You Can't Hide on Survivor/The Devil You Do or the Devil You Don't (S42: Episode 6)

This week brought us a two hour episode (*cough* every episode should be two hours *cough*), and though it initially just felt like a repeat of the “mergatory” episode from season 41, there were some minor changes (lol @applebees sponsoring the reward) and exciting tidbits in the second half that kept things interesting. So let’s recap ‘em!

• VATI returns to camp after the Daniel vote out and Mike is pissed about Chanelle writing his name down (even though he wrote her name down too). For the rest of the duration of the episode, Chanelle is essentially iced out from every real dialogue or strategic conversation.

• At IKA’s camp, tensions continue to rise between Tori and well.. everyone else. She relentlessly hounds Rocksroy for more information about his trek to the summit with Lydia. The irony is that Rocksroy truly has no information to share, but even if he did, this would not be the right approach to obtaining that info. Take a lap, Tori.

• The tribes then arrive at the challenge (which is identical to the challenge on Day 12 from last season with the exception of the puzzle being different). Jeff talks about how they’re doing the same hourglass twist as last season, but this time, they’re going to warn the winning team that the person they send to exile will receive the power to change the game and give them the option to send one of themselves instead. (These adjustments make this twist ~slightly~ more bearable in my opinion.)

  • They draw rocks to determine teams and it’s Jonathan, Lydia, Maryanne, Hai, and Tori against Mike, Drea, Romeo, Omar, and Chanelle. Rocksroy and Lindsay draw gray rocks and have to sit out and risk being sent to exile. To no one’s surprise, Jonathan goes full beast mode and his team wins. But I gotta shout out Mike, Drea, and Romeo who displayed some serious teamwork and perseverance (yes, I cried watching them working together to climb up the boulder).

• The winning team chooses to bring Lindsay with them on their Applebees reward, and they send Rocksroy to exile.

• Though I appreciate that they gave the winning team more of a warning about the person they sent to exile having power, I still can’t move past the fact that Jeff explicitly says the words “The first tribe to finish earns immunity which means you don’t have to compete, you’re safe. The losers get no food and have to compete in the next immunity challenge.” Yet this just simply isn’t true. Does this make Jeff Probst a liar???? Probst never lies to us!!! Why now, Jeff?!! This twist feels like the UNO reverse card no one asked fo'!

• At the Applebees reward (Shoutout Karishma S39), Jonathan reveals that his normal breakfast is “18 eggs, 9 pieces of cheese, and grits.” How often must this mans go to the grocery store???!!! Tori also reveals her lack of self awareness by saying that it’s “rare” she doesn’t get along with people. You sure, Tor???

• Back at camp, people start getting to know each other and strategizing:

  • Drea accurately guesses the power that Rocksroy will get on exile

  • Drea and Mike talk about aligning because they know they both have idols

  • Drea, Hai, and Lindsay talk about working together because they all have amulets from the first episode

  • Mike and Jonathan have a heart to heart about being perceived meat heads. Hai and Romeo have a heart to heart about being open about their sexuality.

  • Hai reveals VATI’s drama to Omar and Romeo and this makes Omar realize that he actually has no vote because he risked it on the trek with Chanelle.

  • The big alliance of 8 begins to form when Jonathan, Drea, Hai, and Lydia discuss bringing all of their allies together which would include Rocksroy, Mike, Lindsay, and Omar - leaving Tori, Maryanne, Romeo, and Chanelle on the outs.

• Rocksroy is cute as all heck on this island, and in my opinion, is likable for the first time this season. He shares that he has an eye condition that could make him blind in the future so he’s really soaking in the beauty of the Fijian islands. Jeff arrives on exile and explains the hourglass twist. Though the decision to smash the hourglass generally seems like a no-brainer, Rocksroy WOULD be one of the few people who would refrain just because he’d want to do what was fair. But ultimately, he makes the move to smash the hourglass knowing that it not only protects him, but also his main allies Drea and Romeo.

• We head to the Immunity Challenge where it’s revealed that Rocksroy “reversed history” because “everyone deserves a do over sometimes.” Tori is PIIIISSEDD and does nothing to hide her anger. In fact, she actually tries to gaslight Rocksroy into feeling guilty by telling him she “partially” gave him power on purpose to help him *insert eye roll.* Tori, the number one name on the chopping block, ends up winning immunity, and though my gut reaction was devastation, her win lent itself to a fantastically exciting pre-tribal scramble.

Everyone, too is crying because craziness is about to happen.

• The chaos begins at camp now that neither Tori nor Chanelle can be voted for. Romeo begins a push for Jonathan, and Lydia jumps right on board. She doesn’t necessarily seem to be gunning for him, but the ease with which she agrees to voting for him raises red flags for his #1 allies Lindsay and Omar. And that’s when the magic happens. Omar, who has no vote and is immune for this tribal council, begins one of the most masterful campaigns I’ve seen in modern Survivor in order to keep the TAKU four together. He remains effortlessly cool, calm, and collected as he begins convincing other people one by one that Lydia needs to go.

• At first, it seems like Hai is scrambling to get the votes off of Lydia, but by the time tribal council comes around, it’s clear that Omar accomplished his goal. Lydia is sent home by a landslide vote, including one from her diehard ally, Hai. This could be Hai’s biggest move of the game or the beginning of his downfall.

Let’s Check Out the League! Those with Tori on their tribes brought in a whopping 31 points, the most points we’ve seen a single player earn so far this season. Joe remains at the top of the leader board with 240 total points. Adam is in a close second with 233, and Petra, our underdog hero, remains in the top three with 226 points. Brendan squeeks his way back into the top 10 with 221 points. Though Lydia wasn’t anyone’s Sole Survivor, Robbie, Amanda S., Tribemaster Liv, and Rachael say goodbye to their tribe member while Brendan, Gracie, and Allie B. lose their Merge Sub.

In honor of Lydia, #BFJA As always, the tribe has spoken, Tribemasters Liv + Brian

PS The Blindsided boys are BACK! They covered their take on the first 5 episodes of Season 42 here!