SURVIVOR 41 (Episode 2)

Wow! And just like that we're back! I'm still getting used to this feeling of having my Wednesday nights BACK just the way I want 'em! Before we get into the points, let's dive into some of the highlights of this week's episode:

• Did not see this coming...but is Brad 'bout to be a Tony Vlachos 2.0, creating spy bushes by the water well?! He certainly has the Tony tenacity...but the finesse? I'm not convinced. There's something kinda oblivious to Brad and his strategy. (Remember, this is the same guy who went up to Liana and Sara last episode and said it's one of you two going home tonight). Shan is clearly already over it...

• Naseer: king of fire!!! Here we go!! We love to see an underdog get back into good graces!

• Xander finds the first in a **new era** of hidden immunity idols. And I'm kinda diggin' it! By making it a 3-part idol with a disadvantage of losing your vote and only regaining your vote once the other three idols have been found is really interesting. Plus you add in this hurdle of "outing" yourself in front of the entire cast, putting a massive target on your back?! The risk is just **chefs kiss** 😘🤌 These phrases are bound to spread and it could be interesting to see if the people who have caught on start blurting out the other phrases to throw people off! Either way, at least for this episode, Xander has no vote - and stupidly tells way too many people! (Bro, you have like 3 other people on your whole tribe!! Loose lips sink ships!)

• I had read this interview with Jeff before this season aired and he talked about how David v Goliath contestant/White Lotus writer/NED SCHNEEBLY, Mike White posed the question to Jeff, "...ok, but is it fun?" And I can't help but to think that a Drunk Mike White slipped into the writing room to come up with these phrases:

"I truly believe that butterflies are dead relatives saying hi." "I'm as confused as a goat on AstroTurf."

"I didn't realize this until now… broccoli is just a bunch of small trees."

• A girls alliance - this seems like it can finally happen this season!! It's the women's season to lose! They have the numbers!

• NO "COME ON IN.....y'all?...people??.....friends???........" But we did hear how Xander thinks butterflies are just dead relatives saying hi...

• This 26-day game is already starting to show itself (and we're only on DAY FOUR!!!). Just like the early seasons of Survivor, where contestants weren't really fed, the challenges and performances suffer. And that swimming challenge was (Olivia Rodrigo voice) BRUTAL (...out here). Poor, Tiffany! Give these people some food, Probst!

• Evvie is playing a balls-to-the-wall kinda game. Which I'm so pumped about because I didn't get good vibes from her pre-season. She was selected to go on a Survivor summit with Deshawn (who volunteered!!) and Evvie didn't hold back ONE BIT spilling the tea about the Yasa tribe to build a little bit of trust! She then also told Deshawn she would be protecting her vote so he should risk his to get an extra vote to use whenever he wants.

• And somehow Tiffany stirred up enough drama and paranoia to flip the (in my opinion) veryyyyy straight-forward, logical vote and clean out all of the advantages by taking out a huge early threat, Xander and instead knocked out Voce. That's some #influence!

• ...And the monster? Still hasn't showed up...I'm waiting, raspy-voiced Probst!

• CBS also released a BONUS SCENE via Entertainment Weekly featuring Heather talking about her dreams and planting a target on someone... Check it out here.

HOW DID THE LEAGUE DO?

In terms of points, the top castaway earners this week were Deshawn (20, thanks in part to his momentous summit visit), Xander (23, even though he lost tribal immunity and reward, he RISKED it for the biscuit and the tribes who had him on their team earned big) and Sydney (12, we got some NUDITY!!)

Other than that, it was a pretty mild week. But we did have our first league member lose their sole survivor: sorry, Mel!

Leading our pack after week 1: Brendan (64 points), Amanda (55 points), and a three-way tie between Bri, Gracie and Peter Tooch (each with 50 points)