Survivor 47: Episode 13 "Bob and Weave" Gameplay Analysis

 "Put me out of my misery."

-Sue Smey

This was another great episode of Survivor coming off of an all-timer last week.  I don't think the finale will be able to live up to the Final 6 and 5 eliminations.  There was plenty of suspense and exciting gameplay across both rounds of play in this episode.  Let's get into who played well and who sucked.  This will be broken up into two parts, so we'll start with the Final 6.

Who Played Well:

Rachel was truly spectacular here.  I loved how she realized that Teeny, Genevieve, Andy, and Sam had been gone for too long and went to spy on them.  She got some really good information, even if the part about Genevieve's Idol turned out to be a lie.  She also managed to save herself with an Idol play when nearly everyone else thought she was dead in the water.

Genevieve managed to win Immunity, which probably saved her.  I would bet that Rachel and Sue might have tried to Idol her out if she hadn't won.  She also really leaned into the fake Idol lie.  Apparently she was also very honest with Rachel about voting for her, as were Andy and Sam, so I don't love that, but I'll still give her a net positive at the Final 6.

I guess I'll give Sue some credit for having a good enough social connection with Rachel to learn about her Idol.  She was on the right side of the vote in the end.

Who Sucked:

Sam was way too honest with Rachel and his plan to vote for her.  Never tell someone they are going home.  You never know for sure who has an Idol.  If Andy hadn't shifted the target onto himself, Sam was most likely going to be the target of Rachel's Idol.  I'll give him some credit for helping to trick Teeny with the Operation: Italy fall out, but that isn't enough to get him into the positive.

Finally, Teeny was far too gullible and bought what Andy, Sam, and Genevieve sold her hook, line, and sinker.  Plus she got drunk at the Reward and accidentally revealed Genevieve's Idol to Sue.  I wouldn't have minded if Teeny intentionally told Sue that information, but that fact she did it by accident while tipsy is just sloppy gameplay.

As for Andy, he made the same mistake as Sam in telling Rachel she was going home.  I get he was tired of lying, but this is Survivor.  You can take a break from lying once you've won the game.  If he had pretended to go along with her plan, she probably would have Idoled Sam out of the game and not Andy.

Verdict:

Best Player of the Final 6 goes to Rachel LaMont for spying on the majority alliance and saving herself with her Idol.

Worst Player of the Final 6 goes to Teeny Chirichillo for being so gullible and a sloppy drunk on the Reward.  Plus she looked a little dumb in front of the Jury at Tribal Council.

Let's move on to the Final 5!

Who Played Well:

Rachel managed to save herself by winning Immunity.  She did seem to dig in her heels a little bit when it came to the question of Genevieve's Idol.  Why not vote for Genevieve?  If the Idol is real, it's not like Rachel would be the one Idoled out of the game.  She ultimately did vote for Genevieve, but the arguments with Teeny and Sue on the beach were odd.  She also had a conversation with Genevieve in front of everyone that made it seem like one of them were a lock to win the game, which rubbed Sam, Sue, and Teeny the wrong way.  I'll still give her a net positive because she saved herself from being eliminated.

Sue and Teeny did what they had to do in voting out Genevieve.  I don't think either of them can win the game, but this was still the right move.  Plus Sue played her Idol, which is a good look in front of the Jury.

Finally, Sam threw Genevieve right under the bus by telling everyone that her Idol wasn't real.  It was a desperate, but effective move and a good call on his part.

Who Sucked:

I don't think any of the remaining players sucked.

As for Genevieve, I really liked that she babysat Rachel while she went Idol hunting.  After Rachel won Immunity, she was the clear next biggest target and once Sam revealed her Idol was fake, there wasn't much she could do.  Maybe if she hadn't targeted Sol so early.  I really do think that move was a mistake.

All we left is the Final 4 Immunity, Fire-Making, and the Final Tribal Council.  I think Rachel is going to win, but I'd be totally fine if Sam pulled this thing out.  I like both of them a lot and they'd both be worthy winners.  I don't think Sue or Teeny have a shot, but they could make it an entertaining finish.  I can't wait!