SURVIVOR INSIGHTS 355: Season 46 | Episode 12 Lesson of The Story

Episode 12 Review: This pre-finale episode is a mix. The first 60% is good consistently, but the last 40% is “too” predictable.

The climax of this episode began when Charlie won The Sanctuary Reward Challenge, but he did not choose Maria with him.

Charlie, instead, chose Kenzie and Liz – who unexpectedly could eat Chinese food.

Maria began to believe the possibility to shift an alliance and would give a chance to trust Q more.

To seal her safety, Maria dominated the Immunity Challenge for the third time. She surprisingly surprised everyone by finishing the dolphin puzzle by a mile ahead of Charlie and Ben, who solved the foundation first.

Then, Charlie played his social politics as delicate as The Tortured Poets Department.

And, it worked!

Even Maria felt instantly guilty with the way Charlie convinced her to vote out Q. The Number 1 Taylor Swift fan was convincing without a drop of bad blood.

Tribal Council came. There were layers of great insights shared on the table. Maria voted against Charlie, which was a testament that her loyalty shifted totally.

Charlie’s Numbers Game saved him, however. The rest voted against Q; therefore, he was knocked out with an idol inside his Q-Skirt.

Correct me if I was wrong, but this was the third consecutive time that a hidden idol was not played, which was unrealistic anymore.

Kudos for Q for his no-silent promotion of Applebee’s on his exit confessional. This was fun and real good! 4 stars of 5.

Lesson Learned: “I either let this knock me down and take the wind out of my sails or I’m gonna channel this into fierce determination to win the challenge today.” – MARIA

More Lessons: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11

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SURVIVOR INSIGHTS 354: Season 46 | Episode 11 Lesson of The Story

Episode 11 Review: It is official! I have no Early Favorite left for this season.

However, I could not help it but notice the consistent unrealistic pattern of those with hidden idols. From Jem to Hunter to Tiff and Venus, none one of them played their idols.

It was a mystery, and it was frustrating to watch.

I thought this was a new era. The game amplified, but it turned out this season was totally a replay of Survivor Redemption Island in Season 22. The new players were un-strategic, letting the power players like Boston Rob stay and win effortlessly.

In this season, all the power players namely Charlie, Maria and Ben were completely safe.

None attempted to vote them out. Instead, the majority voted for Venus who has no solid alliance since the merge.

Considering that Venus found a hidden idol, did it make her a threat?

No. She simply found it.

It was a huge effort for Maria to win the Immunity Challenge for the second time. The timing was right!

She needed that necklace for an extra layer of protection knowing that her closest ally (Charlie) began to explore other options that could benefit his game.

It was a wasted opportunity to not vote out Charlie, however. His invisible social game was too powerful to be noticed. Not even Venus sensed it.

Frustrating.

Probably, the season finale will be as predictable as Season 22 all over again. If Charlie will win, that is given.

It is also given if Ben wins. Surprisingly, that is one less predictable than having Jeff Probst announces a Charlie or Maria win. 3 stars of 5, So-So

Lesson Learned: “This game is all about working with people, adapting to what’s in front of you and keeping your options open.” – CHARLIE

More Lessons: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10

Photo Courtesy of: CBS

SURVIVOR INSIGHTS 353: Season 46 | Episode 10 Lesson of The Story

Episode 10 Review: This is a predictable episode, but it is a fun one for the food sponsorship of Applebee’s is back at The Sanctuary.

The final stretch of the season was on!

The eight remaining survivors were getting thinner, hungrier and angrier. After Q won the Reward Challenge, Liz was having a moment of meltdown for not having been selected for The Sanctuary.

It was understandable that Liz was starving but having a meltdown like she blamed Q for having the entire solar system collapse on her, this moment was uncomfortable and scary to watch.

It was clear that even Venus, Ben and Charlie who were not selected for the reward felt awkward. Venus attempted to console Liz but hesitated for the rage in Liz could be uncontrollable.

On to Applebee’s Sanctuary – Q was with Tiffany, Kenzie and Maria in an aim to bring back the trust that was lost. These four had a good time, but Tiffany and Kenzie were not going to trust Q again.

For this reason, Q was once again the Public Enemy Number 1 coming into the Immunity Challenge.

Q failed to win the Immunity Challenge. Charlie also stopped Tiffany from winning.

This meant that the majority could either go for the expected and easy vote, which was Q, or go to blindside Tiffany, which personally was not a blindside.

Tiffany was not a threat (the way I see it). Her hidden idol was not a threat either.

Most power players of this episode were Charlie and Maria who were controlling the game with finesse since the merge.

Truth was, no Former-Siga yet was eliminated since Tim who is one of my early favorites.

In this case, Tiffany was a sacrifice for Maria and Charlie to protect Ben.

These power players found the right timing to break the alliance of Former-Yanu 3 with the help of Q and Liz.

Tribal Council came. The plan was set then Jeff Probst revealed the votes.

Q was safe again. Kenzie was shocked, however, as Tiffany received more votes than expected and became the fourth member of The Jury. 4 of 5 stars! GOOD

Lesson Learned: “If I keep sitting back and waiting for the light to turn green, it may not turn green. So, I’m gonna have to run the red light.” – MARIA

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 344: Season 46 | Pilot Lesson of The Story

Episode 1 Review: I am sorry for being honest. I find this pilot forgettable for the reasons that the challenges are repetitive. I love the oversized Gecko in Immunity Challenge. Yet, this challenge is simply the land version of the water challenge in Season 43.

The first challenge they did once they landed on the beach to meet Jeff Probst was not memorable. It was a test of how quick they were and how fast their spatial abilities were to solve a three-Storey puzzle. I did not feel a connection with it.

Nami (Orange Tribe) and Siga (Green Tribe) won the challenge, leaving Yanu (Purple Tribe) on the out. Yanu had no power but to do the Sweat Challenge the moment they arrived on their camp. Worst part was, Jelinsky and Q discontinued the challenge and quit.

Early alliances were made. Charlie sealed a deal with his three angels – Jem, Maria and Moriah. Randen almost partnered with Venus (my early favorites) as he caught her looking for a secret idol, but Randen was threatened by her presence.

Q, Kenzie and Tiffany were supposed to be in sync with Jelinsky, but as soon as they lost the Immunity Challenge and arrived at the Tribal Council, this alliance was broken. All voted against Jelinsky. 3 stars of 5! So-so

Lesson Learned: “People who play scared go home.” – TIFFANY

Photo Courtesy of: CBS