When they return to camp, Natalie is doing her best to sell the idea that everyone is voting for Keith, but she’s still conspiring to blindside Jon. And if Jon plays his idol for some reason, then they’ll target Jaclyn on the re-vote. Sounds good, but Keith just knows he’s playing on borrowed time, so he’s just going to see what happens and Natalie is praying that Keith doesn’t SAY ANYTHING at Tribal to f**k this up.
Jon and Jaclyn go off to discuss what their plan is, and I’m happy to see Jaclyn is actually saying, “Hey, things may not go as we think, be ready to play your idol.” But Jon is just too busy visualizing his win to let logic and observation get in his way. He doesn’t see Natalie flipping on him, and he surely doesn’t see any blindside against him.
A bit later, Baylor is proposing the idea of blindsiding Jon to her mom, but Missy will have none of it. She won’t turn on Jon, and – according to Baylor – this is her mom’s downfall: trusting men too much. Ouch. A bit too revealing, I’d say… Baylor’s even seeing this as an affront to her, because her mom is choosing Jon over her first-born child. Perish the thought! Maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but it works on a reality show. Even when Natalie approaches Missy to discuss the Jon blindside, Missy is reluctant to get on board. This is a troubling proposition and Missy seems overwhelmed by the whole deal. Let’s see if she grows a pair and tells Jon what direction the weathervane’s blowin’… And as Huyopa is about ready to head to Tribal, Missy confesses she’s troubled by tonight’s vote, because she endeavored to play an honest game from the start. And the thought of blindsiding the guy that she has “a deal” with
does not sit well with her. Let’s see where her conscience stands…
At Tribal, Jeff can’t even get a question out before Keith is putting his foot in his mouth, stating how valuable his one vote is. Yeah, that’s not what Natalie was hoping for from him, but you got to give the guy some air time. The notion of “5 vs. 1” is discussed and both Jon and Jaclyn feel confident in their alliance of 5, but when Jaclyn says she’s confident that “Jon and I aren’t going home,” that pricks up some ears. And what really raises some eyebrows is when Jeff asks Jon about “that final speech” and Jon admits that he thinks about it “a lot.” This is not the kind of thing you want to be admitting to the final 6 – AND THE JURY, YOU BONEHEAD – but Jon’s just playing a game with his bunny. He’s not thinking…
And the final question comes to Missy, who seemingly holds the power of this game in her hand. Either she sticks to her alliance with Jon, or she stays silent and takes him out. And with her final comment about being loyal “to a fault,” she’s either making a defining statement about her life, or she’s spinning one of the best lies of the season. Let’s see, it’s time to vote…
No votes are revealed on camera so Jeff asks if anyone wants to play an idol… And Jon, now would be the time. Jon? Jon, are you going to play your idol? It’s kind of important tonight… JON! And, no, he was mesmerized by Missy’s speech and is convinced he’s going nowhere. Jeff reads the votes:
Keith
Jaclyn
Keith
Jaclyn (oh, snap, that “alliance of 5” isn’t as strong as you think…)
Jon
Jon
A 3-way tie. And as Missy, Baylor and Natalie head off to re-vote, I’m thinking they pulled it off. Sayonara, Power Couple. Hello, Keith and his 4 mistresses…
Jeff reads the votes:
Jon
Jon
And there you have it, the lie of the season. I knew I picked a winner in Missy on Day 1. Now let’s see if she can finish this out. And as Jon heads out, seemingly without any hard feelings, I’m just wondering what he did with his idol. He didn’t slip it to Jaclyn – insert joke here – he was probably too busy slipping her other things…so does that mean it’s in his bag back at camp? It appears he walked out with only a canteen, so can we assume that all his belongings are now the property of Jaclyn. Common law wife and all. I guess we’ll find out next week… And I’m just wondering what kind of reception Jon is going to receive at Ponderosa, with all those dudes he took out, and with all that talk of making the Final Tribal. Good luck with that, Johnny Football…
Jeff reminds the remaining players about trust and not forgetting the basic premise of the game is to outwit each other. He pulls out a dictionary and reads the definition of outwit, just so they know what that means. Some puzzled looks indicate this season should maybe be reshot from the beginning. Whaddya say, Jeff?
And surprise, surprise, after we watch the tease of the 2 hour finale (f**k me, another 2 hour recap!?) we see that Missy didn’t vote for Jon and voted for Jaclyn. So her conscience is clear. But…the one thing she could have done is hinted to Jon to play his idol. Hmm, I wonder why that didn’t happen.
The tease of next week reveals that Jaclyn is pissed and Jon’s going to vote for her, if she makes it. No duh. I’m only thinking about where Jon’s idol is, and whether Jaclyn will claim it, and when is the last Tribal that it can be played. If it’s the next one, then we have 2 idols out there, guaranteeing Jaclyn and Natalie will at least make it to the final 4. Anyone’s game from there…
So that’s it for this week. I think the episode was better than expected, but my expectations are pretty low right now. This season is spinning out of control, into the Caramoan & Guatemalan depths of despair: a bunch of losers at Final Tribal, whose games pale in comparison to the juries.
I know what you’re thinking: if they’re at Final Tribal than their games are better, but I don’t buy it. Watching weak players get to the end and win this show is exactly what Survivor doesn’t need. I really hope the producers wake up to the reality that people want to see good, competitive, fair, and memorable seasons. Not the meanderings of weaker players who just wake up to find themselves at Final Tribal. If you don’t believe me, just check out the Tweets of any former player, and tell me what they’re thinking about Season 29. Enough said… Wake up, producers…you’re not getting it right this season.
So I reviewed my Rankings of Every Survivor Player (http://survivor.realitysteve.com/2014/05/22/survivor-brains-vs-brawn-vs-beauty-finale-52114/5/ (which still doesn’t include the Season 28 players), but I did consider them as well) and present to you my list of the 30 greatest “Legends” (in no particular order):
Boston Rob
Ozzy
Parvati
Amanda
Colby
Rupert
Tyson
Russell Hantz
Coach
Jerri
Penner
Malcolm
Sandra
J.T.
James
Tom Westman
Brenda
Phillip Sheppard
Richard Hatch
Kim Spradlin
Tony Vlachos
Yul
Woo
Spencer Bledsoe
Denise Stapley
Ciera
Matt Elrod
Hayden Moss
Vytas
Marty Piombo
First off, I know many of these players won’t ever come back on the show due to their situations (but what if the prize was $2 million???), and secondly, I know there are literally dozens of other players I could have included, but I had to draw the line somewhere. And there’s probably a few you’re all wondering, “Why’d he include him/her?” But here’s where I’m coming from. I wanted to give a nod to those who are:
The best players
The biggest egos
The biggest characters
Great players with something more to prove
Players who have remained active in the social media Survivorverse
And most importantly…
Players who aren’t total douches who I wouldn’t want to see on another season of Survivor (that includes a lot of ex-players who think they’re the cat’s meow…)
I know, I’m a bit selfish on some of my picks/omissions, but I reserve that right as I’m the one writing this at 1am. Don’t agree? Agree strongly? Send in a comment or tweet me your feedback. I always enjoy reading your comments, and emails, or having a Twitter dialogue. Don’t worry, I won’t bite…
So until next week, …keep that holiday spirit going and remember that December isn’t just about buying presents. It’s about football, and college basketball, and holiday parties where you get to tell people stuff when you’re a little too buzzed. Good luck, folks.
A final reminder to keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars… (C’mon, bury the guy already!).
Scooby-dooingly,
Fish
Email: bryan.fish.fischer@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BF_TheFish
AIM: bryan.fish.fischer@gmail.com or Bryan Fischer
Generally agree with the list, especially the inclusion of some of the recent players like Spencer, Ciera, Hayden that showed promise but didn’t pan out.
I’d make a few changes though:
seen too much of: Boston Rob, Ozzy, Rupert, Coach, Hatch
Idiot and doesn’t deserve to play: Woo
Had to look up to remember them: Elrod, Piombo
I’d replace them with (this is weighted to the ladies to make it 50/50): Andrea and Cochrane from fans/fav2
Natalie(current season)
Facts of life Lisa
Tasha Cagayan
Chelsie OW
Sophie (winner)
Francesca (can she go first out 3 times??)
Honestly, you could probably put 60 names on this list and still have a season full of players.
drewdaddy – Thanks for your comment! Like I said, I think there are some players who simply can’t do it anymore (I think Boston Rob will fall into that category with all his family responsibilities, AND he has nothing to prove anymore) but if I left him off the list, someone would say, “How could you leave Rob off the list!?” You know what I mean…? I’d like to see Ozzy back because it’s been 3 years since he’s been on, and he does have something to prove. I think Coach is a shoo-in for Seas. 30, let’s see if I’m right. Hatch and Rupert I could take or leave. And again, agreeing with you, there are dozens and dozens of people who could be considered a legend.
I thought Woo, just so he could have some redemption and clear his name. Elrod was the first dominant Redemption Island stud, so he’s gotta come back. And Marty was running that season until the tribe swap burned him. One reason why I think tribe swaps are kinda shitty. I considered Andrea, and would LOVE to see her gorgeous face again. I hate Cochran, just don’t need to see that guy ever again. I like Natalie (she’s been killing it), Lisa Whelchel I don’t think of a legend, but agree with all your others, except Francesca. Two times out first just sets her up for a third, which is really unfair. Just let her fade away. I’d really like to see a season with super strong, smart, able players, no rednecks, no kooks, no wimps. Just a real “All-star” season with strong/sexy players. Call me biased towards the beautiful people… We’ll find out next week, hopefully! Happy holidays!