Next Time On… Survivor is a blog here on Inside Survivor all about previews and predictions, but with a new twist! Throughout the season I will be chatting with former contestants from other reality shows about Survivor for a feature on the site called Alternative Reality. Any parts of those interviews about predictions or winner picks will end up here! This week, we are joined by Big Brother 17’s Audrey Middleton!
And as always: this blog is 100% spoiler free speculation. Let’s get into it!
Part One: Previously On…
IN MY DEFENSE, ahead of last week’s wrap up, I did write: “There aren’t a lot of solid predictions I can make about the next episode, so a lot of this is probably nonsense, but we’ll see.”
Anyways…
1. Chris finds the new Takali immunity idol
Grade: F. I even wrote in the blog, “Interestingly enough, David is the only one who knows how the idols have been hidden this season, so he has the inherent advantage.”
But no. Why listen to logic when I can base an entire prediction off of a three-second clip of a man looking disappointed next to a tree?
2. Two tribes become three and someone, I’m guessing David, gets sent to exile island where he waits to replace whoever is voted out.
Grade: *Bangs head against the table* F.
3. Hannah tells her tribe about Adam’s idol hunt and gets everyone paranoid about him.
Grade: *Continues to bang head against table* F!
4. Taylor and Figgy get split up, and Figgy gets voted out.
Grade: I’m starting to think it might be a better idea just never to acknowledge the existence of this “power couple.” Don’t want to give Figgy any more fodder for her brilliant mean tweets videos. Also, *bangs head against table until the table breaks in half* F!
Anyone still think I’m spoiled?
Part Two: A high note & a low note
The first clip of the commercial spot for this week’s episode starts off with a narration: “Survivor Wednesday begins with a high note.”
We then cut to a Jay confessional, wearing his new Ika Bula buff, singing a somewhat lacking version of the treasure-chest-opening tune from The Legend of Zelda games as he lifts his hands. We also get a shot of Will laughing while surrounded by trees.
According to the YouTube description of the commercial “…some castaways worry there may be a snitch at camp after a hidden immunity idol is found.”
I think this is an almost definite sign of Jay, perhaps with Will, finding the hidden immunity idol at the new camp. I’m not certain who this “snitch” is though. Maybe Jay and Will found the idol together, but Will tells other people on the tribe to help build some trust between new allies. I’m basing this idea purely off of this week’s press photos because Will looks smiley and happy and excited in all of them, and Jay looks consistently pissed off.
This idol find also marks the fifth obtainment of an advantage in six episodes. This season is moving fast, and I’m impressed by the haste of the castaways. Hopefully, no one burns out, like the clip of Hannah getting checked out by the medical team implies.
Both the “Next time on…” segment after the last episode and the commercial spot feature Hannah breathing heavily at what I believe is the reward challenge site. Both also feature her saying, “you’re not gonna let me die,” to the medical team.
While not entirely consistent (e.g. Bruce from Panama), Survivor has a pretty stable tendency of hiding the identities of those on the verge of a medevac due to a serious medical situation. Hannah is obviously a little freaked out by what appears to be some sort of exhaustion or dizzy spell, but I am 99-perent sure she will be able to calm down and recover.
Part Three: Do I have to?
Fine.
Despite basically every sign that Taylor was going to publicize his fling with Figgy for all to see, it appears that Figgy is the one spilling the beans about their relationship to the former Gen Xers on new Takali in the preview for the next episode.
In every discussion I’ve had with fans about the showmance, people always tell me that Figgy is going to outlive Taylor in the game. Here’s an excerpt from my interview with Big Brother’s Audrey Middleton:
AM: I’m not a huge fan of the showmance. I kind of hope that they maybe get split up. It seems like Jessica (Figgy) is a little more self-aware than Taylor.
JD: A little more?
AM: Yeah, okay a lot more. I think her game might be a lot better off without Taylor in it.
JD: Mhm. So you think Figgy is going to stick around longer?
AM: I think she could potentially be in trouble if she’s not careful. She definitely has to keep Taylor under control. He is kind of like an excited puppy that she’s gonna have to train, and I don’t know how well he really understands the game. I just didn’t agree with his logic that them being seen as a couple is not any different than like a power duo or something like that
JD: Absolutely.
AM: I feel like she’d be better off without him and she should really be trying to keep Adam close to her and build something with Adam. Before something bad happens.
After several chats like this one, I was finally persuaded to think that Figgy might have a longer life in this game… and then I saw the commercial. If she can’t keep Taylor or even herself quiet, she has no chance of winning, much less making the jury unless she can totally avoid going to tribal council. The only reason Taylor might be able to stick around longer is his challenge strength.
But of course, for either of our star-crossed lovers to be in danger, Takali has to lose immunity. I don’t know if they can lose with Ken and Taylor on their tribe. That tribe doesn’t have any notable weak links. So, despite every single preview for the past three weeks making room to acknowledge the existence of these knuckleheads, I am going to bet they are both safe from elimination based on the strength of their tribe.
But can we please stop talking about them forever now? These are perfect examples of dull, one-dimensional characters. I want to get to know more about Sunday and Will and Jessica!
Part Four: Who’s in trouble?
During my interview with Big Brother’s Audrey Middleton, we talked about players she is rooting for, as well as those she thinks are on the chopping block.
AM: I love Zeke. I think he’s totally entertaining; he’s a super fan and he’s gonna surprise everybody. I like Michaela; I like her edit so far. I do think she’s kind of getting the underdog, possible winner’s edit. So I hope to her go far. I love her, kind of like, sassy attitude too.
JD: Is there anyone else on the cast currently who you’re not so cool with?
AM: I think Hannah’s a little kooky and paranoid. I think David is still scattered, but I’m still intrigued by him as a character. I like David, and I hope he goes far because I think he’ll bring the drama. I’m interested to know more about Will. But from a viewer’s perspective, I don’t think we’ve really gotten to dive into his role on the show yet.
JD: He’s been pretty quiet for the most part.
AM: I think he’s kind of like an Erik Reichenbach. And yeah, I’m excited to see what else manifests through the season.
AM: I definitely think Figgy or Taylor could be the ones who are on the chopping block next week. We’ll see depending on how well they perform in the challenge and how fluid they are with their coming out party. As far as the drama of the challenge, I hope no one gets medevaced. I hate that. I like everyone to get voted out.
JD: I completely agree with you.
AM: Hopefully Hannah’s just freaking out, and it’s not a huge deal. And maybe if Vanua loses, Michelle will get voted out.
AM: I’m excited and a little intrigued to see Bret’s character develop a little bit further. See if any more of his cop instincts come out. I always love when there’s a cop who’s a little more under the radar. But yeah, I’m excited, I think this season is off to a good start, and I’m team Zeke all the way.
JD: He’s your winner pick?
AM: He’s my winner pick. Yup! And my next pick is potentially Adam. Just because I’m biased. I’m an ORGer; he played online Survivor games as well, so there’s a little bit of bias there.
I agree with Audrey about Michelle and Vanua. If they go to tribal, I think David will be the one targeted, but he will play his idol and take Michelle out. That said, I don’t think Vanua is going to tribal council again this week.
The immunity challenge appears to include an unstable table maze where tribemates need to work together to navigate three balls to three holes at the end of the maze. Press photos show all three tribes with players at that final phase of the challenge at once. For Ikabula, those tribemates are challenge beast Michaela and slightly less-of-a-challenge-beast Hannah. Not that Hannah has been a liability, but based on how she’s looking in the preview, she’s probably not in as good a place as her ally or the opposing castaways. I think Ikabula is going to lose and go to tribal council after a close race to the finish.
Part Five: Wrap up!
Let’s break it down.
1. Jay and/or Will will find the hidden immunity idol at their camp, but word will get out to the rest of the tribe, I’m guessing via Will.
2. Takali will win reward, and good spirits will result in Figgy telling Jessica and Ken about her relationship with Taylor.
3. Ikabula will lose immunity and go to tribal council where Hannah gets voted out.
4. Since Figgy did it, either Jessica or Adam decides to wear Lucy’s bathing suit to the next challenge. (@SamiCappa pointed this out on Twitter last week and it kind of weirded me out. Also, check out her artwork! She does great drawings of the booted castaways.)
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Hahahaha, Jacob, you’re awesome. I loved your self-deprecation this time around in that quadruple F. (Although you at least were right about 2-to-3!) This is, imo, your best write-up thus far. Well done.
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