Tonight’s episode of Survivor made history. Unfortunately it was not good history. We were presented with the single worst challenge Survivor has ever done.
Tonight was the always highly anticipated loved ones visit. I enjoy this challenge more when the loved ones participate in the challenge with the contestants. So naturally I was pretty pumped when Jeff told the contestants they would be “running in pairs, but not with each other; with your loved ones.” Yes! There’s always a moment or two that makes for fantastic television. The loved one challenge is usually fun, regardless if it’s just the actual Survivor contestants competing or not. But now that we had one where the contestants would be competing with their loved ones, my interest was definitely piqued. And then…a massive letdown. The player would pick a marble from a bag, either white or black. Their loved one would then a pick a marble from a different bag. If the colors matched, they stayed alive. If they were different, they were out. Last pair standing wins. That’s it. No skill, no strategy, all luck. I have no problem when luck is a factor in a challenge. But when the result is 100% based on luck? No. Big nope. Super out for that. However, I will say that the challenges have been a highlight of this season so far so I can’t complain too much. And when you think about the fact that the challenge team has put together hundreds of challenges of the course of these 35 seasons, there are bound to be some duds here and there. But this was as bad as I’ve seen. Hopefully this challenge will be one-and-done, never to be seen again.
We now have two weeks left of Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers and the game seems to have broken wide open again. Ben’s hold on the game has weakened and he’s now without an idol. And with Lauren (and her idol and extra vote advantage)now out of the game, everyone is more or less back on equal ground. Who comes out on top is as muddy as ever. Ben seems to be Public Enemy #1 now, so if he can find a way to make it to the Final 3, he would have a compelling case for the jury, especially with the moves he has made up to this point. After tonight I would say Devon is in the best position to win, but with these remaining players, I truly will not be surprised no matter who ends up being crowned Sole Survivor.
