Flipping the Win Switch (S47: Episode 11)

With Gabe's departure at the previous Tribal Council, this episode was really centered around the rallying and rising of the self proclaimed underdogs of the season: Andy, Caroline, Rachel, Sue, and Teeny.

It was questionable (for one very brief moment) if Sue was going to forgive Caroline for voting out Gabe, but with one quick and slightly emotional apology, Caroline was in the clear, and this group of five began plans to take down the major remaining threats: Genevieve, Kyle, and Sam.

An opportunity for a journey presents itself and though Genevieve and Sam are the only ones eager to go, Rachel puts herself in the running solely because she wants to remove the chance of either of her targets getting to go. Rachel pulls the purple rock and off she goes to our first-ever floating journey where she is tasked with completing a puzzle before the weighted rope timer runs out. At first, I was skeptical of the unnecessarily complicated timer (like what happened to the trusty old hourglass), but I actually like the added element of stress that it created. Rachel pulls out the win at the last second and gets the “Block A Vote” advantage which is a huge add to her toolbox and above all else, means that this advantage did not get into the hands of one of her main targets.

We then head off to the Immunity Challenge where almost every single castaway has a moment of seeming like they might pull off the win. Ultimately, Rachel's success streak continues and she beats Kyle by just a few footsteps!

Basically to put it plainly, this episode was all about Rachel. But I’d be remiss to not mention the snake in the grass, Baby Andy, who continues to build connections, make alliances, and get his way. Time will tell if his tribemates perceive all of his efforts as strategic prowess or if he’s just seen as another goat, floating by, and not being targeted due to his low threat level. 

Rachel sits in an incredibly powerful spot at the moment. She’s got an idol, an advantage, she’s in the majority alliance, she has the capabilities to win challenges, and she’s still being underestimated by about half the tribe. I’d say it’s her game to lose at this point, but then again, the momentum of power and control this season has flipped so frequently that it’s hard to really say! And both Genevieve and Caroline have their eyes on her. So things could definitely be shaken up soon!

At Tribal Council, Kyle is sent home due to his major threat level as a challenge beast. Big props to Kyle for bringing us an early 2000s era player vibe. It was much appreciated!

We know Sue is giddy that her #1 enemy has finally been voted out, but the most important question still remains… Why is Sue's face so dirty?

LEAGUE UPDATES!

Not many shake ups this week when it comes to the standings. Rachel brought in the most points by a landslide (31), but not quite enough to pull some of our league members out of the ruins and rubble. Ryan broke into the 600s range for points and remains at the top of the leaderboard for the SIXTH episode in a row! That might be a new Vukelulu record. Talk about a hot streak! That being said, with this week’s elimination of Kyle, Ryan has lost his first and only tribe member thus far, leaving him with a tribe of 4 remaining castaways. He still has the biggest tribe in the league, but there is finally a crack and that might just be enough for someone else to sneak ahead coming into the next episode. 

Shout out Andy for getting points for naming the episode for the 3rd ep in a row!

As we say goodbye to Kyle, we pour some out for Nolan and Paul who are joining Amelia in the zero tribe members club. Tribemaster Liv, Allison K., DMC, and Nolan also say sayonara to their Sole Survivor pick. Sorry for you!

Signing off!

- Tribemasters Brian + Liv