I thought it was just me... I just don't like the cast. Harry going was a horrible shock. I actually liked Mark during his season, until he fluffed his game. But he is insufferable this time round and far too foward in the edit for someone quite charmless in this iteration. Last season we had fun characters like Myles and AJ. It feels like they've stepped back in time with the casting. I just have little to no interest in any of them, apart from Simon and Brooke, and maybe Richard! I'm sort of reluctantly duty-watching at this point, which is a first for me with Aus Survivor.
I agree the cast is not nearly as likeable as AJ and Myles were. AJ is one of my all time faves. Mark is obviously being told to ham it up, and Simon leaning into his dumb little puppy dog persona (love both btw).
Lyndl is a villain, big time, Sally, Tez, Cam, Blanche, Loz, Ben useless. Cat could have been a lot of fun! I hate the live tribals cos she would have brought a lot to the game had they not turned on her at the last minute. The players are obvious at this point - Lottie, Faith. Keely, Caleb, lesser so Aisha.
The 3 wise women alliance was smart to turn on Mark, to show they were not just puppets for Mark, but I personally preferred Marks play over theirs. Don was a giant dork, but he was way more entertaining than Sally and likely loyal to Mark. So Mark might not be long for the game if he cant get big numbers on his side. His social game looks way different to the confessionals, which is a fun contrast to watch.
David is starting to make the host role his own, the way he looks like he is part of the fun with his commentary is endearing. He has the experience of being part of the game, rather than "above" the game. I really like the way he gets so excited and teases and laughs along.
For me right now I'm way more invested in Survivor US season 50.
Survivor 50 is a HUGE milestone, so of course its going to beat a run of the mill AU season. I just love having Survivor as a tv staple, so Im not ever going to be down on it much. I was so worried after the shit show of Im a Celeb, that I am relieved and happy that it is just a "normal" survivor season. No trying to make it epic or anything, just fun easy reality watching.