Split The Vote | Survivor 50 Episode 9 Recap | Textbook Survivor: Cirie Edition

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[00:01:55] All right. Welcome back, everyone, to another episode of Split the Vote. I'm your host, Rob. And this is the Ultimate Survivor Podcast, a purple pants podcast powered production. And today I'm joined by three super fans of Survivor. And we're going to be talking about yet another great episode of Season 50, Episode 9. These three people are also from Survivor Maryland and who were handpicked by me to play in Season 19.

[00:02:23] So, everyone, please welcome Connor, Natalie, and Sam to Split the Vote. Guys, how are we feeling today? Hey, Rob. Thank you so much for having us. It's so good to see you. It's so good to see Sam and Natalie. I'm really excited to be here. Hey, I'm Natalie. I'm really excited to be here, too. Thanks for having us. Thanks for having us, Rob. So excited to talk about Survivor with you guys. Just like we never left. Can't wait.

[00:02:50] Yeah, I mean, these were three people that I would genuinely always watch Survivor with week in, week out once we all got close our senior year. So it's, I don't know, just really reminiscent. I miss you guys a lot. So I'm happy to have you guys on the pod. So, yeah, we'll just get right into it with, I guess, like the big twist of the episode, which was the Jimmy Fallon twist where Christian goes on the journey and he has to solve the puzzle.

[00:03:19] And if he does solve it in time, he either gets an advantage in the game where he gets to put in a vote into the earned before Tribal Council, or he's kind of left with this envelope where it's just a whole bunch of mystery that he would head back to the beach, like kind of like in a sense of like just not knowing what's going to happen. So what was your guys' reaction to the Jimmy Fallon twist when it was first presented?

[00:03:48] Oh, is it me? Yeah. Sure. Anyone. Okay. I mean, when I first like saw Christian reading his note out to the whole tribe, my jaw like dropped. Cause I feel like that's probably like the worst disadvantage that we've ever seen on the show. And to see that the way that it played out too was really disappointing. Cause I would have, I really liked Christian.

[00:04:17] And I also would have hoped that the players would have wanted to not make it that predictable. But yeah, I also feel like it was extremely high of a risk with not that great of a reward personally. So that was unfortunate. And yeah, overall the disadvantage I felt was the worst thing we've seen in a while. And it honestly was just like a slap in the face to Christian. And it was a tough watch.

[00:04:45] I felt like the having to read it out loud to everybody. It was just like, so it was, it was too harsh in my opinion, especially like we said, compared to what the reward would have been. I feel like the way they should have done it was he had to vote for himself, but just not have to like read anything to people. So that, that kind of gives him the freedom to say what he wants to about what happened the way they always get to with their journeys. So he would still have to vote for himself, but nobody would know.

[00:05:12] And then I feel like that would kind of have been more balanced between the reward and the risk. Yeah, that's a pretty fair point. I think you guys are all pretty spot on accurate. It was a really tough disadvantage just because he has to publicly tell everyone that there is going to be one extra vote in the earned four tribal council. And it comes from him. He has absolutely no say can't play his shot in the dark.

[00:05:35] I was thinking along the same lines as you Connor, where like it would like, it would make a lot more sense to kind of like have that more control over like the narrative and how you could kind of adapt your game to knowing that you're going to be voting for yourself just to try to make sure that there aren't any other votes for. You out there because once everyone hears that like, hey, Christian's name is going to be in the earned like you only need like what four more votes, five more votes. Like it's not that much more.

[00:06:02] And his name is already being thrown out there because of the chaos that kind of unfolded from the last tribal council when Devins pulled out his fake idol, like from underneath the rocket tribal council and gets back to the beach. And everyone's like still believes that his idol is real.

[00:06:21] And because you have Devins and Emily and Christian all working together, it almost made Devins a little bit untouchable too, which, you know, raised that threat level for Christian. So it really put him in a really shitty situation going into this vote. I know. And I don't know like how probable it was that Christian would have been voted out before this, but I feel like him coming back and having to say that kind of made it solidified in the way where everyone would look back weeks later.

[00:06:51] And if they didn't write down Christian when they knew 100% that there was a vote going to him and it was from him, I feel like if he made it further into the game and they'd all be sitting there being like, why would we not take that shot when we had a perfect opportunity? So it kind of made it seem like they had to absolutely, you know, questions asked based on that. And that's kind of the exact point that Rizzo had made when they were bringing up the idea of other people. He was the one to say like, no, this is the time to take out Christian because he doesn't have a vote.

[00:07:20] He has to vote for himself. Like when else are you going to do it? So, and like you said, Rob, not being able to play your shot in the dark because you have to vote for yourself. You're kind of screwed at that point. Like if you don't have an idol, I don't know what you're supposed to do. Yeah. The more we talk about it, the more, sorry, you go. The more we talk about it, the worse I feel like it was. Cause I feel like disadvantage itself was already bad enough. So the fact that it was so public, it's like he had no shot. Like everyone knew he, he had to vote for himself.

[00:07:48] He had no chance to play a shot in the dark. So I don't feel like it was even an appropriate disadvantage to have in the game. I was kind of wondering when he gave his shot in the dark to Jonathan and Jonathan kind of was like really happy about that. I was unsure if he didn't realize what that meant or what was going on there because he was like, oh, wow. Thanks Christian. That means a lot to me. So I thought that too, cause like it's useless for that specific night anyway.

[00:08:18] So, I mean, I guess it would help him in the future, but as far as that night, like Christian couldn't use that anyway. Yeah. And I guess like Jonathan could have always kept it like past this vote had he like Christian wanted to stay, but yeah, like, I don't know. Jonathan's like giddiness just didn't really match to like just how valuable having that shot in the dark was for Christian during that vote. Like it really wasn't that big sign of like a leap of like trust right in the slightest.

[00:08:45] But I do kind of think that like, yeah, like the disadvantage really like screwed Christian over, but I think he was a big detriment to his game too. Just because Rick Devins was obviously a sinking ship at the beginning of the episode. And yet he continued to try to save him throughout the episode.

[00:09:06] Right. Like I think Christian was smart to like do his damage control work and like approach Jonathan and Joe like on the beach being like, hey, like, yeah, like here is the shot in the dark. I want to build that relationship up with you. Right. But like later in the episode, when you see like Christian having that conversation with Steph, Joe and Jonathan on the beach and they're really feeling that awkwardness where it's like, do I really think these these three other people who have animosity towards me, like want to work with me? Like the answer is no. Right.

[00:09:34] So why go to Sari and everyone and your allies to be like, hey, let's put out our ally, not the people that don't want to work with me, but let's put out our ally like that just blows my mind. Like I it just doesn't make a lot of game sense for me. Yeah. I agree. Yes, same. I also.

[00:10:03] Another thing I wanted to talk about was the fact that everyone's so eager to go on these like mysterious journeys that they don't know what they're going to get. And honestly, I get it because you're playing survivor and you do want to take those risks. But it was kind of crazy to see how many people were willing to jump on that. And when Christian got it and we saw that it was a puzzle, I had the same reaction that he did. Like, oh, he's he's got this. And then to see him not get it was like just more disappointing.

[00:10:29] Um, but I also did like seeing him talk about like his son and how you handle the losses and picking yourself back up after that. Um, I do think it was extra sad to see him go home after that, though, because you wanted to kind of see him go through that rough patch and then come out on top of it. But it didn't work out for him. I do think it was pretty ironic that the puzzle guy couldn't complete a puzzle to save himself. Right. Right.

[00:10:58] Though, even if he had gotten the advantage, right, of being able to place a vote in the urn, like at the end of the day, it is just kind of like an extra vote. Right. Like how would you guys maybe play and use that advantage like to the best possible way that you could have maybe? I feel like I have a really different take on this because when you're there, like the challenge just finished. You haven't really had a chance to talk to anyone yet. So we've seen clearly like we've watched enough survivor.

[00:11:27] The vote can change so much in between then and the time you actually go to tribal that I think it's kind of impossible. You'll have some idea of where the votes could be going, but there's no way to know for sure. So I think that rather than try to play that vote for who you think is going out tonight, I would kind of put it on someone random, not like fully random, but just like maybe it's someone that you think is a threat that's not getting enough attention. Or you just like want to put votes somewhere else to kind of get people talking about someone.

[00:11:55] I would just throw it out on someone else that no one's expecting because the other thing is you still get a vote at tribals. So you can still go with whatever plan is made. And when people ask, who did you vote for? Like you don't have to lie. You can still say you voted with the plan because you did. And there's kind of no one really know where that vote came from. So I feel like it's a good opportunity to kind of stir things up, have some fun with it.

[00:12:18] Yeah, you could put like your own like insignia, like in the top corner of like that vote that you cast at tribal council and you tell everyone before, like I'm putting my name there. So then no one has any sheer doubt that you were that person. I think that's a good way to play it for sure. I think it would have had like a similar effect, but Christian would have had control in the sense that if he put a name down, like let's say he wanted to go for Jonathan. And then he comes back to camp and tells everyone, I already cast a vote for Jonathan.

[00:12:48] I think it would have been a lot easier to sway everyone to go in that direction, too. So he could have had a lot of control over the way it went if he had gotten the advantage. Yeah, I guess that's kind of like the same thing. It's like he either would cast this vote for, let's say, Jonathan or Ozzy or something or cast it for himself. So either way, like he's walking back into camp and like there is a vote for someone else. So I feel like in the same way where everyone kind of dogpiled on Christian because there is 100 percent of vote for Christian, I could have it could have.

[00:13:17] I don't know. It could have gone the same way for whoever he put if he did win. So say this vote for Christian like wasn't in the urn, right? Do you think there's more of a say to like push Emily rather than Christian? And because we really see like through the dynamics of this tribe that the three people being targeted in this round are Emily, Devons and Christian.

[00:13:40] Right. So if everyone's supposedly scared of the fake idol from Rick, like are we thinking more Christian or Emily? Did that vote really have that much more of a sway to go for Christian? What do you guys think? I absolutely think it did, because even with that, like leading up to the tribal, I fully thought that Emily was going home. So the fact that she didn't even get a single vote, I personally was shocked. So I really do think that it was because they had that vote.

[00:14:06] And then people, like I said, like Rizzo were coming forward to say we have to go for Christian because of that. I do think that's the reason that Christian went home and that Emily at least would have gotten votes if that weren't the case. Yeah, I fully agree. I think the only reason that it ended up being Christian, because I thought it was going to be Emily at first, too. I think the only reason it ended up being Christian was because he's still in that alliance that people were targeting and his name was already in the urn. So people are just going to go with that.

[00:14:35] I do think that moment at camp, like when Emily and Sari are bickering over the amount of rice to make, like we just need more camp dynamics and how that can totally play a role into the game. Because like that's a moment when emotions are heightened because they're starving on the beach. Right. I just wish we were able to get to thirty nine days because I think there could be a lot more like tribal dynamics that really play like a real factor into the vote.

[00:15:04] Because like you never know, like could there have been like more traction to get out Emily? Had they been like sitting there for three or like two whole days before like going to tribal council? Right. Like just because like her name was just thrown out there. That was like the first somehow the first time that Emily's name has been out there this entire game when she's been throwing out like everyone's secrets. I mean, what have you guys thought about that, too? That's kind of like I don't know how Emily has not been come after yet, because like you said, she's just been going to everybody.

[00:15:32] I've seen countless like memes and tweets about this. Like the second you tell Emily something, she's off talking to everybody else. I don't know how that no one came for her sooner than this. And the fact that Sari like kind of jokingly said if she keeps talking about the rice, like I'm going to vote her out. I thought that was hilarious. I saw a tweet right before this that was like, you see how you give them rice? Like that's something they can argue over. So like I agree with what you said a moment ago. They need to start providing these things because it gives more content and stuff for them to do.

[00:16:02] So as far as Emily, I don't know how people keep trusting her because she's going back and forth, but it's finally starting to catch up to her a little bit. I will say I think it's super ironic that all season long, like what's Emily been doing? Spreading information. Yet at the beginning of the episode, we see that she's kind of sitting on gold right now, knowing that Devin's idol is fake.

[00:16:29] And what does she choose to do? Just not say anything. Like she totally confines herself like to that Christian Devin's alliance and like ultimately ends up on the wrong side of the boat. So I do think it's super ironic that the one time that like she could be like she deviates from this meta that she's been playing, like it kind of screws her. It really does. It is so silly how everybody tells Emily their secrets.

[00:16:57] Emily tells everyone their secrets and then there's no aftermath of that at all. And it's just like ignored maybe because everybody knows she's going to say something. I feel like they don't do anything about it, but it's kind of the same thing as everybody going to Sari and telling her that they want to vote out her number one allies and besties all the time. And she just goes and tells them. And again, like nobody ever finds out or what. I don't know. I think she's like magical or something, but it is kind of silly how it's like a similar situation.

[00:17:26] But everybody knows that Emily is like spreading everything, but nobody knows that Sari is, I guess. Yeah, I totally could talk about Sari like for so long. I feel like comparing the two of them is so interesting because I feel like everything Emily does comes off kind of messy. Um, and when Sari does it, it's just like she's a mastermind. Like, I don't know what it is, like how she does it, but everything she does just is so good.

[00:17:55] And Emily is just I don't I can't get a read on like, is she being strategic or she just can't keep it to herself? I agree. I think there's a lot of similarities between the way that Emily and Sari are kind of going around sharing information. I think the difference is Sari is good with everybody, whereas Emily is kind of locked into her nerds alliance more so she has just that group of people. So she is kind of like flipping around going and telling everyone things.

[00:18:22] Whereas Sari, when she tells someone something, someone something that's like her ally that she's telling because everyone feels good with her. She said at the start of the episode how like she obviously has her Sari and the Wizard of Oz alliance. She's good. She's good with everybody. I think she said like what it was like Aubrey and Tiff were the only people she didn't really have a thing with. So if everybody feels good with Sari, they're going to go tell her. And then she's just set basically. So, yeah.

[00:18:50] I think I really want to know who people think Sari is closest to on the beach because everyone can't be thinking that Sari is closest to me. You know, so when you know a player as good as Sari like is right, like how are you not putting yourself in her shoes? Just being like, well, if I'm Sari, who am I closest to? You know, so like what do you guys think like people are perceiving about her and like her view on her alliances? I'm honestly wondering if everybody really does just think that they're Sari's number one.

[00:19:19] I think that's a good one genuinely because the way when she was talking about Christian going to her and saying Ozzy's name and she was like ranking all her allies. And she's like, I mean, Christian's like what tier three or four. Like, of course, I'm going to go with Ozzy. But like this Christian know that like, I don't know. Maybe not. Yeah, I think Sari is a perfect example of having a social game because I feel like that must be the case. Like everyone feels like they at least have a good enough in with her that they are not thinking about targeting her.

[00:19:49] And I think her likability factor and her social game is just like the key role in that and why she's so good. And that's why Sari is a legend. Like, this is why you have people at the beginning of the game like Jenna, like Dee that are saying we have to get Sari out because once she gets to this point, she's unstoppable. They weren't able to do it. And now here she is connected to everybody. And I really do think that everyone thinks like I'm good with Sari. But obviously that can't be the case.

[00:20:18] But yeah, I really do think that everyone just feels good with Sari because that's just the effect that she has on people. She's so insulated in this tribe. It's genuinely so impressive. I don't know if we've seen a player play this well of a social game in a really long time, to be honest. I just think like considering the magnitude of players that she's playing with as well, right? Like she's not playing with idiots. Everyone's out for blood, right? And everyone knows her game too. It's no secret, right?

[00:20:48] So it's genuinely so impressive how she has really put herself in an untouchable position. And like, if not, like she, I think she's in the best spot in the game, right? If not her, like maybe Ozzy, just because like when you're putting like the, like, I mean, Ozzy is her number one. So granted, right? Like he's in the best spot possible because you got Sari going to bat for you in every single conversation, right? Yeah, like who are they going to target? Well, I guess I was going to say, who are they going to target first? Like Sari or Ozzy?

[00:21:17] But I guess it is Ozzy just because, yeah, that's what happened in this episode. And everyone wants to work with Sari. But at least like Sari can get you off the block or get your name out of people's mouths any chance she really wants. But I mean, we had back to back, I mean, we had back to back weeks now of this happening where someone comes after one of Sari's number one allies. And especially because nobody knows that she's so close with Rizzo. I agree with what you just said. I think she's in the best spot because her two closest allies both have idols.

[00:21:47] And she's so well connected that she's going to get information from everybody. So regardless, somebody in that three should know what the plan is and they can either redirect it. They can use an idol if they need to. So, but yeah, she goes to bat for her people. She saved Rizzo last week. She just saved Ozzy. And so I really don't know how someone's going to take them down without them turning on each other. And I don't know that that's going to happen, at least not anytime soon.

[00:22:13] Yeah, I was just going to say that I think it's funny watching it as a fan and kind of like talking at the TV being like, why is everybody trusting Sari? Like everybody's seen her play four times. Like they know how she works. She's so great. Like run up to her, tell her everything and kind of fall into her. I think she has some like magical aura that makes people want to trust her or something. And it's just so silly watching it being like, I don't understand.

[00:22:40] But then I'm thinking about the fact that if I were there and if I had a chance to play with Sari, I would be doing the exact same thing. Probably if like Sari was acting like she wanted to be my friend and work with me, I think I would be doing the exact same thing. And it's kind of like how I feel Rizzo feels a little bit. It's like, this is my idol. Like I met her at the meet and greet. Like Sari wants to work with me, of course. And I'm like, I think I would do the same thing. So I can't even, I can't even blame them, honestly. Yeah. I think Rizzo's kind of all of us on the beach.

[00:23:09] Like just being able to be that fanboy playing with all of these legends. Right. And like, no one knows who Rizgot is. Right. He's literally just like the youngest kid by a mile out there. So yeah, I think you're definitely right that I would want to be playing with Sari too. But at the beginning of the season, like I, we had, like we had to do a draft, me and Tim. And I picked Sari to go home first because I thought it would be on everyone's mind just how dangerous of a player she is. That she, she has to be the first person.

[00:23:37] So I don't think Jenna was like really in the wrong that first round to want to get her out. You know, you get the best player out as soon as possible. Yeah. I was going to say the first episode Sari was being targeted. And I feel like everyone kind of knew we have to get her out while we can. And they didn't. And I am hoping and praying that she just makes it to the end because I want her to win so bad. And I feel like she's just such a masterful player that she deserves it so much.

[00:24:05] And like Sam was saying, as a viewer, it's like, how are they not like seeing how good she is right now? But at the same time, she's so good. And like, she's such an idol that if she wanted to play with me, I would also be like, okay, let's do it. I know. True. I do worry a little bit. Just I feel like she has done a bit more in the last couple of episodes. So she hasn't gotten any attention yet. It feels like it should be coming at some point.

[00:24:32] But hopefully she can continue to be safe with her allies. Yeah. That's like the big thing. Yeah. No, you go, Sam. I was going to say, I kind of wonder if it's a good thing or if it's a bad thing that both of her closest allies have idols and that she doesn't. I don't know if that could come into play at some point. I really hope it doesn't. But it was just a thought. Yeah. I mean, because those idols are they can only be played on Ozzy and Rizzo.

[00:24:58] So they know that like if if people find out that those are the three people totally working with each other, like Sari is completely vulnerable. So that is the one detriment of the Billie Eilish idol. I do think those idols are very interesting in power. And we're definitely seeing the implications of them now for at least like we will see them hopefully. But I do think it's really interesting also that Joe or not Joe.

[00:25:26] Devins is idol has more power and pull like in this game currently, even though it's fake and people know that it's fake or some. And yet like Rizzo and Ozzy are getting absolutely zero attention for their idols. So I guess I kind of want to ask you guys, like what is just like the perception of idols at this point in the game? Everyone's just really scared of idols.

[00:25:52] And I guess they're too scared to do anything about it. I feel like especially when you have so many people, this merger is huge. Like that was kind of the beginning of the merger is kind of your chance to split votes between someone that has an idol and someone else to to flush it out. And like my friends were saying yesterday, like, why wouldn't they put the majority on the person that has the idol? So they either play and save themselves or they don't go home, but no one's even going for them because they're too scared.

[00:26:22] And we've seen this like time after time. And yeah, people are too afraid to go after them. Yeah, I think also with all the twists involved, too, like we saw it at this tribal Christian got the majority of the votes when they could have still put the majority of votes on Devon's because they think he has an idol. And if he played it, then Christian would have gone home still.

[00:26:43] So I think just with everything going on, maybe people are getting distracted and idols aren't the same as they have always been because of all the other advantages and disadvantages in the game. Yeah. And it's also kind of crazy that this is a similar situation as to last season on 49 when Rizzo got away with having his idol the whole time because people were scared and like didn't know what to do about it. So it's kind of silly that it's happening again. But now there's more idols and Rizzo has one again.

[00:27:11] And nobody knows that that whole thing happened last season. And now he's just Riz God, honestly. It is really interesting how like people are like afraid to go after the ones with idols. But like this is like a great opportunity to like go after Devon's and his idol because those are the three people that you that they're all talking about voting out between Emily, Devon's and Christian.

[00:27:35] So it's like if you're going against them at like at any point in the next couple of rounds, like this is a great chance to go for Devon's because like it gets out the power and you keep Christian at the bottom of the game. Then if you really were going to vote him out now, nothing's really going to change about the game. I mean, yeah, you might give like you might have new life because of like just like adding another week. You never know what's going to happen. But like I don't really see the dynamics changing too much in favor of those players.

[00:28:04] So like why not try to like get out as much power as they have in the game now at this time? It is kind of funny that sorry. Go ahead. I have a lag. That when I think Steph at that tribal where Devon's picked up the idol, she asked to see it and he said no. And he was like the like knowledge is power. Like I don't need to show you that. And it's funny because I would obviously ask to see it too. I'm surprised more people aren't asking to see it.

[00:28:32] But him saying like knowledge is power. I forgot what words he used, but it just kind of showed that probably made everyone even more scared, you know, of this thing that doesn't even exist. The fact that he's not showing them when you would think that not showing them would make it more sus. But him actually not showing them makes them more scared of what it actually is. That part really upset me in that episode with Steph specifically because I'm like, this is Survivor 50. You have to go for it. If you don't think it's real, like make him show it to you.

[00:29:01] So I just I thought she should have been more assertive. Like they should have done it right then and there, like had him do it. And if not, like vote for him the way they said they were going to. So I thought they they weren't in it enough for that for a season this big. I agree. I'm surprised they haven't questioned it more like after that happened. And I was also going to say as the numbers continue to dwindle, what we're down to nine now. There's like 10. Yeah. And there's how many idols in the game plus one fake idol.

[00:29:29] So the fact that people aren't trying to like focus on that more is kind of frustrating. I do think it's really funny that like at that tribal council, Joe was so adamant that that idol was real. So I don't know if like, yeah, like Steph was trying to do everything that she could right to be like check it. And Joe's like, no, this is real. I know it to be true. And like when Joe, like Joe is probably like the most stubborn player out there.

[00:29:57] And I think it's kind of hilarious watching his game, though. I do feel like we did see a lot of growth from Joe during this episode when he had that sit down conversation with Rick. And that conversation was definitely going nowhere for either of them. Like they're clearly never going to make up and work with each other. But I do think it's great for Joe to just kind of like just take a minute and put everything aside and be like if he wants to play this way, like that's fine.

[00:30:24] But like I do think that whole conversation was just a development of him instead of needing to like confront another player and then like hold that resentment. Like it was really the first time he's ever been able to do that in either season that he's played. I think there's like a lot of highly emotional players playing too. Because think about like Devin's and Joe just interacting with each other every time. I'm just kind of like laughing to myself because I feel like they're baiting each other constantly. And we saw it earlier in the season.

[00:30:53] I think it was Dee and Jonathan. I don't remember who was baiting who. But I just feel like there's a lot of like tempers. We've seen Ozzy lose his temper a little bit too. So it's part of like the good TV that I enjoy watching. But it's funny to see them go at it. With Joe specifically, I feel like he actually is kind of funny. And he would be more fun to watch if he wasn't so like stuck on this loyalty thing. He actually can be a good character. So I didn't like I'd like seeing his growth in this last episode.

[00:31:24] I love Joe. I think he actually had the most potential. One of the highest potentials coming into the season to really turn his game around and use the foundation that he had from season 48 being that really like truthful, like honest player to then manipulate the way that he would come in and play like backstab do anything because no one else would expect that from him. You saw like all the like old school players like want to work with him because they really believed in those qualities that he held. Right.

[00:31:54] And that's like the perfect piece to be the puppet master of the season. Right. Where it's like use that perception to your ability in this game. And he hasn't just he hasn't changed. And I'm just I'm just waiting for him to do that. But I guess like we're all just creatures of habit. So he's not going to change. But and you know what? He didn't change when he won this immunity challenge. I mean, he completely dominated. Right. And pulled out the win against Jeff and everybody else that he competed against. But yeah. OK, I bring up like the Jeff thing.

[00:32:23] What did you guys think about Jeff competing in the immunity challenge against everyone with that little side bet for the rice going on? I thought it was so cute. I felt like he just he just wanted to be included. I enjoyed watching him do it because he's obviously never done it before. And seeing him compete against like the top competitors that we've seen and him like kind of failing was kind of funny and just shows how good the players actually are. Yeah.

[00:32:52] And I love the sassy Jeff montage that was presented while he was doing his own challenge. I thought that was a great touch by the production. I thought that was great, especially like when all of them were yelling at him, too, and like saying stuff to him. Honestly, I thought Jeff was going to do better than he did. I was kind of surprised that he only lasted, what, seven and a half minutes and like didn't beat any of them. So I thought that was a fun, fun little twist, though. I'm glad that he got to do that.

[00:33:22] I will say as far as the rice itself, like the bet, I kind of feel like there wasn't a downside. Like the bet was just I have like these four people have to outlast me. And if not, you don't get rice. I feel like there should have been like some punishment or incentive or something because it was just kind of confusing to me because it seemed like people were hesitant to do it when they didn't really have anything to lose. It was more like you just have to pick your four best people. And I thought that should be kind of easier to figure out.

[00:33:51] Yeah, especially when the medal was always to like give up your chance at immunity. There is no cost. So, yeah, he just wanted his own spotlight. You know, Jeff really just wanted more of the moment for himself. Yeah, I didn't even really think about the fact that there was no risk there at all. So that's interesting. Yeah, I feel like it could have been a little bit. There could have been more there.

[00:34:15] You know, we've talked a lot about how Sari is clearly seen as one of the best players of the season so far. But I honestly, I think there's one player that's been really under the radar this whole season that isn't getting a lot of praise for the game that they have been playing. And this might be a hot take. But I think Jonathan has actually done a really good job this season, kind of recovering from a lot of his messes and spells.

[00:34:38] I'm not saying he's been in a good position, but he was probably the biggest driving force in this game this week to get out Christian. He was the first one to throw out Christian's name and made sure that it was Christian to go home. Like even Sari at the end of the episode showed that she had a preference for going for Emily. Right. So it was really Rizzo and Jonathan that were the two main people pushing for Christian to go.

[00:35:06] I just I think Jonathan has has really evolved as a player this season, too. Then like the first time that we saw him play because he was not a likable character. He was so arrogant, so like macho. Macho. And I think he's a little bit more down to earth, but I think it's like it's playing for him a lot better this time around. So I have him written down as well for the little torchy thing later. That's who I was going to pick. So I'll get into that more.

[00:35:32] But I agree as much as it pains me to say because I'm not pulling for Jonathan. I do think he's actually playing a really good game. And the fact that he was the only person on the wrong side of the vote last week and then just like totally recovered from that and was in the majority for this vote and like didn't even really have any heat or anything this week. I thought that was really impressive.

[00:35:57] Honestly, I think the fact that he was on the wrong side last week could help him because the two people that were voted out were coaching Chrissy who are all this like honor and integrity stuff. So if he were to get to the end, he could tell them I didn't vote for you guys like that probably increases his chance of getting their votes. He had that moment later on in the episode when he was targeting Christian talking about the notches in his belt and how he's got D and Camilla.

[00:36:23] He really has been taking out the people that come for him similar to how Sari has. So I kind of do think that he's up there with her as far as the level of game that he's been playing this season and that people don't really see that yet. I feel like every time Jonathan grows on me a little bit, he says something that bothers me and that was the notch on the belt. I thought that was super arrogant of him and I hated that.

[00:36:47] But I do think that out of the honor and integrity group, he seems to be the most adaptable out of them. And I feel like he's very self-aware because he came into after the tribal the night before he came into this and he was like, okay, I need to reposition myself, talk to some people. He's talking to Aubrey. He was doing some things. And I feel like a lot of the other people in that group haven't really mingled as much as him. So I do feel like he is improving for sure.

[00:37:16] I agree with everything you guys have said for the most part. And I do think he has evolved for sure. His strategic game is definitely there more than it ever has been before. Maybe it's a personal thing or maybe it's leftover from what I saw on his previous season. But I still think his social game is not all the way there. He has just this smugness to him that I'm like always seeing and I can't get past it no matter what he's doing.

[00:37:43] So I don't know if the people there are just not seeing that or maybe I just have something against him. But I do think he's still lacking there a little bit out of anything. Yeah, I mean, maybe they maybe they don't think that he's the sharpest like tool in the shed just because like also like Christian gives him the shot in the dark. He's like, oh, thanks, man. I really appreciate this. Like he does like like you guys said before, like he has those moments where like he clearly like just shows those like loose edges that he might not be like the sharpest player.

[00:38:13] Right. I do feel like some of that could be intentional, though, because there have been a lot of times throughout the season where it seems like he does know like what he's doing or what he's talking about. And as Natalie was talking about earlier with the thing with D, like that was him that was like intentionally trying to get her riled up and like that worked. Um, the Christian thing, like maybe that was just to try to make Christian feel good because like it didn't make sense as to why he would be so excited. But maybe his social game isn't all the way there, but I think it's improved a lot.

[00:38:43] And he's it's really benefited him this season. So if you can continue to do that, I think he'll be in a good spot. Yeah, he's definitely improved a lot. He kind of has a little army forming, right? He's really in with Joe. They're kind of like rowing out there on the beach the whole time. And Steph is still locked in with him since they've been on the wrong side and the right side of the votes together for a good amount of time now. And you see Aubrey really making that adjustment and trying to align herself with Jonathan.

[00:39:13] And honestly, I think Aubrey is in the right for that, too. Like she did more of that work than Jonathan, because I think for Aubrey, she sees like the sinking ship that Devin's is on and wants to just like detach herself from that nerve. And she's like, oh, my God. And she is giving herself way more ability to integrate herself with people who are going to like last in the game. So just wanted to touch on Ozzy.

[00:39:42] Like growing up watching Survivor, like in middle school, he was my all time favorite player ever. Celebrity crush was obsessed with him in every way. But I feel like with hearing about him coming on this new season, I didn't really see the vision. I didn't really think he would evolve. I feel like he played so many times and like never was super strategic, was never super great. So I didn't even have super high hopes and wasn't dying to see him.

[00:40:09] But I feel like since he came on to season 50, I found myself 100 percent rooting for him again. And I feel like he probably is one of the most evolved players on this cast who really adapted to the new era. And I just find him really interesting to watch. I thought he would be kind of giving the same thing he's given in his previous seasons. And I was very surprised to find how much I'm enjoying watching him and like watching him align with people like Sari and Rizzo.

[00:40:37] Yeah, I always felt that his game was very one dimensional since he was always what so focused on like immunity wins and challenges. Like in South Pacific, he literally took himself out of the game of voting people out for Survivor to put himself on Redemption Island. So all he had to do to get further in the game was win immunity challenges. Like he could have used that as just like any kind of like, oh, like fall back on this. But he's like, no, this is how I'm going to play this. I'm going to win.

[00:41:02] So I really was not a fan of him coming into the season, especially when we had seen him play in like some of like the newer, like newest returning seasons, like game changers. Right. Right. Like, I don't think he did very well in that season or like just like, yeah, that strategic aspect of the game has always been something he's lacked. Right. Like even when like what in here fans versus favorites, when he made like an idol out of like a stick. Right.

[00:41:29] It's not even like that was like, yes, iconic moment, but it's like still not like the biggest like tool. So like I had really low hopes for him. He seemed like a player that had been like what? But just he's going to do the same thing as he's always done, just like you put it, Sam. Yeah. Like at least he knows to do that. I feel like even that is growth.

[00:41:54] Like I feel like even the fact that he knows that he kind of has to turn to her for like some of the more strategic moves. He knows what he should be doing. It's executing. Dang. I also feel like seeing the two of them work together is so like refreshing and nice to see. Like it really brings back old school vibes. And I agree with what Sam said before. Like I loved watching him like his first season, but I love watching him now too. But for completely different reasons because of how he's evolved so well. Yeah, fully agree.

[00:42:24] Like I was not too thrilled when I saw that he was on this season. I was like, let's get someone else in here. But I think he's been really fun to watch. And like you said, Natalie, I'm really glad that he's working with Suri. I was a little worried for the two of them just because of the fact that they've been on seasons together. Like they said at the beginning, like we can't be too close, whatever. But the fact that they are now in this really close alliance with each other and they've been working together throughout the whole season so far. It's been really fun to watch. Yeah, his persona has been really great.

[00:42:53] And he has so much maneuverability in the game. Like he still has a good working relationship like with Steph, who's not in the best spot right now. And people like Jonathan and Joe, like he's more apt to working with them. Right. Or they're more apt to working with him just because they haven't done like Ozzy hasn't done wrong to really anybody. Right. And that's why his name was thrown out there. And he was kind of targeted by Emily and Christian. Yeah. Like, of course. Yeah. Go to Suri because you're going to like she's going to make that happen.

[00:43:21] But no, like it's been really great to watch Ozzy. And like, honestly, he's my winner pick right now as we're watching the season. So I'm kind of curious, like who are your guys' winner picks right now for season 50? Um, I'll go. So I pick Suri for everything because I just, I, I partly just want it so bad for her. Cause I feel like she's been like gotten the short end of the stick so many times in the past.

[00:43:51] But also I just, I really do think she's the best of the best. Like her strategic and social game are just like, they represent what survivors should be so well. And she's doing it time and time and again. So I, I really just want her to win and I hope she does. Yeah. I fear. I have to agree. Suri all the way. It's again, like we said before, I did not have high hopes for her.

[00:44:18] I was, I thought she could be a potential first boot just because of how many times she's played, how well everybody knows her game, how strategic and social she is. And the fact that she's made it this far, I still think is the most impressive out of anyone on the beach. And still her name has yet to come up. So I feel like with all this momentum she has and still kind of under the radar, I know that she was in control of a lot of these past few moves, but does it seem, I don't even know if it seems like everybody knows that.

[00:44:48] So I just feel like I'm rooting for Suri. I want her to win. And especially kind of seeing how well she's doing right now is just making me push for her more and more. I absolutely do want Suri to win. I really hope she can do it this time. Finally, I do think she has a genuine chance. She's been playing an amazing game and she's in a really good spot. I think it's going to be really hard for her to like make it into that final three, because everyone's going to, everyone knows, like if Suri gets to the end, she's pretty much guaranteed to win.

[00:45:18] Like I don't see how someone's going to beat Suri. So I think it's going to get really hard for her. I think she does have a chance. My other pick, which I was kind of talking about before, would probably be Jonathan, just based on the fact that he has taken down a lot of people that have come for him. He was able to turn his situation around from last week. I think he has a lot of friends in the game, whether like people currently on the jury.

[00:45:44] There were a lot of the honesty and integrity people made it to the merge, which is good for him. So I think he's in a good spot. I don't think, I think there's enough eyes on other people right now that people aren't going to really come for him right away. So I think he's also in a good spot to win, even though that's not who I would want to win. Yeah, I think Jonathan's my dark horse winner pick because I think the game really needs to flip in his favor. Because right now, like Suri is playing flawlessly.

[00:46:13] She's in the best position. And I think that's what for me, like really, like that's why it benefits like Ozzy so much, because he's playing a second place game right now to Suri where she and she has the capability of bringing him all the way to that last phase of the game. And she's going to have to escape what a final five vote out final four and then fire making probably at the end. And like whoever's aligned with Suri at that late in the game, like is probably going to benefit the most.

[00:46:39] So that's why I'm looking at Rizzo and Ozzy is probably like the two main benefactors for just being aligned with Suri. You know, she's going to work the game. And I am like, I'm fine. I mean, obviously, I'm rooting for Suri. I'm rooting for Rizzo too, because I guess it's just like the fan in me. Like just like, yeah, like just really like I, I see myself in him. If I'm a fan, I would want to root for the fan too, you know? So I don't know.

[00:47:04] I do kind of agree with Connor, what you said, where just Suri getting to that final three spot is going to be super difficult for her. If she makes it there, obviously, I'm sure she'll win. But getting there would be hard. But I do kind of think that like Ozzy and or Rizzo, if they somehow ended up like being able to bring someone, I don't even know what the final four looks like. But if there was a chance that one of her allies could take her, why do I feel like they maybe would? Which would be crazy.

[00:47:33] But I feel like Ozzy is someone who would bring Suri. And maybe even Rizzo, I feel like he's very loyal to his allies. I don't know. Bringing Suri, if that was even an option, would be insane. But I do feel like she's kind of aligned with like the two best people to potentially do that for her. So, but either way, I think one of the three of them will be there for sure. I agree. I would be happy if any of the three of them win. And for Suri, I really do think it just depends, like you said, on how willing those two are to sit next to Suri.

[00:48:04] And Ozzy, I feel like he could be willing to do that because like he's just been trusting Suri this whole game. Like he's finally playing a more social game, like with her, working alongside her. I could see him doing that. And then with Rizzo, like being such a super fan, who else is going to be, would be able to say like, I sat at the end with Rizzo or with Suri and Ozzy. Like we've seen him multiple times when a big moment happens. He's like, oh, cinema. What's more cinema than that? Like, I think he's the type of person who would want like to have that moment.

[00:48:33] And I think that could be more valuable to him than winning. So I could see the two of them actually sticking with Suri. And that's what I'm hoping happens. Yeah. I'm kind of rooting for Rizzo in the same way that you guys are. And I feel like he's so relatable. And I do think if he made it, if he had the chance to take Suri to the end and Ozzy, that he would. Because like, I probably would too if I were in his position.

[00:48:59] You guys don't think it'd be like even more cinema to vote out your, like one of your favorite players and beat them of all time. Like, I don't want to just bring Suri and give her a million dollars. Like, I want to beat Suri. I feel like that's how Rizzo would be thinking. You know, like he talks about like, like slaying the dragon, like with coach, like those episodes ago. Like, I feel like, I don't know. I think if I'm Rizzo, I'd want to take out Suri. It would be more cinema. But I feel like Rizzo is such a lover boy with his girls.

[00:49:29] I don't know if he'd be able to do it to her. I really don't. I don't. Yeah, I feel like it would break his heart. Which like, same. Same. I wouldn't be able to do it either. It might also depend on who else is still in the game at that point. Because if it's the three of them and he votes out Suri, like, is he going to beat Ozzy? I don't know. Like, maybe. But what's the point of taking out Suri if you're still going to lose anyway? So it would really depend on what the rest of the scene looks like. I think Stephanie's got a really good chance to make the end too.

[00:49:59] She's kind of a player that people don't seem like too intimidated by. She's not in a ton of votes yet. She always kind of finds her way to get back into a vote and find some allies. Just because she is able to, like, make herself, like, just work with people for a vote and around. So I could kind of see, like, her being someone that, like, is thinking rationally. That people can, like, get on their side. And she kind of floats her way to the end.

[00:50:23] So I could see, like, Steph being there in, like, consideration for, like, well, should we bring Steph to the end? Or should we bring Suri? And I would think people 10 times out of 10 should take Steph. But I don't know about that. We'll see. Yeah, I could easily see Steph making it to the end. But maybe not for the reasons that you would hope to make it to the end for, unfortunately. I do think, I do respect her game a lot. But I don't know if she has the same, like, level of strategy and maybe social game that other people are at.

[00:50:53] I actually was liking her more than I thought I would this season, at least earlier on. So that was kind of surprising. But, yeah, I do feel like she's kind of fallen off a bit maybe the last couple episodes. So I don't know that she has the resume or the social connections to really win the game. She could get to the end. But I don't, yeah, I think she could be someone that they kind of choose to bring along instead. Yeah, I think her winning path probably relies on, like, Jonathan and Joe. Like, that crowd really gaining power.

[00:51:21] And then her being able to, like, turn on, like, the heads of that alliance, which would probably end up being Joe, right? But then just not hoping that, like, the Rizzo and the Aussies or whoever's left on the other side, like, probably gets the credit. That's probably her path to the end, which could be possible. I'm praying that they don't take power. I don't want that alliance. No, not at all. I want Serena to keep the power for the rest of the season, right? That would be so disappointing.

[00:51:50] I want that polyamorous alliance to make it all the way to the final three. Like, my God, that would be best, genuinely. It would be iconic cinema. All right. Well, as we wrap up the episode, I think now would be a good time for the Torchy Awards. So you might be asking yourself, what are the Torchy Awards? Well, every episode, me and my co-hosts, we each individually pick a player and give them our Torchy Award of the Week for being the player of the episode.

[00:52:18] So it could be a player who you think played the best game or just someone you loved and enjoyed watching this episode. So we'll put up a couple nominees. We already heard Connor's pick. And then we'll explain why we're going to give that player our Torchy Award. So without further ado, let's hear from our guests. So Connor, I guess you could take the spotlight first since you already alluded to your pick. Yeah. So I said this earlier. My pick right now would be Jonathan. Not because I'm pulling for him. I just think that this was a really good episode for him.

[00:52:46] Coming back from the last episode where he was the only person on the wrong side of the vote, he then turned that around and got into the majority for the next vote. He didn't really even have any heat on him for this week. And I just think that he's in a really good spot. Plus, we didn't talk about this, but I think giving Christian his shot in the dark back at the end was a really nice touch as well because he didn't have to do that. He could use Christian's shot in the dark himself if he wanted to.

[00:53:14] But I think giving that back to him kind of was a nice gesture, even if it is just kind of like jury management. But I think that he's just this is a really good episode for him. He's sitting in a pretty good spot and kind of a little under the radar. Solid pick. Natalie, Sam, who is your guys' award nominees and pick? I can go. But every time I watch Survivor, I hope that I'll be invited onto this podcast.

[00:53:44] So I always think about who it would go to every time I watch an episode. And every time I look out for someone who does something and I always want to try to pick somebody new, but it really always comes back to Sari. Like every single time I try to be like, oh, but this person did this or this person did that. We get to see Sari's insane strategic and social game. And I'm just left so impressed by her. It would be impossible to give it to anybody else.

[00:54:11] So, of course, I'm giving it to my queen and icon, Sari. I just think, again, she has this trance that she puts on every single person that speaks to her where she allows them to feel comfortable. Everyone wants to share with her. Everyone wants to be her number one. And the fact that she's able to do this after playing four times and being broadcasted on so many seasons. Everybody knows how she plays. Played all these other shows.

[00:54:37] And the fact that she's still able to work the same magic without getting her name thrown out is just super insane to watch. Yeah, she definitely put you in that trance and all of us for sure. I mean, she's totally caught us. Does anyone want to guess who mine is? I wonder. Yeah, I'm going to sound like a broken record, but it has to be Sari. I totally agree with everything Sam said.

[00:55:07] Every episode, I just am mesmerized by how she's doing this. You see how she works the middle so well and has an in with every single person. I was watching her manage. She would tell someone something and be like, oh, watch your face. People could be watching. And that might be true. And also, it's going to make that person trust her more because it's just going to show, oh, she's on my side. She's looking out for me.

[00:55:34] I can't believe how good she is every single time. So, yeah, it's got to be Sari. Yeah, for me, week in, week out, I think Sari is always going to be a consideration. But I'm going to agree with Connor. I think my Torchy Ward is going to go to Jonathan this week. I think he put himself in a really good position. He's gaining momentum. He really drove this vote, too, after being in a not-so-good spot at the last Tribal Council, losing both Chrissy and Coach.

[00:56:03] And I think he has a really big chance to make a move. We'll see if he's able to. But I think he was the player of the episode to put himself in a really good position. So, yeah, I mean, two picks for Jonathan, two picks for Sari. It could really be a clean sweep for, oh, maybe for Sari. But, like, I do agree that Jonathan is the player of this episode. So, not to take your vote away, Connor. I completely agree with you. But, yeah. If I had two votes, it'd be Sari. If I had an extra vote.

[00:56:35] All right. Well, those were some great picks for sure. Do you guys have anything else you want to talk about before we wrap up the episode? Thank you. All right. Well, it's been so great having all three of you joining me on the podcast today, talking about Survivor, talking about camp life, how we wish there could be 39 days. And it has been a pleasure to have you.

[00:57:01] And I appreciate all the listeners who have tuned in week in, week out. Appreciate your guys' support. And, yeah, be sure to check out the other Purple Pants podcast-powered productions for other great content. And until next time, it's been Rob. It's been Connor. It's been Natalie. It's been Sam. It's been Split the Vote. Peace. It's the Purple Pants. It's the Purple Pants.

[00:57:30] It's the Purple Pants podcast. You better get your headphones and listen up quick. It's the Purple Pants podcast. You better listen in public. Might make your stomach hurt. Ooh. It's the Purple Pants podcast. You're trying to unwind. You better get that box of wine. It's the Purple Pants podcast. You're trying to get your snack. You better hurry right back though. It's the Purple Pants. It's the Purple Pants. We'll be here.