1. While Kat was the player who was sent home last week, the real move of consequence was the fact that Laura Morett won the Redemption Island duel. While I questioned the strategy of eliminating her last week, the Favorites believed that sending her to Redemption Island might result in her beating Brad and buying them the unquestionable loyalty of his wife. While a favorite was still eliminated, it’s clear that Monica will now vote with the favorites for the rest of the game as she has nowhere else to go.
2. When faced with a minority situation, the natural inclination would be to panic. For example, there is no doubt in my mind that had I been twisted out of a tribe where I was in the majority alliance to join one where I faced a numerical disadvantage, I would be pissed. When this happened to Vytas, he was able to keep his cool (must be all the yoga), play the bad hand that he was dealt and still come out victorious. I could believe he managed to save himself when it was clear all of the women would vote together. By keeping his head down, playing the victim card and waiting for someone else to make a mistake, Vytas offered us a clinic on how to play Survivor, and one week later, I still marvel at the unbelievable gameplay.
3. Kat’s line about nobody wanting to date someone who couldn’t even make the merge was absolutely hysterical.
4. It is in Hayden’s best interest to not switch with Kat. Like Monica, he will only benefit from his loved one leaving the game as it will reduce the size of the target that is currently on his back.
5. Like most viewers, I also was aghast that Hayden, Caleb and Ciera were so willing to give up so much information to Aras, Tyson and Gervase. With that said, Hayden revealed on his Twitter that this was done by design (at least on his part) to win points with the other guys as he felt like this was his best move to stay. I thought that was incredibly interesting insight. Also, I have always felt like Hayden’s best move is to connect with Tina and Aras as they are all previous reality show winners and it is in all of their best interest to go to the end together.
6. Speaking of Twitter, Gervase discussed how he inability to swim was actually part of his strategy this season. He linked to a secret scene where he discussed how he wanted to appear weak in the water in the beginning of the game, only to dominate later when his team most needed him to perform. Honestly? That is Boston Rob type play. It’s clear that Gervase has learned a lot in the last 13 years and this is one of the best single game ideas I have ever seen on the show. Kudos.
7. I do not agree with Tyson and Gervase’s decision to eliminate Aras this early. While I understand wanting to separate Aras and Vytas, surely they must realize that Vytas is the likely target on the other side and that they should wait to see how that plays out before deciding Aras’ fate (although I do expect that is what will happen tonight when they see that Vytas somehow managed to save himself). I just don’t like the idea of them giving Hayden/Caleb/Ciera a 3-2 voting advantage when the merge isn’t guaranteed. Their better move would be to wait until the merge and then point out to everyone that Aras and Vytas are the strongest duo left in the game.
8. I don’t understand why the tribe didn’t see how leaving Tina and her daughter Katie on the same tribe is dangerous? They should have been the first targets after the twist.
9. Laura’s domination in the Redemption Island duel was really fun to see.
10. This is still Tyson’s game to lose.
