Chrissy is smart! See Chrissy standing looking at the fire, and we all know that fire is life!

Hear Alan comment he doesn’t want to go back to that....

Alan:"TC was intense, I mean I was not expecting this to start flying like that. But, at the end of the day, I think I got what I wanted in terms of people really thinking of Ashley and JP as a power couple. Like, so my plan worked essentially, Like whether I am right or whether I am wrong, I think I created some kind of suspicion. A lot of times suspicion gets you the kind of results that you want."

See Alan illuminated by the fire, then cut to a spider. Is Alan the villainous spider?

Alan appeared as a bully and he thinks by bullying his way forward he can get the results that he wants. Setting himself up for a big fall, later, perhaps?

After the spider, see Ashley talking to Chrissy and Ben about how do I convince others without any proof...”as soon as the words ‘power couple’ got thrown into it....OMG!

Ashley: "The whole spectacle that Alan created tonight at TC sort of shows how off the hinges he really is. I’m not going to sit back and tell my whole tribe that I am in a power duo with JP, and we are hiding idols. I think he went from a really safe place with the core 4 and now, he’s put a huge target on his back."

Hear Ben tell Ashley, I’m starting to believe you more, Ashley: THANK YOU!....Hear Ben say, Alan has to keep it under wraps, period.

So, while Alan believes he succeeded in placing doubt on Ashley and JP, it appears from this that he only served to create doubt on himself. He "thinks" he got what he wanted, but did he?

Ben, the voice of reason even agrees...

Ben confessional the next morning: "Man, this group is like old paint. It’s cracked and fractured everywhere. I am not sure who I can trust. The core 4 is gone. The perception might still be there in some people’s heads, actually, no it’s not. It’s done, the whole thing is shot. Now, it’s every man for himself. Cuts away with him seen shaking his head."

Cut to the Intro ~

Hustlers: upbeat guitar music, see Devon run to surf and do a flip into it, then cut to see Patrick running ~ see them all working and getting things done, wood collecting, fish, etc. Cut to see Simone sitting in the shelter when everyone else is up and busy, she’s swatting bugs...

Ryan: "We have definitely, as the days go by, owned the hustler mantra. I, like, yeah, I really do bust my bum ....the hustler tribe is feeling really good about itself. We have some momentum now and I think I am in a pretty good spot socially...."

~I can’t help but think this is misdirection....Ryan starting to feel overly comfortable and good, hints that they will be the ones losing and going to TC~

cut to he and Devon, Ryan says to Devon: "I feel like me and you, we are doing okay!"
Devon: I think we are the best players in our tribe
Ryan: yeah, for sure
Devon: everyone else, when I talk to them, I’m not smiling...I get all serious, but with you I’m able to talk my strategy and have a smile on my face
Ryan: exactly...

Ryan continues: "I think me and Devon are really tight, we are locked tight (?) We’ve gotten along so well! Honestly, I feel like I have connected with everybody on my tribe. Maybe not Simone, but I don’t think anybody has a connection with Simone. It’s.....she’s wierd. And, weirdness....you want to blend in, in these first couple days and the people that blend in are ones that escape..."

See Simone walk up to camp from the beach, “I did it!”

I notice that she is wearing tight high boots! She did it with her boots on? In the surf, she is a fish out of water...

Someone says, what? Aqua dump? Yes!

Simone: I am not an outdoors person! "The fact that I was relieving myself in the water was the biggest milestone"

To the others at camp....I am so proud, I feel like a super hero...they all agree, she has super powers now...

Simone continues: "I know people think that this is paradise but it’s tough out here and it’s hot all the time and there is no air conditioning"... (WHAT???? Is this the type of person that now gets picked to play Survivor???? We are in big trouble ~ ugh!)

See her complaining, “I hate the outside ....I’m challenging myself, I am having an adventure...."(she is so TOAST)

Simone continues: "I think people look at me, she has no experience in the outdoors but, I am a hustler because I am good under pressure."

Lauren at camp asks, who is going to gut the fish, as we see Patrick on screen....(editing telling us, foreshadowing the demise of Patrick by Lauren, perhaps?)...then we see Ryan...then Simone says that she has never done it before but she’s read up on how to do it....volunteers,

Simone continues: "Survivor might push me to my limits but I have been playing S my entire life...I live on a tribe, I have 10 brothers and sisters so I was fighting to constantly out do everybody....I plan on getting everybody's respect by just working hard" (she finishes cleaning the fish)..."cause this is the hustler tribe, this is the work ethic tribe."

Cut to Ali and Simone walking to get water....Ali asks how she’s doing, she’s been just adjusting...
Ali: I can tell, gutting that fish is a pretty big deal...I can tell that you are putting yourself out there...to do things that you normally wouldn’t do...

7. Ali in confess: "This game is all about handling different personalities and I think that is something that I am good at, and I don’t know if every one is thinking that, Oh, Simone’s just dizzy and I don’t want to deal with that, but I see Simone’s value at this time ....I mean being here with a whole bunch of random people, it’s a big step for her. Um, I could definitely use that for my advantage, kind of pull Simone onto my side...."

See Ali give Simone advice: You keep doubting yourself, so I think you need to be more optimistic...how you feel about yourself, if you think less of you, other people around you will think less of you...you have to hype yourself up because if you don’t, who else will?

Ali continues: "I could see her being really loyal for a long time, you know I could definitely mold her, you know, I am here to win! ($$$ Quote?) So, I feel like Simone, I could use as putty in my hands."

See Simone smiling...

Ali is a very sharp cookie, imo. She's great at sizing up the situation, she's got a real social skill that is going to serve her well in this game!

Cut to underwater fish shots, Healers Day 4

A cheerful flute playing and we see Jessica with the spear and underwater fishing....While Cole sunbathes on the raft....

Jessica: Ugh, this is the worst game of cat and mouse ever! it’s really frustrating....Cole tells her that it will happen, she’s disappointed....

Cole confessional: "I think Jessica is super cute! Although she just turned 30 so she probably just sees me as some little kid....that like even wouldn’t give me a sideways look...she’s a great person to be around, I’m diggin the energy alot! We do flirt alot, maybe if I keep catching her fish, she’ll come over. She’s a cool girl, it’s like I could see myself with her." See Cole come up with a fish, while she had come up empty handed....

Cole succeeding where Jessica fails....food for thought.


Cut to Desi and Mike and Joe at the shelter....
Mike: You were Miss Virginia twice....what year?
Demi: 2013 and then 2016....see Joe interested....
Joe: Yo, Mike, I think we are on the wrong tribe, I think this is the beauty tribe...and we the ugly ones, brah....
Mike: everyone on this tribe is hot and smart except me....(I love self deprication

Joe tells him he definitely got the smarts but the beauty, no!
See Roark looking on...
Joe: You are still smart
Dr. MIke: Thanks, I’m okay with that
Joe: we are definitely in the wrong tribe, Mike!

Joe in confessional: "My relationship with Mike is, he’s still my public enemy number one but, he’s definitely grown on me (see Joe start to handle the machete, as if to get ready to cut Mike), I kinda like him, but, not enough to keep him around. I’m still feeding everyone that he has the idol, I don’t know if he has the idol or not, but now it’s kind of almost back fired on me a bit because (see the tribe pick up things like they are about to go somewhere), I can’t look for the idol as much as I want to look for the idol. So, I am trying to find ways to leave camp"....See Roark, Desi, and Mike go to the well.....see you in 10, Joe.

Joe continues: "So, the window is a very small window, but I can accomplish a lot of things in a small amount of time." See him take off to find the idol....

watch him searching, finds the clue....see Jessica and Cole return with the raft, wonder how long we have been gone? Cole: a couple hours...
See Mike and girls at well
See Joe searching low then high...finds the clue on the tree....Ocean, looks like a raft, 5 feet...

Joe continues: "I found the clue. And, it looks like a map to the clue. It looks like a raft, when I see it automatically I think of Cole. Cole has been out there fishing and stuff so I am gonna talk about it ...hopefully he opens up to me, if not he’ll definitely trust me cause I am giving him some information "....see a hermit crab dragging he and his shell toward the ocean...

See Joe talking to Cole....I haven’t really explored and looked for the idol, but I found an idol clue today...
Cole: Really
Joe: It’s marked on a tree so it’s not like a physical clue, it’s a square, like a raft and it said ocean, 5 ft. You’ve been out there swimming all day....I just assumed that you had it and didn’t tell nobody...see Cole size Joe up....Joe: which is cool...
Cole: I haven’t gotten it yet....
Joe: it’s there...
Cole: where is the clue?
Joe: way in the back where the rocks are

10. Cole confessional: "Joe brought me in on the fact that there’s a clue in the back of the woods that I haven’t seen. I can’t believe it! I am beside myself like this is the greatest day so far and this is why I am here to play survivor, it’s to find the idol and have the power, but I am kind of suspicious that the idol is on the raft, it’s just been out fishing all day, so I am like, dude, I need to see this clue."

Joe shows him the clue, Cole says: no, no, no, no....that’s the symbol for the well! On the map, that’s the symbol for the well!

Cole continues: "Dude, through wilderness therapy and rock climbing, it’s just second nature for me to help people and help them accomplish their goals and that skill set is giving me power in this game. Since Joe would have probably never found that by himself, he probably sees me as a really good resource now...."

Helping others is natural to Cole, but he helped Joe with that idol, and it could have easily been his...I don't think that is getting power in this game. Cole, does he have the wrong perception, as Alan does in the Hero tribe?

see Joe and Cole start to go to the well to look with out alerting the others.

Joe: "Showing Cole the clue was like a major risk, but I needed help, like I don’t, honestly think I would have figured it out on my own."

See them at the well, Joe and Cole dig.....

Joe: "in my mind, if anything pops out of that ground, I am grabbing it! I want it and I ‘m going to find it today.....”Got it!” They cover their tracks and run off....

Here music play...

Joe continues: "I have the idol, I feel good! I feel good! Now I know no one else has it, but I ‘m concerned because the fact that Cole knows I have the idl could backfire. It’s all about power and knowledge and he (see Cole’s back as he walks away), He has too much knowledge. I don’t think he’s going to use it against me but at the same time, if he does, I might have to put a target on his back."

Joe....does he think the best way to defer a target on your back is by throwing shade at everyone else? He's got one thing right, he's not the brightest bulb on the Survivor tree....

See Cole chopping away at the clue on the tree...

See a flock of birds take off in flight, island music, see the heroes tribe, see JP swimming with the fins on and spear....

Heroes day 5...

JP confessional: "In the firehouse it’s all about getting things done, taking care of business, so I am out fishing, trying to get some food on the table, or, go one step at a time and go from there....Ben notices his lobster....you know I’ve never been super into drama, i’m not the confrontational type or anything like that so If I can get some fish, some lobster and make sure everyone’s got a full belly, everyone will be happy and taken care of...."

Cut to him feeding Chrissy some lobster....OMG...nicely done says Ben.

"The other night at TC, Ashley and I got called out as the power couple, that label sucks. I don’t see us as a power couple at all! We are not dating, we are not hooking up, we are not doing any of that kind of stuff....I mean if you are a power couple you might as well be hooking up and being a power couple, know what I mean? Might as well take advantage of everything! So, Ash and I’s connection, I think it’s more on the back burner right now, see Ashley with Chrissy cleaning their teeth....but, at the fire house, that’s kind of my position, stay calm, stay patient. I may not be the guy that is out there talking strategy with everybody but I know that I need to clean my rep up and with time that will straighten things out." See he and Chrissy go to the water hole....as he says to her, “obviously Ash and I are not a couple and obviously Ash and I do not have an idol”....”hows everything else going?”

**JP explains his lack of defense regarding the TC the night before, he thinks he can get through this game simply by providing and avoiding the drama....we'll see?

Chrissy is good feeling good....

Chrissy: "I needed to get through that first Tribal, and I got through it and now I really do believe that I can go far in this game. I just need to figure out who I can go with because I do believe you need a strong partner to get to the end of the game with."

See her talking to JP, Chrissy: So what about the rest of the game...
Chrissy: Let’s pretend me and you, people would never say....he would go with her and she would go with him?
JP: We wouldn’t get labeled as a quote, power couple....laugh

Continues: "So, what I do as an actuary is analyze data and figure out what is my next best move, given every thing that I know. And, here’s waht I know. JP can be helpful in challenges but truthfully, he’s not smart."

Cut to Chrissy in the shelter with Ashley

Ashley: I think JP and Alan both kind of want each other out....and, I’m worried that Alan wants me out.

Chrissy in cons: "Ashley is a very good player but I don’t entirely trust Ashley, I am not convinced there is not a power couple."

Then we see Chrissy walking with Alan....she asks: “We’re solid?”
Alan: Yes, we’re solid, absolutely...I believe that

Chrissy continues: "Then, after Alan had his blow up, I’m concerned about having a twosome with Alan....At this point the data shows that Ben is a better option for me.
Ben has a lot of social charm and I can think several steps ahead strategically so together we complement each other very well."

Cut to Chrissy and Ben walking out toward the beach...
Chrissy talking to Ben: Right now we have two options....you me and Ashley, or you me and Alan?
Ben: Right
Chrissy: Let Alan think that he’s with us, let Ashley think she’s with us. JP doesn’t talk to anybody, who knows what the heck his game is ...
Ben: As long as we stay together
Chrissy: You and Me
Ben: This is crazy how this is going...
Chrissy: this is totally crazy!


Ben in conf: "Alan and I were aligned from the gitgo, but Alan, after he blew up at Tribal the other night, I just don’t know if I can work with him? Chrissy is a smart woman and she has a good head on her shoulders, and that’s going to help me get further in the game."

Cut back to them aligning...
Ben: I’m in, we’re good!
Chrissy: You and me could totally ride this out the entire way!

Ben continues: "At this point, Chrissy and I are in the drivers seat and what ever we decide to do is what is going to happen."

I felt it was a great positive to have Chrissy have this confessional that she spells out, and we see her go from tribe mate to tribe mate as she assesses their value to her...in the end, she's chosen wisely with Ben. But, Ben ended the exchange a little confidently.....a little too confidently, perhaps?

Ben and Chrissy: Let’s do this, let’s totally do it! Ben tells her, no more talking between you and I, she agrees, no, we are not a power couple.

Cut to soft music, aerial view of islands, Hustlers tribe....day 5, see Devon meditating in the lotus position on the beach...sun salutation as the day breaks, cut to Patrick yelling, huge crab, look at that. Lauren is there. The tribe is there, Patrick screams as though it’s biting him, while it is not...

Lauren asks him, what is wrong with you? Ali shakes her head, Patrick: they are so scary

Patrick: "i’m scared of crabs. So, I should probably conquer my fear of crabs because I am a lot bigger than that crab."

See Lauren chase Patrick away with the dead crab....he screams and runs.

Continues: "I am a wild banshee, my strategy is to keep everyone having fun. When you do that you don’t have to worry about being the bullseye." (see the tribe laughing at him. ) I love how paradoxical this episode is....

Alan thinks he got what he wanted, NOT. Cole thinking he's using his helping skill wisely, NOT. Patrick being a wild banshee not putting the bullseye on his back??? Lauren certainly disagrees...

Lauren: "Patrick’s kind of getting on my nerves. He wants to be the highlight....he wants to be in the spotlight. See Patrick clowning around, Australian accent, you want to get some shrimp on the barbie with me, hear Australian music....Lauren continues: he’s just all around the place, it’s like, Sit STILL...see him bouncing around....and, he’s just too loud for me, his volume is at a 10, and he needs to be at a volume 2. See Patrick carrying on and laughing. He is a big kid. He’s a 25 year old boy, you can look him dead in the face and say, ‘Patrick, do not touch that’, and, he will look at you and touch it. You know when it’s like, Really? I just cannot come out and say, ‘shut the hell up!’, just because I am older. I would think that they would want to stick together. It’s very tough for me, I mean, I am not a social butterfly...Being a commercial fisherman, you work alone. You know, I don’t want to be excluded, so I am trying to build a relationship with Ali. Try to get on the same page with her..."

See Ali and Lauren in the water together....

Lauren: I just want to see that you and I are on the same page....
Ali shakes her head in agreement.
Lauren: You know what I mean, you know the more you think about it Patrick’s going to start wearing on us...it’s hard to not kinda get short with him...
Ali: Yeah, it really is

Ali in conf: "Patrick’s name is starting to come up and it’s so early and I am like how am I supposed to work with him if Patrick is getting on people’s nerves? (see Patrick goofing around), and he’s nuts."

Return to them in the water...
Lauren: He’s just so over bearing?

Ali continues with confessional: "With Patrick, I feel like I am babysitting a lot. I don’t want that to be my job, I am here to play for me. I’m not here to play for anybody else....I think I am definitely going to have to think about where we stand and where this relationship is because if people decide to vote Patrick out, I don’t think I need him in this game anymore." See Ali sitting next to Patrick in the shelter...

Challenge: Day 6

Jiffy: Healers and Hustlers see that Katrina is gone

Ryan: "Chrissy does not know that I am the one that gave her that idol, and I don’t know how that first tribal went, maybe she used it, and that’s why she is still there? But, I hope she sticks around so I can get an opportunity to use that connection down the road" ~ foreshadowing.

Patrick and Mike toss the idols back to Jiffy

Immunity back up for grabs...3 members swim to ring, then dive and manuever bundle of puzzle peices through a cage, use to solve a sign post puzzle. In addition playing for reward....first: ultimate survivor fishing kit...see Cole, then second place lines and luhr’s, see Ali...losers go to TC, see the hustlers.

Sit outs Joe and Lauren

Jiffy during the challenge:

go...first swim to ring, gotta dive down untie puzzle peices then manuever it through thte cage, see deven, then Ashley dive down....Ashley comes up empty handed....
Devon quickly up for the hustlers, devon going under again, they are out to an early lead. Cole is up without a bundle...Heroes have their first bundle, here comes roark with first bundle for healers. Devon back up with 2nd bundle....JP has 2nd bundle, healers stuck at one, Jessica comes up empty handed. Devon has 3rd bundle, heading back with huge lead....Healers have 2nd bundle, Roark going back down, JP has 3rd bundle, start swimming...
Hustlers with nice lead
Healers falling way behind
Heroes get all peices and everybody on the platform
Healers have 3rd start swimming in

Ali and Simone for Hustlers
Alan and Chrissy for Heroes
Healers have Mike and Desi

Names of places Survivor has visited over the years
goal spin that so doesn’t hit any of the obstacles....heroes blocked have to try something else...alot of trial and error, if it were easy it would not be Survivor....heroes think they are close, hustlers with one peice left, hits, something is not right...simone and ali have had huge head start, now dead even....Healers getting momentum, they have it, they win immunity for the second time in a row, see Joe jump up.

You better be right if you are on the puzzle, Patrick yelling orders to Ali...Devon tells Simone to just observe....Heroes win immunity and reward sending hustlers to TC, see Simone, then Ali.

Cole gets the idol, then Alan gets the idol....Mike kisses the idol....Hustlers, you know the drill, someone will be the second one voted out of survivor, see Patrick.

Devon: "In my mind Simone will be the one going home. She is the least valuable, she doesn’t fit in with all of us (see Ryan), I mean we saw today that she can’t really do puzzles, see her swimming...It’s a bummer, but Simone has gotta go."

Once again the confessional of doom points to the boot.

Hustlers return, Simone apologizes, they had a lead, wishes she could have been more dominant....Worst thing for them now is to vote one of them off...

Simone: "As far as challenges, I am not the strongest one here so I think that I could be an easy vote, so what I think I need to do is to start shaping the narrative of this tribe. Clearly Patrick is getting on Lauren’s nerves and that’s going to play to my advantage."

See the girls walking alone...."It’s very easy for people to have opinions about Patrick so it’s very easy to shape the narrative around him." See Simone call Patrick out to them, I noticed that you and Pat are butting heads....Lauren: he’s only energetic when it’s something serving him
Simone: I feel the same way, we could probably convince Ryan or someone to vote with us?

Lauren: "Patrick is unpredictable, I don’t trust him. And, he doesn’t follow directions and he could hurt us. See Patrick eating or trying to eat a stick and spitting it out. You know, even though he’s strong. Strong is not always what you need, you know Simone is not great at challenges, but, you know, Simone at least listens."

Cut to shelter and guys are talking
Patrick to Ryan: It’s not going to be one of us...
Ryan: Hope not!
Patrick: It’s Simone
Ryan: Yeah, exactly

Patrick: "Tonight at TC, Simone will be the one going home. I haven’t seen her in any way helping us as a tribe. You know it seems as if every body else is on the same page as me, the boys are already together and Ali’s on my side, so we gotta majority here so I think this tribe is definitely better without Simone."

See Patrick catch up to Ali...they talk, Simone’s the first one, Yup...Patrick: Is that alright?
Ali: Yeah, yeah...of course, got to be on the majority, right?


Ali: "Going into tonight, I definitely have options. I know Simone will listen to me and I know that she will follow me, but me and Pat have been together since day 1 and when he looks at me I can tell that he trusts me more than anyone in this game. My only concern is that people are not certain about Patrick for the long haul, I think everybody knows he’s so unpredictable, I think they never know what he’s going to do."


See Ali and Ryan talking...Ryan tells her that right now he’s thinking Simone
Ali: yeah, but, she said Pat’s name.
Ryan: OMG, if we vote out Pat we are probably going to lose every single time.
Ali: Well, right now I feel like we have Simone under like, eating out of our hands.
Ryan: uh huh. What are you thinking
Ali: Right now I wonder do we keep her around because she is someone easy to control or ...
Ryan: Yeah, that’s a very good point...because Pat is...
Ali: unpredictable.
Ryan: So, if we have the three with me, you, and Devon (see Devon coming out of the ocean with a mask), we are golden!
Ali: Yup, and that’s what we want to agree on....
Ryan: Yup!
Ali: With us three, that’ s all we need....really! Cause, after this, three is the majority...

Ryan: "Initially, I kind of wanted Simone out, but, it’s alot of uncertainty with Patrick. It’s like you got a newborn baby....you want to really like it, but, and take care of it, but it’s really, really annoying cause you gotta watch it every single second. He’s really good around camp and he’s great in challenges as well, but he’s unpredictable, and predictability is one of the best things I can have in an alliance. That’s why I like Devon so much, he’s loyal..."

See Ryan and Devon talking....once you and me get out of this hellhole and make it to the swap....

**Ryan keeps talking about how loyal Devon is all of the time, I am starting to get misdirection vibes now....let's see how loyal Devon is down the road!


Ryan continues: "but, it’s not like I am even dragging along a lemming, it’s Simone. She scares me, she’s really smart. I want to be aligned with predictable people who are really loyal and want to listen to me. And, tonight is about who can we trust more moving forward and who is going to be the most loyal. And, it’s really scary but you put your trust in people in this game but in a 6 person tribe there is no place to hide."

Go to TC...Jiffy tells them to get fire, part of the ritual, fire represents life....

Jiffy calls on Ryan; what is the vibe of your tribe: Sad we lost today, but we have been in it so many times and bonded so well together, see Devon...feels like it is the birthday party that your mom makes you go to, we don’t want to go to it, but....see Lauren look at him like WTF?

Jiffy: Oh, Tribal is the birthday party for the kid you don’t like
Ryan: yeah, but I want to keep everybody that ‘s going to the party but I don’t think that is going to happen, see Patrick.

Jiffy calls on Lauren: that is an unusual observation....Lauren: To me it’s not a birthday party at all, it’s more like a funeral. Hustlers usually work alone, we’re the oddest group of people. I thought I was going to have a difficult time coming in and hanging out but we are capable of working together if there is enough communication. See Ali then Devon. So, I hope it continues to work and I hope we don’t get to see you for a long time after tonight.

Jiffy asks Ali, I’m getting a sense that harmony is going to make you guys really gel, so does that make tonights vote really difficult? Ali: Yeah, not only thinking as a tribe but thinking personally, I need to know how is this person that either goes or stays going to benefit me and my tribe? This changes so rapidly and you’ve got to have people that you can trust and people that are on your side that you know you can go to them when necessary.

Jiffy asks Patrick, Ali makes a point that every person you vote out not only impacts your tribe but impact your game personally...

Patrick: Yes, we’ve come to this sad birthday party, smile, and it definitely is impacting the way I want to vote and who I am going to vote out and I want to keep our tribe the strongest and moving forward at it’s best pace.

Jiffy asks Ryan, every vote matters not only in harmony but also in strategy, cause everybody here is already looking down the line.

Ryan: first of all there are alot of facets....can focus on physicality and short term win the challenges, see Patrick, then you could say there are some that focus on social dynamics, see Simone, and try to build trust into something strategic. There are 6 different agendas up here but every body thinks there is just one plan.

Jeff asks Simone, what will the vote be based on for you?
Simone: If we were playing old school Survivor, it would be like how did the challenge go? (See Patrick) But, I think it has more to do with building up a body of people that you trust, and understanding your relationship with them so that you can move together.

Jeff asks Ali, those are the kind of words that could be used to build an alliance with to go to the end of the game with. Ali: Yes, I think once we vote we will find out wehre we stand, see Lauren, Staying with someone like this that wants to stay tight is going to be benefitial, of course.

Jiffy: Patrick, how important is trust to you right now in this group?
Patrick: Having trust is huge and I feel that I can trust most of the people here. (Ryan tilts his head and gives a quizzical look).

Jiffy notes that you didn’t say all.
Patrick says: Sorry, Jeff, I meant to say all
Jiffy: Wow, that got a big reaction, Patrick...
Patrick: It did, it was a slip of words, I’m talking too fast, it shouldn’t have come out and I am going to say that I trust ALL of my group members.
Ryan: Yeah, I’m sold....nods, they all laugh

Lauren, while Patrick jokes, what comes out out here is usually alot more authentic.
Lauren: I agree with that, you know this is very real, I mean if you mean all, say all, if you mean most, say most. This is a game.

JIffy asks Patrick how fast his heart is beating, Patrick says way faster than normal, I am way nervous right now. It makes my stomach uncomfortable that anyone could want to vote out the only red head on the tribe.
Jiffy: And yet, possible
Patrick: I am one of the most trustworthy people you could know and the last thing I want is me going, I want to be here on the last day with you.

Jiffy: How many of you are thinking, Oh God, I hope it’s not me tonight...?
They all nod, Jiffy: Everybody...
Jiffy: Ryan, 6 days, is that enough?
Ryan: Everybody gives so much to be here and I would honestly be gutted if I were to go home because your story is just chopped and you only have such a short time period to look back fondly upon that, you know that the game continued without you.
Jiffy: Simone, I agree with Ryan, if this is 100% real, this struggle is so difficult, I come from a city, I’ve never been camping before. I am scared 100% of the time. But, the good thing about being a hustler is that you challenge yourself all the time, so send me back to the bugs, I don’t want to go home.

Time to vote, Simone first voter, votes Patrick

Patrick votes Simone

Vote tally: Patrick, Simone, Simone, Simone, 2nd person out, Simone, she hugs them all

Bye

See Patrick

Jiffy: Bad news is you lost a tribe member, the good news is you are the hustler tribe, when you get knocked down, you get back up!

Thoughts: I thought many of the DAWS brought up what they do in their everyday lives and applied it to their survivor games. JP, Chrissy, Simone, Cole, Ali. We've already seen that Simone was not able to make it happen for her, even though she's a survivor in real life and lives in a real tribe.

We heard that Alan and Cole do not have a good read on things. Cole thinks he's better'd his position with Joe, while we heard Joe say the knowledge that Cole has could make him target him. Alan thinks he got what he wanted at TC last night...but we heard from every member of his tribe how they don't want to play with him, and after last night the core 4 is no more.

On the flip side, we heard Ali tell us that she's good at handling different personalities. And, we saw that she is! Everyone on that tribe likes and trusts her....she's got Patrick in her pocket. Lauren wants to get with her, Simone was with her, Ryan seeks her out and offered her a spot with three. Well done Ali!

Regarding the animal imagery: So far the whale is at heroes tribe, I think. A spider was associated with Alan. We saw snakes at Heroes camp, and then later at Hustlers camp.

Here's how I see it so far:

Insignificant players at the time being:

JP: Using his lay low and feed everyone strategy, while we heard that Chrissy thinks he's "not smart", and not sure if he's in a power couple situation or not.

Ashley: Chrissy thinks she's smart and may be in a power couple

Alan: Thinks he was successful, but doesn't see how it hurt his own position

Desi: Won Miss Virginia twice

Roark: Under the radar this episode, not rocking the boat

Jessica: She's in love

Cole: He's in love, and he knows that Joe has the idol.

Lauren: She doesn't like Patrick, she's not good with people, used to working alone

Patrick: He's a wild banshee, too loud, wants to keep them all laughing so as not to be a bullseye, but it's making him a bullseye

Middle of the Road:

Joe: Now he has the idol

Mike: Was heard from a lot in episode one, now we heard Joe say that he really likes Mike. Laying low was a positive for Dr. Mike. We heard Joe tell Mike, he's smart. I think he is.

Players to watch:

Ben: He's the voice of reason and the diplomat of the tribe, he's now hooked up with smart Chrissy.

Chrissy: She went from the bottom to the top. We are seeing events from her eyes, she has a plan, she executes, she makes a decision, and she still has plans for the super idol, later.

Ali: She gained a lot of ground this episode. She's the go to girl, with a great social game and apparently knows how to play. She's in good with Ryan and Devon, as well as with Patrick and has Lauren too.

Ryan: He's still one to watch, he's got Devon and now he's got Ali with them as well. Seemed a bit torn with the boot decision.

Devon: He's seen but not really heard this episode. He's with Ryan and now with Ali. He was quite decisive with who to boot this episode.

I know that michel always noted how much time they spend at various tribes could point to which tribe the winner is in. At this point, I am almost ready to say the winner is not on the healer tribe. Any thoughts regarding this?




"RE: Episode 2"
Posted by Sheldor on 10-08-17 at 04:04 AM
Awesome analysis FlowerPower!

"I know that michel always noted how much time they spend at various tribes could point to which tribe the winner is in. At this point, I am almost ready to say the winner is not on the healer tribe. Any thoughts regarding this?"

Seeing that the Healers have WON EVERY challenge in both Episodes (Ep1 Fire Reward, Ep1 Immunity, Ep2 Reward/Immunity) it is not surprising that Healers tribe has had less time on screen. Mainly the Mike/Joe idol drama, Joe/Cole idol hunt, and Cole/Jessica romance.


"RE: Episode 2"
Posted by michel2 on 10-08-17 at 03:07 PM
Nice work, FP! If you want my view on the characters, head over to the Bashers section! That's all I have to say about them. As for your "tribe of importance" question, I find that under Probst's direction, the story is much more about weekly events than the overall story so I wouldn,t put too much emphasis on that. Anyway, as Sheldor said, they've won everything so we've had all their important storylines. I'd even say that's it's great for them that 3 of the most important characters up to now are on that tribe.

"Ep 3...."
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 10-16-17 at 02:40 PM
LAST EDITED ON 10-17-17 AT 09:11 PM (EST)

Here is the transcript....I will be back later for my 2 cents....

At the hero tribe, Alan was aiming to take out a power couple....Alan: whatever JP and Ashley are trying to do, I’m blowing it up...
At the Healer tribe Joe and Cole went on a hunt for the idol...Joe: the fact that Cole knows I have the idol could absolutely backfire
At the Hustler tribe, Simone and Patrick were the clear targets....Lauren: Simone is not that great at challenges but even though Patrick is strong, I don’t trust him.
At TC, Patrick made a questionable remark, “I feel like I can trust most of the people here”...but in the end Simone was sent home. 16 left, who will be voted out tonight?

At Hustlers day 7

They talk about Simone’s clothes, try them on

Ryan: Simone’s clothing was up for grabs, she left alot of clothes, it was like a yard sale (NARRATIONAL), alot of clothing here, like a nice pair of boots, a nice pair of pants, a nice blazer....Patrick tries on suit, Ryan gets the boots...
....the practicality of the boots, it’s goes on and on, i mean you could avoid crabs when you are idol searching, it’s up high....finally Simone is showing her worth in some capacity.

See Lauren and Ali go off to the beach, leaving the boys back at camp. Ryan asks Patrick: Do you have a preference between the two? Patrick: Ali, to stay.
Patrick: You?
Ryan: I like Ali

Ryan: Ali is the most relatable female that is on our tribe. You know, she’s in the same age range as us, so that’s a knock on Lauren. I don’t think anybody really has anything going on with Lauren, so that’s why she’s probably the next one to go. See Patrick waving the machete, then chopping, and Ryan seeing it.

See the waves and crabs and Lauren in the ocean with Ali...
Ali: Were you nervous last night?
Lauren: Of course, I’m always nervous. How about me and you? Cause, it’s getting down to, if we go to another TC, then what?
Ali: I think if we just keep the way we are, whatever happens in the next few days...

Lauren: Even though I didn’t get any votes at TC, I still feel that I am on the outs Cause I am having a hard time making sure that I am included.

See Devon walk up to the bathing girls, Girls: come join us
Devon: Oh yeah? Am I invited?

Lauren continues: Being a single mother, I am the only one on my tribe that has a kid and my tribe members they are like high school buddies. And, I’m like the damn teacher.

Lauren, Ali, Devon bathing in the water...
Lauren: Poor Pat he got all befuddled...Pat....blah blha blah...how fast is your heart beating?
Devon: I didn’t liek what he said, that made me nervous

Lauren continues: Patrick, at Tribal, he said I trust almost everyone here. Well, I don’t know if that was really directed toward Simone or directed toward all of us? Now it’s given me the opportunity to put the target on Patrick. See Lauren talking to Ali and Devon in the water...

Cut to Ryan and Patrick walking on the beach.

Lauren to them: when you say that in front of all of us it does put us un at ease because ....all of them or most of them?

Ali: I have no idea what’s going on with Patrick. At TC he’s just blurting out words.

See Lauren: we are more calmer than he is...

....but if Patrick goes we are not going to be as strong in challenges....see Patrick and Ryan come up to them on the beach. He brings a lot to competitions and he works extremely hard, I think that’s easier to tolerate than someone that really doesn’t bring much at all. (see Lauren)
Patrick doesn’t understand that the social game is so huge for S, but at this point I sort of need him, so I need him to not say things that rub people the wrong way.

Cut to intro....

See the whale, and we are at Heroes day 7

See Alan and JP bringing wood...Alan says to him, we’re all good? JP: Yeah
See Chrissy and Ben talking at the shelter...
Chrissy: I think you and me are in the best place in this tribe (whispering)...right now, they all need to work with us. We’re in the prime position...see Ben smiling...
Ben: options!

Ben: So, 7 days into the heroes tribe you could say that Chrissy and I are driving the train. But, moving forward, Chrissy and I need to figure out who is going to be the next target.
Ashley is a good hard worker and she’s fun (see Ashley collecting wood on the beach), so the better choice is for JP or Alan. (See Alan with a machete dragging palm fronds toward the shelter). Alan and I were aligned from day one, but Alan’s a hot head and loose canon and JP, he’s walking around here like he don’t know what’s going on(see JP heading to the water with the scuba gear and spear). But, JP would be good to have around camp because he does fish and everything, so right now Chrissy and I have not made any decision... (narrational?)

See JP diving under the water...then cut to Alan chopping or trying to chop a coconut.
Alan: Ehhhhh, I’ve been having trouble with these coconuts. Everybody else has figured out how to get those coconuts open and I am struggling with them and I don’t know why.
(I think his inability to get the coconuts open is in comparison to his inability to connect with this tribemates...?

See alan: Gosh dang it....Ashley: it is a workout...

...Alan: it frustrates me that it takes me 30 minutes to get a coconut open - see Alan hacking away at the coconut...
Ben: take a break

...this is not my element at all. At the end of the day I play in the NFL and I can’t even get a coconut open. And, I’m trying to laugh about it so people don’t think “Oh this guy can’t even get a coconut open...” but, it’s tough out here!

JP arrives: I caught a fish, see Ashley staring at him...

Ashley: JP is becoming like dreamier and dreamier as the days go on, giggle. Everytime he walks out of the ocean with a different animal in his spear something happens inside me, laughs.
Ashley: that’s a good size, JP...Alan: it’s a good catch, bro!

...he’s becoming a provider and making himself alot more useful lately, and less and less like Alan as the days go by, see Alan looking at JP with the fish, Chrissy: that’s beautiful...but JP and I, well, we can’t talk to each other because on day 2 Alan decided to go absolutely nuts, calling out JP and I to be some kind of power couple...see Alan sitting there...so now, if Alan sees anything between JP and I he’s gonna point it out and he’s going to blow it up. See Alan just sitting there looking at JP with the fish.
....So, I’m ready for him to go, cause I don’t know when he’s going to go off again. I don’t know if that was some sort of master plan that he had, but either way I definitely don’t like it, and I can definitely do without him here anymore. See him sitting there just watching...

Cut to Ashley and Ben carrying water back...

Ashley: Jp beens doing more fishing lately, Alan’s been cutting more coconuts lately...I feel like they both are trying to be more valuable lately, which is good...I guess
Ben: Right...
Ashley: But, you have to think about your own personal game...Alan, he makes his moves out loud, (See Alan bring the palms to the shelter with the machete in hand), it just doesn’t seem like a safe bet.
Ben: Right, but neither does JP. (See JP fishing in the ocean). He is just a puppy waiting to be led somewhere.
Ashley: But, he could be our puppy.
Ben: yeah, but
Ashley: We could train him, smiles
Ben: yeah, but anyone else with a piece of meat dangling in front of his face
Ashley: right
Ben: ....he’s gonna go towards them.
Ashley: Yeah, but I feel like Alan would do the same....all my tribe thinks I am crazy

Ben conf: Ashley is grouped into a power couple, that’s the whole Alan thing, now whether or not that’s true, I cannot fully trust Ashley at this point because she keeps pulling for JP to stay in the game which makes me think that JP and Ashley are still working together, (See JP return from fishing with his fins). And, normally as a power couple on S, it don’t work out good. Cut from Ashley staring to Ben.

Then, cut to vibrant happy, upbeat music and zooming into the Healer beach. ....why? Cause they are happy to be winning, because there are young lovers there, or is someone else there?

Healers, Day 7

Cole to Joe: Joe, want to help us get the boat out?
Jess: Are we bringing this bag?
Cole: We can bring both bags in case we catch that big fish


Joe: I’m feeling good! We’ve won every challenge, we are a dominant tribe. Life at camp is great. Everyone is still on the same page with (see Mike walking off into the woods), Mike being the number one vote out because I got everyone believing that Mike has the idol. So, I’m cool and collected right now things really couldn’t go better at this point. The only thing is Cole knows I have the idol so I just, I mean that is a concern of mine. (watches Jess and Cole pushing the boat out to sea...) I don’t think Cole has told anybody but I am definitely concerned about his relationship with Jessica. They’ve been spending alot of time together fishing and things like that. You know Cole is like a love bird and that love bird disease is dangerous, it’s worse than the flu...

Music picks up, then cut to Jessica underwater fishing...See Cole sunbathing on the raft....

Jessica; the fishing experience is 100% a bonding for Cole and I because it’s really the only time we get to be alone together and we are really forming a connection. (See Cole coming back to the raft where Jessica is, “I got one”, she says, “ohhhhh, exciting!”)
...then, in life outside of S I move like a slug when it comes to romance. Like, I don’t even know if I know what romance means? To be honest, I come from a super religious background and I am a virgin....(see Cole in the raft, and Jessica, this is awesome I could stay out here for a really long time!)

....so, my face feels red thinking about him thinking about me! Laughs. Being a couple in S is hard and it’s dangerous. So, we’ll just have to wait and see. We have a long time left together, I hope. Laughs

Cut to them lying in the sun on the beach together.
Cole: Well, are you enjoying yourself?
Jessica: Yeah, I’m having a blast. Like, I like to be out here, away from the game.
Cole: um hum...
Jessica: You know like I can let my head breathe
Cole: Well, I’ll shut up about the game then...
Jessica: Nooooo, I want to talk about the game.
Cole: I can guarantee you that you are safe...
Jessica: Yeah......I better be. She looks at him....You can’t get to the end without me! Laughs...
Cole: I don’t know about that...
But, I 100% know that Mike doesn’t have the idol
Jessica: Yeah
Cole: Because of some other information...
Jessica: what other information?

Cole, conf: I feel like I have a shot with Jessica. After our outing today, she kept showing me more of herself and I kept liking it, there’s just not anything that I can find wrong with her, honestly. So I’m just defining her as my dream girl, I guess...so, I decided I wanted to share with her some information...

to Jessica on the beach...
Cole: So, Joe has the idol...we found it together.
Jessica: OMG, I am so happy, hugs him, kisses his cheek, That gets a kiss on the cheek...

Jessica; having the knowledge that Joe has the idol, brings me so much happiness!

Cole: I’m going to go rinse off...

....secrets are really powerful in this game of Survivor, so it’s to my benefit that I know Joe’s secret. (see Joe). That’s power. So, I’m elated, I gave him a kiss on the cheek....my kisses are very private, like my lips don’t go near other people’s cheeks very often, so this is big!

Cut to Hustlers tribe, see Ryan drinking out of the canteen and see Andrew walk past him and hear the snake rattles! Foreshadowing! Patrick continues to walk alone into the jungle...As they all watch him go off...Ryan sees him searching for the idol.

Ryan: I think Patrick is searching for the idol, and the thing about the idol, this is like S 101 kinda, You don’t really search for the idol in front of everybody because it’s not good relationship building and it makes every body paranoid.

See the tribe talk about Patrick going to search for the idol.

Patrick: I do kinda have idol fever, I want the idol. Now I’m not really hiding looking for the idol and maybe that will turn around and bite me but being a hustler we are always moving along. Pun intended. I have a moving company in Auburn, Alabama and the moving industry does not stop. Wheels always on the road, feet always on the ground, always in motion. That’s why I work harder than all my tribe members looking for an idol.
Ali: Me and Patrick have a pretty good relationship but he doesn’t really have a social game, and I want to look out for him. So, I think for my game I need to help Patrick mesh better with the group.

See Ali talking to Patrick on the beach warning him quit looking for the idol in front of everyone, going to make people think, “why is he so worried?”

Patrick in conf: She’s looking out for my best interests and I am looking out for hers as well.

Ali: I don’t want your name to be next, and my name to be next

....Ali tells me to cool it is difficult because that takes away from my personality ...I may not be able to create relationships if I am not able to be me.

Ali continues, don’t dwell on it, can’t change the past...look to the future, you learn though, as she turns around and looks at him. Learn from it!
Patrick: I will

Cut to Healers day 8 AT the campfire
They have cooked something, and someone says that it’s pretty good, Joe complains, mine is raw...Shows Desi....Desi says, I just don’t think we can be picky. See Jessica observing.
Joe: I mean it’s not being picky it’s .....totally raw.
Desi: I’ll eat it, I don’t care.
Joe: If you’ll eat the raw ones, go for it, as he tosses the piece of vegetable away.

Desi: Joe had an issue with the way we cooked the potatoes...they are not how he wanted them at home. And, if it’s not cooked to his liking he will chuck it in the woods. He couldv’e offered it to somebody else to eat. in S you can’t be so off putting, truly food is scarce.

Joe complaining to group: I can’t eat raw food, don’t know how you all do it
Roark: Joe, you are welcome to cook next time.
Joe: it will be alot more edible if we just let it rock out for a little bit

Cole: Joe complains a lot around camp so he’s already rubbed some people the wrong way, see Roark and Desi. And then, on top of that, Joe has the idol. And, the more I thought about Joe having the idol, the more I realize that Joe has all the power, and I don’t like that at all.

See Jessica and Cole speaking on the beach, Cole wearing shirt: Cole: So, here’s one idea. Joe has the idol and if we were to lose the tonight, Joe would be super confident that Mike would go home. See Joe through the smoke of the fire....then see Mike.
Jessica: So, blindside? I totally thought that last night.
Cole: Blindside him and send him home with the idol in his pocket.

Cole....The idol is unpredictable especially in an unpredictable players hands and it has a lot of power and I don’t want that power being thrown around without my say in it.

Cole and Jessica sit down at the fire, with Roark...
Cole: So, I ‘m going to tell you something real quick...Joe has the idol. Jessica stares at Cole...

Jessica, conf: Cole just word vomits that Joe has the idol. And, I was like, ‘What are you doing? ‘ like it’s too soon, like why are you sharing that information

Cole: like we found it together so we could potentially, if we lose tonight we could split the votes between Joe and Mike

Jessica; I think that he needed to wait and see what happens after the challenge then talk to me again, and then we decide is this what WE want to do

Cole to Roark: If we get rid of Mike this time and Joe is still left with the idol ...he’s gonna be alot more suspicious that he’s on the chopping block..
Roark: shakes her head yes, that’s a good point

Roark: Joe is an amazing blindside candidate because he is locked in on Mike. So, I am in full buy in with the Joe blindside and enjoy your idol as a souvenier plan.

Desi arrives and sits down...
Cole: So, I was thinking Joe over Mike...(see Joe walking in the woods) tonight, potentionally...see Desi shaking her head, YES.
Cole: He’s not a strong swimmer, he’s not super strong at puzzles, he’s a bigger guy to feed
Desi: And, he complains a lot.
See Jessica watching them.
Cole: Right now would be the best time to take him out because Mike thinks that he is on the bottom ...he will go where ever I want him to go (talking about Mike?)
Roark: I like the thought process, Cole
Desi: Yeah

Jessica: I’m pissed off at Cole for running his mouth. He lost a lot of power with me by telling Roark and Desi. And, the last thing that we want is for Joe to find out that we know because he could play his idol and any of our heads would be on the chopping block. See that Joe and Mike have returned to the shelter.
Jessica continues: And, Coles first. So right now, him wanting to blindside Joe....I am not sure that is the best strategy at this point. Cut to a frame of Jessica looking on after Cole opened his mouth at camp...not too happy.

Cut to IC

They all see that Simone was voted out. Jiffy explains the challenge...over, under bars, then climb up and then go down the netting, then throw sand bags to knock off different sized blocks, then stack blocks, get back on the mat, winner wins chickens, 2nd place wins a dozen eggs. Loser gets nuttin but a date with Jiffy where someone will be voted out and the 3rd player out of the game.

Go...

Jiffy commentary :Under and over...that’s it, everybody doing great outta the gate, everyone to the mat, now every body over, Ashley over, Cole over, Pushing up Lauren, Heroes up and over quickly, Roark is last healer and Devon the last hustler, go....Ben tossing for heroes, Cole for healers, Patrick for Hustlers, Ben with nice hit, JP comes in for Ben, Joe switches with Cole, hear Lauren ask to take a turn...he refuses, JP down to one block left, Joe has another hit, down to 2, Joe has one more, and there it is....grapb the blocks, JP hits last one, gathering blocks, still asking Pat to switch, he refuses...Patrick the only one to hit for the hustlers, go....

Jessica is stacking, Chrissy is stacking Healers think they have it, no....they are missing a block....Joe sees the block, huge mistake by the healers....Chrissy has it, they win.....Jessica back up for the healers, and they go...and win immunity and reward, sending hustlers to TC again, see Patrick, Ali then Lauren.

See Patrick...see Lauren...Cole gets the eggs....Patrick what’s the feeling going back to Tribal...Yes, Jeff we all like each other and we all get along well, depressing, Lauren, yet we are going

Lauren in conf.: We just lost the challenge but Patrick didn’t want to stop, he’s like a one man show ...I’ve been playing center field for 25 years, I can hit a catcher in the forehead. And, I think everybody is pretty much over Patrick for they way he performed today and I want to make sure that Patrick is going home.

Back to the whale and whale sounds....Hustlers day 8 returning....Patrick apologizes...


Patrick in conf.: So, at the challenge I wasn’t hitting all of the targets like I should’ve been, I should have let somebody sub in for me

See Lauren tell Patrick when he apologizes...You can’t justify it...

...Lauren’s not happy with me but by looking at her, I don’t think her coming in for me would’ve changed much.

See them all in the shelter, Patrick says: I’m sorry guys
Ryan and all of them tell him, don’t be sorry...
Devon: I know you tried your hardest and that is all that matters
Lauren gets up to leave...she’s going to rinse off...
Patrick asks, well, guys??
Devon: We are good, she wants you out, we are getting her out. That’s all there is to it.
Ali: I mean, I think she assumes
Patrick says that’s great
Ali: why?
Patrick, I am being very sarcastic
Ryan: Don’t even worry

Patrick: So tonight, I’ve got the guys on my side, I’ve got Ali on my side, and I am comfortable knowing that Lauren is going home, but I don’t want her going around worrying, so I’ve tried to continue to have her as part of my conversation and making her enjoy herself here.


See Patrick go to Lauren who is out in the ocean rinsing off....Patrick: You good?
Lauren: About as good as I can be...how about you?
Patrick: I feel terrible, complains about not knocking the blocks down
Lauren: we kept telling you we would switch out with you, could tell you were tired...and, I played outfield for 25 years...me and Ali kept saying that. But, you act like we weren’t even there. It’s like a one man team there.

Lauren: To lose today, I mean I am bummed out about it. But, Patrick wouldn’t quit, he really did cost us ....I would much rather lose as a team than one person lose for everybody

Lauren to Patrick: I am assuming you all are going to try to vote me out tonight...
Patrick: I don’t know if that’s right?
Lauren: So, if it’s not me, who else is it if you got someone else in mind? Cause I can look at you and tell you got me in mind.
Patrick: Yeah, but...
Lauren: Yeah, but what?
Patrick: Yeah, but I don’t want to go home.

Lauren continues....Redheads don’t do very well at lying, so

Lauren: So, you costing me the win is voting me out tonight? That makes no sense whatsoever.

....all he could do is grin. So, I know for a fact that Patrick will write my name down. You know to be a good fisherman, do I sit here and wait for the same fish to come by? No, I try numerous different things and I never throw my hands up with out trying my hardest.

Hear a screaming hawk.

Then cut to Ali and Lauren going off to talk about Patrick....Lauren complains that the worst part was him just grinning at me, like it’s funny...Ali complains about how he was at the challenge...

Ali: Patrick being the strong guy that he is was supposed to be the strong one in the challenge but again, when it came down to it, we didn’t win (see Patrick bashing as tick against the tree and he hurts his finger). Just is kind of like a repetition for us, so I have to figure out if Patrick being around is really an advantage any more.

Cut to Patrick and you hear a snake percussion sound....

Lauren talks to Ryan....
Lauren: don’t take this offensively, you’re the oddball and I am the old woman...
Ryan: Yeah
Lauren: Now that Simone’s gone, it’s them three, and I trust Ali, and I trust Devon, but I don’ t trust Patrick. He’s a wild card.
Ryan: Yeah

Cut to Ryan walking with Devon....Ryan: Lauren just came up to me and said, it’s going to be Patrick...she said to me, your’e the odd ball and I’m the old lady, so....
Devon: What matters is that we have everyone coming to us...
Ryan: Exactly

Ryan: Devon and I we are in position where we can kind of dictate the vote. The options now are vote off Lauren, or vote off Pat.

Hear Devon ask: what do you think?

Ryan continues: This is obviously a big decision and I don’t exactly know what to do yet

See Devon and Ryan at the water hole...
Devon starts to say: I mean Pat’s just....and he’s shaking his head like he wants it to be Pat out....Ryan interrupts him...
Ryan: I want to save Pat, and then get rid of Lauren tonight, and then it’s just boys to the merge. So what do you want to do? Pat and Lauren hate each other...Devon: Yeah, but I think I would rather go to the merge with Lauren than with Pat...
Ryan: We don’t know if we’ll get to the merge...I’m going back and forth...

Devon: Pat stepped up at the challenge but, If you step up, you better be able to deliver (See Pat trying to break the tree limb unsuccessfully...) It was just Pat choking, and I do believe we lost because of that....Lauren, see Lauren walking on the beach, on the other hand, she’s very steady, I trust her, but she doesn’t really fit in with the other tribe members. And, if we keep Lauren around we are more likely to lose the next immunity challenge and we’ve already lost 2 in a row

Lauren in conf.: I can be a hot head but at the same time, I know when to turn it on and I know when to turn it off. I feel like i’ve done every thing that I can do, but obviously I’m a hustler for a reason. See them leaving for TC. So, if it is me going home tonight, I can promise you I am not going to go home without a fight...


Jealously rears it’s head. ....Jessica is mad at Cole, and did Devon get jealous of the relationship that Ryan had with Patrick?

TC:

To Lauren: 8 days in you have lost 2 out of 3 immunity challenges. At what point to you guys stop talking about how well you get along and start owning the fact that it just isn’t working now with this group? Today, that challenge should have been a win for us but one of us kind of took it to his own level and tried to complete it by themselves.
To Patrick: Patrick, she can only be talking about you...and the sand bags, right? yes...Patrick says he shouldn’t have taken the entire time for himself
Lauren: I agree, he shouldn’t have taken all the time himself, I played outfield for 25 years, we have to lose together and we have to win together. Today, we didn’t lose together.
Patrick: it’s an adrenaline rush
Lauren: I understand that
Patrick says he understands
To Ali: what was your take, Ali: He did call an executive decision, he stayed in, who knows if that is why they lost, don’t know if anyone would have done better, see Lauren. For me, I don’t like to dwell on things in the past, we need to look forward.
To Patrick: does that give you a little bit of comfort, not to be judged on one little aspect
Patrick: Yes, he wanted those chickens
To Lauren: we still have to play as a team and he showed today that Patrick is not exactly a team player. He’s a good idol hunter, that’s all he does. He admitted I’m constantly looking. Says that he is showing the strategy that he’s uncomfortable and needs to look for the idol. I haven’t looked for it yet...if he’s hunting, maybe we should all go hunting.
To Patrick: You had a big reaction that she is not even looked yet...
Patrick: She could have the idol, so when she says she hasn’t looked it’s a big sigh of relief. On the beach today she said she didn’t want to hear my b*llsh!t, who are you voting for
Lauren interrupts: Let’s say what really happened, you approached me with a grin, who are you voting for tonight...I’ve never believed a redhead a day in my life...they all laugh...Jeff, I will say one of us is going to be blindsided...
Patrick agrees, somebody will be blindsided, for sure, see Ali’s face
to Ryan: it’s kind of like you are in a relationship...
Ryan: I’ve never been in a relationship, girls smile, Jiffy says, “okay”, Ryan asks: Do you know somebody...
Jiffy says it’s kind of like you are in a relationship and you go to therapy, and you get there and they say, let’s just talk. Get it out and things will get better.
Do you think the tribe airing is to get movement going?
Ryan: yeah, we all think we are happy, but it’s not, somebody is influencing the group in a negative way
to Devon: is it possible it’s just the chemistry of the group?
Devon: yes, my vote tonight is headed in that direction....what is going to get that chemistry going again so that we can win the next challenge.
Lauren: I think my vote is going to be for the same reason. Chemistry to keep us rolling. Not necessarily what was done but how to make it better.
Ryan: but also we need to think about the merge and socially which group is going ....strategically, what the heck are we going to present strategically to them. Are we going to show them how to do challenges after that? That’s just not going to happen. Ali laughs.
To Patrick: do you feel that pressure too? If there is a merge coming, Man what are we going to do?
Patrick: For sure, we are already lower numbers than the other tribes ...how can we work together to gain numbers. Who can talk the best, who can make friends the easiest...that is something that I can offer, I can make people feel loved and comforted and that’s part of making friends and getting an alliance.
To Ali: that was an honest answer from Patrick
Ali: I guess that’s his opinion, right? He doesn’t get along with Lauren and we’ve been together already for 8 days....so how easy is it going to be for him when they’ve already been with each other for 8 - 10 days and clicked? And, we have to try and squeeze ourselves in there.
Jiffy notes Patrick is smiling
Patrick: I always welcome criticism because I know I am not a perfect person, I know I have difficulties and growing like everyone else and hearing Ali tell me that I’m not necessarily a good social player and hearing Lauren tell me that I am not listening to the team during challenges, you know, it is a wake up call to me.
To Patrick: you just took two lethal criticisms from 2 people and you say you welcome it, I’m learning?
Patrick: Right, and I want to grow through all of this.
To Ryan: is it too big of a stretch to watch the talk between Patrick and Ali and Lauren to possibly flip a tribe?
Ryan: TC has so much momentum and you can learn so much, see Devon, that you just come together and say, ‘this is the group’, this is the moment that we are going to shine up this crappy little tricycle and try to sell it to these other tribes that have actually had success. Now, we are not going to be used as pawns. That is not what we are saying at all, but we are not going to be coming in as CEO’s, maybe mopping th e floor at first but, I’m not giving up. I know nobody here is giving up and I know that we are the only tribe that is going to have real unity. That is something unique about us and they don’t have that.
Devon nods his head in agreement.

Time to vote...

Insignificant players at this time:

Desi: Her only confessional was to complain about Joe.

Roark: She's up for blindsiding Joe.

JP: Seen but not heard. Go ask Ozzy how being the provider pays off.

Ashley: On the others radar as part of a power player.

Alan: We have heard his entire tribe come together and talk about getting him out, but let's face it, he was a professional athlete and he could be a winning force on anyone's team.

Players on the brink:

Cole: He's in a romance. He has a big mouth. He's a young buck. Could possibly find an idol of his own.

Jessica: Goes on and on about having the hots for Cole, despite being a virgin. Mad that he told others their secret...Is she really there to play the game?

Mike: Jiffy gave him a big preface....since then he's flown under the radar and could emerge later. He is making headway with Joe.

Joe: Has an idol, but needed Cole to help him get it. No one likes him, he eats a lot, bad at challenges. I think he is not long for this game.

Lauren: She's on the brink all right....but, she is not afraid to go to bat for herself and that could be worth a lot in this game.

Contenders for the win....or at least for end game...

Ryan: We saw how the alliances shook out according to Ryan. He has his partner, someone that he "thinks" lacks strategy. He's cemented to Devon, and apparently with Ali as well. He has to look forward to hooking up with Chrissy at some point.

Ben: He's rock steady, he was the voice of reason in the first episode. But, he's sounding a bit confident lately...perhaps a bit too confident?

Ali: We have heard how everyone goes to Ali. She weighs heavily on the social game. She admitted it was her strength, and the actions of others validate that. She also wasn't going to let Patrick weight her down. She's now shown she's not afraid to make the difficult moves.

Devon: We have seen how Devon has hooked up with Ryan as per Ryan's request. But, this episode we saw that Ryan wanted the guys to stay strong to the merge, but Devon wanted Lauren to stay. Lauren stayed. Interesting.

Chrissy: She was almost booted the first episode, but now has a fake idol to use as she sees fit. She's enlisted Ben. She has yet to hook up with Ryan and company. She's not the physical threat, but we have seen her assessments and her conclusions. Smart lady.



"Episode 4"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 10-24-17 at 06:16 PM
Previously on Survivor:

At the hero tribe, Chrissy was running the show with Ben. Chrissy: We’re in the prime position.
...while Ashley and Alan were butting heads...Alan: Are we strong or not, Ashley: Dude, you are tripping!
...At the Healer tribe, Jessica and Cole were loving???, and sharing secrets...Cole: Joe has the idol.”
...At the Hustler tribe, Patrick and Lauren went after each other...Lauren: I’m assumingyou will try to vote me out tonight...
...And, at TC, Patrick lost the battle. 15 left, who will be voted out tonight?

Chrissy gets the positive, with Ben. Ashley and Alan are on the outs, Jessica and Cole pre-conflict, Lauren perseveres, leaving a cohesive unit?

Day 9 ~ Challenge arena

Reactions when they see Patrick voted out: went immediately to Alan.....Ohhhhhh, WOW.

Camera focuses on these individuals when Jiffy says “drop your buffs”:

Yellow tribe first, Jessica?, then close up of a serious Ryan...then Chrissy and Alan...Alan centered between Chrissy and Ashley. Devon: Wild.

Chrissy gets the first conf: It’s day 9 and we were all starting to get a little bit comfortable. But, when Jeff says drop your buffs, all of that gets erased, and it’s a brand new game. (The Actuary sums up her assessment).

Reveal: JP see Ashley’s blue, and whispers “stay blue” as he opens his....(once a power couple, always a power couple?)

Jessica conf: I instantly look over at Cole’s and saw that he had a red buff too, my palms were sweaty, my heart was racing...it was awesome.

See the red tribe hug and say “welcome”.

Then you see Chrissy looking at Ryan, and he says, “Ryan”, and she acknowledges the introduction, “Ryan, okay!”.

Then see Blue tribe, Devon looks at Ashley...Devon: This is rad.

Jiffy sums it up: 2 heroes with Ashley and Alan, 2 Healers, Desi/Joe, 1 Hustler, Devon
Desi thinks they didn’t fair too badly

Desi in conf: The swap worked out really well for me, we have 3 of the strongest men, (focus, zoom in on Alan), we have Ashley who is a super strong swimmer, so I know, I think that we are in a great situation physically. I don’t think there is any reason we couldn’t dominate.

Soko: 2 Hustlers, Ryan/Ali, 2 Heroes, Chrissy and JP, 1 Healer, Roark. Roark notes she’s concerned and it’s an opportunity...excited to introduce them to her beach, hopes we can all be friends. (shot of Chrissy and Ryan ~ foreshadowing).

Yawa: See Jessica. 3 Healers: Jessica, Dr. Mike, and Cole, 1 Hustler with Lauren, and 1 Hero with Ben, Ben tips his hat. Ben acknowledges that he’s alone and that it looks pretty bad, see Jessica in foreground....”for me, and what was your name again? Lauren...but we walked over here and they opened arms and gave us all hugs, think we are going to do all right. (suspenseful music playing with rapid tempo).

Ben conf: Being split up from Chrissy, that’s a shot in the foot right there. Things were well oiled and greased and things were moving, see a shot of Ben and Chrissy looking at each other from seperate mats. ...So, I am going to have to put some work in and I am not just going to roll over and die. But, my odds at this point are real low to move forward, I’m scared.

First RC:...3 members attached to rope, untangle rope, then hook sled, pull back, then 2 solve an upright puzzle. Playing for PB&J...Winner take all...See Cole/Ben, Jessica says come on guys....

Go....Red is out fast, first stage how well groups of strangers can learn to communicate...Ben, Lauren and cole moving faster by the second, have a rhythm...Yellow catching up....over and under, Jo, Alan, and Ashley struggle, hear Desi coaching Joe...Red in lead, then yellow....Desi, gotta move a little faster...Yellow in lead, now have to throw and hook the ring, to pull sled...Ben gets the hok, pull sled...Jessica and Dr. Mike work on puzzle, Alan throwing for Levu...

Jessica is bossy, Focus on the end...now yellow hooks...now they puzzle solve with Chrissy and Ali...Alan feeling the pressure

Jessica and Dr Mike have big time advantage...

Mike smashes Jessica’s fingers, she looks mad, she is so bossy....”put it in” She is nasty to Mike...they win....Jessica hugs Lauren, then Cole...

See Alan is focused on by uncle cameraman.

See Red....see Cole then Jessica

See Yellow, Ali

Ali conf: now that the H, H, H are all switched up, you have to step up a level, and you gotta perform!

This episode has alot of zoom in’s on Alan!

Red Tribe day 9: Yawa: Nice set up !

Ben in conf: First initial impression of our tribe, there is a little bit of comfort in knowing that we work well together, and won that PB & J. (See Jessica, then Lauren) 3 Healers, 1 Hustler, and 1 Hero, that’s a target, Bang, right on my tail.

See Jessica take her bag of chips

....so I have to earn my way around here and gain trust to keep my butt in the game.

As we see them eating in the shelter, camera zooms in on Jessica’s chips, as they talk...”My name is Cole, originally from Arkansas but now in Wyoming”, see Jessica pick up her bag of chips and open them...

Jessica conf: While the whole tribe is getting to know each other, I look in my chip bag and there is, to my surprise, the words, secret advantage. It looked like a big chip, I almost ate it. And, then I am like well that would have been awful! giggle. I probably stared at it a little too long, then I was like, Jessica, you are staring at your chips too long, until I can get a better read on it, so then I just rolled it up.

See Jessica walking down the beach alone...as we see all the others in the water pumping Ben for information....”Chrissy looks really nice”, Yeah, “but, Alan, he looks like he could be a hot head!”....Yeah, says Ben.

Camera zooms in on Jessica back at the shelter...”I’m the luckiest girl ever!” See an iguana looking up at her...

She unrolls it and reads, “This advantage gives you the power to block one person from voting at the next TC. You will send this anonymously to someone on your tribe. They will not know it’s power until they open it at TC...

Confessional continues: Right now I feel like I have a ton of power ~ I have the opportunity to block another players vote at the next TC.

Reading the secret advantage con’d: If you do not go to TC, you must send this to someone on the losing tribe.

....confessional: I can only imagine what kind of chaos this could cause when it’s actually used, so I feel lucky that I found it. Somebodies angel was like, bing, there you go, my friend.

Cut to her telling Cole & Mike....found a secret advantage in my chip bag...Long story short...If we go to TC, I can block someone’s vote...so it doesn’t count, but it has to be used at the next TC.

Cole in conf: Jessica just gave me a huge piece of knowledge and knowledge is power in Survivor. When I shared with Jessica that Joe had an idol, instantly her next move was to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and say I trust you now, Cole. So, I plan to use that method with other people.

Time passes, clouds in fast motion, a bat seen scratching it’s head...see Ben and Cole at the water hole. Cole to Ben: So, I’ll share a secret with you....Jessica found an advantage that cancels out, one of you alls votes.
Ben: Really?
Cole: Yeah.
Ben: Wow, they fist bump

Cole confessional continues: Jessica’s secret is kinda like my olive branch to extend to people. I can extend it to them and maybe they will see me as more trustworthy because I tell them something that I had no obligation to in the first place.

Cut to Cole telling Lauren...
Cole: So, Jessica found an advantage, it was in her bag of potato chips. It blocks somebodies vote at the next TC.
Ben is there too....
Lauren to Cole: But, how can we believe that though?
Ben: He didn’t have to disclose this to us though...
Lauren: No, he didn’t

Lauren in confessional: Supposedly, Jessica got an advantage in the bottom of her chip bag, which is odd that Cole told us that. It could be that Cole just told us that to make us believe in him. (See Jessica and Cole dancing)...And, if he is, that’s just great. But, I would rather put my faith in my own hands, so I will be using your little secret to my advantage. (See Cole and Jessica dancing the shag, and he dips her and she screams....

Yellow, Soko, Day 9: Ryan comments on the beautiful beach, Ali concurs

Roark in conf: The new Soko consists of myself, JP & Chrissy from Heroes, and Ryan and Ali from the Hustlers. I pretty much went from the tribe of 6 Healers that were super tight to the lone healer at Soko beach.

Ryan conf: The swap brings such anxiety, but I was very lucky that Chrissy swapped onto my tribe because I awarded her the super immunity idol that I found on the boat on day one and I ensured her that she would not be the one going home that night, so I have an in!

Hear Ryan and Chrissy going off and talking....
Ryan: I just think it’s cool that you are from Jersey
Chrissy: I know!
Ryan: I think we will be friends
Chrissy: I think so too...
Ryan: You know, I will tell you something...so, I found an advantage on day one on the boat....as he looks at her....okay? And, that advantage was the I could save someone at the first TC, (she’s got a very big smile on her face!), like you.
She looks at him...Chrissy: I know why you are telling me this, obviously,
Ryan: Yeah
Chrissy: Thank you! Why did you pick me?
Ryan: I just had a good vibe...and, I wanted to really play the game with you.
Chrissy: I felt very loved, actually when I got it...
Ryan: Well, shaking his head, yes, well, it was an easy decision for me...
Chrissy: You are so nice, thank you so much
Ryan reaches for her and they hug, nice soft music playing...

Chrissy in confessional with enthusiasm: Ryan, he blew my mind, he totally gave me the super idol and seriously made me feel so loved. I thought what was it that he looked over at me on that ship and thought I looked like a kind person he wanted to play this game with? Maybe he thought that I looked like his mother? Smile. And, he wanted to play the game with his mother. I don’t know?

Cut to them continuing to talk...
Chrissy: I give you my word that....I hate to say I will pay you back, cause I don’t mean it’s one for one, but you know what I mean.
Ryan gets it

Chrissy conf. cont’d: I am absolutely thrilled, I feel very very secure because now I have one more person that can help me get further in this game.

Levu ~ Day 9....see a crab crawling under a rocky crevice....then see a predator bird looking for him....

Alan tells them, welcome home, introductions. Joe admires the beach...gorgeous...

Desi conf: Right now we have 2 heroes, we have Alan and Ashley, 2 Healers, Me and Joe, and one, in what I think is the strongest of all the Hustlers, in Devon in the middle. See Devon. (See Alan) It would be easy for the 4 of us to just vote Devon out but I would rather work with him because he is potentially the swing vote.

Cut to Alan and Ashley in the shelter...
Alan: how are you feeling?
Ashley: I think we got some good people...
Alan: Yeah, we do.

Ashley conf: If there was one person out of all 3 tribes that I did not want on my new tribe, that would have been Alan. (See Alan). He’s proven to be this wild card, you know he’ll just call you out and throw you under the bus and he’s already done it to me and so, I was really nervous.

Cut to them talking in the shelter again...

Alan: I know I got history with you. But, I’m not flipping on you.
Ashley: Yeah, all that stuff between you and me, that’s between you and me...

See Joe approaching.

Ashley: It doesn’t matter, that was last chapter...

Ashley continues in confessional: Luckily, I think Alan is a as nervous as I am, even though I don’t trust him, I do trust that he doesn’t want to go home.

Ashley to Alan: I think one of the healers have to go...
Alan: no question, they’ve got six...

See Devon coming out of the ocean

...and, that’s what we gotta make Devon see.

See a snake moving in between the rocks. And, it lifts his head out of the water...

Desi, Devon, and Joe are on the shoreline in the rocks...
Desi to Devon: So Devon, where’s your head out right now?
Devon: I’m just trying to get further in this game, you know?
Desi: Right.
Devon: I mean I would love to find some people that I can trust...
See Joe looking down...

Joe conf: Thanks to the swap, it’s a whole new game. When I was with the Healers we won every challenge, so I had no worries. But, now, I am not as confident. I do have an idol but I am not taking any chances. Devon’s a swing vote but I want him on my side.

Hear Joe talking to Devon
Joe: The thing is, they kind of, like, came to us and was, like....why don’t we take Dev out? Hear a dramatic musical note, and see Devon swing his head to look at Joe...

Con’d in confessional, Joe: I may be a healer but I am also a strategic player, so I said, listen Devon, the two heroes, they want to vote you out, see Alan..., but, I made it up, and I don’t care. You know this is a game of being deceitful so I am gonna do what I have to do...
Devon asks them: Was it both of them or just Alan?
Joe: Both
See Desi...


Devon conf: I don’t know if I can really trust Joe. But, this is really the first time that I have felt, shoot, I might be going home next...so, I gotta figure out my next move. (We see Alan and Ashley walking on the beach together.)...Or, I feel like I could be in big trouble. Scene ends with a close up of Devon looking worried.

Island music, Yawa Day 10

We see Jessica and Cole take the raft to go out....Lauren turns to Mike and Ben and says, I thought we were all going out there...Lauren comments about everytime you see “them”, they are like this....she puts her two fingers together....Ben nods.

Lauren conf: Ben and I are a little out numbered here. The only way to gain a little bit of control here would be to get Dr. Mike to join us. See Mike, with thiem. So, if Dr. Mike doesn’t know that Jessica got the advantage, I’m going to use that against those two...see Cole go under water.

Lauren to Mike in the shelter

Lauren: Do you think there was an advantage yesterday?
Mike: I don’t know, that’s a good question, I hadn’t thought about it....he looks away (a tell).
Mike: Like where would it have been? It would have been in the basket, right?
Lauren: yeahhhhh, well I heard there was one in the chip bag yesterday, and I didn’t get it, and you didn’t get it...and, he didn’t get it(Ben)...and you don’t know about it...you know what I am saying?
Mike nods...

Mike, conf: So, Lauren says, there was an advantage in the game, which clearly somebody from my tribe has then told her. It is clear to me it is Cole. See Cole with the snorkel gear smiling at Jessica....Because Cole, sometimes he can’t keep his mouth shut and those things come back to bite you in the butt....

See the clouds in fast motion, time goes by,

Mike approaches the raft....Mike to Jess: Jess, if you guys are playing me, I’m gonna *&^%$@!(* kill you.
Jessica: Replies snippily: What are you talking about?
Mike: Those guys, they know a lot of %$#&
Jessica: Without patience.....Like WHATTTT?
(I have to say that Jessica sounds like such a brat, the way she talks to Mike...)
Mike: Like, they know about your advantage.
Jessica to Mike: They know about my advantage?

Jessica conf: When he said that they know about your secret advantage, everything in me crashed. Because, only 2 people knew, Cole and Mike. So, one of them opened their mouth.

Mike to Cole: Did you tell Lauren about the advantage?
Cole: NO
MIke: She was like, Mike, did you knnow there was an advantage?
She was like, “it was in the potato chips.”
Cole: How would she know about that?
Mike: I have no idea...

Cole, conf: In my head I am instantly just like, crap crap crap...Jessica is going to look at me and think Cole, you betrayed me. See Mike go back to the beach

Jessica to Cole: Either you or Mike told them...only I didn’t tell Lauren.
Cole: I certainly wouldn’t have gone and told Lauren. There is no benefit to tell her...
Jessica: Somebody told her...
Silence
Cole: I mentioned it to Ben.
Jessica throws her head down.
Cole: I’m so sorry, I thought it would extend trust to him.

Jessica in conf: Cole burned me bad. He can’t even keep a secret for a day.

Cole to Jess: It’s the same reason I told you about the idol...
Jess: I know...Cole, but you have to protect that knowledge a little bit. It’s my perogative on who I tell and what I have, you know?

Confessional continued: He hurt me, whether he meant to or not, he did. But, I would never admit that to him. When I get hurt I always wonder, was it me? And, did I choose to form a relationship with someone that I just shouldn’t have, and that’s why I got hurt. That’s how I feel now with Cole. Did I make a poor decision from the beginning, and how do I move forward in this game thinking that? So, yeah, I had to swallow that, yeah, it hurt.

DAY 11, cut to the IC.

See Ryan, then Dr. Mike, See Mike and Cole, then JP...gets the idols back. See Joe....then Ali...race out to large crateof puzzle peices, through table obstackle then under net, arrange puzzle pieces so each intersection is same color.
When he said, 4th person voted out of this game see a close up of Jessica.

Go

crate of pieces is heavy...manuever it through a table obstackle, Devon gets hit in the groin...Alan is doing really well...carry it through under net...have to work together....Levu doing nice job together...yellow is struggling...Red first, now blue...untying puzzle peices...Lauren on keys, find right keys for both locks

Yellow in last, Lauren has it...Chrissy has the second lock, Ashley struggles

look for both color and shape, at the crosses...at times like these need a little luck...Chrissy is good at directing...must finish...Devon: I am lost, I am lost
Ben switch it...Yellow, this is not right, Roarke swears
Jessica gets it...winners...safe from tribal

neck and neck right now
Chrissy is taking charge
and they do....

sending Levu to TC....where somebody will be the fourth person out of this game, see Alan...”Unbelievable”
Again, when Jiffy says somebody will be the 4th person voted out of HvHvH....see Alan, then Devon, then Joe.

Jessica, conf: Tonight, I have the opportunity to block someones vote at TC. The goal is to help the healers. The goal is to disrupt the Levu tribe as much as I can.


See a school of fish then the big whale

they are talking about how the last key as the one she needed, they said they just couldn’t do the puzzle. Devon says, don’t even worry about that.
Devon: I think everyone was just on their own page instead of working together, Alan agrees.

Alan, conf: We lost again. We got me and Ash, you got Desi and Joe, you got Devon. See Devon. No question that Devon is the swing vote and whoever he goes with is gonna come out on top.

Moving clouds and time warp...

See Ashley and Devon walking in the woods to get water
Ash: Devon, I don’t want you to think because you are the odd one out that you’d be a target...because Healers need to go. (see Joe)
Devon: Yeah. Hey, listen, are you telling the truth right now?
Ashley: Yes, 100%...
Devon: Okay, beause Joe, he told me that you want to vote me out.
Ashley: Really? Tha’t bullSh!t, We don’t want you to go. Because it makes no sense to me....
Devon: So you guys didn’t even consider that?
Ashley: no...not even for a second
Devon: alright....wow, that is scary. To pull something like that? What a sketchy dude...

Devon in conf: When Joe told me they were trying to vote me out, I had this feeling that I was being talked to like by a car salesman. I was like, this might be a lie. And, now, I think it was. (See Joe)

Ashley: He’s a player...
Devon to AShley: That’s why I like playing with you. You seem the most honest.

Devon confessional continued: I think I can trust ASh, and Alan seems like a straight forward guy too, so, Joe’s a snake. And, I don’t like having snakes around.

Devon: Alright, he hugs Ashley, “We’re chill!”
Ashley: OMG! Let’s do it
Devon: Alright
Ashley: You’ve made me so happy!

Cut to Desi approaching ....see Desi and Joe at the water hole.

Desi to Joe: I saw Ashley and Devon by the water and I am not sure what they saidbut at the end of the talk, they hugged.

Joe in conf: Devon, he could be playing with me. I think he has this emotional connection with Ashley. He’s a surfer dude and Ashley is all about the water so, I don’t feel confident.

See Joe and Desi walking back from the water hole...
Joe: Well, they ain’t gonna go after you, they’re gonna go after me first.

Joe conf’l: I’m gonna have to play the idol, but if they vote out Desi, then I just wasted an idol and I am next, so? See Ashely and Alan in the shelter. So, If I am gonna get one of them out, I have to make sure that they vote for me.

Time warp on the beach....

Flute tones, and snake seen in the tree....

Cut to them all in the shelter
Joe: so is this the part where we just act like everything is cool? Joe is asking are we going to be a strong tribe or just go back to our original colors? He wants to know if they are going to talk about it. Alan asks, who are you voting for...Joe, says there was 2 challenges...what will make us stronger? He throws his vote out as Ashley. He says the strongest four is us four.

Ashley, conf: Joe wants to talk about who we are getting rid of and of course it’s my name that comes up.

Hear Alan say, what makes Desi stronger than Ashley?
Joe: Desi is stronger in puzzles.

Ashley cont’s: This is total bullcrap, I don’t think I am the weakest by any means. I don’t know what Joe’s plan is because he has to know the more he pisses people off, people are going to want to get rid of him.
Alan: I’m just putting this out there, I am not voting for Ashley. And, I am not voting for Devon. (See Desi)

Desi, conf: Joe has lost his mind. He just blew up camp and in the process he blew up both of our games. It was an idiotic move. Now, my names on the chopping block. Crying, I am just pissed off. I’m already devastated and we haven’t even gone to TC...

Joe tells her in the shelter, that he had to get the target off you somehow...I have the idol, so trust me, the target is on my back. she disagrees...She asks him to play the idol for me than. If you play it for me, I got you the rest of the game.

Joe, conf: I am kind of nervous, I wanted to create some Chaos but now it’s backfired and Desi is afraid it’s her. I was just like, crap!

Hear him ask her: what do you want to do? He tells her he is willing to give her the idol because if he doesn’t have her, he’s next anyway...If giving you the idol, gives us another 3 days I will do it, it’s easier to work cracks together than by myself.
Desi: Okay, so give me a name and I will write it down.

Ashley in the water to Alan and Devon: they are both writing my name down.
Alan says, neither of you have to be worried because if either of them have an idol, they’re writing my name down.
Ashley: they are writing my name down
Alan: no they aren’t

Alan, conf: Now everything is up in the air cause if he pulls out the idol, and we write his name down, then one of us is going home.

Devon to Ash and Alan: He may have the idol, she may have the idol....
Ashley: pick one...
Alan covers his face up...

Time warp, time to go to TC, Devon looks in his bag and sees the secret ad. note....OMG, Secret advantage, do not open until it is time to vote. “No way!”

Devon in conf: We’re about to go to Tribal, and I discover in my bag a secret advantage. If I have a secret admirer, that is a beautiful thing! It could be an extra vote, it could be anything. I have no idea. But, with that, and being the swing vote, I have all the power in my hands.

See them go to TC, Sun sets, get fire, fire is life...Alan: off to tough start...look on your face is disgust...some people were a little anxious to get Tribal started
Joe waves his hand up...He wanted to discuss it, Alan got upset, I speak my mind, so I threw Ashley’s name out there.
Ashley: Jeff, I have never been or referred to the weakest link in anything (see Joe smirk), I have ever done in my entire life. And, he was not going to pick the person who was on the tribe with him, so...His actions or his words might affect him tonight.
Desi: Yes, that was a really honest statement, yes, I didn’t expect that outta Joe. Names were thrown out, and part of what happened was I got thrown under the bus in the process. (Desi is gorgeous, btw.)
Jiffy asks Alan, if Desi’s assessment is fair? Absolutely, especially when you bring in talk of an idol. I will be honest, my vote will be between her and Joe.
Joe says it’s better than a movie...Jiffy: that moment like they want to get the bad guy but to get the bad guy they get his wife....see desi.
Joe: Not what I wanted at all, but I got alot of information just knowing he’s supporting Ashley.
Jiffy calls Devon out as in the middle, yes, I am the swing vote and my vote is based on who do I think I can work with...see Ashley.....and, move forward with in this game.
JIffy asks, this is a real showdown. Joe says Alan wants him out because he’s not a Hero. (LOL).Desi is not a hero, you can’t penetrate the heroes when there is no crack so why would I want the heroes to stay around? You need to get rid of them, it’s that simple.
Alan: He says the Heroes cannot be broken, but the Healers were undefeated and there are 6 of them out there. Joe is scratching and clawing at anything he can.
Devon says that he has to go with what is best for his game and he’s going to stay the same every single TC.
Jiffy: It sounds like we have a show down about to happen, time to vote.

Devon interrupts him: I got a little something, it says do not open until it’s time to vote, see Alan...Jiffy: go for it
Devon: I’m very curious
Jiffy: Everyone is
Devon reads: This is a secret advantage but it is being used AGAINST you by another player, (see Alan listening), to block your vote at tonights TC. See Ashley, then Alan. Devon: That is NOT an advantage.
Jiffy makes it clear, that is to be used against you...everyone can vote against you, you can’t vote

Joe votes first, see Alan

Vote Tally, Alan looks over, then see Joe
Jiffy asks about the idol....
Joe; I got something for you Jeff
See Desi
Joe: can I keep it for myself or give it to somebody....I will keep it for myself

Any votes cast for Joe will not count

Joe
Joe
I told you to Desi, she smiles

See Ashley
Allen: See Alan cover his face.
Ashley covers her mouth...
Joe shoots Alan the peace sign, or is he saying 2?

Alan smiles,
Joe: Detroit, holla back, baby
Alan: You got it!
Ashley’s mouth is agape.
Joe says to Ashley: I read your face. Thank you baby girl. (I thought he said “pretty” girl)

Alan: Good luck, Ashley, and waves...
Devon: to Joe: Well done
Desi: Sorry Alan.
Joe to Desi: I got you. I read her face.
Devon: That was crazy, what the he!! just happened?

JIffy: Well, one of the great truths about Survivor, see Joe, You can have all the plans you want, Survivor gods, don’t care. See AShley.


The perimeter players:

Roark: Her only confessional is a weak one, totally narrational. She has no story at this point.

Ashley: once again her name comes up. She’s had 2 strikes, one more and she’s out. Now that her conflict is over, will she follow Alan right out the door?

JP: Who is he again? NO story, but he likes to keep his mouth shut, provide for the tribe, and do challenges.

Desi: Desi got her first confessional tonight talking about how well her tribe fared post swap. NOT. Not good when the confessionals you have are proven to be false. She’s been narrational.

Mike: Comes out from under the radar to complain about Cole, but notes sometimes these things can come back and bite you in the butt....would love to see that, regarding Cole. He appears smart but so far he doesn’t have much of a story.


The middle of the road players

Jessica: Anyone that has confessional after confessional about Cole cannot go too far in this game. Additionally, she doesn’t quite grasp how large a mouth he has, and when it hurts her, she cries. Something tells me she’s a really slow learner. It will bite her. She comes across to me as bossy, especially in challenges, she’s disrespectful to Mike, she’s constantly going off with Cole in front of all the others....just doesn’t seem like a savvy player. Weak social skills.

Cole: Giving away information that is not his to give is NOT a way to gain trust. Most likely it will burn one of Cole or Jessica or both.

Lauren: Right now she is here because she still has a few obstacles to over come to be placed in the “players” category, but make no mistake, she’s a player that needs to work on her social game. I love how she used Cole’s information to her own advantage. Love it!

Joe: Joe is starting to remind me of a Tony-type character, but he needs an alliance mate. Perhaps he could have found one with Desi? But, he came to play and I admire that!
Devon: He just seems a little too chill. He has Ryan’s ear and a great bond with Ryan. He’s with Ali. I think he will make the merge, but he’ll be the biggest target of those three. Will he go to rocks for Ashley? I dunno.


The Players:

Chrissy: Another first confessional of the show. Now finds herself a very good partner, who also has another partner on their small tribe. She’s still coming out like a rose.

Ben: Split from Chrissy he recognizes that he has some work to do. He’s been nothing but a solid player and he has a great presence in the challenges. Funny how he said he would have to work hard and gain trust, and then we have Cole who thinks gaining trust is giving away information that is not his to give. He should be good.

Ryan: Finding the secret advantage on the boat was a huge stroke of luck for Ryan and he’s savvy enough to know how to play it. He’s very likeable and he takes the challenges seriously. He’s got a sidekick that is a stronger physical threat than himself, and now he’s got Chrissy. Well done.


Ali: Her only confessional was now that they have swapped, she has to step up, and she is. Her drop in confessionals is a good sign for her as she settles down...she has more arcs to come. We saw that she is with Devon and Ryan. I have to wonder if their threesome is the threesome to beat. Her strength is her social game and we saw on the red tribe that she was the “go to” girl. She’s got legs.



"RE: Episode 4"
Posted by michel2 on 10-25-17 at 09:45 PM
I really enjoyed your take, FP. Of course, if you read my post in Aruba's list then you'll know I disagree about Lauren, Jessica and even a bit about Ryan.

Lauren had a simple opening with Mike: He, Ben and she are about the same age, Cole and Jessica are two love birds that are always going to be tighter with each other than with him and the Healers, being 6 strong still, will certainly attract attention soon. Mike needed a cross-tribal alliance and all she had to do was befriend him. Instead she chose a complicated route, never figuring out that Mike knew about the advantage. She pushed Mike back into the Healers' fold so, for me, Lauren failed.

Ryan had all this fall on his lap and, while he's a smart player, it didn't take a genius to figure out the gift production had given him with that advantage. Not since Tocantins had a cross-tribal alliance been set up so nicely by production. Will this one fare better? Probably but it's still irritating to see production's interference in the game.

Jessica isn't a strong player by any means but it's interesting that we keep seeing her trying to figure out this game. It's as if we're being shown someone becoming a better player in each episode. The improvement is slow but how good will she be if she makes it to episode 14?!


"Episode 5"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 11-01-17 at 07:18 AM
LAST EDITED ON 11-01-17 AT 07:23 AM (EST)

This week I don't have time to note every single nuance, but I wanted to touch on Jiffy's intro. Jiffy always seems to lead us where the story is going, as michel always noted. He notes the important stories at the moment, which is the action leading to the next boot, AS WELL AS what the stronger players are doing to get themselves to the end. Here is the intro this week:

At the Yawa tribe, Cole broke a healers trust (we see him telling Lauren....Jessica’s advantage blocks somebody’s vote at the next TC) ...and got caught. She tells him...“Its my prerogative who I tell”....see her in conf. crying: Did I choose to have a relationship with someone that I just shouldn’t have...

At the Soko tribe, Ryan had an old bond with the Hustler, see Ali, and built a new bond with the Hero, see Ryan with Chrissy...”So, you and I are going to have to be friends"...Ryan: "yeah!”

At the Levu tribe, Devon held all the power, Alan: You got me and Ash, you got Desi and Joe, no question, Devon is the swing vote.

At TC, the game turned upside down, Devon: This is being used against you to block your vote, and Joe seized the opportunity, he gives the idol to Jeff, making a big move, and sending a hero home.

14 left

So, the stories highlighted are Jessica recognizing that Cole is a loud mouth and a loser, Ryan building a new bond, and had an old bond, and the fact that Joe had a trick up his sleeve with the idol.

Michel noted in his last post:
Jessica isn't a strong player by any means but it's interesting that we keep seeing her trying to figure out this game. It's as if we're being shown someone becoming a better player in each episode. The improvement is slow but how good will she be if she makes it to episode 14?!

I have to say, this episode was like seeing the light. I may not be as quick as michel is at this editing stuff. But, for me, Jessica couldn't have been a contender when she was so focused on finding and flirting with love. But, a difference a week or two make. I am beginning to see Jessica as the long term player and WINNER contender.

She certainly would be a player that shows growth and maturation through the series. She's a serious competitor, (very bossy in challenges). I have loathed how she speaks to Mike, especially in the challenges, and then when Mike came to tell her that Lauren was speaking of Jessica's secret.

So, it was very surprising to me that she and Mike had enough of a bond to go idol hunting together. And, then, her reaction toward Mike, along with her confessional...
When I first got here I felt that Cole, Mike and I were in control....see Cole dipping his fingers into the peanut butter....but, after seeing Cole tell secrets, I do believe that Mike is paranoid about Cole as a number. On the flip side of that, Mike can keep a secret. So, right now, it would be a benefit to my game to for more of a bond with Mike.

If Jessica continues to build this bond, and use it to her advantage, she is indeed looking like a winner contender to me. WOW. WOW. WOW. I also have to say, that while she is ALWAYS on the tribe that does not go to TC, they are investing ALOT of time into developing her. I think this speaks louder than anything at this point.

On the flip side of Jessica's maturation, we see a few players edited negatively, namely Ryan and Chrissy, and what does that mean for their stories moving forward? Chrissy came across as calculating and manipulative. She played the "all girls alliance" to the tee, and influenced the players in her favor. But, she carried herself defensively and did we need to hear her tc vote remark: I am outsmarting Miss Smarty Pants.

With Ryan, who was also mentioned in the intro by Jiffy, I felt that his choosing to keep Ali out of the loop is a major flaw in his game. If he is that focused on his game others will notice, and he will not win. This episode we were hit over the head with Ryan's stellar social game, from Ryan himself, and from Ali. Ali had confessionals early in the game about her loyalty for Ryan....Ryan didn’t do well in the challenge, but I have been with Ryan the entire game so my trust is there, so I need to do everything that I can to have his back.

After Ali forms the bond with Roark, she goes immediately to tell Ryan her plan to get them further, and he's in total agreement.

These scenes served to make Ali look GOOD, and Ryan to look BAD, like the villain. It seems as if every connection Ali makes is thwarted. First, with Patrick, then with Roark, and now with Ryan. Can she find a connection that she can count on, or is she doomed to be a "loser", as she noted the former Hustlers were. Her quote was: The hustlers were just a group of losers, but being here I can finally start to build these personal relationships that will further my game... This statement surprised me...and I couldn't help but wonder if the winner was NOT at the original Hustler tribe.

The last person mentioned in the intro was Joe, and his big move. So Joe is either moving up or moving down. I can't help but feel Joe may have exposed his game too early, first with Mike, and now with Devon and Ashley. They recognize him as a "smart" player and he's not afraid of making "big moves" as Jiffy told us. He's placed a big target on his back, and I question whether he can manage it throughout the game.

Cole. Cole has been edited as being a dumb jock, that is now consuming everything around him, and is not considerate of others, as Lauren narrates. This week we saw him, but thankfully we didn't hear him. Actions speak louder than words, and Cole's stock is falling. He could be someone that is dragged to the end. If Jessica chooses to keep him around, he'll be far more of a physical target/shield for her, and possibly for Mike.

Which brings us to Mike, who's stock is RISING. If Mike trusts Jessica, and Jessica brings Mike into the fold, and Mike has an idol, it could benefit him immensely. Especially if they can reign Cole in to be their target, post merge.

The narrators so far seem to be Desi, who is eternally optimistic, which makes me think is misdirection. But, Desi is a solid competitor, and she's gorgeous, as we noted the shots of her bathing topless in the ocean...and, Lauren. She narrated a lot on the hustler tribe, and now she is on the red tribe.....in a snarky kind of way, which I appreciate.

So, at this point in the game:

Those who are perimeter players with this episode:

JP: ???
Desi: Stong, narrator
Ashley: lone hero, strong, with Devon
Devon: wants to stay with Ashley, targeting Joe
Lauren: narrating with snark.
Ben: he's a hero with nightmares. Doesn't mean he will remain on the perimeter for long.

Those with stock falling:

Ali: has no one to trust
Joe: showed his cards too early in the game, not able to find the idol most likely hidden in the same place.
Cole: shown to not be a smart player, not aware of how he appears to others.
Ryan: For one with such a social game, he did not play or manage his allies well and has created a possible enemy.
Chrissy: A manipulator with a capital "M", came across negatively, but effective.

Stock rising:

Jessica: thinking of bonding more strongly with Mike, so far, so good.
Mike: Finally has a confidant in Jessica, and has an idol. **I will say that I do not think Mike can win the game. I think he's there more for his kids than to win the million. Every thing he does has a confessional that associates his game for his kids and family. His confessional upon finding the idol: I have been looking for this idol non-stop...my kids are going to be so proud of me! But, there is always a danger of somebody else knowing that I have the idol...


"RE: Episode 5"
Posted by michel2 on 11-01-17 at 07:52 PM
Nice work, FP. It's a bit late to reply so I'll just say that I agree with most except Chrissy. I think the last episode increased her character greatly, so much so that, right now, I'd pick her to win.

"RE: Episode 5"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 11-07-17 at 06:52 AM
Thanks for the reply, michel. You are so much better at this than I am! I agree, at this point, if I had to pick a winner it would be Chrissy as well.

With this last episode, Chrissy didn't get the blood on her hands, but with the outcome, I'd say she played the situation beautifully.

Ryan had to cut Ali, but the way he did it was very poor in my opinion. Of course Ali did not play it well either. So far, Chrissy has "played" her cards beautifully. Ryan will catch the fall out, if any, for the Ali boot from others, or perhaps not. Lucky for him the only witnesses there are Chrissy and JP.

Clearly, Ryan is a villain, or shall I say "a friggin' weasel". To me, he's more like a tool, one that Chrissy can use.

I do feel that Joe is a strategic player and he's always tuned into the game. I appreciated his stellar confessional about playing for his kids and how hard work pays off, but the snake focused on in the middle of that night time confessional cannot be a good sign. Foreshadowing?




"RE: Episode 5"
Posted by michel2 on 11-07-17 at 10:27 AM
A snake is never a good sign but the snake could be Joe himself.

I'll put something together for the merger episode and post it here this weekend.


"RE: Episode 5"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 11-08-17 at 08:07 AM
That would be amazing, Michel!

Here is the transcript for the episode...

At the Levo tribe there was a clear divide...Devon: I’m stickin with you (to Ashley), At the Yawa tribe, Cole couldn’t hide his hunger...Lauren: He licks everything, he’s like a pig...At the Soko tribe Ryan found himself caught between a hero, See Chrissy tell him, “Vote for Roark”, and a hustler, see Ali...”We get rid of Chrissy”...Ryan in conf: there is going to be one person that is going to hate me.
At TC: Ryan voted with Chrissy and betrayed Ali...13 left, who’s next?

The people that were mentioned in the intro: Devon, Cole, Ryan, Chrissy, and Ali. Ali went home. Will one of the others be next?

Chrissy with the fist confessional of the episode: TC went exactly as planned. Ryan did follow through on his word which is amazing. It showed me that Ryan believes he can get further in this game than he can get with Ali.
Ali: TC was a shock, I mean I was betrayed by my closest ally in this game, in this whole entire thing, and it hurts. I said 100 times I wasn’t going to come out here and cry but, you know it’s rough. and I just want to do my best. Having this kick in the butt, being pushed down to the bottom, it’s a wake up call because moving forward I have to understand, it’s just me. Because I don’t think I will ever trust Ryan again in this game.

Ryan: So, Ali rails into me and um, it was a really bad look for her. I was hoping that I could still work with Ali at this point, unfortunately Ali is infuriated with me because I didn’t tell her and it stinks, because I cna’t have enemies in this game. So, she may have to go.

Tense music playing throughout.

Then Ali pulls the buff over her face by the fire, symbolic of her torch being snuffed....cut to Yawa...See them swimming at Yawa, and see Mike catching fish

Mike: I mean the first time catching fish with a spear gun, it’s amazing! It’s like I can do this! I can do anything that I put my heart and mind to (see him cleaning the little fish)
I am providing for my tribe, I am so excited to say, like yeah, dude, I caught a fish too! Shows Jessica...The simple things in life can be so rewarding!

He starts cooking it over the fire hear Ben say, “Flame broiled, fish filet”, then he drops it into the fire, and Ben looks at the camera and rolls his eyes....funny....Jessica is laughing, ben tells him it’s gone...my fish is not gone, he’s just cooked a little faster...Ben tells him, I ‘m so glad we are on a tribe together, Mike!

Ben in conf: laughs, Mike, that fish was terminal, that man never gave up, laughs...through hell or high water Mike was cooking that fish, and eating it. I’m proud of him, he’s out of his element and he’s doing good.
Ben tells him thanks for sharing, and he replied, always!

Ben continues: You know Mike, caught a small fish and he shared that. Cole caught a decent size fish and he ate it for himself. A couple times. I mean that shows right there who you should work with in this game. Someone who is gonna share and think about others or someone that is gonna think just about himself. Cole is showing his true colors. And,they ain’t good!

Cole cuts Lauren off and accuses her of dominating the conversations...Cole walks off pissed.

Cole: I’m not getting enough food at all and it’s stupid. I’m not going to be strong enough like at any challenge to guarantee we come away winning and I really need a bigger serving because without me there wouldn’t be an victory for the Yawa tribe.

Cole and Jessica get up and leave....Mike, Ben, Lauren remain....Ben to the others: I am sick of him, I am so sick of him....Lauren: He’s tripping out and he needs to chill out...
Mike says: I’d like to say because he’s 24, but when we were 24, we weren’t like that. Ben: We’re going to let him seal his own fate.
Lauren: the two of them, they are trying to be a power couple, see Mike...Ben, they are together. She’s a smart girl, I can’t imagine her going to live in a van with him...
Ben smiling. And, the way he throws fits when he doesn’t get his way...

Lauren: I think Mike’s starting to see what Cole’s true colors are which is great for me, because Ben and I are at the bottom of this group. So, we need Dr. Mike. You know the more Cole screws up and acts like an idiot the better off I am...Cole’s digging his own grave.

Cut to intro...So, two prime boot candidates served up before the intro.

Then Come on in guys...

RC challenge...everybody good out of the gate...JP and Ali making it look easy...Chrissy and ben going over the beam, alot easier with no buoy to transfer...still see Chrissy doing poorly...then see Chrissy not able to un tie......a huge set back...Jessica whipped through the knots, Chrissy finally has the knots untied...Joe struggling to get over beam....blue has to pick it up...Ben is to platform, JT to platform...Ben for Yawa, JP for Soku...they are short, Joe is going to shoot....Ben really leaning back...Nothing is easy on Survivor, as JP shoots and connects, then Ben knocks a target

Devon in now....JP waiting for the swell. JP, has waited patiently and he does it...then Ben gets the other part of the reward...

Soko 10 pizzas: See zoom in of Chrissy’s face...
JP: I don’t like to be in the limelight that much but in this case it’s good for my game because the bottom line is that they need me 100% cause without me there is no way that they would be able to get through any challenge. No way. (arrogance....can’t help but wonder if Mr. confident in challenges loses next week and is voted out...lol)

Ryan: JP is a tank in these challenges, I guess being a fire fighter he has that strength, but he is very athletic..and, the merge is going to happen very soon, and the physical part of the challenges, see JP tending to the fire, is a very big part of it and that raises the threat level of JP. And, he’s also somebody who is tough to read becasue he doesn’t talk much strategy at all. JP likes talking about chicks and bars and things that I don’t know anything about. And, he just has no clue about anything that is going on in this game. JP doesn’t understand that this is a social game. It’s amazing that he’s still here and if we go to TC we maybe should consider taking out a big physical threat right before the merge, priority number one.? See JP in the smoke...another ominous sign for JP?

Levu Day 15.

See Joe and Desi, Desi asks him where the idol was at the other camp...

See Devon and Ashley discussing whether “they” would go to rocks?

Ashley: If there is an immunity challenge in a short while I am a little bit nervous. There is only 4 of us, 2 yellows, Joe and Desi...and then me and Devon who are pretty much like this, fingers crossed. We’re kind of an unbreakable alliance.
Devon telling her, I want you at the merge.
Ashley: Just don’t flip on me
Devon: I am not gonna flip on you

So at the next TC, it’s looking like it will be 2 vs 2 and the plan would be to try and get Desi to flip on Joe.

See a hawk soaring...

See Joe going to look for coconuts, and Devon goes with him.

Devon: The energy is very tense around here, I feel like there is an II still out there and Joe’s good at finding idols, he’s already found one. It’s better than my record. So everything that Joe does is suspicious. I’m always looking out for him and watching where he goes. I got to keep eagle eyes on Joe. He’s got me nervous. (A terrible sign for Devon, while he's keeping eagle eyes on Joe, Joe finds the clue.)

Cut to Ashley talking to Desi about flipping, she says that she would do it. See a very large tree spider. Desi thinks he’ll stick with him to a point.

Desi: Ashley brought up the idea of getting rid of Joe, I trust him to the point of that he’ll use me to advance himself in this game. Beyond that Joe is arguably the most strategic person out here. He’s going to do whatever it takes to make himself move further in this game. (As we see him doing just that and looking for the idol) And, that’s not always going to benefit me. So, if the Levu tribe has to go back to TC, I am actually considering getting rid of Joe at this point in time.

Joe: I ain’t stupid, I know that Desi is watching me because I am dangerous. Like I am always searching for idols and looking for idols. My game is to have power, control, and to manipulate. And, I’ve been trying to find the clue, just need some time to find it It took four days to find it, but I finally found it, very similar to the healer camp. I knew it was at the well but it just happened to be 4 ft instead of 5 ft. I didn’t really give Devon any reaction. I definitely want to get rid of the clue later, this time no one is going to know that I have it. That’s what I wanted initially, with Cole. This time around if I get it, no ones going to know that I have it. And, that right there is true power. I will be getting that Idol tonight.

Cut to night time see Joe at the well.

Joe: This is not a vacation for me, it’s work. Nice sympathetic music. see him find it. Finding another idol represents moving forward in the game. The further I get the closer to that million dollars I get and the closer I get that I could provide that much more for my children. You know, I tell my kids all the time, things just don’t come easy. SEE A SNAKE CREEP OUT. You have to put in the work and you know like my kids are my motivation. Everything I do is for them, you know? If I had to dig a hole that was 10 ft, I would do it. Finds it, and he says, “This is why you play Survivor!” I’ve been at 2 camps, this is the second idol that I have found. Nice upbeat music begins to play. And, if I move onto the merge, guess what? I’m gonna find a third idol.

Yawa: They are all in the shelter, see Cole on the ground...shaking a bit...Mike says a worm just fell on him, do you want it to eat? Cole gets up...then he falls, he says what happened? Dr Mike tells him to keep his head down, and put your feet up, get water. Jessica; he needs to eat, he can have my portion.

Jessica: Cole fainted. My initial reaction is just pure fear, like all of us were scared. but, Dr. Mike and I were in control. We knew to get fluid in him, we knew to get food. He’s here with 2 healers in the health care world. It’s a food related condition, I felt bad for him, I just literally wanted to hold him. In that moment I realized that I really do care. for him alot more than I thought I did. I’m not ready to play this game without Cole. Cole says he feels like a burden. Then we see Lauren’s sour face.
Mike: Cole’s gonna be fine, we just gotta make sure that he’s fine. But, Cole has become a liability. If you don’t feel well enough on day 16, how are you gonna feel on day 17, and 18, or 23. We’re just gonna have to keep pulling and pulling him along. And, at some point the scales are like....we need to get rid of Cole.

Ben returns...

Cut to Ben and Mike sitting on a rock
Ben: I don’t know, Doc. He knew coming on S, he should have worried about his appetite more than his 6 pack. We’re packing on a few pounds, you know? He’s a liability
Mike: yeah
Ben: it’s good he’s not hurt but we can’t pander and cater to him and baby him any longer....out!
Mike: I agree.

Ben: It’s funny how things work out in this game! When Cole fell over he sealed his fate. I feel bad saying that, but it’s true. I think Lauren and Doc have the same agenda as I do. So, if we do lose an immunity challenge, Jess’s boyfriend is gone.
See cole and Jess on the beach he tells her: Just know that as long as I am not passed out onthe beach, I am here for you and I care about you!

Cut to the IC. Sending Soku and the 6th person out of this game, See ALI, then Chrissy.

Confessional of death post IC
Ali: After Tribal I had a blow up so I know that my name has been on the line, and I am more nervous than I have ever been.

Soko Day 16

JP says that Jeff likes them

19. JP: Well todays IC didn’t go too well for us, but it’s just not a big deal. (see Ali). Ali is next and she has nothing that she can do about it. It’s as simple as that. Dramatic fast beat music plays.

See Ryan and JP talking....sucks to lose, but JP tells him, it don’t matter, it all works out for the better anyway...

20. Ryan: Ali is the next target, but JP is a huge physical threat. He has literally carried us, he’s carried me through a challenge, literally...taking that guy into a merge, that’s dangerous.

See JP lying down tell Ryan....as long as it’s not me, I don’t care. My vote is Ali. Ryan: e too, and so is Chrissy.

Ryan cont’s: But in order to vote out JP, I need to makee up with Ali. I mean she trusted me alot and I did back stab her. I need her to get rid of JP for this vote.

See them sitting in the shelter and Ryan apologizes, that was a huge mistake, I was petrified of Roarke. Ali asks him, I’m going home? Ryan: I don’t think so

Ali: After the last TC Iwas definitely on the outs, but I think I found my crack. I just have to make it one more vote, until we merge. 1 or 2 at the most.

Hear Ryan and Ali say, maybe we should do JP, as we see JP carrying a huge log.

....I can’t trust Ryan, but JP is definitely a threat moving forward. I need to get with Chrissy....I know that I voted for Chrissy, but the thing is I know that Chrissy is a very smart person. I mean it just doesn’t make sense to keep JP.

See Ali talking to Chrissy telling her her downfall in this game has been her loyalty. She tells her that she has Lauren 100% and that she has Devon. And, going forward I am loyal and I want to prove it to you.
Chrissy tells her this is the last vote out before the merge...what matters to her is who can I beat once we get to the merge. ...She tells her that she can put the loyalty she had in Ryan, in you...

Chrissy: Ali’s told me that she really wants to work together going forward and get rid of JP. I think that JP is a threat but last TC Ali voted for me, so I don’t know if I can even trust Ali. Moving forward the one person that I am most closely aligned with is Ryan. And, together we need to make the decision on which of the two goes home tonight.

See Chrissy and Ryan on the beach talking together, I wanted to play the game with people that loved the game, yeah...Chrissy: either way we are good, Ryan hugs her, I’m so happy! I told you I waNted to play the game with you...

Ryan: JP and Ali are polar opposites, but concurrently they both want to work with me. I don’t know why everyone wants to work with me, I think I am a friggin’ weasel. But, the closer you are to somebody, the more they can’t see you and you can go behind their back and back stab them. Off to TC...

They talk about JP being the most quiet one there, but the most prominent physical threat...Jiff tells him he is the peice of granite he appears to be carved from, JP tells them that he should have been a little more social, this could be a wake up call. A storm is brewing...Ali is nervous, she wasn’t included on the last vote, she hopes she can count on mended relationships....Chrissy says this is hard because they are all 4 strong, and every single person here benefits her game and hurts her game. Vote time.

Ali says has to get rid of the strong: JP
JP: you got your game and I got my game: Ali

Vote tally, hear tribe chants...Ali: Youre kidding me...See JP, then Chrissy, Good luck beating him...

Jiffy: Well, you are almost out of tribe members and you are clearly counting on a merge, good luck.

With this episode we have the following, but this does not denote next out or long term players. It may help to identify those in trouble for next week.

Stock rising: Dr Mike. Joe, Lauren, Ben

Stock falling: Cole(everyone speaking ill of him, and arrogance), Devon(while keeping eagle eyes on Joe, Joe finds clue), Jessica(was starting to develop alliances with others last week, but this week she's right back with Cole), JP(arrogance), Ryan(calls himself a friggin' weasel and notes the closer you are to them the less they can see you blindside them ~ villain)

Who do I see as the most long term of players...

1. Chrissy: She's the puppet master. Got no blood on her hands, manipulated Ryan to ditch a close ally, while she gets to keep her meat shield, JP.

2. Ryan: Sure, he back stabbed his ally, but the only two to see it are Chrissy and the closed mouth, JP. He can spin it anyway he wants to. With the merge, the physical threats will be more of a target, and he's positioned himself with two strong allies, Chrissy, Devon, (and, of course their associates).

Maybe: Ben, Lauren, Dr. Mike( journey player?)...I think Ashley's chances go up with the merge as well.


"The Merger: The Characters and their Stories"
Posted by michel2 on 11-11-17 at 00:40 AM
The Characters and Their Stories

What have the players been telling us? Their interviews tell their stories. I’ve grouped them in 3 types of confessionals and each is associated to specific roles:

A) The Narrators: These players give mostly interviews that describe the people and the events going on around.

B) The Characters: Their most notable interviews present their personal story.

C) The Gamers: Their main interventions are about their tactics. Here, it is important to distinguish between the momentary and the long term. A player confronted with an important decision will give a tactical interview but is it part of a long term plan or not?

The Narrators:

1- JP: Episode 1 – “Alan is a crazy guy. He just all of a sudden gets this crazy look in his eyes just his drama and everything that he causes is, I think, not worth his strength. Just a loose cannon like that kinda rocks the ship.”

Episode 2 – “In the firehouse it’s all about getting things done, taking care of business, so I am out fishing, trying to get some food on the table, or, go one step at a time and go from there...you know I’ve never been super into drama, I’m not the confrontational type or anything like that so If I can get some fish, some lobster and make sure everyone’s got a full belly, everyone will be happy and taken care of....The other night at TC, Ashley and I got called out as the power couple, that label sucks. I don’t see us as a power couple at all! We are not dating, we are not hooking up, we are not doing any of that kind of stuff...I mean if you are a power couple you might as well be hooking up and being a power couple, know what I mean? Might as well take advantage of everything! So, that connection, I think it’s more on the back burner right now...but, at the fire house, that’s kind of my position, stay calm, stay patient. I may not be the guy that is out there talking strategy with everybody but I know that I need to clean my rep up and with time that will straighten things out.”

Episode 6 – “I don’t like being in the limelight that much but in this case, it’s good for me in this game because, bottom line, they need me 100%. Without me, there is no way they would get through any challenges; no way.”

“The immunity challenge didn’t go so well but losing right now for us is just not a big deal; Ali is next and there’s nothing she can do about it; simple as that.”

With so few interviews, JP can’t even be called a narrator but he had to be placed somewhere! With nothing worth mentioning in the premiere and in the merger episode, I think it is safe to say that JP won’t be our winner.

2- Desi: Episode 1 – “I’m fortunate to be a part of the Healers tribe, first and foremost we can communicate. And, as long as we do that in camp life, everything will run smoothly.”

Episode 3 – “Cole told us that Joe has the idol and he wants to blindside Joe if we go to TC...Joe complains at camp and he chucks food that he doesn't like...food is scarce.”

Episode 4- “The swap worked out really well for me, we have 3 of the strongest men, we have Ashley who is a super strong swimmer, so I know, I think that we are in a great situation physically. I don’t think there is any reason we couldn’t dominate.”

“Right now we have 2 heroes, we have Alan and Ashley, 2 Healers, me and Joe, and one, in what I think is the strongest of all the Hustlers, in Devon, in the middle. It would be easy for the 4 of us to just vote Devon out, but I would rather work with him because he is potentially the swing vote.”

“Joe has lost his mind. He just blew up camp and in the process he blew up both of our games. It was an idiotic move. Now, my name is on the chopping block. I am just pissed off. I’m already devastated and we haven’t even gone to TC...”

Episode 5 – “Winning the RC, we got the sweetest reward. We were divided at first but now it's time to come together as a team.”

Episode 6 – “Ashley brought up the idea of getting rid of Joe. I trust Joe to the point that he’ll use me as an advantage for himself in this game. Beyond that, Joe is arguably the most strategic player out here, willing to do whatever it takes to make himself move further in this game and that’s not always going to benefit me. So, if the Levu tribe has to go back to Tribal Council, I’m actually considering getting rid of Joe at this point and time.”

Desi’s optimism has rarely been rewarded. She’s felt good at the start of each of the game’s three stages but each time the tide turned quickly on her. She’s an obvious good athlete so that will also work against her.

3- Devon: Episode 1- “Ryan tells me about this special immunity idol. He said that he’d be willing to use the idol for me. Ryan and I have the same ideas the same plans, the chemistry is perfect.”

Episode 2 – “Simone is the weakest tribe member, she proved tonight that she can't do puzzles, she's gotta go.”

Episode 3 – “Pat stepped up at the challenge but, If you step up, you better be able to deliver. It was just Pat choking, and I do believe we lost because of that....Lauren on the other hand, she’s very steady, I trust her, but she doesn’t really fit in with the other tribe members. And, if we keep Lauren around we are more likely to lose the next immunity challenge and we’ve already lost 2 in a row.” Devon was the one that told Ryan that Pat needed to go.”

Episode 4 – “I don’t know if I can really trust Joe. But, this is really the first time that I have felt, shoot, I might be going home next...so, I gotta figure out my next move.”

“When Joe told me they were trying to vote me out, I had this feeling that I was being talked to like by a car salesman. I was like, this might be a lie. And, now, I think it was...I think I can trust Ash, and Alan seems like a straight forward guy too, so, Joe’s a snake. And, I don’t like having snakes around.”

“We’re about to go to Tribal, and I discover in my bag a secret advantage. If I have a secret admirer, that is a beautiful thing! It could be an extra vote, it could be anything. I have no idea. But, with that, and being the swing vote, I have all the power in my hands.”

Episode 5 – “The reward was great but what's best for my game is getting rid of Joe

Episode 6 – “The energy is very tense around here. I feel there’s an immunity idol still out there and Joe’s good at finding idols. He’s already found one. It’s better than my record. So, everything that Joe does is suspicious. We’re always looking out for him, trying to see where he’s looking. I got to keep eagle eyes on Joe. He’s got me nervous.”

Episode 7 - Devon: “I’m running on empty. There’s not a single calorie left in my body that is usable. My brain is dead and every one of my limbs feels like it weighs like a thousand pounds. This game is a lot more real than I thought and going into the next reward challenge, if I don’t get this win, I don’t know...I don’t know what I am going to do.”

Devon, right after walking in the steak house: “OMG, I am in just perfect bliss right now. To make the merge is such an accomplishment and to go from such a low this morning to being with all these amazing people and then to go eat brings such happiness. I feel like the king man, this is the life.”

Devon: “Right now, looking at the twelve we have, I think the strongest people truly made it to the merge. But the Healers and the Heroes; they’ve seen each other’s strengths this whole game but us Hustlers, we’ve been kind of flowing under the radar which, coming into the merge, isn’t a bad spot to be.”

Devon: “Joe knows how to play the game which makes him a threat to others and Cole is a physical threat and if he ends up losing the first immunity challenge, it would be a good time for him to go.”

Despite his rather goofy look, Devon looked surprisingly sharp at some crucial moments of the game but things still didn’t work totally in his favor: He’s the one that put the target on Pat which looked good at the time but Lauren’s attachment to Yawa could have cost his alliance dearly. He figured that Joe was lying to him so he went with Ashley and Alan only to lose Alan. Devon’s story shows that there are so many variables at work in Survivor that playing well isn’t always enough.


4- Lauren:
Episode 1 – “Today we didn’t win the challenge, but at the same time, let’s not give up. Being hustlers we are very hard workers. That’s just like kick it in gear and this is what we need to do the rest of this game. Cause really, if we play as a team we will be fine. If not, we’re gonna be screwed.”

Episode 2 – “Patrick’s kind of getting on my nerves. He wants to be in the spotlight...He’s just all over the place, it’s like, Sit STILL...and, he’s just too loud for me, his volume is at a 10, and he needs to be at a volume 2. He is a big kid. He’s a 25 year old boy, you can look him dead in the face and say, ‘Patrick, do not touch that’, and, he will look at you and touch it. You know when it’s like, Really? I just cannot come out and say, ‘shut the hell up!’ just because I am older. I would think that they would want to stick together. It’s very tough for me, I mean, I am not a social butterfly...Being a commercial fisherman, you work alone. You know, I don’t want to be excluded, so I am trying to build a relationship with Ali. Try to get on the same page with her...”

“Patrick is unpredictable, I don’t trust him. And, he doesn’t follow directions and he could hurt us. You know, even though he’s strong. Strong is not always what you need, you know Simone is not great at challenges, but, you know, Simone at least listens.”

Episode 3 – “I didn't get any votes, except from Simone but I still feel on the outs. I’m the single mom, and they are the high school kids; I feel like the damn teacher. Patrick slipped up at TC by saying that he didn't trust everybody.

“We just lost the challenge but Patrick didn’t want to stop, he’s like a one man show ...I’ve been playing center field for 25 years, I can hit a catcher in the forehead. And, I think everybody is pretty much over Patrick for the way he performed today and I want to make sure that Patrick is going home.”

“Patrick...he was a one man team, I would much rather lose as a team than one person lose for everybody, redheads don't lie very well, all he could do is grin. I know he's writing her name down. When I fish I don't sit there and wait for the same fish to come by, I try different things and I never throw my hands in the air without trying my hardest.”

“I can be a hot head but at the same time, I know when to turn it on and I know when to turn it off. I feel like I’ve done everything that I can do, but obviously I’m a hustler for a reason. See them leaving for TC. So, if it is me going home tonight, I can promise you I am not going to go home without a fight...”

Episode 4 – “Supposedly, Jessica got an advantage in the bottom of her chip bag, which is odd that Cole told us that. It could be that Cole just told us that to make us believe in him...And, if he is, that’s just great. But, I would rather put my faith in my own hands so I will be using your little secret to my advantage.”

“Ben and I are a little outnumbered here. The only way to gain a little bit of control here would be to get Dr. Mike to join us. So, if Dr. Mike doesn’t know that Jessica got the advantage, I’m going to use that against those two.”

Episode 5 – “Cole is gross, he’s a pig, he's licking his fingers and scratching his crotch, others see it too.”

Episode 6 – “I think Mike is starting to see Cole’s true colors are which is great for me because Ben and I are at the bottom of this group so we need Dr. Mike. The more Cole screws up, the more he looks like an idiot, the better off I am. Cole is digging his own grave.”

Episode 7 - Lauren: “The Heroes and the Hustlers want the Healers gone and I want no part of that. I’m sticking with the Healers; you know, I really like Dr. Mike and I made a pact with the last Yawa tribe and it does make sense for the five of us to stay strong.”

Lauren: “Ben and I’ we have been together since Yawa; he was the only one from Heroes, I was the only one from Hustlers but now we are really in the middle. This is a whole new game; there is so much to try and figure out in your head and make a great decision. It’s very hard.” (Yes, for anyone who can’t do 30*30 !)

Ben’s obstinacy to vote against the Healers left Lauren with few options but she did have one risky move to make: Stick with Dr. Mike. It could have resulted in a 6-6 tie but the Healers’ alliance would have had a 5 out of 8 chance of not picking a rock, probably good enough odds to get either a Hero or a Hustler to fold and switch their vote. If so, then Lauren would have been #2 in that alliance right next to Mike while now, she’s #7 in the Hero-Hustler alliance, someone that no one will entirely trust.

The Players with a Story but not much Game:

5- Mike: Episode 1 – “Winning Survivor is like the biggest dream of my life. My wife thinks I am crazy for doing this and my kids are worried I am going to die. But! I am going to rise to the occasion and win!”

“My son told me to look for the idol. He’s 10 years old and he watches Survivor. If my 10 year old son knows to look for the idol, I should go looking for it. And, so should everybody else. My biggest fear is to be voted out first but this is a crazy game. But, I did not come out here for an adventure. I am out here for a million dollars and be the best survivor player ever. And, so I am willing to do what it takes to win this game.”

“I don’t trust Joe for one second. He’s told me that he’s had man to man talks with me to essentially bully me into telling him that I went looking for the immunity idol. I mean like, who is this guy? But, at the same time it puts me at risk. Perception is 90% of reality. Right? Unfortunately, you don’t want to be having to fight perception.”

Episode 4 – “So, Lauren says, there was an advantage in the game, which clearly somebody from my tribe has then told her. It is clear to me it is Cole...Because Cole, sometimes he can’t keep his mouth shut and those things come back to bite you in the butt...”

Episode 5 – Mike finds the idol after searching around the well with Jessica. He’s really happy and his kids will be really proud of him. He now has to trust Jessica but he’s OK with that.

Episode 6 – “The first time catching fish with the spear gun; it is amazing! I can do this. I can do anything that I put my heart and my mind to. I am providing for my tribe, I’m so excited to say that I can catch a fish too. The simple things in life can be so rewarding.”

“Cole is going to be fine; we just have to make sure that he’s fine but Cole has become a liability. If you don’t feel well enough on day 16, how are you going to feel on day 17? on day 18 or 23? We’re just going to have to keep pulling him along and at some points the scales are going to be like: We need to get rid of Cole.”

Episode 7 - Mike: “Lauren tells me immediately that Devon wants to get out all the former Healers. I am concerned that the Healers can be ganged up on by the original Hustlers and Heroes but the reality is that we are still five Healers strong plus, I’m strong with Lauren and I’m strong with Ben. So, the lines are being drawn in the sand and I expect a war.”

After hearing Ben saying the vote could go against Cole or Joe, Mike had another interview: “The Yawa tribe went in saying we would be five strong. The problem is that Ben now is wavering. Post-merge dynamics are nothing that I thought they would be: I imagined that I’m the only person playing this game but it ends up that everybody is playing this game. That makes my life so much more difficult. Just because I went in here with a supposed alliance of five, doesn’t mean that everybody is sticking with the alliance of five.”

Mike: “The first person that needs to go is Chrissy (Let it be a lesson to all aspiring Survivors: Do not let the others know you know that you can do 30 times 30 even if it’s grade school level math.) because in this game you’ve got to get out the really smart ones. (What’s up with that, Doc?) They can trick people so tonight, we are going to be five Healers strong against Chrissy and I think I can trust Lauren to vote with us. So now we have six people. The question becomes: Is Ben with us or against us?” (How often have I said that you have to let the swing voter decide which way he wants to vote? Mike should have asked Ben who he wanted out and assured him they’d all vote with him. Imposing their decision to vote out Chrissy, Ben’s closest ally was dumb.)

The merger showed that Mike had some game but even he admitted that he was surprised at the level others were playing. Before episode 7 Mike certainly looked like a Journey Player, one that was out there to make his children proud so I’ll leave him in this category. One episode as a gamer doesn’t change his overall role. Anyway, Mike was the biggest loser of the evening and it was largely his fault. He knew Ben was the swing vote, the key to the Council so he should have asked him for his choice of victim. Even if Ben had remained adamant on Cole then Mike should have told Ben: “We will vote with you against Cole.” Even without Cole, the remaining Healers could still have gained the numbers over the Heroes and Hustlers if they had kept Ben and Lauren. It would have been hard to keep Jessica in line after sending her boyfriend to Loser Lodge but since Chrissy and the others were voting against her, what choice would she have had? If Mike had played it smartly, we could have had 5 votes on Cole, (Ben, Lauren, Mike, Joe and Desi) 5 on Jessica (Chrissy, Ryan, Devon, JP, Ashley) and two votes on Chrissy by Jessica and Cole! I’m sure the ones who had voted against Jessica would have gladly flipped their votes to Cole once hidden idols were out of the way. Now, it will be hard to get Ben and Lauren back with Cole still there. Having been betrayed by Ben, Mike could very well use his idol against the Marine.

6- Ben: Episode 1 – “Right now we’re looking at a core four and that’s me, Alan, Ashley and JP. We’re all younger we're fit and then we got the 2 moms. We’ve named the 2 moms the mom squad. Winning is the most important thing right now for this tribe. When it comes down to it, we’ve got each other’s back.”

“If everyone had just calmed down and talked it out, we’d be fine. But, here we are, day 3, and we’ve all just blown up. Yup, at TC tonight there’s two ways that Alan and I can go...we can go with the mom squad and go straight with Ashley, or we can go with JP and Ashley and get Chrissie or Katrina out. I’m a little worried about JP and Ashley having something going on. But, as a tribe we have to stay strong to win, but the two older women are probably the weakest link in our tribe. Whether or not you go with strength or loyalty, in the long run it’s about Alan and I. Who do we trust the most?”

Episode 2 – “Man, this group is like old paint. It’s cracked and fractured everywhere. I am not sure who I can trust. The core 4 is gone. The perception might still be there in some people’s head; actually, no it’s not. It’s done, the whole thing is shot. Now, it’s every man for himself.”

“Alan and I were aligned from the get go, but Alan, after he blew up at Tribal the other night, I just don’t know if I can work with him? Chrissy is a smart woman and she has a good head on her shoulders, and that’s going to help me get further in the game....At this point, Chrissy and I are in the driver’s seat and whatever we decide to do is what is going to happen.”

Episode 3 – “So, 7 days into the heroes’ tribe you could say that Chrissy and I are driving the train. But, moving forward, Chrissy and I need to figure out who is going to be the next target. Ashley is a good hard worker and she’s fun, so the better choice is for JP or Alan. Alan and I were aligned from day one, but Alan’s a hot head and loose canon and JP, he’s walking around here like he don’t know what’s going on. But, JP would be good to have around camp because he does fish and everything, so right now Chrissy and I have not made any decision...”

“Ashley is grouped into a power couple, that’s the whole Alan thing, now whether or not that’s true, I cannot fully trust Ashley at this point because she keeps pulling for JP to stay in the game which makes me think that JP and Ashley are still working together. And, normally as a power couple on Survivor, it don’t work out good.”

Episode 4 - “Being split up from Chrissy, that’s a shot in the foot right there. Things were well oiled and greased and things were moving...So, I am going to have to put some work in and I am not just going to roll over and die. But, my odds at this point are real low to move forward, I’m scared.”

“First initial impression of our tribe, there is a little bit of comfort in knowing that we work well together, and won that PB & J. 3 Healers, 1 Hustler, and 1 Hero, that’s a target, Bang, right on my tail...so I have to earn my way around here and gain trust to keep my butt in the game.”

Episode 5 - Ben has his confessional about PTSD...it's a Hell that they live with, his wife and kids saved him and now he's playing to show them all that the future will save you, the past will eat you alive...”

Episode 6 – “Oh! Mickey! Ha! Ha! Ha! Poor guy! He is so determined he never gave up. Through hell or high water, Mike was cooking that fish and eating it. I’m proud of him: He is out of his elements and he is doing good. You know, Mike, he caught a small fish and he shared that. Cole caught a decent size fish and he ate it himself a couple of times. That shows right there who you should work with in this game: Someone who is going to share and think about others or someone who is just going to think about himself. Cole is showing his true colors and they ain’t good.”

“It’s funny how things work in this game: When Cole fell over, he sealed his fate. I feel bad saying that but it’s true. I think Lauren and Mike have the same agenda as I do so if we do lose an immunity challenge, Jess’ boyfriend is gone.”
What can we make of this now that Yawa didn’t lose a challenge and Cole is still there past day 18.

Episode 7 - Ben: “If we go into a merge guns a blazing, five strong, we’ll do alright but my biggest concern right now is Cole. Cole and Jess are sitting out there playing patty-cake all night long and it’s just hard to trust that.”

Ben had an interview right after Jeff told the players to drop their buffs: “This is the greatest feeling ever; you want to make it to the merge because then Survivor starts. That’s when you start finding your true alliance but you’ve got to be on your game. The merge is the first step into getting that million dollars.”

Ben: “Before the tribal swap, Chrissy and I were pretty tight but no one knows we were working together and she wanted to talk in front of everyone and that’s kind of concerning because I don’t want us two to be considered a tight alliance.” After Chrissy told him he was her number one, Ben’s interview continued: “Now that we’ve hit the merge, everybody is starting from scratch and you got to anticipate. There is no team now; it’s about me and my family. So, moving forward, there is not going to be all this camaraderie. It’s going to be blindsides, lies and I’m sure someone is going to cry.”

Ben: “Right now, I am listening to everyone and I can go one way with the old Heroes and old Hustlers or I can see if we can get that Yawa Five working. The question is: Do I trust Cole? He’s selfish and I don’t think Cole respects anyone here. He just respects himself. You need help to get to the end, period but right now, I need someone that I can trust.”

Ben: “Cole came up and apologized to me and I did my little: “Oh! no bud, we’re good.” He’s offended me the whole time I’ve been at camp with him. But separating away from the old Yawa tribe and voting Cole could backfire on me later. I got to play tactically and not emotionally so, tactically speaking, if I have to work with Cole to get further in the game then I will.”

Ben: “Chrissy, she trusts me so tonight, am I going to have to break that with Chrissy and vote her out or break away from the Yawa Five and get a Healer out? I’m sitting in the middle and I having to choose a side is the worst thing you can do in a million dollar game. One thing is for certain: Tonight, is going to be battle lines drawn, alliances aligned. You know, war is not a pretty thing and it’s not going to be pretty tonight either because we are going to war tonight.”

Like Mike, our other Journey Player suddenly became a very tactical player but did he make the right decision? Chrissy is a much more dangerous player than Mike so I think Ben would have been better served staying with Doc. In the Yawa Five, Ben would have been in the center of the alliance with Mike and Lauren but now he’s just a passenger in Chrissy’s bus ride to the end. She’ll even be the one ringing the bell to show him out when his stop comes. He’ll have proven to everyone that there is life after the Military but not one that includes being Sole Survivor.

The Gamers

7- Cole: Episode 2 – “Jessica is super cute; I could see myself with her.”

“Joe brought me in on the fact that there’s a clue in the back of the woods that I haven’t seen. I can’t believe it! I am beside myself like this is the greatest day so far and this is why I am here to play survivor, it’s to find the idol and have the power, but I am kind of suspicious that the idol is on the raft, it’s just been out fishing all day, so I am like, dude, I need to see this clue.....Dude, through wilderness therapy and rock climbing, it’s just second nature for me to help people and help them accomplish their goals and that skill set is giving me power in this game. Since Joe would have probably never found that by himself, he probably sees me as a really good resource now.”

Episode 3 – “Jessica keeps showing me more of herself and I like it, she's my dream girl so I want to share some information with her.”

“Joe complains a lot around camp so he’s already rubbed some people the wrong way. And then, on top of that, Joe has the idol. And, the more I thought about Joe having the idol, the more I realize that Joe has all the power, and I don’t like that at all....The idol is unpredictable especially in an unpredictable players hands and it has a lot of power and I don’t want that power being thrown around without my say in it.”

Episode 4- Jessica just gave me a huge piece of knowledge and knowledge is power in Survivor. When I shared with Jessica that Joe had an idol, instantly her next move was to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and say I trust you now, Cole. So, I plan to use that method with other people.”

“In my head I am instantly just like, crap crap crap...Jessica is going to look at me and think Cole, you betrayed me.”

Episode 6 – “I’m not getting enough food at all and it’s stupid. I’m not going to be strong enough at any challenge to guarantee that we will come away winning. I really need a bigger serving because without me there wouldn’t be any victory for the Yawa tribe.”

Episode 7 - Cole: “I feel really good with my five in Yawa: We trust each other explicitly now because we’ve been through some hard things together. Ben, he’s a good guy and Lauren, I think she’s going to stick with us. Me, Mike and Jessica, we were originally three Healers so we still have that bond carrying over from the last tribe. So, if this group just stays together we can accomplish so much and I don’t think anyone else is going to have that same unity.”
Seeing Lauren spit when Cole told the group they will be stronger than the other group gave us a hint of how things would work out for the Healers.

Cole: “I usually eat, on a regular day, 8000 calories so, just before the merge, I was in survival mode: I just wanted food. But, now, after almost three weeks of starving, we have a steak house...If Survivor is a mountain, I feel like I’m above halfway and that’s how you conquer mountains; one step at a time.”

Cole: “The goal was to get to the merge and now, the first step into camp; it feels like we were given new life, a chance to start over. We have hammers now, multiple machetes; we even have these massive nails so that we can build a great shelter. At this point in the game, all bets are off; People are going to be out for themselves so the thought crossed my mind that I should be looking for a clue or some type of advantage.” That advantage was right at his feet in the bunch of nails he was using to build the roof. He added: “I couldn’t find anything but I feel I need to keep actively looking just because people are going to be with other people now, talking a lot, plotting and strategizing, trying to build new alliances.”

Cole heard from Mike that he was a target: “To have my name on the chopping block, I’m experiencing that Survivor paranoia but just like in rock climbing when your gear pulls and doesn’t hold, you’re all the way at the top and now you’re going to be on the bottom and my alliances are my gear. I just pray that this is going to keep my life in Survivor going.”

Cole: “I’m very worried; my name has been tossed around bug time. There’s a solid chance I’m going home tonight. Apparently, I have rubbed Ben the wrong way with my eating habits so, trying to find a way out and see what I can do.”

Yes, Cole’s role in this story is to be a gamer, a tactician just not a very smart one! I think it was appropriate that the clue was placed in the bunch of nails because Cole is dumb as nails! He has absolutely no chance of winning this game but he will keep coming up with dumb ideas that he thinks will get him further in the game.

8- Ashley : Episode 1 – “The qualities of being a hero are going to help in the game of Survivor because the whole idea of being a hero is that you are putting others ahead of yourself which makes for a really strong tribe. But, game on, the hero cape falls off and automatically you are thinking alliances, conversations need to happen. So, it will definitely start to get interesting.”

“Alan is starting to lose his mind. He had JP strip to check his pants for an idol. So, my mind is literally blown right now. His paranoia is like so bad; I mean where is this coming from right now? Cause, I trusted him and I thought he trusted me, but it’s snap, just like that, trust is out the window. Moving forward with him seems like it could be a liability down the road.”

“Alan created a spectacle out of nothing... In less than 12 hours, everything went from nice, we’re solid 4 to there really is no trust.”

Episode 2 – “The whole spectacle that Alan created tonight at TC sort of shows how off the hinges he really is. I’m not going to sit back and tell my whole tribe that I am in a power duo with JP, and we are hiding idols. I think he went from a really safe place with the core 4 and now, he’s put a huge target on his back.”

Episode 3 – “JP is getting dreamier and dreamier and I’m pissed because I cannot spend any time with him. I’m ready for Alan to go.”

Episode 4 – “If there was one person out of all 3 tribes that I did not want on my new tribe that would have been Alan. He’s proven to be this wild card, you know he’ll just call you out and throw you under the bus and he’s already done it to me and so, I was really nervous...Luckily, I think Alan is as nervous as I am, even though I don’t trust him, I do trust that he doesn’t want to go home.”

”Joe wants to talk about who we are getting rid of and of course it’s my name that comes up....This is total bullcrap, I don’t think I am the weakest by any means. I don’t know what Joe’s plan is because he has to know the more he pisses people off, people are going to want to get rid of him.”

Episode 5- At TC, when Joe decided to play the idol for himself, my entire face just dropped. Everything in my whole world just stopped. I wouldn’t say that I was like 100% team Alan, but he was the one hero on my tribe...Joe made himself a target on purpose, so he tricked us all! It was a scary one, he’s getting crazier and crazier. But, right now, it’s 2 vs. 2, so who knows what’s going to happen?

Episode 6 – “If there is an immunity challenge here shortly with this tribe, I am a little bit nervous. There is only four of us; two Yellows, Joe and Desi and then me and Devon who are pretty much like this. We’re kind of an unbreakable alliance. In the case of a Tribal Council it’s looking like it would be two versus two so the plan would be to just get Desi to flip on Joe.”

Episode 7 - Ashley: “Things have to get better. Right now we are the broken tribe; it’s two versus two, Devon and I versus Joe and Desi but, on top of all that, physically, we have nothing left. Our stomachs are empty, you can feel that. We are out of all food; we have no rice left, we have no chicken left, no fruits no vegetables. We have nothing left except a tiny bit of sugar. Survivor is no joke; I mean we are not joking when we say that, if we do not get food today, we might die.”

Even if she didn’t give us an interview after the merger, I think things definitely got better for Ashley. In fact, I think she’s the biggest winner of the evening: She isn’t on anyone’s radar yet she knows she can compete with the best of them. Also, Chrissy and Ryan will need a third vote to get rid of all the jury threats on their alliance and Ashley seems like the obvious choice. What was best for her is that no one mentioned her being part of a power couple with JP. She needs to keep away from the fireman and even show Chrissy that she is ready to vote him out. That alone would prove her loyalty and could be her ticket to the Final Three. Even if she’s had a modest role up to now, there is a solid case to make for Ashley’s chances of winning the game. After all, Survivor has proven time and again that they don’t know how to present a female winner who plays a quiet game.


9- Joe:
Episode 1 – “I wanted to be in a tribe that I could easily manipulate. When you are a healer you have a big heart and when you have a big heart you don’t really think with your mind, you think with your heart. I am a healer because my main job is rehabilitation. But, I’m not a probation officer when I am out here. I came out here to win and I am probably more strategic then everyone all together. So, they are just all my victims at this point.”

“Mike is definitely a player and I am a tad bit concerned that he’s running around and trying to find the idol. So, I think he went and looked for the idol and by now he’s probably got more than one. I have a great lie detector and I am thinking Mike is not a trustworthy guy.”
(It’s interesting that now, with the merger, Joe and Mike meet again and they both have idols!)

Episode 2 – “I’m liking Mike so much better, but he's still public enemy number 1. My accusations have backfired a bit cause I'm not able to spend as much time looking for the idol as I would like. I still can find some time.”

“Showing Cole the clue was like a major risk, but I needed help, like I don’t, honestly think I would have figured it out on my own.....in my mind, if anything pops out of that ground, I am grabbing it! I want it and I ‘m going to find it today.....”Got it!” ...I have the idol, I feel good! I feel good! Now I know no one else has it, but I ‘m concerned because the fact that Cole knows I have the idol could backfire. It’s all about power and knowledge and he has too much knowledge. I don’t think he’s going to use it against me but at the same time, if he does, I might have to put a target on his back.”

Episode 3 – “I’m feeling good! We’ve won every challenge, we are a dominant tribe. Life at camp is great. Everyone is still on the same page with, Mike being the number one voted out because I got everyone believing that Mike has the idol. So, I’m cool and collected right now, things really couldn’t go better at this point. The only thing is Cole knows I have the idol so I just, I mean that is a concern of mind. I don’t think Cole has told anybody, but I am definitely concerned about his relationship with Jessica. They’ve been spending a lot of time together fishing and things like that. You know Cole is like a love bird and that love bird disease is dangerous, it’s worse than the flu...”

Episode 4- “Thanks to the swap, it’s a whole new game. When I was with the Healers we won every challenge, so I had no worries. But, now, I am not as confident. I do have an idol but I am not taking any chances. Devon’s a swing vote so I want him on my side.”

“I may be a healer but I am also a strategic player, so I said, listen Devon, the two heroes, they want to vote you out, but, I made it up, and I don’t care. You know this is a game of being deceitful so I am gonna do what I have to do...”

“Devon, he could be playing with me. I think he has this emotional connection with Ashley. He’s a surfer dude and Ashley is all about the water so, I don’t feel confident....I’m gonna have to play the idol, but if they vote out Desi, then I just wasted an idol and I am next, so? So, if I am gonna get one of them out, I have to make sure that they vote for me.”

“I am kind of nervous, I wanted to create some chaos, but now it’s backfired and Desi is afraid it’s her. I was just like, crap!”

Episode 5 – “I completely blindsided this entire tribe with the idol. I just wanted them to throw the votes to me so I had to play the nervous route, I didn’t want anyone thinking I was over-confident. You know, I had the idol, I put my hands up, my head down, it was all an act. I had the idol, I’m not going home.”

Episode 6 – “I’m not stupid; I know Devon is watching me because I am dangerous. I am always searching for idols and my game is having power, control and to manipulate. I’ve been trying to find a clue and get some time alone to find it. It took four days to find it but I finally found the clue and it’s very similar to the Healers’ camp. I knew it! I didn’t give Devon any reaction but I definitely want to get rid of the clue later. Now, no one is going to know that I have it. That’s what I wanted initially when I found the first one with Cole but this time, no one is going tom know that I have an idol and that, right there, is true power. I will be getting that idol tonight... This is not a vacation for me; it’s work. Finding another idol means moving further in the game and the further I get the closer I get to that million and that I can provide that much more for my children. I tell my kids all the time; things don’t come easy. You have to put in the work. My kids are my motivation and everything I do is for them. If I had to dig a hole the length of ten feet then I was going to do it. This is why you play Survivor. I’ve been at two camps and this is the second idol I’ve found. If I move on to the merge, guess what? I’m going to find the third idol.”

Epsiode 7 - Joe: “It was music to my ears when Jeff said “drop your buffs”. I think I’m in a good spot; I have more numbers with the Healers. The Healers are five, there only four Heroes and three Hustlers. In addition to that, no one knows about the immunity idol that I have, so I mean, right now, I’m excited.”

Joe: “I’m aware that I may be a target. I’m a strong player when it comes to strategy and I found the idol and people are terrified from that. Ben is playing both sides. My Healer tribe has been compromised. They’re definitely sipping on Ben’s juice right now but if I’m feeling the heat, I have and idol and if I use it for myself or I use it for someone else at the last minute, I’ll make my final decision.”

Joe has to be the season’s most polarizing character: Most probably hate him but there must be quite a few who have warmed up to his game style. Under rough edges, there is a strong tactician and I believe his spat with Mike during this latest TC was as programmed as was his act to get Ashley, Alan and Devon to vote against him. He wasted his idol but having played all in to get the votes, he had to follow through. Chrissy, coming up with Plan B, proved to be just a step ahead of him. Unfortunately for Joe’s chances of winning the game, this vote increased Chrissy lead over him. It seems unlikely that he will catch up and now he will be at the top of the actuary’s hit list.

10- Ryan: Episode 1 – “Just looking at our group, I hope they are strong and macho... hopefully they know how to build a shelter, they know how to crack a coconut... I’m just going to defer to them. I am 125 pounds soaking wet. I don’t drink and I don’t have a girlfriend....come on, who wants to align with me?”

“I found an advantage on the boat. Nobody knows about it. It’s in my pants, I’m dying to know what it is. For the first time someone’s dying to get in my pants. I kinda just wait for the perfect moment to get away. I’m just going to the jungle by myself, I’m super excited! I’ve never had a secret advantage my entire life, I’m a hustler, hustlers don’t get advantages, and the hustler got an advantage!”

“These first impressions are crucial and I really like having Devon in this group because he’s different than me... he seems like he is someone who is looking for someone that is more strategic...more strategically sound. So, I am waiting for the perfect moment when everybody's cleared out of camp, so I can build a connection.

“I found this super immunity idol. It’s only good for the first tribal, so I now have to give it to a member of that losing tribe. I can give this to someone that is in the minority and save them tonight and they could take out someone who may be a threat and maybe change the game.”

Episode 2 – “I feel good about the Hustler tribe, we’re owning the Hustler mantra. I bust my #####, and I feel I’m in a good spot socially....Devon and I are really tight, I'm connected with everyone except Simone, who is weird.”

“Chrissy doesn't know that I gave her the idol, maybe it saved her and she used it, but I hope she sticks around so I can use that connection down the road.”

“Initially, I kind of wanted Simone out, but, it’s a lot of uncertainty with Patrick. It’s like you got a newborn baby....you want to really like it and take care of it, but it’s really, really annoying cause you gotta watch it every single second. He’s really good around camp and he’s great in challenges as well, but he’s unpredictable, and predictability is one of the best things I can have in an alliance. That’s why I like Devon so much, he’s loyal. But, it’s not like I am even dragging along a lemming, it’s Simone. She scares me, she’s really smart. I want to be aligned with predictable people who are really loyal and want to listen to me. And, tonight is about who can we trust more moving forward and who is going to be the most loyal. And, it’s really scary but you put your trust in people in this game but in a 6 person tribe there is no place to hide.”

Episode 3 – Ryan had 4 confessionals, the first about the clothes Simone left behind, the second compared Lauren and Ali, the third was about Pat looking for idols in front of everyone. The interesting one was the last:
“Devon and I we are in position where we can kind of dictate the vote. The options now are vote off Lauren, or vote off Pat. This is obviously a big decision and I don’t exactly know what to do yet.”

Episode 4 - The swap brings such anxiety, but I was very lucky that Chrissy swapped onto my tribe because I awarded her the super immunity idol that I found on the boat on day one and I ensured her that she would not be the one going home that night, so I have an in!”

Episode 5 - “I lost the challenge but I have to stick to my great social game. Everyone has failure; you just don't want it to be getting voted out.”

“I’m in the middle....the good news is that I am in a position where they all want to work with me. I need to tread lightly not to mess it up.

“I’m the swing vote position, someone will hate him when it's over, but I have to do what's best to advance my game.”

Episode 6 – “So Ali just rails into me and it was a really bad look for her... (the cameras had just given us a look into Ryan’s angry eyes and that was a really bad look for him) I was hoping I could still work with Ali at this point but unfortunately, Ali is infuriated with me because I didn’t tell her and it stinks because I can’t have enemies in this game so she may have to go.”

“JP is a tank in these challenges. I guess being a firefighter he has that strength to him. He is very athletic and the merge is going to happen very soon and the physical aspect of the game is a big aspect and that raises the threat level of JP and he is also someone that is tough to read because he doesn’t talk much strategy at all. JP likes to be talking about chicks and bars which is something I don’t know anything about. He really has no clues what’s going on in this game. JP doesn’t understand that this is a social game and it’s amazing that he’s still here. So, if we go to Tribal Council, maybe taking out a big physical threat right before the merge could be priority number one.”

“Ali is the obvious next target but JP is a huge physical threat. He has literally carried us...he’s carried ME through a challenge, literally. Taking a guy like him into the merge; that’s dangerous. In order to vote out JP, I need to make up with Ali. I mean she trusted me a lot and I did backstab her. I need her to get rid of JP, for this vote.”

“JP and Ali are polar opposites yet concurrently, they both want to work with me and Chrissy. I don’t know why people want to work with me; I think I’m a freaking weasel but the closer you are to somebody they can’t really see you going behind their back and backstabbing them.”


Episode 7 - Ryan: “I needed this merge so badly: My tribe was a complete disaster. There was only three of us left. Making the merge; that’s what you dream of. This is the playoffs now.”

Ryan: “I have been waiting to talk with Devon since we had swapped. It’s like two old friends coming together.” Ryan mentioned being tight with JP top Devon but we didn’t hear him mentioning Chrissy’s name. Still, he added: “A Heroes-Hustlers alliance makes sense for us because unfortunately, there are only three Hustlers left: Me, Lauren and Devon. But I know I’m tight with two Heroes: JP and Chrissy. It would be a perfect alliance. I mean the merge vote is like the cream of the crop of Survivor: This decides who is going to dictate the rest of the game. A Hustler doesn’t wait; a Hustler goes and makes alliances.”

Ryan: “Going into a merge vote, it is of great importance to take out a threat and there are so many threats out there. So, now is the time for this Hustler and Hero alliance to come together and try to take out the Healer tribe.”

The “freaking weasel” is playing a solid game but he never seems to get his way! First, he wanted to get rid of Lauren but Devon convinced him to vote out Pat instead. Later, he wanted to eliminate JP but Chrissy convinced him to vote out Ali. Neither were bad moves for Ryan but he’s the one that wound up with the victim’s blood on his hands. Those aren’t big deals yet since Pat and Ali aren’t on the jury but, to get to the end, Chrissy will probably convince Ryan to betray a few more of his friends.


11- Chrissy:
Episode 1- Chrissie had the first confessional of the season. “I definitely feel I belong on the Heroes tribe. I had a career, I had my kids, then I came back and got an awesome career. But, I need to really down play that because I don’t want people to think she already makes a lot of money so we don’t want her to win a lot of money.”

“I was getting ready for tribal and looked in my bag. I see a package. I have no idea what it is. (She pulls out the idol) OMG! Someone has secretly chosen you to have immense power early in the game. OMG! This is an immunity super idol. This idol can be played after the votes have been read but it can only be used at tonight’s TC. Wow! How lucky did I get? I got the super immunity idol and it feels incredible. I think the decision of what I do with the super idol is extremely important tonight. Especially since half the tribe is potentially on the chopping block. Katrina, me, Ashley, Alan, we don’t know. Clearly, if it’s me on the block, I’m using it to save myself. I just want to see what plays out and let the discussion at TC dictate what happens and for whom.”

Episode 2 - Again, Chrissy gave the first confessional of the show. “TC was heated and that is great for me. I started out on the bottom, but all the little cracks came out...I didn't use the super idol, but I'm happy because now I can use it as a decoy down the road if I’m ever on the chopping block. It has no power but it still has power.”

“I needed to get through that first Tribal, and I got through it and now I really do believe that I can go far in this game. I just need to figure out who I can go with because I do believe you need a strong partner to get to the end of the game with. So, what I do as an actuary is analyze data and figure out what is my next best move, given everything that I know. And, here’s what I know. JP can be helpful in challenges but truthfully, he’s not smart. Ashley is a very good player but I don’t entirely trust Ashley, I am not convinced there is not a power couple. Then, after Alan had his blow up, I’m concerned about having a twosome with Alan....At this point the data shows that Ben is a better option for me. Ben has a lot of social charm and I can think several steps ahead strategically so together we complement each other very well.”

Episode 4 - For the third time of the season, Chrissy had the first confessional of the show: “It’s day 9 and we were all starting to get a little bit comfortable. But, when Jeff says drop your buffs, all of that gets erased, and it’s a brand new game.”

“Ryan, he blew my mind, he totally gave me the super idol and seriously made me feel so loved. I thought what was it that he looked over at me on that ship and thought I looked like a kind person he wanted to play this game with? Maybe he thought that I looked like his mother and he wanted to play the game with his mother. I don’t know? I am absolutely thrilled, I feel very, very secure because now I have one more person that can help me get further in this game.”

Episode 5 – “I do not feel safe going into tribal, I am having a hard time trusting anyone but I think that I am going to have to go there in order to move forward in this game...You always are nervous in this game and I feel if I am gonna play, I want to play big.

“I wanted to work with Roark going forward but I can’t believe a word she says. And, I wish that I could stop and say to her, you are not the smartest person here, but I don’t want to ruin my game.
So, my plan is to create this imaginary girls alliance. If there is a girls’ alliance than clearly I would not be the one voted out and JP might think that he was the next to go.”

Episode 6 – Once more Chrissy has the opening interview: “Tribal Council went exactly has planned. Ryan did follow through in his word which is amazing. It showed me that Ryan thinks he can get further in this game with me than with Ali.”

“Ali is telling me that she is very loyal and, going forward, she really wants to work together and we get rid of JP. I think that JP is a threat but, truthfully, Ali voted for me last Tribal Council so I don’t know if I can even trust Ali moving forward. The one person I am most closely aligned with is Ryan and together, we need to make the decision on which of the two goes home tonight.”

Episode 7 – Chrissy once more with the night’s first interview: “I have been playing this game 24 hours a day and I think I am dominating the social game on this tribe. Both guys are closer with me than they are with each other so that leaves me in a very nice position on this tribe, potentially the power position and I think that where I am right now is setting me up for a nice future run.”

Chrissy, after hearing Joe say he ordered two steaks and three deserts: “This is the first time that I have a chance to meet Joe and, my goodness, I am very glad that I have spent all this time so far without Joe. He’s really loud and totally obnoxious. So, Joe tells us there was an idol that was played. The question is: Does Joe have a second idol that he dug up at Levu?”

Chrissy: “Right now, the discussion is whether to send home Joe or Cole. The tricky part is we don’t know if either of them has an idol.” We heard Chrissy push for Plan B which quickly became Jessica. Chrissy’s interview resumed: “I would be agreeable to voting Jessica out because we think Joe might have an idol or give an idol to Cole. I think it’s unlikely that Jessica has a Hidden Immunity Idol plus Jessica and Cole have gotten very tight and we want to split them up. I’ve been applying for this show for sixteen years so I’m a student of this game enough to know that Tribal is live and people do change their votes. I just hope that I’m on the right side of it tonight.”

Chrissy has been the editors’ choice to get most of the episodes started this season. This editing choice really makes this game feel like Chrissy’s. She has dominated every Tribal Council she’s attended, eliminating “Ms. Smarty Pants” Roarke and a great social player like Ali along the way while gaining the majority at the merger. Since she’s often been in a position of self defense, she can’t be accused of being a cold blooded killer but that’s exactly what she is. In fact she reminds me a lot of Tina in Season 2, the one that was nicknamed Benedict Tina because she kept making friends with the people she was about to vote out just to avoid getting their votes on the way out. It seems that in the next episode, Chrissy will be doing everything she can to avoid seeing an idol falling in the wrong hands, just like Tina avoided getting votes which were just as important as idols back then.

I was impressed with Chrissy’s ability to keep her tight alliance with Ben a secret from Ryan while keeping her alliance with Ryan a secret to everyone else. That was genius. Also, the way she presented her plan to the group could have been perceived the same way Michaela’s play with rocks had been with the other Millenials. The difference is that Chrissy explained her plan but let someone else bring up Jessica’s name. That made it a collegiate decision instead of one person’s plan but don’t let that fool you: There is one person in charge and one person alone.

While Ashley, Devon and Ryan’s chance of winning cannot be ignored, I feel that Chrissy will be this season’s Sole Survivor.



"RE: The Merger: The Characters and their Stories"
Posted by Sheldor on 11-15-17 at 06:33 PM
Wow Michel! AMAZING analysis! THANKS!

And thanks for pointing out...

Lauren: “Ben and I’ we have been together since Yawa; he was the only one from Heroes, I was the only one from Hustlers but now we are really in the middle. This is a whole new game; there is so much to try and figure out in your head and make a great decision. It’s very hard.” (Yes, for anyone who can’t do 30*30 !)

When Jeff said that Ryan dropped at 2 seconds and asked Chrissy how much longer is 30 Minutes I was thinking
30*60/2 or 30*30 = 900 times!

Even the harder problem when Jeff said it is now 38 Minutes and again asked Chrissy how many times more than Ryan I was thinking:

38/2*60 or 19*60 and simpler in your head as
20*60-60 = 1200-60 = 1140

Chrissy said "Eleven Hundred and Change" but to be fair I haven't been starving.


"RE: The Merger: The Characters and their Stories"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 11-15-17 at 08:10 PM
Michel, you just need to make a post every episode, PLEASE! You are the man at this stuff. I agree that Chrissy and Ryan are long term players, no doubt about that....But, At this point, I don't think that Chrissy will win. She's shown making bad choices, such as her math skills in the challenge that they definitely noticed, and her loud talking when they are surrounded by many people. These are critical mistakes that serve to target her. She's a little too prominent, but if someone can ride her coattails, or let her be the shield, I see how they could win over her in the end.

Ben, he's made some errors too. He's shown to be very stubborn, his way or the highway. The healers did give him his choice of boot, and he kept coming back to Cole. I don't see that as smart playing. Ben has also made enemies at this point and he's alienated the healers, but at this point in the game, and he's in the majority alliance, it may not matter at this point.

Ryan still is a contender for me, but I do see him as somewhat of a villain.

Devon is very intriguing to me. We have to remember that he is a calm, surfer dude, and I do think there is more to him than meets the eye. I agree that he's been a narrator of sorts. Ryan was deceived perhaps in judging him by his cover, perhaps how Stephen judged JT, the country boy? When they were at Hustlers, we saw that Ryan was the torn one regarding the boot, but it was Devon that was definitive and dictated the boot. I do think that Devon has stronger ties to Lauren, where Ryan dismisses Lauren. We saw Devon offering loyalty with Chrissy and Ben, he's working it. When Ryan had his confessional about it's the Hustlers that go out and make new alliances, blah blah blah....

I had been waiting to talk with Devon since we had swapped. Like 2 old friends coming together....A Hero/ Hustler alliance makes sense for us because unfortunately there are only 3 hustlers left. Me, Lauren, and Devon. I know that I am tight with 2 of the Heroes, JP and Chrissy. So, it would be a perfect alliance.....like the merge vote is like the cream of the crop of Survivor. This decides who is going to dictate the rest of the game. And, a Hustler doesn’t wait, (see Ryan AND Devon), a Hustler goes and makes alliances. At the end of the confessional, the camera zooms in on Ryan, as we here some rapid percussion, like a snake rattle.

We saw DEVON when Ryan referred to them, and we saw Devon making alliances with Chrissy and Ben. There was one more thing that really stood out to me with Devon...regarding the beginning of the episode, we saw Devon starving. Then, when Ashley had her confessional about "Survivor is no joke, We are not joking when we say if we don’t get food today, we might die."

See Devon barely moving forward, hear Ashley: He’s barely moving....sad, serious music plays, Ashley cheers him on, “You can do it, Dev!” Then Devon has a confessional about how real Survivor is....then the confessional ends with him seen laying in the sand as though he is on a crucifix, and then the camera goes right over him and rises, over top of him....then the VERY next scene, we see him entering the challenge arena with the banner, and he's holding it like a cross....The religious symbolism was over the top, and we all know how religious EPMB is and we also know the comparisons that Ethan got with it in Africa. Just struck me, and I have to wonder if Devon is our winner.

I also can't help thinking in a tribe full of Alphas, the beta will win, and I do see Devon as more of a beta than Chrissy, Ryan, Ben, Cole, Joe.

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, I dunno.



"Episode 8 "
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 11-22-17 at 10:22 AM
Episode 8 post merge


After the merge, Cole was looking to get the upper hand, I’m looking for a clue anything for an advantage.
But, the heroes and Hustlers came together, Ben: we need a healer gone first
Putting the healers on the wrong side of the numbers
Chrissy: God forbid Joe pulls an idol, I think we need a plan B
At TC, Joe thought he was saving himself, but the real target was Jessica.
11 left, who will be voted out tonight

Intro gives Ben the lead....with the we need a healer gone first. I think that those that are mentioned in the opening intro are the ones as the center of the action, and therefore could be the most at risk. Note, it’s Cole, Ben, and Joe.

Night arriving back...Cole, ooooweee, now I know what it feels like to be lied to by every single person here, we’re playing Survivor.

Joe: that was magic, Ben

Joe, conf: I know the heroes and hustlers wanted us down to 4 man, but I didn’t see Jess. Jessica got completely blindsided by the heroes and hustlers. It was an amazing play, as a fan you just gotta appreciate that.

At camp Joe says, it was genius but the only problem now is that you are playing with the devil, meaning Ben.

Ben: Lauren and I put a plan in play, and executed it and got our target out, so it was a good feeling. If I could keep the reigns on this hero/hustler group and get us too a seven, I will. But, I’m worried about the individual part, because an individual can mess this whole thing up.

Is he referring to Joe? See Joe illuminated in the firelight.

Solewa day 20

See Lauren working and hammering. See Devon deep into yoga
Hear Mike: You know when I woke up this morning it seemed like the end of the world. Talking to Joe. It was my first Tribal and everybody else had been through it. See Ben, then Lauren working, hammering.
Mike; And, now I get it.

Lauren drops a nail, and says, did you see that, where did it go, as Ryan is focused on.
See Lauren reach into where the nails are a grab the SA.

Lauren: this morning I reached into where the nails were and picked out a little peice of paper rolled up really tight. It’s a hidden clue or something, ya know? This has been there since we merged. And, then I was trying to make sure that nobody was paying me any attention. My heart started beating probably 150 beats per second. She reads: “Congratulations, you have found a secret advantage in the game. This advantage allows you to secretly not vote at the next TC. And, instead, save your vote for use at a future TC, here’s how it works.
Continues in conf: When it is your time to vote do not write down a name, instead, secretly place this note inside the voting urn and take a blank voting parchment instead, with you. Then, I will get to vote twice. The hard part is going to be getting this paper into the urn in front of 20 other people. I need to make sure that no one sees me do it, because that could blow up my whole game.

Cut to intro

Challenge

race up tower to series of obstacles where you will take a sling shot and shoot down 5 targets. First team to win, reward. Spaghetti dinner, salad.

Joe in conf: Right now I do have a target on my back so I need to make adjustments to my game so this is a great opportunity to improve my game and make better alliances.

See the winners walk to reward area....Joe speaks to them and gives them the order, Devon first, it’s his birthday, I didn’t do anything but sit there so I go last....then Cole, Chrissy,

Joe continues: I put myself last because I didn’t want to put an additional target on my back. Right now, who has the power is the hustlers, I have a decent relationship with Devon so I gave him first dibs on eating. I feel like if I can develop a better relationship with devon, that’s going to benefit me definitely in the long run...

Devon walks up to the food, this is like the perfect date by myself.

Devon in conf: When I walked into the reward I felt like there was a little pressure on me being the first...knowing that everyone else is counting on me to set the bar on how much we are going to eat...He is shoveling it ALL in....


continues: OH man, I am so happy right now, this is insane! Shoving each bite into my face but I felt that I was fair, I mean I might of eaten a little more, for sure, but when there is that much food, it’s hard to stop.

See the written part of the clue under the spaghetti....devon misses it.

JT: I got to eat second, but I wouldn’t have minded going last because whoever was last got to finish it off, but you just want to make sure that everybody gets their fair share. All in all, by no means, but the food is what it is, take your portion and if you take more than your share than that’s on them.
Cole: I think JP and Devon may have had a little more than their share but I’m going to do the same thing. I know I am on the bottom so I’m gonna get back at all these people that stabbed me in the back and eat as much as I want, he sees the clue. There’s writing on the bottom of the plate. It says that you have an idol buried under the tribe flag. So, I am thinking that I may be the first person to see this clue. I know I needed to find some way to hide this clue from everyone. I decided to use an apron that was covering up the bread and tried to make it look as natural as possible.

Chrissy comes up.....I didn’t realize I didn’t get a plate....
Chrissy: I am a student of the game enough to know that there is generally a clue to be found at the reward. So, I begin to look at the bottom of the salad bowl...I unwrap the extra silverware....looked around, looked at the trees around me, didn’t see a clue so I continued to eat. See her peak under the napkin, and there it is, she swears...There is a hidden immunity idol hidden under your tribe flag. I actually think that I am the first one to see this clue and I am hoping that Ryan will also find the clue.
Ryan: Spaghetti is great, I like spaghetti, it’s fine. Caeser Salad’s okay, but I was looking for the clue. Ryan finds it, reads it, says, very direct. If you see the clue you do not have to be a master mind to figure this out. So, I have to hide the plate because the less people that see the clue, the better. I have been looking for an idol for 20+ days, now I know exactly where one is, so if I don’t find it, I would never be able to swallow that.

Here’s ryan....ryan comes back and lies down next to Chrissy, and she whispers to him about the clue, Cole listens, Asks, what’s that whispering about? Ryan: Nothing

Cole: Chrissy and Ryan were definitely whispering about the clue, there is nothing else that they would be whispering about. I could definitely beat out Chrissy and Ryan in a digging contest so if push comes to shove, I’m gonna push and shove there and I don’t feel bad at all about fighting for the idol. (*such an idiot ~ once again as edited as a dumb player. )
Ryan: Knowing that the II is buried right under the tribe flag, my heart is beating right out of my chest. See them file in from reward....I have to just wait for a moment to break away...we were telling the others about the reward and incredulously Ryan notes, and all of a sudden, Cole, goes to pee! This is it, this is when I have to strike...Cole’s literally caught with his pants down, I’m going to dig up this idol. And, we see him doing it. Chrissy goes to join Ryan, while in the middle of talking to the others. JP is walking by him, and Ryan grabs it just as he is there, and shoves it down his pants.
Then Chrissy goes by him, and tells her to cover that back up, I got it. Cole looks over and sees Chrissy there, and runs to dig deeper...
Ryan: I am standing there with the idol in my little pink shorts and pandemonium is ensuing in front of me.

Cole, Chrissy, Joe, and Ben are all there. Ben asks: Cole did you find a clue or something?

Ryan continues: Nobody really knew what was going on, and I was the only one that really knew what had transpired.

The flag drops, Ben says, Cole’s got it, he shoved it down his pants....

Ben: Cole’s digging his own grave at this point. You don’t want your enemies to know you have the idol. He blatantly just went out there running and just started digging.

Hear Ben tell Cole: WAsn’t the smartest thing, bud. You got it now and now everyone knows, so?
Cole: What else was I gonna do?

Ben confessional continues: I don’t like Cole, he’s rubbed everyone the wrong way, and if he’s got the idol everybody needs to know. He’s one of the main targets. I don’t care, I’ll blow his game out.

Cole says it’s still buried out there somewhere.
Ben: I saw you tuck your shirt into your pants.
Cole; It’s a long shirt, dude
Ben: Why would you tuck it in...
Cole: cause it’s like a dress

Cole: It’s like a complete disaster at this point. Everyone thinks that I have an idol, but I don’t have an idol. I feel like I am in big trouble, so letting people think that I have the idol at this point is all I have left, unless I can win immunity. That would be a game changer for me.

Cut to IC

Desi says temporarily when Jiffy says got to take it back. see Ryan. stand on narrow beam while balancing statue with a very narrow pole, at regular intervals, move back, harder.

WHen Jiffy noted losers head to TC, see Desi, and 8th person voted out, then Cole.

First section for 10 minutes, one little movement and your game can be over...

Mike is out. Ryan spits,
Joe out ooooh, killing me Jeff
Devon falls off, third out
Lauren is out
Down to 7
Ryan can’t hang in anymore, down to 6
See desi, others, then see Desi again

everybody moved back one section, beam very narrow
Ashley only lasted a couple ofseconds in this section
Where it gets very very difficult
Ben movement
JP struggling
Cole's feet moving, Ashley says Cole’s done
Chrissy out of no where looked very solid and dropped
Ben, Desi, Cole, and JP
Ben is out
Down to 3
Desi looking very solid, no expression
Desi drops, not keep her streak alive
Cole and JP, JP with a huge recovery, stature has moved alot, base is on the edge
Now Cole is moving
Cole still moving
JP drops

Cole wins individual immunity, safe tonight, cannot be voted out, see Ben.

Chrissy in conf: It totally sucks that Cole won immunity. But, the Hustlers and the heroes still have 3 other Healers to choose from, so we have to figure out which one of those 3 goes next.

Returned

Cole: the Immunity challenge was the bomb. I have new life I am so excited to be her tonight, I was getting pretty bummed out, I was thinking I was leaving tonight...to win that challenge definitely put me on top of the world. However, at this point I definitely think the healers are a sinking ship right now, and if we don’t do something soon we are going to be in a bad, bad place. First see Desi, then see Mike and then Joe. (Wonder if that will be the order?)

See JP, Ashley, Chrissy, Ben walking, that sucked...they say, all the girls vote Joe, and alll the boys vote Des.

Ben: Cole winning immunity changes everything. So, the plan right now is to split the vote between Joe and Desi, given the fact that he’s already found and played 2 idols. He’s a gamer, and the more Joe stays in the game the more time he has to find another one. Desi, she’s physically strong, she’s mentally strong and she can compete with the best of us.

Then see Chrissy Ryan and Ben.
Ben: we can’t put all our eggs in one basket either. Desi, she’s gonna compete
Ryan: No, no, no, Desi’s so strong
Chrissy to Ben: So you feel confident?
Ben: Well, it’s S, and anything can happen, but I think we’ll be good.

See Cole, Joe, and Mike
Cole: Dude, I don’t have an idol
Joe: Damn

Joe: With Cole off the chopping block they are probably gonna vote me out. I still have angles to play because at this point it’s 4 healers, 4 heroes and it’s a matter of who can sway the hustlers.

They ask Cole what he thinks: He replies, I think the heroes think that I still have an idol, so they may split the votes. And, if they split the votes we just need one person to vote and we can send someone home.

See Joe and Ryan, and Devon: and a snake.
Joe: this is the thing, who’s calling the shots right now, it’a a concern I’ve had since the beginning. (See Ben listening and spying on them). Joe tells him that Ben is just running this thing, the Dude is totally....If you all go to the final three with him, you are NOT going to beat Ben.
Ryan: yeah

Ryan: what Joe is pitching is true. If Ben gets to the Final 3, he would win, he’s got a great story, he’s a former Marine, and he’s just a good guy....see Ben squatting in the brush spying). I don’t want to take Ben to the F3, however, if I vote off Ben, I’d be betraying Chrissy, who really trusts me, so now is not the right time.

Ben: Just like i thought, Joe’s trying to put a target on my back. Ya know, I just really don’t like that guy.

See a snake, then Ben and Joe together, and Ben says: Joe, joe, what are you doing tonight? Playing another idol? Ben and Mike are there too, Joe: I don’t know, we’ll see what happens. There’s other threats other than idol hogs, like myself. There’s people that lie that swear on things. I mean you swore on your marines to 3 different people.
Ben: WHO? No I didn’t, who?
Joe: I’m not gonna go back and forth here, Ben
Ben: I never swore on the marine corps to anyone...so, if people are saying that, they are lying to you.

Joe: Ben came up to me real cocky and confident and I didn’t like it. So, I’m thinking he’s always saying, “I’m a marine”, this and that, so I told him, you are going around swearing on your marine, he said, he’s never done that, maybe I said you didn’t swear on yoru marine, but I don’t think it really mattered. I know I am in trouble so I gotta do what I can to blow up this game. t

Joe says, Ben listen,
Ben: NO! YOU Listen....and he gets loud
Desi in the shelter with Ryan and Chrissy: Hey, are they yellling
Ryan: uh huh. They have like a rivalry

Back to Joe and Ben:
Joe: I think that’s your game and that’s cool

Ben: Joe pushed the right button. I take what I did in the Marine Corps very serious, and I am still dealing with it. There’s things that I have to deal with every day. And, uh, thoughts that I have every single day. Some putz like him sitting there and telling people that I swore on it. It pisses me off!

Ben to Joe: I didn’t swear on the marine corps.
Joe: I hope you didn’t, that is all I’m sayin’.
Ben: Joe, I don’t give a ______ what you think
Joe; I know you don’t, when someone swears on the ...

To the shelter, Desi: Yeah, they are fighting for sure. Joe is just sitting there, Ben is the more demonstrative one...see Ashley

Desi: Joe just caused another blow up at camp. It’s certainly unsettling, I hope he knows what he is doing. Cause I do feel like there is a target on my back. But, Joes instincts so far have been good up to this point. This could work out really well for me, or really bad for me.

Cut to see Lauren tell Ben about the secret advantage, where the nails were....
Lauren: I have to tell you this because there is no way we are going to be able to split the votes now.
Ben: We can’t?
Lauren: NOt with the secret advantage...

Lauren: I decided to tell Ben about the secret advantage, because if I play it and don’t vote, then it would be 3 votes Joe, 3 votes Desi and the Healers could use their 4 votes and vote out one of us.

Ben asks her what it says. If she uses it today, then later she can vote twice.

Lauren continues: I am solid with Ben, however, I’m playing this game for myself and for my daughter, and having that extra vote, it could get me to the F3. I gotta make a big decision.

Ben: But this could create a huge problem for us. It’s a blessing and a curse that she found this. Now, I’m worried that Joe’s got another idol, so we have to split the vote. So, I have to convince a healer to come with us.

see 2 snakes...See Ben talking to Mike....

i’m on board with this, I can’t stand to be on this island with him any longer. If you don’t vote with us tonight then I’m going home. Ryan is there too.
Mike: But, who’s gonna vote for you?
Ben: Joe, Desi, Cole
Mike: But that’s only three
Ben: Right, but if something screwy happens, my name’s down.

Mike: For some reason, Ben feels that he needs me to vote out Joe. It doesn’t make sense. I don’t know what is going on. But, if I show my alliegence to Ben, this could be my moment to get off the bottom. At the same time, this could be a perfect opportunity to take out the biggest threat in this game, and that’s Ben.

See Mike discussing his delimma with Cole. They could be lying to me again....

Ben: If this don’t work, I might be screwed. IT’s a game of Russian Roullette. Put one round in the chamber, spin it, and hopefully the hammer doesn’t go down on me tonight.

Dramatic music, dusk, a spider, then TC....suspenseful music...

Joe: last TC came out hot, played idol, survivor....tell me a time that I haven’t felt the heat. Joe says there is one person running the show right now, Ben
Ben says he’s with his alliance, he has their backs
Cole says the healers are targets
Joe is laughing, says he said really, you allowed Ben to come in and cause chaos
Ben: This is from a guy that says I was swearing on my marine...they, Chrissy tells Joe to stop talking none of us want to hear you anymore
Ashley says she doesn’t know if Joe is just good at playing the gmae or just really annoying.
Desi says he’s good at double entendre
Mike says he feels he can’t trust people, feelings get hurt, feel as if you have been betrayed
Ben: I’ve been through alot had to keep our heads cool in dangerous situations, easy to get overwhelmed. since I have gotten out I am working on things like anger
Desi says she guess that lying is not the best version of themselves. there are alot of people here that have lied, have to decide where to draw that moral line
dEvon: I was dead in the shelter I don’t want to be like that I am positive person I don’t want to be a zombie, I like being a light and beautiful light.

Voting...

See Lauren, slip the SA into the urn, and slip the parchment into her bra...
Tally

They all look at Joe to play the idol....no idol play

Ben
Lauren
Desi
Joe
Desi
Joe
Desi
Joe
Desi
Joe

tied, 4 votes to 4 votes

Des
Joe
Desi
Desi
Desi
Desi
First member of jury
Joe: Yo Desi, baby girl, I didn’t flip...
She’s crying

Well, if roller coaster is the theme of the night, we are still early in the ride, that means there are a lot more loops to come.


This episode is interesting. We see that Cole is seemingly edited to be a dumb player. That's because he didn't think, or perhaps we wasn't a student of the game. But, for me, Chrissy and Ryan, the students of the game, are just as stupid. And, they think they are so much better.

First of all, Chrissy didn't even attempt to hide the plate, or do anything with it. At least Cole attempted, however weakly. Did she really leave it there for Ryan to see? Really? Then, when she returned and Ryan returned and they both discussed it right NEXT to Cole. She has no awareness of others....Chrissy constantly talks in ear shot of others, it's as though she dismisses others.

Then, she blatantly attacks Joe at TC as she turns and yells at him..."Just stop talking, none of us want to hear you anymore!" Not wise jury management. Furthermore, they all know how smart she is as she so eagerly showed off her math skills in the middle of the challenge. The sentiment towards her from those evicted from the game have NOT been good. Both Ali and Desi called out her lying. It's becoming more difficult for me to see her as winner, but this is Survivor, and anything can happen!

Ryan: Ryan was not edited well, imo, after the blindside of Roark. He was the one that vehemently attacked Ali, after HE blindsided her. His inability to empathize with her and gently handle the situation was apparent. He's called himself a weasel. He's shown that his words cannot be believed. He chose Devon as his number one because his impression of him was that he was "not as strategic", and physical. He judged the book by it's cover, which we all know is a big NO NO in Survivor.

Devon has believed that Ryan is his number one. Then, this week, we see Ryan tell him that he's got the idol, you are the only one I am telling, and not to tell anyone. Then, we see him tell Ben, and Ben tells Devon. The look on Devon's face, pure betrayal. This is going to be a significant event, imho. And, it could be the beginning of the fall for the weasel. (At least I hope so). For me, Devon is the underdog that I am rooting for, the average viewer perhaps? Devon is good with Lauren, Ashley, has ties to Joe, Ryan thinks that he's good with Devon.

Ben: Ben is someone that is in a personal struggle. He is shown to still bear the burden of the effects of his military service. It is his weak point, and he knows it. He has garnered trust from Chrissy and Lauren. He is in good with Dr. Mike, JP, Ashley. He is in conflict with Joe and Cole. He is a man in the middle, if he chooses to be. He betrayed Mike, but now Mike has decided to work with him. Ben has options.

Lauren: She's in a good place with Ben. Ben is a much larger target than she is, she is positioned with the Heroes/Hustlers, but also has ties to Dr. Mike. Can she trust Ben to keep her secret safe re: SA?

Ashley + JP. The once labeled power couple has shunned the spotlight. We know that Ashley is well positioned with Devon, as well as JP. She's the outer layer, however, of the heroes.

Joe: Joe is a marked man by Ben, and by Chrissy. For him, he's lucky that he is so poor at the challenges, I think that is the only thing that has saved him to this point, bar the idols. He's a very forward player, and he's a huge target. Someone to hide behind. He's trying to appeal to his relationship with Devon, will he be able to? (especially when Devon feels betrayed by Ryan?)

Mike: Makes a move to support Ben. In with Ben, Lauren, Cole. A reasonable man with an idol, that no one else knows about. An underdog with some hope.

All food for thought.




"Episode 9:"
Posted by michel2 on 11-25-17 at 03:47 PM
I posted this in Bashers but I think this can fit here as well.


The Contenders

1- Devon: It would be foolish to judge this book by its cover because he has played a very smart game up to now. He’s so well liked that I believe he would win against anyone, including Ben, if he was part of the F3 yet no one sees him as a jury threat. When we saw in the previews that Ben was telling him Ryan’s secret, I thought Devon would want to get rid of Ben to cut Ryan’s options but instead he quickly took over Ryan’s second option, getting a F3 deal from Ben. Now that’s smart! I wonder if we’ll see a return of Levu; the tribe that was the most fractured before the merger would make quite the alliance now if Devon and Ashley could find a way to work with Joe.

2- Ashley: When we were shown the scene where Joe calls Ashley the perfect Final 3 goat, I took it as a hint from the editors that Ashley would indeed be part of the F3. The question I have is whether Joe was right or not about Ashley losing that final vote. Editing is all about presenting a good story in the short amount of time that is available so by giving Ashley an interview in which we heard her reaction to those comments tells us that Ashley is important to this story. She was the only one to stand up to Ben, desperately wanting to eliminate Joe. After Ben shot her down, I think Ashley will turn to Joe in order to make Ben pay. That would be the move of the season.

3- Chrissy: She was my pick to win this season when we reached the merger but she lost her role in this story, going from the featured tactician to someone laying in the background. She agreed with Ashley that the vote should have been on Joe but then Ben shot her down. She realizes that it’s either Ben’s way or the highway so I’m thinking she’ll be part of blindsiding Ben. That would put her back in command and return her to the front of the stage. She knows that Joe is the biggest strategic threat out there but she reminded us there are lot of threats left in this game and she wants to decide what to do next. Because the camera showed us Lauren, Ryan, Devon, Ashley and Chrissy herself when she spoke about Joe being the biggest threat, I think we have our Final Six right there.

The Longshots

4 - Mike: He said he wanted to make a big move and get Ben out. That could have worked on one condition: After playing his idol, he HAD to vote against Ben! It doesn’t take a genius to see that. Why did he vote against Cole? It made no sense.

5 - Joe: He keeps on getting under everyone’s skin but Ben is quickly climbing the ranks of the most despised player in camp. Is there a better way to get rid of a new threat than by enlisting the old threat? If they let Joe stick around, they might be sorry. That’s his best hope.

6 - Ben: I’m not sure why he abandoned Chrissy as his best option to get to the Final 3. That could possibly cost him. I laughed when Ben said to Ashley: “It’s a group decision; we vote 4 on Cole and 3 on Mike.” In other words it’s not a dictatorship if they do what he orders. Even his close allies are seeing him as a steamroller so it’s possible they’ll take his power away. How fun would it be to see Ben be the next to join Cole on the jury? At least, they won’t fight over food there! It would also be quite interesting to see the guy who talked so much about the “Seven” going out at Eight! Taking on the role of King Arthur isn’t ideal when Mike presents it as America’s fight against England! I found it somewhat hypocritical when he turned to Cole saying “Sorry bud” and then being the first to shake his hand when he was voted out. Hopefully, someone will remember what Boston Rob did when Matt shook the losers’ hands. Jeff said it gets harder to keep alliances together and Ben is the one that needs the alliance most of all yet he hasn’t treated them with enough esteem.

The Goats

7- Ryan: I certainly can see him going to the end but he may have lost his best ally in Devon. Even if he makes it to the end, how can he win? His best argument to the jury would be to present himself as a smart player but the general opinion by those who are sent to the jury is that no one is playing the game right now.

]b]8 - Lauren: Yes she won a challenge but this won't be enough to get many jury votes. We'll have to see how her attempt to change the game turns out but it would likely serve someone else's game more than her own.

9 - JP: If you want to win rewards, pick JP on your team. If you want to win the game, get JP on your side. He’s really the best type of ally: Strong but dumb...just like Colby!



"RE: Episode 9:"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 11-26-17 at 09:33 AM
Woooo hooooo, Michel is in the house! Totally agree with this and love how succinct you are in spelling it all out!

Devon: He's someone that I have not underestimated the entire time, and he's who I am rooting for. He was judged out of the gate by Ryan, who severely, hopefully underestimated him. But, can he out last Chrissy, Ben, and Ryan? Time will tell. Love how Ryan thinks he is making Devon "a little bit dependent on me".

Mike....what was he thinking. He has labeled Ben as the most threatening, and talks to Joe about targeting him, and then doesn't even vote for him. Ben's plan worked, Mike played and wasted his idol.

I loved how the immunity challenge came down to Joe vs. Ben! Joe won, will he outlast Ben? Starting to think it could happen!

This game is setting up nicely for the latter episodes. Ben has Lauren and Devon as his core and has Chrissy thinking she is still part of his core. Ryan has Chrissy and Devon as his core and thinks he has Ben. Chrissy has Ryan, JP, Ashley and thinks she has Ben. Devon has Ben, Lauren, Ryan, Ashley. So many ways to betray each other, sure hope it pans out!



"Episode 10/11 Transcript..."
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 12-06-17 at 11:01 AM
Previously on S: After the merge the majority alliance was running the game. {Ben: We need a healer gone), but trust came into question, See Devon and Ben, Ben: Ryan has the idol. Devon: I thought I trusted Ryan, man. Jiffy: And, cracks started to form....Chrissy to Ben: People are starting to feel steamrolled by you. Ben: No, no they are not. Chrissy in conf: At this point it’s Ben’s way or the highway.
At TC, Mike tried to change the game. Mike whispers to Joe: Follow my lead here...just trust me. Jiffy: He caused chaos, and played an idol (for himself). In the end, the majority stuck together and sent Cole to the jury. 9 left, who will be voted out tonight?

Night 24. Joe thanks Mike for not informing him....Joe: stupid reason to play your idol.

Chrissy: TC was crazy and fun. The seven of us did exactly what we needed to accomplish which was to vote out Cole. But, the best part of the night was when Dr. MIke played an idol, for no reason at all, it was icing on the cake. So, at this point we have 2 healers to vote out. Joe and MIke are dead men walking

Mike: I had to play my idol for 2 reasons. One because I’m not going to be that idiot that goes hime with an idol in his pocket. I also knew that there was a chance that they might write Joe instead of me and I need him with me so I had to make sure they were going to write my name. And, now my vote comes along with another vote of 2 vs. Cole staying here, I am still just a block of one.

Mike tries to explain, get everyone pissed off at me so they don’t vote you, and you are still here...

Joe: At Tribal, Mike just exploded, and was kind of the villain, which I was kinda mad... but that’s my role...but he definitely messed up with the idol because no one knew that he had an idol and we could have used it down the road for a blindside for him and I to move forward in the game and now 2 swing votes with no alliances, no power, no idol.

Here Joe saying at camp to all of them, if you are going to do something as a team thing you need to share it...

Mike: It appears that I might have put a target on my back after TC, but the reality is I already had a target on my back. I needed to start playing my game and my game is to convince you, seven, why you need to crack. (Mike seen going off to sleep by himself.) Every body thinks I am this crazy doctor, but I am here to win this game and I’m not here to make to the 9, and 8, & 7. The seven have to break up at some point and yes, it might appear that I am on the bottom right now, but stay tuned, it’s about to get really good.

Come on in, RC: Day 25. Use feet only, release rope, drop blocks in bin, stack ina circle and place a flag in the center, first to finish wins, taken on sea plane, aerial tour, then enjoy cheese burgers, FF, ice cold beer.

Untie rope, release peices...build foundation to rely on to get you all way to top, metaphor for S., build foundation to get you all the way to the end...Once get bottom level start on next level, keep stable, there is a 3rd level and then flag. Mike working on 3rd level...so close to cheeseburger and not taste it if you don’t win...After crazy TC, who knows where Mike stands in this game. Mike then Lauren, Ashley, and Chrissy. Mike has a rhythm and it is working. Last piece on top.....it’s there, going for the flag...could win it right here. get flag up and over, repair, opens the door now, Ashley can feel it, Lauren...

Lauren going for the flag
Lauren hovering....Lauren wins individual reward
Lauren says feels good. bring somebody with you...brings Devon...room on sea plane for another, Ben. one last seat, who? chooses Ashley...
Jiffy asks Ryan do you read into this? Ryan: No. Devon is a big guy he needs that sustenance, I support Lauren...
JP, Ryan, Joe, Mike, and Chrissy nothing for you...

Lauren: Ryan's wrong, I picked these people for a reason, they are not a strong group of 7, it's getting ready to blow up!

They are all seen in the plane, fly by the camp, Joe flashes them a moon...see Mike, it’s very low, My wife would be very mad at me if I was on that thing.
Mike: I am so mad, the RC was mine to win...and I lost it. Now, I am stuck on the beach with Chrissy, Ryan, Jp who are literally just blinded by the 7, playing this comfortable game, let’s just get Joe and Mike out. It’s a day for Joe and I to stir things up. Busting more jokes, we are like Ciskel and Ebert...Chrissy to Mike: Mike you are in rare form again this afternoon (as Mike asks Joe to get into another fight with Chrissy).
Joe: Mike, what are we going to call our table?
Ryan: the kids table?
Joe: No
Mike: the coconuts? Cause we are slightly coco, and it describes my urology...laughing
Ryan: seen shaiking his head

Ryan: I love cheeseburgers, and I’m starving. and, now I have to just sit back and watch the coconuts comedy team, and it’s getting a bit of annoying, but it’s been so benefitial, to have people like Mike and Joe on the outside who nobody wants to work with, see Ryan and Chrissy on the beach. Say to each other, Joe, then Mike. MIke just isn’t as good a player. Get Ben out at 7, then Lauren at 6.They note that Ben is a strong player, let’s stick with it, the 7,
Ryan in conf: Me and Chrissy are just playing a more strategic game than everyone else, we are looking down the road and our focus right now is on Ben as that first vote going into the 7. He’s a strong player and he will be really tough to beat going to the end, and it’s really funny that he’s the one that is like let’s stick with the 7, let’s stick with the 7 and we are sticking with it, but you are going to be number 7.
Hear Chrissy: Am I being really stupid in thinking the 7 of us are going to stick to the 7? Ryan: I think it’s really going to happen
Chrissy: I think it’s going to happen too, my intuition tells me. .... 100% say Ryan and Chrissy.

Cut to the reward:

Lauren: Heaven on earth! It didn’t take me 2 seconds to eat that cheeseburger. You know I dropped mustard on my pants and I said Oh gosh...I looked at that mustarad and said, I ain’t had a bath in 20 something days, what’s a little mustard gonna hurt now, you know? ...the whole time I am thinking...let everybody eat and feel good and then start talking business.

See them eating, thank you, Lauren! Lauren says that we’ve all worked really hard, we are all here working individually playing against each other, but you have to have a certain amount of people to get control of the game, see Ben, and Chrissy, Ryan, and JP, they are fooling themselves if they think they are going to keep themselves together to 7. This is perfect timing, this is why I picked you guys, and you being hero, hero, hustler, hustler...I’m gonna keep right on hustling...

Lauren conf con’td: 7’s a great number, but 7 is not gonna last forever, and if you are stupid enough to think it’s gonna last, than something is wrong. JP, Chrissy, and Ryan feel a little bit too comfortable right now. To me, this is the perfect time to break up the numbers before it gets broken up on us.

Continues to the group, let’s take all the information that you know, you know, you know and I know and let’s take all the information and use it against them. Ben: right. Devon: Ryan has an idol...Ryan told me that he had an idol and that I was the only one that knew, and I trusted that....Lauren: I have the secret advantage and it is still in play and I have an exta vote. Ashley: There is a lot of telling of things and this girl hasn’t been told anything!
Ashley: Lauren’s plan to get the 7 early is an awesome idea, and if I want to be one that is in on decisions and not be just one that is told what to do then I need to step up the aggression, I need to step up my game play.

Lauren to the group: They are never going to expect Ben and Joe together, now if you can put your differences aside (to Ben) and if you can put your differences aside ( to Ashley), and play the game we just need to go ahead and play it cause it’s not personal, it’s business.
Ben: this is where the tricky part comes in
Lauren: well, the tricky part is that Joe and MIke need to stick around for a little while.

Ben: It’s impossible to live with Joe. I’m sick of being called King Arthur. I’m sick of trying to keep everyone in line and straight, but now, if I need to keep Joe, I’ll do it.

Lauren to Ben: that whole round table and that, that’s going to hurt you right off the bat.
Ben: I am on board with this, and I will ride with you 4 to the end on this.
Devon: Solidy this right now? Over a beer
Lauren: We can take control of the game! To the final 4!


Devon: Lauren has been surprising me. She came into this game talking no strategy, and now she’s surprising me...I am seeing this other side of her, she’s really good, she’s as good as me. And, uh, I”m happy she’s on my side, and I think this plan is gonna work, see Ben. This is what S is all about, who knows what can happen at rewards!

Devon reaches for another burger patty and they find letters! OMG!!! Soft music plays and the tears start...Ashley, Ben,

Lauren: I got a letter from my daughter, and it said, dear Mama...that was it, I lost it. I’m a single mother and I’ve had to fight for every dime that I have gotten, see Devon and Ashley in tears, it’s a really good reminder that I have to make big moves for her. That’s the whole point of me being here, to not to give up on her, I’m not just here for myself, I’m here for her and for her future, and for me.

Ben: Thank you Lauren, they are all in tears. they all hug Lauren,

Lauren continues: and, for those guys to get it also meant alot to them and I think that it also brought us closer together, so we can actually make this happen.

Lauren: I am really glad that I won today

Devon comments on how the letters have even bonded us more today, see Ben...Devon: I’m not walking away from this. Ben: If we stick together this is where we flip the game.

Solewa Day 27

Ben: It’s a new day and what a way to start the day with my wife and 2 kids, see him sitting on a rock and reading his letter...now, I know it’s a letter, but you can hear her talking in her words, and Wyatt wrote me a letter too. And, his writing is getting better. I miss my wife, I love her to death, she changed my life, she saved my life. When you go thru combat and you come back, alot of people have a hard time doing it, and I told her, my wife just gave me the gas and fuel I need to play this game.

As Ben walks back from his rock on top of the hill position he sees the clue on a rock....OMG! Here music playing...Out of nowhere I see this rock that says dig, at first I think there is an idol hidden underneath of that rock...pulls out a clue, look underneath a clay pot...but it was a map of our island and it’s a clue to where the HI is . It said look for a cay pot, oh man, I’ve been looking since day one to find these darn idols...man, I lost it! No way! kisses the clue...now the marine in me, when there is a mission or a task to get done, it’s go time. Right now I have a map, I have an objective and I’m gonna go get the job done. My mmission now is to get to the idol, you know I’m sweeping the area like I would clearing a room, you have to keep a keen eye out for something that looks out of place. think quickly, clearly, looks up and finds it, clay pot in middle of the hut...it's up in a tree...and he's got it....an idol, he kisses, it, thank you family.....I have never been more happy to wear a darn necklace...I need the idol and I ain't telling no one about it cause no one can keep a secret, thank you honey!

Cut to the IC: Balance on triangular platform, feet perched on narrow footholds, get smaller& smaller as you go up, fall off and you are out. NOtes there is alot of talk about alliances, if you feel secure, I will offer you something, forego this challenge and indulge in guarenteed pleasure of feast on peanut buttere and chocolate, give you a minute to think about it, dEvon, Ben, and Lauren sitting out of the challenge, while Mike, Ashley, Chrissy, Ryan, Joe all participate. Eat till the challenge is over. Will be on the first ledge for 20 minutes
Mike, what will your kids thing? I will need to convince them that I am not crazy
Chrissy: too late for that
Mike: Coco nuts, Joe is Coco and I am nuts
If you touch the platform at all, you are out. Ben offers Jeff some peanut butter. JP....nice save, but he then is out.

Down to 5, 20 minutes is gone, move to final spot, top level, get balnce, now it gets fun. Chrissy is out, Joe is struggling and he’s out. Down to 3, 3 very different positions. Mike says he’s not leaving S. without winning an immunity. Ryan teeters, Ashley looks like she is surfing. Ryan out. then Mike out, Ashley wins. See Joe

Ashley: JP, Chrissy, and Ryan didn’t win, I am a giddy little kid about this tonight, now it’s time to pull the trigger and make it happen!
Ryan: I was surprised that Ben, Devon, and Lauren ate, but luckily Ashley won. Now, we get to decide between Mike and Joe, see them all talking in a group...I don’t care.

Chrissy: I feel very comfortable with our alliance of 7. Getting rid of one of them will get rid of the coconut allliance, it’s driving us all bananas.

17. Devon: I look at Chrissy and Ryan and I see the power blinding them, I see the cluelessness in how conifident they are acting, needs to be changed, and me and my alliance have to change that.

See Lauren, Devon, Ashley in the water...Lauren: Chrissy is a huge thinker, astermind. JP, good physically, Ryan: great time to flush the idol. If we don’t do it now...

Then, Devon has a plan, have Ben vote with them, so Chrissy, Ryan, and JP will come running to him. We will need Joe and MIke to vote with us to keep the numbers

Ben: My mission now is to stay on the side of Chrissy Ryan and JP....we will have the numbers if we get Mike and Joe

Cut to Lauren and Ashley talking to MIke and Joe....they still think 7 strong and you two are out...

Joe: OMG, the seven has a split

Lauren: I am one step ahead of them, tribal will be a huge blindside and there will be fireworks at camp tonight!

Chrissy: 2
Mike: 3
Joe: 2
Lauren: 4
Ryan: 2
Ben: 3
Ashley: 2
Devon: 2
JP: 0
Jiffy: When is it happening? It’s happening when you don’t know it’s happening


Return for TC...
Chrissy: someone please explain how it happened. Joe says we look like coconuts but we are not idiots...hahaha.

Ben: It was well played coming from a guy that said he’d never be a puppet.
Joe: Me and Mike, we’ve never been bitter...we are happy around camp and just be glad that you are still here, see Ryan

Chrissy: I am upset about the blindside, but I am more upset about the way that those 5 treated us when we got back to camp.

See Chrissy ask: Am I allowed to ask how long the plan was crafted?
Devon: You can ask, But I’m not going to answer.

Chrissy cont’s: Blindsides are a part of the game, being snarky to your friends is not. That’s the part that is frustrating to me, but clearly, they are not friends. whatever

See Ryan telling Lauren: Thank you for saving me...

Ryan: I try to be very gracious, I said good move, way to play everybody, but I ‘m infuriated. I’m not....see Lauren tell him, you’re fine Ryan....it’s new for me, being on the bottom. I really need to think how I am going to recover from this.

Ben: telling Joe, you didn’t make the move, you got drugged along by your little puppet strings. The great puppet guy that would never be a puppet.

Ben: Mike and Joe are pretty much in the dark of me working with Ashley, Devon, and Lauren, but Joe’s walking around like it was his damn idea, you know? To blindside JP.

See Joe and Mike, buy one get one free!

....ben: He did what a good little puppet would do, you pulled his strings, he made sure he wrote down JP, and he did

Back to camp, ben to Joe: what was the reason for JP?
Devon: You guys are asking confidential information

....ben cont’s: I should get an award for the performance I put on when we got back from camp. I’m doing my best double agent, whatever you want to call it. I’m playing a role of being on the outs with Chrissy and Ryan to gather intel but really I have my alliance of four with Lauren, Devon, and Ashley.
This gave us the upper hand, now Ryan and Chrissy are at the bottom...

Ryan approaches Devon: You know I”m not mad at you...
Devon: I had to do it, I know, I know

Ryan: I never thought I’d have to repair my trust with Ryan...Devon and I have been together since day 1, I have given him every single ounce of information that I have had in this game and he blindsided me. He could have sent me home.

Devon: the reason that you didn’t know about this vote was because....
Ryan: the idol?
Devon: YOu told me that I was the only one that knew...you and me.
Ryan: No, you were the only one that I told

Devon: ever since Ryan lied to me about him and I being the only ones that knew about the idol ...that lie caused me to no longer trust him anymore.

Ryan to devon: I’ve never waivered from you me and Lauren going to the F3 together. (lie) and I’ve voted the way we said we were going to vote.

....I trust Ashley, I trust Lauren, and I want to trust you, but you scared me, you’ve really scared me.

Devon continues: We’ve had an alliance since day 1, but it is a selfish game to get to the end, and I have a plan to get me to the end, and he’s no longer a part of it.

Day 28...they are eating rice

Devon: I grew up watching survivor but you don’t realize how mentally draining it is. My whole game up until this point has been very cloudy but now everything is becoming much more clear. See smoke at the fire, then see the sun shining clearly.

To Ben sitting on the beach:

Devon: is it just me, dude, or are you feeling really good?
Ben: I’m feeling really good.
Devon: but you realize, we vote off one more person and we are guarenteed.
Ben: Yeah
Devon: final 4 because then we’d have the majority and then we can be open with you and we don’t even have to hide
Ben: yeah, alright,
Devon: that you are with us at that point
Ben: even right now cause we have Lauren’s extra vote
Devon: Oh, that’s true, It really doesn’t matter cause once we have us four on majority, then we are set.

Devon: I mean Ben, being our secret agent, I know where the idol is, I know where the advantages are and I know what every single player is thinking. It’s between Chrissy and Joe, for sure.
Devon to ben: The only reason I want to keep Chrissy over Joe is that I think Chrissy is more of a challenge. A bigger threat than Joe...
Ben: right

Devon continues: for the first time in this game, I am calling the shots. And, I don’t think anyone knows that I am as good at this game than I am. So, I am sitting in the best possible seat in this game.

Cut to RC, water and land parts....come on in...randomly divide 2 teams of four, swim to boat, collect 3 bags of logs, use them to push puzzle peies thru puzzle, then use them to complete puzzle. winning 4, survivor spa, shower, massage, eat, chicken veggie wraps, pecan and keylime pie.

teams: Lauren, ryan, mike chrissy vs ben ashley, joe, and devon

first get everyone in boat, mike is in...start paddling, red finally in, blue in early lead...devon has first bag, heavy logs, ryan can’t get bag into platform, needs help...Ben has second bag...blue boat got away from him...red made up alot of time....blue heads for third and final bag...MIke has it for red...paddle to shore, dead even....both teams trying to clip in, good, now get all pieces up the beach, untie when all 3 bags, blues strength coming into play, all up quickly, red struggling...shove logs thru. as push logs push puzzle pieces out the other side...Ben does it, alternates with Ben...Blue has all pieces through, get all pieces up on puzzle table, Lauren using whole body to push them thru...Lauren is work horse using her body to shove logs thru...
Ben and Ashley has alot of time....

Mike and Chrissy working for red...gigantic comeback for MIke and chrissy if they can pull it off...red making progress, Ashley and ben slowing down...hoping ofr a mistake...Blue wins, Joe devon ben and ashley...Chrissy says they could have gotten it...

7. Joe: I felt confident that we were going to win and we did. And, now I have a complete alliance, the tables have completely turned, it’s time to eat and get a massage.

Cut to reward

Devon: the reward is amazing, I mean to have a spa day, shower, and get massages. Eat wraps, it’s like hitting a restart button on your body. But, there is still strategy in mind so Ben is still playing the role of the dethroned king and JOe is still eating it up.

Devon says he feels like a king, Ashley pats Ben on the back: you should feel right at home then, King Arthur.
Ben: jerk
Devon: Cheers to King Arthur
Ben: to them, here’s to my disloyal knights

Ben: It’d be nice to kick back with Devon and Ashley but, I’m still playing my part of being on the outs but that is kind of fun for me right now just cause I’m kind of messing with Joe and he don’t even know it. Any time I can mess with Joe, I’ll take it.

Ashley and devon note when your winning in this game life is fun!
Ben: When your all. turns on you, it’s not so fun. See Ashley
Ben: Did you guys have plans from the git go, like when? YOu guys don’t have to answer
Devon: yeah,
Joe: My lips are sealed
Devon: I’d rather not talk about it...
Ben: alright, that’s fair
Devon: I mean it was a move we made...the game moves on.

Joe: Ben has been the leader of his pack since the beginning and now he’s at the bottom and he doesn’t know how to play this game without power and control. He wants to talk about the game, obviously, and we are like dude, we are not going to talk about it. Now he kniows how I felt.
Ben: Well, I just hope I am not next, that is all I’m gonna say...
Joe: there are alot of dangerous people out here...

Ashley: Ben’s still putting on his performance as a very disappointed king Arthur and he sells it like i’ve never seen a story sold. It’s awesome. But, he’s playing a really good game and that is pretty scary.

See Devon take Ben’s hat and try it on...
Ben laughs, OMG
Devon: Howdy partner
Ben: You’re lucky we got to know each other that well!

Devon to Ashley: We have the exact same game togheter, and we are getting to the end together.
Ashley to Devon: Last night was like the turning point for me
Devon: Yeah, cause we finally made a move.
Ashley: We made a big move and now everyone is scrambling.

Ashley continues: I feel like this game just upped to a whole nother level for me and up to the merge I definitely took a back seat to my game but now it’s really evolved and I feel like I am finally playing S.
Ashley to Devon: And, it’s a really good feeling!
Devon: beautiful, beautiful, beautiful...

Ashley: Making that big move set the pace for some really big moves ahead. (see Ben getting out of the shower. ) It makes me feel like this is my game to lose.

Solewa, Day 28. Cut to the others roasting coconuts at camp.

Ryan: I feel like nothing is going my way, I can’t win a veggie wrap! That’s how bad things are going right now and I have an idol in my pocket. I don’t want to play it once and then just go home thenext time, so I need to work with mike, if we could show that we could work together, we’ve both been left out of votes, both been on the bottom, I think it would endear us to each other. Maybe, just maybe I could swing him over and have the numbers back on our side.

MIke to Ryan: s is very situational, ya know?
Ryan: Extremely, now it’s you 5, you, lauren, devon, joe and yourself, and then again, you don’t have to...
Mike: I can’t say

Mike: When you look at where I was 3 tribals ago and where I am today from the bottom to the top and now I have a nice alliance of 5 and we have a plan to work together and, I’m sticking to that paln.

Ryan to MIke: I’ve always wanted to work with you, Mike
Mike: YOu never wanted to work with me...so many opportunities to work with me...
Ryan: Oh, no question
Mike: the whole week I gave you opportunities to work with me
Ryan: the game changes, you know that
MIke: the game does change

Mike continues: I went up to Ryan at least everyday for a week and siad, Let’s work together. And, he said no.

MIke to Ryan: I think I am pretty good right now Ryan, unfortunately for you.

He said right before TC, he wasn’t voting for me. He voted for me, and then he has the nerve to come up the next day and say to me: Mike, I’ve always wanted to work with you. And, I’m like well, isn’t it a buck late and a dollar short?

Chrissy to Lauren at camp:
Chrissy: this might sound totally bizarre because you and I have really not talked strategy.
Lauren: Um hmmmm
Chrissy: But, Ryan and I have talked strategy and prior to yesterday...

Lauren: I expected Chrissy to try and come and talk strategy with me, but that’s as far as it goes. She’s very annoying.

see Chrissy tell Lauren: We have talked about going final 3 with you. I don’t know if he’s mentioned it to you?
Lauren: No, but ummm
Chrissy: I don’t know what your plans are for a path to the ending?

Lauren confl cont’s: I mean I will listen to you all day long but that doesn’t mean I will go with you...

Chrissy to Lauren: Let’s start having conversations and keep them moving...

Lauren: But, who else are you have conversations with then?

Lauren in conf’l: If you wanted to talk to me, then you would have talked to me several weeks ago and not just today. I’ve jumped ship once, see Ryan and mike return, and I’m not gonna jump ship again. I’m staying in the same boat.

Chrissy: I believe that Ben, Ryan, and I are the next ones to be voted off. So, Lauren does somewhat have my fate in her hands. I opened the topic but she just didn’t want to talk strategy with me. Lauren made a swing for them, and Chrissy says it is so wonderful
Chrissy cont’s: I don’t want to be seen as desperate, but that is how I am feeling today. This game is kicking my butt. And, it is a new feeling for me and right now I am definitely in trouble because I don’t want to be voted off.

Rain: Day 29, making rice. MIke says are you okay to Chrissy, NO I’m just getting hungry and tired of sleeping on bamboo, wet cold.

I’m just having a day, day 29....need a hug or anything....MIke sits down next to her

Chrissy: It’s just hard for me because in my world, I’m in control of everything. it’s hard not being in control of my own fate, that is why this game kicks your #####, I really don’t want it to be the end of the line, this has been my dream for 16 years. But, what I do as an actuary is come up with all the possible outcomes so I am alwayS tinking of different ways and different outcomes that I can get myself back on track. I hope that I can have the last laugh. (crying)

IC Challenge...

compete over a see saw challenge course ends with a vertical puzzle.

use S driving wheel to transport key thru series of obstacles, key unlocks things then get pieces of puzzle, get to end and build a vertical puzzle.

See Joe when he says someone will be the 11 th person voted out.

go...first transport key through these obstacles...Ashley drops, Ben is good, Devon good, ryan drops, Lauren drops, Joe is good, MIke drops Chrissy is good....go acrosse the balance beam...Ben is good, unlock puzzle pieces, devon across, then Joe across, Ben releases his pieces...Ashley is good...stack and get them to the finish...MIke drops...Lauren is good, Ben has pieces free, Devon they both have 4 pieces....get them all in the bin before go back...Joe drops, ashley has 4...chrissy has 4, devon with 4 more...mike thru first section, and so is Ryan...Devon in lead then ben, devon with last 4 puzzle blocks, ashley has 8 blocks at once. Devon is working on puzzle...Chrissy taking long time to try to get back in this....one word...Devon shakes his head and says, no idea...
One word, what could it be...see the wear and tear of 30 days... invulnerable...I’ve been waiting for this for 16 years. I really needed it tonight, it’s absolutely an incredible feeling knowing that I will be herre tomorrow night, on day 31. (See Joe)

Chrissy: I am invulnerable, I finally won a individual immunity challenge....I really needed it for tonight, I really believed that I was gonna go home. So, coming home with this necklace is just beautiful in so many ways.

Ben: After the challenge with Chrissy winning there are 3 other people to pick to send home. No harm no foul. Now we just need to get to gettin and figure out who to vote off next.

See a snake and then see the F4, Ash, Lauren, Ben, Devon:
Devon: the number one thing is to figure out who we are voting out next.
Ben: Y’all, we don’t need Joe anymore. We don’t need Joe.
Devon: We really don’t. Let’s do Joe. Easy, simple, JOe. Done deal

Devon: My alliance of 4 is going to vote Joe, now we have to come up with this whole new pitch to tell Mike.

See devon telling AShley and Lauren: Why don’t we just tell Joe and MIke that we are using your extra vote tonight. We will say that Joe, Mike, and Me will vote for Ryan, and Ashley, you and your extra vote will vote Ben, that way we are safe, and we all just vote Joe out.

Devon continues: I come up with this idea to split the votes between Ryan and Ben, but the reality is myself, Lauren, Ashley, and Ben will vote for Joe, and Joe will go home.

Joe and Mike approach the three. What’s going on tonight. Devon explains that we have a plan, Lauren has an extra vote,
Joe: for when?
Lauren: for whenever I want to use it.
Devon explains it to them, then when the revote, we all vote for Ben.
Nobody knows about her extra vote.

Joe: This is absolutely amazing, Lauren has an advantage which gives her the ability to actually vote twice. So, right now I am ecstatic, just knowing that that extra vote is going to be used.

Mike adds: I can’t wait to see Ben go, he’s the biggest threat in this game.

MIke: I am excited to see Ben go home because honestly he is the biggest threat out here now. He will do anything to win this game. And, Ben has betrayed me multiple times. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I’m not going to let Ben fool me.

Chrissy talking to Ben and Ryan: to ben: looking at it I think any way they split the votes it’s gonna be you...Chrissy wants to get Devon and Ashley, Ashley screwed us both, Ryan: what ashley did to you, Devon did to me...Ryan: How did we let 2 25 year old surfers...
Ben: Gosh dang it. This stinks y’all.

Ben: This acting is a little exhausting but it’s for a good cause at this point. I just need to get through one more tribal. Just play the poor me, why me card. And, then everybody knows.

See Ryan and Ben talking, Ben tells him to play his idol. If I had one, I’d play it. It gets you to day 31. They shake hands. What every happens it’s been a pleasure.
g
Ben continues: I still have an idol but I don’t feel the need to play it. For tonight to actually happen the way it’s supposed to happen


See an inch worm....
Lauren to Ashley: I was just thinking, it would be crazy to take ben to the final 4.
Ashley: yes. 100%. Sitting next to him...we would all look like chumps. Everyone would vote Ben. Strong, leader....shoot, I would vote Ben.

Lauren: Timing is everything in this game and it could be the time to vote Ben out, because he has made big decisions and he’s been the king in his round table and all that stuff.

Lauren to Ashley: So, why don’t Joe and MIke right their second, and we can use them how we need to use them? You and devon need to talk about us three voting Ben out

Ashley: Right now it’s me, Ben, Lauren and Devon and right now we are voting out Joe, but it seems like Ben would be a huge threat at the end and in this game you have to be aggressive and I am starting to do that.

Lauren to Ashley: It’s nothing against Ben, but he’ll win
Ashley: I get it, he’ll win.

Ashley continues, All of the stronger players, is that they make moves. Ben could go home tonight, this could be our chance to make that happen.

See Ashley and Devon walking and then see a snake.

Ashley to Devon: I’m considering alternate plans, about getting Ben out.
Devon: Are you serious?
Ashley: Yes
Devon: OMG! Wow!
Ashley: That’s a move right there for both of us.
Devon: Yes, Ben’s thinking of big moves....Ben’s dangerous
Ashley: Yes. It has to be 100% a blindside.
Devon: It’s between Ben and Joe....this is hard

Devon: This vote is not an easy one. But, I realize Ben is a big threat and I need to make big moves in this game and be ruthless. But, I have to be smart, and make the right decision. OMG!

The first episode was a blindside of JP. How the mighty and arrogant Chrissy, Ryan felt on top, controlling the game. Then, we see the blindside. Ryan never saw his mistakes. With the power switch, both Lauren and Devon emerge as strategists, painting targets on their backs. We start to see the secondary alliance emerge with power and follow the same path as Chrissy and Ryan. They use the healers to serve their purposes and vote out Joe, blindsiding Mike. Clearly, Mike will flip to Ryan and Chrissy.

But, the story that seems to be emerging is what would Ben do? Ties to both sides. And, with SO many idols in the game, it serves to create doubt, make it perhaps anyone's game.

Seven are left, who will be voted out next?



"The Editing ~ Characters and their Stories - Before the Finale"
Posted by michel2 on 12-16-17 at 08:05 PM
Chrissy: At first, she told us that she was banking on Ben not finding an idol.

In the reward challenge, Chrissy teamed up with Devon and she managed the race well enough that she was first to finish. From what we heard, Chrissy was the one that convinced Devon to pick Ryan for the reward, a decision that really frazzled Ashley.
During the reward, Chrissy made a Final Three agreement with Devon and Ryan. Chrissy saw the immediate benefit of taking Devon to the Final Three: It would break up his alliance with Ashley. Ashley had been calling Chrissy out in front of the tribe so Chrissy was gunning for Ashley. Ben wasn’t attached to anyone so Chrissy was thinking of going after Ashley even before voting Ben out.

The Immunity Challenge was another shining moment for Chrissy; she finished the race in second place, getting up the stairs right behind Ben. While it took her some time figuring it out, Chrissy was no match for the others on the puzzle.

Seizing Ashley’s plan to split the votes between Ben and Mike, Chrissy talked to Ryan, Mike and Devon about voting Ashley first because Ben wasn’t going to win the next two challenges and they’d flush his idol, if he had one.

While she couldn’t have predicted Ben’s theatrics during TC, her plan to go after Ashley served her well as she got everyone to vote for her nemesis. In doing so, she probably ripped Ashley’s vote away from Devon.

From what we’ve seen, Chrissy has been the best strategist this season, possibly the best since Kim in One World. Yes, she made a big mistake by being complacent after the merger but she quickly recovered and since the counter alliance was based on deceit, she beat it by using loyalty; the strongest weapon against it. She stayed loyal to Ryan, she extended loyalty to Mike and she gained Devon’s trust because of that loyalty. It was probably her loyalty that saved her from Ben’s vote when he was the lone arbiter.

Being such a huge jury threat, Chrissy might have to win a challenge to get to the Final 3 but she has been surprising even in the physical part of a few challenges so it isn’t impossible. It would also look good on her résumé. She might not be a lock to get the majority of votes but she should do well against the jury. During last season’s reunion, Jeff, out of the blue, explained how a FTC tie would be resolved so I’ve been expecting a tie this season. If Chrissy, Devon and Ryan do make it to the Final Three, it could all come down to Ryan’s vote during the live reunion! I think he’d vote for his island mom.

Devon: In talking about Ben’s move, he called it the work of the “Survivor Devil”. All his plans had been turned upside down but he vowed to win the next immunity challenge to vote out Ben. He did beat Ben in the reward challenge. He was delighted when Chrissy brought up the idea of going to the Final Three with him. He thought it was his best shot to go to the Final three and win it all.

Devon wasn’t thrilled with the idea of going after Ashley before Ben because he really liked her (and it will certainly cost him her vote in the end!) but when it came to it, Devon went along with Chrissy’s plan and voted against his best ally.

Devon proved that he was a smarter player than first impressions led many to believe but the shifts in this game have really been too complicated for him to follow. Still, I believe Devon would be a very tough opponent in the Final Three. He made enough moves to garnish a résumé and his social game has been excellent. If he is in the Finale with Chrissy and Ryan, it will probably come down to one vote.

Ben: This episode was all about Ben being the number one target and his search for the idol that would save him. In honor of our Marine, we heard military music accompanied by the sounds of canons firing as the tribe returned to camp. That really underlined his great play with the idol. Led by Devon and Chrissy the tribe quickly agreed Ben should be next. He realized he had a long road ahead.

The next day, the sun wasn’t up yet when we tagged along Ben’s first search of the idol. After losing the reward, Ben tried to use Ashley and Mike’s anger to turn them against the other three but he didn’t make any real progress. Ben went on a second search for the idol.

After losing the immunity challenge, Ben went right back to looking for the idol. Finally putting his hand on it enabled Ben to deploy his histrionics at Tribal Council.

I would like to know what got Ben to vote against Ashley in the end. We didn’t see Ben participating in any of the whispering that went on after he played his idol and he looked determined to vote against Mike but in the end, he rallied to vote out the only person that was ready to listen to him. He’ll certainly need to win the last two challenges to make it to the end but his problem is that he has never done well in challenges. The consensus of players there is that he’d easily win the jury vote so I have to place him here but I have my doubts. His behavior over the last few days has been so confrontational that I believe he wouldn’t get enough votes. More likely, he will be sitting on the jury, acting as bitter as jurors always are.


Mike: He was stunned that, as the swing vote, Chrissy didn’t pick him for the reward. Mike came to the conclusion that Devon had taken his spot next to Chrissy and Ryan. All that did was get Ben to call Mike a reputation a cry-baby. It was funny to hear Mike say that he searched everywhere for the idol when we were about to see that it was right under their shelter. Mike was certain Ben couldn’t find it either.

When Chrissy brought up the idea of eliminating Ashley before Ben, Mike said he needed Ben out of the game because of his ferocity.

While Mike would have a great underdog story to sell the jury, I don’t think he’d convinced enough of them. Even Joe couldn’t quite understand where Mike was going when they were supposed to be on the same page so how would any juror buy his pitch? Still, he wasn’t part of Chrissy’s Final Three so he’ll have a tough time making it to the end.

Ryan: Once again, he was a disaster during the reward challenge, constantly slowing his team. Ryan loved the idea of going to the Final Three with Chrissy and Devon because, despite the differences he had with Devon, he still felt closest to him and Chrissy.

This season’s nerd had a nice run as narrator but his game play didn’t follow, especially after the merger. In fact, it started fizzling out right after the swap when he found a spot under Chrissy’s wing. He should have an easy time making it to the Final Three but I have a hard time finding any votes for him on that jury.



"RE: The Editing ~ Characters and their Stories - Before the Finale"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 12-17-17 at 09:49 AM
WooooHooooo, michel! Thanks for posting!

Here's my take on the past episode and predictions for the finale...

Ben: We have seen Ben since day one, he's been a significant character the entire way. We saw him go with Alan, then abandon him and hook up with Chrissy. We saw his mentality, to keep their relationship hidden, which was underlined at the merge. Ben adapted at the swap and formulated relationships with Lauren and Mike, while opposing Cole and Jessica. In a season where they all expose everything, Ben knows what to keep close to the vest, and he wields it when needed. Jiffy has underlined this in his post TC comments.

Post merge he had options, Chrissy/Ryan, or Lauren/Mike. He played both sides, per Devon. Then, he identified his path to the end with Devon and Lauren, but due to his skills he sniffed out their discontent with him and turned the game upside down, on Lauren. He alienated them all along the way. But time and again we've heard about his demons, and his commitment and respect for the service he believed in, and his motivation for the game. He is the only player that has NOT been complacent in this game. He's a huge underdog at this point, and he has made huge moves. I think he will win it all, as they have ALL foreshadowed, "If he gets the F3, he'll win!" The huge spike in confessionals underlines this final story arc for him.

Chrissy: As Jiffy reminded us in the IC, she's come a long way from day 1, when she was vomiting on the platform. The thing I have most enjoyed about Chrissy is her vengeful nature. Good TV in my opinion and there is nothing more entertaining than to watch a woman who thinks she's been scorned seek out her just desserts. And, Chrissy for me is extremely vengeful and focused. But, she keeps thinking that it will be okay to put Ben off one more TC, that because everyone hates him and he hasn't won an IC, that he'll be okay to eliminate later. I fear that she's underestimated her competition, and her vengeful streak got the better of her.

Joe called Ashley a goat a long time ago. Every one tries to keep Chrissy focused on the real threat, Ben, yet she constantly wants something else, and this week it was Ashley. I do think this will be her achilles heal. She's an alpha with a capital A. A great character. Her confessional story arc is in full swing as we approach the end, and I think she will indeed be there.

She has been a great strategist but she's been saved by the people surrounding her as well. Her interesting targeting of all the women hasn't gone unnoticed either, and I don't know if the women on the jury will vote for her in the end. In fact I could add that Chrissy's jury management as been seriously lacking.

Devon: Devon has been surprising. He was seriously underestimated by Ryan from day one who judged him on his demeanor and appearance. But, we often saw how Ryan was torn and undecided, where Devon was solid. And, what Devon wanted, he got. He trusted Ryan explicitly until Ryan betrayed his trust, which was pointed out by Ben. Ben played that beautifully and successfully. We saw Devon try to keep the rest of his alliance on track, he talked them out of voting Ben at least once, and then tried again, when Ben over heard his name and flipped. But, so far, Devon has navigated that ugly transition better than his other alliance mates, Lauren and Ashley.

He does probably have the best social game. He's been receptive to alternate ways to the end, and that is serving him well so far, unlike Ashley, or Ryan. His confessionals have been present in every single episode, and he's starting an uptick at the end of the game, which is positive. However, the content of his confessionals has been weak, narrative and reactionary, more than dynamic and reflective. I think it could possibly be Devon who is the last component to the F3.

Ryan: Ryan took charge in the beginning of the game and he's noted to be a serious fan. He found the first advantage and played it as best as he possibly could. He got Devon bound to him, as well as Chrissy. He seriously judged Devon by his looks and demeanor, underestimating him. But, since pre-merge, he's been extremely disappointing. He was extremely arrogant post merge and after he found the HII, his game crashed and burned when he poorly navigated the HII with telling too many people about it.

It seems that he's blindly been with Chrissy since they connected. His game is her game. Ryan is a goat/weasel at this point for me. He's never won anything, he seems to be the beta to Chrissy's alpha. So, I do not see him as a contender to win. In fact, at this point I would be surprised to see him make it beyond F4. I think he is the one most likely to be burned by the fire making challenge that has been hinted at for the F4.

Dr. Mike We felt for Mike from day one when Joe attacked him regarding finding an idol. But, Mike navigated that well. He found an idol, and really didn't play it well. He was loyal to his fellow Healers. Being the last healer has served him well as from that point on he's served as a number. But, at this point in the game, I feel his number is up. It appears that Chrissy/Ryan/Devon are together, and if Ben wins immunity or finds another HI, Mike is the easy vote. His kids will be proud of him. He got to play out a real fantasy. As Lauren noted he's a great guy! But, he's not strategic enough, nor has he been seen to talk anyone else in to anything. He has been right about one thing ALL along....he's the one that has been screaming to them all for a very long time that the biggest threat in the game is Ben. He will vote for Ben to win.


"RE: The Editing ~ Characters and their Stories - Before the Finale"
Posted by michel2 on 12-17-17 at 09:50 PM
Very interesting analysis, FP. We are mostly on the same page except for one thing: I simply don't see why Ryan would be left out of the F3. I think anyone winning the F4 immunity would take him to the end.

"RE: The Editing ~ Characters and their Stories - Before the Finale"
Posted by Flowerpower1 on 12-18-17 at 08:07 AM
I agree with you, michel if they had free choice, but since the F4 is going to come down to a fire making challenge, I think that Ryan is the most likely to be burned by that. Ryan has commented on his lack of Survivor skills throughout the game....fwiw.

OTOH, you are probably right,


"RE: The Editing ~ Characters and their Stories - Before the Finale"
Posted by DRONES on 12-22-17 at 03:56 AM
Thanks FP and michel2. It's great reading this thread once the season is over.
At this point I'm really not sure why I watch this show anymore? Habit? I record each episode of the season and don't start watching it until Thanksgiving weekend.
A bonus to watching multiple episodes back-to-back-to-back etc is that the editing/theme is easier to pick up on. After the 2nd episode 3 people stood out. Ben, Chrissy and Devon. As the season progressed 2 stories stood out above all others and that was Ben and Chrissy. That is essentially how it played out.

The reunion show is a complete mess. Why even have all of the cast there? There is no flow. Each season the finale continue to cuts into the reunion show.

When they were talking about the next season "Ghosts" I thought for a minute they were going to bring back those past players who had made the monumental blunders. It would have been epic. It still has a high potential to be entertaining because they will be dredging up the idiots idiot moves of the past.

DRONES