Great episode! Loving this season!
It was kind of interesting how they removed the shelter and everything from the camp after they merged. As for the name, I think Shirin is right (am I actually saying that?). It is kind of a dumb idea. Not because of the dropped A, but just because it's a dumb name for a tribe.
As for the challenge, I always love that one. The super muscular people usually fall out quickly, and the smaller, less muscular people tend to fight for it. Carolyn is one tough player, too.
Now for the big stuff. I'm kind of disappointed Tyler and Carolyn didn't go with the no collars. The blue collars have more numbers than the no collars, and it would have been easier to work within the alliance once they knocked off the majority of the opposing alliance. However, they didn't. What Jenn did with the idol was brilliant. But what Mike told Will was kind of stupid. If I was Will, I wouldn't trust the blue collar alliance now. But he wouldn't be welcomed in the no collars anymore either. Despite the idol being played, it's still in the blue collar + Tyler and Carolyn's favor with the numbers. But it looks like Rodney could be looking to make some more moves. I don't think this season we will see one alliance knock off the other each episode. I think strong alliances aren't possible with these players. There are strong pairs, Tyler/Carolyn, Jenn/Hali, etc, but a full fledged alliance is not possible with the likes of Rodney.
My thoughts for next week, Rodney might open his mouth too much and be voted out. I can see him trying to pull Tyler, Carolyn and Will in to blindside Mike. That would be 4 votes, 4 from the no collars + Shirin, and 3 from the blue collars. However, being smart I think Tyler and Carolyn could possibly flip that on Rodney.
Here are my power rankings for this week, with the top being safest and the bottom being least safe.
1. Dan - He's not a physical or mental threat. In majority alliance.
2. Will - See above. Chosen below Dan because he isn't as solidified in an alliance.
3. Sierra - She's a number, no real threat.
4. Carolyn - Her idol puts her up here, along with being in the majority. Could be a swing again.
5. Tyler - I think he'll end up as a swing again, making it unlikely for him to get votes.
6. Shirin - On the minority alliance, but the potential Rodney switch-up and her not being a threat makes it unlikely for her to leave.
7. Hali - On the minority alliance, and she's part of a power couple. However, she's the less threatening or her and Jenn.
8. Jenn - A threat in challenges and well as strategy. She's on the minority alliance.
9. Joe - See above.
10. Rodney - Talks too much, can't keep one solid alliance, could come back to hurt him.
11. Mike - Has put himself in an obvious position of leadership and power. Calls all the shots, huge threat. However, he doesn't strike me as one difficult to blindside. Doesn't seem to be as intuitive as other players.
