Who’s excited for another episode of Survivor?! I know I am! I’m beginning to get the feeling this season is evolving into a really good one, not necessarily Top 5 caliber, but with the twists, blindsides and idols, things have gotten pretty gooooood in season 28. I say that it’s not Top 5 caliber, because the whole Brains/Brawn/Beauty theme seems to have gone out the window. At least when it was Heroes vs. Villains, we were reminded who was a Hero or a Villain constantly. Now, it’s just Aparri or Solana, so that’s why it’s just a Top 10 season in my book…
Right off the top I’d like to say thanks to those of you who’ve sent comments, emails, and favorited (is that a word?) my tweets. I simply cannot do this without your help, so I want everyone to know how appreciative I am of the support. Frankly, I can’t do this if no one’s reading, so please show a little love and comment/email/retweet as much as possible…especially when it comes to Bryan’s List of All Survivor Players. I’ve revealed #245-294 this week, with any comments I found appropriate/funny/necessary. Perhaps I’ll add comments for everyone eventually, but I’m more interested in revealing a new batch of names each week. I know the real fun will be at the end of the season when we reveal the top ten – with lengthier commentary – but let’s ease into that and give props to EVERYONE who’s played.
Something else I’m going to reveal in the near future is a suggested theme for season 30 of Survivor. I heard the “idol with special powers” was a suggestion made to Jeff Probst via tweet from Tyler Perry, so at least the show is open to suggestions. It’s a little difficult to make contact with the show via traditional means, so I’m forced to go nontraditional and just reveal it in my column. Who knows? Maybe the idea will find its way to the show somehow and we’ll have something to brag about next year. Maybe you can make suggestions and tweak my idea to improve it too? I’m all for a grassroots approach to requesting what we want to see. As fans, we’re just trying to watch a great competition, and since there’s no money in suggesting themes for reality competition shows, I’ll be happy to open the door to suggestions. I’ll save this discussion for another column, let’s get to the Treasure Hunt!
After last week’s epic tribal council, we know that Kass is on the hot seat, and I can’t wait to see what her destiny is. And like me, you’ve probably seen all the promos where she’s on the firing line, but there’s also a mad dash to find the Madea Idol. This past week, I’ve shared a few comments with readers about whether Kass’s decision to flip was a good or bad one. I think it was a terrible decision, but I also mentioned:
“Survivor is like a poker game. No two hands are similar. What worked one season has no bearing on another because the players are all different. One day I hope to go back and review how each winner did it, and come up with a formula for winning the game. If THIS happens, you should do THAT and you’ll probably do well. If THAT happens, you do something else.
Again, there’s never a definable path because of the various twists, turns, flops, and blindsides. You just gotta take each day as it comes and stay active…”
The point I’m trying to make is there are no “rules” for winning the game. You could do everything Boston Rob would do and it still wouldn’t work, because a) there are different players, b) every alliance is a unique entity and c) YOU’RE NOT BOSTON ROB!
No disrespect to Rob, of course, he’s a great player, I’m just saying that (like in poker) you can do everything right and check your 4 aces to the river and then go all in, and someone could have the royal flush. It’s just the luck of the draw and whether you’re willing/able to stay in that long. Which also applies to Survivor. How many times have people been dominating the game (Terry Dietz, Ozzy, Colby, Malcolm) and they can’t bring it home? It’s almost like the ones who are supposed to win (the strongest) can’t, and the one’s who shouldn’t win (the weakest or most inept) are brought farther than they should. The ones who win are the players who play the best…whatever that means. Even that doesn’t turn out sometimes, as Russell Hantz found out. It’s just a crap shoot every single season. A crap shoot with a million bucks on the line. And I’m jealous of everyone’s who’s played…
Oh, Savage #245. When Probst grows up he wants to be like Savage. Total man crush there.
Well, I was correct in guessing that Kass thought her old alliance would forgive and forget . . . . but she certainly blew that out of the water with her most recent vote. Now I am firmly on the side of all those saying that Kass is not playing with her head, but instead playing a very emotional game. She could have easily returned to her former Brains group and gotten rid of the other tribe who are much more physical threats.
Tash surprised me in the last competition. She might have more in her than I thought. Spencer was already a surprise. I still really like LJ and that will probably be his downfall.
Thanks for the recap!
Yeah, it was a shame when Savage left. I think there are some guys that I just wanna see do good every season: Savage, Ken Stafford, Mike Chiesl, Chase Rice, Marcus Lehman (no homo!), but those guys are typically feared and eliminated sooner than later. I just want a strong player, in a strong alliance, to wipe the floor with everyone else…
And I agree that Kass is on her way out. You can’t flip like that and stay out of harm’s way. We’ll see. Tash is playing a smart game. Good disposition, not too strong in challenges, staying aligned – and faithful – to her alliance. I hope it comes down to her, LJ and Jeremiah/Jefra…
Thanks for writing!
Bryan
Loved the observation about Spencer in the challenge with his mouth hanging open. He really did look a bit slow. I’ve got a new one for you, how about Jeremiah + Jeffra = Jefframiah?