In this new period of Survivor, there aren’t any hand-outs. Everything should be earned. That rang true for the 12 remaining gamers who wanted to combat their approach into the subsequent section of the sport. For one contestant, karma would come again round to snuff their torch, simply shy of this explicit end line.
Josh Wilder had been skirting catastrophe for a number of weeks now, however his time was lastly up. A twist would save him from being blindsided by his unique tribe. Then he was on the chopping block once more final week, solely to have his demise postponed when Jeff Probst introduced that they have been canceling Tribal Council altogether, on the heels of Matthew Grinstead-Mayle’s departure from the sport because of his nagging shoulder harm.
Josh’s determined try to remain within the sport – attempting to create a pretend Idol utilizing commonly-known beads seen on the camp’s water provide – ended up coming again to chunk him, as the eye that it drew (did he or didn’t he have an Idol?) was sufficient to ship him house, lastly, the final sufferer to depart the sport pre-merge.
The Merge Is Upon Us
Of course, the overarching theme of the episode was that the Merge was on the horizon. Six gamers, Carolyn Wiger, Carson Garrett, Matt Blankinship, Frannie Marin, Brandon Cottom and Jaime Lynn Ruiz, gained their approach to the merge by profitable the Immunity Challenge. The different six, Josh, YamYam Arocho, Kane Fritzler, Lauren Harpe, Danny Massa and Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt weren’t so fortunate.
The Three Stooges
A really secret three-way alliance was revealed that could be one thing to control transferring ahead. “The Three Stooges,” as they known as themselves, consisted of Carson, Carolyn, and YamYam. Three outcasts bonded collectively by their outsider standing. I instantly thought that this seemed like an incredible Final Three, as all three are gamers that I’m rooting for and who fall into the class of the underdog.
But identical to the real-life Stooges, they have been some main fumbles and stumbles available through the episode. Carson almost threw your entire Tribal into an upheaval when he went and revealed to Kane that his identify had been thrown round earlier on the Merge Feast. YamYam too, admittedly finds himself speaking approach an excessive amount of, which leads him often-times into hassle.
So well-intentioned Carson should be Larry. YamYam is unquestionably Curly. That makes Carolyn Moe I suppose, and that checks out contemplating Carolyn’s hilarious – and telling – facial expressions.
When Will They Listen?
One of probably the most irritating points of this season so far has been how no person appears to wish to take heed to poor Carolyn! She’s zany and eccentric, to say the least, however regardless of all of this she has really performed fairly an incredible sport so far! And but, no person throughout the sport appears to note. Everybody discards her and underestimates her. That couldn’t have been extra clear than through the Merge Feast when she straight-up advised everybody that Josh doesn’t have an actual Idol. Heck, she ought to know, she had simply been at camp with him. But the others simply discarded this important information, a lot to Carolyn’s ongoing frustration.
Are individuals ever going to take Carolyn severely? I’m saying this now, however I really assume she has a improbable likelihood of going to the top of this sport.
Beware The Show-Mance!
One ongoing storyline of the season additionally has been the budding and now blossoming romance between Matt and Frannie. They’re two peas in a pod, bonded of their nerdiness. But wow are they infectious to the viewers. I’m unsure if I’m rooting for them to win (Matt nonetheless appears to not be as “tuned in” to the sport as I like my winners to be), however I positive am rooting for them in life. Too dangerous we not get the reside studio Reunion Show, or there could be a excessive likelihood for an on-air proposal this season!
The drawback with love on Survivor is that it’s nearly at all times rooted out by others who rightly determine two as being extra harmful than one. As we see within the preview for subsequent week, Lauren is on to them and is aware of they have to be separated. Time will inform if this can be a power-couple out to win the sport, or if love might be sufficient of a prize. Stay tuned.
Episode Take-Away
Now that we’ve formally hit the merge, it’s time to begin actually taking inventory of the place everybody stands. It’s clear that YamYam has a troublesome path to win, understanding that he’s going it alone and can doubtless not have a built-up resumé even when he have been to someway make it to the top. That Three Stooges alliance is intriguing although, so in the event that they have been to be the rising alliance YamYam positively may have a declare to make.
Carson looks as if a participant with all the potential on the earth, and somebody who has been in a position to grasp the social points of the sport so far. However we noticed him make a strategic blunder this week. Will that come again to hang-out him?
With a number of benefits already within the sport and a twist coming subsequent episode, there are nonetheless so many various ways in which the sport can shake-out. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if gamers will ultimately be aware of how harmful Carolyn actually is, or in the event that they’ll proceed to discard her till it’s too late!
The Survivor Official Podcast that adopted this week’s present had Jeff taking a deep dive into the Survivor Art Department. Again, this can be a must-listen for die-hard Survivor followers and informal followers alike. You can discover the podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
Erik Reichenbach DabuDoodles Art
We’re honored right here to be related to Survivor legend, Erik Reichenbach! He simply so occurs to be an incredible artist. As at all times, we’re thrilled and honored that he shares his abilities each week in my column and with my viewers. If you don’t see his artwork under, that implies that it isn’t prepared but (one doesn’t rush an art-eest). But it would seem as soon as prepared, so examine again when you don’t in actual fact see it.
Art by Erik Reichenbach – DabuDoodles.com
All of Erik’s work might be discovered and bought on his web site, DabuDoodles.com. I urge you to help this fantastically expert former Survivor participant!
Final Episode Tallies
Out this week: Josh
Won Immunity: Randomly chosen tribe consisting of Carson, Carolyn, Jaime, Brandon, Matt and Frannie.
Vote Result: No Idols or Advantages have been performed. Matt couldn’t vote having misplaced his vote through the “Risk/Reward” journey. 7 – Josh (Frannie, Carson, Danny, Lauren, Jaime, Heidi, YamYam), 3 – YamYam (Josh, Brandon, Kane), 1 – Kane (Carolyn)
Current Advantage/Disadvantage List:
- Lauren – Extra Vote
- Matt – Possesses a Fake Idol
- Jaime – Possesses a Fake Idol
- Danny – Immunity Idol
- Carolyn – Immunity Idol
Next Week’s Episode: Kane seems like he’s inside Dungeons & Dragons, Matt and Frannie are focused by Lauren, and Jeff Probst reveals a twist throughout a problem and says, “You will have no say in who goes home.” A sly little bit of modifying or a significant unprecedented twist on the horizon?
Quick Note! I recognize that you’re studying this recap! I’m additionally a TV character and Film Critic within the Detroit space and a RottenTomatoes-approved movie critic. Check out my previous film critiques and my film present (episodes are additionally obtainable on-line on the web site, www.FilmShowPlus.com.) Follow me on Twitter – @tomsantilli – or on Facebook.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS EPISODE? CAN CAROLYN REALLY WIN? AND IF NOT, WHO DO YOU PREDICT WILL WIN SOLE SURVIVOR?
[Photo Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Robert Voets/Timothy Kuratek/Jeffrey Neira/Michele Crowe/David M. Russell]