I can't say it was a huge mistake by Tai not to use the Hidden Immunity Idol on Anna. Anna and Tai really didn't have a strong aliance and IIRC would have throw him under the best if there wasn't a merge. Moreover, Tai is able to keep the HII for another tribal council and be judging from the previews for the next episode, there are bigger targets on his tribe, so he can fly under the radar for a bit. Plus, I think Scott would want to keep him around.
If they lose again next week, it will almost certainly be Julia that goes home. Which would mean three boring Tribals in a row.
Tai made the right call for sure. It sucks for Anna, as it was really just bad luck of the draw that she wound up being targeted. But once Tai was told everyone in the tribe liked him, it would have been insane to do something to give them reason not to like him. As to whether it's bad that he told Scott he has an idol... I don't know. To me, it gives Scott motivation to fight to protect Tai, and to bring him into the Brawn alliance at the merge. Because then they as a group would have one super-idol. Tai's not just going to hand the thing over right now. So honestly, I think it just means Tai has someone looking out for him, really wanting him to get to the merge. Even if that person is a total ass.
I fell asleep after the immunity challenge and woke up right when the person was booted off. Tribal council didn't appear to be all that dramatic aside from the revote, so I didn't miss much, right? I just want to know if it's worth going back and watching the part I fell asleep on.
Did you see Joe confronting Peter about whether he was trying to form alliances against him? I can't remember if that was before or after the immunity challenge. Either way, that was the only interesting thing, there was a little back and forth among the Brains and the Non-Brains about who to target, but the Non-Brains planted a seed of doubt with Aubry, and it was pretty clear Peter was going home.
Cosign that, Jaypes. I'm not sure it was necessary to give us closeups on every single infected boil and cyst on the whole cast. Has there ever been a season with this many medical evacs and close calls? I was pretty shocked that they had to eliminate Neal for that infection instead of trying to treat it in the field like with Aubry. It sucks for him. But it did look pretty gnarly, and the doctor obviously knows the risks best.
GREAT move, Tai. He had to sense those jackasses were just using him for the extra vote, and hopefully also realized they would never take him to a final three. The moment of Scott just looking at him all, "ok, now hand over the idol you found on your own so I can use it", and Tai shaking his head was a fantastic one. Wow indeed. The sweet, sweet fact that Scott went home with an idol in his pocket as well (I guess you're not allowed to hand it to someone who's still in if you are the one who has it when the votes are read?)... even better. I really hope Jason is next, then Julia. I've been pulling for Tai and Aubry, and am stoked about this turn of events. I was getting worried the final three would be Jason, Scott, and Julia. Tai did the right thing. Can't believe it took him so long to notice he had absolutely no say in his alliance and was just an extra vote. And he has the advantage as well! So great.
It was a great episode. Was Sad Aubrey didn't win immunity, but all is well that ends well. Also, I'm rooting for Cydney, she is the most strikingly toned player I can ever recall.
No way people take Tai to the end with them. He's too much of a threat for the "He's Like the Nicest!" jury vote.
Tai has a lot of trust to Aubrey to ask if he should use his immunity idol. He was right to get Scott out of the game as Scott, Jason and Julia were talking about getting rid of him. But yeah, I don't think anyone wants to be sitting next to Tai at the final tribal council. Julia last much longer than she should have, considering she was playing both sides. It will be interesting to see how long Jason stays around as he was a bully for most of the season. Other than that, he's been playing a pretty good game.
That was a pretty entertaining and compelling immunity challenges. Tai's talking is getting him trouble. Jason is being a sore loser.
Loved the immunity challenge. Cydney proved the tortoise and the hare fable. And I laughed when Joe started with the wrong letter. I think the "Tai's a threat in front of the jury" argument is dimming week by week. He's nice, but 1) He's betrayed several of the jurors pretty intensely. No way he's getting a vote from Scott or Jason, and now he definitely wouldn't get a vote from Cydney or Michelle either. 2) His gameplay isn't actually that great? I mean he's coasted along on likability, being good at challenges, and having a few advantages in his pocket, but he also is not great at the verbal and social game. That's been evident since he first started running his mouth about the super-idol during Tribal, along with a bunch of other gaffes involving him speaking a little too freely or a little too loosely and imprecisely. I really believe there was a way he could have played Cydney this week and gotten her to swing to Michelle, but he didn't understand her and her personality well enough and he really bungled it.
Right now I don't have any favorites, but so far I do think Tai made the biggest move of the game by getting Scott out and breaking up their alliance.
What's the gimmick for next season? I've been watching since season 5. Pearl Islands. This season though, I just felt tired of it and stopped watching. Maybe my enthusiasm will return next season.
I actually like this idea. Probably because I'm an old man and I'll be rooting against the millennials. I think the person that won this season deserved to win. That person did alot to survive from week to week. And it's helpful when there are bigger targets in the game.
