Survivor 44

[Timewalker]

I'd have watched this season of Big Brother Canada if the houseguests were at all interesting (I never had any interest in trying it before as the promos put me off). They gave such a poor impression, however, that even though the house itself is beautiful, elegant, and the whole theme reminds me of Clue, I'm still not prepared to put up with shallow, vapid people who think making extreme-lipsticked kissy-faces at the camera is going to make people like them. The only normal person among them is a fisherman from Newfoundland.

I think Claire miscalculated in a rather major way. It's not only about the tribe's collective physical strength. It's about individuals who try, regardless of what they perceive as their own weaknesses. Some of the weakest people who gave a poor impression in the first episode went on to win the whole damn thing - because they tried. They didn't always succeed, but it was enough to make others look favorably on them for the social part of the game. People who try tend to gain respect.

Claire did nothing to earn respect. She rode her tribe's collective coattails and they finally had enough. So it was a fair boot, in my view.

 

[Timewalker]

I wonder at what point the women are going to realize that they're being picked off by the men.

So very tired of the bizarre faces Carolyn makes.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I lost a lot of respect for Danny's game. How do you celebrate a Bro alliance right in front of a person who is clearly not included in that? Does he not think Carolyn would tell everyone about it? They just made themselves the first post merge target.

 

[DigificWriter]

Carolyn is the "invisible woman" whom everyone writes off until she blindsides them with why they shouldn't have done so, and it's going to keep happening. She's also completely a free agent, which makes her even more dangerous, and if she gets to the end, she's in a very good spot to win.

 

[Timewalker]

Her weird facial expressions are annoying, but her gameplay is growing on me. She'll probably be the first to notice that the women are being picked off throughout the tribes.

As for the guy who left the game - yeah, WTF was he thinking, trying to climb that rock? He's lucky he wasn't killed outright.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Carolyn is the "invisible woman" whom everyone writes off until she blindsides them with why they shouldn't have done so, and it's going to keep happening. She's also completely a free agent, which makes her even more dangerous, and if she gets to the end, she's in a very good spot to win.

That's a good point, she's this year's Gabler.

She was more than obviously the one who opened the cage and still nobody suspected her.

 

[Timewalker]

Now that was a satisfying vote. I wholly approve of this person being voted off.

(note to self: Don't catnap during commercials; I dozed off and nearly missed the whole tribal council)

 

[Timewalker]

Am I the only one who watched this episode?

Gotta say, weird facial expressions and grimaces aside, Carolyn's becoming one of my favorites. She's among my top 3 picks to win.

I still like Matt and Frannie, but predict that at least one won't make it since everyone knows how close they are. It's not just showmance couples that get separated to break up voting blocs.

At least this time they voted off a guy.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Just saw the latest episode.

Heidi totally wasted that advantage. If she had one of the three vote for another one of the three she could have actually saved the two of them. Instead she took an action that would have no actual effect on stopping the majority from voting out whoever they wanted.

Sucks to see Matt go, especially being screwed by a random twist. But he probably wouldn't have been allowed much father anyway.

 

[Timewalker]

Heidi went into a bizarre prattle about how much Matt is "loved". Did it never occur to her that if she allied with Matt or Frannie, it would have been allying with both of them?

Matt should have kept his mouth shut about his bag. He basically told everyone he was helpless and that was it.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I'm glad Frannie was kept over Brandon, but I don't understand how it's the best move for Danny. He made himself the obvious target and spent his idol in the process.

Also, another year where right after the merge there's a streak of minority players getting voted out. If it happened one year, you could say it's chance. But it seems to happen almost every season.

I'm not sure who I think is going to win. Danny reminds me of Tony, Carson reminds me of Cochrane, Carolyn reminds me of Gabler. Lauren and Heidi are strong players who don't play in a way that gets a lot of credit. Yam Yam reminds me of players who people think are the goat but then get votes at the end.

Does anyone besides Carolyn still have an idol?

 

[Timewalker]

It's harder to keep track this time since there are more fake idols. But I don't think anyone's actually played a fake idol, have they?

So help me, I'm actually rooting for Carolyn now. I'd be happy with either her or Frannie winning. Carson would be okay, too.

I cannot stand Lauren, Heidi, Yam Yam, or Kane.

As for minorities being voted off... take a look at the new casting rules. It's official that they have to have a minimum number of minority players now, so it's more balanced.

They didn't vote Brandon off because he's black. They voted him off because he's strong and athletic.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

As for minorities being voted off... take a look at the new casting rules. It's official that they have to have a minimum number of minority players now, so it's more balanced.

They didn't vote Brandon off because he's black. They voted him off because he's strong and athletic.

I didn't say they voted him off for being black. Every individual elimination has justifiably been for reasons other than race. But there has been a statistically significant trend across multiple seasons. Starting from 42 when they made it into an issue and rebelled against it. Last year, first 3 to go after the merge: Dwight, Jeanine, James. This year, again.

There's no individual one I can point to as being racially motivated. But it happens too often to claim it's all just chance. Maybe, people unconsciously bond less with them.

 

[Timewalker]

Hm. I really don't see it this season. The first two men gone were medical evacuations. The first four players actually voted off in tribal council were women. Race did not appear to be a factor in that, considering that there were also women who narrowly avoided being voted off (ie. Carolyn and Frannie, both of whom are white). It's about time they started voting off some of the men. I hate the seasons when it's obvious that it's men vs women except for that one token woman who's kept around as a vote and handed a line of BS that of course they love and respect her and want her in the final 3.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Hm. I really don't see it this season. The first two men gone were medical evacuations. The first four players actually voted off in tribal council were women. Race did not appear to be a factor in that, considering that there were also women who narrowly avoided being voted off (ie. Carolyn and Frannie, both of whom are white). It's about time they started voting off some of the men. I hate the seasons when it's obvious that it's men vs women except for that one token woman who's kept around as a vote and handed a line of BS that of course they love and respect her and want her in the final 3.

I'm referring to the first few eliminations after the merge, not in the game.

 

[Timewalker]

I'm referring to the season as a whole.

Of course they tend to keep the men pre-merge to ensure the tribe wins challenges. But post-merge the more physical men are seen as a threat, as are the smart women.

 

[Timewalker]

Go, Frannie! It's nice to see that Matt is genuinely happy for her, and gives off "I'm proud of you" vibes.

I did not see this particular boot coming, at least not at this time. It's fine by me, though. It wasn't anyone I wanted to see win.

 

[Timewalker]

Dammit.

Okay, Carolyn has to win. I hope she gives them hell.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Sad to see Frannie go but she made herself too obvious a threat.

Not sure who I’m rooting for. Everyone left has some claim to deserve to win.

 

[Timewalker]

You really think Yam-Yam might deserve to win? I don't.

If Carolyn doesn't at least make the final 3, I will be so pissed.

If a player is someone I hate at the beginning, develop a grudging respect for later, and end up rooting for them to win, then they damn well deserve to win.

It's a shame they don't post Ponderosa videos on YT anymore.