Survivor 49 Discussion Thread

[PUSH]

We finally got an interesting episode! Unfortunately, it was at the expense of a med evac.

Before getting into the meat of the episode, I'll talk about the vote. The three person dynamic was very interesting when they didn't want to vote anybody out. Throw in Alex's idol, and it's even more intriguing. Again, this isn't because of choices production made, but rather an unfortunate med evac. Alex had to decide what to do, and I think he made the right choice to save himself. Sophi and Jeremiah both seemed to want to keep each other and take out Alex, but Sophi made the self-preservation move to vote Jeremiah. However, what if Alex had voted Sophi? We could have had a 1-1-1, with Alex being safe. Then Alex would have had the deciding vote. I've run through lots of scenarios, and ultimately because of the idol, Alex essentially had the final say in every situation. Unless he didn't play it and received two votes, but I don't think Sophi was ever going to risk that.

Now onto the big event of the night. As soon as I saw the snake, I knew it was venomous. I've watched enough Survivor and listened to enough podcasts to know that the black and white striped sea snake is deadly. I didn't realize most of the time it's a dry bite, though. I'm not sure why they pulled him, though. They cited his emotional state and lack of nutrition. Is that in the event that there actually was venom injected? Because they also said, the effects would be evident pretty quickly. I know the real reason was liability, but the logic on screen didn't seem to make too much sense.

Seeing the Survival guide and behind the scenes of the medical station was very interesting. I'm surprised they showed all of it. I wonder if they would have in a 60 minute episode. My guess is not.

Revealing all of this at a challenge was crazy. Imagine having to perform after that if you're the blue tribe.

This episode once again shows why you need diversity in challenges. Every challenge this season has been a physical obstacle course, followed by a puzzle. Every time we've had the same outcome. Blue tribe does well. Blue tribe can't do a puzzle. Mix it up. Remember the challenges like in Samoa when they had coconuts held up by a bunch of ropes? Then the tribes took turns pulling a rope? Do more stuff like that. It doesn't have to be physical or a puzzle. It'll make it more even. Not all the time, but sometimes.

Even though med evacs are awful, and I never want them, Jake's seemed to add some intrigue to the season. I doubt we'd be having a tribe swap without it. I'm so excited for what seems to be a full tribe swap next week! We've only had one once in the new era. Season 45, which is my favorite of the new era. Coincidence? Maybe. But it didn't hurt!

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

A final three vote is indeed interesting. So is a final four vote.

I feel like there's a lesson to be learned here...

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Cast people who are going to have conflict.

Rob C recently said on a podcast that Lynne Spillman used to cast for Humor, Conflict, or Sex. This led to lots of mactors that were duds, but I think they need to bring some of that ideology back. Especially the conflict piece. Look at Venus. She was great. Carolyn was Humor and Conflict. We loved her. I don't love seeing everybody get along all the time.

I think Rob also theorized that Survivor aka Jeff want to be a more positive show now, and not doing conflict for conflict's sake.

Some of the conflict in the past came from flat out bigotry. I don't want to think that was intentional, but regardless that's not a route to take given the more diverse casting. It's hard to predict what conflicts might occur otherwise. How do you know Venus will bring conflict during casting? I think it's luck of the draw to a degree.

It's interesting to think how different Survivor might have been if they really embraced conflict like many shows did at the time. The Real World launched with the promise of showing what happens when people don't get along as an example.

Survivor did seem to possibly be doing that with Richard and Rudy. Pairing those two seemed designed for conflict.

I'd argue we got lucky in that Rudy was open minded and Richard was patient and able to build an unlikely friendship. I think it set the tone for people from different walks getting along more than not.