It’s the finale of Survivor: Island of the Idols. I’m glad we’re finally rid of Dan, after what felt like an exceedingly tedious post-merge. With his ejection and Elaine’s elimination last week, we’re entering the final episode of the season with five players left: Tommy, Lauren, Janet, Noura, and Dean.
The NTOS trailer begins with the final five on a boat to the Island of the Idols, and then a slow-mo shot of them walking up the beach. It looks as though they’ve left their camp for good and will be staying on IOI, as it seems like they’re carrying most of their belongings with them. It sure doesn’t look like a normal IOI visit or a lead up to an ordinary Immunity Challenge where they turn up with much less on them. Noura’s even carrying a plant, which I can honestly only guess is some sort of housewarming gift for Rob and Sandra.
In a voice-over, Rob reveals (in a very scripted manner) that “There’s no way we’re going to leave them without one last test.” After Dean’s coin toss and Jamal’s strange parchment “advantage,” my impression of IOI tests is that they’re anything but consistent. If I had to make a prediction, I think this final test has something to do with rounding up the players’ whole Survivor experience, something along the lines of “outwit, outplay, outlast” or harking back to the quintessential skills of surviving on an island.
Similarly, I think the players will have to risk their vote for a chance to win an advantage, and I’m guessing that this advantage would help them in the final Immunity Challenge at the final four. Maybe it’s about building shelter, since they look like they’re staying the night, or retrieving some form of token hidden on the island.
This ties into the shots of Noura and Dean looking around Sandra and Rob’s decked out shelter. Noura seems to be pacing and looking for something around the campsite, while Dean is shown running to grab a machete. We then get a voice-over of Dean announcing the rise of “DK villain”—DK, as in Dean Kowalski. I must say, between replicating the fake legacy advantage and also risking his vote at final six, Dean has some pretty daring ideas. Perhaps, DK villain is planning on sabotaging his competition here. Still, I’m predicting that he’s going to fall short—I feel like he’s being portrayed more of a comic character as he attempts theoretically good moves in the endgame.
The following section of the trailer deals with Janet and Tommy discussing the hidden immunity idol that she found in the last episode. The next Tribal would be the last time the idol can be played. Knowing full well that she’s in danger of going home, Janet is definitely going to play it to protect herself. Two problems here: firstly, Dean knows about the idol. And he can easily play his idol nullifier—also playable until final 5—to void her idol.
Secondly, I think Janet’s trust in Tommy is doing no good to her game—he doesn’t want to be in the final three with her. Furthermore, his relationship with Dean has been gradually highlighted over the past episodes. I predict he’ll work with Dean to vote out Janet next while scheming a way to garner her vote for him to win. As much as I dread it, I think Janet is the next to go.
As for my final four predictions, I think Lauren will be the target after Janet leaves. If she doesn’t win Immunity, I think all other players will definitely make her compete in the final four fire-making challenge. I feel like Dean will win final Immunity and take Noura (whom he thinks of as a goat) to the final three. This sends Lauren and Tommy to make fire, where Tommy will win. And lastly, due to his regular non-negative presence throughout the season, I’m certain Tommy will be winning the game over Noura and Dean.
That’s it for this blog until the next season! Leave a comment with your final predictions for the finale episode of Survivor: Island of the Idols!
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Glued to this blog during the season. Thanks! See you for Season 40!