Following a Dead Horse to Water (S45: Episode 8)

Was this the best episode of the season??? I thiiiinkkkk soooooooo!!!

SURVIVOR AUCTION IS BACK, BABY!!!!

• Boy, was it fun! I'm glad the production team is slowlyyyyy listening to the fans and bringing back some of our old faves. I loved the idea of the players earning their cash but it was so incredibly frustrating watching Bruce "take a step back" and not actually play the scramble.

• Emily with salami! Dee purchasing a $900 milkshake!! Katurah risking it all for fish eyes!! Bruce entering the auction with only $80 (thinking he was going to be safe from losing his vote), end up losing his vote! All incredible!!!

• I COULD NOT FIND A GIF ONLINE, BUT JEFFREY PROBST STABBING THE BAG OF RICE WITH A KNIFE IS THE FIRST NFT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING. SAVAGE!!!!! This man needs another Emmy!!!

• After Dee, Emily, Drew and Katurah all volunteered to sit out of the challenge to bring the tribe some rice, the challenge was on and came down to Julie + Bruce showdown (the two oldest contestants left in the game!)

• To most people on Dakuwaqa's disappointment (these tribe names are getting ridiculous)....

• The scramble began.

• Jake finally took his foot off the pedal and tried to not completely sabotage his game. I respect him not immediately throwing a name out even though it was clear everyone was turning to him to slip up.

• And then we have Kellie....wow. That was truly a beautiful blindside that was too good it was almost painful to watch. The Reba-4 + Emily pulled it all off! She was hurt. She didn't see it coming. And Jake's "WHOA!" was priceless!

Vukelulu, COME ON IN!

With Kellie's elimination and in partial possession of the three-way advantage, Austin will start Episode 9 with another full-blown idol (having successfully eliminating J Maya two episodes ago). Minimal Sole Survivor damage was caused this week as Tribemaster Brian and Carolyn were the only people who lost theirs. Now, only Anthony (Bruce, Jake, Julie, Katurah, Kendra), Katrina (Dee, Emily, Jake, Julie, Katurah) and Peach (Dee, Emily, Jake, Katurah, Kendra) are the only league members with their full tribes in-tack. On the other side of the coin, Mel is now down to a tribe of one....sorry for you.

Bruce's big win (immunity) and loss (the auction) made him this week's biggest earner (35 points). Anthony was the highest-scoring league member (93 points), followed by Anna (85 points), Amanda S and Matt S (each scoring 75 points).

-Tribemasters Liv + Brian