Everyone’s Got a Reason for Playing
Come on in guys! While you’re at it, get the tissues ready, because this was an emotional rollercoaster of an episode. You see, there are really two ways to view a Survivor season: the gameplay narrative, and the character narrative. They always interweave somehow, but usually one narrative can be displayed more prominently, often to make up for the other’s lacking substance. This episode is a highlight of character-driven storytelling in Survivor.
We rejoin with the Malolos back at camp after Brendan’s boot, with Michael explaining himself after his idol missplay. Bradley is very relieved to be still playing the game, but realizes now that his alliance has shown loyalty to him and that it can help him moving forward. He also identifies Michael as a huge threat, admitting he underestimated the perceived “fratty bro.” Michael laments his misfortune in not reversing his idol’s curse, and acknowledges that himself, Jenna, and Stephanie are very much on the bottom of their tribe.
We move onto the reward challenge where the tribes are competing for coffee and pastries. Naviti wins in an absolute BLOWOUT thanks to the strong arm of Chris. C’mon, you have a former college pitcher competing in a competition where you have to throw bean bags at a target. That’s just unfair. The tribe celebrates with Chris jumping up and down yelling, “I WANT THOSE PASTRIES!” Oh what the game of Survivor will do to a grown man. Naviti nonchalantly forces Malolo to draw rocks for Ghost Island, and Stephanie is sent off for a day of fun.
Steph frets over the time away from her tribe, and to boot she doesn’t even get to play a game at Ghost Island. However, she does deliver a powerful message about finding her inner strength, providing yet another great monologue from the latest Ghost Island visitor. A big credit to the producers for showcasing these focuses of each person who gets exiled, as it really opens up the audience to the personal motivations behind each player.
Naviti tribe celebrates their win and enjoys their delicious reward, but the coffee triggers the realization of home for Donathan. He takes some time to himself, and Laurel comes asking if he’s okay (sidenote: one of the best social plays you can do is simply asking, “you okay?”). Donathan shares that he’s reminded of his mom and grandma, and that he feels guilty that his mother has to take more care of his grandmother with him out on the island. Chris notices this as well, and confides in him how he relates to that, with his own mother suffering from MS. This whole scene is just one example of the powerful emotions this game can bring out, and also brings back that dilemma from last episode: is aligning with people you like more important than the numbers? Donathan admits he feels in the middle with how he relates to Chris, but also knows his #1 Laurel wants to be with Domenick and Wendell. It’s a tough choice to be made, but it will have to be made at some point.
Onto the immunity challenge, Malolo suffers several setbacks in the physical bodyboard portion of the challenge. They catch back up on the slide puzzle (which is a very unique style of slide puzzle), but ultimately Naviti prevails for yet another immunity win. Kellyn immediately breaks down, blaming herself on the loss, but Probst cuts to the chase and asks for confirmation that Michael, Jenna, or Stephanie is leaving. Michael agrees; he’s quite confident the trio is in trouble.
Back at Malolo beach, Michael confirms that it’s going to be every man for himself. And because the three know they’re possibly going home, we get to hear their reasoning for staying. Not for a game perspective, but for themselves. Chelsea and Kellyn propose voting out Jenna. Jenna admits that she often has a blank, bitchy look on her face and it’s hard to overcome that in a game where likability goes a long way. So, she flirts with Sebastian over their hair (braiding it, smelling it… seriously). She tries to put down that wall that is seemingly always up. Then, Des and Sebastian decide Stephanie would be a good option. Stephanie talks about being a single mom and providing for her children, so she talks to Bradley about being an extra number. Credit to Bradley, he actually engages this time around. Next, Bradley thinks Michael could be a good target (along with Stephanie). Michael tears up about pushing himself at such a young age, being independent and wanting to accomplish things as young as he can. So, he talks to Bradley and pitches keeping him around for challenges. With merit to voting all three, the alliance of five carefully makes their decision. Desiree checks Stephanie’s bag to see if she has an advantage from Ghost Island, but comes up with nothing.
At Tribal, the tribe admits that there are pros and cons to voting out all three. They all continue to confess their personal reasons behind playing the game and wanting to stay, but in the end only two can survive. In a unanimous 7-1 vote (Desiree receiving the one), Stephanie’s dream is ended. Tears are shed, and the saddest music the show has ever seen sends her off. It’s a reminder that every voteout is truly a tragedy for someone, and that this game exposes the rawest human emotion you can find on television. On paper, the game was played and Stephanie was voted out, the numbers just not being on her side. It’s a pretty simple episode. But a huge level of credit is due to the editors for taking that and turning it into a moving 42 minutes of television, showcasing three players and their motivation to stay one more day in the game.
Somehow 25% of the cast has been eliminated, and we’re gearing up towards yet another swap. Could it be three tribes of five? Or two tribes of seven with someone going to Ghost Island? Only time will tell, but I do hope the current storylines remain in play even with the swap. The stars of this episode were Chris for his dominant challenge prowess, and Stephanie for getting one of the best pre-merge sendoff episodes you’ll ever see. A candidate Second Chances 2? I’ll just say I wouldn’t be shocked. Until that inevitable season, and also next Wednesday, may the Survivor Gods smile down upon you.
Want more Survivor? Check out my previous Survivor: Ghost Island recaps for Episodes 1 & 2, 3, and 4.
