The Thanksgiving eve episode proves you dont need idols or advantages to make riveting TV.
First off, happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
I hope you all have a relaxing holiday surrounded by (vaccinated) friends and family.
The cast of ‘Survivor 41’.Robert Voets/CBS
When you dis stuffing, you dis yourself.
Honestly, just give me an entire plate of stuffing with gravy and I’m good.
You know what else I’m thankful for this week?
Ricard Foye on ‘Survivor 41’.Robert Voets/CBS
A KICK-ASS EPISODE OFSURVIVOR!
Seriously, how amazing was that?
Best episode of the season.
Shantel ‘Shan’ Smith on ‘Survivor 41’.Robert Voets/CBS
An all-time great episode actually, and without a single idol or advantage coming into play.
And it was moving and dramatic and complicated and thrilling and heart-wrenching all at the same time.
This wasSurvivorat its best.
What was also so remarkable about this episode is that it wasn’t just one instance either.
There was interpersonal drama all over the place.
Can you win in a game built around lying and deceit and still stay true to yourself?
How can you not love watching that play out?
“I don’t want to turn back on any of the three of them,” noted Deshawn.
“But what am I going to do for myself?”
That’s the ultimateSurvivorquestion right there.
This isn’t some Hollywood screenwriter coming up with a fabricated story: THIS S— IS REAL!
Amazingly, the episode was only getting started.
They brought Liana in on the plan, meaning Liana now had to do herownpersonal-meets-strategy calculations.
Liana decided she would rather sit at the end and lose than betray Shan with that vote.
Again, that’s an epicSurvivorscene!
I didn’t know it was possible to simultaneously scream and applaud at the television until this scene.
Geez Louise, this episode was so aces, and you know what is absolutely insane?
I HAVEN’T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BEST PART YET!!!
you could’t go to the end with her.
My guess is that he knows that.
And if he knows it, then Shan should know it too.
Which is why you keep Genie.
So why wouldn’t you keep her over Ricard?
She is someone you’re able to use and someone you’re able to beat.
Ricard is too good!
Ricard is too smart!
Rather, I show it here again to confirm what we already knew about Ricard: GAMER.
He didn’t just slit Shan’s throat in the game he did it in epic, fascinating fashion.
Ricard told Shan that people liked her more.
Shan told Ricard, “I always feel like a man will beat a woman at the end.”
Ricard said he felt this season would be different.
asked star of the season Heather in the episode’s funniest moment).
If you did not love this scene, then you do not loveSurvivor.
The only question was: Who would strike first?
In those situations, if you wait, you’re dead.
But she made a fatal flaw in underestimating her partner in crime.
He was so matter-of-fact about it, too.
And then he put the plan in motion, telling Xander, Heather, and Deshawn of his scheme.
and her own theme song.
And this dynamic duo always established it would at some point come to this.
(Deshawn was not so lucky, being informed he was a “snake.”
Shan played by the same rules as everyone else.
It’s all hogwash.
Shan played a strong game.
Not a perfect game, obviously, but a strong one.
And she should hold her head high.
As should Ricard for getting her out.
They were both great.
I am thankful for all these things.
That’s me bringing things full circle from the top of my recap!
Professional journalism, everybody!
It’s a pretty amazing one that continues the XanderLiana rivalry in pretty dramatic (and hilarious) fashion.
Amazing stuff on that one.
Get the hell out of here!
Oh, and one last thing… Xanderstillhas not played his idol.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYBODY!
