LadyChatts

I truly hope Michael returns in the future. He got the short end of the stick every twist and turn this season. Unless he manages to find another idol, win immunity, or somehow get the target turned on someone else, I feel his time is limited. I really don't get the whole he and Libby were close out there and they needed to separate them. Again, this is why I wish we got more camp dynamics. I'd rather a shorter season and 90 minute episodes if it meant that.

For those that watch Big Brother and have since the beginning (or at least season 3) there was a duo on there that had a two person alliance that no one knew about in the house, and they made it all the way to the final 3 together. That kind of reminds me of the Dom/Wendell/Donathan/Laurel alliance, and I've always wanted to see another secret alliance play out like that. I think if Laurel or especially Donathan make the final 3, they might be seen as coat tail riders, depending who they are up against. I think Kellyn especially will be that juror who harps about loyalty and gaming. I'm intrigued by Laurel after this week. I don't know if she's set on sticking with Dom/Wendell or going to make a move when she can. I do agree that her flipping this week in trying to get Wendell out might have seen her own torch snuffed. She never would have had the votes to pull it off, and even if Michael did play his idol and somehow they got Wendell out that way, it would have only put the target on her next week. I don't think there's anything Libby or Michael could have done this week in convincing anyone to save themselves. It really made no sense for anyone to flip.

I was excited to see them on an outing, even if it was to the grocery store. I miss seeing them taken on excursions, because I think they still do that from what some castaways have said. There seems to be a lot of good footage that is left on the cutting room floor.

I think he only has one, because he used his legacy advantage last week.

I miss the days of the luxury items. Some never made any sense, but it was clear that TPTB had final say based on some of the luxury items that made it out there. I remember John Carroll from Marquesas took what I believe was massage oils or cologne to help them start fire, and I doubt they had any idea that's what his goal was. When was the last season for luxury items? Amazon? However, nowadays they practically build their fire and shelter for them and give them plenty of food. And in reality, they did get matches the first few seasons for winning the first I/RC. They changed it to flint at some point down the road. But all you had to do was be miserable for 3 days, because either you won matches/flint or could use your TC torch to light a fire. But if they bring luxury items out there to secretly make life easier, why not? If they were really stranded and deserted, it's not like those items couldn't be used in that situation. I'd rather see Colby use a flag for shelter than them have one built.

I'm actually curious to see what she did to make Wendell feel like she was shaky. Not sure if it was the smartest move for him telling her about his idol and Dom's, but I can see where he might be going with that. I'm actually on the fence with how I think Laurel is playing. Just not getting a good read, other than she may be trying to go the social route and build bonds.

I think the most genuine is Seabass and Jenna. I don't really know if Bradley/Kellyn are a that much of a thing. Granted I don't follow either of them, but I heard they were kind of playing coy about it (because who doesn't love the 'are they or aren't they'). Maybe they heard BvsW3 is on the horizon so they are aiming for that (or TAR).

That made me think of Penner's reaction during Micronesia when Amanda and Ozzy were, to quote Cirie, "making their ozzlets".

I guess a good indication of when Jenna and Sebastian's time is up is if they get a ton of airtime out of nowhere. They've been two of the most invisible castaways out there (Jenna especially). No wonder they fell in love. I'm very happy that, with 3 show/romances that bloomed this season, none of them were turned into obnoxious Big Brother showmances.

https://youtu.be/1TFp5vmdTmE Libby's Ponderosa. Was the really that blindsided? She knew the vote was between her and Michael. Only real blindside is she didn't know Michael had an idol. And heck, Michael didn't even vote for her. Libby's got some nail polish still on her toes, but I'm always amazed that nail polish holds up that well in those elements.

It's funny, because tonight when Donathan woke up and turned to the camera, for a brief second he looked like Jay to me. I can sort of see where Sebastian and Jay might be compared, but I believe Jay plays up the goofy persona and Sebastian....well, there's enough screen shots of his face this season out there to sum him up. When they were doing the eating challenge and Sebastian made it to the final 3 round, I won't lie that I wondered if he even knew what he was eating. He must be finding something out there on the island to make up for his high! Maybe he smuggled the sharpies in his backpack. I think Joe and Ozzy would be the most similar. Both love the game more for the experience than the game part, both are providers, both are challenge beasts and love the competition. Both stink strategically, though I disagree with people about Joe being terrible socially. I think he is a very likable guy that everyone likes and doesn't really ruffle feathers. Devon could probably fall into their category. I think if Michael came back, he'd probably be a lot better at the game strategically. I keep forgetting he's only 18, and he really got a raw deal winding up on Malolo. I'm equally surprised by Donathan. I'm never quite sure what to make of him. One week he acts like an oblivious goofball that's just happy to be there and following orders, the next he seems to have a little strategy going on there. I think Chelsea is getting a raw deal, edit wise. Contrary to what some pre-merge boots said about her, I believe she's got game going on. Judging from things we have seen of her, and things that have come out in later interviews with the more recent castaways, I think she's playing the game. It may be a quiet game, but I truly believe she's got stuff going on out there and may be doing her best to strategize but stay under the radar. What that means with the kind of edit she's getting doesn't make me hopeful for her chances, and it doesn't help with the other personalities she's up against.

Red herring next week or will we finally see someone say "the end" to Naviti strong? Glad that we do have people playing the game this season. I like Des, from what we've seen of her, so I hope strategizing against Naviti doesn't cost her-especially since she doesn't know about Dom/Wendell/Donathan/Laurel. I did love seeing Kellyn shaken up a little in the preview.

Given Angela's perception of the game so far and how she's been wrong on many counts, I can see why she thought her game depended on her beating Michael. Who knows what went on behind the scenes back at camp. I was impressed with her tonight, though she gets caught stirring stuff up (which I usually equate to people stirring up wrong info, not correct info) might end up costing her.

They started it in S34, but basically instead of each person getting up and asking the final 3 a question (or giving a bitter betty speech), they have to ask as a group questions that relate to Survivor's tag line of Outwit, Outplay, Outlast. It's still usually directed to one person, and personally I don't think it's that different than everyone getting up and giving speeches/asking questions. So more like a round table discussion.

I don't know if I was more surprised he could say entrepreneur, or that he knew what it meant. His occupation was listed as deep sea fisherman, so maybe he's in charge of selling his catches? I loved the reaction fucking stick got when it was revealed it had turned into a real boy idol. I'm just disappointed Michael no longer had that safety net. I'm guessing Michael voted for Wendell. Libby must have voted for Michael.

I was glad the gross eating challenge was an IC. Though for a group RC, it's not as easy to give up because you're letting your team down, but immunity can equally be important. Some random thoughts about why I miss the dynamics of camp life: why exactly did Wendell think Laurel was shaky with their alliance? I didn't really see anything to indicate that. Similarly, is Michael throwing everyone's name out all the time, or is Wendell just pissed his name was thrown out? At least he didn't have the "how dare he" attitude some past Survivors have had when their name was mentioned. I love Mexican food as much as the next person, but I'd be scared to eat that after not eating solidly for 20+ days (Survivor Taco Hut, really?). And Angela at the RC: "that vote last night was epic, I didn't see..." yeah, I think you've proven you haven't seen a lot of things going on this season. Count me as impressed with her performance tonight, though. She killed it in the IC, and she didn't even seem to hesitate. And I thought she was starting to kind of display some gaming. Happy to see some of the ladies get footage tonight. While this season is kind of eh for me overall, it's the first season I've enjoyed since S31, and before that S28 (S33 was okay at parts). Definitely beats last season, and I'm glad the cast is getting more camera time overall. I mean, Libby went tonight and that probably had to do with her visible edit, but that's more than some ousted castaways in recent seasons can say. Besides Kellyn, I can honestly say I don’t dislike anyone else. Though that might change soon if they get Michael out. Funny how there was talk about Michael being strong in challenges and tough to beat, but Wendell was a beast in the RC. He’s gotta be holding back. Smart if he is. I wish this season could have just been a good old fashioned Survivor season rather than a mediocre Ghost Island twist. The Ghost Island twist is very meh to me, and I wish they weren't allowed to draw rocks to send someone there. Make the winning tribe chose. Don't say your only gonna play Survivor once Michael! That poor boy is cursed this season. I want him, Malcolm, Jay, Devon, Joe, and Ozzy (yes, Ozzy) back for a season on the same tribe. I just realized tonight Donathan's been kind of in the background for a few episodes. I wish original Malolo could have stuck together and blindsided someone from Naviti.

Jeff during the RC: “Sebastian is high every time.” Yeah, we know what you meant there, Probst. He looked high in the end credits when he held his vote up. Libby didn’t do much for me, and between her and Michael I’m glad she went. Why she was deemed such a threat I don’t know, unless it all goes back to the Morgan vote (but it’s not like she was the only person to flip on Morgan). Dom is aligned with people who flipped on Morgan! Very predictable vote, but given there’s a core alliance of Dom/Wendell/Donathan/Laurel, I’m somewhat relieved those 4 are probably just playing everybody and Kellyn will hopefully realize sooner rather than later that Naviti strong was just being used by them. Can we ban the phrase “big moves”? Also, I don’t think the new final TC format has really been about who played the better game so far in determining the winner.

So I'm totally believing the boot list, and I'm going with my theory that Dom's alliance uses the original Naviti members to get numbers down, then turns on them. Assuming Dom and Wendell don't have to play their idols in the somewhat near future, that could be an advantage to them if there is a vote split. Not sure where I think Laurel stands at winning after tonight, but I kind of am thinking she's going to be seen as betraying people and doing what Wendell/Dom told her to. Still believing it'll come down to them, but I'm back to being at a loss who ends up winning between Dom and Wendell.

My guess: the original Malolo's start getting picked off with talk of Naviti sticking together Dom/Wendell would most likely be at the bottom of Chelsea/Sebastian/Des/Kellyn. They already have Donathan/Laurel, so Angela in theory would be a swing vote and she sides with Dom's group, blindsiding the other alliance and finally putting an end to Naviti strong. I'm just disappointed Kellyn's going to be around that long. I do hope Michael/Chelsea are swapped. He still has an idol, right? Still going with Dom as winner. If Laurel suddenly gets a positive, strategic edit then she might have a chance, but right now I think it'll be between Dom and Wendell. I also wonder if Angela is intended to be a final 3 goat, but loses the fire tie breaker. They wouldn't have known about that twist.

I'm going to take a guess and say Michael and Chelsea (outside chance Jenna). It will depend if there's a push to get original Malolo off.

First Bradley, now Chris regarding Donathan. I think they are just jealous he outlasted them. Also, why is Chris pissed about what Donathan did? Besides the obvious that it cost him, but it’s not like Dom wasn’t already going to vote for him. Was he really that oblivious to the fact that other people had alliances outside of him and that was just playing the game?

I always considered it an idol as it has the same power, with restrictions. But no different than super idols that have popped up over the seasons that had restrictions. Heck, the current HII has the rule that it must be played before the vote is read.

Okay, I'll have to see if I can find it. He said that they were particular about casting this season because of the theme, and wanted only fans who would understand and appreciate the theme. However, Probst pretty much says what he has to to fit the theme, so I kind of had my doubts. Stephanie and Brendan were obvious fans. Everyone else I'm kind of skeptical about their level of fandom.

Didn't Jeff say everyone this season was a super fan and they carefully casted it that way? I mean, it's clear that some aren't, so I'm not surprised. Chris didn't strike me as one, which explains his idol blunder. I love how the booted castaways are the only ones who were playing the game and everyone else is there on vacation.

In S30 they formed a band and even did a music video. Given how ugly and blah that season was, would have been nice to maybe get some fun footage at their Ponderosa. Depending who goes next, I can see just about everyone in this cast being game at forming a band. However scary that might be. I think Bradley was trying, badly, to play a character and villain. Either Chris isn't self aware or, as some have said, was merely a parody of himself and was in on the joke. I'm conflicted what I think just from last night about him. I do think he's a little in love with himself and smarter than he thinks. And maybe it's not all parody. In an interview with Gordon Holmes, he said he was surprised when he saw the footage of Laurel talking about having to bite her tongue and not laugh at him when the first tribe swap happened, and he was talking highly of himself and his accomplishments. Either way, I don't like him, but it's a weird kind of dislike. Not the Bradley or Kellyn dislike where they can't go away fast enough. He's just dislikable, but entertaining in a bumbling kind of way.