This week’s episode began with a jaw-dropping revelation regarding an idol thought to be out of the game.
I’m not talking about the players on this season ofSurvivor, but rather the producers.
They pulled a fast one on us, they did.
Jeanine Zheng on ‘Survivor 43’.Robert Voets/CBS
That turned out to be fake news and a misdirection of Glenn-stuck-under-the-dumpster proportions.
My sources tell me Ryan even took the bracelet out fishing with him for 17-and-a-half-hours at one point.)
It seems that Dwight had actually for reasons that remainsuperunclear given the idol to Jesse (???)
Steven Yeun as Glenn Rhee on ‘The Walking Dead’.Gene Page/AMC
And then the deception continued right into Dwight’s exit interviews.
Lord, I wish I played it.
Or had someone to play it for me.
The cast of ‘Survivor 43’.Robert Voets/CBS
It’s just a mess.
I was thinking about like, “Should I try and get the idol played?”
Well, now we know why Dwight was being so cagey.
The cast of ‘Survivor 43’.CBS
But you know what?
I kinda love it.
And here’s why…
Mike Gabler and James Jones on ‘Survivor 43’.CBS
I referenced Glenn and the dumpster above.
It was all a ruse.
Survivorkind of did the same thing here, only with a very different result.
The cast of ‘Survivor 43’.CBS
They led us to believe for the past week that Dwight had the idol when he got voted out.
But that was not the case.
Because then the show let us in on a little secret.
It was a jaw-dropping reveal in a pleasant-if-somewhat-punchless season that has not had a lot of jaw-dropping moments.
But then the show clued us in while everyone else was still clueless.
I’m not saying I am in compete and total support of viewers being deliberately misled.
It’s not something I would like to see on a consistent basis.
But admit it… it worked.
And here comes someone pulling you aside to blow your mind with a revelation you never imagined possible.
Experiencing that sensation was awesome.
I mean… not for Jeanine.
(And then, on top of all that, they voted her out.
But it was incredible for us, and that’s what’s most important.
Let’s get into a few other things from episode 8 ofSurvivor 43.
Balls and Poles
Pretty much every seasonJeff Probsttempts players with food to sit out a challenge.
Sometimes, it’s just a straight up eat-or-compete scenario.
But that’s not what they did here.
You all know how I feel about sitting out challenges.
And with so many idols and advantages out there, it’s just not worth the risk.
And let me start by saying thatSurvivorhas really big balls.
And I mean that literally.
Because that was the big change from this classic hold-something-high-in-the-air-and-add-poles-as-you-go-for-as-long-as-you-can contest.
Is that too much to ask?
I ’ve been covering this stupid show for 43 seasons.
Throw a dude a bone every once in a while, for crissakes.
But clearly Ryan began day-dreaming about fishing and Owen eventually won.
We had the trifecta of obvious arrows pointing to something big involving Owen this episode.
The dude was talking about GPAs and a lack of decent recommendations…. “He don’t really have a backbone.
He’s not going to ever put his foot down.
He’s always going to follow the numbers.”
Anyway, he at least won the challenge and that’s a start.
And winning an individual immunity is kind of like starting your college system essay.
I tried, but I can’t.
That’s Owen’s bag, not mine.
Let’s move on.
Because it’s marvelous and amazing and incredible and every other superlative you want to use.
Unfortunately, they do not have spell check onSurvivor.
Not that spell check solves everything.
Hell, I’m sure there are a mountain of typos in this here recap right now.
And that thing is: Live 2 get radical.
Live 2 get radical, people.
Idolive to get radical!
I mean, probably more when I was young and stupid.
In concept, I am still all in!
Just sayin'.)
came to pass in thishilarious must-see exclusive deleted scene.
This week it was Sami determined to take Ryan from his own alliance out.
But why????
Ryan feels like more likely to fall in love and marry a mermaid than win this game.
Even if Ryandoesgo on some epic challenge-winning streak, nobody seems to respect his social or strategic chops.
So why was Sami so desperate to take him out?
so it’s not worth coming on too strong or putting yourself out there to get it done.
All that said, I do think Sami is a very strong player at a very young age.
I’ve been very impressed by his social game so far.
Just not sure this juice was worth the squeeze.
But as soon as the vote turned to Ryan, Cody turned it back.
Which turned the heat back on Jeanine.
She showed vigor, verve, pep, and lots of other words people no longer use.
Even Gabler and Owen abandoned Jeanine, which is kinda brutes.
I guess they got their seats on the bus after all.
And you better strap in because this ride is just getting started.
I’m not talking about the actual show.
I’m talking about some more bonusSurvivorcontent for you.
We’ve also got myexit interview with Jeanineready and waiting for you.
And that’s not all!
I’ve also got a Friday goody for you as well.
