From left: Joe Hunter and Tiffany Ervin.Robert Voets/CBS
For the 50th season of the long-running reality competition show, TV critics Amber Dowling and J. Kelly Nestruck (and sometimes a guest) will convene their own two-person tribal council after each episode to discuss gameplay and drama.
Too long didn’t watch (TLDW) summary:
We’re down to the wire after Wednesday’s Survivor, in which two more contestants were sent packing. It was a lacklustre episode overall, with none of the fan-voted twists or shocking power-play moves that have overpopulated the past few weeks. Instead, a straightforward balance challenge resulted in Joe Hunter winning immunity and a food reward. He invited Rizo and Cirie to partake in the nosh with him while they plotted to vote out Devens.
Devens knew his days were numbered and he looked high and low for an Immunity Idol to save him, even while Jonathan trailed him like a bodyguard. Unfortunately for Devens, he was unable to find the token in time, and his tribe voted him out in the first half as he gazed at those stars one last time.
In the back half, a physical challenge and puzzle sent the remaining tribemates scrambling to protect the Immunity Idol from Tiffany. The group had decided it was time for her torch to be snuffed and so they helped each other with the puzzle in hopes that she wouldn’t win. It backfired though, and Tiffany spelled out “Inconceivable” to earn another necklace.
That turn of events meant the end of the line for Cirie, especially when her closest remaining ally, Rizo, decided there was no way he could sit in the final three with such a power house. Host Jeff Probst let her say her own departing line out of respect (“I guess the tribe has spoken!”) and off she went to join the other jury legends.
Heading into next week’s finale, it will be a battle between Rizo, Jonathan, Aubry, Tiffany and Joe for the $2-million during the finale and subsequent live reunion, which is back for Season 50.
Aubry Bracco.Robert Voets/CBS
Power player of the week:
Amber’s pick: I hate to say it, but Rizo. For back-to-back seasons now, this guy has made it to the end with an idol in his pocket, and you have to respect him for it. Even though he’s responsible for the demise of two fan faves.
Rebecca’s pick: Agree. The benefits of being a lifelong student of Survivor are playing out in the RizGod’s trajectory.
Whose torch is in danger of being snuffed next:
Amber’s pick: Tiffany. Her tribemates have made it very clear they’re afraid to face her and her Miss Congeniality persona in the Final 3.
Rebecca’s pick: Assuming we’ll even get a final Tribal Council, and not just another weirdo fan twist in the last episode, my answer is the same: Rizo. He’s a strong player with a clear target on his back.
Pictured left to right: Jeff Probst, Jonathan Young, Aubry Bracco, Joe Hunter, Tiffany Ervin, Rizo Velovic, Cirie Fields and Rick Devens.Robert Voets/CBS
The episode breakdown
Amber: Is it just me, or did this week’s episode feel like it was just going through the motions? There was no real build-up or tension. We knew who was going home both times and even though there was debate at camp about the vote, nothing unexpected happened. Rick’s Shot In The Dark didn’t work, and Cirie’s pot-stirring wasn’t enough to save her either. Now that they’re both gone, I have a hard time deciding who to root for in next week’s finale.
Rebecca: It has been a few weeks since I guest-recapped, but this week was very much a case of plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose for me: Like I said after episode 3, the pacing of this season has been breakneck. Tribal Council in the first 37 minutes? Whew! Much as I’ve found myself frustrated with the weird celebrity tie-ins of this season, it’s ultimately the tempo of the episodes – which, I agree, are starting to feel pretty rote – that has put my attention span to the test. And I do agree with you, Amber, that it’s hard to pick a frontrunner at this point – though I have to say, things are looking good for Aubry.
Amber: Aubry has grown on me the past few weeks thanks to her edit. Everyone underestimates her and thinks she’s a non-starter, but she’s been leaving her mark. That, coupled with her one-on-one interviews as of late, make me agree she’s going to win this thing next week.
My question is, given the pacing of the season, how drawn out will this finale be? Since they’re having a live reunion, I assume Jeff Probst will reveal the winner at the live finale. Here’s hoping he jumps on a jetski or something with the urn like he did in the good old days.
Rebecca: You and Kelly are in for a three-hour marathon next week, so for your sake, I hope it’s jetskis and celebrity cameos till the final moment.
Something I’ve noticed over the course of this season is that it seems an awful lot more important to have a PhD in Survivor strategy than it is to play the game in the moment: I think it’s been said before in these recaps, but the baggage everyone brought from previous seasons – and the awareness each contestant had of their competitors’ respective baggage – played a major role in determining fates.
That was so clearly evident in Cirie’s elimination: Each player testified, in one way or another, to her history as a mastermind on the show – and, if Aubry is to be believed, its all-time best player. How do you think this is going to influence the finale, Amber? Will the final three be determined by the past, or the present?
Amber: It’s such a good point and I think that’s exactly why someone like RizGod, whom no one trusted or necessarily liked in the beginning, has become this power player. No one knew him going into this so his baggage was unclear. Now, he’s connected with everyone and proved he was willing to go against his alliance to save himself. If he makes a Final 3 I don’t know if that gets him the votes though, because he burned Cirie and Ozzy, plus he was arrogant with his idol.
Joe Hunter.Robert Voets/CBS
Similarly, Jonathan has burned plenty of bridges, so he won’t win and is guaranteed a spot at the end. As for Joe? His grumpy face has been the stuff of memes, so he’s another easy person to bring to the end. If Tiffany makes it, she wins. But I doubt she will based on screen time. That means it’s coming down to Aubry or Rizo. Who is your ideal winner in this situation?
Rebecca: Speaking of screen time, what’s up with these tell-all edits? A pan to Devens tearfully stargazing before being voted off the island? Spoiler alert!
“Ideal” is interesting phrasing! Like I said, I think this thing is going to Aubry – but that absolutely is not an ideal outcome. I think your assessment is right – it’s going to be Rizo vs. Aubry – and, if the Survivor gods are just, this thing will go to the kid who’s too young to remember Season 1, but plays the game like he’s been watching it his whole life (and, I guess, probably has).
Amber: And if not him, then we can rest assured he’ll be asked back for a future season.
Next – and final – episode of Survivor: May 20 on CBS and Global.