Hey all, so I’m back after a week’s break (it’s just been non-stop Survivor with AU and SA). It’s Advantaggeddon on US Survivor!! I’m not sure who Probst has been speaking to from SurvivorAU, but someone has got into his ear! This week I’m breaking down each tribe’s dynamics and alliances, and Aussie Survivor’s Kat Dumont joins us for a Q&A. So, after Day 7, this is where we’re at.
UA TRIBE:
We begin the episode at Ua with everyone but Brad hanging out in the ocean. It’s clear who is on the outs… He’s not too concerned though. This is where Brad finds his first BEWARE advantage at camp. Not even a hidden one. It’s right out in the open for everyone to see. It ends up being another risky 3-way dilemma and he rightfully chooses the Steal a Vote.
Brad also finds the second unactivated Shared Immunity Idol. He works out Xander also has one and shares this info with his ‘bestie’, Shan. Eek!
During this episode we see the clear-ish divide with the strongest alliance between Ricard and Shan, with Shan having a side friendship with Brad. Brad sees Shan as his #1 and shares both his Idol and Steal a Vote advantage with her. Shan and Ricard also have JD as their 3IC. Loyal and charming, but super unreliable and sloppy. Letting his Extra Vote parchment slip out from his pants… Oy… Not as bad as Sharn’s poop idol (SurvivorAU) but… Haha.
Speaking of JD – so far he’s been all talk and not as helpful in challenges as he claims. He is infuriating to watch at times, but then he has redeeming qualities to him and really is trying and wants to be better. The dude loves Survivor and just wants to play his best game! His speech at tribal made me go gooey inside.
Right now, I feel Shan has all the power in Ua, she has the best relationships with everyone and is in possession of JD’s Extra Vote. I’m pretty sure she can’t use it, but there’s nothing stopping her from holding on to it and using it to string JD along. HUGE!!!
Genie seems to be a lone-ranger. She’s voted on her own and incorrectly at every tribal so far. Her reaction to Ua losing immunity was gold! Legit thought she had broken that bench! I am a little worried as she’s already pissed off Ricard who’s in a power position. He’s an easily pissed man. Haha. I’m hoping Genie can hang in there for a while longer through a tribe swap <3
Sadly, we said goodbye to Brad this week 🙁 He was fun to watch and had some really cool moments – remember his running on the beach and spy bush?! Finding two advantages in a day is huge for any player; it’s unfortunate he couldn’t move forward with any of them. I was secretly hoping he could will the Shared Idol to someone else, but alas looks like it will be replanted. Fingers crossed Shan finds it. I also think anyone should be able to use the Roll the Dice at tribal even when they can’t vote. Brad could have saved himself! These twists are tricky to maneuvre for sure…
Potential to make F3: Shan, (love Ricard, but I’m not sure he will gain people’s trust)
YASE TRIBE
Poor Xander having to repeat the butterfly phrase and will keep doing so another 5 times now Brad is gone. Everyone probably thinks he’s a stoner at this point anyway. Xander is also carrying this tribe in physical challenges and will have to keep it up until a tribe swap if he wants to stay in the game – hopefully that’s not too far away. And I keep reminding myself that he cannot vote at tribal. The dude could go until merge without being able to cast a vote – we’re almost a third of the way through the season, so it’s feasible!
Evvie, Tiffany and Liana continue to rein, but if anyone is to flip, it’s Liana. She seemed really distraught about her decision last week. I was also really surprised Tiffany chose Tarp over Steal a Vote. I’m pretty sure Sydney was set on Tarp, giving Tiff the opportunity to nab the other, but she really got bad vibes from Sydney :O
Still on Tiffany, because she’s SO AWESOME, did anyone else think she was going to absolutely fail on the rope bridge in the Immunity Challenge? Sure she was swaying back and forth, but hot dayum she did it!! Shame on us thinking she would cause another Yase loss. Ha!
Now I’m all for an all-girl alliance, but I actually thought Evvie was better off with Xander and Voce. Tiffany seems to be controlling Evvie’s vote, and Liana would have followed Evvie whichever side she chose. Anyway, with a tribe swap imminent this alliance might completely dissolve.
Oh, and JUSTICE FOR VOCE!! </3
Potential to make F3: Liana, Evvie
LUVU TRIBE
We haven’t seen too much from Luvu in terms of tribe dynamics, but it’s clear that Sydney does NOT want to work with Naseer. It’s a bit sad really as he is happily wanting to work with her by sharing information and his thoughts on who the biggest threats are. He’s not wrong. Naseer seems like a loyal ally to have too. At the same time, I can see why Sydney wants to work with the meat shields like Danny and Deshawn. I’m just not a fan of how Sydney is treating Naseer. Sydney was high on my pre-season list, and ego aside, I reckon she has the chops to go far.
Sydney laid pretty low at the risky 3-way dilemma, allowing the other two make the calls. Probably the safest bet for her to go Tarp though as she’s in a good position with her tribe. No need to “rock the boat” (check this week’s Rebus puzzle!) while they’re going strong.
As for pocket-rocket-puzzle-queen Erika, we’ve barely seen her :'( And, Heather who? I’m hoping we see more of them very soon, especially Erika!! And that it’s not her boot episode when we do! Ha.
Potential to make F3: Deshawn, Sydney
Kat was cast in the first season of Channel Ten’s revival of Australian Survivor and was one of the more charismatic contestants on the Aganoa tribe. After being ‘merged’ into the Vavau tribe Kat was able to get rid of her arch nemesis Rohan, but was ultimately given the flick on day 23 becoming the 7th person voted out of the game.
Lyndz: Welcome back to Reality Ramblings, Kat! Thanks for joining me for this week’s episode recap.
Before we get into the episode, how have you been? How has life been especially in WA where there have been little to no lockdowns?
Kat: Life is pretty bloody good. We are lucky to be living a normal life here in Perth! No lockdowns, no restrictions and of course – endless sunshine.
Lyndz: Pre-season, with all the chatter that it was a shorter season, castaways starting with no food, and a more diverse cast, were you excited at all for Survivor 41?
Kat: I was BEYOND excited. As a super fan, I was itching for my next Survivor fix. I knew it was going to be different… but probably not this different!
Lyndz: Now that we are 3 episodes in, are there any of the changes that you love or hate?
Kat: As a traditionalist, I hate when people f**k with the format. I know COVID threw a huge spanner in the works, but it feels… weird. There has been NO time to get to know any of the castaways. I barely even know their names! I have zero rapport with any one so far, so am finding it hard to get invested. The blatant plants of items makes my blood boil too.
Lyndz: You had some pretty strong feelings towards the ‘easy-to-find’ idols on this year’s Australian Survivor, what were your thoughts of Brad and co finding the Beware Advantages so simply at camp?
Kat: Do not get me started on this!!!!!!!!! The ‘planted’ items are 100% determined by producers. They shouldn’t interfere! Let the bloody game play out.
Lyndz: If you were Brad, Tiffany and Sydney, would you have chosen the Tarp or Steal a Vote? And also, did you understand the rules of dilemma or did you have to re-watch it like me coz I was so confused, haha!
Kat: This totally confused me. I thought I understood, then when only Brad received the Steal a Vote I was like, huh? I thought Sydney was making a play… obviously not. My choice would have depended on who else was there.
[For those who didn’t understand it, Example: All 3 choose Tarp = all 3 receive a Tarp. 1 and/or 2 choose Tarp + 1 chooses Steal a Vote = 1 and 2 do not receive a Tarp and also lose their tribal vote, but the 1 receives the Steal a Vote. All 3 choose Steal a Vote = No one receives a Steal a Vote and they all lose their tribal vote. Conclusion, the only way to win the Tarp is if ALL 3 choose Tarp. To win Steal a Vote only one other person needs to choose Tarp. NOT CONFUSING AT ALL]
Lyndz: Do you like the Shared Immunity Idol concept? How many times do you think Xander will have to repeat his Butterfly line? Haha
Kat: This is an absolute joke. Firstly, the lines? Are we 9 year old children? Secondly, the way it works? It’s a no from me. You’re relying on other idiots to determine your vote. It’s a STRONG NO FROM ME.
Lyndz: Overall, do you think there are too many advantages in the game (on top of the Roll the Dice they each have) or does it make sense in a 26 day season?
Kat: It pains me to say it – but I’m not loving the season. It’s too new, too flashy, too try hard.
Lyndz: Unfortunately, Brad (and all his advantages) went home. Do you think there was much he could have done to save himself?
Kat: Poor dude had zero self awareness. So yes, he could have been more self aware and kept some of his secrets to himself! He also seemed to ostracise himself, so probably needed to be ‘in’ more with the group – despite how much they may have annoyed him.
Lyndz: Which castaways are you currently drawn to and who do you think you would align with?
Kat: I can’t even tell you anyone’s name let along say who I’d align with, hahaha.
Lyndz: On a scale of 1-10 (least to most), how annoying is JD?
Kat: Bless. He’s just a kid who is trying to fit in! Compared to being stuck with Des and Rohan… I’d rate him a 2. He seems like a dream compared to those two.
Lyndz: Who do you think are targets to go home next week?
Kat: I’d say Tiffany due to her challenge performances or even JD for getting on people’s nerves even more than before.
Lyndz: It’s early days, but who do you think will make Final 3?
Kat: Who bloody knows, haha. Perhaps Shan, Lianna and Eric? Maybe even Deshawn?
Lyndz: Eric was first boot… xD
Blog by Lynda Olson.
ALL IMAGES USED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE COPYRIGHT CBS. THIS IS A PERSONAL BLOG AND ALL GIFS AND VIEWS ARE MY OWN.
