Survivor: Winners at War

[Jenny]

Really enjoyed that! I knew the minute the other tribes reacted to Rob's elimination that the floodgates were open and Sandra and/or Parvati were next. It was like no one wanted to target their heroes, then someone did, and it's game on.

I don't even remember Denise, but that was awesome play. We've talked about how Rob hadn't evolved his game, and neither had Sandra apparently because she made a lot of errors just in this ep: sitting out of a challenge again, and then being part of discussion of how to keep winning challenges; listing the biggest threats to include herself while at the same time snubbing others sitting right there who likely don't want to hear that people don't respect them as threats. And finally, attempting a complicated deal with Denise - does Sandra have any experience at all in that kind of dealmaking? It was almost like she was trying to negotiate as a parent might with their child over bedtimes and junk food.

This alone could give Denise massive cred at final TC.

Also interesting that on the way out, instead of doing something strategic or f*ck you or even "you got me, well played" with their tokens, Parvati gave hers to Michelle and Sandra gave hers to Yul.

Wouldn't it be hysterical of the fire tokens turn out to be nothing at all? They did highlight someone saying "we don't even know what they're for" and maybe that's it. They're a negotiating tool only, at least within the main part of the game because ...

On the exile island, they can buy rewards. Tyson, one of my all-time favourites, was hysterical, and yet, does he really think no one is going to smell peanut butter on him?

On a sad note, this might be the last new season we see for some time, if ever

 

[tony]

They are trying to cast for the next seasons of Survivor still, so while they definitely won’t be able to film when they typically do (isn’t it starting in the next month or two?), I think the plan is to keep it going.

The Amazing Race stopped filming after three episodes of content last month. That’s one where I’m not sure if they will even bother to finish it/come back.

 

[BaileyCatts]

I thought Survivor already had another season waiting in the can to air this Fall, and the one they were going to start filming was for next year airing? Or maybe I'm wrong about that.

I know The Amazing Race should still air this Spring because that season is already canned for air. I hope they can come back and film again some time next year. I love TAR more than Survivor because I could actually see myself doing TAR. I could never do Survivor because like …. bugs 'n stuff.

 

[Prancer]

Parvati gave hers to Michelle

I figured that was Wendell's plan when he asked Parv for two tokens for her vote and Michelle was just playing her part. They were going to get those tokens one way or another. Parv was right not to trust him.

I also thought Wendell must have clued in Nick and Yul, because why would they have stuck with him otherwise?

 

[DaveRocks]

Blech. Wendell is a jackass. So wish he was gone instead.

 

[Prancer]

Yeah, not liking Wendell at all this season. He just seems really petulant and cocky.

Winners at War Cast Names The Best Winner Ever.

My favorite thing is that no one named Boston Rob--including Amber!

 

[MacMadame]

My favorite thing is that no one named Boston Rob--including Amber!

Including Boston Rob!

 

[Prancer]

Including Boston Rob!

I didn't expect even Rob to choose himself, even if he thinks it's true.

 

[MacMadame]

I expected him to hint. Maybe they edited that out.

I also think it's sort of weird that people say he played 4 times and only won once. I consider every time Amber won, it was really his win.

 

[Prancer]

I expected him to hint. Maybe they edited that out.

I also think it's sort of weird that people say he played 4 times and only won once. I consider every time Amber won, it was really his win.

Amber won once. The key to winning is to convince the jury to vote for you, not against you (see: both of Sandra's wins). They voted for her. So as far as I am concerned, she won.

 

[MacMadame]

But Rob wins when Amber wins. So him getting them both to the final 2 is him winning as far as I'm concerned.

 

[tony]

Sigh. Yul just overthought the scenario and scared the others away, but I'm not so sure Michele would've sided with him over Wendell anyways. He's great, but he just didn't really seem to adjust to playing the faster-changing game.

Still think Michele is getting an amazing edit, and I think we are building to see Kim and Denise going really far together. I hope so-- love both of them.

Surprised no one has battled back yet but maybe we will see it finally after next week when they merge. What if those tokens were anonymously used for the sole purpose of voting someone back in, and there is no 'competition'?

BTW- I like Sandra, but she really was not a factor this time. She didn't want to be a part of any of the challenges, and while she did try to stir things up, it wasn't really all that effective. I'm sure she thought she could coast through everything again but it's weird that she gave up so quick.

Another ETA- really cannot stand Wendell this season. He didn't really have the opportunity to be cast as the bad guy in his season considering who he was up against, but he's super aggressive this time around. Wasn't he the one in his own season, towards the end of it, that lost out on an immunity because he didn't call Jeff over to check his puzzle (as he was checking it himself) and then had a little hissy fit? That's probably why he was so eager to get Jeff ready this time, but it was a little cocky.

 

[love skating]

Yul! So sad!

 

[tony]

Probst confirms here that next week is the 'Get Back in the Game challenge':

Jeff Probst weighs in on Sandra quitting 'Survivor: Winners at War'

'Survivor' host Jeff Probst talks to EW about Sandra quitting 'Winners at War,' and also weighs in on what happened to all the old-schoolers.

ew.com

 

[Jenny]

I knew Yul was going the minute he started overplaying with his complicated plan, because that's what happened to Sandra too. Interesting to hear Jeff's take on why the old school has been eliminated, but I have a slightly different take - I think that in some cases the newer winners were in awe of playing with their heroes (which would explain why Rob got away with so much at first), but soon grew tired of moments like when Sandra named off the biggest threats and they weren't named. I can imagine some thinking "hey I won too you know!" and then once Tyson then Rob were voted out, it was clear that the game had turned and Parvati, Sandra and Yul would follow.

Gotta say I do love Tyson on my screen - he's a great player and he's hysterical! And then Rob in that challenge - that's the old Rob I know and love to watch play this game.

Almost sorry to hear there's going to be a get back challenge. So many ways they could have done this - imagine if the final three had to face a 17 member jury. For the first time, the jury would be truly qualified to make the final decision, AND it's good tv because you get to see all your favourites for the entire season.

Still also hoping the fire tokens come to nothing - that they have been a negotiation/communication tool, but in the end, there is no ultimate value to them.

 

[BaileyCatts]

The Queen is gone. Although I loved her reason for going!! Long live Queen Sandra!!!!


eh, I don't care who wins now. I hope Natalie gets back in the game though. If she's back in I'm on board for a Natalie win.

 

[Prancer]

But Rob wins when Amber wins. So him getting them both to the final 2 is him winning as far as I'm concerned.

I don't see it that way, and I don't think Rob sees Amber's win as his win at all. He said the best thing about winning his own season was that he never had to hear "Well, I won and you didn't" ever again. .

It will be interesting to see who makes it back into the game--lots of good contenders there. But whoever it is will be an immediate and obvious target.

 

[smurfy]

Yeah, not liking Wendell at all this season. He just seems really petulant and cocky.

Winners at War Cast Names The Best Winner Ever.

My favorite thing is that no one named Boston Rob--including Amber!

Interesting. No one picked Yul! Appreciate that Kim, Sarah and Cochrane were mentioned.
And I so love that Sandra picked Tom - one of my favs!!!
With all the selections for Sandra - she really had no chance to win this time.
When she quit EoE last night - I thought she was being smart. Usually I don't like quitters - but she was being realistic - no way she could win the challenge to get back in - it would have a physical aspect - no way she would win. I don't blame her at all. Love how she downloaded info on Denise.

And the discussion about old vs new school. Yes more older players are out - but almost like they have the bigger reputations than some of the newer folks.

Interesting last night - Yul showed how smart he was in TC - which was not smart in this instance.
I too am not liking Wendell this season. I rooted for him in his original season.
I am trying to figure out Wendell & Michelle. Did they have a deal before the season began or not?
From the way he behaves - she should be glad he is an ex.
And yes - Michelle is getting a great edit - bonding with lots of people (Jeremy, Parv..). Her and Yul's conversation about her conversation with Wendell was interesting. I could see Yul voting for her. Michelle has a great social game.

Tyson continues to entertain. Rob finding 3 of the tokens - hee hee. We have not heard much from Natalie as EoE has more people.

 

[Rogue]

My favorite thing is that no one named Boston Rob--including Amber!

I thought they mentioned you weren't allowed to vote for yourself or someone you were married to.

 

[Erin]

I was pleasantly surprised with how many people picked women as the best ever winner. Considering how much Jeff likes his manly man winners, I’m sure that annoyed him, which makes me even more happy about it. Although I am disappointed that no one picked Yul, who played a great game his first time around.

 

[Prancer]

Jeff actually picked Parvati as the best winner.

 

[Jenny]

Jeff actually picked Parvati as the best winner.

Probably because

 

[smurfy]

I was pleasantly surprised with how many people picked women as the best ever winner. Considering how much Jeff likes his manly man winners, I’m sure that annoyed him, which makes me even more happy about it. Although I am disappointed that no one picked Yul, who played a great game his first time around.

Sandra picked Yul! I am a big fan of Sandra and her pick impressed me. Love Yul!

 

[Erin]

Sandra picked Yul! I am a big fan of Sandra and her pick impressed me. Love Yul!

I don’t know how I missed that! Yet another reason to love Sandra! I was happy to see so many people pick her.

 

[Prancer]

Probably because

“I’m giving it to Parvati because just watching her play that season,” says the host, “I felt like we were watching a surgeon go inside a body with a really delicate operation and just move things and tighten up, and they did their own stitches at the end, they closed up or whatever they did. I mean, everybody who won this game has been a genius in how they’ve done it because they had to do it in their season. But watching Parvati, still when I go back and I see some of those episodes — tiny little adjustments, all of it about persuasion. She either charmed you or she made you feel the consequence. One or the other. Sometimes, both together. And step by step she’d laugh and smile and make it seem like, ‘Hey, if I go home, I go home. [Dramatic tone shift] I love this game. I’m never going home. Ever. I’ve got you. And you. [Makes several sword slicing motions] And you.’ That’s how I saw it.”

 

[Jenny]

Almost sorry to hear there's going to be a get back challenge. So many ways they could have done this - imagine if the final three had to face a 17 member jury. For the first time, the jury would be truly qualified to make the final decision, AND it's good tv because you get to see all your favourites for the entire season.

Yay! No one seemed surprised though, maybe they already knew and/or it was part of the negotiation to get them back - even if you are voted out, you will have an opportunity to get back in the game AND you will be participating through to the end. Except Sandra.

Love that it was down to Tyson and Rob - my two faves - and loved the other players' reactions to watching their heroes play, they looked in awe! I see that most chose not to dig as their advantage - I may be mistaken, but I thought there were other options as well, so guessing that from experience they all felt that the dig could really slow them down?

Also noticed for the first time that they don't seem to be doing any more hand-to-hand challenges, ie contact between opposing tribes/players - when did that stop? I remember the old challenges where they were all fighting in the mud together used to be quite popular with viewers, but I guess the risks are too great?

I thought Rob's pre challenge confessional might be a hint of what's to come - he said "if I get back in this game, I'm going to win" and then we saw his determination during the challenge. Maybe he is the second returnee?

But of course biggest question is WHY didn't anyone even consider voting Tyson out? Are they assuming he has an idol? Are they assuming they can get him out any time because the NG has the numbers? Are they forgetting that he's a challenge beast? Or are they so into their own drama that they forgot he was there? Or the most likely, editing.

 

[smurfy]

Jenny great post - good question about not voting out Tyson.
I do feel those big gun guys might be targeted. Glad Wendell is out - and hope he does not make his way back.
Jeremy could get a target on his back.
Tony seems a little lower key for Tony. Loved his comment about why Sandra was not there.
The battle back was good and loved how close it was. I would love for either Natalie or Rob to come back next, maybe Parvarti. And the worship by the new schoolers was cool. If Tyson plays it right - he could get to the end
Denise has a big target - but the way the game goes - the target could be gone next week. But she took out Sandra.

And Jenny - interesting about the lack of physical interaction- probably smart on their part. But didn't they do one of the things in the water - 2 or 3 vs 2 or 3 and touching a poll with ball - in the beginning of the season.
I generally do not like watching some of those interactions - some people are aggressive.

Part of me wants either Tyson or the other person to come back to win over the others. I guess I like the old schoolers better - and some have played so many times.
I do like Kim - and she is stealth. Michelle got a little attention this week - I am intrigued by her edit so far.
Hope Denise sticks around. I want Adam gone - he is annoying.
Sarah and Sophie are interesting too.
I am loving this season!!!!

 

[BaileyCatts]

Okay I have to ask …. what is the deal with this 'old school' and 'new school' business? What is it that determines if you are 'old school' or 'new school'? What's the difference? They all played Survivor. They all won Survivor. What is the big deal about being 'old school' or 'new school'?? I don't get it.

 

[tony]

Okay I have to ask …. what is the deal with this 'old school' and 'new school' business? What is it that determines if you are 'old school' or 'new school'? What's the difference? They all played Survivor. They all won Survivor. What is the big deal about being 'old school' or 'new school'?? I don't get it.

Idols, some of the other wild twists came later in the game. The oldest seasons were really about surviving the land as much as strategy. Now everyone has almost the same sneaky/blindsiding strategy rather than a select few. But I think the big thing about this new generation is that they are more likely to be connected through social media and they ‘hang out’ more regularly than the old-school players who are generally older and/or have started families, and they aren’t as Instagram/‘influencer’-heavy as the newer ones who still may be riding a wave of their success.

And then again, names like Rob, Sandra, and Parvati are Gods in the Survivor world and maybe the newer generation just wants to deny them more success than they already have. ?

 

[tony]

As far as last night, happy to see Wendell go. Neutral about Tyson coming back but I’m sure he will position himself wherever is helpful for the next few weeks until he finds a really solid place to move forward.

Denise probably did too much (well, the one Sandra vote) and while I would love to see her sitting in the finals, I’m pretty doubtful. She has the biggest target now.

I think we will see a lot of how the vote went down next week. Ben and Jeremy even voted Wendell out, having to know they didn’t have the numbers. The alliances seem to be changing by the minute and who knows who is working together.