Next Time On Survivor: Kaôh Rōng – Episode 3

Next Time On… Survivor is a little blog I’m doing here on Inside Survivor, predicting the events of the next episode based on hints from the previous one as well as the preview trailers and commercials.

100-percent spoiler free speculation! Let’s do it!

Part 1: Brains

In the 30-second commercial spot for the next episode, our peek into the Brains tribe shows Peter explaining how he and Liz are in control of their tribe while a keen Debbie watches them walk down the beach.

There have been a lot of early-formed duo alliances on Survivor. Some of which work out until the end of the game, most of which get split up before they can really get anything going. In fact, it feels like it’s been a trend recently to split up any obvious pairs of people. Based on what we’ve seen thus far and what the preview shows us, one could argue that the Brains are essentially two pairs of duos, Peter & Liz and Debbie & Joe, with Neal and Aubry sandwiched in the middle.

Based off the previews, it’s reasonable to infer that Peter & Liz intend to take out Debbie or Joe when the Brains have to go to Tribal Council. There has been plenty of conversation about voting out the “older folks.” But, Debbie ain’t no fool. To avoid ties, either of the pairs will have to pull in both Neal and Aubry.

I think Aubry is more likely to go with Debbie and Joe. Her entire introduction to the audience was an emotional meltdown where she appeared to feel more comfortable with Debbie than anyone. I have not exactly seen her build any sort of legitimate connection with Liz or Peter. As for Neal, I think he might see the benefit in keeping Joe or Debbie from a strategic standpoint. Using the players on the bottom of the tribe to take out more imminent threats is a viable strategy, so I would completely believe it if Neal and Aubry decided to work with Debbie and Joe to take out Liz, whom we know Joe and Debbie are not huge fans of.

[WARNING, WARNING: POTENTIAL FAN FICTION INCOMING]

The other potential scenario here has Aubry and Neal deciding to side with Peter and Liz. Maybe it’s because the Brawn tribe did it their first Tribal, but I can absolutely see the majority four splitting votes on Joe and Debbie for fear of an idol – 2-2. Let’s say Joe and Debbie vote for Liz, which would cause a three-way tie. Upon re-voting, Debbie would probably be eliminated. But that won’t happen to my Debbie.

I think the key player in this scenario is Aubry. As noted previously, Aubry’s most legitimate connection presented to us thus far seems to have been to Debbie. If Aubry knows that the plan is to split the vote between Debbie and Joe, all she would have to do is vote with Debbie and Joe against anyone, and their target would go home instead. Regardless, I believe the Brains will be attending Tribal this week.

Part 2: Brawn

Maybe gravity was forcing him down a hill, perhaps he tripped on a root and was trying to catch himself. What seems more likely? Jason is going to straight up tackle Alecia because he thinks she has the hidden immunity idol.

No, no, no. That’s against the rules. Jason is going to try to get the idol before Alecia and in the process accidentally knock into her. Obviously.

Being that all the Brawn preview material is about the hidden immunity idol, I’m going to assume someone on the Brawn tribe finds it… but to be honest, I don’t know if anyone can actually retrieve the damn thing. Did you see Tai’s struggle to get the Beauty tribe one? The guy’s feet were bleeding all over the tree! They may be Brawn, but they aren’t exactly nimble. Scot’s tall, but I don’t think he’s the height of whatever tree production stuck their idol in. I guess the previews are hinting at Alecia getting her hands on the idol first, but it’s not my most confident prediction ever.

Also, I’m just going to tack this on – I think Alecia is going to be around for a long time. Jeff Probst made mention of a theme for the season in an interview: bullying. So far, Alecia has been the only consistently antagonized player in the game. Every time Jason calls her “Blondie,” he is diminishing her. I get the feeling this motif will continue for awhile with these two. And to clarify, no, I am not a fan of either of these players.

Part 3: Beauty

Things are as fabulous as ever on the Beauty tribe. They have enough challenge strength to continuously avoid Tribal, and they clearly aren’t morons. Yeah, Caleb can be a bit brutish, but Tai seems to have perfectly balanced him out in a way I don’t think anyone could have predicted. Even in the preview when Tai and Caleb are presenting their opposing views on killing the chickens at their camp, they don’t seem to be in angry conflict. Tai is obviously going to be upset, but he understands that the tribe could use the meat. Tai isn’t the kind of guy who is going to cause a scene. He knows better and he doesn’t want to lower his tribe’s opinion of him any further after his idol excursion, which feels like it has already been forgotten about really.

I really don’t have much to predict about the Beauty tribe. I have no reason to think they will lose immunity and the bulk of their drama is coming from an idol Tai cannot physically retrieve and a chicken. If the unexpected happens, my bet is on the girls plus Tai taking out Nick, or whatever that quiet model guy’s name is.

Part 4: Wrap Up

All right, let’s summarize:

-Someone on the Brawn tribe, I’m thinking Alecia, will obtain a hidden immunity idol. The Brawn tribe will also win immunity. Finally.

-The Beauty tribe will also win immunity. The hidden immunity idol will remain in that tree.

-The Brains tribe will go to Tribal Council and Liz will be voted out.

-Julia will be discovered to be a panda bear. But actually, that sugarcane looked pretty tasty. Correct me if I’m wrong, players!

That’s all for this week, but feel free to tweet me @JacobDerwin if you want to tell me how wrong I am. Thanks for reading!

• Season 32
• Survivor Kaoh Rong
• Next Time On Survivor

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