Survivor 49 Discussion Thread

[artvandelay]

You really don't? I'd say it's pretty obvious that it's 2 of 3 possibilities.

I haven’t seen the spoilers for who the two people are, but based on the edit it’s becoming obvious

 

[PUSH]

This episode was very up and down. Before the immunity challenge, it was a little painful to watch with the boy band and Jeff trying to turn Kristina's moment into a transformative moment. But after the immunity challenge, it was Survivor at its peak.

It baffles me that people have such a bad read on Yellow Sophie. She was clearly on the bottom of the yellow tribe, and they made it very clear when they were upset she was still there instead of MC. They didn't even deny it when she told them to their faces that it hurts. Yet the yellow tribe plus Sage and Jawan still think she's on their side. Why?

Sage's plan was great, don't get me wrong, but it only works if everybody is on board. And Yellow Sophie will be the first one of that alliance voted out if she goes with them, versus potentially top 4 and able to make fire with the other group. I also think Sage started telling people this plan too early. She should've waited until she knew the results of the immunity challenge before trying something this big. Typically when there's too much time to think, it doesn't work out. Especially when there are people you're not totally confident about.

Taking out someone in the middle was a good idea for Rizo, Savannah, and the Sophi(e)s. Jawan and Sage had way too much power, and they were just flipping back and forth every time. They now have the power to take control with the extra vote.

Speaking of, is this the first time an extra vote has actually worked? They usually mean nothing. And Rizo had to have create that fake idol in order to read the room, right? Then decide whether to play his real one? Assuming that's the reason, it was brilliant. How he still has his idol at the final 7 is beyond me.

I was a little surprised that Blue Sophi didn't steal Kristina's idol. But she knew she had the votes to get Jawan. And I think it's very smart. She's in an amazing spot. She's tightly aligned with Rizo and Savannah, but she's not the head of the beast. I think she'll eventually use the KIP to take Rizo's idol when she does eventually decide to turn on them. I think it's a move that could potentially lead her to become the winner. I think she has the best chance to win out of anybody right now. She's right where you want to be this deep into the game. A legitimate player, but hasn't created too big of a target on herself. She's helping drive the decisions and strategy, but she's not taking the lead.

Also, Savannah's taunting of Jawan as the votes are being read was hilarious. She played into it so hard, making him think he got one over on her, knowing full well that he is going home. Amazing. I know she's divisive, but I love Savannah. I love a good villain.

And then Jawan taking Rizo's torch when he's voted out is the perfect conclusion to his story arc that he steals everyone's things without knowing.

Like I said... post-immunity challenge was peak Survivor. And this is why we watch.

Here are my updated rankings, again if they would win should they get to the final three.

The Favorites
1. Savannah
2. Rizo
3. Soph

Good Chance
4. Sage
5. Sophie

Off Chance
6. Steven

No Chance
7. Kristina

 

[dmw]

definitely a better episode (except for Jeff trying to make the Kristina's emotions something bigger than they needed to be).
And, finally some serious thinking and attempt at big plays. I really enjoyed the editing this time. There were so many possible plans - most with serious probabilities for success.
The fake idol by Rizo... wow! That was a very interesting play. Caught me totally by surprise. And when his name came up so many times, I was wondering if Rizo had been blindsided big time.
I agree with @PUSH on the top three at this point.
I think Sage is probably the next one out. Her name has been tossed in as someone to fear. And, I can see the next episode being the easy vote out. After that, I think the leading alliance will break up and we will get a blindside of one of them.

BTW, do we have a Survivor 50 thread started yet? I have some thoughts on the players and the three tribe format...

 

[artvandelay]

Kristina summed up the new era of Survivor perfectly:

“I’m here for the journey and experience”

But, it was good to hear yellow Sophie say she wants the money.

 

[PUSH]

definitely a better episode (except for Jeff trying to make the Kristina's emotions something bigger than they needed to be).
And, finally some serious thinking and attempt at big plays. I really enjoyed the editing this time. There were so many possible plans - most with serious probabilities for success.
The fake idol by Rizo... wow! That was a very interesting play. Caught me totally by surprise. And when his name came up so many times, I was wondering if Rizo had been blindsided big time.
I agree with @PUSH on the top three at this point.
I think Sage is probably the next one out. Her name has been tossed in as someone to fear. And, I can see the next episode being the easy vote out. After that, I think the leading alliance will break up and we will get a blindside of one of them.

BTW, do we have a Survivor 50 thread started yet? I have some thoughts on the players and the three tribe format...

I haven't started a thread for 50 yet. I figured I would wait until after 49's finale, but I could start one if people want me to.

 

[PUSH]

Kristina summed up the new era of Survivor perfectly:

“I’m here for the journey and experience”

But, it was good to hear yellow Sophie say she wants the money.

I was thinking about this last night... the casting has become too heavily focused on people who are here for the personal growth. That's not why we watch Survivor. We want people who come to play and want to win the game. We aren't here to watch summer camp.

I don't think it necessarily has to do with everyone being a super fan, because we clearly have super fans on this season who are here to play (Rizo, Savannah, Soph, Sophie...). That's why I like them. It's why I like Sage, too. I don't care for Kristina, because she's just here to make friends and doesn't really want to win the game. The two can overlap, but winning the game has to be the main motivator. I think that's why I like a season like Second Chances so much... they were all playing so hard to win.

Jeff is out of touch with what draws fans in. His choices as a producer prove that. I've been saying Jeff is not a great producer, but is a good host. I feel like his hosting has been slipping the more I watch these recent seasons, though. He needs to be asking them tougher questions like he used to. He always used to talk about how he's a part of the game, and navigating him is part of playing Survivor. Now, they just have friendly conversations with him and go on their way.

I saw a clip of Rob C talking about how Survivor 51 and 52 are going to be pivotal seasons. Where they go after 50 is going to be crucial for the show's long term fate. If it continues like they have in 41-49, the show won't last much longer. If they can reinvent it and make it interesting again, it's a format that can work forever. But it's been so predictable for 10 seasons. They used to change things every season, and it made it interesting. Yes, we complained about things, but it was better than us having nothing to talk about. These past couple seasons, I haven't really felt anything regarding the show. And that's concerning for a die hard fan like me.

 

[artvandelay]

I was thinking about this last night... the casting has become too heavily focused on people who are here for the personal growth. That's not why we watch Survivor. We want people who come to play and want to win the game. We aren't here to watch summer camp.

I don't think it necessarily has to do with everyone being a super fan, because we clearly have super fans on this season who are here to play (Rizo, Savannah, Soph, Sophie...). That's why I like them. It's why I like Sage, too. I don't care for Kristina, because she's just here to make friends and doesn't really want to win the game. The two can overlap, but winning the game has to be the main motivator. I think that's why I like a season like Second Chances so much... they were all playing so hard to win.

Jeff is out of touch with what draws fans in. His choices as a producer prove that. I've been saying Jeff is not a great producer, but is a good host. I feel like his hosting has been slipping the more I watch these recent seasons, though. He needs to be asking them tougher questions like he used to. He always used to talk about how he's a part of the game, and navigating him is part of playing Survivor. Now, they just have friendly conversations with him and go on their way.

I saw a clip of Rob C talking about how Survivor 51 and 52 are going to be pivotal seasons. Where they go after 50 is going to be crucial for the show's long term fate. If it continues like they have in 41-49, the show won't last much longer. If they can reinvent it and make it interesting again, it's a format that can work forever. But it's been so predictable for 10 seasons. They used to change things every season, and it made it interesting. Yes, we complained about things, but it was better than us having nothing to talk about. These past couple seasons, I haven't really felt anything regarding the show. And that's concerning for a die hard fan like me.

I listened to Rob’s Q+A podcast. He did talk about 51 and 52 being pivotal. It worth a full listen. Rob knows they’re never leaving Fiji, but try to mix things up. Go back to 2 tribes, bring back themed seasons, change the casting process.

Seems like Jeff is trying to bring his cancelled talk show to Survivor.

 

[PUSH]

I listened to Rob’s Q+A podcast. He did talk about 51 and 52 being pivotal. It worth a full listen. Rob knows they’re never leaving Fiji, but try to mix things up. Go back to 2 tribes, bring back themed seasons, change the casting process.

Seems like Jeff is trying to bring his cancelled talk show to Survivor.

I started the podcast, but haven't gotten all the way through yet. I agree with him that production has gotten very stubborn in the new era. Jeff has continuously told us that the way they're doing it is the best way to do it, even if nobody else thinks so.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

I started the podcast, but haven't gotten all the way through yet. I agree with him that production has gotten very stubborn in the new era. Jeff has continuously told us that the way they're doing it is the best way to do it, even if nobody else thinks so.

I'm cautiously optimistic that they'll want to change things up after 10 seasons and that this season showed the benefits of tribe swaps keeping the game dynamic.

The stubbornness is confounding because this is a show that has always worked to change things up and keep things fresh.

It's weird when they do something like final four fire making and just decide that is has to be permanent. Granted, the goal of that is to increase the chances of a popular player make it further. The appeal TV product does need to be considered.