JAA

Regular Season TOUGH

It always feels that way right after a good season! Yeah, you're probably right about Rome being someone we may see again.

Yeah, I like him too, but am not generally very fond of bringing back early boots (unless it were in an All Early Boot season)!

Overall, I think this is my favourite new era season. Good cast and gameplay, focus on stories/strategy (not drama/bullshit), and a very high-level winner.

Would love to see any of Rachel/Genevieve/Kyle/Sam (and Caroline and, fine, Andy) play again at some point!

What do you think?

#Survivor

...needle, for me at least. That said, finishing 3rd and 4th on #Survivor is a super cool accomplishment, so good for them.

#SueShouldHaveSaidSheWas70

#WhyDoRopesHateTeenie

...a modern version of young Boston Rob (or what I imagine a younger Dom might've played like).

Wouldn't have been a deserving winner but he's a perfectly respectable runner up.

#CoolFireTho

Sue and Teenie: Both fun characters and seem like good people, but neither had gameplay that moved the...

Sam: I found him a bit petulant at FTC, but I think he had to be aggressive to have a chance, so fair enough that he went for it - and it seems that the jury didn't hate it. I can see him winning 8 years from now, but he's already a compelling player. I hate to say it, but I really do see him as...

...way to intel, lured out Andy's jury pitch, and stayed chill at TC while her competitors sang her praises. Just super talented, likeable, and well-rounded.

Closest game comp to me is Natalie A. She's neck and neck with Dee as best new era winner and is a top 5 new era player.

#TheTideIsHigh

Finale wrap-up for #Survivor S47:

Rachel: A force in the social game, an accomplished strategic threat, and obviously a dominant challenge performer. Rachel stacked so many winning moves this season, with my favourites being her SITD play+read and her masterful F6 cycle where she spy crawled her...

In that match-up, I just know Green is putting up a j

I do agree that it may have made sense to do from his perspective given his read of everyone's perception of him. But still think the "smarter" move is to keep your powder dry a bit longer on those final-type arguments.

I'm slightly more inclined to think it demonstrates that he had the ability to effectively/convincingly explain his game, suggesting he could have done so successfully at FTC (w/o needing to deputize Rachel).

Too outcome-based to say that makes it a bad move, but I don't think I agree it was smart.

I like that Andy got a nice blindside and Genevieve left with recognition of her skill level. They make 4 players from this season (with Rachel+Kyle) that I think deserve to play again.

I expect next week is Rachel's coronation, with Sam clinging to a sliver of hope. What do you think?

#Survivor

Teenie: Poor Teenie is never going to be able to trust again! Early on, I thought she could be a top level player, but I think she could only maybe beat Sam on her relationships, if Rachel isn't there. She is the last Lavo, but that's probably the only last laugh she gets.

#SpinCity

Sue: It was fun that she kept her idol secret. I think a more creative player could have found a way to use it in some way (think Natalie in S29), but still a pretty cool accomplishment to hold an idol that long. I'm still assuming she's a no/low vote finalist (maybe Caroline/Gabe?).

#RedEraOver

All that said, if he can eliminate Rachel, it seems like he has a decent chance to win. I don't think a Sam win would be thaaaaat satisfying, but it would definitely be a unique victory for its scrappiness.

#TimeForAHailMary

Sam: He's very good at surviving in Survivor, insofar as he excels at identifying the correct way to stay in the game through one more vote. The way the game has unfolded has meant that he has had to play/think that way, but it diminishes his credibility as a true strategist.

While not perfect, her game has been superb in all phases; a great reminder that being a well-rounded person is the best strength you can bring to Survivor. Also, her F6 cycle+tribal was a master class - playing Sam/Andy, playing dead at Tribal, and a crowd pleasing idol play. So fun!

#RollTide

Okay, weekly #Survivor check-in before next week's finale.

Rachel: It is truly her game to lose. She has two chances (immunity + fire) to make FTC, where she is essentially unbeatable. One of the many cool things about Rachel's game is that I don't think she's left a bitter taste in anyone's mouth.

Highlandfur

I ended up really liking Caroline, so am glad she got a really fun blindside befitting a very good player.

While Andy is upping his win equity, this still feels like a Rachel win. I think Genevieve is back on her tail, alongside Andy.

What do you think?

#Survivor

Teenie: Not her finest episode, being edited as pretty petulant. She's self-aware about playing emotionally (which is fine), but doesn't seem able to let her emotion guide strong strategy (e.g., don't alienate Gen and don't help Rachel when someone else might take her out for you).

#MarredTeenie

Sue: Missed the read on needing to save Caroline with her idol, but is at least guaranteed F5. I guess she might get a FTC vote after all - needs to turn it up significantly to get more than that.

#WhatsHerName

#TiramiSue!

Sam: I like that he's willing to go all-in on big moves and big plans. I don't entirely understand why he's a threat to win - I guess the jurors like him and he's good at talking? Regardless, he's a fun player and at least has a possible path now (in a F3 with Sue + Teenie).

#Tirami-who?

Rachel: Another immunity strengthens her resume, even though Andy over-rode her on the vote. She has 2 chances to win into F4, making her the clear favourite. Regardless, she can use her advantage to keep numbers in her favour at 6, if she can keep the target off her back.

#AreTheTidesTurning

Genevieve: She came back to life this episode and really just needs to outlast Rachel to be the favourite. I think she's sitting pretty with a potentially believable fake idol and multiple other targets now on the board (Sam, Andy). Has she lowered her threat profile enough?

#AimSmallMissSmall

Andy cont.: It was real Golden God stuff (Survivor AU). This move places Andy squarely in winner contention. I still think he will ultimately falls short, but if he manages to win, it will be the greatest in-season redemption arc Survivor has seen.

#TheItalianJob

Where each contestant sits on #Survivor:

Andy: What a beautiful episode for Andy. He designed and executed a move that was sweeping in scope and precise in detail. This is elite level Survivor play, not least because of how perfectly he leveraged the perceptions of him held by tribemates...

Regardless of whether it is the best, it was wonderfully planned and executed. Agree with your point that it's particularly satisfying because of how perfectly Andy leveraged the game-long perception of him. And it was just super fun! Gave echoes of the Golden God on Survivor AU.

Totally fair. I think I interpret that more as him being the season's "main character," with a wild redemption arc. But as I say, I've definitely come around to the idea it could be him!

Yeah, Kyle just seems like a very nice person - chewed the scenery a tiny bit, but seemed really sweet/genuine