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Survivor 27: Blood vs Water

Spoilers for Episode 2 Rule In Chaos follow.

So Colton is trying the only game he has, instead of making friends and biding his time. He was even schooled in tactics by Gervase. Bloody Gervase is thinking more clearly than he is. The wily veterans can see what his problem is, and it is a rooky mistake - trying to play too hard too early. Without question first boot from Galang will be Colton, but then it could get interesting.

IF Caleb swapped out, and Colton went to the newbies THEN his tactics could work. All the girls would have nothing to lose, and go with Colton. And I can see both Vytas and Hayden allowing Colton to be the target, stand behind him, and let him take down Brad and John. But then they would turn on him pretty sharpish, 'cause Colton wouldn't stand for two intelligent, strategic dudes who are confident enough to be immune from his brand of intimidation.

Vytas continues to impress me, and his brother has formed the alliance I predicted with Tyson and Tina, bringing in Gervase and ... the other one.

Next week though Tyson will be faced with his choice of going to Redemption Island or staying where he is. Pre-season Tyson had stated that he would be comfortable playing the Ozzy game, and going through on Redemption, relying on his challenge ability to get him through. Especially with only needing not to lose, he could certainly wait it out on the island until he rejoins, presumably at the merge.

This would leave his tribe seriously out-muscled though. And leave his alliance as a 4 man-er. Genius finger-counter Brad explained to us all last week that 4 out of 9 equals out, so then it would be Aras, Gervase, Tina and the other one against Colton, Cat, the other other one, Mrs Rupert and these two sides could fight for Rachel. I know who I would choose.

So, pretty good start to Survivor.
 
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Just started watching the episode again, and right at the beginning it shows Tyson carrying Rachel on his back as they got off the boat. I think it is saying that Tyson will carry her, so either next week he will save her, or later in the game.
 
I've never really warmed to Tyson. I don't really care how far into the game he gets.
Quite surprised at who went from Redemption Island, that must count as an early shock exit.
Colton has reverted to form, he obviously has difficulty posing as human for more than a few minutes.
The couples are quite divisive, a lot of them consist of one likeable one & one irritating one. For example Caleb seems ok.
Gervase & "Culpepper" to go soon please.
 
I am loving Coltons meltdown. Every time he has a confessional it makes me laugh.
So happy Marissa is still in the game on redemption island.
We had less brad Culpepper this week, which was good.
And I am loving Vytas he is by far my favourite player form recent seasons.
I feel like this was another great episode.
So far loving this season.
 
random thoughts on episode 2

- even with the loved one switch, redemption island is still stupid. it truly offers no strategic depth, just a gimmick to pad out episodes.

- the reason i say no strategic depth, as outlined in my last post, is that the swap is strategically stupid. you weaken your own social ties to your tribe by swapping out, and you doom your partner to starting from scratch in that tribe. in that sense, gervase was right to leave marisa hanging.

- that said, the preview for next week suggests that tyson takes the bait and swaps with rachel. i think these are just about perfect circumstances to take the bait - it's early in the game, so ties are still developing, tyson's tribe is dominating so the risk of rachel going first is low, rachel is reasonably strong for a female competitor in challenges, and colton is well hated on tyson's tribe. in just about any other week, it's a sucker's gamble.

- of course, that doesn't mean we won't see it more than once, since the name of the game is blood vs. water, and we're seeing a lot of heart over head decision-making. i'm giving credit for that to the concept, though, not "redemption island with a twist"

- sad to see rupert go so early, as I would have liked to see how his change in strategy might have played out.

- candace could be a force to reckon with on RI. Since only one person comes back, typically, it'll be a shame if tyson takes the switch, since only one of them will come back

- what's there to say about colton? his shtick worked in one world because he had a bunch of newbs and a natural rivalry to exploit on the shared beach. the veterans tribe may have cracks, but they know the path to victory is in winning challenges in the first half.

- i've always said the cure to survivor game playing is to close the circle - when someone tells you someone else said something, always circle back and confirm that with the alleged source. so the 5 veterans completely disarmed colton and left him with a choice to either slink away with his tail between his legs or try to escalate emotionally to keep the high ground. but the zen tribe laughed his machinations off. awesome.

- back to voting off rachel, the newbs tribe is so dysfunctional right now that they probably won't win another challenge. eliminating marisa and then rachel is the two strongest women, and they're prioritising their man alliance over tribe unity/challenge victories. Although the men are patting themselves on the back for their alliance, I would not be surprised if they didn't win another challenge right up to the merge (tribe swaps and other surprises, aside)

- the other preview for next week, a colton melt down, raises some interesting possibilities. does he take his partner and leave? is it just a show for his tribe to try to re-gain sympathy? or does someone on the veterans tribe offer to swap loved one for loved one, and maybe try to give them the trojan horse of colton? (I doubt it's the latter, since that would have been previewed, but jeff has always said he loves when players bargain - I wonder how he would react to such an overture)

- before this all started, I felt colton and rupert were the only two standouts from the returning players. sure, we remember tina and aras for winning (in unspectacular fashion), and gervase for his hopelessness in the water, but mostly they're a forgettable lot. So it's somewhat ironic to see the two big personalities disappear.

- that said, a bunch of returning players who were mid-game vote-offs is an interesting selection, since they have some game experience but are unproven in terms of their ability. personally, i didn't find it inspiring, but I think that's because the missed the most interesting angle about most of their returns - redemption (and not the isle kind)

anyway, all up an interesting season so far. after the last couple being amongst my least favourite, I'm cautiously optimistic this will surpass them.
 
Yeah... Few thoughts on the last ep.

- Gutted to see Rupert go, I'm a fan. I started following him on Twitter and followed me back rather promptly. :o
- I thought that Tadhana's plan to get rid of Rachel to try and tempt Tyson to switch was stupid, it was never going to happen.
- If Colton does in fact rage quit next ep, I hope Caleb stays and enjoys the Survivor experience, I like him.
- Vytas is probably the best person in the whole cast (returning players included).
- Gervase did something! I like the guy... but I reckon his stay will be short-lived.
- I really hope Galang just doesn't keep dominating and Tadhana actually wins at least once...
- Also hoping Hayden goes far.
- Really hoping Candace stays on Redemption Island long enough to be brought back.

Another good ep. :)
 
Addressing some of Riddim's concerns:

- even with the loved one switch, redemption island is still stupid. it truly offers no strategic depth, just a gimmick to pad out episodes.

Normally, I agree with you. Here, this is not the case. As we saw, it has already suggested the strategy of voting someone out in order to get at their loved one to weaken the other team.

- the reason i say no strategic depth, as outlined in my last post, is that the swap is strategically stupid. you weaken your own social ties to your tribe by swapping out, and you doom your partner to starting from scratch in that tribe. in that sense, gervase was right to leave marisa hanging.

It could also be possible to send someone in as a trojan horse - like Colton, for example - whose mission would be to weaken the other tribe, by making Caleb sacrifice himself, and then Colton can sow discord, if he can get his stupid head together.

- that said, the preview for next week suggests that tyson takes the bait and swaps with rachel. i think these are just about perfect circumstances to take the bait - it's early in the game, so ties are still developing, tyson's tribe is dominating so the risk of rachel going first is low, rachel is reasonably strong for a female competitor in challenges, and colton is well hated on tyson's tribe. in just about any other week, it's a sucker's gamble.

It's all about timing.

- of course, that doesn't mean we won't see it more than once, since the name of the game is blood vs. water, and we're seeing a lot of heart over head decision-making. i'm giving credit for that to the concept, though, not "redemption island with a twist"


- sad to see rupert go so early, as I would have liked to see how his change in strategy might have played out.


Rupert, in a way, did a good thing. Yeah, he was first out, but he got to be the hero he sees himself as, he wasn't going to win anyway, and he did something nice for his wife. We are here at the 'heart' stage, the Kumbaya stage. Let's see what happens when it gets a bit more cut-throat.

- candace could be a force to reckon with on RI. Since only one person comes back, typically, it'll be a shame if tyson takes the switch, since only one of them will come back

Tyson will hate her so much, so if the two of them are on RI for a long time.. should be snarky confessional gold.

- what's there to say about colton? his shtick worked in one world because he had a bunch of newbs and a natural rivalry to exploit on the shared beach. the veterans tribe may have cracks, but they know the path to victory is in winning challenges in the first half.

He is playing like a buffoon. But, what if the mums see what is happening with the bro alliance and decide to sacrifice Colton, possibly weaponize him first, then save the daughter by throwing a challenge? Colton could well wreck more havoc with the noobs. But, really, he just needs to know when to hold 'em etc.

- i've always said the cure to survivor game playing is to close the circle - when someone tells you someone else said something, always circle back and confirm that with the alleged source. so the 5 veterans completely disarmed colton and left him with a choice to either slink away with his tail between his legs or try to escalate emotionally to keep the high ground. but the zen tribe laughed his machinations off. awesome.

- back to voting off rachel, the newbs tribe is so dysfunctional right now that they probably won't win another challenge. eliminating marisa and then rachel is the two strongest women, and they're prioritising their man alliance over tribe unity/challenge victories. Although the men are patting themselves on the back for their alliance, I would not be surprised if they didn't win another challenge right up to the merge (tribe swaps and other surprises, aside)

Yeah, this didnt work last year, it didnt work on Heroes vs Villains...it doesnt work this early. The alliance must be forged in the fires of victory and defeat,

- the other preview for next week, a colton melt down, raises some interesting possibilities. does he take his partner and leave? is it just a show for his tribe to try to re-gain sympathy? or does someone on the veterans tribe offer to swap loved one for loved one, and maybe try to give them the trojan horse of colton? (I doubt it's the latter, since that would have been previewed, but jeff has always said he loves when players bargain - I wonder how he would react to such an overture)

Great minds etc

- before this all started, I felt colton and rupert were the only two standouts from the returning players. sure, we remember tina and aras for winning (in unspectacular fashion), and gervase for his hopelessness in the water, but mostly they're a forgettable lot. So it's somewhat ironic to see the two big personalities disappear.

- that said, a bunch of returning players who were mid-game vote-offs is an interesting selection, since they have some game experience but are unproven in terms of their ability. personally, i didn't find it inspiring, but I think that's because the missed the most interesting angle about most of their returns - redemption (and not the isle kind)

anyway, all up an interesting season so far. after the last couple being amongst my least favourite, I'm cautiously optimistic this will surpass them.[/QUOTE]
 
random thoughts

- well it looks like I was right, tyson didn't take the bait. although i'm sure people (especially the producers) love the drama of asking the question, so far the players have proven too smart for it. it's bad strategy to take the swap. just ask rupert :p

- colton bailed. colour me surprised. that said, I think jeff took a bit of pleasure outing colton's quitting last year with fake appendicitis.

- that said, it's a shame no one thought to offer the swap. i have to wonder a) if jeff would have allowed it, or b) which girl they would have offered in exchange, or c) if the returning players would have agreed - if you think colton's going to quit, the smarter move is quite possibly addition through subtraction, rather than taking on dead weight. although the new players might have recognised the poison pill.

- marissa was completely right - culpepper doesn't know how to play the game. not only did he vote off two physical women that could have helped in challenges (especially today's), but he's now voted off a strong male, all in some vain attempt to make a name for himself, but hidden under the guise of working his chances in the long run.

- it's a shame his tribe didn't blindside him, but you know the survivor editors always do this "plan b" thing to build tension for tribal council and they almost never happen. i think it could have been a big move towards tribe unity, though at this point was probably no better for their chances in challenges in the short-term.

- the veterans are playing like veterans. keeping it cool, calm and collected and biding their time for the merge. i would like to see more of what relationships are developing on that side, to start getting a feel for what might happen at the merge, but clearly all the action is on the new player tribe.

- i really have to wonder when someone has two clues and can't find the hidden idol. it doesn't happen often, and given the number of times players find idols without clues, you have to think the hiding spots are fairly intuitive.

- john and candace are in a funny position - the assumption is only one of them can get back in... perhaps there's another twist on the redemption island road. although it wouldn't be clever, it might redeem redemption island to change the way it works this season, with the blood/water theme.

so far, not a bad season.
 
Just wanted to say, the fact that John the Doctor couldn't find the Immunity Idol with two clues astounds me.
How many survivors have just went out and dug the thing up with no clues?!?! what a DING BAT!

If one were his patient, God forbid, he didn't recognize one's symptoms, you would die before he found a treatment or even a diagnoses!
What a dip!

Also, COLTON... you are just what you appear... a big ol LOSER! Do NOT ever cross my TV screen again, and enjoy your lonely little ol couch!~
 
Colton continues to amaze, Love that Jeff exposed his bullshit reason for quitting last time.

Enjoying this season (but not Culpepper or Gervase).
 
Just wanted to say, the fact that John the Doctor couldn't find the Immunity Idol with two clues astounds me.
How many survivors have just went out and dug the thing up with no clues?!?! what a DING BAT!

If one were his patient, God forbid, he didn't recognize one's symptoms, you would die before he found a treatment or even a diagnoses!
What a dip!

Also, COLTON... you are just what you appear... a big ol LOSER! Do NOT ever cross my TV screen again, and enjoy your lonely little ol couch!~

Or maybe because of that fact, the idols were hidden better. Ever think that?
 
Or maybe because of that fact, the idols were hidden better. Ever think that?


Really doesn't matter if it was well hidden or not, he did not find it, therefore he and his lady are on redemption. Candice is the breadwinner in that coupling.
 
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I'm enjoying this season,so glad Colton has gone but feel bad for his Fiance'..it must have been hard for him to see that,however he must love Colton for both his good and bad sides because they obviously met after his last season.

Candice is kicking ass on redemption island and I really hope that she gets back in the game.Culpepper..what a ass,weakening your tribe and getting rid of a strong player....stupid,stupid move
 
Ep 3 thoughts:

- Colton was never gonna last anyway and I loved what Jeff said and did about him quitting. I hope Caleb does well now, he seems like a guy who could last until the merge.

- Culpepper... The dude's digging his grave. A very deep one at that. I'm waiting for him to be booted and lose a RI duel that he has no chance in.

- Vytas, Hayden, Tyson and Candice are my favourite players in the game this season.

- Hope Candice survives RI and gets back in, her husband can't and won't.

- Tadhana are getting smashed and will continue to get smashed if they continue like this...

- Gervase really isn't doing much... I've kinda gone off him.

- I like the way Galang are playing, but at the same time want to see something (it's gotta be a matter of time surely)

This season's been suprisingly good so far, I always felt is was either gonna be great and horrible, but it's avoided being the latter.
 
Ep 3:

- Colton once again proving how much of a bitchy wimp he is. Hasn't changed an ounce and I love that Jeff really fed it to him. What a WASTE of a spot he was!

- John & Candice both are drab to me. Wouldn't care if either of them went next week

- 'Culpepper' is an arrogant little prick. He's acting like he's an expert at the game of Survivor, but I guess that just makes his inevitable blindsiding even more exciting!! Hope he gets sent to RI next week!

- I am starting to like Vytas

- When Tyson knew what Tadhana were up to, I was shocked. I would never have figured that out so quickly! Though that's probably just because I'm super naive...
 
THIS SEASON IS GETTING SO JUICY!

Brief ep 4 thoughts (i fell asleep just before they cast their votes so had to google who ended up leaving):

- loved the outcome of tribal council, happy that caleb stood up to brad

- i read an article that monica sacrifices herself for brad at RI?? was this shown in the previews for next week?

- really want to see tadhana win a challenge, it gets boring watching the same tribe win every bloody week!

- i don't think hayden will last much longer after he voted for ciera and didn't change his vote after the tie. if tadhana lose again next week my prediction is that he will go

- candice's attitude towards brad at RI was gold

- starting to like Tyson. hated him in his original season and cringed when i heard he was back but he's actually bearable and not as much of an asshole this season
 
Not going to lie, I am loving this season! Before it started I saw returning players with loved ones and redemption island and instantly thought this season would be shit and that Survivor had gone completely downhill. I have been proven wrong 100% though. Despite being over returning players and hating Redemption Island, I have actually enjoyed watching this cast and the family dynamic makes it so different to anything before. If there is any season to do redemption island, I will admit, this is definitely it with the strategic moves of voting out a player to effect their loved ones game making the show very interesting!

I still think they could have done this family twist with all new people but I am really enjoying it regardless. Loving the return of original survivor Gervase! Anyway as much as I am enjoying this season, I can't wait for the all newbies season 28. Hopefully some new stars are born.
 
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