Last week, we saw a Survivor first. Rob voluntarily wrote his own name down, trying to vote himself out. He didn’t even tell Production what his plan was. Rob believed he had convinced the entire tribe to vote for Eric. Then he tried to convince Eric to play his Shot in the Dark so Eric wouldn’t have a vote. Then he most likely would wait and see if Eric’s SITD hit. If it didn’t, Rob was gonna play his Idol to save Eric, and Rob’s lone vote for himself would send him home to the family he’s been missing.

The only problem with Rob’s plan was a rule that has been in place for all 51 seasons. You can’t vote for yourself.

This was very confusing for viewers because Rob had established himself as a very aggressive player. First, he tried to lock up fellow Rhode Islander Eric in an alliance. He also locked in Carter as his #1 ally. Then Rob turned on Eric by telling everyone he was Idol hunting when Eric was actually out fishing. Then he snuck away himself and found a no-strings-attached Idol, vowing not to tell anyone about it. Rob was playing too hard too fast of course, but without a doubt he was trying to improve his position and win the game.

That’s why it was so confusing to see Rob suddenly trying to send himself out of the game. But it does bring us to this week’s Damnbueno Open Era (not-so) random reference:

Osten Taylor

Before Queen Sandra made her play for the crown, she played her rookie season with Osten Taylor. Osten was built like a freight train, but sadly for him, his strength was only on the outside. He was bursting with enthusiasm to play Survivor. When the tribes were sent into a local town and told they’d have to barter for their tribe supplies, Osten made what he thought was a team-first sacrifice. He sold the clothes he was wearing to get more money his tribe could use to get supplies. But then he hustled his tribe back to the boat while they still had $60 to spend. Osten started the game clad in only his boxer shorts. He found out the hard way that it gets cold at night. That first night, he screamed like a banshee and rushed everyone out of the shelter claiming he saw a snake ... only to realize it was a palm frond. He flinched and screamed again when a rock fell on the shelter roof. In confessional, Osten complained that Ryan Shoulders didn’t have what it took to play Survivor, then added he didn’t want to stay for fear of catching pneumonia. Just like Rob didn’t know he couldn’t vote for himself, Osten didn’t know he’d need clothing for a game entirely played outdoors.

After a Reward Challenge, Sandra was sent to Osten’s camp to take one item. She took their tarp. That was the first time Osten said he wanted to quit. On day 6, Osten asked Ryan and Andrew Savage to vote him out. Tijuana confronted him about his decision, and in confessional said Osten had no heart. Osten was crushed when his tribe ignored his request and voted Ryan out instead. In confessional, Savage said all of Osten’s problems were mental and he was hoping to get day 1 Osten back. Osten’s tribe chose him to compete head-to-head against Rupert in a strength-based Immunity challenge. Osten battled Rupert for two hours but lost. It was the Morgan tribe’s fifth straight challenge loss. The streak reached six when Osten cried for help while in the water. Morgan started to rally, winning three straight challenges, but Osten still struggled. He refused to help move the shelter closer to the jungle (for more cover) because he feared snakes and mosquitoes. He ran away from a pelican.

Perhaps Osten’s final straw came when Fairplay visited their camp to take an item and told Osten’s tribe that they threw an earlier Immunity Challenge because they wanted to get rid of someone. They weren’t sure if Fairplay was telling the truth, but it cast enough doubt on their ability to win Immunity on their own. Osten made it to day 19, but he’d had enough. He asked his tribe to vote him out again but knew they might ignore his request again. So, after losing a challenge to the Outcast tribe, Osten made an appeal straight to Probst at Tribal Council. Probst tried to talk him out of it, but Osten was done. A disgusted Probst snuffed Osten’s torch and laid it down rather than storing it upright with the other snuffed torches. And with that, Osten became the first quitter in Survivor history.

So, what happens to Rob now? He had no clue six people were voting for Ana. He has to know he’s in the minority. He just tried and failed to convince Eric to give him his Shot in the Dark. Eric has zero reason to trust him. Even though Ori voted for Eric, Rob doesn’t know Ori knew about the plan to boot Ana. The only one who trusts him is Carter, who just realized trusting Rob to swing the vote is a bad plan. And it looks like a bag search will mean everyone knows Rob has an Idol, but he won’t know they know it. If he finds out how dire his situation is, he may want to quit even more than he did before.

As intriguing as Rob’s situation is, I’m actually more interested in the Toka tribe. Jelly initially pledged her loyalty to Devin. She wasn’t happy when he blew up Tribal Council. She knows his stated dedication to honesty can only damage her game. Jelly found an Idol but didn’t tell Devin. Instead, she used it to try and secure a new partner in Pantsless Patt (since she has pants now, do we call her “Pantsed Patt)? I questioned Patt’s decision to out Aaliyah as a target at Toka’s first Tribal Council, but Patt seems to have parlayed that possible mistake into trusted partnerships with Jelly, Devin, and Brady to add to her closeness with Mike and Jenna. I’m still wondering where Thien An, Lewis and Maggie fit in here. They were included on the vote against Aaliyah. Do they assume Patt is with them? So far, Patt and Alexis are the two most interesting players to me.

Is Rob’s game done? Does Carter know how he should adjust? Will Brady say the word “Brody” more or less than 10 times tonight? Will Rob receive valuable game advice from a Pelican? Will he play his Idol for that Pelican? Let’s find out.

And away we go ...

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Right off the bat we’re reminded that Patt thinks her alliance with Jelly, Brady, Devin, and Mike is strong. I say you’ve got two guys in Brady and Devin who won’t listen to anyone else, and Devin is willing to blow up Tribal Council to get what he wants. This alliance has no chance.

I can’t wait to see how Rob tries to cover his tracks with Eric.

Eric thinks people supported him because he opened up his heart. He has no idea how Ana sunk her own ship, saving him in the process.

Carter in confessional: “I’m starting to think I’m the worst Survivor player in the history of forever.” I bet Angelina loves you for saying that, but dude I’ve got a list of 87 “Worst Players.” Chris Noble from S36: Ghost Island is at #50. You’re much better than him so far. You just got lied to once. Don’t kick yourself and make it worse.

Ori thinks voting differently than his #1 Sharonda on purpose solidifies trust between them? Don’t worry Carter. Ori is making a play to finish higher than you.

Rob’s version of damage control is sitting by himself on the sand. Like I said Carter, don’t worry. Rob didn’t know he couldn’t vote for himself. He also thinks voting himself out is different from quitting. Now he’s saying he’s got an injured foot (but it’s not bad enough to seek medical attention). Yeah, Rob and Osten are mirror images of each other.

Eric finds Rob who tells him about his pain. My first thought is that he’s faking it. Is it your foot or your leg?

Alexis is thinking the same thing I’m thinking. Funny how Rob says he hurt his leg a day prior, but wasn’t limping as he entered Tribal Council, or when they walked out. But now he’s having trouble bending his knee?

Ori in confessional: “Rob says his foot is really bothering him. My mom named me ‘Ori,’ not ‘Stupid.’” I busted out laughing on that one.

Probst: “You felt hurt last night at Tribal? Why didn’t you say anything at Tribal?”

If you’re gonna play Survivor, you need to learn how to tell believable lies. Rob clearly didn’t know that. But he also didn’t know you can’t vote for yourself.

Doctor: “This fool ain’t hurt.” Oh excuse me, he actually said, “It doesn’t look like there’s anything significant in there.” I like my version better.

Probst tells the tribe Rob is worried, and Rob starts “crying.” My thoughts exactly.

Rob quits on day 6. I’m with Ori. Let’s call a spade a spade. Osten had a lot more heart than Rob.

But Rob gave his Idol to Carter? What happened to his dedication to Eric? Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought Idols and/or Advantages had to be handed over on camera. That’s what happened when NaOnka quit in S21: Nicaragua. She gave her Idol to Chase on camera before they went to Tribal Council. Couldn’t they show this in flashback?

Lewis knows about the Jelly, Patt, Devin, Brady and Mike alliance. Lewis: “Those five are tite as tieves (tight as thieves).” I guess none of them read my columns on subtle game play.

Kilby thinks he’s controlling the game? How did he get that impression? Does he think he swung the vote against Aaliyah?

Patt tells Kilby she 100% trusts Brady, then he insults Brady? Like I said Carter, you don’t need to worry. Plenty of people are stepping up.

So, naturally, Patt makes the smart move and tells Devin, Brady and Jelly that Kilby is after Brady. For someone who is admittedly not a superfan, Patt is playing a pretty good game so far.

Brady’s “Brody” count: 1.

I still want to know how Mike worked his way into so much trust.

One person has to visit the opposing tribe. This twist has been used in several seasons. Like I wrote in the intro, they did it in S7: Pearl Islands. If you’re in a solid alliance, don’t go. It can only bring suspicion your way. But if you know you’re on the bottom, make some new contacts. Carter got lucky.

But Devin volunteers and immediately Brady asks, “What, are you gonna by honest the whole time?” My thoughts exactly. Devin has no problem blowing up everyone’s game. He’s the last person I’d want to visit the other tribe.

And of course, they both have a chance to get an Advantage if they’re sneaky. I remember in S19: Samoa, players visiting the opposing camp were given a clue to an Idol. Shambo couldn’t find one because Russell Hantz had already found it.

And they can mutiny if they want? They offered this option in S5: Thailand and S13: Cook Islands. Nobody went for it in Thailand, but Candice and Jonathan returned to their original tribe in S13. If Carter joins Toka and Devin stays with Toka, Devin will probably know Carter was on the bottom.

And just as Thien An and Brady suspected, Devin blabs all of his tribe info. Sharonda’s reaction tells me she knows she can’t stick with Devin now.

Like I said Carter, don’t worry. Devin is making a play too. Not only does he tell Sharonda about the Advantage, he has her help him find it. Now Sharonda has the power to blow up Devin’s game anytime she wants. He also blew up Carter’s game. Savu will suspect he’s got an Advantage. And if Devin returns, he’s sure to tell everyone on Toka that Carter has something.

This episode is turning into a battle supreme. “Who can make the most bad moves?” Rob was an easy pick, but he quit so fast, others have plenty of time to pass him.

Carter blabs his tribe info too, saying “Sharonda and Linnea are running the show.” Jelly is not happy about Carter outing her day 1 partner Sharonda, but I’m thinking Alexis played that vote perfectly. She’s really the one who manipulated the vote against Ana. Carter just confirmed she kept her cover too.

Carter leaves his bag with his Advantage clue right on top. Ok Carter, I’ve changed my mind. You’ve pulled even with everyone else now.

So, Brady destroys one of the oars with the axe. Brody, didn’t I tell you to stay away from the axe last week? Did you think maybe, just maybe you might need to paddle the boat sometime in the next 20 days?

Then Maggie lets Brady take the Advantage right in front of her? Maggie is stepping up too.

But Brady hands it over to Maggie??? I’ve lost count of how many players are competing now.

And nobody on Toka even thought that Carter is gonna know somebody got the Advantage now. That’s less incentive for him to mutiny. He’s on the bottom either way.

Devin outs Kilby’s game to everyone on Savu. Devin accomplished two things here. 1) He told everyone on Savu that he can’t keep a secret, and 2) He gave them all a good reason to turn Kilby against Devin in case of a swap.

In the comments for my Episode 1 column, Trent C. said Devin reminded him of Kaleb from S45. The way Devin is bouncing from person to person trying to earn trust, I think Trent C.’s observation is dead on balls accurate. He’s so free and loose with information, I don’t see why anybody would trust him.

Brady’s "Brody" count: 7

Carter lies to Brady’s face, and Brady thinks that means Carter is trustworthy? Again, I’ve lost count, but I think Brady just took the lead.

Carter doesn’t realize he can’t get the Advantage from the oars, then he literally misses the boat. Carter takes the lead ... I think. The only way it could get worse for him would be if he tells someone he’s got an Idol. Surely, he won’t make that mistake, right?

Wow, I never thought watching such bad game play would be so entertaining. I’m loving this episode. This is what happens when you let players make decisions for themselves.

Hmm ... it’s seven vs 11 in the Immunity Challenge, meaning four Toka members have to sit out. Devin speaks up and issues orders on who can do the puzzle and who can sit out. He picks Maggie, Kilby, Jelly and Mike to sit out. There are two schools of thought here. 1) If you want to throw the challenge and boot someone you’re not connected with, make that person sit out. Devin has been targeting Kilby. 2) If you’re worried about someone else throwing the challenge to get rid of you, make that person sit out. Jenna knows Devin was after her. Should she have pushed for Devin to sit out, maybe by asking “Should we save one strong person for the next Immunity Challenge?” After all, you don’t know if the next Challenge will be for Reward, Immunity or both.

Patt and Linnea are both good challenge performers. They’ve done well in every challenge so far. But neither has been tested on a puzzle yet.

Hmm, it’s a vertical puzzle, and Toka puts their two shortest people on it. Did Devin do this by design? Is he still trying to remove Jenna?

I was just about to type “Why isn’t Toka looking at Savu’s puzzle for tips, but then we get a shot of Thien An doing exactly that.

Savu finished the comeback and wins Immunity. I wonder who’s in more trouble between Kilby, Jenna and Thien An. Could it even be Carter?

Devin just uttered the same Survivor death phrase Alliyah mentioned: “I’m in a good position.” He wants Kilby gone. He lost the battle with Brady when he went after Jenna. Who does Brady want gone?

Jenna steps up for a spot on my list by immediately reminding everyone she failed on the puzzle. Why not just say “Here’s a good reason to vote me out?” Did you forget that it was Devin who assigned you to the puzzle?

Kilby sits down with Devin and tells him everyone says Devin is trashing him? What’s wrong with these people? Kilby, if you were smart, you’d tell everyone that Devin will do the same thing to them! Or just lie and say he’s already doing it. If you think Devin is trashing you, it probably means he’s not including you in his alliance.

In my cast preview column, I said “Unfortunately for Kilby, he reminds me most of Jacob Derwin from S36: Ghost Island. Jacob excelled at creating reasons NOT to align with him.” I think I nailed this one.

Devin: “Who told you I was saying you’re a liar?” Keep your mouth shut Kilby! You KNOW Devin is gonna go straight to whoever you name and trash you!

But Kilby outs Patt, Brady and Jelly. Kilby wants that lead position.

Lewis makes the smart observation that he and Carter are the swing votes. Is somebody finally stepping up to make a SMART move? Go Lewis, go! Tell both sides “Yes,” then pull Carter aside and make your decision. Just make sure he keeps his mouth shut about it.

This five-person Toka alliance did a horrible job at keeping their cover. Everybody knows they’re together.

But Kilby and Maggie want to go after Mike? Interesting. She’s got an Extra Vote that Brady knows about, and she doesn’t trust Brady. Will Brady leak that info? Jelly has an Idol but doesn’t know she might need to use it.

Brady’s “Brody” count: 10. He says, “I’m in charge of the vote.” Brady might still want Jenna gone. Will Brady and Devin butt heads again?

Thien An steps up and tries to shift the target to Patt. I like her plan IF she can keep her cover as well as Alexis did last week.

Thien An makes everyone swear not to reveal her plan against Patt to anyone ... then she reveals the plan to Brady. Pardon my French but WHAT THE FUCK????

Carter utters another Survivor death phrase: “We’re in control.”

I’ll say it again. I never thought watching such bad game play would be so entertaining. I have no idea who’s leaving tonight, and I love it. For one reason or another, everybody has created a reason to deserve being blindsided tonight. I also think there’s a reason we haven’t seen Maggie talking about her Extra Vote.

Kilby makes eye contact with Brady. They smile and nod to each other, then Kilby flashes a “Hang loose” hand signal. Uhh Kilby, did you ever consider that others might be watching you?

Devin: “My grandma says, "A castle built on sand cannot stand." In pregame, Devin said his grandmother was in a biker gang. I want to meet his grandmother.

Jelly holds on to her Idol. I didn’t think she’d use it. But I’m still wondering about Maggie’s Extra Vote. Maggie is grinning as Probst reads the sixth vote.

Patt’s gone. I’m bummed because I thought she had great potential. I guess she stood out too much. Props to Thien An for getting this one done. I caught that little fist bump between Kilby and Maggie as they walked out of Tribal Council too.

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Recap

I LOVE this move for Thien An, and Lewis. As much as I liked watching Patt play, this really was the best move for the two of them and Maggie.

Since I also like watching cocky players get their comeuppance, I’ll say I enjoyed watching the shocked faces on Devin and Brady’s faces. Devin is 0-for-2 in swinging the votes now. I knew that alliance was doomed, but I didn’t think Patt would be the first victim.

I thought it was horrible for Thien An to tell Brady about the target shifting to Patt. But now she’s got a little plausible deniability. She can still lure Brady to her side because she clued him in about the move. It’s possible he could blame himself for not listening to her.

This episode was all over the place strategically. It was just a mess. I have to let it sink in to figure things out. This might be my most enjoyable rewatch of the season.

Does Rob’s quit remove a double boot episode later on? Does it mean the return of the Blood Moon twist will be delayed until Survivor 52 (I hope so)?

Let me know what you think of all the moves – the 38 bad ones, and the 3 or 4 good ones.