Brilliant and Boneheaded 'Survivor' Plays of the Week: Regular Joe
Warning: This recap for the “With Me or Not With Me” episode of Survivor: Kaoh Rong contains spoilers.
You take the good, you take the bad on Survivor.
Poor Joe. The guy finally wins a reward, and it’s an awesome one: spa day with showers, massages, and a massive feast. But he eats too much food, leading to health issues that force him out of the game.
It’s crazy how many medical evacuations we’ve seen this season. This one was not quite as scary as Caleb’s, but it was more emotionally painful. Here’s this 71-year-old guy who’s toughed it out to the final five… and he goes home because he ate too many kebabs.
So, Joe’s out. This throws the game in complete disarray. Aubry is left without her staunchest ally. Tai is wary of her. Who knows where Cydney and Michele’s heads are. Going into the final four, it’s anybody’s game.
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Brilliant Play of the Week: Joe
Look, is Joe one of the great players in Survivor history? Um, no. He’s basically been a goat the entire game, dragged along by Aubry and their now-eliminated brain cohorts for his steadfast loyalty and reliable vote. Pretty much everybody wanted to take him to the finals because there was basically no chance of him winning.
Yet, he would have made it to the finals, had he not been taken out by the medical staff. That’s not nothing. Loyalty is a valuable commodity in Survivor, and so is likeability. Joe had plenty of both traits to spare.
And the guy is 71! He made it to Day 34! Not many people can do that. Let’s give him a hand.
Boneheaded Play of the Week: Aubry
Aubry is, without a doubt, the smartest player this season. She’s been crafty and clever in getting herself (and Joe) to this point. She is a master of persuasion. She is smooth about modifying her alliance when she needs to.
But choosing Cydney to go with her and Joe on the reward challenge is a major misstep. Tai was already feeling wary about Aubry, after she left him in the dark about voting for Jason. He’s hurt and unsure, and that leads him to bond with Michele.
When Aubry returns, she takes him aside to assure him that she’s totally taking him to the final three. But with Joe out of the picture, it’s possible Tai will go with his newfound best bud, Michele, and Cydney. Aubry could very well rue the moment she didn’t choose him for spa day.
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Power rankings:
1. Aubry — The strategy mastermind surely will figure out what to do without Joe
2. Cydney — A challenge threat, very likable, and not too shabby in the strategy department herself
3. Tai — No idol, no advantage, but he could be the swing vote at four
Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.
(Photos: CBS)
