Lantern7

Well, that was . . . a beginning. I dunno . . . most times, I figure that the new season will get the icky taste of the old out of my mouth, and then it tastes bad in its own way. Which do you think makes me seem more like a crazy person: my belief that the show did NOT gift Ben the win on his season? Or my belief that Probst may have influenced the players into voting out Natalie by bringing up how her twin sister Nadiya got voted out first in SJDS? Because back then, in the first Tribal Council, Probst brought up the Twinees' early ouster in TAR24, and Nadiya got the boot while John fucking Rocker was sitting right the fuck there. Yeah, I'm probably reaching. Still, I can buy that Probst might be butthurt someone who started her "career" on TAR won his game. And I figure that while the firemaking challenge wasn't created just for Ben, I figured it was installed as a safety net in case a power player (*koff*male*koff*) didn't win final immunity. I get why Ben can bug, but I don't get the smoldering rage towards the guy. If he turns out to get "weird" around Russell Hantz? Then we get the tar and feathers. Ethan's grateful to be back in the game? Huh. I must have missed that interview. Seriously, though, I'm glad he's up and about. Sandra didn't get a vote as she held onto her idol. I got nervous because I will always defend her, and Game Changers dented her legacy. Island of the Idols basically glorified Rob over her, so I want to see her have fun. I'm thinking Natalie offered her the idol because they're non-Caucasian women. Or maybe Natalie is just a fan. Either way, I'm happy. How much will Rob rampage once he finds out the missus got voted out? Amber probably didn't deserve it, but she was a safe choice. Of course, Edge of Extinction throws a spanner into the works. She and Natalie can wind up influencing the game harder than anyone did last year. And her fire token to Rob will probably be interpreted as a fish wrapped in newspaper. Fire Tokens? Oy. I mean, that could be discontinued if it proves to be a bad twist . . . but has there been a recent format change where Burnett/Probst didn't double down on it? I like the enthusiasm. Tony looked like he was going to piss himself on the boat. Speaking of him . . . when he was looking back at the other tribe while running, did anyone else think he might have been looking for hidden idols?

Heh. How is Tony still alive?!?

Big sigh of relief she didn’t get a vote. Getting booted with an idol would’ve dented her legacy.

Whuh oh!!! You think Lex is laughing or crying that the tribe made the move his didn’t? Gee, Amber gives her token to Rob. And he’s gonna know she’s out because no one else would do that for him.

Someone said he and Rob were friends. Color me honestly shocked.

“Some things never change. Including me. Especially me. Are you up for a massage, Ben?”

I’m good with it. I can see them being friends. Might make up for us never getting Sandra and Cirie on the same tribe.

Looks like if they want to take out the Queen, they’ll have to work for it.

Could be out of respect. Or wanting to bond. I’m great with it.

You can’t spell “Tyson” without “Tony.” Yeah, my mind goes to odd places.

Natalie watchin’ out for Sandra!

So . . . who does Natalie offer the idol to? We really need to get him and CT together.

How are you watching? I think you’re about thirty seconds ahead of me. Amber is in danger. Meanwhile, Lex pitches the biggest tent in his pants.

Heh. Cheerleader Sandra. You think Tony is looking for idols now?

“For the cost of one fire token, you can help a player get back in the game.” Seriously, why is the idol so goofy-looking? ”Sandra, take a spot on the benc. . . I forgot. Take a spot on the plush throne. Russell will be your footstool.”

Am I nuts for thinking Natalie basically has to sell Amway to get back in the game?

Anytime Natalie starts to flag, she just imagines Phil Keoghan laughing at her.

Spoiler: fire tokens can operate the crane game, where you can grab immunity idols.

Hi, Tai! Thanks for fucking up Scott!

I’m thinking Probst mentioned Nadiya a dozen times. Fuck, when she played, Probst brought up her and Natalie being the first out in TAR24, and I thought maybe he was trying to Jedi people into voting her out. I’m really trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, aren’t I? #SorryNotSorry

Wait, so players go to EoE without the choice to opt out? You think Nadiya feels a little relieved? Is it weird that I think Probst mentioning Nadiya played in Natalie’s ouster?

WTF! Why Natalie?!?

Ethan said “War of the Worlds.” Now I’m imagining CT and Rob bonding, Cara Maria trying to compare herself and Paulie to Ramber, and Turbo bitching about how the Turkish Survivor that he won twice wasn’t soft.

“Hey, Natalie, remember when your sister got voted out first? And before John Rocker? I am shocked that she showed her face at the Reunion!”

Is that an open secret? I’m not in love with the guy, but I figure the firemaking challenge was geared towards saving a (*koff*male*koff*) power player. And that happened to be Ben.