Survivor: Edge of Extinction Episode 10 "Fasten Your Seatbelts" Gameplay Breakdown

"I'm banking on stupidity tonight."

-Wardog DaSilva

This episode of Survivor wasn't anything flashy like the last few episodes, but it was refreshing.  There was lots of solid gameplay and I think the majority of the players made the right move, which has rarely been the case this season.  Let's fasten our seatbelts and figure out who played the best and who did the worst.

Who Played Well:

Almost everyone falls under this category this time and we'll start with Julie.  I really liked how she handled Ron not telling her about the Kelley vote.  She wasn't angry at all and understood why he made the move.  She kept him open as an ally and also went out and got a new one.  Aligning with Lauren was a good move and I think she was the one who convinced Lauren to go after Wardog and not Aurora, which is a big improvement over last episode.

Lauren was smart to look for allies beyond Wardog and while I can understand wanting to keep Wardog in the game because you know him the best, she made the right move in turning on him.  Plus she still has her Idol.

Ron is in an interesting position and I really liked how he played both sides and kept his options open.  He would have been better off with Wardog in the game, but there wasn't any way he could have saved him and it was smart to go with the majority.  I also like that he gave Aurora her Extra Vote back.  Keeping it would have done more harm than good, but fighting with Aurora about the rice wasn't great.

Aurora had a bit of a mixed night.  The rice fight was incredibly stupid and not something to get so worked up about.  She did manage to avoid going home again and get Wardog out of the game.

Gavin and Victoria both also made the right call in voting Wardog out (and for the record, Victoria is winning this game).  I also admire Gavin's attempt to smooth things over with Wardog immediately after Tribal Council.  Gavin did everything right, but Wardog wasn't willing to listen.  Gavin definitely benefits the most from Wardog leaving the game.

Who Sucked:

I only have one person under this category and he wasn't that bad.  Rick Devens had the right idea in getting the threats alliance together, he just didn't get enough people on board.  He won Immunity and saved himself, but he was on the wrong side of the vote and is probably next to go.

As for Wardog, he made an awful move last week in voting out Kelley and paid the price.  With Rick winning Immunity, it only made sense to take him out next and he knew it.  He didn't help himself by dismissing Gavin the way he did, but once Rick won Immunity, Wardog was done for.

Verdict:

The Rotten Coconut Award, which goes to the worst player of the episode (except for the eliminated player), can only go to Rick Devens for failing to pull off the threats alliance and for being on the wrong side of the vote.  This is his second time winning the Rotten Coconut.

The Platinum Probst Award, which goes to the best player of the episode, goes to Julie Rosenberg for keeping Ron as an ally, getting Lauren on her team, getting Wardog voted out, and not being so focused on Aurora.  This is her second time winning the Platinum Probst.

I appreciated this more low-key episode where everyone played fairly well and the right person went home, but I'm ready for more fireworks next week.  Also, Reem is just the best.