Survivor
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Can youfeel the Shantasy?
After Shans star-making blindside toward JD last week,Survivordoubled down on its love for the Mafia Pastor.
Her Ua tribe is dwindling with only three tribemates left: herself, Genie, and Ricard.
Genie shares this information with Shan and Ricard, who convince her to leave it unopened.
This means the people in possession of parts one and two remain unable to vote at tribal council.
Its a safe move, but Shan isnt a safe player.
Now, thats asmartmove, and this all occurs just five minutes into the episode.
Shes a great contestant and quickly proving herself to perhaps be one of theSurvivorelites.
Still, the Shan Show is a little concerning from a viewer standpoint.
Were not even at the merge, yet she is positioned asSurvivors Lead Star of a Reality TV Series.
(Could you imagine if this were an actual Emmy category?
Her competitors would obviously include Kyle Richards inReal Housewives of Beverly Hillsand Symone inRuPauls Drag Race.)
Its still early enough that I remain hopeful anything is a possibility.
Because, if you look around,Survivorhas a stacked cast this season.
Take Tiffany, for example.
She did not sayHimbo Rightsthis episode.
In a funny exchange, Xander informs Tiffany of his three-way immunity idol to bond with her.
Except, he lies and tells her he found it that morning.
Tiffany is a smart player, and Im glad to see shes in a power position in her tribe.
Naseer is a hard worker and a positive light on the show.
It wont be this week.
Yase and Luvu came in first and second at the immunity challenge a classicSurvivornet-rope knot-coconut toss course.
This is followed once again by two players heading off on a secret adventure following the immunity challenge.
Yase picks Shan from the losing tribe and Liana from their own as tributes.
Of all the secret adventure pairings this season, this one was the most emotional.
Its an emotional scene and proof the show can succeed in its new era with positivity and heart.
They dont need bullying castaways.
The trip ends with the two women at the Protect Your Vote/Risk Your Vote Wheel.
Shan protects her vote so Liana can risk hers and receive an advantage.
Meanwhile, Shan returns to find her tribe publicly airing their gameplay.
With only three players left, they all might be gunning for one another.
This leads to an intense scene between Ricardo and Shan.
Its a tense scene of two deeply close allies seeing their trust tested.
This makes tribal council a heated three-way standoff, and Genie ends up being betrayed and sent home.
Its proof Ricard and Shans relationship is rock-solid at least for now.
Neither has the Shot-in-the-Dark at the tribal booth.
This should make for a compelling rest of the season.
Could the plethora of advantages lead to wonky gameplay?
And who knows whats going to happen once the Luvu tribe breaks up and heads to tribal.
Sometimes pre-merge episodes are expected and formulaic.
