Another entertaining episode last night (Or maybe not if you’re a Kelly W fan.) Interestingly, the root behind having everyone vote for one person which was defeated by an hidden immunity idol was to prevent a couple flips saving the target was abandoned for a split vote strategy which resulted in a couple flips saving the target.
As for strategy - the ‘voting blocks’ strategy, that of going into each tribal with a voting block to get through that tribal, and everything resetting after. It has been a strategy floated before, but dismissed by the superior results of the tight alliance - superior except for the bottom two of that five alliance who stay loyal just long enough to make disloyalty no longer a factor.
For a strong player, the tight alliance is their phalanx to reach the final tribal councils. The voting block strategy is more a pack hunting strategy - come together on a common target, then break off to continue on.
In this case, assuming Joe wins immunity again, the next logical target for the block strategy should be the three girls - they’re acting as an alliance not a block and should be broken up to continue the strategy.
I would feel for Joe, but he doesn’t seem to be all that interested in finding hidden immunity idols for himself; which makes every immunity challenge being one for a million dollars. Fail one, and he’s gone.
I’m less than impressed with the two part immunity idol hunts. I like the concept, I just don’t think they’ve executed it right. And honestly, I’d love to see them expand the concept a bit; not just hide clues to hidden immunity idols, but hide clues to hidden rewards - a hidden dinner? Do you take the reward and make others think you got a hidden immunity idol? Even more fun, you get to bring someone else.
Then again, a hidden toilet with toilet paper could be an incredible reward that could last an entire game. :)
An observation, it does seem like medical is much more active this season than in past seasons; I’ve been seeing constant bandaids and other treatments on survivors for injuries unrelated to a particular challenge. I don’t know if this was a condition that some of the second chancers made, but it does make me happy seeing them better cared for.
All in all, to me, this has been one of the most successful seasons in quite a while. Very typically by this point I’m rarely watching the day of broadcast and typically skipping the pings lest I get spoiled for results that I’ve not watched yet. Now I’m watching live.
Keep in mind we're only shown what the show wants to show us. Joe may have searched hard for that idol and just not found the clue. I agree that if he doesn't win immunity he'll be voted out. I like Joe, so I hope he keeps winning for as long as he can. I also like Jeremy and am glad he's made a nice little safety net for himself. If Joe can't win this game I'll be happy if Jeremy can.
I'm surprised that Abi has been so quiet for so many weeks. Has the bad weather washed the spitfire out of her? I believe that Stephen will soon find out that his move last night will not be looked kindly on by the rest of the tribe.