LadyChatts

I remembered tonight why I didn't like Jamal. I was really hoping his 'I feel safe, I don't need to take my idol to TC' meant he was going to get blindsided.

I think her reasoning was that Jack was a nice guy, and loyal, and that in the long term that might make him a threat to both stick around and possibly win. Karishma is going to go wherever the numbers are. She isn't going to stay loyal to NuLairo if they don't want her or the numbers aren't there.

Jamal had told Dean they were voting Noura, when in reality everyone was supposed to be voting Dean, so I understand why he wanted to save Noura. Honestly, though, let's pretend Dean did vote for Noura-then they would re-vote, and everyone would be vulnerable except for Noura and Dean. And Jamal would have no protection. Seemed like a big risk and possibly stupid move on his part. But maybe he did earn good will on Noura's part. I think those were the reasons Kellee had for voting out Jack. Knowing the merge is around the corner, he seemed like a threat that would go the distance.

I guess last week wasn’t as memorable as I thought it would be, because I totally forgot about Jason’s blindside. Why was no one listening to Elaine when she said the puzzle wasn’t right? That was lucky for Lauren, Tommy, and Dan. Missy’s still pretending she’s doing the whole girls thing? And with the merge coming up in the near future, why does she automatically assume Lauren will still want to work with her when the tribes get together. Especially if they blindside her again and get rid of Tommy. Is Janet the first person to not go along and take the challenge of the lesson? I think Elizabeth and Noura are the only ones who didn’t succeed in their mission. I liked how Janet was actually thinking this through and what’s best for her game, rather than just being star struck and letting that take over. I didn’t need a flashback to last season and the winner who was the third person blindsided and voted out.

Yes, they would have re-voted. I was wondering where the second Jack vote came from, and it was Noura. Kellee took a huuuuuuuge risk tonight, and it still might end up biting her in the butt if Dean spills the beans. Or what if Noura says she's the one that told her to vote Jack? I hope this connection between them doesn’t dictate their game play going forward. She is still one hell of an actress, however. I totally bought her face at TC when Dean played her idol. So the jury starts with Jack? I’m sad to see him go. I was really hoping it was going to be Jamal. I remembered tonight why I didn’t like him. I agree with Sandra, it’s looking good for the women this season. Still a long way to go. But Janet for the win!

RIP Rudy! 91 years old and I still look at him as the 70-something lovable but cantankerous old guy who didn’t know what MTV was.

Per the posters of Sucks, Dan supposedly makes the merge. In the preview video when the tribes swap, Dan was shown in a TH wearing a buff that wasn't orange or purple (that video was taken down and they put up a new one). So something could happen on his end this week with him, but he doesn't get voted out, and this carries over.

That, and they mentioned him going through people’s stuff in the last episode. While not inappropriate (although going through bags shouldn’t be allowed, IMO), maybe there’s something to that, too. It could start there and then spiral.

19 years later and that is still a classic. There was that one, and the first Fallen Comrades final 4 IC where they had to answer questions about the ousted castaways-before the challenge, Rudy said that he didn't know about those people, and he didn't care. I loved how blunt and to the point he was. I will always say, that moment where Rudy said 'I've gotta fit in, not them' is the single best piece of advice any Survivor contestant can follow.

Dissecting a few things from the promos/the editing thus far: NULAIRO: -We see Noura trying to rally the ladies, and we know she's out for Jamal and Jack. Jamal just had his moment about race with Jack, but maybe he's the one who gets schooled this episode for possibly saying or doing something sexist? Could also be Dean or Jack that does it. It looks like the men are forming an alliance to stick together. And perhaps it's the reverse, and one of the ladies causes an uncomfortable moment (who knows what might come out of Noura's mouth, especially if her plan to oust Jamal or Jack backfires and she discovers the target turned on her). -Karishma has been seen as an outsider who seems like she has a lot of baggage due to her life outside the game. Maybe something happens at TC (I'm thinking Will vs Shirin but hopefully not that bad), and there's some kind of revelation made or she has some emotional breakdown? NUVOKAI: -Dan the creeper gets called out for being a creeper -With how arrogant OldLairo seems, and I'm sure that will intensify after this past week's events, maybe they push someone to their breaking point and show no sympathy? Missy and Aaron seem to do good damage control, but in TH they clearly don't give a damn about their game play. So maybe they are seen as cold and hostile? -Elaine is being underestimated, and we saw Lauren this past episode think she wasn't smart enough to find an idol or advantage. So it could be something relating to Elaine as well. Of course, this could always be another "I'm such a fan of the show, I've wanted to do it before anyone even thought of it, waaah don't vote me off!" moments, too. Hard to tell with this show.

Here's a preview for next week's episode. There's also this blurb from Probst: He didn't seem excited when he said 'we've never had a TC like this ever', but was more serious in tone. Wondering if that goes along with the above or not. Also, did he forget Varner outing Zeke? I think that tops pretty much anything that could possibly happen at a TC.

The worst thing Aaron and Missy did was be quick to throw Elaine under the bus and tell the other side they would vote with them. No one from Old Vokai was making the same offer; they said they’d force a rock draw. I know they had no way of knowing what was going to happen with the advantage, but even right up until the end Aaron made it seem like he was still with them. Moves like that are going to cost him. Aaron and Missy haven’t made the merge yet, so in a larger group, they may have a tough time calling the shots (although I think they will still believe they are in control). It goes back to what Chelsea said in her interviews, that they have big move-itis. I’m truly at a loss who is going to win at this point, as it’s still early, but with how quick they are to throw each other under the bus and backstabbing people left and right and not showing a shred of honesty, I think that may cost them if they make the final 3. Especially Aaron. Missy might get away with using him as a shield.

Ah yes, now I remember her sitting around the fire. Karishma is kind of giving me Shirin vibes (S30/31). She seems to have issues with her family, seems like she's always the victim, never does any wrong, is expected to just get a free pass through the game, doesn't understand why people don't like her and yet doesn't appear to make an attempt to be social or fit in in a social game.

I think Lauren really thought she was the one going home, and that's partly where the tears were coming from. I do imagine it was shock that they thought they had a majority going into TC (or again, at worst would have to go to a rock draw), and then essentially were in the minority and there was nothing they could do about it. I don't believe her tears were for anyone but herself and the situation she suddenly found herself in.

Did we even see Karishma tonight? I wonder if Jeff hated not being able to yell "everyone's waiting on Karishma!" at the challenges. I thought it was going to be Elaine or maybe Lauren. I never would have expected Jason, so good one editors. Lauren went from being visibile in the first couple of episodes, to going purple, to getting a very slight uptick this episode. With how confident OldVokai seemed at TC, I started getting a feeling things weren't going to go their way. Still, when Aaron said before tribal that he was trying to think 3 votes ahead, and wanted the loyalty of these people, I thought that Elaine was definitely still going. I wonder if he wanted it that way, but maybe Missy and/or Elizabeth wouldn't budge? I don't know what he thinks of Elizabeth, but he and Missy seem pretty tight.

Onto next week. I'm sure Missy and the girls will console Lauren, then give confessionals about how she needs to deal with it and that they are running things. It will be interesting if anyone reveals to Elaine that her old tribe mates offered her up as a sacrifice, but I doubt she'll believe it. Looks like Lauren and Tommy might be plotting something, and we see Noura still trying to get Jamal out. While I don't blame her for wanting to target someone that was initiailly targeting her...she's likely just making more of a target of herself. Who goes to TC? Could one of the tribes throw the challenge to vote keep their original tribes numbers as we get close to the merge? And who from NuLairo will head to IOTI?

I was trying to remember something Dan did that was deemed as creepy in the first (second?) episode. Now I remember why I think he's a sleaze. And I think I'll keep the rest of my Aaron comments to myself so I'm not branded a sleaze. I like Kellee, too. Honestly there's no one I'm really rooting for, or even actively against. Elizabeth and Dan can be the next to go and then I'm good. There's people I like, but Kellee stands out so far as who I'm really rooting for. And I want Noura to make the jury. I hope she's the first or second juror, just to see what poor soul has to be stuck alone with her.

I was thinking it was going to be Dan or Tommy. Surprised they went with Jason, as he was really the last of the 4 I expected to see leave. Maybe because he didn't have a vote? Where are we at with idols? Just Kellee and Jamal that have them? Something about Elizabeth just bugs. I can't exactly pinpoint what it is, but I'm just not digging her. Also, I loved the look on Dean's face when Noura was proposing working together and axing Jamal. Reminded me of someone who was praying for a bolt of lightening to strike down and put him out of his misery. I don't like Dan, either. In fact he's the only one from OldVokai that I don't like. Noura is just entertaining. Like, I want her around just to see what crazy thing she does or says next. And I really want her to return to IOTI just to see Rob and Sandra scramble to the top of their McMansion that production Rob built.

I was half wondering if she was supposed to stop the sand, and that was going to be part of the challenge. I don't blame OldVokai for being upset. And really, Elaine's tribe was more than willing to throw her under the bus. If she had any idea, maybe she wouldn't have been so willing to work with them. But really, they went in thinking, at worst, they'd have to draw rocks. And then that happens. And they still thought Elaine was the plan. So yeah, I'd probably be upset in their shoes, too. OldLairo would have reacted the same way if the situation were reversed. They weren't even willing to entertain a rock option. Times like this I wish someone had a super idol to play and save Jason, just to see the reaction on Missy and Aaron's faces when they knew they were screwed. And BTW, Tommy/Lauren/Dan will probably go back to thinking they are in control next episode. Aaron and Jamal got blindsided, and their arrogance only got worse in thinking they were in control still. But I do have to agree...Aaron is very nice to look at.

I’ve been pretty down on Jamal since episode 2, but dang if that moment with Jack didn’t get me in the feels. After last season, and what Julia said occurred, I don’t think they were going to make that mistake again. So the tribe with the 4-4 divide gets the block a vote advantage? Yeah, I’m sure that was random. And how would they have explained her not having a vote if she didn’t succeed? As far as I know, no one has revealed when they don’t have a vote. Jack has the hair, but Ozzy/Malcolm/Joe he is not when it comes to the challenges. When TPTB came up with the theme and title this season, I wonder if they meant for everyone to think IOTI was full of actual idols, or if this is something else they didn’t think through.

All I had to hear was Elizabeth scream “tarantula!” to be reminded why I will never do this show. I wonder if they ever caught the chickens Wendy liberated last season. I really wanted Elaine and her naive country girl shtick to go home. Her novelty has worn off. And I really don’t like the rest of OldLairo on that tribe. I seriously hope their arrogance is blindsided big time (especially Aaron).

The other castaways likely know the merge is happening soon. For the old Vokai that make up NuLairo, what difference does it make if they keep Karishma and keep losing? They can stick together, pick off her and/or Dean before the merge, and go in with their numbers intact. They would just need the other Vokai, or at least some of them, to be with them. I think Karishma will flip to whoever is going to keep her in the game, so she's a wildcard in that sense, but it might not matter once the merge happens anyway.

Hopefully he's a better salesman than he is detective/strategist/social gamer. I was impressed that Janet called him out on the spot last night at TC. Dean is the kind of guy I feel like cartoon sound effects should follow.

With all the talk about Vokai strong and Missy/Aaron quickly flipping, it makes me wonder if an old Vokai member ends up getting ousted instead. I feel like Elaine has more story to her. She keeps coming across as the naive country bumpkin that is along for the ride, but clearly is more in tune with what’s going on. Elizabeth, on the other hand, I don’t know what else she’s got. In addition, Missy and Aaron both reek of being overconfident. Could one of them turn on the other? It could be a boring boot at NuLairo. Seems likely it’s either going to be Karishma or Dean.

So next week...red herring or will NuVokai end up going to tribal based on the scenes we saw, of the Old Lairo saying the Old Vokai 4 going to rocks, and Aaron telling Jason he will sacrifice one of the girls? Maybe it was foreshadowing tonight when Elaine said she felt secure on her new tribe, since she was with her alliance (an alliance that Chelsea also thought she was a part of).