srhall79

There was a period where I watched a lot of Tiny House Hunters, and in most couples, there was one part who was way more into the tiny house concept than the other (usually the one going ga-ga over a compost toilet). I'm reminded of that with Danny and Angie. Yeah, she's out there and competing, but I don't think she's spent the last decade dreaming about being on the Amazing Race. I also wanted a follow-up show, revisiting after 6 months to see which couples were still together, because for a lot of them it seemed a tiny house was only going to bring them together physically. I'm reminded of that with Amber and Vinnie... although tonight seemed better. I do figure Vinnie was off camera fuming while Amber helped with the puzzle. I guess I'm not so bothered by the alliance and cooperation because I link this game with Survivor. Obviously it's a much more physical game, but I think there's room for a team that's not as physically strong or fast as others to leverage their social powers. I do feel bad for the teams behind and outside the alliance (the boyfriends and the bros don't seem to need any help). And the thing to remember is only one team can cross the finish line. Tonight's help on the puzzle did seem excessive; last week, a quick "look at the colors of the wheels" was enough help. I appreciated that Rod's head stuck out of his bubble.

Hide and seek providing insight into how someone plays- was Q the same one who figured Moriah was a threat because she said Audrey was her favorite player? I suppose at least no one is basing their alliances on zodiac signs. Credit for the Soda vote, well, Venus did talk to people about it, even if others got convinced by someone else, they still voted the way she wanted. And if no one else is taking credit... although I'm sure if she makes final tribal, Tevin will stand up, "Um, actually." Not that it matters too much, someone's getting voted out each tribal. I do still like Venus. I feel like with Gabler, everything his tribe loved about him was hidden from us. Similarly, I think a lot of what Venus has done that has everyone hating her hasn't been shown. I liked her walking in on the voting discussion; if the cool kids are going to sit on the beach while pointing and whispering, I don't think the outcasts should have to just sit and watch. And I do like that's she's trying to play her game and make moves. You've got some like Ben and Hunter, and I'm not sure they have much game plan (besides win every immunity for Hunter). It's too bad that she's pretty bad at it. Shame that the one friend she made got medievac'd out. In the live thread, someone said Q's confessionals have the caps lock on, and yeah, feeling that. The attitude, the controlling, the everything, it really bugs me. I would have been good with a "you want out? Sure, we can skip the vote." I find it interesting that Maria seems more dedicated to the six person alliance than Tim ever was. And if Tim was a fair target last time, I'm not sure why it was a crime to put out Maria's name (well, except for it not being Q's idea). Taking out Tim weakened the alliance, and targeting Maria or Tiff would hurt it more. I'm not sure what was up with Q's "vote me out." I saw in an interview Jeff say that Q wasn't really trying to quit, which I agree with, and that Q is an enigma, and I don't think he's that deep. I was wondering if that was a plan for a big move, everyone votes for Q, Hunter plays his idol on Q so only Q's vote counts. But I don't think Q knows that Hunter has an idol. I think my favorite part that I've haven't seen mentioned, after Tiff learns that Q's been talking about her idol, "Kenzie, get over here!" Our good friend Q out blabbing Yamu secrets.

We stream Survivor, so the earliest I'm seeing it is Thursday night. I like having the live thread because I can follow along while watching, seeing reactions along the way. I suppose if there was just one thread, live reactions would just be the first few pages, but I like the divide between that and here where people can comment on the episode as a whole. My reaction at the start, where Bhanu compounds telling the other tribes about their whole dynamic (filtered through his perspective- I don't think Kenzie is a "mastermind" except maybe when compared to Bhanu and Jess) by then telling his tribe he did a tell-all on them, I thought that maybe the gal who basically quit first episode last season was more deserving of her spot than he was. My opinion didn't improve. I don't know how Hunter is as a person or a social player, but I do enjoy someone doing what they do very well. Watching his jump almost take him to the next platform. Jeff narrating that he still needs to climb up with the buoys and then he's there. "Just get the balls in his hands" and yup, quick victory after that. The tribe still lacking its flint- have I created a memory? I recall in early seasons, the winner of the initial challenge would get fire or flint. The other tribe goes to tribal council, "Fire is life, dip your torch in," then after they could take their torches back to have fire. Was that a thing? My wife was telling me about the Have & Have Nots season, one I skipped, where the tribe that had more did better. We seem to be watching that again, for the second season, hey, the tribe without a fire, limiting their food options and comfort, just keeps struggling. It does seem tribe make-up contributes (when you decide one of your biggest guys is a liability right from the start, that's not good) but also the losers keep losing because they have less. Bhanu's final speech... I'm speaking from a place of privilege, I didn't have to climb out of poverty, good on him for schooling and a degree. But I'm not sure it's that inspirational to go "If you believe, you two can rise up to do terribly on a game show!"

I was hoping the losing tribe wouldn't lose again, to shake things up. But no, it seems like the lousy players all end up in a single tribe. Crying in Survivor bugs me (Tom Hanks yelling "there's no crying in baseball" hit me at a formative age) but I can get it as the days go on, the hunger, lack of sleep, the stress. But it's day 4! A lot of these players, especially on Yanu, seem like they frequently called to be picked up from a sleepover. After rolling my eyes at Venus last episode, I'm warming to her. Hearing her monologue about her family and growing up, it felt like if she took one of the guys aside, gave a short version of that, "I've had to be strong all my life, strong Persian woman, and I'm having to adjust," she'd have an ally and turn into this season's Emily. I'm glad she's got an ally in Ramden now. Her reaction after the challenge wasn't great, but, I also get "you smushed my toe, I need some time." I'm hoping Liz goes before her. "I don't need the money" has rarely been a good opening bid. With the challenge, it seemed like maybe it would be better to build from one side? Trying to slip in the middle block felt like the hardest part. And as others have noted, made more difficult when you stick your smallest person in the middle. I found myself liking Jess, but, it was pretty clear she wasn't winning this game. The fake idol felt unnecessary, and then cruel when they couldn't even guide her to its hiding spot. "Those guys are masterminds." No, hon, they just had the numbers and an easy target. At least they'll eat themselves soon.

I can get wanting to stop a challenge if, rather than understanding the instructions as "You will have to work hard for most of the 4 hours" you hear as "We are giving you 4 hours to complete a task we estimate as needing 7 hours." I just don't know how you get to that age thinking several means seven. Now we're hiding attending Harvard because people will view you as a threat. I'm going to say last season didn't go far enough, we need a season of 18 lawyers, who all believe they're the only one. As Jess was losing all her possessions, I kinda wanted a prankster to have the next interview, holding up her stuff. "Yeah, Jess 'lost' her water bottle and her socks and ..." Liz looks and sounds like my wife's hairdresser of the same name (although said hairdresser's ink situation is closer to Kenzie's, so unless there's some major cover up...). The hairdresser even was out for surgery for 2 months, so maybe she could have sneaked off to Fiji. But, obviously, different jobs, as others have said, Liz's sounds like a scam. In the challenges, so often it seems the physical part doesn't really matter. This team gets up, gets their puzzle started, and there's the other team, just 3 pieces behind. Not this time, yellow had a solid lead. My wife was ready to tap out if Jelinsky stayed. Seldom has there been a player so lacking in awareness.

The list of lawyer contestants left off Nick Wilson, who successfully argued his case in David v. Goliath. I'm sad to see Emily go, but, she lasted 10 episodes longer than expected. Bragging about the Bruce vote was the wrong move. Hell, the Bruce vote was the wrong move. If she had used her powers of persuasion, "They're all against you. I've got to vote against you too, because if you don't believe me I'm not blowing up my game. But, you play your idol, you write down Julie's name, we break the Reba 4 and take control." Hindsight, yes, but Emily already got from Drew and Austin, "You're our favorite... after Dee and Julie." I'm also annoyed as we seem to be in one of those seasons where people just roll over. Jake tried to make some moves, but I think he needed to try earlier. Now that Bruce is voted off, Katurah can get back to playing for 5th. The Reba 4 seem like the embodiment of when Jeff says "You have a 1 in 4 shot at a million dollars" because I'm not seeing any of them really rising above the others. It's going to be hard for any of them to really point out "this was _my_ outsmarting people" instead of "this was _our_ outsmarting people." I guess Julie is "nice" but I don't know I want to vote for someone because "she felt bad each time she voted us off." Maybe Dee gets points for "I have Austin so wrapped around my finger that he screw up his chance for a big move."

"Who made the pyramids" I thought was going to lead into something somewhat thoughtful, "I did a lot of study, here's what we can do to build our shelter without tools." Instead, five people agree it must be "aliens" and I'm feeling so betrayed that I have to agree with Emily. When Bruce was introduced (and they reminded us who Bruce was), I was sure someone was going to launch into the "He already had his chance" which, I get with some of these folks who made it to the jury or whatever and are getting a second or third (or fourth) chance. But Bruce didn't even make it through the first day, much less the first episode. And he was taken out by injury. Let him play. His only advantage is I expect he spent the last 6 months really trying to learn useful skills so that he didn't blow his second chance. Hannah, I'm not sure what more can be said. Lots of us have figured out that this would be hard, and that's why we watch from the couch. I can get the weather, the lack of food, the lack of sleep, the physical and mental strain reaches a point that maybe you need to tap out. But she's skipped a meal and had a bad night of sleep, and she's done? Someone's going home from that first tribal, but to go in ready to quit if you're not voted out. I almost wish they just edited her out completely. Jeff has a moment, "we had 18 people, but one didn't want to play so we're not going to televise her." I would not have given her the final speech.

While watching the final challenge, after it gets explained there's a bunch of balls dropping on an orange mat. When the camera switched to the competitors, I noticed Heidi had an orange mat under her ball maze. I guessed right there that Heidi was going to win the challenge, and sure enough. I hate that you can opt to do fire if you win the final challenge, and hate that it's seen as a resume building move. But, if it's going to be there, I think Heidi did it right, talking about what a strong player Carson was, so she was really proving something going head to head with him. Of course she conveniently left out that he was also the weakest fire-maker of the four. I was expecting to dislike Carolyn, but quickly came around on her. I would have liked to see her win, but I think she had an uphill struggle for the jury to accept her gameplay.

Watching last night with my wife, Jeff read off the first four votes, I snarked that the last was going to be like Mike. And sure enough... Then we were trying to figure out who made that vote and why. I guess if Chanelle thought the others were targeting Daniel, this was her protection if he played his shot in the dark. I was glad it wasn't Lydia or Hai- I've warmed up to them, and while Chanelle might throw it back on them, it helps that they can honestly say they didn't vote for Mike. I have sympathy for Jonathan (and continue to be impressed with his strength- it looked like he was pulling back the slingshot with one hand). Wanting some quite and not having many places to get it is rough. But, while Maryanne seems like a lot, it's Omar who seems like the weak link (though this might just be recency bias, but I don't feel he's excelled in other challenges).

Going into the challenge, my wife said she'd been spoiled on a development, but I didn't want to hear it. So as the waves crashed, I thought I remembered the previews also suggesting something happens in the challenge. My speculation was that Jeff was going to declare both teams the losers. But no, just keep people from drowning and move to the shore. I'm not usually a fan of the big strong guys, but like seemingly everyone else, I was impressed with Jonathan (and like Blackwing, he reminded me of the Mayor of Slamtown). I'm sure his social game will fail him, but after this challenge performance, I'd be okay with him winning it. I also felt like being the only tribe to complete the full challenge, his tribe should have gotten something special... I know it wouldn't happen, but "You won immunity so hard we're bringing one of your tribe back." (though that tribe is way too closeknit, with Maryann sharing her extra vote. That's great... until they lose another challenge) Between last season and this one, when someone stood before the wheel of fate and said it was important for them to keep their vote, they voted "Safe." Until now. I get Chanelle maybe have thought Omar would try to keep her safe, and the best way to do that was if he chooses safe, but as someone said upthread, that's treating the other players as though they're only here to back your game. I haven't picked out anyone to root for yet, so going into tribal I didn't have strong feelings. But, I would have been disappointed if Hai fell for the vote split plan. I ended up loving this tribal, from Hai's reaction to the two votes, to his standing firm (I might have chanted "rocks" during the debate). My wife pointed out that holding firm was Hai's best decision. That he has been left out of the vote, left out of knowing Chanelle didn't have a vote, and had his assumed ally of Daniel vote for his closest ally, it was clear he was #5 on this tribe. If he sent Lydia home, if there's a next vote it's 4-1 with Hai leaving. Now at least it's 3-2, although Daniel could be driven from his alliance, and Mike may still not have a vote. Even if it goes to rocks, there's a 1 in 4 chance Hai goes home, but a 3 in 4 chance someone on the other side goes.

Thinking some more, I wonder what some of these people's endgame was. Sarah could make the case of being 50/50 with Tony and getting less credit as a woman. But I think she loses if he's at FTC, especially since he had moves she didn't know. Denise? "When Sandra went a little nuts I kept my mouth shut about my idol. Then I got in the dominant alliance and was a number for Tony."

I was annoyed too. She won the final immunity challenge, she shouldn't then have to prove her worth by throwing that away and making fire. But thinking about it some more, I think it may have been she didn't necessarily have to beat him at fire-making, but she did have to get him out because he'd played such a strong game. Of course, he had an idol, then won immunity, so the ability to do that was limited. Rob definitely seemed the most bitter at FTC (I'm also annoyed with Amber "I'm here for one reason, to support him." Great, why didn't anyone else get to bring an SO as their luxury item?) Sure looked like Wendell was getting back in, but I was pretty sure that wasn't happening from the way he'd been invisible for weeks. Michelle just smoking that puzzle. Her Wendell-oriented edit had me disliking her early on, but the scrappy, hold-on won me over. Sarah's speech was good and true... though not true about her. Well, maybe if she felt she couldn't be doing more lying and backstabbing because she was a woman. But it looked like her game was largely backing Tony's play. And she can't claim "I did everything he did, backwards and in heels" because, well, Sophie wasn't sitting there, and Sophie may have suggested voting out Tony, but she also had to go because she was tight with Sarah. *SIGH* Oh Natalie, you were so good about snowing Sarah about your idol, then you let her see the other. Final immunity challenge, I saw the fatigue just hit Tony. Fire building, I think Sarah practiced getting it going, but didn't think about what to do next. I'd found myself hoping for an all-women FTC, but alas. FTC, I wished they'd postponed until the rain stopped. Everyone looked miserable except Jeff. Other than Rob, it seemed a friendly, non-bitter council. The final three seemed like competitors, but not enemies. It did seem like Tony was losing the jury like in his first season; the usefulness of the spy nest was less gathering information and right here, letting Tony come off as a goofy, exuberant guy. Coming into FTC, I thought I'd ended up fine with anyone winning. As the votes were read, I realized, no, I'd still hoped Tony would lose. But, he did play a great game, even if he was helped by several people who didn't seem that interested in winning themselves and were fine helping Tony get to the end (I didn't like the end of Ghost Island, where the last several episodes were two dominant players and everyone else either locked out or just accepting their fate). I'm glad this season happened, and also glad that it won't happen again (at least, not until season 80 or something). At no point did I feel like just turning off or skipping episodes in disgust (unlike a certain past season). I would have liked to have seen some more from Parvati and Yul, and I wish Sophie had played her idol (watching her first season now, just past the merge and I'm interested in seeing her game). I can make myself feel better by telling myself Tony won for explaining how tribal council works that one time (to Adam?)

When the sliding puzzle came out, I knew Tony's immunity run was at an end. There was a moment where I thought he almost had it, then noticed at least three pieces way out of place. Not that he needs immunity with an alliance that seems to want nothing so much as to put him in the final. I believe that if Tony makes it to FTC with any two of Denise, Sarah, and Ben, Tony wins and will deserve it. When Denise said she was done at the last episode, I took it to just mean she was done talking about that vote, not with the whole game. But, she does seem like she's content to get 4th or a 0-vote 3rd. Voting out Sandra was cool, but it feels more like Sandra's failure than Denise's accomplishment. She didn't have to do anything besides sit there and let Sandra's greed override her sense. Sarah's place in FTC seems like the "I was by his side, making all the decisions along with him (except when he blindsided the people closer to me)." Has that ever been a winning position? The toothpick thing bugged me about Wendell, isn't any better on Sarah. I'm seeing Michelle in a better light, though not a huge fan. She did pull off immunity when she needed it (and it looked like Tony tried his dominoes and it would have failed. I wonder if Ben's would have worked?) I wondered if Rob bringing up his idol was a clue that he was getting back in. But I think it might have been building up to the reminder that Natalie still has one. I'd like it if she got back in and won. I hope she at least gets more money than what the first vote off usually gets. It sounded like real emotion coming from Tyson when talking about the idol, not his usual default sarcasm.

After Rob fell, I thought I heard a helicopter. I was waiting for his medical evac, but I guess I took "cracked" his elbow as more severe than it was. I did for a moment think that Amber might have dropped out (and I think probably would have if Rob was evacuated). Didn't look like she was trying for the coconuts. I didn't like Tony in his first season, I don't like him here, though he is at least working for it. Although it seems he spends a lot of unnecessary energy getting the results he could have had with way less effort. Did the spy tree accomplish anything except more camera time (which may have been the desired effect)? I'm not sure who I'm rooting for at this point. I was fond of Sophie, then she was gone. Kim's not so... whoops. Denise seems the best of what's left, but unless she can keep winning immunity, I'm not sure of her chances. I'm glad that Edge of Extinction is a factor, that someone I'm actually excited can come back. And I'm consoled that Tony doesn't have Spencer along this time, to tell the jury they're petty and stupid if they don't vote for Tony.

I think I'd read the article back around when it came out. Then this popped up on Hulu because I guess we're getting free HBO access. My wife had never heard about the scam so was interested in watching. I do feel bad for Gloria and the flight attendant (although Gloria's justificaiton- "this was my blessing," look, god may work in mysterious ways but I don't think he'd do it through a mobster), but the one I'm really watching is Frank's wife. Frank seems relaxed and happy to talk (maybe a little too happy- I'm expecting ending title cards to talk about his mysterious disappearance), but Frank's wife seems very nervous, shaky, uncomfortable. There are a few times where she talks and seems okay, but mostly she looks like she wants to be anywhere else.