Episode 13: Close the deal

Survivor 42 Episode 13 (finale) recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 27, 2022

The winner of Survivor 42 has been crowned, and Ryan relives the highlights of the last two eliminations and Final Tribal, celebrates the final five players, looks ahead to 43, and to another worthy Survivor season that will hit screens in just over a month.

Episode 13: (Mis)perception is everything

Survivor 42 Episode 13 (finale) recap

By Damnbueno | Published: May 26, 2022

The Survivor 42 season finale featured challenge beasts falling short, straight-shooters misfiring, and overlooked or "weak" players coming up big at the end. Damnbueno recaps the action as it unfolds, and offers his thoughts on the season as a whole.

Episode 12: Final five forecast

Survivor 42 Episode 12 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 24, 2022

Ryan is here later than usual, but early enough to make timely predictions about how the final two eliminations of Survivor 42 — and of course the winner — (just) before finale day. And of course, a brief revisiting of the highlights of Episode 12.

Episode 12: Five people, one Survivor

Survivor 42 Episode 12 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 23, 2022

As the finale approaches, Brent takes it all in — the big move of Episode 12 and all the rest — and tries to forecast where the top five (baby) will end up when it's all over and the Survivor 42 winner is crowned.

Episode 12: Who is the butterfly now?

Survivor 42 Episode 12 recap/analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 21, 2022

Following Maryanne's big move in the penultimate episode of Survivor 42, the balance of power in the game has actually changed, and it's unclear who the leading contender to win the season really is. Here's an attempt to forecast the finale, plus various other stuff.

Episode 12: "Caterpillar to a Butterfly"

Survivor 42 Episode 12 recap

By Damnbueno | Published: May 19, 2022

Damnbueno fires off his reactions to the twists, turns, challenges, and that Big Move of Episode 12 of Survivor 42, then pulls together all the threads of the season to weave a pre-finale prediction of juror preferences, and who might emerge at the end as Monarch.

Episode 11: Playing around the obstacles

Survivor 42 Episode 11 recap/analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 17, 2022

Episode 11 of Survivor 42 delivered some complicated, aggressive gameplay, and one of the most fun exits in series history. Wedged in the middle of all this was a truly unnecessary, unwise twist that almost made all of that obsolete. Thankfully, this cast has showed the ability (and luck) to work around the landmines. So far.

Episode 11: Edits, alliances, and secrets

Survivor 42 Episode 11 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 16, 2022

Brent ponders what one contestant's curious edit in Episode 11 of Survivor 42 means for their game, how the actual alliances are structured, how Omar's big move will be perceived, and what could happen with all those advantages, with just six left.

Episode 11: Badass woman

Survivor 42 Episode 11 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 13, 2022

As Episode 11 of Survivor 42 brings about the downfall of another big player amid a flurry of (mostly failed) twists and trinkets, Ryan recaps all the action, the strategic options, the hanger, and the self-snuffery.

Episode 11: Keep your mouth shut

Survivor 42 Episode 11 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: May 12, 2022

As the final seven vote actually happens (phew!) in Episode 11, Damnbueno recaps and reacts to the events of the episode, proposes a rule for future players that would have helped the one who left the episode in high-spirited fashion, and assesses the remaining players' chances of winning.

Episode 10: Raining idols, rewards, and Omar

Survivor 42 Episode 10 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 9, 2022

As the Survivor 42 game clock ticks down to the final seven, Brent takes in the new updates to the idol counts, talks about the reward, and ponders whether the newfound ex-Taku majority will hold together or break apart.

Episode 10: Today is fun

Survivor 42 Episode 10 recap/analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 8, 2022

This week's episode of Survivor 42 wasn't a bigger-than-the-game one like last week's, but it had some good moments nonetheless. There was, of course, a Big Move, as the contestants took advantage of production actually letting them all vote for a change. The parts preceding this were mostly fun, standard Survivor fare, albeit with one series milestone receiving a COVID-dodging tweak.

Episode 10: The king will be dethroned tonight

Survivor 42 Episode 10 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 6, 2022

Ryan is back for the lighter events of Survivor 42, Episode 10: half-drowned contestants competing in a lame challenge while Probst assures them it's 'fun,' reward winners getting spooked by disembodied voices, his winner pick joining the jury. So much fun!

Episode 10: Tell a Good Lie, Not a Stupid Lie

Survivor 42 Episode 10 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: May 5, 2022

Damnbueno looks back at Episode 10 of Survivor 42, featuring the fall of a prominent strategist, the challenge sweep by a more subtle one, and the continuing omniscient omnipresence of Omar.

Episode 9: Burden

Survivor 42 Episode 9 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 3, 2022

After mulling the episode, Ryan comes in later than usual to talk about the many conversations of Episode 9 of Survivor 42, from the big one in the second Tribal Council, to some that were one-sided in camp, to one that was inexplicably cut from the episode.

Episode 9: Real-life moves, extra lives, and a move driver

Survivor 42 Episode 9 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 2, 2022

Brent talks about the larger-than-life issues raised at the second Episode 9 Tribal Council, the puppet-master pulling the strings at the first, and how the fallout from these two votes could affect the game moving forward.

Episode 9: Standing and delivering

Survivor 42 Episode 9 recap/analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 1, 2022

The double-Tribal twist in Episode 9 of Survivor 42 at least produced one drama-filled vote, full of compelling discussions, an abrupt, live re-configuring of the vote, and (for the purists) two idol plays before the vote, a voice vote, and a Shot in the Dark play. Somehow, this all ended up working as a coherent, important episode.

Episode 9: "Game of Chicken"

Survivor 42 Episode 9 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: April 28, 2022

Damnbueno takes a look at the flurry of activity in Episode 9 of Survivor 42, from the extremely short-lived guys alliance, to the split immunity challenge, to the twin Tribal Councils and the heavy topics discussed and moves made at the second one.

Episode 8: Power, knowledge, and Knowledge is Power

Survivor 42 Episode 8 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 25, 2022

This week, Brent examines the Survivor 42 power dynamics: Who's in the know and seemingly in the middle of every discussion, who's on the outs, who has a massive assortment of advantages and idols — who needs to eat, and who will be eaten.

Episode 8: Buoy oh buoy

Survivor 42 Episode 8 recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: April 23, 2022

It was Buoy Week on Survivor 42, and buoy, was it ever exciting. Buoys in the reward challenge. Buoys in the immunity challenge. The prospect of an all-boys alliance in the "Next time on Survivor" trailer. And of course, a majority alliance just bobbing along, picking off the people on the outs, while scooping up additional powers.

Episode 8: That ain't your family

Survivor 42 Episode 8 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: April 22, 2022

Ryan is back to revisit the first fully post-merge Survivor 42 episode, where the excitement ranges from people realizing they're not in the majority to lots of people sitting out of challenges. At least the latter leads to an increase in Drea's overflowing (with paint) armory.

Episode 8: "You Better Be Wearing a Seatbelt"

Survivor 42 Episode 8 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: April 21, 2022

After a deep dive into merge boots, Damnbueno takes on Episode 8 of Survivor 42, from sit-outs to advantages to negotiated sit-outs to buoys (lots of buoys) to Omar's wizardry and the curious game of Chanelle.

Episodes 6-7: Goats, idols, amulets, and unexpected popularity

Survivor 42 Episodes 6-7 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 18, 2022

Brent tries to take in all the newfound friendships and relationships formed in the double-length merge episode(s), and hones in on key bonds formed over allegedly secret items, and some big players that people just seem to like, as the individual phase of the game kicks off.

Episodes 6-7: Illusion of choice, the sequel

Survivor 42 Episodes 6-7 recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: April 17, 2022

After teasing possible changes to the hourglass twist, Survivor 42's merge episode(s) smashed those hopes with a hammer and served up the same plate of doo-doo. Thankfully, the contestants powered past it, and we can now assess their post-merge chances of winning.

Episodes 6-7: Are you buff-shaming me?

Survivor 42 Episodes 6-7 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: April 15, 2022

After the Survivor 42 merge episode(s) twisted and turned in mostly predictable ways (except perhaps the boot), Ryan takes stock of where the sandy turmoil has left each remaining contestant, and puts forth a somewhat revised winner pick.

Episodes 6-7: You Can't Hide on Survivor/The Devil You Do or the Devil You Don't

Survivor 42 Episodes 6-7 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: April 14, 2022

It's the merge (eventually, wait for it ... ah, there, finally), and Damnbueno has a lot to discuss, from everyone telling everyone everything, all of the time, to Probst's blatant lying and that damn hourglass. Again. But also the ascent of some subtle power players.

Episode 5: From three tribes to one (-ish)

Survivor 42 Episode 5 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 11, 2022

Brent wraps up the three tribes' internal maneuverings in the final fully pre-merge episode of Survivor 42. Who is clearly going to flip, who should consider doing so, and which, if any, tribe will stick together after they ... eventually ... merge?

Episode 5: A tale of three tribes

Survivor 42 Episode 5 recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: April 10, 2022

As Survivor 42's three starting tribes face semi-merging (and actual merging, eventually) in next week's two episodes, this week's final tribal-stage episode did a pretty good job of highlighting and contrasting the various degrees of cohesiveness within those three tribes. It should make for an exciting post-merge phase of the game.

Episode 5: Two weasels in a chicken coop

Survivor 42 Episode 5 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: April 8, 2022

With the merge approaching, Ryan takes one last look back at the three original tribes, evenly matched at four apiece, but all with internal discontent and warning signs. Will the various power duos succeed going forward, and if so, which one(s)?

Episode 5: I'm Survivor Rich

Survivor 42 Episode 5 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: April 7, 2022

There's still a lot of oversharing in Episode 5 of Survivor 42, but at last it pays off for the Beware Idols. Damnbueno runs through that development, the ins and outs of the now-merging tribes, and the surprising tactics at the Tribal Council vote.

Episode 4: Less is more

Survivor 42 Episode 4 recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: April 5, 2022

Like a leaping Lydia, Episode 4 of Survivor 42 had its moments, but fell a bit short of the heights of Episode 2, probably because instead of a single combined reward/immunity challenge, we had two separate ones, which ate into the time that would otherwise have been lavished on the contestants.

Episode 4: Tribal fallout and outsized competitors

Survivor 42 Episode 4 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 4, 2022

Alliances are shifting on multiple tribes (except possibly the one with the Goliath), as Brent examines five big events from Episode 4 that could have long-term significance in Survivor 42.

Episode 4: There is no Kumbaya - it's like Holy Crap-baya

Survivor 42 Episode 4 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: April 1, 2022

There's a lot of Ika in Episode 4 of Survivor 42, and a definite and regrettable dearth of Vati. Ryan makes the best of it, though, and doesn't even miss repeatedly in his attempts to grab the key events of the episode.

Episode 4: Vibe of the Tribe

Survivor 42 Episode 4 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: March 31, 2022

Things are getting fishy in Episode 4 of Survivor 42, and Damnbueno is here to peel back the scales, from Daniel's continuing foibles, to the excessive Jonathaning throughout the episode, to the remarkable ability of Ika to keep booting young superfans, while keeping around their two most obvious boots.

Episode 3: Oops! All Twists

Survivor 42 Episode 3 recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: March 29, 2022

Episode 3 of Survivor 42 had plenty of things going on, and some were entertaining to watch (not pictured). But all of the episode's events involved production-placed twists and/or 'advantages' (read: disadvantages), most of which were traps sprung on the unsuspecting players, who were just trying to play aggressively, as the show claims it wants.

Episode 3: Underwater, underwear, under pressure

Survivor 42 Episode 3 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 28, 2022

Brent is back with a rapid-fire look at the big events, twists, and chaotic Tribal Council action of Episode 3 of Survivor 42, and the way they could impact the game moving forward.

Episode 3: The math doesn't make sense

Survivor 42 Episode 3 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: March 25, 2022

In Episode 3, Survivor 42's characters take a backseat to rogue challenge waves, twists, more twists, and overlapping twists. But the final vote ends up hinging on two people making decisions, some good, some really bad, and Ryan is here to walks you through the debris field.

Episode 3: Go for the Gusto

Survivor 42 Episode 3 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: March 24, 2022

For Episode 3 of Survivor 42, Damnbueno has a lot of content to get through, from "lost" idols to more oversharing, from new weird phrases to an old twist finally delivering the result it was intended to, and from seemingly oblivious challenge beasting to rock-dodging disasters.