i think this is kind of ridiculous based on a sample size of one 5050. even just based on the first one, is the legacy advantage even more exciting for the producers than a lost vote? i dont see why you think the producers would have a serious opinion on that. a lost vote would probably be more interesting if anything, especially when we have mixed tribes like this

I think the line should be when he hands Jeff the idol, so Michael's effort was fine for me because he still held it. What sucks is when like David from MvGX gives Jeff the idol, goes and sits down, and then announces he wants to change it.

People just need to keep their poker faces until Jeff has the idol.

Fun episode. Cast does have some very unlikeable people like Bradley and Chris, outside of that is good. Laurel got a good edit, she's one to watch going forward. 18 year old kid playing pretty good for only 18. I worry he won't take charge/make moves later just because of his age though

For real? He definitely comes across like someone who isn't at all afraid to be aggressive when thru situation calls for it. Did you not just see the last episode?

18 year old kid is growing on me, what a boss. Too bad it didn't work.

Laurel had a great episode too.

Strongest start for a season in long while. The young cast full of fans seems to work very well.

Yeah, editing has been on point this season. I haven't been fully confident on the boot at any of the tribals yet.

I doubt they will put in a slow motion replay camera to ensure the exact moment of when the person lets go of the idol. String bets are not inherently evil in this game, and if they are allowed then that is fine, and the other side will eventually plan for that tactic and prepare/rehearse how they react to an idol being played, which adds another level that could be fun to watch if and when it happens.

I felt the opposite, I thought his pitch was not convincing at all. Based on the results, it wasn't convincing to his tribemates either.

It made little sense because he told the other tribe who they were all voting for ahead of time. Because of this, there was no real incentive for anyone to change their vote. If they pick Brendan and Brendan has immunity, Bradley goes home. If they pick Bradley, Bradley goes home. If they split votes, Bradley goes home. Might as well stick with the original plan and hope Brendan doesn't end up with immunity.

Better move would have been for Michael to try the same lie about double idol, tell the other side that they were all voting for one of them, but not say who. This would get everyone worried about their own survival and perhaps lead to some switched votes.

Long shot either way but I didn't see the benefit of calling out Brendan. Also have no idea why he would think the yoga teacher was the main target, but of course we are not privy to all the conversations at camp.

but they wouldnt know who to switch their vote to unless you tell them

What revots said is mainly true, but when people said that Michael is a boss or was convincing, they're mainly referring to him pulling off the lie about the idol being worth 2 immunities.

As revots and others earlier itt said, Michael's plan made no sense and was not intelligent.

KoD's correction of revots' plan is true, which is why earlier itt, some of us proposed Michael telling them that they were either choosing between 2 players, or splitting their votes among those 2, and pitting them against each other, for example Bradley vs Sebastian.

I still think that's the best plan, and haven't seen it argued against or seen anyone propose anything better.

one other thing he could've done is said who hes using the idol on before the vote. he could say hes using it on himself and his boy brendon. chances are the other tribe will switch their votes to jenna or stephanie, so he can pick one of them to actually use it on and have a 5050 chance. plus that way he would be protecting brendon who he was closer to anyways. they still might vote brendon out, but its all a bluffing game anyways. and i think they would likely fall for the bluff, since most people would be risk averse in that situation - especially because for the majority, it was their first tribal council. and he can sell it by acting like hes super close to brendon and not as close to the girls

to top it all off, he can string bet when deciding between jenna and stephanie and hopefully be able to make the correct read

I think alot of the praise for Michael was strictly for his delivery. The plan obvi wasn't perfect but he's calm, cool, and collected. I found myself feeling the early levels of a Malcolm style man crush.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I don't think he should have played the idol at all. 25% chance just not good enough. Even with a successful idol play you're still 4-4 next tribal and not in a great spot. Bluff the idol like he did and say you're splitting the vote on 2 ppl. Then don't play the idol.

Either:

a) someone flips and idol not needed, or

b) no one flips, someone goes home, and next week idol is 33% effective, or 67% if other tribe really thinks it's worth double.

Downside to not playing is team thinks not willing to sacrifice for them (this could all be planned before anyway), or assuming they don't go to tribal again before a swap/merge, then everyone knows he has an idol and he could be a target.

How is it 67% even if the other tribe thinks it is? It's still only a single immunity in reality, so is still only 33%.

You could maybe argue that it's 50% if you completely discount the possibility of them voting you out, and then guess on one of your other 2 allies. And that's only if you truly believe they think you'll always use one of the immunities on yourself. But that's theoretical and just a guess and obv not a true 50%.

Because if the other side truly thinks it is 67% they are way way more likely to flip on themselves rather than risk going home due to idol.

By using it on someone I think he has built a ton of trust, though.

also they probably have the chance of finding a new idol now that he used it

I think if he was someone like jenna, it could make sense to not use it. but he’s too big of a threat and unlikely to survive a couple tribals, so it’s prob worth using it and trying to take control of the tribe

btw it was such bad luck for them that this was the first TC with no one sent to ghost island. it would’ve helped no matter who was sent (other than Michael with the idol), because it’d be either 4-4, or at 5-3 he has better odds for the idol at least. so they got screwed there

oh yeah, and considering the other tribe was evened up at 4-4, I think it made plenty of sense to go for it and play the idol, with the chance of completely evening up the original tribes. the numbers are way more important than having an idol

I don’t think this will happen, but given Bradley’s attitude/strategy last episode, wouldn’t it make sense for him to have his tribe throw the immunity challenge? they’ve already made it clear they’re sticking with original tribe rather than current one and burned that bridge. so it’s 5-3 vs 4-4, and ghost island can’t hurt you. and they just played the idol so you know they don’t currently have one

I’m not saying they should do this, I’m just pointing out that it’s the logical next step of bradley’s stonewall strategy from last ep where they wouldn’t even talk to the other tribe.

Count me among those who thinks that although Bradley is likely arrogant to a degree, what we saw last episode was what the editors wanted us to see in order for us to flirt with the idea that the majority might waver.

bradley is kim spradlin

I thought more of a Tim McVeigh

Maybe Chelsea will go all Tim McVeighs sister on Bradley

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I do miss the brutality of the living conditions from the earlier seasons. The weather is almost never a major factor anymore. Some of the best eps were when the cast was literally ready to psychologically break from incessant rain and mud. Food no longer seems to be an issue either, I remember when they used to weigh the outed contestants at the Ponderosa and they would all lose crazy amounts of weight. Now it seems like there is barely any talk of people being hungry, and there are a ton of food reward challenges. The still seem excited to see good food up for grabs, but in earlier seasons they would practically lose their s**t at the sight of a PB&J sandwich.

He tryin to be.

Lol'ed.

Makes sense. Maybe they'll even do it. If they were all 100% locked and 100% confident in each other, as well their original allied tribemates who are now on the other new tribe, then it would be the right play. Since you're normally nowhere near that, it's usually not the right play. But tonight we'll find out, WWBD?