Survivor Blood vs. Water: The Final ... Showdown?

When the preview for Survivor Blood vs. Water aired during the Caramoan finale last spring it wasn’t difficult to figure out the gist of what this season would be all about. I thought it was brilliant, but then I thought about One World. I thought the concept for One World was brilliant too when it was announced and here’s my issue with it: One camp – really interesting, totally changes the dynamic of the game, but separating men and women – not dynamic enough, while being overly dynamic at the same time. I think One World would have been much better if they had mixed gender tribes from the start. Putting all those women together was such a bad idea for that cast. Blood vs Water; however, did it right. Throwing in Redemption Island was such a smart way to mix things up in a rendition of the game that could have been an absolute failure. Separating loved ones was an obvious decision; Redemption Island was the real surprise twist that made this formula work. Given the right circumstances, I would have been happy for anyone in this season to win the money and the title, so I’m calling Blood vs. Water a good season of Survivor. Now, let’s talk about the finale.

First off…omg… Laura with the crazy saves during the duel! Remember in Caramoan during that Immunity Challenge when they had to balance on the boxes in the water? Whats-His-Face bobbled around on that thing like a Weeble, but I think Laura’s wobbling was far more impressive. We all know who won the duel, but let me show you why Tina had this in the bag from the beginning. I direct your attention to the photo below.

See what Tina is doing there? She’s using her arms to hold up her leg, which is reducing the strain on her knee allowing her to keep the vase level and much steadier. Laura has the right idea, but instead of using her arms to her advantage, she’s displaying “jazz hands” throughout most of the challenge. Hayden… I don’t know what you were thinking, sweetie, but you put your vase on a slant! In theory, what Hayden was doing was a good idea; keeping the leg straight, locking the knee into place for more stability, but he had no anchor for his heel. Tina’s strategy in this last duel of Blood vs. Water shows that experience means everything in the game of Survivor, which is why veterans typically out-play the new players in such seasons.

So Tina is granted another shot at playing the game and play the game she did! Grandma got back to camp, pulled out her knitting needles and went to town on a strategy sweater. Looking for the idol proved to be a bust, but we all knew she wasn’t going to find anything. Her real move here was talking trying to knit something comfortable for Monica to wear, but that sweater ended up being too short in the arms and scratchy. Ciera was right on it with damage control, though, because at this point, Ciera is playing a winning end-game.

This brings us to another really difficult Immunity Challenge in Blood vs. Water and Tyson pulls off the first of two crucial Immunity wins he needs to win the game. Watch that challenge again. He was focused. All I could hear in my head during that challenge the second time I watched it was the theme to Jaws. When Jeff put the necklace on him for the first time that evening, I was pretty confident he was going to win the next one too. Tyson was zeroed in on the prize before Rachel was eliminated, but definitely, her exit from the game helped him bring his game to a fine point during these last two Immunity Challenges.

So, okay… When I write these blogs, I usually watch the episode at the same time, pausing, rewinding, captioning a picture, etc. I just have to note what Monica says before the first Tribal Council of the night to Tina and Ciera. --- “I’m 100% with them. He’s [Tyson] not going to think that I’m wavering. He’s not going to play the idol for Gervase because he wouldn’t know who to play it for; me or him…Tonight’s Tribal Council; I’m gonna own it. It’s my night. It’s my strategic move…Tonight it’s my call. I’m gonna say who goes home and I’m gonna make my choice on what’s best for me.” ---

Now… <sigh>… At Tribal Council, of course, it is announced that Monica is the swing vote again and she acknowledges it. Ciera throws it down at Tribal Council, again, and keeps it real. Unfortunately, Monica kept it too real, putting far too many emotions into her speech, which wasn’t even necessary since she voted out Ceira anyway! If she had played it cool and confident like Tyson during the Immunity Challenge, made him believe 100% that she was solid w/ their alliance and voted out Gervase, she could have won the game and she would have deserved it.

For the next sequence of events its lather, rinse, repeat. Tyson wins Immunity again, Monica has a second chance to win herself some respect with the jury, but fails again to do so. Tina’s torch was snuffed and before I dive into the Final Tribal Council… NO MEMORY WALK?! Really? I’m still not sure how I feel about this one. As soon as it was gone, I missed it, but the memory walk has been kind of a drag to sit through since Survivor Final Threes came into play, not really sure why that is for me. Really, though, it’s just a mirror of the little recap of the season we get at the beginning of the finale episode, but if I had to choose one of those two, I’d choose the Memory Walk.

So. Final Tribal Council.

The Opening Statements: Gervase made some very good arguments in his favor; he was calm, well-spoken and projected a confident image to the jury. Monica was far too emotional and should have had more confidence in herself, regardless of what anyone else did or said. And Tyson? Talk about a Goldilocks zone! I told you Tyson would charm the jury. Did you see their smiling faces?

The tone of each of our Blood vs. Water Final Three’s opening statements stay in sync as they speak with the jury and answer their questions. Gervase remains composed and Tyson continues to show just enough emotion making his responses sincere and Monica barely manages to put her emotions in check. I think it was Caleb’s request for her to tell him something from her heart that pushed her down the slide, and then Laura said she didn’t know who she was. Hayden tried, he really did, to pull out of Monica what the jury wanted to hear, but she was so focused on Monica at home because of Brad’s involvement in the game that she couldn’t focus on Monica playing Survivor. I don’t know why! She lasted way longer than him and won more challenges than him so I don’t know why she wasn’t totally proud of herself having made it all the way to the Final Tribal Council.

Honestly, I wanted to give Tyson a 99.9% chance of winning in my previous post, but I like making Back to the Future references and I take advantage of every opportunity to do so. There was also the off chance that Monica would make what I thought would be the right move for her end-game. As with all of these reality shows, there is a lot we don’t see because they have to edit hours of footage into 42 minute packages to engage an audience with a storyline. This is why I always give the benefit of the doubt to the players in these reality TV competition games when it comes to their strategies. Maybe Monica was more strategic than I thought, maybe people who think she played a great game caught things I missed, but I don’t think her head was in it. She was playing with her heart not her head. As for Gervase, dude, I’m sorry, bro, but Tyson has this game in the bag from day zero.

So this Reunion Show… I’m really glad that all of our players were on the stage this season. I’m so happy that Jeff pointed out how great Hayden and Ciera were towards the end of the game. She may have bounced around like Happy Fun Ball, but Ciera was an awesome Survivor and so was Hayden. I just wish Kat has made it a little further in the game. She was my favorite female from One World and I’m really happy that she had a chance to play Survivor again – it was really funny watching her and Colton banter back and forth in the beginning. Her time with Jeff during the Reunion Show, though, was totally awkward! That’s why I like, Kat, though, she kind of reminds me of myself.

All in all, I loved watching all of our Survivor Blood vs. Water players, there really wasn’t anyone I disliked – well, there’s Colton, but I’m neutral with him. He’s a great character for Survivor and I’m sure they will try to bring him back to play again just to see what happens. I, for one, will happily watch him self implode again because if you think about it, it’s actually kind of beautiful. He’s growing, hopefully, as a person before our very eyes and now we have a stable person around to help us better understand Colton, through the eyes of someone who loves him. This is what makes reality TV so awesome.

Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty: So I've seen some confirmed picks of about half a dozen of the cast members for Survivor BBB. We've got some more models and such, but the word is that they will all be new players. I know that will make Judd from Big Brother 15 happy! Judd would also, like me, rather see Survivor go back to the classic Final Two situation. He said I could quote him on that in this blog so...

And now, before I wrap this up, I have to share a pic I forgot to include in the previous post. I can't believe I forgot about it! It's from the Immunity Challenge in the episode before the finale.

See you for the next season of Survivor, everyone! Be on the look out for special blog posts until then and... Support Judd in the Reality Rally! :) Be excellent to each other.

Survivor Blood vs. Water: Tyson's Misted Minions Not Swayed By End Game Strategy

This Sunday’s Survivor Blood vs. Water finale is all I can think about! And before I get into talking about the latest episode and what I think is going to go down finale night, I have something important to say to the producers of Survivor: If the entire cast is not sitting on that stage this year I’m going to be so angry with you! What kind of BS was that with last season’s finale and half of the cast sitting in the audience? I was insulted as a viewer! I can’t imagine how diminished and rejected those players felt. They deserved their moment in the limelight, on the stage, all clean and pretty for the cameras and fans. Not having all of the Survivors sitting together kind of ruined the Reunion show for me, Survivor producers, so let’s not do that again, okay? I know I’m not alone on this. And while I’m at it… I get that a “Loved Ones Visit” episode would have been redundant this time around, but NO SURVIVOR FOOD AUCTION?! Come on! That’s one of my favorite episodes every season!

Anyway… It appears that Tyson has indeed Survivor-Misted Monica. Her emotional response to Tyson and Gervase voting to keep her in the game, and her jokey attempt at pulling Ciera over the line in the sand and back into their alliance proves that Monica is not playing Survivor. Sure, all the talking makes it seem like she’s doing something, but it couldn’t be further from actual strategy. If Monica’s head was in the game, she would have known she was the swing vote in the upcoming Tribal Council as soon as Katie was rocked out and she would have made some deals to secure an end-game alliance. Ciera tried to tell her the truth, but she couldn’t swat away the mist in Monica’s eyes. Monica not flipping over to Hayden and Ciera’s side of the beach is the Million Dollar Decision that will lose her the money.

So no one is shocked that Laura won another duel, right? How are we feeling about Tina giving her daughter the boot to the Jury? If you think about it, this move makes sense for Tina. If she makes it back into the game, and to the Final Tribal Council, Tina has experience in front of a Survivor Jury and with Katie hanging out with Vytas in Ponderosa, she has a much better shot at the grand babies she wants from those two crazy kids.

Can the Super Mom Squad defeat Hayden in the final duel, though? Laura is a challenge beast, but I think Hayden is going to take her down. Not that it matters who comes back into the game; they will be Tyson’s target the moment they win the duel and he has misted minions around to do his bidding.

Without her Puzzle Mom around, Ciera shined in the Immunity Challenge and won a nice meal for herself and Hayden – to enjoy at camp!? What’s up with all these food rewards taking place at camp in front of everyone? Usually the players are whisked away to enjoy their rewards at some other location, (a chance to “getaway” from the game for awhile), and this far into the game, one reward also usually involves an overnight stay with showers and clean clothes. Was there not enough money in the budget this season to buy all of the ingredients in the Survivor recipe? Do I need to remind you about the lack of a Survivor Food Auction this season?

This week, Ciera gets the “Throwin’ It Down At Tribal Council And Keepin’ It Real Badge”. It took her awhile, but Ciera is finally starting to back up all my claims that she’s a great Survivor player and I love it! If only she had realized her best game would be played with Hayden a little sooner, like when Caleb was around, she would have had a real shot at winning the game. Unfortunately, it’s probably too late for our Teen Mom because Tyson’s grip on Gervase and Monica is too tight.

So, here are my predictions for how things are going to play out for us on Sunday night. Hayden will go back into the game, but Cupcake King and his minions will make short work of both Hayden and Ciera – unless one of them happens to win Immunity. Immunity is the only thing that can save Hayden and Ciera. My guess is that Ciera will go first because Hayden wins a spot in the final four with the necklace, but one of those other three is going to win the Final Immunity – the only question that remains is: Is this a final two season or a final three? I still don’t know the answer, and I’m not looking it up because I do like to be surprised. Spoilers! I will say, though, that Tyson has an 88% shot at winning the game,(because 88mph is how fast you have to go to travel in time without a T.A.R.D.I.S), no matter if it's a final two or a final three. I guess we'll all find out on Sunday, December 15th during the three hour Survivor finale, beginning at 8pm Eastern (7pm Central - you west coasters are on your own for show time) only on CBS!

Survivor Blood vs. Water: CONFLICT! (But is it Really the Best Episode Ever?)

In a legen- wait for it, because Tyson is still trying to dig a hidden Immunity Idol from his bag during Tribal Council –dary episode of Survivor that many are calling the “best episode ever”, I had to take some time to discuss all of the insanity with my Survivor-Obsessed best friend before writing this blog. He brought up a good point and I’ll get to that later. There’s no time for idle chit chat (pun intended), let’s talk about freakin’ Survivor!

We’re not even two minutes into the episode when – CONFLICT! Hayden pulls out his cards, throws them at Tyson and Gervase loses it! LOL “I got my hand on his back…in his back!” LOL Oh, Gervase… No you don’t. The Cupcake King reigns supreme over his subjects and none shall remove the cherry from oft his ragged cap and all who try to dethrone him will be EXTERMINATED. You’re only around because Tyson thinks he can beat you in the end, and he’s right. Tyson will win this season of Survivor if he’s facing the jury in the Final Tribal Council. No one will be able to talk to the jury like Tyson. I know a lot of people don’t like Tyson, and I get it, but I’ve always enjoyed watching him play Survivor. He may seem gruff with his dry sense of humor, but he’s really quite charming when he needs to be. He’ll be able to sweet talk the jury, which I highly doubt will be bitter, and he has played a nearly flawless game. So, Hayden wins the “Survivor Awareness Badge” for knowing when (and how) to hold them and knowing when to PLAY (not fold) them. Calling Tyson out in front of the tribe after that Tribal Council was a brilliant move and it was the exact thing to do at that exact time for a player in his position. Kudos, to you, Hayden Moss and THANK YOU! That’s what we like to see on Survivor!

At the duel, well, does it really matter? Nope! Laura is a challenge BEAST and if the next duel is the last duel it won’t matter if Tina lets Katie win because Laura isn’t going to give up that easily and she will go back into the game. Does it really matter? Nope! Laura and Monica (yup, bringing Monica into this) are beasts at challenges, but I’ve seen no real, decent strategy from either one of them. Their best chance of sitting across from the Jury in the Final Tribal Council is by sticking together with Ciera to get rid of the boys, but we’ll see if Monica is smart enough to do that in the next episode or if she, like Gervase, has been Survivor-Misted by Tyson. (Same goes for Tina or Katie if one of them win the next duel).

Okay, let’s fast forward through the next bit. Laura gives Ciera the clue to the newly hidden Immunity Idol and she keeps it, but then READS IT OUTLOUD in front of practically the whole tribe?! I keep thinking that Ciera is this great Survivor player, but she bounces back and forth between brilliant and bonehead – if she ends up in the final and wins, it will be deservedly so, but still! Hayden and Katie try to look for the idol, but Tyson eventually “finds” it after an “emotion-filled” confessional with a camera person then he goes off to take a nap.

Gervase wins the most difficult Immunity Challenge I’ve ever seen (or remember seeing) on Survivor and Hayden pulls out his cards again when they get back to camp. Hayden has the Royal Flush needed to take down the Cupcake King, but Ciera and Gervase still think they have a shot against Tyson in the end and don’t want to play Hayden’s game.

I’ve seen every Tribal Council, most of them multiple times, and I have to agree with my best friend. While exciting and full of CONFLICT, to truly call it the best Tribal Council ever, Tyson would have drawn that white rock. Without a vote cast against him, and a hidden Immunity Idol in his possession, it would have been so sweet to see him “Rocked Out” to Redemption Island. I love Tyson and I will not be upset if he wins, but it would have been so awesome to see his torch snuffed in this episode. It would have been the cherry on top of the cupcake. Did you see the emotion on his face talking to Ciera? Do you see it? Everything you ever need to know about someone is right there in the eyes and what this look tells me is that Tyson is freaked out, he's trying to stay calm and composed, but he is out of his Tribal Council comfort zone. He's really anxious when Ciera switches her vote and he can't hide it. Not from me anyway! :) It's really obvious.

And Hayden gets another Survivor Badge from me, the “Throwin’ It Down At Tribal and Keepin’ It Real Badge” for … well… Throwin’ it down at Tribal and keepin’ it real. This is also what we like to see on Survivor, Hayden! You are definitely Survivor All-Stars material.Then there was all the cracking up from the Peanut Gallery sitting in the Jury seats!

I love when the Jury’s spirits are high from all the fun they are having together in Ponderosa, remembering that’s it’s just a game. It’s always around this time in the season that I finally head over to CBS.com to watch the Ponderosa videos, which I highly recommend if you haven’t done so. There are lots of other fun videos and watching these extras really get you hyped up for the finale, maybe even as much Gervase was by Hayden at the beginning of the episode. Maybe.

So in the “Next Time on Survivor” segment, Tina tells everyone that she will let Katie win the duel (refer to the comments above for my response to that), then we see a snippet of a conversation between Ciera and Monica. Good job on being the one to approach Monica, Ciera, because it didn’t look like she was going to make the best move for her game. Good lookin’ out, but please try not to be ironic in the episode before the finale. I would really love to see you make it to the Final Tribal Council because no matter what, you deserve to sit in one of those chairs.

Before I wrap this up, I just have to share a picture that I put together and I couldn't find a proper place for in the blog. I spent too much time on it not to post it. So... I imagine that this is what was on Gervase's mind while he was throwing sand bags at those targets. And now that I see it... Not happy with how the text looks, but...Not going to spend more time on it. I have some other really freeze frames; maybe I'll Tweet them between now and the next episode.

I also want to let everyone know that just because Survivor is about to wrap up the season, doesn't mean you won't have good reasons to read this blog. :) I plan to keep you entertained in the agonizing months between seasons of Survivor. Don't forget about the second season of Big Brother Canada! It starts in February as well and I plan watching it in whatever manner I must. If you haven't seen the first season of BBCAN, you can watch all of the episodes on YouTube. I promise, you'll love it. All my love to Marsha the Moose! Hope you aren't too cramped in that box! :)

And don't forget to check out the blogs of my fellow Your Reality Recaps bloggers! :)