S36.E05: A Diamond in the Rough

[marys1000]

2 hours ago, blackwing said:

It doesn't bother me.  My daughter's dream job is to be a dolphin trainer.  It's not because she wants to exploit dolphins into performing for humans.  It's because she really loves dolphins and this is one of the only ways one can have regular interaction with them.  She loves animals and regularly reads nonfiction books about all kinds of marine life and knows more about dolphins and penguins than I ever will.  

I think zoos and marine parks are great places to learn about animals.  I know animal activists think that the only place to see an animal should be in the wild, but that's simply not practical or cost-sensitive for 99% of people.

So while I found a lot to dislike about Morgan, I can't hate on her for her job.   Just like how I think the world of male modeling is... curious.   And here on this show we have two.  One seems a bit overly impressed with himself and has really rubbed Dominick and one or two others the wrong way, and has seemingly turned off a lot of viewers.  The other is well spoken and playing well and seems to be a fan favorite.  I can't dislike anyone for their job, everyone has to make a living somehow.

Not the appropriate argument for the " I love it" as an justification for abuse argument.  Lets just say that its a meaningless argument.  Lots of abuse goes on with "but I love you/it/them" as a reason/justification/plea for mercy.  Its meaningless

There is a difference between game hate and IRL hate and yea, I hate her IRL because while I'm sure she can be fun and do good things, not good enough.  

Edited March 23, 2018 by marys1000

[303420]

On 3/22/2018 at 8:38 AM, marys1000 said:

I get that Chris isn't very likeable.  But I think he deserves credit for realizing and admitting publically, in pre-interviews etc. that he realized he had been  a total shit about his mother's illness till he was about 17.  And once he realized he has been trying to make up for that both in his relationship with his mother an working for MS.  So self awareness may not come naturally to him but he has some and he does work on it.

THIS.

I found his lack of self - awareness particularly notable in the reward challenge when he told the others to lift with their legs. He wasn't wrong; in fact, that was excellent advice. But he came across like a coach, not a teammate. Anyone who has ever played team spurts knows how annoyng it is when a regular team member tries to act like a coach.

Same with the chocolate thing. Once would not have been a problem, but the repetition...oy. 

He's just so very clueless as to how he comes across. He thinks he's adorable, but when I don't want to roll my eyes at him I just want to laugh. At him, not with him. C.f. the cringeworthy rap thing.

Snoozer of an ep indeed, but there's always gotta be some filler.

[ByaNose]

1 minute ago, 303420 said:

THIS.

I found his lack of self - awareness particularly notable in the reward challenge when he told the others to lift with their legs. He wasn't wrong; in fact, that was excellent advice. But he came across like a coach, not a teammate. Anyone who has ever played team spurts knows how annoyng it is when a regular team member tries to act like a coach.

Same with the chocolate thing. Once would not have been a problem, but the repetition...oy. 

He's just so very clueless as to how he comes across. He thinks he's adorable, but when I don't want to roll my eyes at him I just want to laugh. At him, not with him. C.f. the cringeworthy rap thing.

Snoozer of an ep indeed, but there's always gotta be some filler.

If he didn't know then how he comes across I think he does now. Even, before the show aired the contestants had him pretty much pegged in the pre game interviews. Granted, he has shown some sides of him that they didn't know but he does seem to talk about him like he's the greatest thing in the world without realizing it.  After all, he does like himself like he said. Too funny!

[Special K]

1 hour ago, blackwing said:

Some articles on the internet are calling him an underwear model. I'm not really sure what that means, whether he primarily does underwear modeling or that's just part of the whole modeling gig. 

There are so many different kinds of models and different physiques. Underwear models will be more muscular and defined than, say a runway model who may be tall, thin, even otherworldly, but not be as built.  Think of the difference between a Victoria's Secret model and a high-fashion runway model.  Female VS models will be pretty busty and curvy but typical high-fashion runway models will be thinner and more angular.  Fitness models will be even more built than underwear models.  There are also "face" models for beauty campaigns, makeup, etc., and they don't need any kind of body at all!

You can blame Marky Mark for the whole male underwear model thing. :)

Edited March 23, 2018 by Special K

[Dominii]

I'm not a big Chris fan either, but Jeezus, commenters! You're being way too judgemental about him. A bunch of you have said that his mom is in assisted living, so he has nothing on Donathan. You're absolutely wrong.

He was born 7 years after his mother was diagnosed with MS, so he had to live with this terribly ill person all of his life. She was very depressed, and he couldn't understand why. She'd have seizures, and she had "drug brain", and at times she couldn't do anything. His parents split up when he was 12, so he had to pick up the slack for much of her care during his teenage years until she went into assisted living.

In spite of all this, he was an all-state high school baseball player and graduated from college as well.

I understand why we don't like him (he's way too arrogant for me), but perhaps we should think about him contextually. He has worked very hard to rise above his past. Be fair and be nice. That is all.

[Nashville]

2 minutes ago, Dominii said:

Be fair and be nice. That is all.

I’m pretty sure that violates one of the basic rules of Survivor - or, at least, of Survivor snark....  ;>

[fishcakes]

...

Edited March 23, 2018 by fishcakes
Eh. Not worth it.

[MVFrostsMyPie]

On 3/22/2018 at 6:56 AM, Special K said:

To clear things up:

Michael told them he was 23 and had been watching Survivor for 10 years -- ie, since he was 13, which is what he said at Tribal Council.

Actually, Michael is 18 and has been watching Survivor for 10 years -- ie, since he was 8, which is what he said in a TH.

Being able to be consistent in his lies puts him automatically in the top tier of brainiacs who have played this show.

Also makes me wonder what else he could be good at lying so smoothly about in the real world if necessary, ha! Watch out to his future girlfriends. Although with the way he looks, the potential lies might be worth it for awhile ;)

[PreBabylonia]

On 22/03/2018 at 7:08 AM, ProfCrash said:

Agreed. That said, there are ways to tell the stories that are effective and ways that annoy. Donathon gets chocked up by the coffee and pastries because it reminds him of his Grandma and Mom who he cares for. He goes for a walk so that he can get his emotions under control. Person who I cannot remember her name comes over to check on him, which was great on her part. I loved her approach "Hey I can see that you are struggling. Do you want to talk about it or be alone?" I love that she expressed concern but knew that Donathan should be able to choose to discuss it and handled it in a graceful manner. I thought it was a great moment which showed Donathan's life and Whats her faces concern. It could help forge a tighter connection between the two of them and could explain a vote at final tribal.

I am rooting for Michael. He is playing a good game and seems to be like a good dude. I am impressed with his game play and strategy, more so because he is 18 and playing at a higher level then everyone else.

I cannot wait for the Bradley and Chris boots. Chris is just that over the top jock who thinks he is all that. He is a very good athlete but I have not seen much else out of him. He is awful with strategy and he is playing the game personally. I was annoyed with his "I want the chocolate one" and his insistence that he should get what he wants. I get it, he smoked Sebastian in the baseball toss but I would expect that a collegiate level pitcher should be able to, well, pitch with a good deal of accuracy. So while it looked great, the truth is he did the job he trained himself to do for the better part of 14 years, counting Little League play. Yay you. Show me some game. All you have done is be a jock, be pissed with Dom for seeing through your BS, and try to boss people around. His attempt to talking to Donathon was so awful because he made it about him and not Donathon.

Bradley is an ass. A chinless ass. He so wants to be a great strategic player and he never will be.

I am delighted that I am not alone in despising Bradley. He comes across as so calculating and weasily. Knocked Chris down to second for my desired list of boots. Des can go third for sticking her dirty little paws in another's bag. That is so disgusting! I would hate somebody pawing thru my underwear in search of an idol. Bad form. Ruined my positive impression of her bad assery.

On 22/03/2018 at 7:53 AM, JudyObscure said:

It's such a ridiculously self-centered thing to turn around and say to a group of people who have the very same dream.   Stephanie seemed to think they would all go, "Oh!  She really wants to win the title of Sole Survivor and the million!  I'm just here for the swimming.  I'll let her stay."  

She definitely seems  full of herself. Haven't really liked her since she bragged about wrapping (Seth Rogen lookalike) around her little finger and then stabbing him in the back. Strategy is one thing, but she spoke as if her enormous charms could give her all kinds of advantages.

On 22/03/2018 at 8:38 AM, ghoulina said:

Chris has gotten wind that some of his tribe mates are unhappy with him. His little "bonding" session with Donathan was simply strategy, to try and get Don back on his side. Perhaps smart game play, squicky move as a human being. 

 

I'm with you there. It was way too soon, and I'm struggling to keep past and current alliances in my mind. Hell, I STILL don't even know who some of the players are. 

Yes. absolutely slimy of Chris. Initially I thought, oh wow, he's had a tough home life too, but then realized how much I agreed with everybody else. Donathan goes off to experience his feelings privately, Lauren joins him in a warm envelope of support and then the calculating "leader" pops in to take over and emote. 

On 22/03/2018 at 9:45 AM, marys1000 said:

The editing of the Jenna/Sebastian thing was awful.  It was like a bad porn scene.  "I'll braid your hair if you dont vote me out" "I thought you were bad at hair braiding"  Oh No, I am can braid hair like crazy" "well ok, then" and off they go to braid hair........................

Its really hard for me to not keep swapping out adjectives like suck etc. 

Yea.  Donathan lives in an area of the country where you have to drive 4 hours to find a town bigger than a thousand and those towns are few and far between. An area hugely conservative, hugely poor with no employment, he is gay and he is taking care of two disabled women in a trailer I'm assuming all on soc security disability.  Probst mentioned something about his family not treating him well.  At the time I wondered if that was related to his sexual orientation but maybe its related to no one being willing to help with the mom and grandmom leaving it all on him.  I mean, its a fairly crappy hand.  I doubt he wins but I want him to win just because the money would definitely have the most impact for a nice kid who sure could use a leg up.  

Yes again, this whole no game for you Ghost Island confessional episode after episode is so set up by production I don't understand why.  Probst being producer and showrunner is ruining the show.  Tribe loses again, gets voted out because of numbers and Jenna's abillity to braid hair

next episode - tribe swap - had she made it what would have happened? 

Chris is a challenge god.  Every challenge he works like someone has a shock collar on him.  

i don't care that Chris is a challenge beast. He reminds of why I basically despise most jocks. The horrible fist pumping and frat boy cry of "Yeeeeaaaaaah!" Please. Look to Michael to see what a real man is. Even more amazing that he's only 18.

On 22/03/2018 at 10:49 AM, peachmangosteen said:

Man, I love this season. Even this ep, which I agree was basically a boring, filler ep, really entertained me. I love this cast. I'm still so shocked since I was sure I'd hate this cast/season. I'm bummed everyone hates it because it's really doing it for me.

I am way (way, way) too old to say this, but whatever, Michael is beautiful to look at. Plus, I just like him a lot. I could barely watch him crying in this ep. It was too much for me!

Laurel continues to be quietly awesome and amazing. Also, her and Donathan are one of my fave Survivor relationships in awhile. Her kissing his head nearly made me tear up! I hope they are friends forever lol.

Speaking of Donathan, I really want him to win. Surivivor's not a charity, whatever, I don't care, I want good things for him, dammit!

Kellyn is truly the worst. Her shrugging off Jenna trying to comfort her. Really, bitch?! Damn. Bradley is easier to take than her.

I actually really liked Jenna in this ep. I guess I find her relatable. The Jenna/Sebastian scene was also straight-up hilarious.

I'm not bored either, although I definitely do agree that the pace is very slow this season. I very much like Michael, Donathan and Laurel. And completely despise Bradley, Chris and Des. Not crazy about Sebastian either. I was disgusted that he chooses to vote for based on which handmaiden will serve him better. I'd be spitting on that skunky braids. eeeewwww.

On 22/03/2018 at 11:44 AM, Lamb18 said:

Not sure if coffee is a great reward since it dehydrates you.  Wow Chris is a throwing beast. All that coffee and rolls is going to give them the shakes - caffeine and sugar. At least they aren't doing the Immunity challenge right afterwards.

Stephanie and Kellyn should have switched places on Ghost Island. Stephanie would have gone for it. Hmm, seems like old Malolo on new Malolo are going to be fractured soon. James wants to go with Chris while Laurel wants to work with Domenick. I wonder if Domenick's family will help out with his mom and grandmother after hearing him talk about it on TV. Now Chris is going to employ Machiavellian strategy in noticing Dom's distress and sympathizing with him by telling his story about helping his mother. He's probably sincere in what he's saying but it's all part of strategy.

That "surfing" in the Immunity challenge looks like so much fun. I bet Desiree doesn't agree. Malolo is like a comedy of errors in this challenge. I don't know why, but I am cheering for Naviti. Yes! They win! And Kellyn cries,

I enjoy coffee and pastry too if I'm attending a garden brunch. On Survivor? Not so much. I remember an early season (Two?} and a competitor described the camp as smelling like ass. That's what will inevitably happen after their bodies have become accustomed to bland foods. Much as I'd love both, I would turn them down, because I would be spending way too much time in the woods afterwards, with a palm frond or two.

On 22/03/2018 at 2:59 PM, blackwing said:

I realised that I didn't care one iota whether it was Stephanie or Jenna going.  I was so tired of Stephanie and her "mommas are doin it for themselves" schtick.  I get it.  She's a single mom.  With kids.  And she's playing to make their lives better.  Wah wah wah.   

Just like those two coal miners from Kentucky on Amazing Race... their constant refrain of "we so PAWR and we need the money" got really old really fast.  

Jenna apparently just joined the show this episode.  She's the one with some kind of social phobia that doesn't like talking to people, right?  Ugh.

And there's a Chelsea on this show?  Did she also just join?  She fell off the boogie board.  That's about it.

I think Stephanie had to go because I couldn't stand to look at those hideous striped tights anymore. They looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.

I adored those two coal miners. I think one of them had a child with severe health issues and being chosen for the show was a much faster option for coming up with the funds. They were two very sweet people (that happened to be religious) and I think the hook of their relationship was that they were black and white and best friends in Kentucky - I assumed that was unusual? Anyway, I think a lot of people liked them for their positive attitude and hard work. Not the same as some of the whiners we've seen on this show.

On 22/03/2018 at 4:18 PM, HurricaneVal said:

The entitlement to the chocolate pastries was kind of ugly.  Yes, he did probably win that challenge for them and it therefore would have been best if his team gave him first choice, but just declaring they are yours because you deserve them is a wee bit too medieval "droit du seigneur" for my taste.  I was glad to see that it appeared Wendell had a chocolate croissant, or part of a chocolate croissant.  Me?  I'd try to find a bear claw or something with nuts for the protein.  Coffee and pastries is an awful reward--can you imagine the diarrhea that hit that camp all at once from ingesting all that caffeine and sugar and carbs all at once?  I've heard from past Survivor folks that rich reward food suddenly hitting your digestive system after a penurious diet of rice and coconuts runs through like a freight train, and you end up weaker than you were before.  Remember that guy who had to go out on a medical because eating all that steak at a reward gave him constipation?

I don't know why everyone gets to Ghost Island and immediately sobs about how alooooooone they are.  Me?  I'd be so happy to spend some time in solitude in such a beautiful setting with a huge amount of rice, already potable water, and a nice shelter.  But that's me.  I know some people have issues with being alone.

Michael is one wily 18yo.  He's either going to go far in life, or he's going to go to jail for putting together some sort of Ponzi scheme.  But it makes me feel a bit dirty to note how pretty he is.   I mean, he's eighteen years old for gawd's sake!

I HATE chocolate pastries, I'd be scooping up the nice plain ones! Might snatch the chocolate one just to piss off Chris though, because he is SO DAMN ANNOYING.

I too, would love to get away to the island. Don't have to share your food, you have a nice shelter (unlike the far rougher Exile Island) and I am wondering....is it possible there is also an idol hidden there that TPTB haven't mentioned in their innumerable notes and hints?

I am so glad that I am not the only one going gaga over Michael. He's young enough to be my grandson! But he is definitely one of the most beautiful men - physically and spiritually - that I've ever seen on this show. So amazingly mature - and only 18! Makes me feel dirty....

23 hours ago, mojoween said:

I am still flabbergasted that Chris gets paid to work as a model.  His eyes are too beady.

I agree although it seems like there is a market for that kind of thing. Case in point: Norman Reedus (Darryl on The Walking Dead). His eyes have pretty much disappeared over the seasons, and he was previously a male model too.

23 hours ago, violet and green said:

The thought of Donathan benefiting in any small way from this experience is about all that is keeping me awake during each ep, so far... From the very start he has seemed genuinely excited to be meeting new people, and to appreciate being in this beautiful setting, and I would love him to somehow make some money from it as well.

Bradley indeed has a tiny mouth! I hadn't noticed it until this week's tribal. Is it like a manta ray's? I've seen it on some sea creature. It is probably more an expression he pulls, as it's not bothered me before. It's a lawyer-ish expression. He wasn't so annoying on old Naviti, as we hardly saw him, I guess.

I sure hope I warm to some more of this cast soon, as there are a lot of blands and then a few standout annoyances. Old 'mike drop' Chris, simpering Libby,  Kellyn, Kellyn, and Kellyn, and the rest of the dull Naviti five, for starters. I also hope that Kellyn gets blindsided in spectacular fashion and/or screwed by any future allegiance shifts and other moves.

Michael is good! Lauren seems like a decent person. Wendell's okay. I don't mind Dominick. Trying to focus on the positives... But I will just chore-watch the rest of the season if Donathan goes home any time soon.

Yeah, I agree with your list. I forgot about Wendell. He's awesome! Very interesting life choice and again, another hot man. Think there is a lot of eye candy here for us older ladies. (And young 'uns!)

21 hours ago, UGAmp said:

Here is a quote from an interview with Probst after the first episode (from EW): “And, as always, we wanted the audience to trust that like every other advantage or twist or format change it is already laid out. That’s why the row of urns is out there on day one. We know what urns hold an advantage opportunity in them but we don’t know who will end up going to Ghost Island and having the decision of whether to go for it. And as the game goes on, Ghost Island may become something people don’t fear but instead desire… because of the chance for a game-changing opportunity.”

—-

I think Donathan is going to win the whole thing (based on editing). And if they still did fan favorite gets $100,000, he’d be a lock at this point (but Michael might give him some competition). I really like his friendship with Laurel. I hope we see more of her story soon.

Like everyone else, I love Michael. I hope he finds a way to stay in but you know that target on his back is huge. But he’s just too pretty (and smart and strategic and adorable) to go so early. 

I don't feel that Probst's words indicate that the urns have to be broken in particular order, just that they have already set them up and won't be affected by the order of which tribesmate appears. But I can't understand either why everyone would do them in order if it wasn't specified. If it is written on one of those wooden notes, why have we not seen it yet?

I so miss that fan favourite! Why couldn't they get another sponsor? Big Brother doesn't have a problem coming up with their own favourite (although it is much lower). I would probably vote Donathan too although I am very much tempted by Michael! 

14 hours ago, Cutty said:

Really not a fan of this season thus far. The all too early tribe swap kinda ruined any kind of quality gameplay. 

Chelsea? Maybe the most nondescript cast member of all time. Every new episode brings a character I have never seen before. 

Yep, I don't remember Chelsea either. I kept getting her mixed up with Libby. And who is the attractive female redhead? I don't remember seeing her before either.

[peachmangosteen]

5 hours ago, Winston9-DT3 said:

I should probably just not watch this lol.

[MissEwa]

3 hours ago, 303420 said:

I found his lack of self - awareness particularly notable in the reward challenge when he told the others to lift with their legs. He wasn't wrong; in fact, that was excellent advice. But he came across like a coach, not a teammate. Anyone who has ever played team spurts knows how annoyng it is when a regular team member tries to act like a coach.

Same with the chocolate thing. Once would not have been a problem, but the repetition...oy. 

He's just so very clueless as to how he comes across. He thinks he's adorable, but when I don't want to roll my eyes at him I just want to laugh. At him, not with him. C.f. the cringeworthy rap thing.

As a person with mild social anxiety, I find him hard to watch because he comes across as so, so socially clueless. He seems to be trying so hard to relate to people and failing so miserably. And even little things, like in that challenge where Jeff joked about him warming up his arm and he immediately... started warming up his arm, with a very serious expression. Arguably, editing, but also yes, warming up your arm isn't a *bad* thing but I thought it was pretty clear Jeff said it as a joke.

3 minutes ago, peachmangosteen said:

I should probably just not watch this lol.

I'm not either. I cannot deal with the fact that he's 18. He doesn't look it or sound it and he has way too many jobs. I'm still convinced the real con is that he's actually 28, pretending to be 18 pretending to be 23. 
 

I didn't hate this episode that much. Editing didn't have a lot to work with and I appreciate that for once they didn't bother with the obvious-as-hell will-blah-flip fake-out that these by-the-numbers boots often get. Plus I don't pay a lot of attention but I don't feel like Stephanie's been beating us around the head with her journey - had we even heard about it before this week? I don't care that she's gone but I didn't hate her. 

I've read all the posts, I think, but I haven't seen any comment of the moment that stood out to me most in this episode. It was while Sebastian was talking to Jenna about their dead-weasel hair, and then he paused and... licked his own arm? And then started sucking on it? It was very weird. 

[peachmangosteen]

2 minutes ago, MissEwa said:

I've read all the posts, I think, but I haven't seen any comment of the moment that stood out to me most in this episode. It was while Sebastian was talking to Jenna about their dead-weasel hair, and then he paused and... licked his own arm? And then started sucking on it? It was very weird. 

I noticed that too, but it was so disturbing so I'm trying to block it from my mind. I really think there's something off about Sebastian lol.

[PreBabylonia]

2 minutes ago, peachmangosteen said:

I noticed that too, but it was so disturbing so I'm trying to block it from my mind. I really think there's something off about Sebastian lol.

I think I blocked it too! So strange.

[piequinn35]

4 hours ago, blackwing said:

Some articles on the internet are calling him an underwear model. I'm not really sure what that means, whether he primarily does underwear modeling or that's just part of the whole modeling gig.  Maybe he doesn't want to be known as an underwear model?  I would imagine that part of being a model means you're going to be shown frequently in underwear, and I would think that if you're going to be a model you probably aren't shy or self-conscious.  So I am unclear as to why he is billed here as a realtor.  Maybe the show didn't want two "male models" on the same season.  

And it's weird how many male models this show has had.  Chris and Michael, Jeremiah Wood, Ken from recent seasons.  I am at a loss to recall any female contestants that were billed as "models".  Does anyone remember?  Pictures would be nice to jog the memory. :)

Jenna Morasca and her. LOL 

[violet and green]

1 hour ago, PreBabylonia said:

Yep, I don't remember Chelsea either. I kept getting her mixed up with Libby. And who is the attractive female redhead? I don't remember seeing her before either.

That's Chelsea! It's a sort of burgundy red.

[LanceM]

9 hours ago, Eolivet said:

This hits on a huge problem I have with the character development this season, magnified by using Ghost Island as this shortcut in place of actual organic character interactions. It's the show failing to realize that a "sad" story isn't nearly as impactful as a "shared" story.

It makes me wonder about Stephanie and Kellyn, who were clearly both young when they got divorced. Sure, they both sobbed their guts out at Ghost Island, but ... they were also on the same tribe for six (?) days, right (nuMalolo)? That ... never came up in conversation? Or if it did, the editors decided not to show us? "I just got divorced." "Oh, yeah? Me, too." But I guess because they were in opposite alliances, they never ... talked to each other ... like people?

On the contrary. Stephanie and Kellyn were very close out there and most definitely talked about their personal lives. But they didn't show it because their relationship had zero impact to the game given that Stephanie was a 5th boot.  This is from her exit interview fro Parade:

"Absolutely. They didn’t show it, but during the sunrise that Bradley hated–because he hates sunrises now [laughs]–Kellyn and I were really tight. She was my soul sister out there. We had a lot of very intimate personal conversations, and we were really, really close. We have very similar experiences, and I see a lot of myself in Kellyn of where I was five years ago. So I was able to relate to her and what she was going through and empathize and understand who she is. I think that’s why she was crying when I was voted out because we shared that special bond."

 

She also talks about her plea at tribal council for them to not vote her out:

"I thought the relationships that I had with Kellyn, Bradley and Chelsea was going to be my best shot since I couldn’t find an idol. Being calm and trying to relate to them on a personal level and try to get them to root for me was going to be the best option."

[violet and green]

1 hour ago, MissEwa said:

I've read all the posts, I think, but I haven't seen any comment of the moment that stood out to me most in this episode. It was while Sebastian was talking to Jenna about their dead-weasel hair, and then he paused and... licked his own arm? And then started sucking on it? It was very weird. 

It's a way of testing your own breath*, to see if it's bad - or in Sea Bass's case, how bad it is, I guess. It makes sense having just smelt 'dead weasel' he'd wonder if his breath stank.

*You lick your arm, inside is better, wait until it dries, and then sniff.

[LanceM]

1 hour ago, peachmangosteen said:

I noticed that too, but it was so disturbing so I'm trying to block it from my mind. I really think there's something off about Sebastian lol.

Here was Bradley's first impression of Sebastian during his pregame interview with Josh Wigler:

 

Bradley Kleihege (Law Student, Naviti Tribe): "Good god. He was sniffing a Sharpie at the airport. That's all I need to say."

Josh Wigler, (Reporter, THR): "That told you a lot?"

Bradley Kleihege (Law Student, Naviti Tribe): "It told me everything I needed to know."

[mojoween]

I didn’t watch that Michael video, but just from the picture of it Michael definitely looks like one of the “better scruffy on the island” guys.

I get that Stephanie said she bonded with Kellyn and that’s dandy, but Kellyn was acting like Stephanie was getting led off to slaughter.

I really just need Kellyn and Bradley to GO.

[MissEwa]

1 hour ago, violet and green said:

It's a way of testing your own breath*, to see if it's bad - or in Sea Bass's case, how bad it is, I guess. It makes sense having just smelt 'dead weasel' he'd wonder if his breath stank.

*You lick your arm, inside is better, wait until it dries, and then sniff.

I guess that's a fair reason to do it, in a Survivor setting, but a) it looked more like he sucked on it than he sniffed, and b) either way, it's not something I need on my TV, ever. 

[erikgbx]

I’m convinced that they are throwing the challenges. They have the numbers, and are just trimming down the other alliance as they approach the merge. There is no advantage for that tribe to win (except for the minority alliance), as the other tribe has even numbers between the alliances and could go either way. They still have two more tribals before they run out of victims, and by then a merge or a “drop your buffs” will most likely happen..

[NutMeg]

11 hours ago, Winston9-DT3 said:

I don't like Chris but I did think it was smart to bond with Don over shared life trials.  I think that's at the core of this game.  Find common ground with a diverse set of strangers to gain their trust.  And taking care of an invalid at a young age is a huge trial.  I'm surprised Chris isn't more humble.  Maybe he is and the douche thing is a good act for the cameras.  Does anyone on his tribe dislike him, besides Dom?  

Chris reminds me, with his behaviour, of someone I know who is on the spectrum. And incidentally a model too (runways). The fact that he's athletic and looks like the typical jock dictates the perception of him, even from the editors, but I think there might be more there than meet the eyes, even if I first cringed at his way to bond with Donathan. 

4 hours ago, MissEwa said:

As a person with mild social anxiety, I find him hard to watch because he comes across as so, so socially clueless. He seems to be trying so hard to relate to people and failing so miserably. And even little things, like in that challenge where Jeff joked about him warming up his arm and he immediately... started warming up his arm, with a very serious expression. Arguably, editing, but also yes, warming up your arm isn't a *bad* thing but I thought it was pretty clear Jeff said it as a joke.

 

Or as MissEwa expressed it way better than I could. "So, so socially clueless" indeed.

[Ms Blue Jay]

Yes I am (incredibly long and sad sigh)......... double Michael's age.... and yet, I have no problem calling him beautiful.  He is beautiful.  Let's hope he doesn't disappoint us somehow!

Edited March 24, 2018 by Ms Blue Jay

[Nashville]

7 hours ago, MissEwa said:

I've read all the posts, I think, but I haven't seen any comment of the moment that stood out to me most in this episode. It was while Sebastian was talking to Jenna about their dead-weasel hair, and then he paused and... licked his own arm? And then started sucking on it? It was very weird. 

Actually, that’s the most sane and sensible thing I’ve seen Sebastian do this season. :D    He’s licking the salt off his arms.  

It’s an old trick for hikers in hot-weather climates; I learned it hiking the Grand Canyon.  As you’re walking, working, etc. in hot weather, your body sweats to keep cool.  The cooling mechanism of sweat is the energy (heat) it pulls from your skin as part of the evaporation process.  Your sweat is part water and part salt, though, so the salt is left behind on your skin’s surface when the water part of your sweat evaporates.

All of this may seem like basic grade-school biology on its surface (only because it is ;) but it takes on increased significance if you’re exerting yourself in a hot environment, because access to fresh water isn’t enough to avoid dehydration - your body also needs salt to absorb the water.  Sweat out all your salt, and you can stand under a freakin’  freshwater waterfall with your mouth open and it won’t do you a damn bit of good.  You can drink until you’re full, but it’ll just sit in your stomach - and 10 or 15 minutes later you’ll be throwing it all right back up again.  

So if you don’t have ready access to salt-replenishing options like Gatorade, or salt tablets, or salty snacks even - recycling your body’s salt by licking it from exposed skin areas is a right dandy way to avoid letting your body get in a real bind.  And I say this as someone who’s had to drive like a bootlegger from the Grand Canyon to the nearest ER (in Flagstaff, 90 miles away) in the dark, because a good friend DID get in such a bind.

So - good on ya, Sebastian.  ;)

[SVNBob]

On 3/21/2018 at 8:13 PM, vb68 said:

The jinx of that freaking Legacy Idol. Steph knew about it. Jacob, Morgan, and Steph have all been burned. Beware Dom!

The new Legacy Advantage curse has been that each person that has touched it has been voted out at their next TC.  Dom hasn't been to TC since getting the Advantage, so the curse hasn't kicked in on him... yet.

[Haleth]

15 hours ago, piequinn35 said:

Jenna Morasca and her. LOL 

OMG, why?  Why did I click on that link?  There isn't enough brain bleach in the world universe to unsee that.

[blackwing]

18 hours ago, PreBabylonia said:

Yep, I don't remember Chelsea either. I kept getting her mixed up with Libby. And who is the attractive female redhead? I don't remember seeing her before either.

Wait, there's a Libby too?  I thought Chelsea and Jenna were the only two new characters that suddenly joined the show last episode.  Now I learn that there's another new person that has yet to appear?

It must be frustrating.  I know that three days of filming are condensed into 42 minutes of airtime, but it must be tough to be watching the show and realising that you are really that insignificant to the game as a whole.

[meep.meep]

Chris' rap was better than Marcel's on Top Chef, and at least he had the decency to look a little embarrassed.

Sebastian is one weird dude.  What is the deal with him sticking out his tongue.

Why didn't they have Desiree throw the sandbags?  She was pretty good throwing baskets.

[EllipticalAddicted]

22 hours ago, Dominii said:

I'm not a big Chris fan either, but Jeezus, commenters! You're being way too judgemental about him. A bunch of you have said that his mom is in assisted living, so he has nothing on Donathan. You're absolutely wrong.

He was born 7 years after his mother was diagnosed with MS, so he had to live with this terribly ill person all of his life. She was very depressed, and he couldn't understand why. She'd have seizures, and she had "drug brain", and at times she couldn't do anything. His parents split up when he was 12, so he had to pick up the slack for much of her care during his teenage years until she went into assisted living.

In spite of all this, he was an all-state high school baseball player and graduated from college as well.

I understand why we don't like him (he's way too arrogant for me), but perhaps we should think about him contextually. He has worked very hard to rise above his past. Be fair and be nice. That is all.

When I commented earlier that I wasn't sympathetic with Chris as compared to Donathon, it was in reference to when Chris went over to Donathon to bond with him via their shared stories.   Instead of listening to Donathon and then empathizing with him by sharing his background, Chris just told him his story with his mom.    At least it was edited to look that way.    

 

Ive got no issues with Chris.   It does sound like a challenging childhood having to watch and live with your single mom suffer from a progressively debilitating disease.    Chris seems like a fierce competitor who is fighting to stay in the game but may not be as good with social niceties and emotional connections that are necessary in this game setting.    

[kikaha]

On 3/21/2018 at 9:02 PM, mojoween said:

No Chris, it surely did not seem like you were talking with Donathan.  It seemed more like you wanted to tell YOUR story.

While it looked like that, I wonder.  Donathan was very moved by the encounter.  So much so, he was questioning if he could stay in his closest alliance. 

We only saw fifteen (?) or seconds of interaction between Chris and Donathan.  It must have taken far longer.  So our reactions may come from creative editing.  Again the key point here, at least to me, is how Donathan reacted. 

btw, I feel the same was as many of you about Chris.  He comes across as a dick who needs to dominate.  He's been useful to his tribes, but I wonder how long he lasts, if he makes merge. 

[cherrypj]

16 hours ago, Nashville said:

Actually, that’s the most sane and sensible thing I’ve seen Sebastian do this season. :D    He’s licking the salt off his arms.  

I love your answer, @Nashville (all of them are great, really), but Ol’ Sebastian is right next to the world’s biggest salt lick: the Pacific Ocean. ?

Credit to @Winston9-DT3 too. 

Edited March 24, 2018 by cherrypj
emoji needed!

[Jextella]

I actually like Chris and feel a little for him.  He may have done what many like him have done, i.e. rode on good looks and athleticism hoping it would translate into adulthood.  Comes a time when all that fades, and it hits people after it's too late that there needs to be more.

My sense is that he knows all this now and is a little scared and sad about where he's at in life.   That arrogance and cockiness we have seen is just insecurity at the root.

Plus, the story of his mom is fair.  It's his reality.   If he's telling us the truth, he's been noble and moral.

I hope he makes the merge.  I don't think he has the strategic and ruthless chops needed to win, but for his state of mind, making the merge would be a great thing.

Edited March 24, 2018 by Jextella

[marys1000]

On 3/23/2018 at 5:11 PM, PreBabylonia said:

i don't care that Chris is a challenge beast. He reminds of why I basically despise most jocks. The horrible fist pumping and frat boy cry of "Yeeeeaaaaaah!"

The way I feel about smart nerds.  Having worked in a building of 5,000 they can be incredibly mean, to each other, to everyone.  Those high school nerd groups?  Major pecking orders, not nice, not much different than jocks in their own way.  People are people.

Edited March 25, 2018 by marys1000

[Nashville]

On 3/24/2018 at 4:54 PM, cherrypj said:

I love your answer, @Nashville (all of them are great, really), but Ol’ Sebastian is right next to the world’s biggest salt lick: the Pacific Ocean. ?

 

Doesn’t work that way; basically, salt water is too salty.  ;)

Edited March 26, 2018 by Nashville

[laurakaye]

Random thoughts:

 

I am kind of liking Jenna.  She knows that she comes across as unapproachable based on her RBF, so she tried to get in good by lamely attempting to flirt with SeaBass.  And while he clearly has zero interest in her, she went for it anyway.  But it was like watching two rocks try to court each other.

Speaking of SeaBass...you know how you sometimes see a picture of a celebrity posing with their non-famous sibling, and while you can see the resemblance, the sibling sometimes looks like an oddly-put together version of the celeb?  IMO, in that scenario, Ozzy is the celeb and SeaBass is the sibling.  Sometimes I can see a strong likeness to Ozzy in SeaBass.  It's kind of jarring, 'cause I love me some Ozzy.  Sebastian, however, is just a little bit "off."

If circa late-80's Andrew McCarthy and James Spader had a baby, it would be Bradley.

Ghost Island is a snooze-fest, and I was SO looking forward to it.  

Edited March 26, 2018 by laurakaye

[marys1000]

laurakaye - if you are an "only what I see in the show" type, don't google.  But otherwise you might give it a go.  Not for game spoilers but other content re your post thats out there. 

[Superpole2000]

On 21/03/2018 at 9:13 PM, truthaboutluv said:

Listening to Stephanie and Michael both talk about how long they've been a fan of the show and wanted to play and seeing how neither were necessarily bad players but here they both were, on the chopping block, in danger of being eliminated, it just reminded me again why, I've never been of the mindset that just because someone didn't win Survivor or it took more than one time, it means they weren't a good player. Because it really is true that a lot of this game is luck. Yes, you can strategize and plan and build relationships all you want, but you cannot control tribal switch ups, you cannot control sudden twists, others finding idols, etc. There's so much that goes into pulling off a really good game. Because Michael and Stephanie really haven't played bad games, they just got screwed by a tribal switch up that put them down in the numbers. 

I agree with all that, but I think it's just as interesting to think of how we have overrated winners of this game. You can be a relatively poor player and still win Survivor. It's probably happened a dozen times now, and it's not particularly satisfying. It's a very similar experience to playing cards, only the sample size is so much smaller so you have less opportunity to capitalize on any minor skill/brain advantage.

I may come out of baseball retirement just so I can hit Chris with a pitch...unintentionally of course.

[ByaNose]

I hope Ghost Island picks up tonight. It's pretty bad when the "twist" of the season is a snoozer. If there is a Ghost Island and there is no game and the person at Ghost Island isn't immune from Tribal Council.....what's the point? It also doesn't help (the twist) if they are giving you shelter and a smorgasburg of rice. The only downfall has been being away from camp and the game play for 24 hours. It sounds like that's what hurt Stephanie. It all sounded too good to be true and so far it has.

[Special K]

51 minutes ago, ByaNose said:

I hope Ghost Island picks up tonight. It's pretty bad when the "twist" of the season is a snoozer. If there is a Ghost Island and there is no game and the person at Ghost Island isn't immune from Tribal Council.....what's the point? It also doesn't help (the twist) if they are giving you shelter and a smorgasburg of rice. The only downfall has been being away from camp and the game play for 24 hours. It sounds like that's what hurt Stephanie. It all sounded too good to be true and so far it has.

Also a bust:  that the tribes keep going to rocks to determine who goes to GI.  I can't blame them, honestly, but I think TPTB wanted it to be some big strategic decision on the winning tribe's part wreaking all kinds of discord/havoc.  We'll see, once it gets down to the individual game, post-merge, if people start to use it strategically.

[Nashville]

4 hours ago, Special K said:

Also a bust:  that the tribes keep going to rocks to determine who goes to GI.  I can't blame them, honestly, but I think TPTB wanted it to be some big strategic decision on the winning tribe's part wreaking all kinds of discord/havoc.  We'll see, once it gets down to the individual game, post-merge, if people start to use it strategically.

Quite honestly, I think it started out that way with the first two nominees.  The coherent original Tribes had (and demonstrated) the ability to come to unanimous consensus on a course of strategy - to block an underdog’s eviction plus possibly giving them an advantage, for example.

Production killed that potential with the Tribe swap a week into the game, though; the resulting non-coherent mixed Tribes pretty much guarantee going to a rock draw every time.  Any proposed nominee selection will be vetoed, with objections following original Tribal lines.  So thus ends unanimous consensus.

[Special K]

47 minutes ago, Nashville said:

Quite honestly, I think it started out that way with the first two nominees.  The coherent original Tribes had (and demonstrated) the ability to come to unanimous consensus on a course of strategy - to block an underdog’s eviction plus possibly giving them an advantage, for example.

Production killed that potential with the Tribe swap a week into the game, though; the resulting non-coherent mixed Tribes pretty much guarantee going to a rock draw every time.  Any proposed nominee selection will be vetoed, with objections following original Tribal lines.  So thus ends unanimous consensus.

You're right.  That super-early tribe swap not only ruined one of their precious gimmicks, it also ensured a vast majority of the viewing public was confused and couldn't keep straight who was aligned or associated with whom -- or even who people were!  Maybe they learned their lesson.  Or not.

[PaperTree]

..

Edited March 29, 2018 by PaperTree

[Kelda Feegle]

this is who I think of when I see Bradley