Episode 9: Story telling

Survivor 44 Episode 9 Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: April 30, 2023

Episode 9 of Survivor 44 was a bit of a mixed episode: Some really welcome moments of depth and character development, some strategic intrigue, and another surprisingly gritty immunity win by Frannie ... somewhat undercut by, as always, some unnecessary production choices.

Episode 9: Enjoy your rice, you bitches

Survivor 44 Episode 9 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: April 29, 2023

Ryan recounts the happenings of Episode 9 of Survivor 44, which somehow found time for an off day, only part of which was taken up by an idol hunt. Despite some host-related shenanigans, Ryan is happy to report that the 3-3-3 split by original tribes paid off relatively interestingly.

Episode 9: Final nine is divine ... I hope

Survivor 44 Episode 9 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: April 27, 2023

Damnbueno takes a look at the struggle for power in Episode 9 of Survivor 44, with three tribes trying to seize the reins, as the game finally gets under way in earnest. With the requisite mid-Tribal whispering, of course.

Episode 8: Low moments, a big move, and tribal parity

Survivor 44 Episode 8 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 24, 2023

Brent looks at Episode 8 of Survivor 44's people who were struggling initially but made a comeback by the end of the hour, as a flashy idol play evened up the original tribe numbers at three apiece. How does this change the game going forward?

Episode 8: At last, a normal vote

Survivor 44 Episode 8 Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: April 23, 2023

Three episodes into the merge, Episode 8 of Survivor 44 finally delivered a fully powered merge vote, and it was as full of drama, suspense, and power shifts as you could hope for. Let's hope the producers allow more of that as the endgame approaches.

Episode 8: Everything yesterday means nothing today

Survivor 44 Episode 8 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: April 21, 2023

Ryan heralds the return of a "normal episode" with Episode 8 of Survivor 44, one in which everyone on the merge tribe voted and all but one was vulnerable to be voted against. Albeit also an episode that still shortchanged its cast by handing over half its runtime to a single challenge.

Episode 8: Coping with new era Survivor

Survivor 44 Episode 8 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: April 20, 2023

After a brief deep dive into core strategic approaches that are still valid in the new era, Damnbueno plunges into Episode 8 of Survivor 44, which actually had a fair amount of strategic gameplay, and featured the entire merge tribe finally voting and being at risk.

Episode 7: Post-mergatory movement

Survivor 44 Episode 7 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 17, 2023

Brent combs through the events of the two post-"merge" episodes of Survivor 44 to find scenes of long-term importance, and finds good news for people who like Tika, and a surprising dearth of active idols and advantages, which could be interesting if we're finally going to see a Tribal with only one person immune and everyone voting.

Episode 7: Existential crisis mode

Survivor 44 Episode 7 Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: April 16, 2023

Episode 7 of Survivor 44 showcased both the untapped potential this cast has to play an exciting game, and the production-dictated shackles that have restricted that gameplay, as the show rolled out another pair of unwanted and excessive twists that were both frustrating and disappointing. It all started off so well, though!

Episode 7: Set up like a chump

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: April 14, 2023

Ryan tees off on Episode 7 of Survivor 44's bizarre inability to meet even the absolute minimal expectations of a post-merge Survivor episode: actually being merged, and having jurors vote each other out. Is this even Survivor any more?

Episode 7: Mergatory report card

Survivor 44 Episode 7 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: April 13, 2023

Before going through the rock-draw-driven events of Episode 7 of Survivor 44, Damnbueno hands out his mid-season grades for the gameplay of the remaining competitors, then jumps back into the key-finding and split-squadding action.

Episode 6: This is fine

Survivor 44 Episode 6 Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: April 8, 2023

It was mid-est of times, it was the mid-est of times. The not-quite-merge Episode 6 of Survivor 44 had some fun moments, but the half-merge still seems pointlessly cruel to the non-merged people, and erases a major, celebratory mid-season milestone ... again, pointlessly. Can we please have a normal merge again, soon? Please?

Episode 6: No meal, no buff, no hope

Survivor 44 Episode 6 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: April 7, 2023

Ryan works his way through Episode 6 of Survivor 44, another new era merge episode that wasn't as fun or interesting as an actual merge, a boot that wasn't especially surprising, but also one that didn't spell the end of Carolyn or Yam Yam, so at least there's that.

Episode 6: Textbook self-destruction

Survivor 44 Episode 6 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: April 6, 2023

Episode 6 of Survivor 44 marks the sort-of-merge, and Damnbueno is excited as the game (sort-of) kicks into high gear with the individual phase of the game. But first, a review of the wide gray area between a quit and a medevac.

Episode 5: New connections and an early exit

Survivor 44 Episode 5 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 3, 2023

Episode 5 of Survivor 44 finally got around to showing all the just-swapped people on their new tribes, and put some bros (and Carolyn) together for a feast, and Brent looks at how these combinations might affect the long-term game, as the merge looms next week. Except for Matthew, of course, whose shoulder finally ended his run.

Episode 5: Making up for lost time

Survivor 44 Episode 5 Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: April 1, 2023

All it took was a medevac to erase Tribal, but in Episode 5, Survivor 44 rediscovered that all you need are a few key ingredients - a doomed three-person tribe where nobody feels safe, and big, capable characters like Carolyn and Yam Yam - and you can just put the contestants together and let the cameras roll and the results will still be great.