Stranded in Socotra

Now that I'm out, and seeing as I love this game, I'd like to participate in my own blog of sorts.

Before I begin however, I'd like to add that I got in a fight with my mailman today and he ran over my feelings so sorry if my innocence is gone

Alright so where do I begin? For starters, this season is seriously lacking without great characters like Alecia, Jason, and dare I say it.. Neal, so I'm no longer as interested in these players.
With that being said, I'm really enjoying Steve and Aubry in particular. They definitely give off legendary vibes to me, and I'm really looking forward to watching them play. Also, I love Tai. He's a badass in the sweetest way.
The characters I'm a little more skeptical of, but could still prove themselves to be entertaining are Lindsey, Trish, Nick, Julia, Spencer, and Andrea.

Okay now that that's out of the way, because who gives a shit about characters ( ), I'll get into the episode. Starting with the public idol I could already tell that this postmerge would be chaotic. Honestly, if I wasn't robbed too soon, I would also have gone for it. As for Julia, I almost wish she didn't get it. Nothing about her seemed like she would make good use of it as I'm sure many others (like Trish, who was a few seconds too slow) would. With that being said, I guess I liked her move? It was smart? I mean, now she doesn't have that target but was she ever a target to begin with? Who cares. Ultimately, I wish the public idol played a bigger part in the story but what can you do.

Moving on, I was unable to read confessionals and all that, since I'm just now getting those permissions, so I don't know too much of what's going on. Based off premerge talk, I have a feeling what we are about to see is the sheikhs going one by one, followed by Andrea/LJ/Lindsey and all the other social threats, ending with an Aubry win. But like I said, I don't know who's aligned with who, so that's all speculation.

(I know this is becoming a clusterfuck, because I'm going into this practically blind, but if I decide to do this, I'll do more research in the future.)

Finally, the tribal council was pretty bland. Aside from a few players paying homage to their (far superior) fallen comrade, not too much occurred. Which is ironic because we lost a sheikh and had an idol play, but anywho...

I won't miss Fran much and honestly, I just really hope these players start playing. They're making a mockery of the game, and if I was still in, I'd be doing who knows what at this point.

Uh-oh, my parents are fighting on the phone again. Boohoo I have domestic problems, but at least it's my birthday tomorrow

Tribal itself was fairly uneventful, but trust me there was a lot more going on under the surface. Up until the last minute there was a Julia blindside in the works until Tai spilled the beans and all Julia votes changed to Fran. Nick came within a hair's breadth of getting idoled out. Stuff's gonna erupt next tribal for sure.

Kimmi Kappenberg wrote: ↑

Thu May 04, 2017 10:37:43 pm

Tribal itself was fairly uneventful, but trust me there was a lot more going on under the surface. Up until the last minute there was a Julia blindside in the works until Tai spilled the beans and all Julia votes changed to Fran. Nick came within a hair's breadth of getting idoled out. Stuff's gonna erupt next tribal for sure.

Wow that's awesome, I knew Tai was a badass.

They'll probably just pick off New Detwah.

Tai's like a silent assassin. He's no where to be seen 90% of the time, and then right before council he comes in and stirs shit up and gets his way.

Yet he still plays up his sweet innocent side. What a legend lol

Alecia wrote: ↑

Fri May 05, 2017 12:00:44 am

They'll probably just pick off New Detwah.

They might try, but nuDetwah has some connections to the others, and there are a few on the other tribes that are squirrelly enough to exploit some cracks. The nuHadiboh/Aomak alliance isn't sturdy at all. It'll break up really soon. Plus, there are also idols to consider.

Kimmi Kappenberg wrote: ↑

Fri May 05, 2017 8:34:01 am

Alecia wrote: ↑

Fri May 05, 2017 12:00:44 am

They'll probably just pick off New Detwah.

They might try, but nuDetwah has some connections to the others, and there are a few on the other tribes that are squirrelly enough to exploit some cracks. The nuHadiboh/Aomak alliance isn't sturdy at all. It'll break up really soon. Plus, there are also idols to consider.

Yeah nuhadiboh in particular is broken. Tai isn't with them at all I don't believe, and Spence will be quick to turn back to the old Hadiboh/Nick. If anything, it's just Nat and Andrea vs. the world, just biding the time until they're no longer useful

I'm starting not to like Andrea, she's becoming such a fraud to me. I swear if she tells the person who's voted out that she can't wait to talk to them after the game..

Alecia wrote: ↑

Sun May 07, 2017 9:57:52 pm

I'm starting not to like Andrea, she's becoming such a fraud to me. I swear if she tells the person who's voted out that she can't wait to talk to them after the game..

I thought the same. fucking. thing. She's 100% playing the 'sorry' game, and I can't wait for her jury ass-kissing to cause her to be on the jury

You ever watched a home film in a giant movie theater filled with a bunch of people you know? And, in that movie, there's a quick shot of your ass-crack that wasn't approved by you; and you want to yell out to the audience "Hey! Stop laughing at my ass!" but then you remember, oh yeah, I'm a mute.
That's exactly what that tribal council felt like.
It was as if I was witnessing Tai's intervention, and whilst everybody was dehumanizing me at the sake of comforting Tai, I wasn't allowed to say a damn thing.
But whatever, that's the price I pay for playing such a badass game.

Besides that sickening love-fest, that tribal was ICONIC. I live for shit like those first few posts. The name-calling, the fighting, the drama! It's my damn dream! And to top it off, there was a blindside vote! What a glorious sight.

I think I speak for everyone when I say: that episode was incredible. I still haven't congratulated Tai for his clutch win. He's definitely a mini-me, and I can't wait to see what he's capable of becoming.

As for the other players, I'm sad to see Julia go; happy that Spence almost went (("for me" ) omg I'm in love with that voting confessional), and it's good to see him get a taste of his own medicine. Natalie grew on me that episode, as did Aubry and Trish, whereas Andrea's fake attitude and both Steve and LJ's nonexistence rubbed me the wrong way.

Overall though, it was a good night, only sweeter by the fact that it's no longer the weekend, which means, more Stranded!

That's all I have for this time but I think I speak for everyone when I say that this season is really shaping up to be a great one. I can't wait until tomorrow.

I live for these blogs, just saying.

Jeff Probst wrote: ↑

Mon May 08, 2017 1:15:51 am

I live for these blogs, just saying.

Stop it Jeff, you're making me blush

My sentimental favorites are Tai and Aubry, but I don't think they're playing that well. Aubry voted Natalie last round when they could've sent Spencer out and Julia and Tai misplayed their idol(s). And, Aubry is just a really passive player. Pleasant, but kinda forgettable.

And the likes of Natalie and Morgan still there.

Honestly, as mad as I am that my favorite player left in the game misplayed their idol, I'm more mad that nobody is doing anything. I mean, ESPECIALLY Natalie and Morgan who are so inactive I forget they're playing; and with everyone else, it's like they wait until Jeff is tallying the votes to talk. I wish you could go see Hadiboh's early tribals Alecia, they were super fast-paced, just the way I like it. I guess the challenge was cool and I got a name drop :), but other than that, these players need to step up to the plate and do something

Garrett wrote: ↑

Mon May 08, 2017 10:02:58 pm

Honestly, as mad as I am that my favorite player left in the game misplayed their idol, I'm more mad that nobody is doing anything. I mean, ESPECIALLY Natalie and Morgan who are so inactive I forget they're playing; and with everyone else, it's like they wait until Jeff is tallying the votes to talk. I wish you could go see Hadiboh's early tribals Alecia, they were super fast-paced, just the way I like it. I guess the challenge was cool and I got a name drop :), but other than that, these players need to step up to the plate and do something

Lol, the TC where Kyle left was my favorite one yet. I do admit they need to step it up, there are so many dull players that are left. That damn tiebreak! I might've still left early merge but you better believe I would've kept them all on their toes. Natalie saying she's at the movies and I'm like 'really bitch?' I called her out the night I left when she was saying she wasn't around because she was on mobile meanwhile I played that entire challenge from my phone..

Alecia wrote: ↑

Mon May 08, 2017 10:07:12 pm

Garrett wrote: ↑

Mon May 08, 2017 10:02:58 pm

Honestly, as mad as I am that my favorite player left in the game misplayed their idol, I'm more mad that nobody is doing anything. I mean, ESPECIALLY Natalie and Morgan who are so inactive I forget they're playing; and with everyone else, it's like they wait until Jeff is tallying the votes to talk. I wish you could go see Hadiboh's early tribals Alecia, they were super fast-paced, just the way I like it. I guess the challenge was cool and I got a name drop :), but other than that, these players need to step up to the plate and do something

Lol, the TC where Kyle left was my favorite one yet. I do admit they need to step it up, there are so many dull players that are left. That damn tiebreak! I might've still left early merge but you better believe I would've kept them all on their toes. Natalie saying she's at the movies and I'm like 'really bitch?' I called her out the night I left when she was saying she wasn't around because she was on mobile meanwhile I played that entire challenge from my phone..

I agree 100%. Man, imagine you and me stirring shit up right now. It'd be great

Garrett wrote: ↑

Mon May 08, 2017 10:18:42 pm

I agree 100%. Man, imagine you and me stirring shit up right now. It'd be great

dot dot dot hmmmmmm

Calling it now: Garrett will be the winner of Stranded 43.

Garrett's Gist (a/k/a my blog, but the alliteration sounds better)

Let's play a game. I'll give you two items and you tell me which is more useless.

1. Natalie or... a glass hammer?
2. Morgan or... an inflatable dartboard?
3. Morgan/Natalie or... Sarita?
If you answered the former to any of these three choices then congrats! You're officially less of a waste-of-space than these two are.

I digress. It's worth mentioning that I'm not salty. This isn't an attempt for me to make digs at people that 'wronged me'. This is actually quite neutral. The only reason I can't stand Morgan or Natalie is because they're basically going to give the win to whoever is smart enough to take them to FTC. They're bigger goats than Sarita and it disgusts me to see them still in this game.

However, they can't be completely at blame for the lack of action at tonight's tribal. That would be unfair to them. Everybody left in this game is at fault for that. These players need to stop pussyfooting around at tribal. I only wish I was more explosive at my tribals, and you guys will regret not going out swinging. The time to speak up is not when the votes are being tallied, it's when the votes are being cast. I mean, take this tribal for example. Up until the last minute, the most 'explosive' comment was calling a goat a goat, it was already common knowledge. Yet, as soon as Jeff left to tally the votes; there was, while still downplayed, chaos. There was an idol play, there was confusion, and there was accusations about past events being thrown.
Now, mind you, I don't see everything that goes on. I apologize if these tribals really have been chaotic and I just haven't seen it. But as far as I can tell, people are playing a very UTR game, and UTR coincides with boring. I know none of them will ever read this until it's too late but I beg you guys, don't waste these tribals. I'm sure Alecia would agree that these are the best moments of the game, and you'll miss them when they're gone.

Okay, now that I got my mini-rant out of the way, let's talk about the rest of the episode. Overall, I liked it. The challenge was a lot of fun, and as much as Trish likes to claim nothing happened, I call bull. As far as I could tell, it was Spencer vs Tai, like it's been all season. Which leads me to a theory. I believe that Tai and Spencer are both gunning for each other, and have done so at every tribal council post-merge. However, at the last minute, they holster their weapons and instead work together to take out a third party. If that's the case, then I'm really looking forward to seeing this rivalry really come into fruition.

Sadly, my boy Tai also wasted an idol this episode, but that just further cements my theory that it's Tai vs Spencer right now.
Both parties are playing a game of chicken, just waiting for the other to make the first move. And so far, it appears they're still waiting...

~•~

New episode tomorrow! My predictions are that Tai will lose immunity again, and it will look like he's going now that he doesn't have his idol; but Spencer, who, thanks to the explosions after the vote is now a primary target, will ultimately go home because people fear he has an idol. I also predict that Natalie and Morgan will have a combined three comments in the episode.