Survivor season 37: David vs. Goliath

[BaileyCatts]

I still say it would be great if one Season there were no Idols, no Advantages, no Secret Clues or whatever, but do *not* tell the players there are no hidden advantages. Then watch them scrambling all season looking for them, lying about having one, try to flush out non-existent Idols. I think that would be hysterical.

 

[tony]

I still say it would be great if one Season there were no Idols, no Advantages, no Secret Clues or whatever, but do *not* tell the players there are no hidden advantages. Then watch them scrambling all season looking for them, lying about having one, try to flush out non-existent Idols. I think that would be hysterical.

Yup. Call it Back to Basics or something but obviously don't let them in on that theme. I'm all for the advantages and idols (especially the risky ones where people have to grab them in plain sight, etc) but the game has become ALL strategizing and paranoia and in order for the stories we see to make any sense, they have to spend all of the episode showing these things. It's hard to keep track of who has what, and without having to show the hunts for the advantages, they could spend more time on letting us get to know the players. Remember last season? Roark wasn't even on our televisions until the episode she got voted out-- with plenty of drama from her.

Just please keep the music throughout the episodes-- watching the earliest episodes, they really dragged on at times not only because of the non-alliance strategies (S1 and voting out the weakest player for the first half of the season) but because it was SO QUIET! Jeff didn't even say anything during the challenges. They also tried this thing for an episode or two where only the person holding a shell? or some other object was allowed to talk during tribal council. Literally it showed up after a few episodes and then was gone an episode or two later.

Also, I'm not a big fan of the tribal swaps so early and the splitting into three tribes. If they do consider a back to basics season, make them think they are going to swap but don't do it. Maybe even throw in a challenge or two from S1 and see if any of the die-hard fans pick up on it.

 

[Kultakissu]

I still say it would be great if one Season there were no Idols, no Advantages, no Secret Clues or whatever, but do *not* tell the players there are no hidden advantages. Then watch them scrambling all season looking for them, lying about having one, try to flush out non-existent Idols. I think that would be hysterical.

We just finished watching the first season of Survivor New Zealand. There were no hidden immunity idols (but clearly the players knew there were none) and it was really enjoyable. I love a good idol blindside, but I didn’t miss having HIIs at all. Great season, by the way, even though my fave didn’t win after all

 

[tony]

Well, most of everything was flushed out tonight. I get the Davids wanting to even it up, but the two masterminds behind these two big moves last week and this week are now going to be the huge targets moving forward. I still think Christian and Gabby (and even Nick) would be willing to work somewhere in the middle in a vote or two, and Christian seems like he may be safe for a while again.

 

[alexikeguchi]

I get the Davids wanting to even it up, but the two masterminds behind these two big moves last week and this week are now going to be the huge targets moving forward.

I may have missed it, but do any of the Goliaths know who had the idol nullifier? I think Carl and Davie are still somewhat under the radar, though Nick is more exposed and might draw some of the fire directed at Christian. I think the Davids did the best they could without knowing that Kara and Alec were randomly going to vote for Angelina. I guess I also missed why that would make any sense? The scenes for next week show them saying it was a contingency plan, but how is throwing votes to your own alliance member a good contingency plan? Angelina might now be the best candidate for the Davids to flip to break a 5/5 deadlock.

 

[tony]

I may have missed it, but do any of the Goliaths know who had the idol nullifier? I think Carl and Davie are still somewhat under the radar, though Nick is more exposed and might draw some of the fire directed at Christian. I think the Davids did the best they could without knowing that Kara and Alec were randomly going to vote for Angelina. I guess I also missed why that would make any sense? The scenes for next week show them saying it was a contingency plan, but how is throwing votes to your own alliance member a good contingency plan? Angelina might now be the best candidate for the Davids to flip to break a 5/5 deadlock.

Carl held up the paper at the end to flaunt that he was the one who played the nullifier. He may have gotten away with it without doing that, but I still think Gabby and Christian are going to go their own way eventually. I’ve been really wrong all season, though

 

[BaileyCatts]

I have no words.

 

[Kasey]

That's two weeks in a row I've actually really enjoyed the show, how the vote came down, and I think I finally have everyone's names straightened out. Give me a Davie win and I'll enjoy the heck out of it!

 

[smurfy]

We just finished watching the first season of Survivor New Zealand. There were no hidden immunity idols (but clearly the players knew there were none) and it was really enjoyable. I love a good idol blindside, but I didn’t miss having HIIs at all. Great season, by the way, even though my fave didn’t win after all

How did you watch it? Im in the US. A streaming service?? Thanks.

 

[smurfy]

Two weeks in a row with multiple idols/advantages played. Love it.
I do think Carl waving the paper will backfire - if they saw it.
I don't think the Davids are solid, and now the Goliaths will be scrambling - so it should be fun.
And yes - I think I know everyones names - finally.

 

[Prancer]

That may be, but Christian was one of the people who voted for John (or Jon, as he spelled it), so he was clearly in the loop. Maybe he couldn't believe it worked. I think all of the Davids were in on the plan; I just wonder who came up with it.

And apparently it was Nick! And yes, all the Davids were in on it--it just went better than they expected it to.

Since they didn't show that scene, I'm thinking Nick isn't going to win.

And I think Carl wanted the jury to see him waving his nullifier around in this last TC--he wanted credit for the big move.

Now that John and Dan are gone, the Goliaths don't have nearly the strength advantage they once had. Alec better watch out--he's kind of a challenge beast and he's been playing both sides, making him a prime candidate for a boot from both sides.

Heh heh heh. This is turning into a great season.

 

[Kultakissu]

How did you watch it? Im in the US. A streaming service?? Thanks.

I don’t even know, they just appear on a usb stick from somewhere my husband deals with this stuff

 

[Prancer]

Interview with Nick about the John boot, the Dan boot and Jacketgate

 

[Jenny]

I haven't been watching but just realized there's a stunt cast here that no one seems to be talking about and yet he's still in the game. Curious to know from those of you following - how is Mike White doing? Do the others know who he is? They've no doubt seen a lot of his work.

 

[jamesy]

Yes, they figured it out like the first day and they’ve shown scenes of him discussing his work with his tribe. It seems to be a non-factor so far.

 

[Jenny]

Interesting because you'd think among the cast there would be people who would want to get close to him for the opportunities he could open up for them. Then again, today's reality show players seem more interested in Instagram fame, the party circuit and the freebies than in having a traditional career maybe.

 

[Rogue]

At this point, I think Mike would make an excellent goat. He doesn't have any really big resume moves and the other contestants probably think he's too successful to need the money.

 

[Prancer]

Interesting because you'd think among the cast there would be people who would want to get close to him for the opportunities he could open up for them.

That might be happening, for all we know. Survivor isn't likely to show that kind of thing. He does seem to be pretty friendly with a lot of the other players, although he was the one who said last week that all the Goliaths hate each other.

In this interview, he says that in the beginning, he was something of an outcast among the Goliaths (he did stick out like a big ol' sunburned sore thumb) and that he tried to trade on his celebrity to make friends, apparently without much success.

A Mike White article about being on Survivor (mostly) and TAR (a little bit).

 

[tony]

Interesting because you'd think among the cast there would be people who would want to get close to him for the opportunities he could open up for them. Then again, today's reality show players seem more interested in Instagram fame, the party circuit and the freebies than in having a traditional career maybe.

I think they don’t know the magnitude of his work. There was one girl in the first episode (can’t remember who) that immediately recognized him from TAR. The younger generation probably doesn’t see the value of the people behind the scenes because of exactly what you said- they want to have the immediate recognition and follower counts.

 

[BaileyCatts]

I know Mike from The Amazing Race, but is he famous enough for other things that people would recognize him unless they watched TAR? So apparently he's a writer (didn't know that) and ...................

 

[Kasey]

Mike White

Personally I think he's a jerk on the show, and can go at any time. But could see keeping him if a goat is wanted.

 

[Kultakissu]

I know Mike from The Amazing Race, but is he famous enough for other things that people would recognize him unless they watched TAR? So apparently he's a writer (didn't know that) and ...................

Maybe it’s an age thing? I’m 42 and I immediately recognised him as Mike White the writer/actor. I didn’t even remember him form TAR at all even though I’ve definitely seen every single episode

 

[El Rey]

Didn’t a player say a couple episodes ago they should vote Mike out because he didn’t need the money? Or maybe it was only mentioned in a confessional? Or maybe not at all? Haha. If they did, it’s possible they will just keep him because they think he won’t get votes cause he already has money.

 

[sk8pics]

Mike White

Personally I think he's a jerk on the show, and can go at any time. But could see keeping him if a goat is wanted.

I actually like him on the show.

 

[Kasey]

Watching live right now, and watching Christian mind-warping Alec (and Probst) in the immunity challenge is soooo freaking awesome! LOL!

 

[BaileyCatts]

CHRISTIAN!!!! Did anyone else hear me scream when he won that challenge?? That was b-e-a-utiful!!!!!! I am totally on board for a Christian win! I'd also be good with a Nick or Davie win. As long as Angelina doesn't win, or Gabby if previews from next week play out the way they implied.

 

[alexikeguchi]

I am totally on board for a Christian win! I'd also be good with a Nick or Davie win. As long as Angelina doesn't win, or Gabby if previews from next week play out the way they implied.

Me too. I can't imagine either Angelina or Gabby winning though, unless it's a final two and they are it. Even if Gabby takes out Christian, it's not like that's an original idea... He has been viewed as a threat almost every tribal so far. I don't think she would get any gameplay votes for orchestrating a move like that, and she doesn't seem to have a solid core of other players who like her well enough to give her a win. I do think she played a good mind trick on Christian to vote out Carl though. Alison is definitely more of a physical threat and is wishy washy alliance wise, so she can be used against Christian much more effectively than Carl. I'm surprised he didn't see that.

 

[smurfy]

Great double episode.
Wished Carl went first and Alec was still there.
Carl - how dumb - ignoring an alliance member. He really got cocky there but he was good in his exit.
Good for Gabby, I like Gabby, but not sure she should win.
A Christian win would be awesome. He reminds me a bit of Cochrane, but more entertaining.
Love him boring Probst to death.
Allison - so wishy washy - lots of discussion over several episodes and not much action. Only when her name was up did she do something.
And Angelina - just do not like her and hope she does not win.
The negotiation - seemed like she offered a lot of stuff right away - was there anything in camp left to offer after what seemed like a long list.
As much as I wanted Carl gone, I would have been happy if Angelina had been voted out after her awesome negotiation. She really thinks too highly of herself.

 

[tony]

Alec caused controversy in May by posting an Instagram photo with another contestant

Spoiler

Kara

I wondered how far he was going to make it in the game, because he lost all stipend and Finale night money, and he won't even be permitted to be at the Finale. All things considered, I thought CBS showed him in a really good light throughout the season.

And I knew Carl was setting himself up for disaster. They are hungry to get out the biggest threats this season, numbers or not, and making moves too big keeps sending people home.

I want to like Gabby but we see this type of character many times in Survivor- the underdog that, while on top, is all (superficially) tough, but the minute they are at a disadvantage, they cry about how nothing is fair. Now she's back to thinking she's the ringleader with the preview for next week.

I thought Christian was going to drive me crazy but he is undoubtedly shaping up to probably be one of the most-liked players of all-time- both by fans and by other players.

 

[Rogue]

... or Gabby if previews from next week play out the way they implied.

Historically, if they show someone in trouble in the previews, they are safe from elimination the next week.