SURVIVOR INSIGHTS 338: Season 45 | Episode 10 Lesson of The Story

Episode 10 Review: This episode is memorable. It is a special one. It is filled with the right amount of drama, fun and social politics.

Emily won the biggest Reward Challenge of the season. She solved the octagon maze first before Austin did. For this reason, she brought Julie, Katurah and Dee (my early-favorite left in the game) in The Sanctuary – where delicious protein heavy meals were prepared with clean utensils, pillows and blankets for an overnight stay and letters from home.

Austin, Drew, Bruce and Jake went home with nothing, but they decided to spend the day by being boys who could do anything that they could not do with women. They could fart freely, they could talk food all day long, and they could fish.

Bruce acted a lie in front of Katurah. He told her he gave his idol to Kellie before she was voted out. Katurah did not believe it and was surprised when Bruce confessed of a sudden.

This lame lie was spread among the group immediately. Drew almost fell for it, but Emily confirmed to him it was a lie when they arrived from The Sanctuary.

Bruce gunned for Dee while talking with Jake. Jake made a rough conversation with Drew all of a sudden. Jake considered Drew a bigger threat than him.

The Immunity Challenge was a memorable one. These eight survivors would be on a sliding board face up while holding on side handles. The game was over when one slides down then went straight to the water.

There was a father and son showdown between Bruce and Austin. These two were the last two remaining. Bruce wanted to win his third consecutive necklace, but he could no longer outplay the stable and steady Austin.

Jeff Probst noticed something different upon meeting the survivors in Tribal Council. The vibe was different. All were vulnerable but were calm. It was seemed like there was already a solid plan to accomplish.

And there was! Upon the vote reveal, Jake was a sacrificial lamb. He received three votes and would be voted out easily when Bruce chose to play his idol. Bruce wanted to blindside Julie, but this plan was far from the truth.

Jeff Probst read the last four votes. All went for Bruce who did not protect himself with an idol. 5 stars of 5 | STUPENDOUS

Lesson Learned: “You’re not a gift from God. Relax.” – JAKE

More Lessons: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9

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SURVIVOR INSIGHTS 337: Season 45 | Episodes 8-9 Lesson of The Story

Episode 8 Review: The Auction Reward Challenge is the highlight of this episode. It returns with a good twist. Gone are the days the survivors would only show up and would bid for a tray they want. This time around, the 10 survivors need to collect money scattered around the jungle.

It was a fun Auction Challenge. Dee collected $900 while Austin and Kellie came second with $700 each. Just like before, some food items were covered. Some were revealed.

These 10 survivors were also forced to shell out their cash. The last survivor with the highest amount of cash on hand by the end of The Auction would be unable to vote in Tribal Council.

Bruce arrived at The Auction with the smallest money at $80 but went home bidding on nothing and without the right to vote.

Thanks to Austin. He shared his chocolate cake with Bruce and Julie. They ate it without utensils and with time limitation. It was not a good experience at all.

The big winner of the Auction was probably Dee, who is the only early-favorite left in my list. She chose to bid all her $900 on a chocolate milkshake.

This was a good strategic bid for Dee. She collected $900; therefore, she needed to waste no time bidding on covered items. The chocolate milkshake was a guarantee. It was a healthy drink.

Kellie was a winner too. Before The Auction was over, she risked it all for an uncovered item and received a plate filled with a sandwich, potato chips and a glass of Margarita.

It was an unlucky day for Bruce during The Auction, but he won the Immunity Challenge the next day.

There was an all-women alliance in the works. These women were gunning for Bruce, but the plan had to change. Ambiguously, Jake was on a target all of a sudden.

Emily approached Austin and Drew. She confessed about the women-alliance.

Drew suggested to blindside Kellie. By doing so, all of them would get rid of a social threat. Drew also rewarded Austin the full immunity idol he won from the amulets during the hilltop adventure with J Maya and Kellie in Episode 5.

Jeff Probst revealed the votes in Tribal Council. Jake immediately received three consecutive votes, but all succeeding votes went against Kellie.

Kellie was shocked. She was blindsided. In truth, the women-alliance was broken. Drew broke it. 5 stars of 5 | STUPENDOUS

Lesson Learned: “There is a balance between playing it safe and playing big moves.” – KELLIE

Episode 9 Review: This episode is a good one. It is a great salvation for Dee.

Kendra began to target Dee when she noticed how likeable she is. Austin disagreed. He was willing to protect Dee no matter what.

The alliance of Austin, Drew, Dee and Julie was heavily tested when Julie joined Bruce and Kendra for The Sanctuary. These three survivors were the last group standing during the Immunity Challenge, which was divided into three stages.

Julie and Kendra could not outlast Bruce during the final stage; therefore, Bruce won the necklace for the second consecutive time. At The Sanctuary, the plan to vote out Dee resurfaced.

Julie felt hesitant about it. She and Dee had a tight bond. She suggested to take out Jake instead, which was an easy vote.

The Alliance of 4 felt paranoid when Julie reported them the entire plan. It looked like they were cutting ties with one of their own. Loyalty was stronger than paranoia, however.

The deal was sealed. Emily and Katurah lost a vote during the Tribal Council. It means Austin, Drew, Dee and Julie would have the majority power to vote out Kendra.

Bruce and Jake were not part of the Alliance of 4, but they voted against Kendra too. 4 stars of 5 | GOOD

Lesson Learned: “Not a good thing but a good deal.” – BRUCE

More Lessons: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7

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SURVIVOR INSIGHTS 336: Season 45 | Episode 7 Lesson of The Story

Episode 7 Review: This episode is unforgettable. Alliances are tested and loyalty is broken, but the outcome stays expected.

It began with Kaleb being cool as the Number 1 target. He received 11 votes against him. All wanted him voted out. Without any protection as his shield, Kaleb stayed vulnerable throughout this episode.

Jeff Probst welcomed them on their first Individual Immunity Challenge. It was a classic one – stay at the top of the pole for as long as you can. The 12 survivors were divided into two groups of six. Each group would compete against each other for the Immunity. Then, the two remaining survivors would battle it out for another feast in The Sanctuary.

Kellie won an immunity necklace, but she could not stay longer to win the reward for her group. Dee was stable throughout the challenge. She outplayed Kellie and won the Feast reward for Kaleb, Julie, Austin, Jake and Katurah.

Dee had a straight-forward but predictable plan to eliminate Kaleb. Jake had other plans, however. He wanted to save Kaleb, who is one of my early favorites. Jake would risk a tie between Kaleb and Julie until the revote. When this happens, Kaleb, Julie and Dee will be safe while Jake, Austin and Katurah will draw rocks.

It would have a more interesting plan if Jake turned the plan into reality. It was not easy, however. Katurah had second thoughts after knowing her tribe had not informed her that Bruce had a hidden idol.

Both groups went to the Tribal Council. Kellie’s group went first. It was a showdown between Sifu and Bruce during the vote-reveal. Sifu was ousted.

Dee’s group followed. Kaleb’s survival depended on Jake and Katurah. This time around, Kaleb failed to escape. Dee, Julie and Austin stayed hardcore in voting him out and surprisingly, Katurah joined them. Kaleb became the first member of The Jury. 4 stars of 5 | GOOD

Lesson Learned: “The quantity of options is not nearly as important as quality.” – KALEB

More Lessons: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6

SURVIVOR INSIGHTS 335: Season 45 | Episodes 5 & 6 Lesson of The Story

Episode 5 Review: This episode is about extreme hunger. The survivors are hungry while playing a cut-throat game filled with social politics.

In Lulu (Yellow), Jake passed out again. The entire tribe was concerned. Kellie the nurse comforted him immediately, but Jake wanted to continue the game so bad. He was not calling professional help. In Reba (Red), Sifu could not forget someone on the core alliance voted against him. He accused J-Maya.

J-Maya played the situation and made herself a decoy. She told Dee and Julie to make Sifu believe she was going home. Dee and Julie discussed the options and what supposed to be a make-believe drama for Sifu turned into action plan. They considered voting out J-Maya.

Belo (Blue) lost the Reward – Immunity Challenge. Reba finished the challenge first. Therefore, they were given the power to choose one member from each tribe to embark on a journey. Reba chose Austin and Kellie to go with J. Maya.

Upon arrival at the hilltop, Austin wanted the Food too bad. He was starving and for once, he needed to eat. The ladies chose Strategy Advantage, however. Majority wins!

Each brought home with an amulet that has the power of an Immunity idol when only one of the three is left.

Emily sat in the middle between the core alliances of Drew and Austin and Kendra and Brando. Jeff Probst welcomed them in the Tribal Council.

Drew and Brando received two votes each. Emily was the final vote. She sided with Austin and Drew. Brando went home. 3 stars of 5 | SO-SO

Lesson Learned: “Go with the numbers or go with your gut.” – EMILY

Episode 6 Review: Merged at 13 or not?

This episode was a great one. All 13 were now living on one beach. Each had their own agenda. Each had an old alliance to return with or a new alliance to swim with.

The biggest Reward Challenge of the season arrived. These 13 survivors were divided into two groups of 6. Katurah would not participate for picking a colorless stone, but she was choosing the Blue tribe to win (Austin, Drew, Bruce, Kendra, Julie and Sifu).

Katurah joined Blue after they aced the longest challenge yet in which there were two puzzles to be solved during the final leg. Blue + Katurah headed to the Sanctuary.

All my three pre-show favorites were vulnerable. Kaleb, Dee, J-Maya returned to the camp empty-handed along with Jake, Kellie and Emily. One of these six would be voted out too.

Tribal Council and things were getting predictable. All 12 put Kaleb inside a pressure cooker.

Kaleb played his Shot In The Dark before the vote reveal and luckily, he was safe. Jeff Probst tallied the votes. All votes had no value as it all went against Kaleb.

Before the re-vote, the 12 were unprepared. There were suddenly whisperings. Emily felt alarmed as J-Maya threw her name around. Kaleb would not vote, and no one would not be allowed to play the Shot In The Dark.

Emily received only one vote. All votes went against J-Maya. 5 stars of 5 | STUPENDOUS

Lesson Learned: “I might be the big threat here but I’m not the big strategic threat.” – KALEB

More Lessons: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4

Photo Courtesy of: CBS