S36.E08: Fear Keeps You Sharp

[Whimsy]

The merge threatens to increase the tension between two ongoing rivals.

[Whimsy]

Reminder: there is NO preview talk in episode threads.  Any mention of the previews in your posts will cause the posts to be removed.  Previews can be discussed in the Preview & Speculation thread.

[Rachel RSL]

Great episode tonight! I was so busy wondering if Dom would play his idol, I completely forgot he had the LA as well. Chris was so annoying, I really wanted him gone but then he'd bust out those ridiculous raps and tells us how swa-vay he was, and I wanted him to stick around forever, purely for my own entertainment. I'd also really love to know how he managed to sneak away for hours to go to GI and nobody noticed. Did they roofie them all asleep or something? In the Dom vs Chris war though, I'm definitely Team Dom. He doesn't bother me at all, to be honest. Plus, I really like the Dom/Wendell/Laurel/Donathan alliance. If only they could somehow add Michael, it would be perfect.

And some news from over here in the shallow end of the pool, Wendell is beautiful. (Also, his goodbye message when voting...LMAO!)

[EllipticalAddicted]

Chris.   What a bonehead.   That was no blindside.  Sebastian looks high.

Edited April 12, 2018 by EllipticalAddicted

[dizzyd]

I have to say that now that I know everyone, I really like most of this group. Usually by merge, I hardly like anyone left in the last few seasons.

I like the new JT's idol and enjoyed rewatching Michaela's hair flip.

Is that the ugliest immunity necklace ever? 

Good episode, full blown game playing and tribal was hilarious. "Chris Noble, it was a pleasure serving you coffee for 22 days" and "Stop rapping, put the mike down ". Well he already dropped the mike and left an idol behind, ? "Oh torch" ? 

[LadyChatts]

Chris: "are we going to make this awkward or are we going to play the game"  Yeah, I'm just going to lead everyone not named Dom and Wendell away from camp in a big group.  Nothing awkward about that.

I will miss the idiocy known as Chris, but I will not miss Dom vs Chris.  TPTB must have been desperate to keep this feud going because I'm surprised they didn't have Probst personally hand him an idol with unlimited powers.  I don't know how he managed to get chauffeured on a boat to GI and return and no one knew.  He had to have been gone awhile.

Gotta give it up to my ladies for being the last ones standing in the IC!  Bummed Kellyn won though, and she really needs to shut up about Naviti.  That's over darlin'.

Oh, and did anyone ever stop to think Wendell might have an idol?  He worried me when he didn't play his.  Loved his voting confessional.  I'm not that sorry Chris is gone.  Angela has to be one of the most unaware people to play this game.  Did Kellyn set Des and Angela up to vote Libby?  That was weird.  The curse of JT lives on! 

Edited April 12, 2018 by LadyChatts

[mojoween]

Nooooo not Kellyn.  It would have been better if anyone but Kellyn, she who has to RUN in front of everyone to get to the merge feast, because SHE IS JUST THAT SPECIAL, won the first individual Immunity Idol.

I mean, you could almost say that Ms. Kellyn is “swa-vay.”

You could, anyways.  I most certainly will not.

Bahahaha Chris DID go home with an idol in his pocket!

As much as I’m glad he’s gone, I’ll miss his weird ass.

[Haleth]

I was hoping there would be 3 idols played by the guys, only to find out all the women voted for Libby.  That would have been spectacular.

Wendell was hilarious when he was showing his vote.  Chris is a dumbass.

It finally occured to me who Chelsea reminds me of -- Sophie Turner.

[LanceM]

I have mixed feelings. I am going to miss Chris for the unintentional comedy that the he provided. However I am not going to miss the Chris-Dom fud at all.  

So the only two that voted for Libby were Des and Angela. I know Angela has always been out of the loop but not Des.

[Straycat80]

yes Chris your idol was cursed but you were a dumbazz! 

[Bryce Lynch]

This episode had an exspecially satisfying ending!

[PaperTree]

Finally, the merge.

Too much screen time for Kellyn.  Go Michael!

The Chris Dom war.  Uggh and they want to off Michael.  I thought Chris should have picked somebody, yes them to death.  Knows he's a target but not smart enough to play Wendell.

I love this idol search sneak thing.  Lots of light at GI.  Wow.  Casino play to extend the idol.  Dumb risk to take.  Then should he have quit when he was ahead.  His non-vote tonight could force a tie.

Knowing how big his target was tonight, Take the idol and burn it tonight.

I'm really hating Dom.  My memory may be  a bit hazy, but Dom has been out to get Chris since the beginning while whining how Chris is out to get him the whole time. 

Ha!  Jenna and Libby not buying Dom's BS.  Yes, Chris is athletic, etc, but he can't win every challenge.  Plus, he's a narcissistic idiot.  A great "meat shield".

Nice immunity tease with that bee on Dom.  

I don't think Kellyn was in any danger, but she can go any time.

Chris takes the gang to the well.  "What could possibly go wrong?"

With all the idols flying around, anybody could get whacked.  

Edit set up for Libby?

Chris' first tribal 

Sea Bass found Jeff's weed.

Long Island Dom.  Quite the performance.  Wendell has totally dropped in my view.  He's from Philly.  He should recognize the BS.  His voting snit was epic funny though.  Didn't see how childish he could be before.

Legacy.  Does anybody believe that shell is real???

I'm glad Chris went instead of Libby.  Didn't even bring his idol to TC.  Dumbass

The new Dictatorship of Dom, Wendell, Laurel and Donathan has arrived.

[truthaboutluv]

LMAO!!!!!! This was even better than the Bradley blindside. Not so suavee [sic] there, huh Chris? And so much for reversing the curse. Left with the idol in his pocket just like the dumbass JT.

Man those players must have really played Chris well for him to have been that confident as to not even play the idol, despite knowing Dom was gunning for him. Or he was just that much of an over confident tool. Yeah I’ll go with the latter.

I am actually really enjoying this season. And lol, best vote out ever by Wendell. Seriously, someone had to say it - Chris you can’t rap and please stop trying.

Edited April 12, 2018 by truthaboutluv

[ElleryAnne]

IDK, maybe I would be a terrible player on Survivor, but I wouldn't be able to sit there with an idol in my pocket and not play it when I know at least a couple of votes are going to be thrown to me.  

Did Sebastian breathe from a helium balloon just before TC or has he always sounded like that?

[LadyChatts]

Oh, and seeing Michaela tonight in the flashback to GC, it makes me remember how much I'd love to get her and Courtney Yates on a season together.  TC and TH would never be dull.

[vb68]

Oh God, that was beautiful!

And I can't remember when I laughed so hard at a person voting as I did with Wendell!

[Haleth]

2 minutes ago, LanceM said:

So the only two that voted for Libby were Des and Angela. I know Angela has always been out of the loop but not Des.

I wonder if that was their plan B in case Chris had an idol.

[LanceM]

I did like how Wendell stressed that he was only calling Chris garbage... at rapping. lol

[LadyChatts]

Just now, ElleryAnne said:

IDK, maybe I would be a terrible player on Survivor, but I wouldn't be able to sit there with an idol in my pocket and not play it when I know at least a couple of votes are going to be thrown to me.  

Did Sebastian breathe from a helium balloon just before TC or has he always sounded like that?

I think he always sounds like that, but according to a pre-season interview by Chris, he was sniffing sharpies so....

I was actually very, very surprised Chris didn't play his idol.  He must have been super confident.  If Wendell had played his no doubt he would have (and then Libby would have went home).  That might have been an interesting aftermath.  Chris would have been seen as an untrusting rat, and Des/Angela might have gone off on Kellyn and Chelsea for not voting for Libby.  Dom and Wendell could have gotten the target off them that way.

[enchantingmonkey]

I'm pretty sure I heard the collective scream of the Kellyn-haters when Libby's statue dropped.  

Poor stupid, stupid Chris.  That would have been hilarious if they'd been stuck with him through another vote.  

[LanceM]

So what happened to Bradley? I am finding it hilarious that they showed nobody mentioning he was gone. lol

[wallflower75]

2 minutes ago, Haleth said:

It finally occured to me who Chelsea reminds me of -- Sophie Turner.

I'm still trying to figure out who Michael reminds me of.

How did I miss that Chris had never been to a tribal council?  Oh, the irony--he avoided it all that time and got voted out at his first one.  Bwahahahaha!!!!  And so J.T.'s idol remains cursed.  What an idiot.  Knowing that Dom and Wendell were gunning for you, you take a chance that your plan will work?  No.  You play it to be absolutely certain you're around another three days.  Especially after Dom played his!!!

And I seriously loved Wendell's vote.  Just when you thought he was done...nope, here's a little bit more!!

[ElleryAnne]

Quote

Is that the ugliest immunity necklace ever?

Yes!  There was a moment during Kellyn's TH in which she was waving her hand in that Price Is Right model way, and I was hoping she'd comment on the ugliness of that necklace.  I think it's the worst they've ever had.

[Bryce Lynch]

3 minutes ago, truthaboutluv said:

LMAO!!!!!! This was even better than the Bradley blindside. Not so suavee [sic] there, huh Chris? And so much for reversing the curse. Left with the idol on his pocket just like the dumbass JT. Man those players must have really played Chris well for him to have been that confident as to not even play the idol, despite knowing Dom was gunning for him. Or he was just that much of an over confident tool. Yeah I’ll go with the latter.

I am actually really enjoying this season. And lol, best vote out ever by Wendell. Seriously, someone had to say it - Chris you can’t rap and please stop trying.

What make Chris the Rapper even less "suavee" is the fact that the idol he went home with was only good for 1 more tribal council. 

[Lamb18]

This episode could have been called "Trusting Your Gut" or "Use an Eraser." This sure was a fun episode to watch, but I'll kind of miss Mr. Sua-vay! Can't help wondering if he was pranking us with that pronunciation.

At tribal I was wondering how Jeff could keep a straight face during Chris's soliloquy.  Then there was Laurel's and Donathan's smirks when Chris said he was a leader. Michael was probably thinking "glad the spotlight's off of me."

[vb68]

1 minute ago, enchantingmonkey said:

I'm pretty sure I heard the collective scream of the Kellyn-haters when Libby's statue dropped.  

Oh you sure did from my end. Well at least a groan. Can't stand her or Des. I'm glad that plan to get Libby out went no where.

[Lamb18]

8 minutes ago, PaperTree said:

Didn't even bring his idol to TC.  Dumbass

He had it in his pocket.

[Lantern7]

Man, this would've been fun if I really cared about these people.. Chris rapped a lot? News to me. All I could see was him feuding with Dem Deez Doze Guy. And I don't know about Wendell beyond "Black Guy," but I think he's a Rick and Morty fan. This had to have inspired from this speech (start at 1:25).

Thirteen is too big for a merge. Do double eliminations within an hour episode. I think eleven is a better number. Way too many people for me as it is. And did Chris make the jury? I don't think Probst said anything.

Posted the following on Facebook:

"Nice to be reminded that JT was a dumbass . . . and not even bring up giving Russell an idol." Seriously, that was a bonehead pay, but it wasn't the bonehead play. Why did Stephen Fishbach almost kill himself playing in S31? Because it looked bad to lose to the dope that gave Russell the idol, and wrote a psuedo-love letter.

"I'm thinking Alpha Male Model hits on 17 while playing blackjack." I will say that the idea of sneaking off to Ghost Island was a nice twist.

"Who addresses Probst as 'Jeffery'? Aside from Courtney Yates, who can get way with such shit." Seriously . . . WTF?

ETA: Forgot one. "'Swah-vey.' STFU, Random Alpha Dude"

Edited April 12, 2018 by Lantern7

[JudyObscure]

3 minutes ago, ElleryAnne said:

Yes!  There was a moment during Kellyn's TH in which she was waving her hand in that Price Is Right model way, and I was hoping she'd comment on the ugliness of that necklace.  I think it's the worst they've ever had.

I think some kids made it out of paper plates and horsehair doormats.

[Mrsmom]

Does that make Chris the first juror?  I thought that once you made the merge you at least made the jury, but Jeff usually makes a comment about it. Whoops, look like myself and Latern 7 have the same question :)

Edited April 12, 2018 by Mrsmom

[LadyChatts]

6 minutes ago, wallflower75 said:

I'm still trying to figure out who Michael reminds me of.

How did I miss that Chris had never been to a tribal council?  Oh, the irony--he avoided it all that time and got voted out at his first one.  Bwahahahaha!!!!  And so J.T.'s idol remains cursed.  What an idiot.  Knowing that Dom and Wendell were gunning for you, you take a chance that your plan will work?  No.  You play it to be absolutely certain you're around another three days.  Especially after Dom played his!!!

And I seriously loved Wendell's vote.  Just when you thought he was done...nope, here's a little bit more!!

If they ever do Ghost Island 2.0, I wonder if Chris's torch would be a prop.  "He was a vain man, he was a stupid man.  He avoided TC and got voted out at his first one with an idol in his pocket."

[Maggie Mae]

I was getting worried because Chris was getting the 'vote out' edit and I thought it might be a misdirect. Thank you Survivor gods. Hopefully Chris can learn something about himself after watching... Oh, hell, who am I kidding???

[Rachel RSL]

12 minutes ago, LadyChatts said:

Oh, and seeing Michaela tonight in the flashback to GC, it makes me remember how much I'd love to get her and Courtney Yates on a season together.  TC and TH would never be dull.

I would also add Eliza, purely for the reaction shots.

[ByaNose]

1 minute ago, Mrsmom said:

Does that make Chris the first juror?  I thought that once you made the merge you at least made the jury, but Jeff usually makes a comment about it.

Jeff said, “and, the first member of the jury”.

[LadyChatts]

1 minute ago, Mrsmom said:

Does that make Chris the first juror?  I thought that once you made the merge you at least made the jury, but Jeff usually makes a comment about it.

At the end of the episode they mentioned Ponderosa, which we usually get introduced to when the jury starts.  So I'm assuming he's jury.  Plus, I can't believe TPTB would miss out on juror Chris.

[Ms Blue Jay]

"Oh yeah and finally.
Somebody had to say it.
I'll say it.
Stop rapping.
You're trash.
At rapping.
You're garbage at rapping.
You can't rap.
You have no bars.
Put the mic down Bro.
Put the pen down Bro.
Use an eraser."

- Wendell, 2018

p.s. I am in love with Wendell now

Probst explicitly said that Chris is the first juror.

28 minutes ago, Rachel RSL said:

And some news from over here in the shallow end of the pool, Wendell is beautiful. (Also, his goodbye message when voting...LMAO!)

Yes, yes, yes, yes to all this yes.  And I'm obsessed with his voice now too.  He has this drawl.  I get so happy and relaxed.

28 minutes ago, dizzyd said:

I like the new JT's idol and enjoyed rewatching Michaela's hair flip.

She is a famous meme now.  I see her being used all the time on social media and I always wonder if the people using her have any idea who she is.  (I've definitely used memes where I had no idea who the people in them were!)

Edited April 12, 2018 by Ms Blue Jay

[cleo]

I also love when Dom pulled that fake necklace out and sat through that whole tribal with it.

I always liked Wendell, but definitely team Dom and Wendell now

[Ms Blue Jay]

29 minutes ago, dizzyd said:

Good episode, full blown game playing and tribal was hilarious. "Chris Noble, it was a pleasure serving you coffee for 22 days" and "Stop rapping, put the mike down ". Well he already dropped the mike and left an idol behind, ? "Oh torch" ? 

"Thank you Probst.  Appreciate it."  ? ? ? ? ? ?   He interrupted Jeff

[Gummo]

2 eliminations, 2 douches gone!

Not much new to add except:

That was so friggin' funny & so friggin' satisfying at the same time. Chris's lack of self-awareness puts him up on a truly rarefied plane with Coach and Secret Agent Phillip. Except that both of them lasted a helluva lot longer in their seasons that Chris did in his!

I really enjoy seeing people have fun while they play this game. And that was so much fun ... well, maybe not for Chris....

And yup, ugliest & cheapest-looking necklace ever.

AND MS. BLUE JAY, FOR TRANSCRIBING WENDELL'S SPEECH AS A RAP:

BRAVO!

Edited April 12, 2018 by Gummo
because properly gendered honorifics matter

[Ms Blue Jay]

24 minutes ago, LanceM said:

I did like how Wendell stressed that he was only calling Chris garbage... at rapping. lol

This will go down in history as an all time Survivor moment.  Wendell I worship thee

[mojoween]

I mean, did Dom not scream out that he was voting for Chris?  And the HII was only good for one more Tribal?

Why the balls would you not play it?  

I mean, Libby is inoffensive to me and so having her go home would be eh, but still. You gotta play it if you have it.

[Ms Blue Jay]

11 hours ago, Bryce Lynch said:

What make Chris the Rapper even less "suavee" is the fact that the idol he went home with was only good for 1 more tribal council. 

Stop I can't breathe from laughing

(I need to take another screenshot for you guys.  When Wendell wrote "Chris The Rapper" on his voting parchment.  And that's how he recited his voting speech!  He kept doing all these thoughtful and dramatic pauses!  It was hilarious and like poetry or jazz.  *Snaps fingers appreciatively*)

Edited April 12, 2018 by Ms Blue Jay

[Wandering Snark]

I just don't understand, you've set up tonight as the final act of the war between you and your 'enemy'. Before votes are read your enemy uses a power that makes him safe, you have an idol in your pocket and yet you DON'T use it?? Wait... what?? The hell was that? How can you NOT play your idol? I mean even if he thought his mass-audience at the well worked and everyone was voting for Dom he just made himself safe so... what are you waiting for? Was he just THAT slow?? *shakes head in disbelief*

[Ms Blue Jay]

16 minutes ago, LadyChatts said:

If they ever do Ghost Island 2.0, I wonder if Chris's torch would be a prop.  "He was a vain man, he was a stupid man.  He avoided TC and got voted out at his first one with an idol in his pocket."

I'm sorry to spam post everyone but hahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhaha

[LadyChatts]

1 minute ago, mojoween said:

I mean, did Dom not scream out that he was voting for Chris?  And the HII was only good for one more Tribal?

Why the balls would you not play it?  

I mean, Libby is inoffensive to me and so having her go home would be eh, but still. You gotta play it if you have it.

This is what makes his boot all the more comical.  He knew he was being targeted.  A real superfan would know there might be some super jacked up idol from seasons past that can be played after the vote.  Your idol can only be played before the vote, and is only good for one more TC.  If he got rid of Dom, then what?  Just play it next week for the heck of it?  

[Ms Blue Jay]

3 minutes ago, mojoween said:

I mean, did Dom not scream out that he was voting for Chris?  And the HII was only good for one more Tribal?

Why the balls would you not play it?  

I mean, Libby is inoffensive to me and so having her go home would be eh, but still. You gotta play it if you have it.

I was actually like DOM WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?  Is the first time we've seen anyone pull that move on Survivor - yell loudly from the voting booth what they're doing?  How dumb IS Chris???  Maybe he pronounces the B in dumb like the E in suave

[Straycat80]

I don't know what was funnier, Dom calling Jeff 'Jeffrey' or Chris calling him 'Probst'. Jeff had kind of an FU look on his face. 

Edited April 12, 2018 by Straycat80

[North of Eden]

Only a fool would not play their idol when a huge blinking neon sign is not required to let you know this is The Showdown between you and your mortal enemy. It was a deserved boot even if I don't particularly like Dom either.

Who I surely do not like now is Des with her irrational campaign against Molo...get over it...there is no Molo anymore. And I am especially mad she was targeting Libby.

Libby tonight really got my attention, not just for her beauty because she is drop dead gorgeous but she was very impressive in the challenge. I was dreading her boot because the anvils were all there between her and Jenna feeling confident and Des's fixation on her. Right now I would be completely happy with a Laurel or Libby win.

Chelsea....Chelsea...Chelsea....you have all energy and charisma of a crash test dummy. I actually laughed when she showed up at the Immunity Challenge because I had forgotten her existence.

I'm not entirely sure its fair to hold Immunity Challenges that can be affected by the weather such as the wind...it should solely rest on the skill of the player.

[Wandering Snark]

5 minutes ago, North of Eden said:

I'm not entirely sure its fair to hold Immunity Challenges that can be affected by the weather such as the wind...it should solely rest on the skill of the player.

I just see it as part of the skill was keeping your statue on the little platform despite the wind.

[enoughcats]

36 minutes ago, LanceM said:

Chris-Dom fud at all. 

I'll take that spelling, because a really mediocre feud merits a different spelling.

Speaking of sua-vey, in grad school one of our fellow grads was a walking inflated ego and a student left a note for him calling him suave and debonair. We corrected that to swave (rhymes with wave) and De bone 'er,  I don't think Mike is Nik's son by a scandinavian mother, but the resemblance is strong (and rather sickening.)