brainee

Predictable vote-out was predictable. Though there's something to be said of the players taking the really easy vote and not overplay their hand this early in the game (which cost Maddy the game in the first week).

The 3-tribe set-up really does seem to make it a bloodbath for women getting voted out early, doesn't it? I saw elsewhere on the internet, someone ran the numbers and it's been something like 65-70% woman voted out pre-merge in this format. And it makes sense. 6 player teams are too small for anyone to hide, and the show seems like having really intense physical components to the early immunity challenges (even if it always comes down to the puzzle). Although it balances out post-merge when the focus shifts to getting rid of the threats.

davidh777

Dang, Frannie was working hard to save Matt from the vote. That was definitely "little Frannie" dictating her strategy.

GatorDeb

If she was, she would have "fallen" after the first two fell. Who'd know?

Double_Oh_7

What is wrong with Carolyn?

windom

Nothing, she's great.

Spiderbite

Carolyn is a definite wack-a-do but I have to admit she has gotten farther and played smarter than I would have ever expected. I would have probably strangled her while she slept had I been stuck on an island with her though.

I am pulling for Tom Holland to win.

Rob V

The second I saw how Carolyn behaved, I knew she was a former addict. While she's done an admirable job making it this far, she drives me crazy and I can't imagine her winning in the end.

Goldberg74

“Carolyn’s not even on the ball right now.”

So much truth to that.

🤣

Bill Needle

Watching this week's episode and all I can think about is what an unimpressive final six this is, which can only end up in a truly tedious final three. Then I scrolled up the thread and reminded myself who was in this season and realized it was almost unavoidable.

AaronHernandez

Yam Yam and Carson have literally flipped btwn Ratu and Soka every single round since the merge . Carson in particular has easily played the most impressive badass game by a young person in the history of the show. I would be very shocked if 1 of those 2 don't win.

And Carolyn despite her archetype has a great strategic mind and reads people very easily. I think in the end her only downfall will be her strong loyalty to her original tribemates who are more likely to win over a FTC jury

Bill Needle

I'll grant you that Carson is definitely the King of the Dipshits, but even the participants were genuinely reflecting on how a walking psychotic episode was "playing the best game."

bluesix

Yeah, watching her this season as we found out about her former drug use and job as a counselor I kept thinking, what a great addition she would be if they could add her to the show Euphoria as Rues new NA sponsor.

Rob V

^^ Well now she's growing on me. I wish she'd stop talking but her gameplay is strong. If she makes it to the final vote, I hope she pulls it off... she's done more than any other player remaining.

brainee

I think any of the "Tika Three" have a strong case. Yam Yam seems to be center of the group. The fact that he's behind the boot every person who votes against him is huge. As viewers we see how Carson plays multiple sides and is kind of baby-faced assassin. I can easily see him having a final tribal like Maryam where jury members are just learning how good a game he played.

I do like how this season seems lighter on hidden immunity idols and advantages. Things have been getting out of control in that regard in recent seasons. Player success is from their gameplay ... not getting lucky by looking in the right tree.

Goldberg74

I really hate that one-handed ball challenge.

windom

Yeah, I wanted to post the same thing. Even if when I don't care how wins, I put myself in their position trying to do the same thing. It's too tense for me. Especially with one hand behind their back.

Goldberg74

Just as a note, the three previous seasons (41-43) were decided with a 7-1-0 vote.

I don’t think it’ll be that way tonight.

windom

You were saying?

Goldberg74

Yeah, yeah, yeah. 😜

I wonder if they’ll modify the game some how not that last four games have ended with that count.

They should consider 1) extending it back to 39 days and/or 2) moving to a new location (and not a beach).

Double_Oh_7

ZERO votes for Carolyn. I didn't necessarily think she would win, but I didn't expect her to choke like that.

Bill Needle

Instantly forgettable season.

Goldberg74

Except for the fact that we’ll be constantly reminded about this game with Bruce returning for 45!

cdollaz

Meh. I had no interest in watching this season but my wife watched so I kinda half-watched. The problem is that nothing is really interesting or surprising anymore. The personalities may be different but it is just boring. It doesn’t help that they are recycling everything over and over. I do not want to see them in challenges they have seen before and in some cases have even practiced.

Spiderbite

Any reason why? Just curious.

I thought that it was pretty ballsy of Heidi to do the fire challenge to up her game but still didn't work for her in the end which wasn't surprising.

I wasn't a big fan of Carolyn or Yam Yam but I can at least say Yam Yam grew on me a little over the season. Carolyn never did. Her constant screaming, mouth wide open, licking her lips & mouth and just her general manner unnerved me the entire time. I don't think I could have spent an hour with her anywhere, much less 30 days on a deserted island. I might have hurt myself intentionally to get off the island.

And this may sound sappy but Yam Yam assisting Carson in practicing fire making was one of the most touching things I have seen in a while. But what didn't make sense is that Carson spent all this time practicing various specific puzzles and never practiced fire making until he got proficient at it? That's a big HUH?

I wasn't upset that Yam Yam won but didn't really care either. I spent a good portion of the final 2 hours in Fast Forward mode.

Goldberg74

Repeated challenges get old. This is Survivor not The Price is Right.