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Survivor 51, Episode 3 "What I'm Smellin' Is Stinky" Gameplay Breakdown

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 "The friendly vampire needs some new friends." -Eric Macksoud Wow, if Survivor 51 was a bowling match, call it a turkey because that's three strikes in a row.  I loved this episode.  I didn't even mind the quit because it was kinda funny.  After that, we had the long-awaited return of the Mutiny to absolutely stellar results.  Plus I was genuinely blindsided by the vote.  I didn't think there was anyway that the 6 was going to be able to lock it in, but they did it and it was excellent.  Season 51 is definitely in the conversation for having the best first three episode run of the show.  I'd throw Cagayan in there as well.  Does anybody have any other nominees?  Anyway, let's get into who played well and who sucked. Who Played Well: We'll start over on newly decimated Savu tribe.  I can't believe they managed to pull out the Immunity to win and they can thank Cristian and Kristin for their clutch performances on the puzzle. I also ...

Survivor 51, Episode 2 "Weaponized Honesty" Gameplay Breakdown

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 "I'm missing a quarter of my thumb." -Brady Booker A castaway literally cut off part of their thumb in this episode and that didn't even manage to be the craziest part of the episode.  Just...wow.  The hits keep on coming in Survivor 51  and I'm digging it.  This cast is a mess and I hope the implosions keep rolling.  Pure absurdity.  Let's get into who played well and who sucked. Who Played Well: Starting on Savu, there was a lot of eavesdropping going on, some more accurate than others.  Alexis learned that Ana was not someone she could trust and immediately threw her under the bus to Linnea and Sharonda.  They were all still willing to take out Eric to keep tribe unity, but then Linnea misunderstood Carter, but even though she didn't hear what she thought she heard, it led her into making the right move and I don't think they even know how good this move was.  The three of them took charge and led the vote against Ana, who they not o...

Survivor 51 Premiere "Permanent Uncertainty" Gameplay Breakdown

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 "We're gonna take this game by the cojones!" -Eric Macksoud It's the Open Era!  Anything can happen at any time!   I can't wait for the return of the Medallion of Power, the greatest twist in Survivor history!  But, while we wait, let's talk about this premiere, which I found really fun.  I'm liking the cast and there's a couple of people who I can't wait to see go down in flames.  The Tribal Council in particular was a blast.  This premiere just felt very refreshing after the last 10 seasons.   It's nice to see them mix things up.  I wish Jeff had put the fire-making vote up to a real, anonymous vote, instead of making it public.  I think a lot more people would have voted to get rid of it.  It's garbage that it had to be a unanimous vote.  That's higher than what Congress needs to do stuff!  Make it a majority vote!  You're a coward, Probst!  Anyway, let's talk about who played well and who sucked. Who Pl...

Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans Finale "Reverse the Curse" Gameplay Breakdown

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 "These people are here to chop my head off." -Joe Hunter Well, that was a fine enough Survivor finale, I guess.  The main problem was that it was extremely predictable.  That said, I think the Final Tribal Council was good due to the solid performances of all the finalists and Jeff Probst accidentally spoiling the fire-making challenge is one of the funniest things to ever happen on this show.  I'm not a big fan of any of the finalists, but the finale was fine.  I think it's the 3rd best all-star season.  Behind Cambodia and Winners at War, but ahead of Heroes vs. Villains (hot take, I know), Game Changers , and All-Stars .  Anyway, let's get into who played well and who sucked in the Final 5! Who Played Well: I'm putting all of the surviving contestants in this category as they all made the right move in voting out Tiffany.  It sounds like she could have beaten everyone else and was more of a challenge threat than Aubry.  The most credit go...

Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, Episode 12 "Inconceivable" Gameplay Breakdown

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 "I gotta go back to school." -Joe Hunter Well, this sucks.  We lost the last two players I was actually rooting for this season.  I don't really want any of the Final 5 to win.  I don't really dislike them, but I'm not rooting for them either.  I'm just kind of...whatever...on the finale, I suppose.  I get why Devens and Cirie were voted out.  It makes sense, but I don't have to like it.  Anyway, let's get into who played well and who sucked. Starting with the Final 7... Who Played Well: Getting rid of Devens was a good move for everyone.  He was probably the biggest threat to win at this point, so I get why it was a unanimous vote.  It was especially good for Joe, who helped take down his biggest adversary in the game by winning Immunity. Jonathan did his part by babysitting Devens while he was out looking for an Idol.  I wish we would have seen some of the other players have this level of initiative.  I love the babysitting ...

Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, Episode 11 "Everyone Will Be Shooketh!" Gameplay Breakdown

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 "I feel kind of evil right now." -Aubry Bracco When Jeff announced there was going to be another new twist during this episode, I groaned, but I have to admit, I thought the Power Broker twist was actually fun.  I enjoyed Jonathan's back and forth strategizing.  This is a twist I wouldn't mind seeing again, but I am ready to be done with twists for this season.  Anyway, let's get into who played well and who sucked. Who Played Well: We'll start with the Power Broker himself, Jonathan.  He won Immunity, which got him through two votes and gave him the Power Broker advantage, he blindsided Ozzy, and helped flush Devens' Idol.  However, I do think he missed a golden opportunity.  After Devens played his Idol and we went to a revote between Emily and Cirie, I think he should have flipped on Cirie.  It would have been a case of two birds, one stone, and Cirie is an infinitely bigger threat than Emily. Cirie did the best she could do with this twist....

Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, Episode 10 "A Side Dish of Chaos" Gameplay Breakdown

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 "I need to sit down." -MrBeast I think MrBeast got incredibly lucky.  I'm not a fan of his Super Beware Advantage twist, but I think it worked out about as well as it could have.  But imagine, if you will, the alternate universe where Cirie has to flip the Beast Coin and gets knocked out of the game on a bad flip.  Riots.  Let's never do this again.  Anyway, let's get into who played well and who sucked. Who Played Well: Obviously, we have to start with Devens.  I like that he revealed his fake Idol.  I don't think he would have been able to get much more milage out of that and it served its purpose.  Plus, this way Emily can't use that information against him.  He also did a nice job of blowing up Jonathan and Stephenie's spot.  It feels like he contributed to Stephenie getting voted out.  Finally, it seems like he was the primary target going into Tribal Council, so I think flipping the Beast Coin was the right call for him ...