Stellar, as always, Michel. I love how astute you are with your observations. I agree with it all! I made a long response earlier this AM, then I accidentally deleted....d'oh. So, I will try to make a few comments, nevertheless!
Love how you noted the sequence of players being reunited at the merge...first we see Zeke and Hanna, then we see Ken and David, with a sound bite, "We're back together, man!" Then we hear Michelle's confessional as Hanna lifts her up, then that's followed by a Jay and Taylor hugging, then Taylor hugging Michelle.
Jay has a confessional about being the king pin then we see him at the merge feast and his right hand man is right next to him, Will. Love how Jay counts Hanna among the people with him.
Zeke is thrilled to be back with his old nerdy pals and happy that they all split to different tribes, because now they can compare notes. Then he went on to note the enchanting and charming, Jay, working the "bro alliance" of Chris, Ken, and Tay. Clearly, I think that Zeke is playing the best game. He's got a good core group with his original millennials, and he's made great bonds with some of the gen X'rs as well. Right from he start he told us about how he never considered himself a millennial.... Here is his first and second confessional from the start of the show....The stereotype of young people is that they are always on social media...but...I generally resent technology, I think twitter is the worst thing ever invented. I mean, I’m on twitter but I still think it’s horrendous.
I’m 28 years old but, to be honest, I’ve never called myself a Millennial once in my life... I’m dressed... for the retirement center. I’m an 80 year old man at heart. I’m on a tribe with children. When I looked around and saw all these kids, I thought; you know what none of these kids have had in their lives? A real job. They can’t do anything.
Clearly, Zeke thinks of himself more with the GenX'rs than with the Millennials. Isn't it interesting to see the one that finds himself in the middle of the two groups is the one doing the best. I also wonder if some of the younger GenX'rs are doing better than the older ones as well? Ken, Jessica? David?
I love that you see Jay and company as an obstacle before the real divide occurs, between the nerd coalition led by Zeke, and the Bros alliance led by Chris....idk? But it will be fun to see how it breaks down!
I agree with your assessments for the super duper fan, Adam. It's a pretty rock bottom day when someone that has been blindsided twice, twice left out of the vote tells you to chill! OMG. Hanna, of all people!
I also agree that Taylor could indeed become the goat of the season. I am very interested in seeing how he and David may work together going forward, and like you, I fully expect them to. They were really featured during the summit. If Boston Rob can pick Philip and Natalie on the first days of Redemption Island, and get them both to the finals, than perhaps David could get Taylor to the end from the merge as well? Who knows? But, Ken did verbalize that he wanted Taylor out first, and he's certainly on Chris' radar to for stealing the food.....taking him to the end could bite them though especially if he goes on an IC run...
Thanks for all you do, michel!