Welcome to MoreWhatnot.com, my personal blog where I’ll be posting “Survivor” episode recaps all season long. For exit interviews with all of the eliminated players and the RETURN of the “Survivor” Power Rankings with Owen Knight, be sure to check out my YouTube channel!
Last Week…
Brandon was a big football player,
And his plan for Fran was to slay her,
But an idol play by Danny
Was enough to save Frannie,
Leaving poor Brandon without a prayer.
39 26 Days, 18 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog
Let’s take a look at the tribe as it currently stands…
The Va Va Tribe (wearing black)
- Carolyn, 35 – Drug Counselor
- Carson, 20 – NASA Engineering Student
- Danny 32 – Firefighter
- Frannie, 23 – Research Manager
- Heidi, 29 – Engineering Manager
- Jaime, 35 – Yogi
- Lauren, 31 – Elementary School Teacher
- Kane, 25 – Law Student’
- Yam Yam, 36 – Salon Owner
Post-Tribal Shenanigans
Danny breaks down last week’s blindside and everyone is psyched about it…except for Ratu.
Lauren claims that she wanted to split the vote, and while she definitely isn’t wrong about that instinct, that probably would’ve just changed how Yam Yam and Carson voted and the result likely would have been the same.
Sure enough, Yam Yam verifies that he was in on the vote and just stuck with Ratu to keep their confidence. Well done.
He also points out that Josh, Matt, and Brandon all put his name down and they all went home. Yam Yam insists this makes him like James Bond.
License to Yam? The Yam with the Golden Gun?
Idol Time
It seems like everyone is out hunting for the idol the next morning.
Danny has a pretty sound plan where he checks five trees, then returns to camp with firewood. Then he starts over again. But, it’s all for naught, because everyone knows he’s looking.
Jaime is relaxed though because she still has her idol. Oh…oh Jaime…
Quick Aside: Now that I have a kid, I watch “Frozen” on a friggin’ loop. Jaime reminds me of Olaf’s song “In Summer” where he wonders what snowmen do when it’s sunny out.
When it’s all said and done, Heidi finds the idol.
Carolyn’s Tale
Later on, Carolyn opens up about her battle with addiction and how she’s now been sober for thirteen years. I know we make a lot of jokes here, but in all seriousness I have so much respect for people who are able to identify a problem in their lives and take the steps to overcome it. I’m so proud of Carolyn and all of my family and friends who have been able to overcome addiction.
She transitions from this into talking about how everyone thinks she’s a goof off, but that she’s playing the game hard. I can’t believe we’re here; but she could win.
Let’s Make a Deal
Treemail arrives and it looks like we’re getting the Angelina Cardona Keeley Memorial Rice Negotiation Challenge. That’s what we’re keeping from her? We can’t barter for jackets?
Carson offers to sit out of the challenge because he hasn’t been feeling well. Danny, weirdly, hates the idea of anyone sitting out. Dude, the more people who sit out, the more likely you are to snag immunity.
Immunity Challenge Time: The players will stand on a block while pressing a ball against an overhead piece of wood. Last person standing wins immunity.
The Negotiation: It seems like they had all agreed to play. But when push comes to shove, Lauren, Carson, Kane, and Heidi decide to sit out in exchange for rice. This all takes place after Danny and Carolyn say they won’t vote for anyone who sits out. Danny even claimed “Scout’s Honor.”
Results: It comes down to Danny and Frannie with the challenge being won by…Frannie.
Pre-Tribal Politicking
Soka and Tika seem to be pairing up early, with Kane being the name that’s being tossed around. However, flushing Jaime’s idol is also a priority.
Tika, being the swing tribe, also has a conversation with Roku. Their plan is to split the vote between Danny and Heidi.
There’s also a plan to give Lauren’s extra vote to Jaime and Jaime’s idol to Kane in case Knowledge is Power rears its cursed head.
And then, Frannie finally figures out that Tika is acting as a swing tribe. She pitches the idea of working with Ratu to target Yam Yam and Carolyn, but Danny isn’t willing to work with Ratu due to their many advantages.
When Tika tries to figure out who to vote for, Yam Yam wants Kane to go home due to an earlier vote. Don’t play personal, Yam.
Meanwhile, Carolyn wants Danny to go home due to the muscle-bro conversation at the Sanctuary. Don’t play personal, Carolyn.
Tribal Time
Nobody who sat out of the challenge thinks that they’re safe. And Danny admits that he wasn’t even a scout. Well, that’s not very trustworthy…loyal, helpful, friendly…
And the rest is all vaguey-vaguerton.
That is until a live Tribal breaks out. But, true to editing form, there is no clear indication on which way the vote is going.
Voting Time: Jaime plays Lauren’s extra vote, but all of the votes are sooper secret.
Quick Aside: Could you stash your idol in the voting booth? Nobody could take it from you.
JPro tallies and returns. He asks if anyone wants to play an idol or an advantage and…nobody does. We’ve got one vote for Kane, one vote for Heidi, one vote for Jaime, one vote for Kane, one vote for Heidi, one vote for Danny, one vote for Kane, one vote for Heidi, one vote for Kane, and the tenth person eliminated from the game and the third member of the jury is…Kane.
Oh no! He has Jaime’s fake idol!
Verdict: Even when it isn’t in play, Knowledge Is Power is still messing up people’s games. Is that a sign of a good twist or an amazing one?
That being said, I still can’t believe that we’re barreling toward an inevitable Carolyn victory.
Power Rankings Result: “Survivor 43” Finalist Owen Knight and I both had Kane in spot six. So, the current score is Team Holmes 63, Team Knight 76. Check out my YouTube channel for the full episodes!
 | Carson – Carolyn and Yam Yam both want to target people for past slights. Good on Carson for being the voice of reason. Frannie – Kudos for being the first person to realize that Tika is the real threat. |
 | Heidi – Finding an idol and keeping it to yourself? Genius! Hopefully that vote was a wake-up call to be more careful. Carolyn and Yam Yam – You’re both doing great, but you’re not getting a full A because of your reasons for targeting people. Winning a million is the best revenge. |
 | Danny – My “Survivor” rule is; you can be a sneaky jerk, as long as you’re a lovable sneaky jerk. It’s the difference between Russell Hantz and Tony Vlachos. I think Danny is on the “lovable” side of things. |
 | Lauren and Jaime – All of your advantages are gone. But, the good news is you’re both much smaller threats now. |
Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
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