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June, 2021

Jeff Pitman's SurvivorSA: Immunity Island recaps

Episode 4: Lies and no consequences

By Jeff Pitman | Published: June 28, 2021

There's a lot of lying going on in Episode 4 of SurvivorSA: Immunity Island. Surprisingly, however, it turns out that accurate information is not, in fact, gold. The guy who literally has the receipt ends up on the wrong end of the numbers anyway, and voting together proves to be more important than accurately describing game events. That, and appreciations of playing from the middle and a misfit quasi-villain.

Jeff Pitman's SurvivorSA: Immunity Island recaps

Episode 3: Smashing through the cracks

By Jeff Pitman | Published: June 23, 2021

Episode 3 of SurvivorSA: Immunity Island threw everyone's plans into disarray with a surprisingly early and effective tribe swap. Underdogs gathered together to strike back at prior power-holders, idols were whispered about and found, and in the penultimate act, a looming camp raid was triggered. Lots of movement, lots of action, and a contestant-powered power shift added up to a satisfying whole.

Jeff Pitman's SurvivorSA: Immunity Island recaps

Episode 2: Powering up the underdogs

By Jeff Pitman | Published: June 11, 2021

It's still early days for SurvivorSA: Immunity Island's titular twist, but the results so far have breathed new life into the prospects of two players who otherwise might have had their torches snuffed. Through two episodes, being a "weak player" has paradoxically provided strength, while being comfortably in power and trying to direct the vote has been deadly. This may all change, but so far, it's been a fun reversal of Survivor fortunes.

Jeff Pitman's SurvivorSA: Immunity Island recaps

Episode 1: First to the starting line

By Jeff Pitman | Published: June 5, 2021

Survivor South Africa deserves a medal simply for getting a season filmed, edited, and on the air during COVID. Thankfully, that's not the only plus: SurvivorSA: Immunity Island — at least the premiere episode — is also really good. A strong, dynamic, game-aware cast being put to the test with multiple in-game dilemmas, challenges, and opportunities for strategy. Survivor is back, and it's definitely been worth the wait.

Jeff Pitman's Panama rewatch recaps

Episodes 5-6: More than just heroes and villains

By Jeff Pitman | Published: June 2, 2021

As the season-long narrative of Survivor: Panama - Exile Island comes more into focus over Episodes 5-6, it's interesting that while many of the main characters are "heroic," there is nuance: Terry will vote out his closest ally; Aras regrets his alliance; Cirie finds great joy in Casaya's dysfunction. Similarly, most of the alleged villains have extenuating circumstances, and even deeply conflicted Shane finds redemption (via a cigarette).

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