TYSON APOSTOL - Had a very good confessional about knowing when to dictate and when to go into survival mode. In my opinion, one of the most important skills in Survivor is to know when to go on the offense and when to play defense. He knew he had to play defense, and he did. Tyson gets a THUMBS UP.
BOSTON ROB MARIANO - Rob was my first boot pick going into this season, and he subverted my expectations. He played Ben like a fiddle for info on who was targeting him, took that information to Danni, and formed an alliance out of it. Him and Parvati's power alliance is a lot of fun, and he absolutely killed it in the second challenge. We'll see if Amber's boot throws him off his groove. He gets a THUMBS UP.
AMBER MARIANO - I love Amber, and I was excited to see what she had to bring to the table. Hope to possibly see more of her, but it just did not seem like she was ready for this level of play, how fast it was at least. Obviously pre-game connections played a big part in it (unfortunately, but that's what you get with returnee seasons), but people like Tyson were able to avoid elimination in spite of said connections. Unfortunately, Amber gets a THUMBS DOWN from me this week.
WENDELL HOLLAND - Yeah, Wendell did alright. I like that he's not putting his head out there too much, he's found himself in the middle of the tribe, yeah. Not much else to say, except Jeremy made him look like a novice ring thrower. THUMBS UP for Wendell.
NATALIE ANDERSON - Natalie was our first boot this season and that made me very sad. I did like her choice of giving Sandra the idol, because in my eyes, Sandra has no shot at winning. So, keep her in for a little longer and let that idol take out a real threat. But yeah, it sucks that pregame connections played such a factor, but she couldn't survive the first vote, so she has to get a THUMBS DOWN from me this week.
MICHELE FITZGERALD - Now, I don't doubt that Michele will stick around for a while. She's great at under-the-radar social play. But, she could not get in on the loop, so it's very hard for me to give her my thumbs up. I have to give her a THUMBS DOWN for this week, but I'd like to see what kind of things she can do in the future.
ADAM KLEIN - Adam's episode started out rocky because apparently he and Denise can't read a map. But, he displayed his case very well at tribal, and before then, he did a good job of getting the target off of his back and putting it onto somebody else's back. So he did start out rough, but I really believe that he rebounded, so he gets a THUMBS UP from me.
PARVATI SHALLOW - Parvati is in the same boat as Rob, she was able to integrate herself into a power position in the tribe, despite being literally one of the 3 biggest ever targets in the history of the show. She is doing great work socially from what we've seen. I'm a bit worried about the old school alliance, but as of this episode, great work. THUMBS UP, easy.
YUL KWON - Damn! Yul... who knew he'd be such a factor. I admittedly underestimated Yul, I thought his super idol was a giant factor in him winning. But, first off, he played the "Aw, shucks, I haven't played this game in so long!" card perfectly. He also brilliantly brought together all the one season kids who aren't as connected as other people. And, he was the one to bring up the Poker Alliance. Now, the Poker Alliance is total BS, I don't think it carries any water, but the fact that he was able to bring it to everybody's attention without really getting any pushback or blood on his hands, is a testament to how good of a social player he is. Yul not only gets a THUMBS UP, but he is my player of the week.
SOPHIE CLARKE - Very good week for Sophie. Under the radar for sure, but she seems to be the one closest to Yul, and she is smart to keep somebody smarter than her around as a shield. THUMBS UP.
ETHAN ZOHN - He kind of did what Amber couldn't. He did his best to keep up with the fast paced game, and it seems like he isn't on anybody's radar. I worry about him in terms of reaching the end due to his story, but for now, good gameplay. THUMBS UP.
SANDRA DIAZ-TWINE - Sandra went to a tribal council, being the only two time winner, having a statue of her head, and being the weakest physically, and she did not need to use her idol. What a player. THUMBS UP.
DANNI BOATWRIGHT - Danni was ratted out, but was able to turn it into a positive by doing the best thing you could do with Rob, she just told him the straight up truth. Have to give her a THUMBS UP.
TONY VLACHOS - Playing in the majority, and he's slowed down his game. Very good game for Tony, he has definitely learned and adapted from his Game Changers appearance. THUMBS UP.
NICK WILSON - Played in the middle, was targeted, but his alliance with all the less connected people panned out pretty well for him. THUMBS UP.
SARAH LACINA - Was one of the most talked about people pregame in terms of who other people would be targeting, but I don't think she was talked about once. THUMBS UP.
JEREMY COLLINS - Now, he obviously lost his closest ally and was out of the loop on the vote, but I was very impressed by his ability to sniff out that something was going on. At that point it was too late, but still a useful skill to have. And damn, what a performance at the second challenge. This one is tough... I will give him a THUMBS DOWN for the week, but he is one of the best players out there.
DENISE STAPLEY - Was on the rocks at first because she and Adam, two grown adults, can not read a map. Good that she connected with Adam, but we didn't really see her talking game with anyone else. And, she hasn't been mentioned as a possible member of the old school or new school alliances. THUMBS DOWN. But congrats to her on not going to a tribal council for the first time!
BEN DRIEBERGEN - Now Rob kind of sucked information out of him, making Ben look like an idiot, and that was not a good look.... but he's actually played well beyond that. I am with most of the internet that his win was not a good one, but I am trying to be unbiased. He was seen talking to pretty much everybody, he was able to keep Adam safe, and Jeremy was talking to HIM during tribal council. I have to give Ben a THUMBS UP.
KIM SPRADLIN-WOLFE - I mean, Kim never has had to play on the bottom, she was always on the offensive, always calling the shots. This Poker Alliance came to bite her in the ass, and if Ambuh had an idol, she'd be on the Edge. I have to give her a THUMBS DOWN, but hopefully she'll find a way to integrate into the tribe next round.
Lots of great gameplay this episode! This season will be an awfully fun watch. If you disagree, let's talk about it! Or better yet! Neg and tell me I'm wrong with no explanation!
Comments
lmao not sure what this got insta negged but heres +15 from me
