Survivor
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Its a somewhat contradictory observation in a game built on the back of lies and deception.
Real bonds are forged in the trenches of war.
This episode puts the personal toll of the game front and center.
As mentioned last week, Ben can barely contain his contempt for Jeremy.
Its not as if Jeremy peed in Bens Stetson.
Is it petty for Ben to hold a grudge?
But thats what this game can do to the psyche.
And its also the kind of personality clash other players have to strategize around.
Well, at least, it shouldnt be.
Michele has an emotional mini-arc of her own across this pair of episodes.
Her feeble performance in the first Immunity Challenge of the evening only exacerbates the problem.
Michele knows she is on the outs, especially after being duped again at the Jeremy vote.
I wasnt right for three months after I came home, adds Jeremy.
But its not all a dreary family counseling session.
Because with those intense lows also come exhilarating highs.
I feel fantastic, he says, having finally slain his mortal enemy.
Its at the next Immunity Challenge, though, where Michele soars.
Its a power that allows its holder to anonymously disadvantage another player in the challenge.
The lack of applause from her fellow tribemates is all the confirmation required to know she needed this.
I was on a funeral march to my own funeral, says Michele.
Now, nah nah nah nah nah, you cant get me!
With the main target off the menu once again, that means its time to look for alternative options.
Surprisingly, Denise offers herself up, requesting a last meal before her execution.
This, of course, is all a smokescreen.
Im taking on the role of the dejected Survivor player, she explains.
Denise is another player feeling the personal strain of the game.
Last week, she snapped at Jeremy out of frustration with the ceaseless whispering at Tribal.
Shed simply had enough.
But she didnt mean she was done with the game.
Im done with dealing with things the way I have been, she explains.
I need to not get so upset about the process.
Endure is what Denise does best.
Meanwhile, Denise secures the numbers for a Nick blindside with her allies.
Thats not to say there isnt any consideration to eliminate Denise.
Tony overhears Denise plotting for a Final 3 that doesnt include him while up in his spy nest.
Micheles Immunity win is a feelgood moment, and Denises down-and-out deception is well-played.
Still, it cant go unmentioned just how impressive it is that Sarah and Tony survived this double episode.
Both are top tier winners who entered this season with huge bullseyes on their backs.
Everyone knows how dangerous they are, theyve said as much.
You could call into question the stupidity of the other players, but these are all previous winners.
Its more of a testament to how skilled Sarah and Tony are asSurvivorplayers.
Now theyre both back playing this crazy game again and heading into the finaletogether.
As Sarah said to Tony: You won one, I won one… time for the tie-breaker.
Idol Thoughts
Thankfully not too much time spent at the Edge of Extinction this week.
Tony not understanding how days of the week work is totally the mood of a world in lockdown.
I dont think Id know what day of the week it was ifSurvivorwasnt still on every Wednesday.
Did we really need that ten-minute season recap at the end of the episode?
Ten minutes of Tony silently peeking out of his spy nest would have been time better spent.
