Survivor: Edge of Extinction Episode 3 "Betrayals Are Going to Get Exposed" Analysis

"Just drop me wherever."

-Wendy Diaz

After the Immunity Challenge happened in this 3rd episode of Edge of Extinction, I figured this would be a very straightforward, perhaps even boring episode, but I can't believe how wrong I was.  I'm still utterly baffled by the events of this episode and how everything came about.  So join me as I sort through this mess and figure out who played well and who sucked.

Who Played Well:

We'll start over on the mostly invisible Kama tribe with Aubry, who recognized that she was in danger and managed to find the Hidden Immunity Idol.

We also learned that there is a majority of 6 on the Kama tribe, so I have to give props to Eric, Gavin, Julia, Julie, Ron, and Victoria for getting themselves in the majority.  I don't know if they'll be able to stick together post-swap, but so far, so good.  Ron and Victoria both had a much more mixed night than the others because of their lack of awareness in strategizing right next to Joe.  If Joe, Aubry, and Aurora somehow get the numbers, this could be a game-ending mistake for Ron and Victoria, but they are still in the majority and are alright for now.

Over on the Manu tribe, we have Kelley, who managed to survive yet again.  She formed a close relationship with Wardog. which is what saved her.  She also managed to get Chris, someone who was gunning for her, out of the game.

Next we have David, who really needs to stop targeting Kelley, but apart from that had a good night.  He recognized how much of an asset Wendy could be for his game and I think he made the right call in voting out Chris.  If he gets rid of Kelley here, Wardog and Lauren will be mad at him, but voting out Chris leaves the tribe somewhat unified.

We didn't see much of Lauren, but she did help get rid of Chris, who was gunning for her closest ally.

Rick is probably in the best position on the tribe and has good relationships with everyone.  I don't mind that Rick has been gunning for Kelley.  It makes way more sense for him than it does for David.    Voting for Chris was the best move for Rick's game and it gives him plenty of options going forward.

Who Sucked:

Going back to Kama, we have Aurora and Joe, who are on the outs, along with Aubry, but they don't have idols.  I don't think we can lay a ton of blame at Joe's feet due to his returning player status, but I don't know what Aurora was thinking aligning with these two when the rest of the newbies want them gone.

Over on Manu, we'll start with Wardog.  I get that he is close with Kelley, but I don't understand why he turned the tables on Chris.  This is someone who wants to work with you and is feeding you information.  Why vote him out?  This seems like a very short-sighted and reactionary move on Wardog's part.

Then there is Wendy, who not only managed to get injured at the challenge, but is making a classic, old-school Survivor mistake.  Do not try to save the chickens!  Nothing good can come from it!  And the fact that she is a vegetarian just makes this worse.  And even worse is she told everyone else she isn't a vegetarian.  At least lie about that!  Some members of a her tribe at least suspect her of taking the flint.  It's crazy that she didn't get voted out.  I love Wendy as a character and I love that she is somehow sticking around, but she is not a good Survivor player.

As for poor Chris, who really didn't do much wrong, he simply overestimated how close he was with Wardog, who proceeded to make a bad decision and got Chris voted out.  I think Chris made a very reasonable call to go and talk to Wardog about voting out Kelley.  I probably would have done the same thing in his position.  Unfortunately, Wardog's logic was not the same as Chris'.  It's a bummer, but that's the game.

Verdict:

The "Has Got It Going On" Award for this episode goes to Kelley Wentworth for building a relationship with Wardog that saved her and for getting out Chris, who was coming for her.

The "Not The Player For Me" Award goes to Wendy Diaz for getting injured in the challenge, trying to save the chicken, and for stealing the flint and causing chaos at camp.

I thought this might be a boring episode, but, boy, was I wrong.  I can't believe Wendy is still in the game and can't wait to see what she does next!