So many astute observations and insights, as always, Michel! I loved the picture of Kelley reacting to Savage giving the finger at the IC! She's is a ball buster for sure, and her reaction at TC was even better! So happy that she's enjoying the turn of events! But like you, I worry that she's peaked a little too soon, but with confessionals in every episode, I think she has a little more to her story.With Savage's first confessional being all about his goal of making it to the jury made me think at the time that he could INDEED be going home! So many times the DAWS themselves give us the facts, we just need to listen to them! In contrast to Kelley's reaction last week to making it to the merge, she renewed her vow to WIN! She's not taking her eye off the prize so, we'll see! She's still here, and Savage is toast!
Ciera is grasping at anything that presents itself, I have always appreciated her game play. Stephen tells us that he's game for the big move and it's time to do something to take out a real threat to win this game. I wonder what he really thought of Savage being blindsided? Secretly, he had to be thrilled, as Savage was the biggest threat to Stephen! But, Stephen was way off regarding who would make that big move....it wasn't himself or Ciera, it was Kelley!
At the reward, Kimmi had a fluff confessional, I had to wonder if she went back to Jeremy and Stephen/Tasha/Savage and told them all about Ciera's calling everyone's attention to the fact that they are a tight four and it could be time to make that "big move", while they have the numbers?
Joe is now also contemplating making a move with the right people at the right time. All the talk of big moves was broken up by comic relief, Keith. Who is clearly NOT thinking about big moves. So I have to wonder will Keith outlast all of them? Keith uttered that hilarious chuckle of his, which always makes me laugh!
Back at Camp, Stephen was seriously depressed over all of the people he would make a big plan with, as they were bonding with the target of his plan, Joe. He went on to tell everyone that they reason he lost the first time could have been because of ties and bonds formed on a reward. I LOVED Jeremy's reaction when Stephen started talking about his loss the first time.
All of a sudden he totally perked up, and with a mouth full of food, and asked incredulously, Oh, you think they are bonding over there? Jeremy showed us why he needs the knowingest-know-it-all with him to the end, to enlighten him! It was as though Jeremy never considered that.
Then we see Jeremy tell us that Stephen's persistence to get Joe out stands to reason because every time Joe wins, that bullseye on his back gets bigger. Then Stephen points out that he doesn't want to be the goat. Yet, in this season, the editing that he is getting is pointing to just that, Stephen appears to be a goat indeed! He's so fixated on the big move to take out Joe, so much so that Stephen's big move will be his demise instead. We see Savage telling Joe just what's up. This conflict is extremely ripe for conclusion.
But, since Kelley noted that Joe doesn't have any balls, will someone other than Joe make the move to boot Stephen, say one of the girls or all three? I clearly see Joe winning the conflict with Stephen because Joe is seen as social and likable, while Stephen is shown as not connecting socially and being awkward. Kelley saying Joe has no balls creates doubt, however.
I loved seeing how Jeremy felt about Fishbach, finally. I really had doubt as to his relationship with Stephen because of Savage throwing shade on him regarding Jeremy looking for the idol when he was upset about missing his family. I, personally, was encouraged for Stephen.
With Tasha telling Joe, "none of us trust Stephen, but we don't want to take him out and create a divide so soon", makes me wonder what and who she's really loyal to? Jeremy? Is she truly with Stephen? I thought she was more aligned with Savage, so if she's with Savage she probably is anti-Stephen. Would she vote Stephen out at this point? I have to wonder. Is she more with Joe? I think so, but she's the most with Jeremy? Perplexing to me. We don't hear Tasha's thoughts when she is with her Bayon Bros. It's always their perspective.
One important thing I noticed was when the girls found out that the plan had changed and that Stephen was off the table, and they knew that it was going to be one of them, they all decided to vote together for either Stephen or Savage. NO MENTION of Jeremy! Stephen was always Joe's choice and a way for them to dodge being targets. Now that Savage is gone, it's still a viable option for them to go along with Joe to target Stephen.
Ciera got the last confessional before the TC, she's still praying for miracles. I can't help but feel she's dodged a bullet twice now, will she be the next casualty?
I loved this episode because it fooled us! When we recall all the times that Kelley has been shown getting the HI at that first challenge, and then to see it again in the intro, it was foreshadowing. Also, all of the confessionals regarding, "I just want to do this....". It makes me wonder about Ciera for next time, praying still for miracles at TC. Lucky for her, however that Stephen and Joe are both still around to resume their conflict.
Spencer, YES, he's really looking good! He's able to go with the flow and let the others start fighting for their lives!