This week gives us some insight on the first fifteen days of Survivor: Tocantins. We get to learn more about your favourite characters and the strategies that they use to give them a shot of the million dollars. This episode is the early turning point of the game, and will set the stage for showdowns in future episodes.
The theme of first impressions is picked on once again. Are the editors trying to make a point of showing that not all first impressions are lasting, or on the flip side, that making a good first impression goes a long way? Is this theme going to dictate the end game?
Tyson is most likely trying to hide his game play by being the goofy kid of the camp, like Rob Cesternino (Amazon and All Stars). But Debbie shows how perceptive she is when she says that he is someone that she will watch out for because he is a threat to win the game. But is Tyson capable of making big moves? Could his ego lead to him being blindsided?
Sydney is shown to work hard around camp and she can easily make fire. If she survives past merge, she could be a tough contender to beat in a fire making challenge or tie breaker. She believes that Jt has the power…if she wants to gain control of the camp, she should consider eliminating JT.
Coach really tries to lead his tribe and entertains them. He displays his orchestra skills to his tribe which doesn’t seem to mesh well with Erinn. She doesn’t like her tribe very much and it seems like she is planning on jumping ship. Coach’s “parenting” could slowly be chipping at Sierra and it could make her crack soon. “It’s only going to make me turn on them faster”, she says….well it looks like Sierra and Erinn are going to flip and form an alliance with Jalapoa members after the merge. They would easily turn on Coach. Will Coach’s alliance with Tyson be enough protection?
Coach went to the amazon once and a snake was wrapped around his neck. Really? Do people actually believe this?
Debbi says that this place is infested with snakes…this could be more metaphorical than literal. We have yet to see any devious and manipulative players emerge…
Brendon and Coach compete in making bench swings, which is symbolic of the greater battle for dominance between the two of them. Brendon is a very charismatic leader and knows that good interactions with people are important. In a match up between Brendon and Coach for the title of Sole Survivor, Brendon will win.
The wear and tear and bug bites on Taj are taking a toll on her. Let’s hope that she has enough will power to not quit because she would be a sorely missed. She is calmed down by Stephan, which does show that he has good social skills that could work in his favour.
Joe doesn’t seem to want the spot light to be on him. Is he making the right choice by playing under JT’s shadow?
Stephan’s strategic moves and logic show that he is a player worthy of a million dollars. He knows that he isn’t as athletic as he would like to be, so he aligns with a physically fit Jt. Also, he has a back up, the exile alliance; because he admits that there is a chance that JT may not be all that trustworthy after the merge. We could easily see Stephan in the finals with this strategy. But could he win?
Is Brendon putting too much faith in the exile alliance? An alliance is only strong if people remain loyal to it. Will greener pastures tempt someone to abandon this alliance?
Well to sum up this episode, it looks like JT is the centre of control of Jalapoa. How long will he be able to stay in this position? Coach is polarizing in Timbira, but is this going to work against him? And will the Exile Alliance take control?
11 are left, who will be voted out next?
Until next week…
