To start off, I was optimistic that competition would be fierce. Then I remembered, J'Tiah was still part of the Brains tribe. Say what you will, but somehow, she's lasted to this point despite being the worst survivor in the history of the game. The slogan is outwit, outplay, outlast. She didn't outwit anyone, or outplay anyone, but the last one may be the most important. Outlasting is what she's done to this point.
When reward came, I was thinking, "Hey, with the lead the Brain tribe has, they seem like they've got this locked up." Then all of a sudden they fall behind, and can't find the fucking platform. I loved Spencer's reaction after the challenge, because that's pretty much exactly what everyone was thinking. I really like Spencer at this point, his personality is a tad abrasive, but when you are stuck with a bunch of useless players, it's pretty easy to get bitter. After reward ended, I was thinking, "Hey, J'Tiah needs to go home, no matter how fun it would be to see her suck every week."
When the Brawn tribe discussed throwing the challenge, I was a little put off, because throwing challenges sucks for the viewers at home. I don't want to see an obvious loser going into a challenge, because then there's no point in watching the actual challenge. However, I DO think the only tribe that had a right to throw a challenge was the Brains tribe (like it would have mattered) so they could get rid of J'Tiah.
When Immunity came on, I was seriously bummed, because the only tribe that was going to "try" was the Beauty tribe. Predictably, they won, because they 1. Didn't throw the challenge like Brawn, and 2. Didn't have J'Tiah.
I was actually... fairly interested in the challenge once I internally asked myself which was going to hold their tribe back more. J'Tiah's incompetence or the Brawn's unwillingness to win.
Predictably, J'Tiah fucked up and couldn't get the first fucking buoy, which was literally right there. She even had the goggles on to see underwater. Personally, I'm not the best swimmer, but if I had that advantage, to see underwater, I have no doubt I could get the first buoy at least on my own.
How about Spencer though? Despite J'Tiah's incompetence, Spencer carried that tribe to a near victory, going underwater THREE straight times to get each buoy at the HARDEST depths. That was fucking intense. And then, despite how tired he was, he took the shots, and probably would have won if FUCKING J'TIAH could throw a ball back to Spencer! Whose idea was it to have J'Tiah do ANYTHING in that challenge?
I'm glad they lost though, because it meant J'Tiah was going home.
Or so I thought, since there was actual discussion at camp as to whether they should get rid of her or Spencer. And this is the Brain tribe. What's the logic in getting rid of the one thing keeping your team afloat unless you KNOW a merge is coming (which they didn't)? When tribal comes, I liked how honest Spencer was. Saying how "As a viewer, this is probably awesome, but right now, it's a scary feeling." And then when he went to vote, "This is the scariest moment of my life." Having Jeff bring attention to Tasha and Kas/Cas talking to each other while J'Tiah and Spencer were talking to each other was hilarious. Even funnier was how J'Tiah and Spencer just brushed it off as a normal occurence. How crappy a tribe do you have to be?
When J'Tiah was finally voted out, I legit jumped through the roof of my house. I was so sick and tired of her making this show less fun, and more stupid. She was easily the worst player to ever play the game, as far as I can tell. I've only seen like 10 or so of the seasons, but I'd be damned if anyone was worse at the game than her. To recap:
1. She failed at building a shelter
2. She got the whole tribe against her because she was bossy
3. She failed every challenge, and the only reason they won 2nd in that ONE immunity challenge was because of a puzzle she had nothing to do with.
4. She dumped ALL THE FUCKING RICE OUT IN ANGER
On top of just how annoying she was as a person.
Normally, that type of shit gets you thrown out instantly, but somehow she lasted to this point in the game. Absolutely dumbfounded.
The funny thing is, I half expected her to find the hidden immunity idol (It should be at camp because Garret didn't bring it to tribal that time.) and use it to get rid of Spencer. Like the one time she's competent and it fucks literally everyone over.
I'm curious about the whole merge thing next episode, I hope it's what Kamau says, and just a shake up of the tribes. A merge merge this soon doesn't bode well, considering there are still 14 players remaining (I think?). Wouldn't you ideally want it to be an odd number unless you are planning a final three vote as opposed to final 2 vote? And even if you are doing a final three vote, wouldn't it make more sense to have 10 players as opposed to 14? That'd mean 7 people who vote, as opposed to 11 who vote. My own theory is that tribes will be redrawn, so to speak, Everyone will remove their buff, and it'll be totally random which tribe you get. They can't balance the tribes however, as you cannot split 14, 3 ways. It IS possible... that they are just going to go forward with two tribes of seven however, which I honestly think would be more interesting than a merge merge. Similar to how Saboga was absorbed in Survivor All Stars (I know, I'm dating myself, but that's the best example I can come up with)
Either way, it was a fun episode, and I am so excited J'Tiah can't ruin the experience anymore.
