Yes, someone like Gavin fits the role of Spider-Man more than someone like David, but at this point, if we’ll accept a talking cartoon pig as Spider-Man, I think we can accept a 44 year old comedy writer as Spider-Man.
Our episode formally takes off at resolving Keith’s dilemma for us. After a suitable amount of misdirection, we see that Keith did indeed decide to head off and give the island a try. For all that I said I would understand if Keith chose not to, I’m glad that he did, and not just because I like the kid. It means that the editors kind of know what they’re doing here. Now, if anyone does say “No” to returning, they can pull a Keith, and there’ll be actual doubt as to what they just did. For all that I’m still not sold on the “Edge of Extinction” twist (and I’ll get more into why later on), I’ll admit that the editing around it has been very good so far.
Keith’s arrival breaths new life into Reem as well. Despite still not wanting to play the “mother” role, she can’t help but baby the guy a little, giving him the lowdown on the island, offering to keep watch while he naps, wiping dirt off of his face, and asking him to tuck in that shirt for goodness’ sake… Ok, may have gone a little overboard there, but for someone who was trying to change her game, Reem seems to just be playing the same game. Still, she talks about how she might have quit from the loneliness were it not for Keith showing up, and it’s actually kind of touching, as well as selling how rough this twist is. Had this been all we got for the “Edge of Extinction”, I’d have been happy.
But no, still MORE time must be devoted to this twist no one but Probst wants. Reem had mentioned the lack of food being an issue, and as dead contestants tend not to be entertaining, CBS has seen fit to bequeath the pair rice. But not that easy, though. They have to hike for it, and then only get about a day’s ration, with Reem complaining that they’ll have to hike “Mt. Everest” for it every day now. I missed the part where it says it was a daily thing, but it would make sense if so. After all, we don’t want a “Survivor The Australian Outback” situation where the contestants are technically alive, but not really doing anything. This is our last scene at the “Edge of Extinction” for the episode, and you might wonder what’s so objectionable about it. Please join me in the next scene.
Fallout after Tribal Council? Readjusting of alliances? No time for that! It’s challenge time! Shame we had to wast time on the “Edge of Extinction” when we could have gotten insight into the dynamics of those people STILL IN THE GAME! At least we get a pretty cool challenge in return. Three tribe members work to assemble a wheelbarrow, which they roll through a maze, collecting sandbags along the way. They then dump the sandbags in a bin, disassemble the wheelbarrow, and use it to build a slingshot, which uses the sandbags to knock down four targets. First tribe to four gets their choice of either comfort in the form of furniture and tarp or chickens. This is a reused challenge, in this case from “Survivor South Pacific”, but one that I’m ok with. It’s an underrated challenge from an underrated season, and it hasn’t been done to death. I certainly wouldn’t want to see it EVERY season, but once in a while is ok. I’m also glad that choice returns, as it always adds a nice dimension to a reward. Plus, this choice is actually kind of difficult. A tarp and chickens are both useful in the long-run, and so make for more of a dilemma. On the whole, though, I favor taking the chickens. You can win the game while wet. It’s a lot harder to win the game while hungry.
Kama gets to sit out two people, and I say they make the wise decisions here, going with Aubry and Ron. With a low-stakes reward challenge, you don’t want to put your best in all the time. Granted you don’t want to sit out your best either (I’d have given them heavy criticism if they sat out Joey Amazing), but sitting out those who will not be an asset in this challenge, while not being your weakest, is the wise move. Aubry and Ron are by no means challenge sinks, but neither are they challenge gods, especially in a challenge like this with no puzzle. This also means, though, that Manu has a better chance to come back at this challenge. Indeed, things stay pretty even throughout. The editors even pull a clever trick on us by giving Manu the “dodo” music at one point, implying a blowout. Yet, in a fun surprise, Manu comes back to win, after Kama has trouble assembling their slingshot, and can’t compete with Chris at shooting out targets. Chalk up another point for the editors.
Guess this is when Ron should use his reward steal. After all, his advantage is no good for anything after this episode. No? Just going to let it sit there and rot? Ok, Ron. Your loss.
Manu makes the smart choice and goes for the chickens, though they are not without cost. In disassembling the wheelbarrow, the wheel component landed on Wendy’s foot, hurting it to the point where she can’t put weight on it. She needs to be helped back to camp, but it seems it is not so bad that medical is called. Later on, we’ll see Wendy walk back to camp under her own steam, albeit with a limp, so she’s probably just got a bad sprain.
Enough about that, though. Let’s get to the chickens! Yeah, I make this out to be more callous than it is, since Manu DOES try to comfort Wendy in her pain, makes sure she’s ok, and get ASKED by her to leave before going to ogle the chickens, but since they’re about six feet away, it still feels cruel somehow. The usual “Eat them or let them lay eggs” debate is pretty much out, since Wardog needs meat.
Now, Wendy is in a VERY precarious position here. Not only has she been on the losing side of every vote so far, but now she’s injured. The only way the target on her back could be bigger is if she went the Gervase Peterson (“Survivor Borneo”) route, and painted an actual target on her back. Point being, Wendy needs to lay low at this point, and not make waves, hoping the anti-Kelley sentiment will kick in. Naturally, Wendy makes a stir about the chickens. No, she is not a vegetarian. She is very open about the fact that she eats meat in her regular life. But something about a chicken getting killed squicks her out. Granted, it would probably squick anyone out, but Wendy doesn’t need to put up the fuss that she does, going so far as to threaten to go all “Chicken Run” on them and bust them out. She unwisely tries to get Rick on board with this plan as a co-conspirator. Rick, not being a moron, washes his hands of this plan, and warns his tribe of the possibility. Wendy will then pointlessly get into an argument with Wardog over the matter. Openly admitting her hypocrisy in this matter. Wendy, look. I like you. I really, really do. But admitting that you’re a hypocrite DOES NOT EXCUSE YOUR HYPOCRISY! Christ, I thought we got all the chicken talk out in season two, but evidently no. Wendy just has to bring us back to this cliche plotline again.
Over at Kama, it seems we don’t have enough repeat plotlines, as we once again have to point out how the returnees are royally screwed. This time, however, we get a bit more insight into the dynamics. With little to go on (since Manu, as the disaster tribe, gets the bulk of the screentime in all episodes), it’d been assumed that Kama had a 7-2 split. Basically Joe and Aubry vs. the World (incidentally, I’d read the hell out of that graphic novel). But no, it seems that it’s actually 6-3, meaning one new player actually LIKES the returnees. It’s Aurora, and I have to ask, when did this come up? Look, I’m all for a surprise, but we should at least get a HINT of how they dynamics are developing. But nope, suddenly it’s just “Aurora is with Aubry and Joe now”. Shame we didn’t have more time to devote to this. Time taken up by, for example, a lame “Edge of Extinction” twist?
Look, I may be being a bit harsh on how much of a screen-hog the twist is being so far, but it’s only going to get worse. With so few people likely to forgo the “Edge of Extinction”, we’ll get to a point where it dominates the game, because more and more time needs to be devoted to it. One or two people work ok, but more than that, and it’s too much of its fair share. Already we’re seeing some unforeshadowed plots as a result, and it’s only going to get worse from here.
Victoria and Ron converse by the water, reaffirming once again that they’re anti-returnee. I’d complain that there’s no NEED for them to do this, but they’ve been out there a week, and conversation topics are scarce. They’re also dangerous, though, as it turns out that despite being a supposed “superfan”, Victoria has never heard of the idea of a simple 180. Joey Amazing was right behind her, and heard exactly what she said. Bringing this information back to Aubry and Aurora, this now means it’s desperate measures time. Aubry goes running off to look for the idol, which I can’t really fault her for. I’m usually one to advocate for winning over the game socially instead of relying solely on idols, and I often cite Aubry’s game on “Survivor Kaoh Rong” as an example of that. But in this case, Aubry tried that. It didn’t work. Besides, there’s precedent that a returnee getting an idol can change how they’re viewed in the game. Jonathan Penner was in a similar position to Aubry and Joe on “Survivor Philippines”. The minute he got an idol? Everyone wanted to work with him. He went from underdog to top dog. Thus, Aubry’s move is correct here.
Aubry talks about how while winning is the main thing on her “Survivor” bucket list, finding an idol is a close second. This is intercut with a montage of Aubry’s idol hunts on “Survivor Kaoh Rong” and “Survivor Game Changers”. Again, guys, if you want us to LIKE this season, don’t go showing us footage of better seasons we could be watching instead. So yeah, keep showing that “Survivor Game Changers” footage. This season may be in a precarious position, but we have yet to get to “Jeff Varner outs Zeke” levels of uncomfortable yet.
After a good bit of search, Aubry finds an admittedly well-hidden idol. This leads to Aubry doing what she does best: Cry…
You know what? Screw it. I’m sick and tired of Aubry being given crap because she can be a bit emotional. Guess what? PEOPLE HAVE EMOTIONS! Acknowledging or expressing them does not make one weak! Hell, one could argue that a lot of Aubry’s power COMES from her emotions, specifically her emotional intelligence. On top of that, as a superfan, don’t tell me you wouldn’t shed at LEAST a tear upon finding an idol, especially one you desperately needed. So no, I will not tease Aubry for this cry. She’s freaking EARNED IT! Aubry has once again overcome great odds, and while she’s not out of the woods yet, she has a map now. The Aubry Lobby is pleased, and this is the highlight of the episode. I will fight you on this. You want to complain about her emotions? Take it somewhere else.
Probst claims our Immunity Challenge today is an original one, but I have to disagree. While the boat-pulling portion is technically new, it’s only a third of the challenge, and the other parts are all reused. Plus, pulling a boat was technically done as a cheat on “Survivor Samoa”, so I say even that part’s not original. Our other parts involve leaping off of a platform to grab keys (“Survivor Cook Islands”), and solving a puzzle in the shape of a ship’s wheel (“Survivor Blood vs. Water”). Not the most original challenge, nor the most exciting, though I am amazed Probst resisted the urge to point out how Aubry had done the puzzle portion before (or at least seen it) on “Survivor Game Changers”.
For all my praise for the editors, they really dropped the ball on this one. We barely saw any of Kama, and while it did talk about Tribe dynamics, no real targets were thrown out. Even when Manu gets a slight lead on the swimming portion (Wendy giving an impressive showing on her ankle), you know Kama will win, since these challenges almost always come down to the puzzle.
Sure enough, Manu chokes, Kelley in particular getting frustrated, as Ron (it seemed like he took the lead on puzzle solving this time) leads his tribe to victory. Again. Yep. Manu has definitely earned the title of “Disaster Tribe” at this point. David, however, sees this as an opportunity, as do I. His “Spider-Sense” tells him the time is ripe to vote off Kelley, and my Title-Sense tells me I have an appropriate and timely nerd-reference to use for my blog.
Back at camp, Wendy leaves everyone alone as they prepare to kill one of the chickens. Seems like she couldn’t effect her escape plan after all. But wait! Their flint seems to be missing! And there’s no Drew “Badass” Christy (“Survivor San Juan del Sur”) to blame! What could possibly have happened? Could the person who said they wanted to save the chickens have reasoned that without fire, there can be no killing of chickens? This would be the logical conclusion, and they do mention it, before immediately dismissing it. MORONS! As it to underline their stupidity, we then cut IMMEDIATELY to Wendy bargain that she stole the flint to prevent them cooking the chickens. I’ve tried to be fair to Manu. My “Disaster Tribe” comments are mostly in fun, and refer more to challenge performance than anything. By and large, when it comes to Tribal Council, they make the logical decision. But this? How could you believe the explanation is anything BUT Wendy doing her best Sandra Diaz-Twine (“Survivor Pearl Islands”), and stealing things to cause chaos around camp, in the hope of saving herself?
Oh, but Wendy, don’t think you’re getting off scot-free either! For all that this move worked in your favor, that’s only because your tribemates are MORONS! What Sandra has that you lack is SUBTLETY. Almost anyone else would have called you out on that, and tonight would have gone very differently. You got lucky this time, but I wouldn’t bank on that luck forever.
Fortunately for Wendy, David is still on the “Get out Kelley” plan, which is objectively the worse plan. Apart from, again, Kelley being a good shield for David, there still seems to be momentum against Kelley, meaning you can wait to take her out. And when the alternative is someone who is not only injured and annoying, but ACTIVELY SABOTAGING THE CAMP, the choice is clear, loyalty be damned.
Ah, but we’ve had one bad plan so far, let’s see if we can find a worse one! David goes to Chris about getting out Kelley. Chris is all for it, but wants to clue Wardog in, as the pair have a bond. I understand the desire, but I have to agree with David’s point that Wardog hasn’t seemed to be open to this plan so far. And is tight with Kelley. And is not easily persuaded. And goes by the name “Wardog”. Such guys are usually not amenable to this sort of thing. Chris, however, can’t resist being the nice guy, and so clues in Wardog on the plan. Wardog takes it well, deciding that if Chris is the ringleader, and targeting a close ally of his, then Chris may need to go. He brings the plan to Rick, who seems to actively consider the plan.
Ok, props to David first off for effectively hiding that HE’S the one targeting Kelley, but I have to ask, why are they even considering this? Kelley may not be the best plan, but I can at least see SOME incentive to vote her off. As a returnee, she’s automatically a huge threat, and her core three does not seem to contain you. But Chris? A guy who’s firmly in your corner, strong in challenges, inoffensive, no threat whatsoever until the merge… Where’s the incentive to boot this guy, again? I suppose it gives us good misdirection, but not good strategic choices. How is it on a tribe with very few “wrong” moves, we’ve managed to find not one, but two, IN THE SPACE OF ONE EPISODE?
At least Tribal Council is somewhat fun. We start off with the missing flint and Wendy being her usual, loud self. All that’s missing here is Sandra coming in to say the flint “Grew legs and walked away.” We then move on to the “Gaffe” portion of tonight’s Tribal Council, with everyone failing at their doublespeak. Special mention goes to David, who talks about eliminating social threats, which gets Kelley’s hackles up. Entertaining, but not good for misdirection.
Perhaps it’s Kelley’s nervousness that leads to the move of the night. Chris goes home, and I still can’t figure out the incentive for David and Rick. What good does it do them to have a loyal, strong soldier gone? Please, if you have some insight, let me know. It’s going to drive me crazy.
That said, as a viewer, Chris was the best outcome of the three. Wendy is nothing if not entertaining (though again the hypocrisy this episode is detracting from that), and Kelley, while ultimately doing little besides organize a tight threesome so far, at least has returnee upside. Chris, while a nice guy, brought little from an entertainment perspective. It may be, though, that this was just because the opportunity had not presented itself. Chris’ reaction to finding out about “Edge of Extinction” is understated, but good. After calmly considering it for a minute, he says “Screw those guys. I’m getting back in the game.”, and walks off with his torch. Classy, yet snarky. Chris may grow on me yet.
I should hate this episode. I really should. Plotlines that come out of nowhere. Misdirection that’s fair at best. Too much time devoted to stuff we don’t care about. On the other hand, Aubry found an immunity idol. I guess that averages out to an “ok” episode for me. Let us hope the shake-up gives us still more insight!
-Matt
Title Credit to Jean Storrs.