Guest Blogger Moon: BvW ep 6

Hey all, haven't watched the episode yet, so Moon agreed to write the blog this week! Scores will be updated later, after I've watched the episode.

Vytas is a bona fide social genius. Thrust into one of the more hopeless tribal swap situations in Survivor history, he somehow managed to convince his tribemates to vote out a solid-footed comrade instead of the obvious choice – him. He had to get a gaggle of girls to like and trust him. He had to pacify fears of him joining his brother for a late-game power alliance. He had to dislocate what should have been a peaceful – if temporary – alliance, and he had one day to do it all. Somehow, Vytas pulled survival out of this desperate situation. If and when he wins the game, he’ll look back on those 24 hours as his finest moment.

As Vytas noted, his younger brother is more accomplished and dependable. Stronger. Better-looking. But it is Vytas who has burrowed his way through five hundred yards of ugliness Andy Dufresne-style to freedom, while Aras could be gone next episode and has no hope of winning a final vote over his brother. Along the way Vytas has forged relationships with every remaining player in the game without ostracizing or alienating anyone. Not only would he surely oust his brother at final tribal, but it’s hard to imagine any castaway overcoming him at that point.

The second-shrewdest player in the game is Tyson, who might be more similar to Vytas than his brother. Tyson is playing just like Vytas, only with a tad less humility and a pinch more abrasiveness. A monumental Tyson/Vytas power battle could be on the horizon.

Always cunning, never vulnerable, Tyson has deemed Gervase to be his #1 henchman. It’s a wise move – unobjectionable Gervase figures to swim deep into the nether regions of this season. Gervase claims to be playing a craftier game than his first go-round, but it’s hard to imagine him upending the power players.

Tina is playing an elegant brand of second-coming Survivor. Her game is pleasant, subdued and innocuous. Even the arrival of her daughter was gracefully managed to bring as little attention as possible. While Tina/Katie could easily have been identified as a must-be-destroyed power couple, they got through their reunitement without attracting a smidge of suspicion. This figures to be a duo headed deep into the merge.

Monica, Hayden, and Caleb are the lone wolves. Strong players alike, their challenge isn’t to further accentuate their resumes, but to ingratiate themselves into the future-merged tribe. As the suddenly-eloquent Brad Culpepper noted, sometimes a loved one is more of an anchor than a shield. Each will have to convince the jury they’re more than muted versions of their lovers.

Laura B. is an unexciting piece of driftwood with an upside of one vote at the final tribal council. Ciera could maybe get two.

The one wild card lurking is John, a likable (if gullible) and brawny player with an outside shot at a run upon return from Redemption. It’s high time for the return of an RI player; John has the tools to maneuver his way into the final three and catch a few votes if he gets there.

Power Rankings:

1.      Svelte

Only the strong remain. Vytas and Tyson are two serious players, and we found out this episode what happens if you mess with Monica.

2.      Mind Under Matter

Who wants to date someone who can’t even make the merge? Even if Hayden cuts ties with Kat, the Tina/Katie duo could make a deep run together.

3.      51^st State

This team has three power players; trouble is, one’s on RI, one’s a loose cannon without a shield/anchor, and one was earmarked for doom in the “next time on…” tester.

4.      AhhhhhFUCKthat

It’s easy to poke fun at this team – their best player is on RI, Laura B is involved, Bag is involved, and they have no studs. But they do have the most points and the most remaining Survivors. F That isn’t drawing dead.