My take on Episodes 13 and 14 ...You guys won’t believe this but I am currently writing this week’s blog from approximately 10,000m in the air. I have boarded a Cathay Pacific flight to an incredible tropical island. Before you ask, the flight is not headed to a “Survivor All Stars/Fans vs. Favorites” type of tropical island destination:).
Instead, I am returning to an Asian island that stole my heart a few years ago. It’s a place where the views take your breath away, the sound of the ocean mesmerizes, the sun rejuvenates and the people melt your soul.
It is not the Malaysian island where I spent almost 30 days living out a dream as a Survivor contestant and where the current season was filmed, but it’s close. I am happily returning to this island that I am lucky enough to be visiting for the second time - Bali, Indonesia.
Interestingly enough, Bali’s “religion” (based on my experience) is one of Karma. They believe in “namaste” - the divine in me honors the divine in you - such a beautiful concept. The irony is not lost on me though given that it is SUCH a total contradiction to the Survivor experience! On that note, let’s start with Zavion.
Many of you will remember that I started off my blog series basically obliterating this dude from day one because I felt that his approach to the game at the beginning of the series sealed his fate. I declared that Zavion would not win this season of Survivor.
I still share that sentiment but I must concede that he MORE than deserves to win now!! Zavion has totally turned his game around since about day two and he has progressed further than I thought he would. He has only won one individual immunity challenge and basically threw another one.
Zavion has finally figured out - as his game has evolved - that winning everything only enhances the size of the target on your back. He is part of an alliance that he was originally outcast from, has become both socially likeable and trustworthy plus he has an awesome 6-pack.
Let’s also not forget about that illustrious final vote from Corne Krige that we know Zavion will get. In fact, even Mark is throwing burnt votes Zavion’s way now. Everyone around him is almost handing him the title so I say he deserves to win if he makes it that far.
The people around him wanted to blindside Moyra instead. What are y’all thinking??? Now, homegirl had no business taking a “day off”. Bathong! Taking a day off from the game is like resigning at work - you can’t exactly come back the next day expecting to still have a job.
I know this is a huge regret on her side but I totally understand that this game can become so exhausting that your body, soul and mind just want to shut down if only but for 24 hours. If you “check out” you run the risk of being that uninformed tribemate who gets blindsided, ESPECIALLY if you know that so far almost every vote post-merge has been a blindside.
I am not insensitive to the fatigue but I do think that one must expect the unexpected. It is unwise to simply hope and pray that someone else will sort the votes out for you at this crucial stage of the game.
Unfortunately, I feel as though Vel was guilty by association. Buhle came out the gates winning immunity for the first time at a surprise tribal council challenge which saved her behind. I was so happy for her!!
Funny how often it happens in Survivor that a person on the chopping block manages to win immunity in the nick of time. The boys were seated behind Buhle and Vel so Zavion lifted an eyebrow to confirm that Vel was next. At that point it was too late and Vel was a sitting duck - almost literally.
I am not so sure that Vel actually did anything drastic enough strategically to change her fate. Once Solly left, the writing was on the wall but I am not sure that she actually tried any big moves (editing could have played a role here though). Anyway, the point is, I don’t get why Graham felt like he HAD to betray Moyra at this stage. I plan to ask him!
Episode 14
As this season of Survivor SA starts to dwindle down, the scrambling starts to step up a few notches. I was so excited to see how everyone’s scrambling efforts would take shape! Shane opened up episode 14 with such a bold statement: “It was time for a proper blindside”. I guess he didn’t know how proper, hey?
My favorite diabolical Survivor maniac totally lost the plot. What happened brother? Shane has now proven that there is actually something worse than being voted off with one idol in your crotch. Being voted off possessing TWO IDOLS!!!
I plan to ask him of course but until then, I can only presume that he overthought everything and got too cocky. Survivor history has shown that you are never safe in this game, even when you have two idols!
I was shouting at the TV hoping in vain that he would hear me but alas, Uncle Shane has been voted out of the game of Survivor. And David is still in!!! It’s so shocking and unexpected that one has to give a roaring thunderous standing ovation to the players who concocted Shane’s exit. Definitely a historical blindside. Well done guys!
Wildcard, jack-in-the-box, rabbit out of a hat, David. I am hoping that since he returned from the show, David has bought at least 10 lotto tickets.
Besides having the best one-liners this season, he is also basically cruising through to the finale without a care in the world! And providing top notch entertainment along the way.
I have no idea how David became one of my favorites but I would “smaak” a chat over a cold beer with him at the finale. Maybe one of the most fascinating Survivor contestants I reckon?
Well, my cocktails await so I need to sign-off now and get ready for a much needed holiday!
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