Does that sound familiar?
Only this time he didnt play it.
And this time, I would argue, it would have made a lot more sense to do so.
Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS
First off, lets be clear: This was not a slam-dunk use-or-dont-use-the-idol scenario.
So things could get sticky there.
And lets not forget Chris promised to choke David in front of Jeff Probst should he use the idol.
That sounds dicey, too.
Bynotplaying the idol, David is assured to get through the next vote as well.
That means he can control who leaves next time.
I wont fault him for that.
All of the above supports Davids decision to hold onto the idol.
But playing the idol would have made sense when taking a more long-term view of the game.
If David plays the idol, he does two things.
First off, he gets someone out (Michelle) who openly talked about wanting him gone.
Its always smart to keep a bigger target around, but David just voted his off.
So there is certainly a compelling argument to using the idol as well.
(Then again, would Chris even be there by the next Tribal?
Advantage: David!)
Look, all things considered, I actually think David probably did the right thing here.
We begin back at the Gen X camp after David just used his idol to save Jessica.
Thats like asking Taylor not to say the word bro.
Bros gonna bro, bro!
Anyhoo, David makes nice with everyone and then Jessica apologizes to Ken.
So David is back in business.
Because its actually time for a tribe switcheroo.
Honestly, what are they?
I have no idea and have not written them down once.
Seriously, does anyone know?
Vanuata and Hot Tamale?
Thats right, instead of a mere reshuffling, we get an expansion from two to three tribes.
Weve seen the show do this before when there are 18 players, but never 16.
For one thing, 16 is not divisible by 3.
So already, its a little awkward.
For another, youre already starting with pretty small groups when you do that.
So lets meet our new teams:
TAKALI (purple)
Taylor (a.k.a.
Tales)
Figgy (a.k.a.
Figgs)
Adam (a.k.a.
Speaking of miserable, that describes Michaelas current mood post-reshuffling.
You didnt do this right, Jeff.
Michaela is way too focused on conditions as opposed to gameplay here.
In fact, she should consider herself lucky.
She feels like on a relatively strong tribe and has a four-to-two Millennials numbers advantage.
I love Michaela, but shes looking at this situation all wrong.
If anything, Zeke and Michelle are the ones who got the raw deal.
It seems Chris played college ball for the Sooners and even won a national championship in 2000.
To be honest, I am guessing there is a fair amount Taylor does not understand.
Were doing that, even though we have numbers?
Does it really matter, though?
Yes, it matters, Taylor!
Let me explain to you why it matters.
For another, it makes you look completely unfocused on the game.
Should you somehow make it to the end, people will not respect your gameplay.
They will think… Taylor?
Youre doing it again.
You seem like a nice guy and all, but shouldnt you be onBig Brother?
That seems like a better fit for you.
However, there is one thing Jaycantdo, and that is make fire.
Even with the flint, the quest for fire is fruitless.
As the music swells and soars, Michaela gets the fire started, and the tears follow soon after.
We head out to our first three-tribe immunity challenge, and it is another one in the water.
Seriously, how great a location is Fiji?
And Im not talking yucky season 14 Fiji, but this beautiful island locale.
And you all know how I feel about water challenges.
Then the next person goes.
Once a team has all five buoys, they have a choice.
A water competition with a choice?
In fact, I love everything about this challenge, even beyond the aforementioned attributes.
Like, not a full-on drowning, mind you.
But flailing and failing is always welcome, and there is plenty of it to go around here.
(Worst date ever, by the way.)
So the losers head back to the beach to begin their scheming.
He wants payback at CeCe and David for outmaneuvering him not once, but twice.
(Whats that whole thing about fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice…?)
He gets David on board to vote out CeCe.
She wants him out because hes clumsy?
Who does she think he is, Jar Jar Binks?
Now, Michelle wants to make like Boss Nass and do the exact same thing to poor David.
Meesa no thinks so!
We know what happens next.
Its a fair point, but to that I would say the following.
First off, do you really want to see the Millennials continue to dominate the Gen Xers?
Because thats the way things were headed.
It was turning intoNicaraguaall over again.
Secondly, themes like Brains vs. Brawn.
They are bells and whistles.
Its a marketing play.
So far, I think the season is working.
Well see where it goes from here.
But I can tellyouwhere to go from here.
First, you want to go to the exclusive deleted scene in the video player below.
And then you want to go check out my weeklyQ&A with Hostmaster General Jeff Probst.
And then you shouldbook your tickets to PopFestso you’re able to compete in realSurvivorchallenges against formerSurvivorplayers.
And then you should verify youre following me on Twitter@DaltonRossto get all theSurvivorscoop sent directly to you.
And then… Well, I think thats it, actually.
I just got a bit carried away.
As always, thanks for reading, and Ill be back next week with another scoop of the crispy!
