Another brain bites the dust.
This is difficult for me to watch, guys. I’ll choose a brain over a brawn or a beauty any day; in my personal life, in Survivor- it doesn’t matter. The most successful castaways in the history of the game have been brain-y; people that excel at the strategy aspect that enable them to outwit, outplay, and essentially, outlast. People that can effectively manipulate their competition to their advantage and come out on top in the end.
The strategy is why I love Survivor.
The problem with this season is the naming of the tribes. One would expect the brains to be the biggest threat- however, it is evident after 8 episodes that brain exists everywhere in this game. Survivor casted several double agents; and aside from a small few, most of the castaways are not only brawn or beauty, they are also brain.
Because of the perception that the intellectual prevail in this game, is it actually a disadvantage to be put on the brain tribe? Is it better to be brain-y but masked by a brawn or a beauty label?
Go back to Cagayan where Tony Vlachos masterminded the entire game from start to finish. He was cast as a brawn, but his intellectual prowess was unmatched by any of the so-called brains. Did he have a clear advantage in that he was underestimated and written off as a ‘jock’?
I’m not sure how all of this will pan out- but I do know that my early winner pick, Debbie, is out; and my other winner pick, Kyle Jason, is a jerk.
Survivor 2, Erica 0
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Quote of the Episode:
*Scot throws water on fire*
Joe: Why would you sabotage our camp?
Scot: Why would you sabotage us?
Joe: What do you mean sabotage you? It’s the game!
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Joe isn’t doing much- but that comment is spot on! #RespectTheGame
I can’t forsee a scenario in which Scot can emerge triumphant.
A) He’s already a millionaire (unfortuneately our society rewards the brawn even if they are sore losers)
B) He pulled a J’Tia/Brandon H. and crossed a line- he let his emotions get the best of him.
Alright- let’s take a stab at these rankings!
* I don’t read spoilers
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Pre-Merge Boot/Med Evac Order:
1. Darnell Hamilton (To Tang) 
2. Jennifer Lanzetti (To Tang) 
3. Liz Markham (Chan Loh) 
4. Caleb Reynolds (Gondol) 
5. Alecia Holden (To Tang) 
6. Anna Khait (Gondol, Gondol) 
7. Peter Baggenstos (Chan Loh, Gondol) 
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Jury
1. Neal Gottlieb (Chan Loh, Chan Loh, Dara) 
In the beginning I was not a Neal fan. However, his clearly strategic personality and his energy to stay in the game converted me to the Neal side. It is so difficult to see a med evac for someone who so desperately wants to stay. Will we see Neal again? I hope so.
2. Nick Maiorano (Gondol, Chan Loh, Dara) 
Nick had a promising outlook in the game until he allowed himself to become too arrogant and too comfortable. He shouldn’t have boasted and then broadcast his safety to the rest of the tribe. The immunity challenge was a clear foreshadowing of what was to come for Nick; he lost the challenge and he lost the game. Also, is he a robot?
3. Debbie Wanner (Chan Loh, Chan Loh, Dara) 
Pre-merge, Debbie’s game was on point. Post-merge, she completely lost her edge. She was playing the offensive too hard, she trusted Julia too much, and she was too annoying. I love Debbie and I hope we see her again, but she needs to change her game play is she wants to go to the end. OH- and was bean-bag throwing another one of Debbie’s jobs??
Dara Rankings (Merged Tribe)
*My rankings aren’t meant to predict book order. I rank by person I feel has the best chance to win the game.
8. Joseph Del Campo 
He hasn’t built the resume to win the game. He’s a good guy and I don’t think he is in jeopardy any time soon, but what is his argument in the end? He’s loyal to a fault and big moves just don’t appear to be in his future.
7. Julia Sokolowski 
I’ve underestimated Julie the entire time and must admit I was impressed with her strategy this episode. I was even more impressed when she won immunity. However, she is playing both sides and usually that type of gameplay doesn’t win in Survivor.
6. Kyle Jason 
He is so disliked at this point that a scenario in which he wins isn’t evident. I really dislike watching this guy play. He aspires to be like Russell Hantz, but the difference between him and Russell is that all of Russell’s moves were calculated and executed with precision. Kyle hiding the machete in such an obvious manner only shows that he is playing based on emotions, and we all know that isn’t the Hantz gameplay.
5. Scot Pollard 
Kyle and Scot are sticking around for a bit only because they have the Super Idol. I truly can’t see a jury voting for these guys in the end. I hope someone pours water on his head during the reunion show.
4. Cydney Gillon 
We all know after this episode that Cydney can climb a damn tree. We also know that she’s making some brilliant moves and has probably done herself a favor by distancing herself from the rest of brawn. She’s a powerful player and I hope see her at the end.
3. Michele Fitzgerald 
She’s strong and confident and making only good choices. She was someone I truly underestimated, but I believe her gameplay exhibits the grit that can get her to the end.
2. Tai Trang 
Totally mixed emotions in regards to Tai. I like him and enjoyed his strong moral compass in the beginning of the episode. However, joining the ranks of Jason and Scot and childishly putting out the fire that our boy Joe works so hard on was infuriating. In addition, he let the cat out of the bag about the Super Idol and he’s strategically put himself on the outs.
1. Aubry Bracco 
Does anyone else feel like Aubry is narrating the game at this point? I feel like all we see is Aubry confessionals. We know from Debbie’s Ponderosa video that Aubry won’t attain Debbie’s vote if she gets to the end, but I can see this underdog easily lapping everyone else in her path.
Winner Pick
Aubry Bracco
You go, girl!
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There you have it folks, the eighth episode of Survivor 32 in the books! Check back next week for more Recaps and Rankings.
Until next time,
Erica and Epeolatry 
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