S48.E05: Master Class in Deception

[Rodney]

Loose lips sink ships when one castaway’s frustrations put a wedge between them and their tribe.  A shared meal breeds connection between tribemates as they discuss race and heritage.  Then, an emotional Immunity Challenge brings two adversaries closer than ever imagined.

This is the episode's discussion thread for after the episode airs.

[Rodney]

And with that, the entire Thomas/Bianca duo is eliminated back-to-back.  But unlike with Thomas, I wanted to hug Bianca so badly.  She was devastated.

But at the same time, she shouldn't have blabbed to Cedrek, of all people, about not having a vote.  He and Chrissy clearly voted her out after she did that.

That moment with Eva was uncomfortable, but . . . surprisingly powerful.  It might've exposed both her and Joe's games, though.

But Eva got an ally in Star (after having been enemies with her) and an idol for her troubles!  Good for her!

Sai survives again.  Ugh.  I have a love-hate thing with her, so it's bittersweet for me.

Merge (or "earn the merge") next week!  Awesome!

[mojoween]

“Just voted your sad ass out but I loooooove you!”

[LadyChatts]

Well, Bianca got blindsided out of the game.  And Sai got blindsided, but not in the way I was expecting (I really was thinking she was going home when I saw her vote for Chrissy, and Mitch vote for Sai).  And since Cedrek didn't share that info with her, that's going to give Sai another reason not to trust him.  

I felt sorry for Bianca, but she did it to herself.  She shouldn't have told Cedrek about not having a vote, and didn't need to make things complicated like she did.  Just let Mitch/Chrissy and Sai/Cedrek duke it out and do damage control after the fact.  And with the merge coming up, she may not have needed to do damage control so badly.

Some happy moments this episode: loved seeing Star/Eva bond and hopefully make amends.  I like Star and hope that this can be a breakthrough for them going forward, especially since Star let Eva keep her idol for figuring the clue out (and as a peace offering).  Loved Mary gloating at the challenge that it set Sai off (who no doubt would have done the same if she were in Mary's position).  Don't think she did herself any favors.  And while I think Eva's moment has put a huge target on her and Joe (these people are crazy if they don't try to break them up- my guess is Joe will offer to fall on his sword for her), that was a sweet moment.  Though way overhyped in the previews, imo.  I don't know why I was expecting something different, but maybe that's what I've come to expect from this show, milking stuff.

Edited Thursday at 01:35 AM by LadyChatts

[Carey]

No sympathy for Bianca.  Maybe I should care, but when the person in question gives me a reason not to care, then so be it

[SouthernChick]

Dang! Sai lives to see another day!

Edited Friday at 05:09 AM by SouthernChick

[KeithJ]

So now everyone complaining about them spending so much time on Joe & Eva during the premier knows why.

Bianca has nobody to blame but herself.  She should have just let the vote go 2 vs 2 and I think she was probably right, Cedric would have flipped in the revote.

Very surprised that Starr gave the idol to Eva.  I guess Starr felt she really didn’t earn it herself.

I’m wondering how much of a target Eva will now have on her back or is it going to be “we can’t vote out the autistic girl”?

[Brown44]

Watching Abbott Elementary and there's a section that's dealing with Survivor which is funny since Survivor is there time slot competitor.

[North of Eden]

Unless some super phenomenal episode crops up between now and May I think we've easily witnessed their Emmy submission for the season...one that may well win them the trophy.

Even my cold dead heart couldn't help but be squeezed when you could see how Joe wanted to rush to Eva and it was taking everything in the world to hold back-so glad Jeff allowed it. That was some great TV there and lands in the top 5 most dramatic moments along side Skupin's legendary plunge into the fire...if I could some it up at long last this episode put the Reality back into Reality TV because all that emotion was genuine.

It is said though because the target on their backs can be seen from the ISS in orbit. Such a strong pair won't be allowed to make it to the end.

Plenty else to love like Jeff throwing shade on Sai. "I'm not feeling any pressure" "You should" and them proving he doesn't give f^%k all about Sai as he rushes over to coach Eva ignoring the loudmouth one's own struggle.

And then Team International! Love the bond that seems to have formed and I really hope the four don't have to turn on each other and can go deep into the game as a unit.

Wow...so weird to be so positive about an ep so I better throw in some digs LOL

How did Starr make it past casting? She has no idea how to play the game if she's giving away the idol...she's probably kicking herself watching right now knowing that Eva literally said she was serving Starr up to the others to be voted out

And Lastly tribal was anticlimatic because I realized I don't give a damn about anyone on Team Orange. None of them have what it takes to make the long haul to the end not even as a potential goat-complete cannon fodder. Over and out.

Edited to add: It's clear that Sai didn't really mean what she was saying with her detante with Mary after the Justin boot. Her performance after the reward loss made it clear she still hates Mary.

Edited Thursday at 03:49 AM by North of Eden

[tvfanatic13]

So these words actually came out of Peachy’s mouth: once your balls drop, you can move onto the next phase, as in life. He I actually comparing the challenge to testicles dropping. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[Rodney]

9 minutes ago, North of Eden said:

And Lastly tribal was anticlimatic because I realized I don't give a damn about anyone on Team Orange. None of them have what it takes to make the long haul to the end not even as a potential goat-complete cannon fodder. Over and out.

Excuse me?  Mitch and Chrissy seem like smart players, at least.

[North of Eden]

1 minute ago, Rodney said:

Excuse me?  Mitch and Chrissy seem like smart players, at least.

Did you not see Chrissy nearly fall into a one on one showdown against Sai if Bianca had just kept her mouth shut. The vote could have gone down that way but Chrissy too fixated on Sai never even seemed aware the smart move would to put that aside and work with everyone to make the easy vote of removing the "outsider". You are giving too much credit to her. She hasn't done anything to distinguish herself as having the chops to go far.

[Rodney]

3 minutes ago, North of Eden said:

Did you not see Chrissy nearly fall into a one on one showdown against Sai if Bianca had just kept her mouth shut. The vote could have gone down that way but Chrissy too fixated on Sai never even seemed aware the smart move would to put that aside and work with everyone to make the easy vote of removing the "outsider". You are giving too much credit to her. She hasn't done anything to distinguish herself as having the chops to go far.

And yet she was smart enough to take the opportunity offered to her to switch to Bianca.  She wasn't so fixated that she was unwilling to switch targets.  Had she stayed on Sai, then yes, I'd agree.  But she switched, so I do not.

[Maya]

They are all idiots if they let either Joe or Eva make it anywhere near the final. 

[princelina]

1 hour ago, Rodney said:

And with that, the entire Thomas/Bianca duo is eliminated back-to-back.  But unlike with Thomas, I wanted to hug Bianca so badly.  She was devastated.

But at the same time, she shouldn't have blabbed to Cedrek, of all people, about not having a vote.  He and Chrissy clearly voted her out after she did that.

Yeah I was rooting for her and her plan until she blew it!  Then - too bad, so sad 😃

1 hour ago, Rodney said:

Excuse me?  Mitch and Chrissy seem like smart players, at least.

Ha!  That's because Chrissy had no secret or she would have been blabbing to Cedric like crazy 😂  What is it about that guy?

[dancingdreamer]

I don't  like Cedrek,  something  about him irks me ( not just tonight) I really  like Mitch out of that tribe, so don't  mess with him. I figured  Sai would  be safe, but I felt sorry for Bianca,  she really  took it badly.

Poor Eva, when she couldn't  get that challenge,  I could see her getting  upset, and afterwards it was like a relief that led to the overwhelming  feelings  she gets. I noticed Joe looking  at her once his tribe had won. I'm glad he settled  her down, it was a powerful  moment as @Rodney said. There aren't  many, so I'll take this one. Then Star and Eva made up, we're  all more alike than we know. I think my eyes may have leaked  a little, may have.

I loved Mary, after so many TCs, she bubbled over with joy of the win and food,and  Sai scolded her.

Edited Thursday at 03:34 AM by dancingdreamer

[LadyChatts]

11 minutes ago, princelina said:

Yeah I was rooting for her and her plan until she blew it!  Then - too bad, so sad 😃

Ha!  That's because Chrissy had no secret or she would have been blabbing to Cedric like crazy 😂  What is it about that guy?

I saw a tweet from Justin the Pizza Guy tonight that this is why he didn't tell Cedrek about losing his vote.  Cedrek's an interesting one.  I don't know why I'm still surprised he's still there, but either he's going to just get forgotten about and somehow wind up in the final 3, or his luck will run out. 

I'm not sure why Bianca needed Cedrek to vote Sai so bad, as if she had just left it alone and let the two sides go against each other she would have been fine (which is what she said originally).  

Edited Thursday at 03:35 AM by LadyChatts

[Rodney]

1 minute ago, LadyChatts said:

I saw a tweet from Pizza Guy tonight that this is why he didn't tell Cedrek about losing his vote.

The difference between Justin and Bianca is that Justin was supposed to have been Cedrek's ally.  In that respect, he should've told him about losing his vote so they could've planned for Tribal Council accordingly.  Bianca wasn't really officially an ally of Cedrek's yet, and her position was a lot more precarious, so she had no real reason to tell him about not having her vote.

She might've done well to tell Sai, though, as Sai might've tried to protect her and encouraged Cedrek to force a tie with Mitch and Chrissy.  By telling Cedrek, she was daring him to vote her out.  And he did.

3 minutes ago, LadyChatts said:

I'm not sure why Bianca needed Cedrek to vote Sai so bad, as if she had just left it alone and let the two sides go against each other she would have been fine (which is what she said originally).  

I'm not sure why, either.  It'll be interesting to read about her side of things in her post-show interviews, because I'd really like to know why she didn't just let the vote for Sai ride when she learned that Cedrek was open to voting with Mitch and Chrissy.

[FoundTime]

2 hours ago, Carey said:

No sympathy for Bianca.  Maybe I should care, but when the person in question gives me a reason not to care, then so be it

Eh, it is possible for her to have engineered her own ouster and still feel for how gutted she was to be voted out. The two are not mutually exclusive.

[choclatechip45]

The Eva moment made me choke up. Felt like one of the most real moments this show has had in a long time. It was nice to see her and Star bury the hatchet. Don't blame Star for not feeling like she didn't earn the idol just surprised she gave it to Eva.

Definitley felt for Bianca even though it was her fault. Will be interesting to see her exit press. 

[Cotypubby]

Bianca, Bianca… you did this to yourself. Always keep your mouth shut!! Had she not told Cedric about not having a vote, it’s very likely it would have been a tie between Sai and Chrissy and he most likely would have flipped to Sai on the revote. You ousted yourself.

[TVFan1]

Bianca did do this to herself. If she would have kept quiet about not having a vote, then probably either Sai or Chrissy would have gone home. As soon as she told Cedrek, I knew she was done.

Got a little emotional over the Eva and Joe scene. The preview made it seem more hype than it really was, though. I didn't think Star would give Eva the idol.

I wonder if the alliance of Joe, Shauhin, Kamilla, and Kyle will continue together through the merge recruiting more allies. I can get behind that.

 

[30 Helens]

1 hour ago, LadyChatts said:

I'm not sure why Bianca needed Cedrek to vote Sai so bad, as if she had just left it alone and let the two sides go against each other she would have been fine (which is what she said originally).  

She wanted Jeff to pull three votes out of the urn for Sai, which would have been enough to send Sai home. The others would have assumed there was one unread vote left in the urn, and so they wouldn’t have known Bianca had no vote to cast. There would be no way to hide that in a split vote situation. So even though confiding in (and relying on) Cedric was risky, Bianca was afraid of the fallout from everyone finding out she had lied about having a vote, and so she took the risk. 

In other words, she overthought the situation.

Not gonna lie, that whole sequence with Joe and Eva made me a little weepy. He had such a concerned-dad look throughout, and it was amazing how he knew just what to do to help her. If I weren’t older than Joe, I would want him to be my dad— he must be an incredible one. 

And yeah, that whole thing will probably come back to bite him in the end. He will be a target anyway because of his athleticism, but this just makes it bigger. I think people will hold off on Eva for awhile so as not to seem insensitive, but I hope they don’t. Not because I don’t like her, but because I don’t think she should get special treatment. I think she would agree.

I enjoyed the frenemy sniping between Mary and Sai. I actually agreed that Mary was a bit much with her talk about how their tribe prowess has earned them so much food, they can’t even eat it all. Y’all, they literally have fruit rotting at camp while others are going hungry! Aren’t they awesome! I’m still hoping for Mary and Sai to team up after merge. Joe and Eva may be the sweetest duo, but Mary and Sai are the cold-hearted bitter twins, and I am here for it.

[Lantern7]

Man, Eva had herself a powerful moment. I didn't think it was too schlocky. I don't think Probst faked tears, but I still figure that he slept on his back that night because he was that turned on.

Eva's meltdown and triumph shows she's way braver than I could ever be. I'm on the spectrum as well, and I could see myself in her position. But I could never be on Survivor. Most of it is because I'm not into the outdoors and covert scheming, but I don't have the personality for it. I did make it a few stages into another reality show's casting, but I think that was because of me being enrolled outside of "regular" education for a lot of my life.

The episode? Right. Bianca got voted off. I did not know who she was, and I'll probably forget about her by the end of this weekend. Given Cedrek's decision two episodes ago, it would have been hilarious if Sai got the boot. I don't hate her, but I get why she'd get the stink-eye, and I'm a fan of irony. If Cedrek had voted for Sai, I imagine Justin would try to shove him in a pizza over. Or attack him with that big-ass pizza shovel thing. Whatever seems more whimsical to you.

[Skooma]

On 3/26/2025 at 10:16 PM, Rodney said:

Excuse me?  Mitch and Chrissy seem like smart players, at least.

Mitch is the ONLY person on that tribe that gets anything done in the challenges.  He is incredible.  He had to get all three balls in that net thing himself.  Nobody else came close.  Heck, Cedrek managed to shoot his ball backwards.

And about Cedrek.  Why didn't he vote out Sai?  He could have had a nice group of three other people to work with instead of a woman who plans to kick him to the curb as soon as she can. 

He doesn't read people at all if he doesn't know Sai is big time pissed at him already.  And since he didn't tell her about this vote beforehand and he obviously told her most recent nemesis, Chrissy, she will now be big time double pissed at him.

Good for Mary getting to celebrate a win.  Bad on Sai for being a sore loser.  Hey, Sai, you were the one who had to bail out once and then the second try you failed too.  You cost your team the loss.

And of course if Sai didn't go all diva and demand to "rest" at the super  easy reward challenge; she could have sat out the immunity challenge instead.  The one she screwed up.

Edited 5 hours ago by Skooma

[surfgirl]

5 hours ago, Rodney said:

That moment with Eva was uncomfortable, but . . . surprisingly powerful.  It might've exposed both her and Joe's games, though.

But Eva got an ally in Star (after having been enemies with her) and an idol for her troubles!  Good for her!

Sai survives again.  Ugh.  I have a love-hate thing with her, so it's bittersweet for me.

Jeff always makes others pain all about how great his show is, and I knew whe. Eva was melting down, that he woukd started pontificating about how HIS show was SO amazing and look at what a MOMENT we just had and blah blah blah fishcakes. I knew it was coming and it still made me feel gross. I feel like Peachy and his production team used a young woman on the spectrum to create a moment of DRAMA. That is beyond the pale, IMO. Eva seems very strong yes, but to put someone on the show who is going to have a melt down the way she did - just to see if they can get a moment out of it - to me that is not entertaining in any way, shape, or form, and it does not make me think this show is amazing. It just makes me feel zero respect for those who use others to 'make a good show.'. Perhaps I'm alone in feeling this way but that was my gut reaction to that scene and Jeff's response to it.

Star was never 'enemies' with Eva, that was all in Eva's mind. She's the one who started shit talking Star to anyone who'd listen. She's the one who offered Star up 'on a platter' to be voted off. She knew Star couldnt solve the idol puzzle snd she didnt tey to help her one iota. She has done nothing but shit talk Star and yet Star showed us tonight who she is - a person with class, humanity, and who does right by others. I hope she didn't make a mistake giving the idol to Eva and I hope Eva does right by Star now too. I'm rooting for Star.

Sai is one of those awful people who bring divisiveness and chaos everywhere dhe goes. It's not cute,  funny, or even strategic, it's just annoying AF and I wanted her gone three tribals ago.

Edited Thursday at 06:40 AM by surfgirl

[Rodney]

Reviewing the episode again, I have to give props to the planners of this season's Beware Advantage, especially after remembering the differences in the passwords.

They were "listen" for Sai, "enlist" for Kyle, and "silent" for Star.

I like how the code was different for each idol.

And I also like how each code had something to do with a facet of Survivor.  "Listen" refers to listening to what people tell you for information, and being able to try to sort out what's true and what's not.  "Enlist" refers to pulling in allies, whether for long-time alliances, short-term alliances or voting blocs, or just temporary numbers to pull off a big vote flip.  And "silent" refers to something that Bianca learned the hard way -- keeping certain information quiet and to yourself unless absolutely necessary.

Very, very smart idea this season.

Edited Yest. at 04:20 AM by Rodney

[Soapy Goddess]

45 minutes ago, surfgirl said:

I feel like Peachy and his production team used a young woman on the spectrum to create a moment of DRAMA. That is beyond the pale, IMO. Eva seems very strong yes, but to put someone on the show who is going to have a melt down the way she did - just to see if they can get a moment out of it - to me that is not entertaining

I disagree with your assessment of the situation. I prefer to look at it as a learning experience for those of us (including the players) who have never been around someone with autism. It could have easily been cut by producers, but I'm glad to see that they allowed it to play out for the audience.

[Fake Jan Brady]

If this episode was designed to make me fall in love with Joe, then mission: accomplished. Watching him talk Eva down made me well up, and that's not a condition Survivor has inspired in a looooong time. Thankfully, Probst crying immediately cheered me right back up.

I'm now also high on Star. Funny how both Joe and Star rocketed up my charts because of Eva, yet Eva remains low on my list. She's inspiring, yes, but also a bit of a mean girl, first targeting Star and now Charity. Although, to be fair, I can't blame her for teaming up with the muscliest man she can find on a team. You go, girl!

So Joe, Star, Mary, Kamilla and Kyle are my chosen five. I hope I haven't jinxed them.

 

 

[Rodney]

13 minutes ago, Fake Jan Brady said:

She's inspiring, yes, but also a bit of a mean girl, first targeting Star and now Charity.

In fairness, she's not the only one after Charity.  Nearly all of the original Civas save for Mitch are, too.

[violet and green]

Oh my God. Cedrek does it again! I mean, dumb move for Bianca - having found stable people who want to work with her and having worked out how to stay safe this vote and get Sai out on the revote - to tell him. Apologise and explain later!

But Cedrek! Again, gets rid of someone sensible and hitches his wagon harder to that unpleasant lunatic. I wonder how he feels about staying so loyal to Sai watching the show now with all her comments dismissing him.

[JudyObscure]

Jeff cried and so did I.  

This season takes me back to the day I heard some guy called Probst on NPR talking about a new show where strangers would be dropped together on an island and have to get along.   Me jumping up and saying, "Yes!"

 

"Survivor," will never get old because the people are different every season. 

6 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

I'm on the spectrum as well, and I could see myself in her position

I kind of think we're all on the spectrum to some degree, it's just a matter of what conditions  will break us. I was always the, "What me worry?" kid, but the older I get the less stress I can handle.  This week I've been brought to the edge by my cable company, which is due this morning. My husband just left saying he expects to see crime scene tape around the house when he gets home.

[Haleth]

Omigosh, I was bawling my eyes out. I so want Joe to win, but man, it’s going to be tough for him after revealing his relationship with Eva. The pained looks he was giving her, oh my, probably one of the most honest reactions anyone has had on this show. He is genuinely a good man, which unfortunately makes him vulnerable.

There was a Bianca on the show? The only person I like on that tribe is Mitch so I didn’t care who was voted out.

I like how the little green team came together after the massive Thomas blindside. I really like Kamilla and Kyle.

[KeithJ]

3 hours ago, Fake Jan Brady said:

I'm now also high on Star. Funny how both Joe and Star rocketed up my charts because of Eva, yet Eva remains low on my list. She's inspiring, yes, but also a bit of a mean girl, first targeting Star and now Charity.

I don't think she targetted Star until Star targetted her.  Eva had previously asked Star if she wanted to sit out a challenge and Star took that as "Eva wants me out of the game, I must get her out."  And I'm curious why you consider Eva a "mean girl". Everybody has people in the game they don't care for or don't trust. You have to target someone in the game, why does that make her a mean girl?

Edited Thursday at 12:03 PM by KeithJ

[tv echo]

Maybe I've gotten too cynical from watching too many competition reality shows, but I feel emotionally manipulated. I really feel for Eva and don't doubt that her reactions in this episode were genuine. I also really wanted someone to help her. However, I was taken aback by Jeff saying that Joe exposed his relationship with Eva in order to help Eva.

No. Jeff is the one who exposed Joe's bond with Eva. Even though you could tell that Joe wanted to do something, Jeff is the one who prompted Joe to go over and hug Eva. Maybe Joe needed permission, but Joe, on his own, could've asked Jeff if he could go over and hug Eva. Then it would've been Joe's decision. It just looked like Jeff was waiting for Joe to do it on his own, but got impatient (maybe the producers whispered in his earpiece) and prompted Joe.

They have medics on standby, but they let Eva suffer for several long minutes. I think Jeff was eager to have an emotional, teachable moment on the show.

Edited Thursday at 12:11 PM by tv echo

[GenerationX]

From a strategy perspective, the Joe, Shauhin, Kamilla, and Kyle alliance talk after their common bonds talk was fascinating.  They absolutely could run the game as two sets of secretly-allied opponents.  I'm curious to see how it plays out.

From a human perspective, the Joe and Eva scene was powerful.  As a father whose son is on the spectrum, I know plenty about coping mechanisms.  Eva was wise to have forewarned somebody about what would happen and what she would need.

[seacliffsal]

Okay, i've looked around and, yep, I'm alone at a table for one.  Sigh.  But, here goes...

I thought the Eva segment went on for far too long.  Jeff really does forget that his talk show tanked and was cancelled.  Therefore, I do not understand why he wants to turn a once top-rated show (Survivor) into a low-rated cancelled show (his talk show).  Yes, it was a true human moment to see Eva struggle and break down while Joe wanted to compassionately comfort her, and it was an important moment but I thought it just went on for too long.  Also, I do not need to hear about how NOW, after watching this, parents will suddenly realize their autistic children have value, etc.  That, thanks to Survivor, people will realize that autistic persons are capable of many thing.  And, I'm not really a fan of people thinking they have to 'teach' others about their conditions and become spokespeople while on an entertainment show.  

Just to clarify-as a retired public school teacher, I have had many autistic students and have cared about and supported them to the best of my abilities.  But, I tend to separate my entertainment preferences from my real life scenarios.

And, it also kind of bothered me that Jeff could so easily change the rules of the game.  Am I glad he let Joe go to comfort Eva?  Absolutely.  But, it demonstrated to me that maybe the rules of the game aren't as solidified as I previously believed and maybe Jeff does change things on a whim (and, was he just making things up as he went along at the tribal council in which Justin was voted out?).  It made me question just how legit the game is.  And, by changing the rules about the tribes interacting, did he, himself, as the host of the show, put a target that wasn't there previously onto Joe? 

Jeff could have had medical come out to help Eva, put, instead, he chose to have Joe help her.

Anyway...I wish Star hadn't given her idol to Eva but I understand as Star saw some of her family members in Eva.

Still like Mitch and like the new Vula alliance.  Bianca just 'had' to share her secret and there you go-she got herself voted out.

[watch2much]

I actually felt bad for Bianca. it was obvious she thought long and hard about telling someone. I think her tears were more of anger at herself for making the wrong decision.  Wish she hadn't told him, it would have been a much more interesting council to see the tie.

[iMonrey]

10 hours ago, surfgirl said:

Jeff always makes others pain all about how great his show is, and I knew when Eva was melting down, that he would started pontificating about how HIS show was SO amazing and look at what a MOMENT we just had and blah blah blah fishcakes. I knew it was coming and it still made me feel gross. I feel like Peachy and his production team used a young woman on the spectrum to create a moment of DRAMA. That is beyond the pale, IMO. Eva seems very strong yes, but to put someone on the show who is going to have a melt down the way she did - just to see if they can get a moment out of it - to me that is not entertaining in any way, shape, or form, and it does not make me think this show is amazing. It just makes me feel zero respect for those who use others to 'make a good show.'. Perhaps I'm alone in feeling this way but that was my gut reaction to that scene and Jeff's response to it.

You took the words right out of my mouth, surfgirl. The fact that we had an entire half hour without a commercial break proves how much of a big freaking deal Mark Burnett, Probst and CBS knew this would be and milked it for all it was worth.

I hinted at this way back in the first episode when they devoted three whole segments to Eva having autism. It's not that I don't find her story compelling, it's that she was clearly cast on this show for this very reason. And to me that feels exploitative. You can just imagine the show runners salivating over having their first autistic competitor. History made! I keep waiting for the shooting star logo with "The More You Know" trailing after. I mean, do you think Eva would have been cast on this show if she didn't have autism? 

Sure, the incident was organic and I understand how people would find it moving, but to me the way the show handled it felt a bit icky.

To top it off, we get yet another dum dum move by Cedrek that saves Sai. I honestly don't know why I'm still watching this. I guess just to snark on it but honestly, I can't remember the last time I actually cared who won or actively rooted for anyone.

[fishcakes]

We were so close to getting rid of Sai. Now I can only think of what might have been and weep.

[KittyMom4]

4 hours ago, seacliffsal said:

Okay, i've looked around and, yep, I'm alone at a table for one.  Sigh.  But, here goes...

I thought the Eva segment went on for far too long.  Jeff really does forget that his talk show tanked and was cancelled.  Therefore, I do not understand why he wants to turn a once top-rated show (Survivor) into a low-rated cancelled show (his talk show).  Yes, it was a true human moment to see Eva struggle and break down while Joe wanted to compassionately comfort her, and it was an important moment but I thought it just went on for too long.  Also, I do not need to hear about how NOW, after watching this, parents will suddenly realize their autistic children have value, etc.  That, thanks to Survivor, people will realize that autistic persons are capable of many thing.  And, I'm not really a fan of people thinking they have to 'teach' others about their conditions and become spokespeople while on an entertainment show.

You are not alone, I felt the same way. I don't watch Survivor to for the emotional moments, I watch it because I like the strategy and gameplay. As soon as Joe went to Eva I hit the FF button. I couldn't believe how long I ff'd, it went on forever. 

On the other hand, I was enthralled at the new Vula tribe's bonding over their shared family struggles, I found that moment heartfelt and inspiring. It wasn't a show of hugging and tears, just relating to one another.

[fishcakes]

8 minutes ago, KittyMom4 said:

On the other hand, I was enthralled at the new Vula tribe's bonding over their shared family struggles, I found that moment heartfelt and inspiring. It wasn't a show of hugging and tears, just relating to one another.

I really loved that scene. It was so genuine. We used to see more conversations like that in earlier seasons, where people just talked about their lives and you could really see the social aspect of the game. Now we mostly only see strategy and plotting and I think it really affects how people coming into the game think it must be played ruthlessly at all times.

[LadyChatts]

35 minutes ago, KittyMom4 said:

You are not alone, I felt the same way. I don't watch Survivor to for the emotional moments, I watch it because I like the strategy and gameplay. As soon as Joe went to Eva I hit the FF button. I couldn't believe how long I ff'd, it went on forever. 

On the other hand, I was enthralled at the new Vula tribe's bonding over their shared family struggles, I found that moment heartfelt and inspiring. It wasn't a show of hugging and tears, just relating to one another.

I thought the moment between Joe and Eva was sweet but the show knew what it was doing, and this won’t be the last time we get some type of moment like this at the direction the show is going.  Maybe it’s why I enjoyed Mary gloating about their challenge win and bragging about getting more food on top of the food they still had from the last challenge, and Sai calling her out over it.  I don’t need everyone to be huge a*****es but I don’t need the sappy mushy stuff, either.  However, the moment at Vula reminded me more of what Survivor started off as, putting people together from different walks of life and yet them finding those similar connections to each other.  It just seemed more authentic and less staged (and I’m not saying Eva staged anything but the show certainly did letting Joe go over to her and have that moment together-I really don’t think they cared about Eva’s well-being as much as getting the moment they could hype up).
 

And on the subject of Cedrek and Sai, in hindsight I don’t think I blame him so much for Sai staying as I do Bianca.  Haven’t read her exit press yet but I’m still not getting her thought process.  It seemed like once she thought Cedrek was going to vote for Sai she suddenly had to make sure he did it and decided to tell him about not having a vote.  What did it matter who he voted for as long as it wasn’t her?  Either it’s a 2/2 tie or Sai goes home 3-1.   And she might have been able to hide not having a vote if Cedrek actually flipped on Sai.  

Edited Thursday at 05:11 PM by LadyChatts

[surfgirl]

19 hours ago, KeithJ said:

I don't think she targetted Star until Star targetted her.  Eva had previously asked Star if she wanted to sit out a challenge and Star took that as "Eva wants me out of the game, I must get her out."  And I'm curious why you consider Eva a "mean girl". Everybody has people in the game they don't care for or don't trust. You have to target someone in the game, why does that make her a mean girl?

From what I saw, she did behave mean girlish to Star in the beginning - she did nit 'Ask' Star, she 'Told' Star and that was what set off all that. Eva was dismissive, rude, and told Star she should sit out. IIRC, Eva was very directive in voicing what Star should be doing. She has already written off Star without even knowing Star or really trying to know her. And Im gonna say it - with Star being the only woman of color on her team at that point, that whole initial 'let's all dismiss Star' thing really did not sit okay with me. 

18 hours ago, seacliffsal said:

Okay, i've looked around and, yep, I'm alone at a table for one. 

Oh no my friend, there are many of us here who feel as sleeved out as you do!

Edited Friday at 07:07 AM by surfgirl

[fishcakes]

9 minutes ago, LadyChatts said:

And on the subject of Cedrek and Sai, in hindsight I don’t think I blame him so much for Sai staying as I do Bianca.  Haven’t read her exit press yet but I’m still not getting her thought process.  It seemed like once she thought Cedrek was going to vote for Sai she suddenly had to make sure he did it and decided to tell him about not having a vote.  What did it matter who he voted for as long as it wasn’t her?  Either it’s a 2/2 tie or Sai goes home 3-1.   And she might have been able to hide not having a vote if Cedrek actually flipped on Sai.

Bianca was right to talk to Cedrek and try to make it a 3-1 vote, but she gave him the wrong piece of information. Instead of telling him she didn't have a vote -- the very thing she was trying to hide -- she should have told him that she had approached Sai about the the three of them having an alliance and that Sai had basically said that Cedrek was not to be trusted. Cedrek knows that Sai is still suspicious of him so that information would have resonated with him and he would have known that Bianca was telling him the truth. He said that he knew he had to vote Sai out but didn't think it was the right time. If he knew that Sai was already talking him down to other players, he would have jumped on the chance to get her out now. Or, I don't know, maybe he would. It's Cedrek so it's hard to say what he'd do.

[KeithJ]

2 minutes ago, surfgirl said:

She absolutely did behave mean girlish to Star in the beginning - she did nit 'Ask' Star, she 'Told' Star and that was what set off all that. Eva was dismissive, rude, and told Star she should sit out

She did not tell Star she should sit out.  They were talking that they had to sit someone during the challenge. Eva said they couldn't sit the three strong members of the tribe and then she said they needed the other two for puzzles. That left Star. She then said "Maybe we can sit Star?".  I don't think she had any mean intentions there.  Just because the truth hurts someone's feelings (Star wasn't one of the strong players and wasn't good at puzzles) doesn't mean someone is being mean to them.

[sara416]

15 hours ago, tvfanatic13 said:

So these words actually came out of Peachy’s mouth: once your balls drop, you can move onto the next phase, as in life. He I actually comparing the challenge to testicles dropping. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

I snorted when he said that because I am apparently 12 years old. 

5 hours ago, seacliffsal said:

 

Jeff could have had medical come out to help Eva, put, instead, he chose to have Joe help her.

 

I don't think medical would have been effective in this instance. The reason that Joe was helpful for her was because she told him exactly what she would need in a moment like this and she had the safe connection with him. Autistic people are not all cut from the same cloth and do not all respond in the same way to interventions. She doesn't know the medics, and this could have been more overwhelming for her, causing her to disconnect even more. Joe was the right person to handle this. She needed the one person she felt connected to who knew what she needed, not medics that she was unfamiliar with causing more stimulation. 

[princelina]

2 hours ago, iMonrey said:

It's not that I don't find her story compelling, it's that she was clearly cast on this show for this very reason. And to me that feels exploitative. You can just imagine the show runners salivating over having their first autistic competitor. History made!

Well they've already had a deaf person, a one-legged girl, and probably others I forget.  Anyone "different" is going to be a small spectacle - should they not cast them?  

1 hour ago, sara416 said:

I don't think medical would have been effective in this instance. The reason that Joe was helpful for her was because she told him exactly what she would need in a moment like this and she had the safe connection with him. Autistic people are not all cut from the same cloth and do not all respond in the same way to interventions. She doesn't know the medics, and this could have been more overwhelming for her, causing her to disconnect even more. Joe was the right person to handle this. She needed the one person she felt connected to who knew what she needed, not medics that she was unfamiliar with causing more stimulation. 

Yes - I wondered if this was why Jeff encouraged it - he had to have known what happened with them behind the scenes.  If Joe hadn't been yearning cartoonishly towards her it would have been different, but I think he exposed himself before Jeff did.

[kav]

6 hours ago, seacliffsal said:

Also, I do not need to hear about how NOW, after watching this, parents will suddenly realize their autistic children have value, etc. 

Those were Eva's words and they are important because they were HER words.

 

6 hours ago, seacliffsal said:

But, I tend to separate my entertainment preferences from my real life scenarios.

I am glad you are able to try to do this for yourself, it can help, but Eva and everyone else who has someone they love on the Spectrum has it in every part of their lives, whether they want it to be or not.

 

6 hours ago, seacliffsal said:

Jeff could have had medical come out to help Eva, put, instead, he chose to have Joe help her.

We do not know if Eva was offered this as an option if she had chosen not to share it with Joe.

 

 

 

This episode brought me to tears.  Thank you to all the Joe's in the world.  You have no idea what a difference you make to many in the world.  Bianca should not have shared she did not have a vote, but they would have figured it out even if she was not voted out.

[Chicago Redshirt]

6 hours ago, seacliffsal said:

Jeff really does forget that his talk show tanked and was cancelled.  Therefore, I do not understand why he wants to turn a once top-rated show (Survivor) into a low-rated cancelled show (his talk show).  Yes, it was a true human moment to see Eva struggle and break down while Joe wanted to compassionately comfort her, and it was an important moment but I thought it just went on for too long.  Also, I do not need to hear about how NOW, after watching this, parents will suddenly realize their autistic children have value, etc.  That, thanks to Survivor, people will realize that autistic persons are capable of many thing.  And, I'm not really a fan of people thinking they have to 'teach' others about their conditions and become spokespeople while on an entertainment show.  

Peachy probably doesn't give a damn about ratings at this point as long as they are high enough to keep the show going with him as the host, which they probably will be for the rest of his productive lifetime, i.e. another dozen years or so. 

But I do imagine he cares about making a difference and pretending that Survivor is more than escapist entertainment (it's a social experiment! it's a life-changing crucible!)