Survivor
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Well, not quite yet.
As Xander says, its Mergeatory.
Okay, king of puns.
This weeks episode, which Probst acknowledges in a direct-to-camera speech, is a two-parter.
Its a milestone for the contestants, like reaching the end of the first semester.
(2) Its a complicated episode with details determining the fate of the rest of the season.
(3) Ive got at least one good Jeff Probst joke.
First, though, a little context is needed.
This isnt an actual merge, at least not yet.
Typically, the separate tribes come together as one and enjoy a communal feast.
The nature of the game changes at this point.
Instead of competing as a team, castaways will now play as individuals.
This is good news for Ricard and Shan, who are the sole remaining Ua tribe members.
This is a blessing or a curse, depending on how they play it out.
They could stick Luvu strong to the end, or they might fracture quickly.
But first, we have a competition to get to.
Instead of immediately going into the merge feast, Probst explains they will compete in a two-team challenge.
Each castaway will draw a rock to determine their team for the competition.
Keep in mind, all castaways even the ones with immunity will vote at tribal next week.
Finally, two players will draw gray rocks Erika and Naseer.
Theyll sit out of the challenge with their fates to be explained later.
As for the challenge itself, it looks … exhausting and honestly a little unmatched.
Danny claims they do a round of Paper Rock Scissors (isnt it Rock Paper Scissors?)
and send Erika off on her own.
I feel for Erika!
Since Luvu hasnt gone to tribal council, we dont know too much about her just yet.
Thankfully, in this episode, we learn of herSurvivorjourney.
Shes playing as a love letter to her parents, who moved from the Philippines to Canada.
So she heads off to isolation, which a lower-third informs is, in fact, Exile Island.
At first, it looks like Erika is in a bad spot being away from the tribe.
The merge episode is notorious for making clear what old alliances ended and which new ones started.
Because Shans strong bond with Liana is also public, this might spell bad news for the Ua alliance.
At the end of the episode, Probst visits her on Exile Island … with props.
Breaking the hourglass might prove good for Erika.
Plus, half the tribe might be indebted to her for saving them from elimination.
The episode ends on Erikas cliffhanger.
So the big takeaway here is actually for Probst.
Probst, where is your wellness brand?
What is yourFabletics, yourHonest Company, yourPoosh?
Gwyneth Paltrow is out here reportedlymaking a good dollarwith Goop, and so could you.
Youve built an entire show around mental and physical fortitude.
Plus, youve got an iconic look.
No one rocks a cargo shirt like you.
Lets call itGot Somethin for Ya.
That was the good Jeff Probst joke.
Well, farther north than Evanston.Give it up for the suburbs of Chicago, you guys.
Have the lower-thirds during testimonials previously shown the number of advantages a player has?
Im here for it.
Shan mentions wanting the alliance to end up on the front page of a newspaper.
I hope they can go all the way to the end together!
