Sometimes when it comes toSurvivor, it’s the weird things that excite me.
You know I love me an orange hat onJeff Probst’s head.
But I’m capable, on occasion, of also looking at the big picture.
The cast of ‘Survivor’ 43.Robert Voets/CBS
Or at least abiggerpicture.
So let’s talk about the merge.
The merge is exciting!
James Jones on ‘Survivor’.Robert Voets/CBS
It means a whole new phase of the game, a new name (Gaia?
), and alliances making and breaking all over the place.
Too often they have just lined players up in a row in some sort of balance or endurance competition.
Dwight Moore on ‘Survivor 43’.Robert Voets/CBS
That makes complete sense.
And individually, each of these line-up contests are good enough.
But once they keep happening week after week, it can’t help but feel a bit samey-samey.
Well,Survivordid both of those things this week and in a genius way.
Four people battled to see who could keep a bucket holding 25% of their pre-game weight the longest.
Okay, that essentially sounds exactly like what I was just complaining about another line-up test of endurance.
Ah, but that was merelyone stageof a much bigger competition.
Hmmm, that’s interesting.
And certainly a way to mix things up.
But the surprises didn’t stop there.
Only 4 of the 6 teams would advance to stage 2.
That meant the drama was centered on whether that person could win immunity to save themselves.
But what happens when that person got eliminated in the first or second stage?
There would be no drama going into the final stage.
However, that’s what makes resurrecting the idea right after the merge so brilliant.
it’s possible for you to just have a kick-ass challenge and let that play out for you.
And boy was it kick-ass, and boy did it play out.
The first stage crawl through a muddy twisted net was dirty and diabolical and sneakily difficult.
“This is the first time I’ve been emotional out here,” said the Paralympian through tears.
“That sucked!”
For her, yes.
For us, no.
It was amazing TV.
Which brings us to the result.
He took inspiration from former patients, from members of the military, from gutsy tribemates.
However, as the minutes piled up, he appeared to be struggling.
Not in holding up the bucket, mind you, but it coming up with other inspirations.
At one point he even had to resort to taking inspiration from pets and actual, like, states.
It’s impressive because he’s 51.
It’s impressive because look how weak and sick he has been out there.
And it’s impressive because Gabler is a big dude!
Not this time, though.
And then it just went to commercial.
Tell me that would not have been the best thing you have ever seen onSurvivor.
Yes, even better than that time Courtney Yates rolled her eyes at a Buddhist Monk.
But it’s also worth celebrating the success stories.
Was writing 1,300 words about it a bit much?
Maybe I should have made like the show and broken this recap up into stages instead.
What’s in a Name?
Anyway, the new tribe name is Gaia.
No idea what it is, who suggested it, or what it signifies.
Go scour those secret scenes and let me know!
Poor Geo Bustamante didn’t even make it that far.
He only held the damn thing for a few hours and was promptly voted out.
At least he got a rad souvenir, right?
The Knowledge is Power is a weird one.
Imagine playing poker and there being some rule that you have to tell someone if you’re bluffing.
But damn if it has not given us some unbelievable moments over the past three seasons.
I suppose that is ultimately the sign of a successful twist.
The Knowledge is Power has certainly been that.
Did you see James tellingevery single personon the island all about it?
I haven’t seen that dude so excited since Benny the Butcher’s last mixtape dropped.
No Hand Backs
First off, have you noticed something about Tribal Councils this season.
No live Tribals!!!
Everyone sitting firmly in their seat.
Again, it’s not the lack of live Tribals or lack of idols played.
It just seems like the contestants this season are all getting alongtoowell.
Wisely, the producers have adjusted.
Dwight responded with “I see you, I see you.”
After Dwight’s third vote, Jeanine tried again.
The big question is: Could Dwight have even handed her the idol at this point?
But what aboutduringthe reading of the votes?
Which is totally the right call.
Now, what the show would have done had Dwight actually handed it to her is another question.
Goodies like mymidseason interview with Jeff Probst, which it’s possible for you to read right now.
Goodies like an exclusive deleted scene that shows one playerusing fish as a weapon in the game.
And goodies likemy exit interview with Dwight.
The tables are turned!
Oh, and is anyone still onTwitter?
If so, you could follow me there (for now?
)@DaltonRossfor lots ofSurvivornews and views.
