Survivor
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
This episode is definitely guilty of those things.
It kicks off with the Edge inhabitants competing to get back into the game.
I think it helps that we know these players, especially with seven of the eight being old-schoolSurvivorveterans.
There is a nostalgic attachment to this group.
Those with coins are allowed to purchase a challenge advantage which, of course, they all do.
The issue is, those who have spent longer on the Edge have had more opportunities to earn tokens.
Regardless, its Tyson who beats out Rob by mere seconds to earn his spot back in the game.
Perhaps that jar of peanut butter gave him the edge he needed?
I wasnt sure if I could do this anymore…
I thought becoming a dad might have softened me, he confesses, reflecting on his early elimination.
Taking out Tyson straight away would be the simple move, especially for the often precarious first merge vote.
ButSurvivoris anything but a simple game.
I think Sophie explains it best when she says that Tyson has less baggage than everyone else.
Those big-name players certainly have reason to be worried.
You only have to glance over to the Edge tosee the direction this season has taken.
Anyone with a top-tierSurvivorresume is in danger.
That goes for those building new resumes, too.
This puts Jeremy in a very interesting position.
Jeremy is obviously one of the big threats and he previously won by adopting the meat-shield strategy.
Working with the likes of Ben, Tony, Denise, and Kim is clearly in his benefit.
But he also has a pre-existing friendship with Wendell.
Its another instance of a relationship that transcends the game, and that is always going to complicate matters.
Thats why he makes an easy, tribe-pleasing target for the Nick-Wendell-Michele trio to push for.
Jeremy latches onto this plan, hoping to turn the vote away from Wendell.
Ive gotta go with the tide, she says.
It turns out, though, that isnt the way the current is flowing.
While Adam enters Tribal Council scared for hisSurvivorlife, it is Wendell who ends up with his torch snuffed.
Thats the approach Tyson took upon his return, and it worked out perfectly.
(Thats the end of these sea-based metaphors blame Tony, he started it!)
Idol Thoughts
Wendells departure results in an odd conclusion to his story arc with Michele.
This is one of the narrative inconsistencies due to crammed episode.
Its one of those old-schoolSurvivormoments we rarely see in the modern, strategy-focused era.
Adam growing more and more frustrated with Ben every week is becoming my favorite running gag.
