Steph Sometimes

My fear was that the three guys would be the final 3 when I felt that Lindsay and Maryanne played better than them. So happy that Romeo chose Maryanne. The bad thing about these kinds of reunions is no opportunity for a Zach/Maryanne reunion scene. This was an amazing group of people. Would've been happy with many of them winning. And returning. I'm happy with this season. I feel like a bunny rabbit eating dinner in the mailbox.

It's ok that I still like Lindsay, right?

Poor Jonathan. He used up all his energy on monkey runs and now has barely any left to win immunity. Glad Lindsay is still in it because I like her and that twist is stupid. That was one of the happiest, giggliest tribal councils I can ever remember.

His dessert had so many little pieces of things in addition to the ball that I was sure someone had to say something about it. Evelyn looks like she's a good hugger. Add me to the group who didn't realize Nick had won so much money. I laughed when Tom said something about how they had to dig deep. That's Probst's line. And then I think I heard him say something grammatically cringey like "most spiciest." I didn't remember what it was exactly. Did anyone else catch it?

Hey guys. Want to see my monkey run?

When Jeff kept insisting on analogies, I was really hoping someone would say, "Have you heard the one about the bunny and the mailbox?"

Should've brought in Carrie from a few seasons ago to judge the toast challenge. There was a lot of Monique this episode. A lot. Surprised she didn't go home. Did anyone else catch the diner who looked like he had a bright pink face? It was kind of funny.

I feel so stupid. I thought it was Milo's wife who coincidentally happened to be a guest at the luncheon. I did not realize it was supposed to be Jackie. It feels like every episode now has a Midge does something onstage that makes me cringe scene. Last episode was with Sophie, this week at the luncheon. It gets repetitive. She just never learns really.

Nope. I mentioned it to my brother last week when they were on the same team and had their hair up the same way. I was half-watching the episode. I was also on Yelp frantically searching for places near me that serve queso.

I thought he'd be terrible like Joel from Micronesia, but he wasn't last night. Who knows? Maybe he'll end up being closer to the Mayor of Slamtown.

I know it's just a show, but man, I hated watching Midge and Susie act like that at the wedding. Throwing around all the flowers and food... it's not Shy who's going to be dealing with that mess.

This episode gave me strong Crazy Ex-Girlfriend vibes with the song and not just because the Izzy actress was on that show too. The song reminded me of "Villian in My Own Story."

I don't know why, but I teared up as soon as I saw the first title card at the end. After two years of this, I feel like I'm just numb to some things, just exhausted, but seeing all the racers together being told about what was going on. And then again, when they're back. I don't know, but I'm teary even now. I love Phil. Even when he's delivering bad news, there's just something so good about him. If I'm still feeling sad about this after a while, I'll try to think about my troosers instead.

Todd's episode hit me hard, and I wasn't expecting that. I'm going to say something, and I hope someone else sees this too. There have been at least two episodes of Antoni sitting by himself, wearing a brightly colored striped shirt, and there's a colorful background behind him and he looks like he's about to start giving me some Blue's Clues.

I read a theory that she was nervous and getting used to the cameras at the beginning, and as she grew more comfortable, the "likes" minimized. I think that could be a possibility.

I told you there was an Erika!

That was dumb. I assumed Deshawn would have to do some kind of challenge at tribal. A memory thing or some kind of something other than just random stupid chance. I hate stuff like that. Gave me bad memories to when Dean, through stupid chance, was able to end Janet's game and now I'm annoyed again. I also assumed that Erika would've been the first out just because a lot of the twists seem to single her out (hourglass, etc.). Does anyone else really hate when Jeff talks to the viewer before a challenge or tribal? Like he's so excited about what's going to come next, he just can't contain himself even though we're already watching? Shut up. I'm rooting for Erika or Ricard at this point. I'd be ok with Danny or Deshawn. Xander kind of bugs me for some reason I can't figure out (I'm not Liana -- promise). Heather is Heather. Speaking of Heather, loved when she said that the only people she could possibly beat were on the jury. Cut to the jury looking thrilled with that answer. In case anyone wondered if Heather would get any votes if she made it to Final 3...

That's hilarious. Kat's dumbness was entertaining though. Liana didn't seem that dumb at the beginning when she was on her initial tribe. I remember when people were comparing that tribe to the Brains tribe with Xander reminding people of Spencer. I continued the comparison by thinking Liana would be like Tasha (at that point, Liana just seemed good at challenges and reasonably sensible). Now I feel like I should apologize to Tasha.

I agree with this 100%. I'm not the hugest Shan fan, but I was disappointed by last night's vote. First part of the episode was shaping up to be either Ricard of Deshawn going home which would've been fine with me, but then it turned into Shan vs Liana vs Erika. I have nothing against Danny or Deshawn (who are both likable) or Ricard (who is interesting to watch) or Xander (I'm not the hugest fan, but I don't have Liana levels of hate towards him either), but I was really hoping a woman would win and Shan seemed to be the best shot. I assume Erika will be out next. I remember two seasons -- HHH and IoI (is that how Island of the Idols is abbreviated? it looks like LOL and that was not the reaction I had to that season) -- where I thought the women were, with a few exceptions, so much more interesting and strategic than the men. And men won both those games.

And with that vote, I think Survivor's going to extend the streak of male winners. I don't see any of the three women left getting a majority of the votes. It's very possible one ends up in the finals and gets zero votes. I'd love to be wrong though. I thought this episode was weirdly funny. Liana guessing who they were talking about. "Shan? Erika?" I was hoping she'd name a few more people before landing on the correct guess. And Heather calling out Shan's humming made me laugh too. And, of course, balls and poles. I'm rooting for Ricard and Erika I guess.

After Danny falls in the challenge, Jeff says something typically Jeff like, "He gave until he couldn't hold out" I don't even remember the exact quote but it was praise. I mean...it wasn't one of those challenges where people decided not to compete so they could eat. Everyone did it until they couldn't anymore. Even the women. Did Jeff praise Erika for actually winning? I don't even remember. Typical. I liked Naseer and Evvie. I wish Xander had played his idol for her. I maybe like Ricard now? I always want to know how the two groups are divided/decided. I used to love when they'd show schoolyard picks rather than telling us there was one. I'm not saying everything's a conspiracy but how random is random?

Anyone have any thoughts on Erika getting the short end of the stick twice? Bad luck? Conspiracy?

I told you there was an Erika! Survivor is one of the few shows I go out of my way to avoid spoilers for. I've been spoiled once or twice on winners and Final 3s, and it always pisses me off. I've learned to avoid certain websites that I know sometimes contain spoilers. I wasn't expecting Jeff to get so excited that he couldn't contain himself and started telling me what was going to happen later in the same episode I was currently watching! I'm already watching it, Probst! Don't tell me what's going to happen five minutes later!

I really, really want a woman to win this season, but if it's a guy...I really hope it's Naseer. The biggest twist for the next episode? Erika speaks again!

A while ago someone called them the new Brains tribe (back when they were losing everything) so that got me thinking. Is Xander like Spencer -= young, smart but maybe a little cocky? Liana = Tasha just because she seems pretty good all-around at challenges and calmer than some of the others. Tiffany = J'tia? Not as much now, but before when she screwed up the challenge and then got kind of crazy with the voting. Would that make Evvie Kass? Not perfect obviously but fun to think about when Jeff's going on and on about advantages and you tune him out.