The tribes receive Tree Mail telling them that “the game is about to change.” It’s merge time! Well, not quite merge. It’s the “new era” of Survivor, so that most likely means it’s the (now) normal 6-6 split with half the tribe earning immunity.
While Ratu waits for the other two tribes to join them, Carson reveals his expired idol and Lauren reveals her extra vote. It’s maybe hitting Carson for the first time just how many idols and advantages could be out there.
Once again, Jaime talks about how she’s the most important Survivor person, not just of this season, but basically of all time. She’s met the most people, which in her mind automatically means she has the most information. She even goes on to say that if any players can’t see how valuable she is, they’re blind.
Josh tells Brandon he has an idol, continuing his lie to Yam Yam and Carolyn. He tells Jaime the truth, though, that he has a fake, and had to use the journey idol. Frannie is nervous about Josh’s position. He may or may not have an idol, which she doesn’t like. But then again, everyone “may or may not” have an idol. That’s just how Survivor works now.
Yam Yam is also worried about Josh, that his perception of Yam Yam could negatively affect others’ perception as well. He gets right to work trying to solidify new bonds. Matt tells Yam Yam that Josh has emerged as the initial preferred target.
Yam Yam’s spot with Carolyn might be better than he thinks. She says in a confessional she trusts him 94%. But she trusts Carson the most out of anyone. Carson suggests to Carolyn that she reconnect with Yam Yam, for the three of them to form a strong trio. Carson is content to let the perceived power players to go after each other, allowing him to scoop up those who get left in the dust. In his eyes, that would allow him to become a controlling force after the other big players have taken each other out.
Now that the three tribes are together, Matt and Frannie both know they need to really stay on their toes with their close relationship. With more numbers, it’s potentially easier pickings.
Immunity Challenge
As usual, the players are split into two teams of six. Jeff Probst has said countless times how you have to prepare for the unexpected on Survivor. That has been a huge part of the fun of the show, for fans and players. You could have a general idea of when certain things might happen (ie the merge) or how some things might proceed. But you could never be 100% certain. But now when the game gets to 12 players, it’s guaranteed what’s going to happen. Yes, they got rid of the AWFUL hourglass twist. But the main idea has remained the same. You gotta mix things up!
The teams dig up a massive boulder and push it through obstacles, collecting a key along the way. Everyone climbs up a tall tower to unlock pieces to the puzzle.
Winning team gets the merge buff, a meal, and the ever important immunity.
Orange: Heidi, Danny, Lauren, Yam Yam, Josh, Kane
Purple: Matt, Frannie, Carson, Carolyn, Jaime, Brandon
Carson and Matt fly through the puzzle…because Carson had 3D-printed this *exact* puzzle and put it together countless times. What did I just say about mixing things up? That applies here too. Survivor production has to change their puzzle designs. I’m not blaming Carson here. If he has the access and time to 3D print Survivor puzzles, he should absolutely do that!
But it makes the game – and by extension, television product – much weaker when players come into the game with the potential to do something they’ve done before. That had been such a big hook before, especially in the challenges. The challenges were typically activities you would never do in your everyday life. It makes them way more fun that way.
Pre-Tribal
Yam Yam is worried that he’s the default target. He proposes Josh as a vote to Danny and Kane. But Danny counters with waiting for the other six to come back and see what they think first. Josh tells Heidi and Lauren that he wants Yam Yam. They view him as an easy vote, Lauren saying he’s not a number for anyone. That means he can be a number for anyone! Pull him in!
At the feast, there seems to be a consensus that Josh should be the vote. But with the uncertainty around whether or not he has an idol, they discuss the split vote option, and they initially settle on Kane. Carolyn tells everyone that Josh does not have a real idol, relaying the story of his fake idol being found out immediately by herself and Yam Yam. But they’re not so quick to believe her. I can’t fully fault them for not just immediately blindly believing her. But it’s such a specific story, that it probably should be believed.
Frannie tells Josh Kane is the vote, and this comforts Josh. He decides to go to Yam Yam to try to quash their beef, at least temporarily. Yam Yam plays along, but he’s still keen to go after Josh.
Carson tells Kane that he was brought up as a potential vote. Kane goes into damage control, trying to swing the vote to Yam Yam over Josh. It starts to work, as everyone pretty easily goes along with it. Nobody seems to feel all that close to Yam Yam, and everyone is worried about whether or not Josh has an idol, so this seems like an easy compromise.
Tribal Council
However, after all the back and forth, Josh remained the #1 vote, with Yam Yam as the split vote option. As Josh did not have an idol, he didn’t play it (and nobody else did either), and Josh is voted out.
This is now back to back episodes that were at least decent. And once again, there was no introduction of a new advantage or twist, no new idols were found or given out freely. But we’re halfway through the season, and there are only a handful of players I can say I know much about. When Jeff announced the teams for the challenge, I’m not sure I’ve ever been more confused watching Survivor than I heard the name “Heidi.” Literally had no idea who that was. That’s a problem.
But now that we’re in the merge, maybe there’s hope for the season to finish on a strong note.
