I was trying to think of a downside to Cody just outing himself as the person who found it, and disclosing pre-challenge who he was betting on. Couldn't really think of one and it's a nice gesture to the rest of the people to let them stop searching and wasting energy.

He very well could've and they just edited it out for suspense.

As it was, they all assumed Cody was immune and did not consider voting for him (not that they would have anyway, he and Jesse seem to be removed from all thought). If he would have revealed what he had done and his selection did not win he would have been available to vote for.

Owen would be the appropriate winner for this Kumbaya season. Really hope the casting improves from this disaster, but I fear this is the future direction of the show.

This is a fair point - maybe reveal that you've found it, what it is, but don't disclose who your champion is.

This is almost certainly what he did in reality as soon as he opened it being as there is absolutely no reason to hide the fact you have found it

if SIA is still giving her Sia Award of $100K for good inspirational performance, she will win that.

I really think Survivor needs to go back to the drawing board for s45 onwards.

The nucleus of the game since essentially season 1 has been blending short term survival with a long term strategy. When we think about almost all of the biggest moves in the history of the show they were all about one group realising they are on a long run sinking ship and successfully flipping the script to seize control of the game

The issue is now is there is absolutely no value in setting up any sort of power structure that will take you far as everyone knows that round the corner could be another hourglass twist, do or die, split tribal, triple immunity win, advantagegeddan or something else bonkers totally undoing all of your hard work in a blink of an eye

So now short run Survival completely dominates and we are seeing a lot of defensive 'anyone but me' mentality from the casts with each round feeling like a spin of a slot machine to see which 2 people end up being 'on the block'

Maybe this format works for some people but for me it goes completely against the fabric of what Survivor has always been, and more importantly makes for really boring television

I won’t believe this edit of the alliance breaking up until I see one of the big 4 getting their torch snuffed.

Still fully expecting Owen to go home

Jesse wins if he gets final 3

oops

So Jesse used Cody’s idol, and Jesse still has an idol right?

Yeah, that’s more likely.

Not because Cody didn’t play his (if he still had it), but because Jesse wouldn’t burn one on Owen without having another for final 5. And he made Karla burn hers.

I still can’t believe these players that trust their idols elsewhere. Especially this late in the game.

why in the world did Cody keep giving his idol back to Jesse??

Even if he doesn't make it he should go down as one of the best strategist in Survivor...

Jesse playing the idol to get Karla to burn hers was good.

Alternatively, he could've not played it and gone to F5 with 2 idols and assume Karla keeps hers.

F5 with 3 HII and an immunity idol would be super boring, so I'm glad it happened this way.

Why in the world did Cody give back the idol? Writing was on the wall during the back half of that ep that Cody was going home. Even as a player in the game, his over confidence and bluffing was so obvious that he wasn't actually going to play an idol.

wow that was wild. Savage move.

Up until this week I thought this was one of the most forgettable seasons in a long time....but now it's probably going to be remembered for this badass move and a potential great winner, which is nice upside for sure.

If Karla had thought it through for another 10 seconds, she might've realized that Jesse playing the idol for Owen was an obvious move to get her to play hers and she could've sat on it. But that's still tough to think through in the moment when you're also starving, injured, etc. But that would've been an all time hold.

Great idea by Cody Even better move by Jesse Pretty boneheaded by Cody to not keep his idol.

Really enjoyed Jesse talking about how this experience isn’t anything of value. He has a wife & kids, and knows how life changing $1million could be for his family.

I don’t know if anyone else listens to Tyson’s podcast. They brought this up last week. Younger players don’t have the same appreciation for money as someone with kids/etc (generally).

If Jesse makes the final 3 it should be a unanimous vote. An all time performance in the history of the show.

A very above average season. Would be fine w seeing a number of these players return.

Feel like it took 11 episodes to get here but we finally saw an all time true Survivor blindside which had absolutely everything.

Been on the Cassidy as most likely winner train from the final 14 but I think its finally time to flip now that Jesse is not the final 5/6 obstacle the winner has to dethrone after all.

edit - Actually...changed my mind back i'm too stubborn and as ive seen no evidence Jesse has any fire skill it's the thread i'm clinging onto. Jesse wanting Sammi out over Casssidy for fire making reasons could be some fun foreshadowing.

Updated power rankings

5) Gabler (+1)
4) Owen (+1)
3) Karla (-1)
2) Jesse (+2)
1) Cassidy (just) (=)

No way anyone has higher win equity than Jesse right now. Hes the only one with a bye to 4 players left and a lock to win if hes final 2.

On pure game positioning 100%, hes ahead by a country mile

Has statistically an above 50% chance of making final 3 and beats anyone in a final jury vote.


There is just still that niggling doubt for me on the edit following the way they portrayed both Erika and Maryannes winning games so i'm landing on around

Cassidy 47%
Jesse 46%
Karla 5%
Owen 1%
Gabler 1%

Jesse playing Jeanine idol in front of her is going to be such a mic drop moment with Dwight not on the Jury to fill them in.

If he then goes onto win final 4 immunity or fire, I would be very surprised if he doesn't win in a 8-0-0 and goes down in history as one of the greatest of all time winners

One of the fan of stats

With one tribal council left, Jesse is still in the running to join the elite club of 'perfect' game winners.

These are the winners who won the game unanimously and without a single vote cast against them all season.

The current members are JT and Cochran