“Namaste, bitches.”
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I know you guys will need some Survivor recapping after your feasting, so let’s get into it.
As usual, Laura Morett makes quick work of the puzzle challenge at Redemption Arena. Much to my horror, Laura begins feeding her maternal cohort, Tina Wesson, information to help her finish her puzzle. At the same time, Laura spins her completed puzzle so that Vytas Baskauskas can’t catch a glimpse. Tina wins and Vytas is out. Quel desastre!
With this move, we witness the birth of a coalition between Laura and Tina. Mothers Unite Against a Common Enemy: MUACE. Laura is the founder; Tina happily accepts her nod as VP, and my own mother jumped on board (from the couch) as a proud supporter. Watching the episode with my mom and dad last night gave me some real perspective into this polarizing scene. My father was acutely uncomfortable with Laura feeding information to Tina. He called foul play. My mother loved it. Girl power!
Personally, I am a member of the opposition. Survivors Against Cheating Moms. SACM.
Were any of you as irate as I was watching Laura M. team up with Tina to edge out Vytas in the end of the Redemption Arena puzzle challenge? Granted, my frustration stems mostly from my friendship with Vytas and a personal desire to watch him battle his way back in the game. Call me crazy, but I want to watch a person win based on their own merit and competency. Pooh pooh on you cheaters. I wonder where Monica Culpepper stands on all of this?
With the Redemption challenge out of the way and another immunity idol clue tossed in the fire, we can return to the beach. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, otherwise known as Hay-Leb (Hayden Moss and Caleb Bankston), are in the first stages of an all out revolt against Tyson the Messiah. The boys call Ciera Eastin over and let her in on their intent to blindside Tyson Apostol. What the guys neglect to realize is that Ciera is absolutely googly-eyed over our swarthy pirate. Right away, she rushes to Tyson and spills the boys’ plan to shake things up. Tyson gives her a good girl kiss on the head and thanks her for her undying loyalty.
Ciera’s been all over the map this season. Fortune smiled on her early in the game and she scooted through many tribal councils unscathed. I guess she didn't make a tight alliance with Katie Collins in the beginning because she really likes to identify and play with the big boys. It’s tough being a newbie, playing with veterans. Tyson is incredibly comfortable in his role as leader of the pack and Ciera likes to feel safe. She’s also not afraid to lie, vote her mom out, and blindside her old cronies. This girl is fast becoming a contender. Her tragic flaw is also one of her strengths; she’s a flip-flopper. Because loyalty and trust earn much respect in the game, flippers are less likely to garner favor with the jury in the end. Ciera is making moves to get herself into the finals, but, in throwing Hay-Leb under the bus, she may be burning too many bridges to win votes.
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Tyson, on the other hand, is playing a healthy, strategic game. He chooses to do annoying things, like sitting down to the royal table to feast, while his fellow competitors bloody their hands competing in the immunity challenge. His cronies, Gervase Peterson and Ciera surround him, scoffing at the other buffoons who didn't choose the food. Tyson’s really working the Godfather role, using Gervase as his trusty sidekick and taking Ciera under his daddy wing. Because Monica is playing such a stand-up, honorable, compassionate, gem of a game, Tyson needs to rub some people the wrong way so they feel less threatened by him than by her. From where I’m sitting, he’s got his game set up. He could take any combination of players and still clinch the vote in the end.
Speaking of Monica, has anyone seen her around camp? Where is this woman?? I think they must have her speedboat in, just in time to crush these immunity challenges, and then she heads off to her five star resort for a nice shower, a hot meal, and a back massage. Seriously, what happens to Monica after she wins challenges? I really want to know.
Heading in to tribal, it’s either Caleb being blindsided by Tyson and his gang or Ciera being targeted by the Hay-Leb crew. My favorite line of the night goes to Caleb, when asked about Ciera’s choice to eat instead of compete, he says, “Well, Jeff, she probably feels comfortable and just likes to eat.” Thank you, Caleb for making Jeff Probst’s eyes bug out of his head in wild disbelief. Caleb’s so nonconfrontational, it’s adorable. In the end, Tyson plays his idol unnecessarily, and good old Caleb becomes the latest victim in Tyson’s murderous spree. He walks the plank down to join the Mamas at Redemption Island.
With Ciera in the fold and Gervase already cemented into the coconut bandit brotherhood, It looks like Tyson’s got a tight three. Someone will have to do some major immunity idol play in order to pull off any heists now.
Sending cranberry love and apple pie wishes to all of you for a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Tweet me @parvatishallow.
We’ll be back with the Survivor After Show to catch you all up next week! Enjoy your holiday!
