LadyChatts

They are probably merging after next week, which makes all these tribe swaps all the more irritating. Given time Naviti probably would have gotten sick of each other and started throwing challenges. Or they should have waited until 15 and just done a three tribe swap then. The preview might be misleading, but I'm hoping it's leading to Bradley's ouster. The boot list has been right so far, the only boot list that's been accurate, so I would be surprised if it's wrong. In fact since it's Brad going I refuse to believe it's wrong.

If that’s what Kellyn thinks then she can’t do math very well, because those 5 would totally be outnumbered at the merge. Is she still going to be singing Naviti strong then? And I don’t know how tight Chelsea is with them, but I guess we’ll find out. This season started off promising. Hoping the merge perks it up. Though I can’t say I’m looking forward to Ghost Island, since only one thing has been found on it. I just cringe, again, at the idols and advantages to come. I’m not even shocked anymore when more than one person pulls out an idol on top of someone else having an advantage, and there ending up being 3 people out of 10 left to vote for because it suddenly rains free immunities for the chosen ones. I think I’m more shocked they play the dramatic music before someone stands up and walks up to Probst and he has to hide his grin at what amazing TV he thinks this is. Count me in as not being a fan of the 3 tribe format. I like it here and there but something about Naviti getting majority both swaps on all tribes and the same amount of numbers evenly both times makes me put my tin foil hat on. That’s way too much of a coincidence.

I’m still saying Ulong is the worst tribe ever. Nothing beat the distress signal challenge they did, where the plane flew by their camp, then went to Koror....and never came back because Koror won. And there was Ulong, sitting on the beach, saying out loud “they’ll be back”, and kept saying it even as the sun began setting.

With my luck it’s a red herring. Funny that Libby was named a target tonight and yet could be a swing vote next week if they lose and Dom/Donathan and Chelsea/Brad stick together. I had to laugh at Des wanting to burn Malolo’s flag because she thought it gave off bad vibes. Maybe Malolo would be on a better streak if they didn’t vote off stronger members. Again, James wasn’t great in the challenges, but Kellyn saying it was worth sacrificing muscle for numbers should help answer their question about why they suck. Then again Ulong had what should have been one of the strongest tribes in Survivor history and they couldn’t win to save their lives.

In thinking about Naviti strong, the only ones who I think truly buy into that mentality are Kellyn/Brad/Des/Sebastián (because he seems too clueless to think on his own). I truly believe Des, if outnumbered, would totally flip. Chelsea and Angela both probably went along with their respective Naviti tribemates because they felt they had to. I think Chelsea has more game going on than they are showing, which is kind of disappointing. Come merge time, I think those believing in the power of purple are in for a rude awakeneing. I had to laugh when Kellyn said tonight she didn’t understand why Chris and Dom couldn’t get along for a few votes for the sake of Naviti. How dare they play their own game! Both know that the other is out for them, and no doubt will be looking for allies. Malolo might actually get a reprieve at the merge.

Joe and Keith didn't go to TC until day 19 in Cambodia, which I think is the record. If this season wasn't specifically named Ghost Island, I would assume that we were taking another page out of the Big Brother handbook. For those that don't watch that show (and sometimes I wonder why I do, but summer isn't the same without it), they've often had twists that they bail on early on or half way through the season. But TPTB probably haven't had the right people they want to shower their advantages and idols on sent to Ghost Island yet. Jacob got lucky for being the first guy there, and he got something useless to him.

Yeah, I'm hopeful after seeing the preview for next week. Brad must do something moronic to catch the wrath of Dom and Donathan. I don't know if Chelsea is overly loyal to Brad, either. Going to be a long week waiting for that one! Wish he had been on the wrong side of numbers, but I guess he is and just doesn't know it. Any word on the merge order? At this point I can believe the Dom/Laurel/Wendell final 3 that's out there. And I think Chris was a rumored merge boot, which I can also buy.

But from a suspense stand point, if Des had another vote, I'm assuming it would have been shown. So we would have seen 2 James, 2 Des, and the 3rd vote would have been James. So since Jeff only read one vote for Des, he had to know that Michael and Angela at least turned on him. But I don't know why he called it a blindside. He knew their odds were slim, unless he was under the impression Michael was going.

I wonder if he was blindsided by Michael voting for him. If there had been another vote for Des, Jeff would have pulled it out. But he pulled out 1 James, 1 Des, then 2 James and he was gone. He looked in Michael's direction with what I thought was an adorable attempt at a death glare. I don't know why Michael voted for him, though. Unless he thought it might be a split vote due to an idol, but that wouldn't have made sense, either.

It made no sense. It's the whole theme of the season. I've hated the last few weeks when there's been nothing there for the stranded castaway, and that's made it kind of pointless on it's own. I guess they really are holding off until the merge so it can be a more interesting blood bath of idols and advantages. This season started off strong, and is still a huge improvement compared to last season for me. But it's taken a downhill spiral since the first tribe swap. Only thing I can look forward to is Naviti will eventually have to turn on each other-unless they are too caught up in Purple Strong to do that and just do rock paper scissors to see who gets voted out.

You know what else is exhausting Chris? Listening to you talk about how awesome you think you are. Sheesh, what a group of egos this season. I was glad he and Dom got separated because I’m over hearing about that stupid feud, but I’d much rather Dom outlast him. And something I find weird: Cole lived in a freaking Prius, and he was far less weird than Sebastian is. I feel like my IQ drops just listening to the guy talk. If Chris/Wendell/Sebastian stay tight, I’m guessing Laurel is screwed because Sebastian probably won’t let them vote for Jenna. Malolo must have been created under a full moon or something. That tribe has been screwed from day 1. Continually outnumbered in both swaps, and continually on a losing streak. Damn. It was worth it for those few seconds of seeing Naviti on NuMalolo look ready to lose it before the swap. And Jeff? When you said Malolo was the most losing tribe ever, I think you’re forgetting Ulong. I guess they can’t even win a ‘most losing tribe ever’ competition, despite losing every single challenge. When Jeff said to James “what does this mean from a game stand point?” I so wanted James to answer “um, we’re switching tribes Jeff.” I liked that they didn’t mess around and got right to the swap, especially since there were 3 tribes. I usually like the TC aftermath, but I didn’t care to see the Naviti 5 gloat.

So what happened to Ghost Island? On hold until the merge? That was a boring TC. I always look at the clock and if it starts early, something good usually happens. This started 5 minutes before the episode ended. So I figured it was James or Michael going. But I was praying it was going to be clever editing. Cannot stand Kellyn. God she’s irritating. Glad she at least had to shake in her boots a little. Sadly, she’s probably around for the duration thanks to the stupid cult mentality of Naviti. Hope she gets turned on big time at the merge, because unless there’s a miracle that’s where she’s headed. So long James. You deserved better. Too bad you wound up on a season where it’s purple strong and people are willing to be stupid and sacrifice challenge wins because of their Stepford thinking. Not that James was actually a challenge beast, but anyway…and what was with the music as they talked about their challenge woes? It's like something I heard on a Titanic movie Hey, it’s the “let’s see how many injuries we can rack up” challenge. Always a Survivor classic. Dom, if they’re blindfolded, they clearly can’t tell what color the puzzle piece is, bro. Brad? Shut up about the beach conditions and how fantastic you think you are. I wish you could have stayed on Malolo or gone to the new beach with nothing. Chelsea and Des, I want to like you, but you’re making it hard. I am so sick of hearing ‘Naviti strong.’ They do realize only one person wins, right? It wouldn’t have been a 10-way tie for Naviti to win. I loved how Kellyn quickly said “it’s a new day” after Angela credited the Malolo members on NuNaviti tribe saving her. I seriously don’t remember a tribe being this determined to stay together in that last few seasons, except GC. But I don’t count that one due to pre-game alliances.

Why do I have this horrible feeling that the boot list will be right about everyone except Brad? What an insufferable troll. I'd say he was better suited for Big Brother and live indoors with a pool, but he probably couldn't stand the ants. If James goes he's definitely getting screwed by the numbers. I'm hoping it's Brad tonight since it's kind of early for the challenge, and James would be way too of a predictable boot. ETA: Okay, maybe not with this challenge. This is time consuming. Looks like it's good bye James.

I want both of them to wind up on the wrong side of numbers and have to beg to be the one saved. But at the very least, if Brad winds up on the wrong side and Kellyn doesn't see him walk in next week (or the week after, depending when he goes) that'll be great.

Casting characters isn't really anything new, I just don't know if it's ever been this specific-or I guess this bad. Comparing older seasons to the newer seasons, they definitely had their type back then, but it still seemed less Big Brother style. Even the first season they had their types, but it seemed a little more believable to go along with the "all walks of life" casting. And in terms of this cast member not getting on because of this being leaked ahead of time-I don't know anymore with this show. Contestants on the current season were showing up at charity events before the cast was revealed, and they aren't supposed to be doing that. They use to be stricter about SM. One of the couples that got together this season has their own IG account. So who knows. They may have purposely let this bit of info leak. Maybe this is who they went with for the Captain America role?

Des actually gets the quote for the episode; since she's wearing an orange buff in a TH where she talks about Jeff telling them about the swap, I'm assuming she stays on Malolo. It warms my heart to see the Naviti 5 look pained and worried in that clip, especially Kellyn and Brad. Kellyn looks ready to cry. My guess is Brad either winds up on the wrong side of numbers (that's my wish, actually) or gets idoled out (almost as good). I guess there's a chance he could get a Naviti majority, but it might be the other Naviti's that he hasn't been working with and want no part of him. I think James probably gets screwed by numbers, too. I'm hoping it's Brad tonight. The last couple of boots have been depressing, and I want to see the Naviti 5 taken down a few notches. I think Sebastian has my favorite reaction to the swap. I can't tell if he's bummed that he might not be in the majority or he might not be able to canoodle with Jenna.

My favorite was after Dan got voted out, and then shook his head and looked pained when Mike kept showing up at TC with immunity wins.

That scares me terribly.

I wonder if there was some pact for them to follow each other/unfollow/refollow each other on SM before the season starts since fans online try to make spoilers out of those connections, and contestants have probably picked up on it by now. I’m glad though that he doesn’t feel the need to be friends with everyone from his season. I miss the days of contestants coming off the show and being bitter and not caring to keep in touch with half the cast, or cozying up to alumni. It did seem like Jacob had a sour experience, and I’m sure getting a less than desirable edit for a big fan didn’t help matters. It seemed like he started off on the wrong foot to begin with, but maybe there was not going be a chance. I thought he tried too hard, and played too hard, too fast. I’m sorry this resulted in therapy, though.

I didn’t care for her and can’t say I’m sad she’s gone, but she isn’t someone I’d be opposed to seeing again. I think she’s probably be less annoying and have a very different approach to the game.

Hee, I forgot that was so short, but still funny. Mike really did pop out of nowhere. That and Carolyn seemed completely unfazed.

Hopefully it's not too early to start a thread for the new season, but we potentially have out first cast member: http://www.tmz.com/2018/03/23/florida-hot-cop-daniel-rengering-featured-tapped-star-on-survivor/ Since filming would wrap around the time of the S36 finale, I'm assuming they would be starting that any day. We know this is a newbie season, once again in Fiji. According to Redmond it sounded like they were having trouble casting for both this season and S38. No word on the theme, but there were some interesting types being sought after (Captain America type, California blonde volleyball players or skateboarders, pro surfers, well rounded red heads, and the token teenager). Not sure if these were being looked for for this season or next, but I can see why they have trouble casting.

That was kind of a funny moment. And I don't usually use funny and that season in the same sentence very often.

Should we take bets as to whether the blindfold challenge will result in a concussion, nasty forehead gash, or both? Riveting TC probably equals a game of telephone and idols/advantages coming out (I'm guessing a combo of Parvati/Tony/Malcolm in those fateful TC during their respective seasons). I remember when Jeff briefly showed up on The Know It Alls live, and said something to the effect of he hoped fans didn't hate this season or weren't mad at them. I assumed there would be idols and advantages out the wazoo, so I thought it was because of that. But if Jeff loves this season, I'll probably hate it in the end.

It is up now. ETA: Okay, I swear I just saw it lol the clips from tonight’s ep are up so I assume it would be posted anytime. I think it’s usually after midnight EST but it doesn’t always post exactly at midnight.