Australia Survivor (2 Viewers)

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Ep 13

Spoiler: 7 Brain 6 Brawn merge - Malosi

Drop your buffs!

Reminder = Idols: Kristin (sandbag - all know), Myles (hidden - no one knows), and Logan (hidden - 3 know). Myles has the advantage to steal an idol as well.

You'd think AJ and his hostage theory is at the top of the list to be the consensus first post-merge out.

Challenge - Endurance made for the fit women - hang by arms + legs from a lateral rope. Be the last holding on. As someone drops they bounce the ones next to them. Zero-edit Soccer Coach PD cannot play due to the snap-crackle-pop arm. 3-degree Zara and WAG Logan offer deal to DJ Kate (at the far end and can't hear them - host delivers the message) that Kate wins, but take them to the 'cocktail party' reward. 7 total get to go (Morgan, Paulie, AJ, and Kristin).
4+ edits in a row = Doctor Karin is not happy (rarely is).

Logan is tired of 'not this vote' being put off on her wish to get rid of AJ. Get him out before he gets her out - soon. Zara of course wants Witch Laura out as she 'stole the transfer' advantage and wants it kept hush-hush. Logan standing there as a third wheel as Zara less politely tries to air out her issues with Laura - almost a complete disregard for Laura's POV. Wondering if the steal will be Zara's claim to fame if she makes it to end game. Can't see her winning with the resting B face and personality to match.

Whoa 13 episodes in and PD gets a viewpoint - he comes up with Malosi as the new merge tribe name - Samoan for 'Stronger Together'.

Redbeard Jesse gets cause by another talker - Paulie - and the edit just has him with a glossed over look wishing he was somewhere else. LOL

Bottom dwellers Myles and Paulie are hitting it off on strat talk and comparable experiences fighting to stay in the game. Funny moment when Paulie playfully implies he's a 'bottom' in more ways than one. Oblivious Myles is not the 'top' variety, more of an action figure collector that uses multiple voices when playing with them.

Combined, AJ plus Myles think they have 'all the intel' on the others. AJ doesn't think he's anyone's target - ummm...

Immunity Challenge - Balance on a seesaw and keep multiple balls from falling off tracks on apparatus in front of them. Control the apparatus with a rope above/behind their head. Seems like an easier task for the females and their lower center of gravity - but nearly all dropped quickly. PD sitting out with his arm in a sling. Skateboarder Jesse vs WAG Logan get to 3 balls. Logan wins.
She now has individual immunity and a (mostly) hidden idol.

Is it 'ChatGPT How to gain friends' AJ OR 'Snake Oil Salesman' Paulie OR 'Advantage Stealing' Zara OR the 'last Alpha male' Jesse?

Paulie gets bopped in the head by Laura's torch on the march over to tribal.

Tribal: Nothing revealed that wasn't already shown. Close one = 6 Jesse 5 Paulie 2 Zara. Alpha no longer in control - girls alliance + his own led alliance blindside.

A dirty dozen remain.

 

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Ep 14

Spoiler: Epic Opportunity

Day 29 - whomever survives the vote puts the notch on the tree.

Paramedic Paulie realizes how 'on the bottom' he is after the vote. Peeps don't even ask how his noggin is - with a full bandage covering half his forehead. His edit has him identifying all the pairings around camp. Needs an idol badly. Might be his episode.

Man Bun Kaelan lets Poker Player AJ know WAG Logan has an idol. That would be 5 that know now (she whispered it to Witch Laura upon merge). Will more word get out and Analyst Myles uses his 'steal an idol'? Yup, AJ spills the tea to Myles. Myles now knows about all 3 idols, his (hidden - unknown), Kristin (sandbag - all know), and Logan (hidden - almost half now know). He tells AJ about his advantage to steal one - dumb, but they are giving each other trustworthy info. Jungle Rat getting over-confident.

Challenge - Behind the head, pull down on bar/rope with a spool on top of another bar. Spool drops - you're out. Shoulder/neck/back strength/endurance. Downward pull could favor the stronger males - remember that they voted out the last alpha male. Chicken-winged PD gets to sit and watch. Kaelan vs Firefighter Kristin. Kaelan immunity.

Paulie - In the rare 'no words at all' personal edit - just shakes his head and puts his head down.

Girls alliance all in on a Paulie vote. AJ tries to infer that no other vote is needed. But the (double) blindside steal of Logan's idol and saving Paulie is oh so enticing. I agree, vote out Logan with her own idol would be bomb diggity television.

Laura wants to avoid Paulie and vote for nearly-zero edit PD. Umm, what? Morgan/Kate seem amiable, Logan (peeved that her voice is being overlooked again)/Karin nay. He's Kristin's #1. Laura seemed to really want to blow up her own game / alliance. Luckily, Laura got the message loud and clear - mayday, back off the PD angle and go tell everyone she's been scheming with to disregard.

Myles listens, but interviews that he wants some action and not an unified vote.
Logan edit says she's comfortable, but if Paulie has an idol - she plays hers.
Coach PD finally gets a sit-down interview edit (episode 14, day 29 - gold star day) is okay getting a few stray votes. Kristin just may play her idol for him.

Chuckle moment - both Morgan and Myles show up with Mickey/Minnie Mouse hairdos. Could it signify a big move by Myles is coming?
Tribal: Discussions about the buddy system/duos forming. Except Paulie of course - asks everyone to put their hand up if they'd like to be his buddy - dead silence (they emphasize the crickets in the distance). Paulie pleads his case of being someone's number for vote and can be saved - camera is on Myles. Anticipating the bomb diggity drop is growing.
Myles reveals his 'steal an idol' advantage - before the vote starts. Oh poop (Kristin), oh shizzle (Logan). Kristin's... what!?!? Nooooo. No double-whammy on Logan. Booooo.

Now to the vote. Shows Paulie getting piled on as expected. Anyone want to use an idol or advantage? Delays... uh, Jonathan, I just came into possession of a new little bit of hardware - Myles... Saves... Paulie (8)! Who got the 3 throwaway votes? PD - the 1-armed man.

Unconfirmed, but PD may be short for PurpleD.

Great TV, but could have been better!

Idols: Logan (hidden - half know); Myles (hidden - unknown)
Majority? Females 7; Males 4

 

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Ep 15

Spoiler: Buddy System

Furiousness is rampant. WAG Logan didn't get her way after all to get Paramedic Paulie out. Firefighter Kristin lost her #1 and her idol. How can a minority of 1 win the night? Who knew about the blindside plan (only Analyst Myles and Poker AJ)?

Myles finally reveals to AJ that he has yet another idol in his possession. Myles has had 3 idols (sandbag-his, sandbag-Kristin's and hidden-his) thus far - what's the record?
Myles says he burnt his chances of winning to the ground, but the looks on everyone's faces is worth the prize money.
The Jungle Rat has become the King of the Rats!

Paulie has a new lease on life, a buddy, and devotion to Myles - morning is all unicorns and rainbows as he notches day 30 on the tree.

As it probably should be, today is Myles' edit day. Plans to put the Graduates alliance back together (Myles, AJ, Doctor Karin, 3-degree Zara, and PHD Student Kaelan).
Zara wants to target the Buddy Systems each vote.
Myles wants to take down Logan first - dude, you could have done that last night - with her own idol!
Can AJ get back in Karin's good graces?
Karin sets her sights on taking out Myles or AJ - the Graduates is dead to her.

Myles has shook things up and people supposedly want to play the game aggressively now.

Challenge - Water battle to make hoops up top of a floating cabana. Team ball is on opposite side of play area - have to get it and return to your own side before shooting. Pairs are tied together. Morgan literally drug Laura through the water backwards. Paulie and AJ each score 2 for the 4-1 win. Reward American meal. DJ Kate has been on the winning team for every reward. Shhhh
Myles reveals that Logan has an idol to the girls at the reward meal, oh really? Only half the tribe knew, now everyone will.

Meanwhile, back at camp, the rest of the girls group want to split vote on AJ and Myles. Logan still grumpy that she can't get a win. Zara gritting her lower teeth like usual. Zara spills the plan to Kaelan and waits for the rest of the Graduates to get back from reward. Laura and Logan suspect Zara.

Challenge - Stay under grating in water. Tide comes in removing space to breathe. Stay calm, time the waves, and hold breath - seems like Merman Kaelan's to win. Yup. Kaelan over Karin 1hr17min. 2nd straight immunity.

Graduates - Will they break up the Logan / Laura duo 5-4? Logan would have to play the idol or go home with it in her pocket.
Girls - Will they break up the AJ / Myles duo? AJ target 5-3. Kate and Morgan may not go along with it - Logan too bossy.
AJ reveals the Logan plan to some of the Girls - rut row raggy.
Karin has plans of her own - flush Logan's idol and boot AJ - best of both options.
All sides are lying saying Kristin is the target.

Another comical setting for the host as Myles has the pineapple hairdo and a buff as a tube top.
Tribal: Karin whispers to Logan to play her idol. Logan goes mind numb on why, didn't have the fear up until then. Last thing mentioned before vote: Zara 'breaking up the buddy system'. Laura's face goes cold. Idol flushed (6). Bestie Witch Laura (3) over AJ (2) becomes the first member of the jury.
Unanimous vote Logan/Laura except those 2.

Buddy System targeted, Girls group splintering. Karin wavering on Graduates.
Majority? Females 6; Males 4
Idols: Myles (hidden - 1 knows)

My somewhat early favorites (Kaelan and Morgan) are still flying under the radar for the most part.

 

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Ep 16

Spoiler: Barren and Bounty

Nighttime return to camp - WAG Logan pledging her game to Doctor Karin for saving her - they think no one knows of the saving whisper. 3 other Graduates Poker AJ, PHD Kaelan, and Analyst Myles surmise that Kaz (Karin) told her - might be time for her to exit the island. Were they overheard?

Paramedic Paulie burns his buff over the fire - now has eye holes like a stick'em-up ski mask.

Logan obviously has the rough morning as she got the majority vote and had to use her idol after not hearing a peep about being on the bottom instead of ruling the roost as she thought she was. The vote was unanimous for her/Laura - even Karin who told her to play the idol. She's going person by person to find out what went awry - and why no one warned her.

Resume building - Karin and Myles may look to hit the next Buddy System duo of DJ Kate and Olympian Morgan. Karin is chomping at the bit to get a move in. Myles wants to meld back into the background and let some others makes moves for now (he still has his idol). AJ and Kaelan hatch a plan to go after a Karin blindside but also allow Kaelan to stay undercover by using Kate/Morgan. AJ brings Myles up to speed on the plan, but he is working with Karin and thinks he'll beat her in physical/endurance challenges at end game. Which way will the Rat King go?

Auction - Twist - not about spending, it's a 50/50 chance over 2 items. Flip a coin to see 1 of the items to make a better decision or choose blindly. LOL- one was a loaf of bread with no drink. One is a phone call home - and passed on it - got a dill pickle instead! One was rice. Another was a coconut with a straw. Winner - steak dinner. Possible winner/loser Kate gets a scroll to steal an item - takes the lasagna meal. Kate takes the other phone call - good day after all. Paulie the pickle guy gets upset after each thing is revealed for being 'so stupid.'

Challenge - Balance large ball on a long paddle as part of a seesaw using 1 foot. Think this one might be better for a light female like Zara, Kate or Logan. Kaelan out first, won't be winning 3 immunities in a row. Kate vs Logan - add hands behind head. Logan has a spider go on her shoe and moves her hands - Kate is safe (so much for Karin/Myles plan).

Karin is the edit queen of the episode - precursor? New plan 5/3/2 split for Morgan/Paulie/Logan. Or move it back to Logan like the night before - Zara narcs out that plan. Karin still wants to go rogue if she can't get her way.

Tribal: Twist - no vote out of the game. A possible Survivor first... a diverge post-merge.
Divide the tribe (10) back into 2 tribes. Next challenge winner gets team immunity plus more. Barren tribe will have no food, shelter, tools, etc. Bounty tribe is plentiful and has advantages. Kate won immunity - is automatically in Bounty and picks 1 person to join (Morgan). Then they vote and the 2 top vote getters are in Barren (Paulie 4 / Logan 3 / AJ 3 - revote for Logan 6 / AJ 4). Lots of chatter on who to vote for with the change-up. Remaining 6 players draw rocks (Bo = Zara, Karin, AJ; Ba = Kaelen, Myles, Kristin).

Idols: Myles (hidden - 1 knows)

Another very interesting episode.

 

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Ep 17

Spoiler: Divergence

Doctor Karin, usually in charge since he's an ortho surgeon, really does not like someone else having the authoritative voice in the group. Don't tell - me - what to do!! Happens a lot with doctors on the show, ego gets them sent home eventually.

Barren Beach - in the dark and in a storm it's time to build a shelter from scratch (no tools or fire either). Sleep under branches all sitting up leaning against each other.

PHD Kaelan always seems to have the positive vibe edits. Big smiles and joking even in a storm with no shelter. Feels it can be a bonding moment. New connections are good for the game.
On the other hand, Paramedic Paulie is pissed - he got voted first to Barren - punished for what? Barren + the pickle + getting hit in the face with a torch + burnt buff + pegs discomfort is piling up. They even edited a branch snapping into his face while in a group. Mentally breaking. Vows to somehow get revenge if he gets back to the full tribe (he only has Analyst Myles as an ally, but must vote Myles' way for saving his game). Dead man walking.
WAG Logan curses the other tribe - hoping they have maggots in their food. Hope it's rainy and wet.
Myles still feeling pretty confident in his place at the moment as his vote direction is going as planned and he still has his idol.
To pass the time between building the camp up, lowest-edited person Firefighter Kristin and Kaelan do faux final-3 speeches for each other. They jokingly say that it would be a very short episode.

Trying to save herself from being on the bottom again, Logan proposes to Kaelan, Paulie, and Kristin that they vote for Myles and get the other tribe to do it as well. Comically, Myles walks up with the water bottles and they send him back to camp solo. Interesting editing this episode. Will Paulie relay the plan or save himself as the least liked of all? The group actually clued Paulie in and let him have a voice. Paulie gains hope - smiles and dances.

Bounty Beach - Shelter, fresh food with ground pepper, eggs and veggies, silverware and plates, fire, pots/pans, breakfast on the beach with a view - ah the good life.

Karin wanted Olympian Morgan out the night prior, but now is in a small tribe with her. Seems like another Karin top-edit episode. She's in the tribe with the trio she wants out - DJ Kate, Morgan, and Poker AJ. Not good. Does have 3-degree Zara around though.
AJ is chilling in a cot
Morgan and Kate are grooming their hair. Morgan edit has her snarkily saying how she was on the chopping block, but Karin and Zara need her and Kate to save 'them' with the challenge.
Kate wonders why Karin is always out to get them instead of working with them.
Meanwhile, Zara ponders to Karin why Kate and Morgan won't work with them. Kate says they should band together to get out Myles (other tribe). Guess what Zara says - they should get rid of Myles.
Peeps need to talk to each other instead of being small-minded and petty.

Later that day - Kate actually brings it up to the girls. Smiles all around. Time to get out the crazy, cocky Myles riding around on his high-horse.
But can they tell AJ - Myles right hand man - the plan or lose his trust as their 5th tribe member?
Kate is showing some leadership this episode - tells him. AJ says that Myles has been ruining his game and he's guilty by association. If Karin/Zara are in - he's in too. All 5 in agreement to get the Jungle Rat King blindside? Will AJ mention Myles has an idol?

Challenge - Hang on a square pole with small ledges for the feet. Ledges get smaller as the time goes by. Good one for the girls with small feet, low center of gravity, and their ability to lock their thighs tight. Advantage for Bounty - get to start on wider ledges, Barren on thinner. Paulie lasted 52 minutes. Bounty Zara/Kate win.

Blindside on Myles appears to be on by both tribes. Karin wants to minority split vote onto Paulie to ensure no surprise on Logan. AJ tells Myles that all 5 Bounty votes are on him. Mr Rat, you'd better play that idol. Comes up with a plan to make a big move. Reveals that he has the idol (and will play it) to Logan and Paulie - place votes on Kristin - 3 votes on the same person saves all 3 of them. May get AJ on board as well.

Paulie paranoia on overload and he's melting his mind. Trying to get people to not split on him, but in all the wrong ways - may actually get more to vote for him. Logan is off searching for an idol and also tells Kristin that she's the blindside and that Myles has the idol - dumb move. Flip back to a Myles / Paulie split? Unbeknownst, Myles is oh so proud of his blindside.
Myles (idol) vs Paulie (spiraling) vs Logan vs Kristin (blindside, but told by Logan) - only Kaelan seems safe.

Myles with the frontal ponytail hairdo tonight. Definitely an oddball character for the season.
Tribal: Mostly all told before. Logan mentions playing multiple steps ahead instead of just surviving 1 more day (Kristin blindside is off). Myles (5) plays the idol (he's over 20 votes against him on the season and still here). His smug look falls off when he realizes he loses his automatic extra vote. Paramedic Paulie (3) will now be depressed over in jury.

Idols: None

Back to one tribe.

 

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Ep 18

Spoiler: Immolation

AU Survivor oops by Doctor Karin, who uses the TweedleDee and TweedleDipSh!+ reference incorrectly, just as US Survivor did. At least she didn't tweed-lee-dee it on Jungle Rat Myles and Poker AJ. The girls are tired of plans changing while at Tribal. Last few episodes have been Karin edits - it seems she's getting to the breaking point where she gets a win or gets the boot.

PHD Kaelan - yet another positive spirit edit. Has 'Buddy System' concerns 'on the outside' because he's buddyless (but actually thinks he has 3 in Myles, AJ, and Firefighter Kristin on different levels). Surmises that Kaz (Karin) publicly went against Myles and grown too confident, too vocal - and it may be a mistake. Manbun Kaelan feels he's stayed in the middle well, pushing info that can't be traced back to him - also feeling pretty confident.
Buddy Systems: Karin and 3-degree Zara, Myles and AJ, DJ Kate and Olympian Morgan. AJ/Morgan/Kate may be a trio of power.

Back to Karin saying she's playing under the radar (not so much). Next target needs to be to split up the trio and take out the challenge threat as well (Kate). Feels she can pull in Morgan to her/Zara after. Her tribal plan = Kate, next AJ, then Myles.
Zara (still with the grinding teeth look everywhere she's caught on camera) agrees. (The intro may be the only place she got caught smiling.) Karin plans to use the crumbling Graduates alliance to go after Kate. Zara tries to get AJ on board - hmm his trio? He leaks that directly to Kate and he suggest it's Karin's turn.

3 OG Brawn remain; 6 OG Brains
Challenge - Pairs balance beams via ropes while placing blocks on them to form a big U. It's a 10-15 foot walk to/from the beam while holding the rope taut. The pair then run dominoes with the blocks to win. WAG Logan drew the 'sit out' rock. Kaelan creeping up the rope like a Jungle Panther sneaking up on it's prey. Logan from the sideline helps AJ keep focus to find his final block that had fallen to the ground. Kaelan loses 1 block on his backpedal. Tying the ropes so they are level takes steadiness. Multiple fails occur. AJ/Kristin get it right for the win. They play it nice - take Kaelan who has not been on any rewards yet and another Barren member Logan. Reward = Lamb roast, veggies, and wine feast.

Wonder if there will be an idol in play at reward.
Reward- Logan breaks the festivities with the first gameplay - target Kaz. Reveals Karin did tell her to play the idol and she's dictating a lot of moves. Split vote 3 Karin/1 Zara. The Berries Alliance is formed - cheers! {clink}
Aussie joke (Kristin): Did you know there used to only be strawberries in the bush? Silence...
Until Chuck Norris came and dropkicked the bush and then there was black and blue berries.
Everyone laughed and smiled (except Zara back at the camp).

Kaelan edit back at camp that night - gets his belly rubbed (first time on reward and stuffed) - it's a boy!
AJ off to recruit Kate and Morgan to the Berries plan.
AJ and Kaelan making plans to go deep in the game, AJ the schmoozer and Kaelan getting talked to like an idiot (his words) surfer instead of the doctorate student that he is (thus far - don't recall anyone edited to ask him why he was on Brains instead of Brawn...).

Zara with a forced upper teeth smile as the host asks her a question - Gold Star Day!
Challenge - Phase 1 = barrel walk 30 feet + sandbag toss. 4 eliminated. Logan vs Kaelan way out in front. All 4 from reward make it + Morgan. Phase 2 = monkey fist toss + traverse a wobbly beam. 2 eliminated. Huge lead by Kaelan. Phase 3 = race over a large ramp/wall and complete a puzzle. Kaelan all alone - whispers to host to - not - say that he's doing well. He doesn't want them to know he's good at puzzles -shhhh. Host says "you're going to wait for them to catch up?" uh, okay. /shrug. Merman takes time from the puzzle to help #2 Morgan down from the ramp/wall - LOL. AJ #3. Kaelan plays it slow, but is missing a piece (in the bag)! He stomps the playing field to gain immunity (for the 3rd time).

The Karin blindside seems to be on - if peeps can keep their mouth shut. 3 on her, 3 on Zara, 3 on Kate = revote for Karin en masse.
Karin - says split on Kate and Morgan. AJ is showing hesitation - suspect behavior - don't eff it up!
A...n...d... Kristin wants to dork it up for her game. Prefers Zara and starts floating the idea around.

Day 36 - AJ goes off and looks for an idol - haven't edited anyone doing that for almost a month. Kind of crazy when we know that someone's looking every day.

Myles asks AJ if the vote is really the vote - cannot tell Myles anything or he goes rogue on whatever pops into his head each day (remember, he's all strat and no social talk). Operation 'Myles shut your pie hole' - LOL. Myles wants to go after Zara - I'm assuming because he wants to bring Karin to the end with him. This changes the expected vote from 3v3v3 to 4v3v2 with Zara out. AJ off to have Kristin (who wants Zara) change their vote so Karin gets the 4. Will she do what is best for her game or follow along with the plan?
Myles is elsewhere still hatching his Zara plan and thinks that it is the same plan as AJ. AJ tells him to stick to the plan - your vote is Zara.
Personal edit has AJ thinking he has a social relationship with everyone left, all plans are filtered through him, and that he 'doesn't think he can lose this game anymore. It's going to be a steam roll now.' (a kiss of death?)

This is why we can't have good things (or can we?): Kristin back at the campfire to Karin - the vote's on you. Tells her she has to vote Zara to save herself. AJ's plan.
Karin is now at the crossroads to let it play out and lose Zara OR go to battle at tribal.

Karin vs Zara vs Kate vs AJ?
Tribal: Draw lines in the sand. Karin literally calls out people to have a sidechat - a majority of 5. AJ talks with Kate/Morgan - wants to know who leaked the blindside. Myles is at the end stump all alone. (Honestly don't think it's drawing lines if they take out Myles - it's just picking off the solo guy). Karin says to play russian roulette on her and see if her possible 5 votes land on the right person that gets her safe for the night. Karin does right by ride-or-die Zara saying she would not vote for her to save herself. AJ asks who made her that offer - she says he did - but they had not spoken today. Kristin comes clean saying she is the informant and that Kaz has just shat all over the act of loyalty. Whoa - Karin vote: writes Zara... "I want to see what happens." Zara (3) Myles (1) and Karin (5) actually adds another vote her way - that didn't work out well. And Zara now knows that Kaz voted for her since she was the only Myles vote. Betrayal after professing she'd never vote for her ride-or-die. 'Self immolation is my game' she says.

Logan whispers to Laura (jury) and points to herself - my plan!
Exit - Karin thinks the Jungle Rat just might win this thing.
Funny - Kaelan staying in character as an idiot - misspells Carin (and her face... is like what?)

Idols: None

Chaos is the norm and this episode is no different.

 

[rustycolts]

So I think I've finally seen a better manipulator than George. Sam on Aussie version of The Traitors was at least his equal. Though the contestants on that show were dumb as the day is long. Other than my favorite survivor Luke that is. But Sam was really good at it would love to see how he would do on Aussie Survivor.

 

[Riffraff]

So I think I've finally seen a better manipulator than George. Sam on Aussie version of The Traitors was at least his equal. Though the contestants on that show were dumb as the day is long. Other than my favorite survivor Luke that is. But Sam was really good at it would love to see how he would do on Aussie Survivor.

AJ has a good/strong relationship with every person, very well situated. And while he's over-confident that he can steamroll his way to the end (and possibly right), he can still be taken out by:
- Myles the wildcard and his seemingly closest ally.
- Kate / Morgan are a duo and he's the 3rd wheel of the trio - they have the numbers still.

 

[Riffraff]

Ep 19

Spoiler: let's go to rocks!!!

Nighttime getting back to camp - 3-degree Zara can't believe the blindside results. She asks PHD Kaelan how it could get swapped from the Kate/Morgan split to her/Karin. Kaelan had the perfectly indisputable answer: He thought the Graduates alliance was dead when members started voting for Myles and he could be next. (Zara was the only person to vote Myles at Tribal. Indefensible.) With so low amount of edits, she appears to be the most voiceless of the final 8.
However, this is a Zara edit episode: she tries to work with the boys in what remains of the Graduates alliance. Takes time to learn from Myles experience being on the bottom and surviving. (And while she shows teeth in the personal edit - it's hardly smiling still as she's pissed off and playing as nice as she can for the camera - but it's so weird to not get caught smiling over nearly 40 days) (Exact opposite of last year where Chompers was rare to see her not smiling until jury where they are told to look grumpy and stoic)

WAG Logan takes credit for the leading the blindside (she initiated it at Reward) and Poker AJ is patting himself on the back to allow others to put a target on their back.

Firefighter Kristin is in damage control after blowing up her game by telling Karin. Gotta be low on everyone's trust list now - especially the Berries alliance. AJ glosses it over as okay - he is quite the quick mind on how to use it. Kaelan not liking the smell of a burning bridge.

Challenge - In the ocean on floating platforms they stand on narrow footholds. Incrementally, moving up for less of a wide stance / center of gravity. Balance with the motion of the ocean. Benefits a person who knows how to surf. Kristin hangs 10 the longest. Reward - meal, bathing and comfortable sleeping materials (invites Morgan and Logan).

Zara edit again - time with the 3 boys to get the Graduates back together, now the Post-Graduates. AJ is so slick with his words to everyone he speaks with (implies he would throw his Kate/Morgan trio away to work with solo Zara).
AJ spent most of the day planting seeds against Logan with the Grads - dissed/pissed about her bragging for the Karin tribal. Easy 4-0 vote.

Myles - perhaps the luckiest mo-fo in AU (or all?) Survivor history - gets his 4th idol. The Jungle Rat becomes the Rat King again!
Informs AJ.

Girls Reward Spa - Game talk... Did Logan really start it off with targeting DJ Kate in front of Morgan? Logan going to get backstabbed quickly. Kristin still wants Zara gone. Not shown saying a word at all - Morgan just sips the bubbly as the other two automatically assume she's in and will get Kate to vote Zara out - 4 votes.

Challenge - Part 1 Course of 2 teams - 3 transport 1 with a ring around a rope - break through a bamboo wall, under/over log hurdles, up and over suspended net. Keep the rope untangled and move the ring smoothly. Kate and Zara are the ones being carried. AJ plans to use Zara as a battering ram and carry her by himself. Kate gets dropped by Myles/Kaelan. Kaelan solo moves Kate a little more roughly than her face expresses happiness with. AJ/Zara had a nice lead, but rope/ring got tangled on the over/unders. Kaelan/Kate team move ahead. Don't call HR but the next part was handsy at the workplace - push from under the net to move Kate/Zara up on the net to the other end. Easy win.
Part 2 individual - Kaelan, Kate, Myles, and Kristin throw sandbags to knock a target off a bar (7-10 hits to end of bar). Kaelan wins 4th individual immunity (huge target as long as he keeps winning to stay safe).

Kristin not getting the warm fuzzies about safety wants the Spa Girls +Kate to all vote for Zara. She and Logan want to deceive the boys into all voting for Kate with the girls on Morgan to split up the vote. AJ isn't buying it. Grads may be piling on Logan.
And will they really go to rocks? Big moves win the game.

Logan (riding the blindside high) vs Zara (Grads or riding solo in a high edit day) vs Kristin (need punished for screwing up a perfect blindside the night before)?
Tribal: Nothing new revealed. Zara (4) vs Logan (4) - goes to revote. Zara (3) vs Logan (3) tie - discuss to change the vote, they were talking sway a vote - and the host has to remind them that the vote must be unanimous. Much better conversation than before the vote. Logan sacrifices herself. Dammit... I wanted to go to rocks!!!!

Morgan not shown answering a question on first part, got to say one word vote 'Logan' in total. Too deep in the game to not get screen time.

Idols: Myles (hidden - 1 knows)

7 remain
---
Random musings:
Day 38 = 9 days remain - AU posts 3 episodes a week while spending a longer time on the island. US posts 1 a week with less time on the island. Quite the disparity when each episode is 1 day there. (still hope US version will go back to a longer marooning in Season 50)

Olympian Morgan is the least edited person remaining - wild speculation was that she is purpled for something involving Ben abruptly leaving the game instead of his illness/injury mentioned outside the show, but not shown in it. We see a guy break a finger and leave the island and another pop his shoulder/arm - both on screen and addressed the injury to the cast. Ben just disappeared. Add in some weird post-show lack of following certain fellow cast members on social media. Ben not mentioned on the show since he departed. Tinfoil hat stuff.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Is there a way to watch this without a vpn?

 

[waiver wire]

Is there a way to watch this without a vpn?

youtube

 

[Wingnut]

Is there a way to watch this without a vpn?

Yeah, here:

Australian Survivor: Brains V Brawn II

Australian Survivor Season 12 (2025) Full Episodes New episodes air Sunday & Monday Usually uploaded a few hours after episode

youtube.com

 

[Riffraff]

Ep 20

Spoiler: Operation Lockdown

It's down to the Post Graduates (Analyst Myles, PHD Kaelan, Poker AJ, and 3-degree Zara) vs the Brawny Girls (DJ Kate, Olympian Morgan, and Firefighter Kristin). The boys consider Zara on the bottom of the Grads. Will Zara flip allegiances even though she'd be the bottom of the Girls as well?

Operation Lockdown - say nothing info-wise to the Brawny Girls. AJ is the worry as he is schmoozing everyone.

Morgan got to speak this episode. Whoa! It's during Kristin's and Zara's edits, but progress with a few days left. Kristin wants to flip Zara. Zara already thinking on how she can get a comfortable footing at end game. Eyes are on Kaelan once he fails to win immunity.

Not much pre-challenge, timewise - may be the shortest episode of the season.
Challenge - Endurance (women) vs hand/upper body strength (men). Hang on a 45degree decline and the angle becomes steeper at intervals. Wonder if anyone will use the Ninja Warrior opposite hand hanging position - nope. Storm rolls in - rain. Add in some added wetness streamed onto them from the barrels above. Oh wait, Kristin using the ninja warrior technique for a little bit vs Kaelan in zen mode hanging by 1 one arm periodically - as the final 2. Kaelan wins 5th individual immunity - tying an AU Survivor record. 5 in a row.

Grads targetting Kristin for the vote - lockdown the info leak! Girls frustrated and paranoia builds. Grads worry about if Kristin has an idol, should they split the vote. Myles has it, but only AJ knows. How he can tell them he has an idol without telling them he has an idol - right?
Myles - keep the vote simple - all 4. AJ likes the advanced moves with splits. Girls can band together with 3 votes - but on who?

Kristin seeing if Zara wants to make a game move. Discuss getting Kaelan out (immune), but what about his closest ally AJ? Or maybe Myles?

AJ can't keep his lips fully on lockdown. Implies the 4 votes will be on Kristin to Kate and Morgan without specifically saying it. But he wants to so bad. Morgan gets more talking in this episode than any this season. Pretty much tells AJ that if he's locked in with his group vote, they have a name, there's not much to discuss and she'd rather be eating than wasting time. Hasn't eaten all day - getting hangry. AJ promises to tell her - later.

AJ is still pulling people aside for a non-simple plan. He's that fantasy player that can't just accept a trade offer, but let's add an extra 3rd over here, random nobody there. Gets tiresome for the others.
Zara feeling with Myles and AJ always dictating the plans - she has no control of her game. Last chance to align with the girls.

Tribal: {Keanu Reeves whoa face} Morgan gets to answer questions. Myles implies she's been pushing names all season (just unedited). Girls talk and think Zara may flip - switch all their votes to the Jungle Rat. Pulls Zara over to the side to discuss. Does he feel the heat enough to play his idol? Myles does not (3) vs Kristin (4). Zara stood with the Grads. The Aviation Firefighter Kristin goes back to the flightline.

Idols (good until final 5): Myles (hidden - 1 knows)
6 remain after 41 days + 6 days to go

 

[Chris B.]

Does anyone have a link to Titans vs Rebels finale? Seems like everyone's videos for the last episode was taken down. THANKS!

 

[El Floppo]

Ep 19

Spoiler: let's go to rocks!!!

Nighttime getting back to camp - 3-degree Zara can't believe the blindside results. She asks PHD Kaelan how it could get swapped from the Kate/Morgan split to her/Karin. Kaelan had the perfectly indisputable answer: He thought the Graduates alliance was dead when members started voting for Myles and he could be next. (Zara was the only person to vote Myles at Tribal. Indefensible.) With so low amount of edits, she appears to be the most voiceless of the final 8.
However, this is a Zara edit episode: she tries to work with the boys in what remains of the Graduates alliance. Takes time to learn from Myles experience being on the bottom and surviving. (And while she shows teeth in the personal edit - it's hardly smiling still as she's pissed off and playing as nice as she can for the camera - but it's so weird to not get caught smiling over nearly 40 days) (Exact opposite of last year where Chompers was rare to see her not smiling until jury where they are told to look grumpy and stoic)

WAG Logan takes credit for the leading the blindside (she initiated it at Reward) and Poker AJ is patting himself on the back to allow others to put a target on their back.

Firefighter Kristin is in damage control after blowing up her game by telling Karin. Gotta be low on everyone's trust list now - especially the Berries alliance. AJ glosses it over as okay - he is quite the quick mind on how to use it. Kaelan not liking the smell of a burning bridge.

Challenge - In the ocean on floating platforms they stand on narrow footholds. Incrementally, moving up for less of a wide stance / center of gravity. Balance with the motion of the ocean. Benefits a person who knows how to surf. Kristin hangs 10 the longest. Reward - meal, bathing and comfortable sleeping materials (invites Morgan and Logan).

Zara edit again - time with the 3 boys to get the Graduates back together, now the Post-Graduates. AJ is so slick with his words to everyone he speaks with (implies he would throw his Kate/Morgan trio away to work with solo Zara).
AJ spent most of the day planting seeds against Logan with the Grads - dissed/pissed about her bragging for the Karin tribal. Easy 4-0 vote.

Myles - perhaps the luckiest mo-fo in AU (or all?) Survivor history - gets his 4th idol. The Jungle Rat becomes the Rat King again!
Informs AJ.

Girls Reward Spa - Game talk... Did Logan really start it off with targeting DJ Kate in front of Morgan? Logan going to get backstabbed quickly. Kristin still wants Zara gone. Not shown saying a word at all - Morgan just sips the bubbly as the other two automatically assume she's in and will get Kate to vote Zara out - 4 votes.

Challenge - Part 1 Course of 2 teams - 3 transport 1 with a ring around a rope - break through a bamboo wall, under/over log hurdles, up and over suspended net. Keep the rope untangled and move the ring smoothly. Kate and Zara are the ones being carried. AJ plans to use Zara as a battering ram and carry her by himself. Kate gets dropped by Myles/Kaelan. Kaelan solo moves Kate a little more roughly than her face expresses happiness with. AJ/Zara had a nice lead, but rope/ring got tangled on the over/unders. Kaelan/Kate team move ahead. Don't call HR but the next part was handsy at the workplace - push from under the net to move Kate/Zara up on the net to the other end. Easy win.
Part 2 individual - Kaelan, Kate, Myles, and Kristin throw sandbags to knock a target off a bar (7-10 hits to end of bar). Kaelan wins 4th individual immunity (huge target as long as he keeps winning to stay safe).

Kristin not getting the warm fuzzies about safety wants the Spa Girls +Kate to all vote for Zara. She and Logan want to deceive the boys into all voting for Kate with the girls on Morgan to split up the vote. AJ isn't buying it. Grads may be piling on Logan.
And will they really go to rocks? Big moves win the game.

Logan (riding the blindside high) vs Zara (Grads or riding solo in a high edit day) vs Kristin (need punished for screwing up a perfect blindside the night before)?
Tribal: Nothing new revealed. Zara (4) vs Logan (4) - goes to revote. Zara (3) vs Logan (3) tie - discuss to change the vote, they were talking sway a vote - and the host has to remind them that the vote must be unanimous. Much better conversation than before the vote. Logan sacrifices herself. Dammit... I wanted to go to rocks!!!!

Morgan not shown answering a question on first part, got to say one word vote 'Logan' in total. Too deep in the game to not get screen time.

Idols: Myles (hidden - 1 knows)

7 remain
---
Random musings:
Day 38 = 9 days remain - AU posts 3 episodes a week while spending a longer time on the island. US posts 1 a week with less time on the island. Quite the disparity when each episode is 1 day there. (still hope US version will go back to a longer marooning in Season 50)

Olympian Morgan is the least edited person remaining - wild speculation was that she is purpled for something involving Ben abruptly leaving the game instead of his illness/injury mentioned outside the show, but not shown in it. We see a guy break a finger and leave the island and another pop his shoulder/arm - both on screen and addressed the injury to the cast. Ben just disappeared. Add in some weird post-show lack of following certain fellow cast members on social media. Ben not mentioned on the show since he departed. Tinfoil hat stuff.

we're up to here.

no rational thinking makes sense to me for the outcome here, least of all the explanation provided. doomed not just themselves but their potential allies as well.

 

[Riffraff]

Ep 21

Spoiler: House of Cards

Day 42 = 4 Grads vs 2 Brawny Girls remain - an easy final four IF they remain solid

PHD Kaelan has won 5 straight immunities - the only one remaining that has won individually - major target. Feels he has to win again or he's gone even though he's in the Grads.

Analyst Myles has his idol - has visions of stirring the pot while he's safe. If he wins immunity - he's safe until final four. Eyes a move against Kaelan by enlisting Olympian Morgan's help. Says he does not intend to take either of Poker AJ or Kaelan to the end - a backstab is guaranteed.

Morgan guesses that Myles may want to go after Kaelan without Myles saying a word. (Wish we had Morgan personal edits this season - she's only in conversations or other's edits - not her own. Or you know, maybe her camera person/interviewer really sucks at their job. No clue what she would say at jury since she's not been spotlighted. It would be the most hidden winner ever or coming soon = the usual 'blink and they are gone' player).

3-degree Zara (low person on the Grads totem pole) is the drag along to the final challenge where she is a favorite to win if it's endurance based - who would she take with her? Myles pleads his case.

Challenge - Water - leap off platform and grab a ball, swim to a net platform and get ball from under it, swim over to land, use a ball to unseat another ball above them on some crossbars. Gather all the balls and one-by-one push them up an angled thin wood obstacle course with a long pole. Get them all up the ramp and into the end net wins. Merman Kaelan is the best swimmer, but maybe not with balls holding him afloat. Kaelan spiked the initial ball instead of grabbing it - smart move to get out ahead. Gets all 3 balls fast. Myles takes lead, but Kaelan ties it up at 2. Kaelan wins his 6th immunity, he breaks the AU Survivor record. Guaranteed final 5 spot.

So much for all the talk before the challenge. Morgan and DJ Kate not celebrating at all - which of the bottom 2 is the likeliest to go to jury?

AJ knows Kate is the edited larger target, but feels Morgan is a threat to be the goat. Needs to get back on their good side.

Grads should go 2v2 on Kate/Morgan as they'll both have 2 on Aj or Zara. Then they can pile on them with 3 votes to 0 with the tie.
Kaelan fears Myles will go rogue and he believes Myles has an idol since he isn't looking for one.

AJ may have oops on a slip of the tongue saying that they go for Morgan (his best interest) and the others want Kate out first. He thinks Kate is the best bet against Zara for the endurance challenge. Tries to get Kate to turn on Morgan with her vote (teary 'I can't'). And tries to get Kaelan to switch as well. {nice music during the edit - somewhat similar to Dexter tension building music}.

Zara is adamant about Kate being her vote. Dislikes AJ's attempt to changing things up last miunute again. Shuts down AJ quickly saying Kate. Both know Kate is the biggest threat to Zara. Really like Zara's description of AJ to his face - he's like a rash, all over the place. Damnmnmn.

Kate/Morgan personal moment that they do not want to vote for each other. Morgan has it right that Kate is the challenge contender. Says they still need to double up on Myles to tie the votes at 2 and try to get someone to flip on the tie revote - Zara? Kaelan needs a resume building move and is paranoid about Myles at final 5. Could be 3 on Myles with an idol in his pocket. Morgan to talk to AJ and Kate to go talk with Kaelan.

(Long tribal? It's 2/3 of the way through the episode. Can't be straight forward and easy can it?)
Kate vs Morgan vs a Myles blindside?
Tribal: Kaelan's win streak is emphasized. Myles heavily insinuated that he's going after him the moment he loses. Kaelan says 'come at me!' Myles says timing isn't right tonight (duh! Kaelan is immune). Kate and Morgan are playing it up that they are right here and available for the big move - the tight 4 have to go at each other - why not now?
Host: You all don't know everything that is going on - tonight... is a little bit different. Someone is going home tonight, not Kaelan (he sighs *whew*).
Another shot at individual immunity for the other 5. New life for Kate and Morgan. Myles is likely contemplating playing his idol and/or a win ensures top 4.

Challenge (Kaelan sits out, technically his streak will end at 6 straight) - Balance. Place wood cards (fingernail width) on a wobbly table held up via rope as they cross beams. Stack high enough to reach marker wins (or highest stack after 45 minutes). Seems like a good one for all but AJ. Myles 1 level to go - loses lead. Kate just behind, also loses the stack. Morgan leads at the 35 minute mark - falls. AJ leads - second fail. Slow moving Zara now neck-n-neck with Kate. 9-9 levels tie. 3, 2, 1 - time over and Zara has 1 card topple. Kate wins immunity.

Do the Grads now go all 4 on Morgan to ensure advancement?
Back to tribal: Myles went all-in on it and host noticed. Morgan is resigned to her fate. Kate whispers to Zara if she's willing to vote with them (Zara wanted Kate out, but not an option now). Gotta like that they can show everyone writing the letter M. Myles does not play his idol. Myles (2), Morgan (4). Zero personal edit Olympian Morgan is off to the races to jury.

Anti-climatic
Myles is getting close to 30 votes and still around. AJ's preferred outcome yet again.

Idols (good until final 5): Myles (hidden - 1 knows)

Final 5 - Myles will play his idol and is guaranteed top 4.
Kate must win immunity or have Myles use the idol on her.

 

[Riffraff]

Ep 22

Spoiler: Let the conniving begin.

DJ Kate lost her NPC Morgan (non-player character) takes on the 4 Grads - will it be that simple of a vote?

3-degree Zara predicts this is where the Grads break up, anxious to see the split 2/2 (Myles/Zara and AJ/Kaelan). Analyst Myles surprises Zara by mentioning AJ over Kate as the vote today. Both want a big move on the resume.

Grads meet up and Myles says Kate is the target. Myles had mentioned PHD Kaelan to Poker AJ when they were alone.

Kaelan confers with AJ hat they get Kate + one of their vote goes on Myles (2) and if he plays the idol on Kate (3), he goes home. AJ edit has him fully glorified in his own gameplay - untouchable. AJ tells Kaelan that no one is voting for him(self).

Zara and AJ talk scenarios: What if Myles plays an idol on Kate? If she wins immunity, he plays it on himself. Currently the only one that knows for sure that Myles has an idol is AJ. Myles has all the power. AJ is sure that Myles will vote for Kaelan (Myles said AJ to Zara and Kate to all the Grads).

Challenge - Balance and patience. High step thru a swingable platform of squared openings. Stack of cubes is on end of platform - must stay stacked up. Transport 2 cubes via a wide two handled pole with hooks at the end. There's a hurdle in the middle to duck under. First to unhook and stack 12 wins. AJ and Kaelan have the longest legs, might help with the leg lifts. Kate has some height and thin legs for the openings. With 10 cubes, Kaelan goes into zen mode for the final 2. Noooooo. It topples. Myles vs Zara at 11. Myles 12th falls. Tiny Zara slow and steady wins the race - top 4 guaranteed.

Kaelan is finally vulnerable.
Myles safe with idol - will he and Zara pull off the AJ blindside?

Gold star day - Zara finally legit smiles. Day 44

Myles' dream scenario: He gets Kate to vote Kaelan (1), AJ/Kaelan vote Kate (2) and Zara/Myles vote AJ (2). Tie revote Zara/Myles blindside AJ (2) - doesn't matter who Kaelan votes for.

Kaelan wants Zara/AJ to vote Kate (2) and Kaelan/Kate to vote Myles (2). Idol flushed (getting played no matter what anyways). Kate gone or if Myles saves her - he's out. It's a Rat Trap.

Zara pries Kate's vote out of her (Kaelan along with Myles would be 2). Can she trust Myles to stick to his word (AJ)? She feels powerful as the immunity winner and that her vote just may decide who goes to jury. She can take out her endurance rival Kate OR blindside the schmoozer AJ OR take down the challenge beast Kaelan depending upon who she writes down.

Twice edited Myles gets sad/sniffles that he has to take out his buddy AJ.

And so the Ben conspiracy theory adds fuel to the fire: Morgan left the game instead of jury. No goodbye.

Tribal: Not much new since it was a good build-up. Myles plays his 4th idol on himself. Kate (1) vs Myles (1) vs Kaelan (1) vs AJ (1) and Zara's vote is the decider. Jury is on the edge of their seats...

Kate (2) - Zara did it for 'her game' and not Myles' - dumb, dumb dumb?!? Take that shot when you get the chance.

Myles admits he voted for AJ - game on!
Zara has them at a crossfire.

FInal 4 - the Graduates comes to an end

 

[El Floppo]

Ep 20

Spoiler: Operation Lockdown

It's down to the Post Graduates (Analyst Myles, PHD Kaelan, Poker AJ, and 3-degree Zara) vs the Brawny Girls (DJ Kate, Olympian Morgan, and Firefighter Kristin). The boys consider Zara on the bottom of the Grads. Will Zara flip allegiances even though she'd be the bottom of the Girls as well?

Operation Lockdown - say nothing info-wise to the Brawny Girls. AJ is the worry as he is schmoozing everyone.

Morgan got to speak this episode. Whoa! It's during Kristin's and Zara's edits, but progress with a few days left. Kristin wants to flip Zara. Zara already thinking on how she can get a comfortable footing at end game. Eyes are on Kaelan once he fails to win immunity.

Not much pre-challenge, timewise - may be the shortest episode of the season.
Challenge - Endurance (women) vs hand/upper body strength (men). Hang on a 45degree decline and the angle becomes steeper at intervals. Wonder if anyone will use the Ninja Warrior opposite hand hanging position - nope. Storm rolls in - rain. Add in some added wetness streamed onto them from the barrels above. Oh wait, Kristin using the ninja warrior technique for a little bit vs Kaelan in zen mode hanging by 1 one arm periodically - as the final 2. Kaelan wins 5th individual immunity - tying an AU Survivor record. 5 in a row.

Grads targetting Kristin for the vote - lockdown the info leak! Girls frustrated and paranoia builds. Grads worry about if Kristin has an idol, should they split the vote. Myles has it, but only AJ knows. How he can tell them he has an idol without telling them he has an idol - right?
Myles - keep the vote simple - all 4. AJ likes the advanced moves with splits. Girls can band together with 3 votes - but on who?

Kristin seeing if Zara wants to make a game move. Discuss getting Kaelan out (immune), but what about his closest ally AJ? Or maybe Myles?

AJ can't keep his lips fully on lockdown. Implies the 4 votes will be on Kristin to Kate and Morgan without specifically saying it. But he wants to so bad. Morgan gets more talking in this episode than any this season. Pretty much tells AJ that if he's locked in with his group vote, they have a name, there's not much to discuss and she'd rather be eating than wasting time. Hasn't eaten all day - getting hangry. AJ promises to tell her - later.

AJ is still pulling people aside for a non-simple plan. He's that fantasy player that can't just accept a trade offer, but let's add an extra 3rd over here, random nobody there. Gets tiresome for the others.
Zara feeling with Myles and AJ always dictating the plans - she has no control of her game. Last chance to align with the girls.

Tribal: {Keanu Reeves whoa face} Morgan gets to answer questions. Myles implies she's been pushing names all season (just unedited). Girls talk and think Zara may flip - switch all their votes to the Jungle Rat. Pulls Zara over to the side to discuss. Does he feel the heat enough to play his idol? Myles does not (3) vs Kristin (4). Zara stood with the Grads. The Aviation Firefighter Kristin goes back to the flightline.

Idols (good until final 5): Myles (hidden - 1 knows)
6 remain after 41 days + 6 days to go

feels like nobody wants to be a bad guy with this group- especially not lie to the others. so nobody makes moves- it was the one person you mentioned last chance to do soemthing, and they didn't... probably dooming themself to an upcoming voteout. can't fault the majority for sticking to their strength... but it shows a lack of foresight.

it's funny- AJ genuinely feels because he thought of a plan, that he's responsible for the plan... even though he always lets other people put names out- which makes it THEIR plan. but he claims it because he's considered it too?

 

[Riffraff]

Ep 23

Spoiler: Brains 4 vs Brawn 0 - and some fire?

Only the Graduates remain!

Last episode was a 3-degree Zara edit with multiple interviews, immunity win, and decided who went home (her endurance competitor Kate). She needed the highlight as she's viewed as the season's goat. She hadn't shown much the rest of the season as a sidekick to Karin.

Poker AJ - the schmoozer / social game had the best relationships / manipulation on the season. Usually trying to change votes at the last moment, has lots of moving parts going on, and things seem to go 'his way.'

Analyst Myles - the luckiest mo-fo in AU Survivor history with 4 idols. Has had roughly 30 votes against him as the Jungle Rat / King. The wildcard of the bunch. Strat talk 24/7. He's the 'character' people will remember for this season.

PHD Kaelan - the Challenge Immunity King with the most in AU Survivor history and nearly always on the right side of the vote. Always edited in a positive light and tried to stay in the background on purpose.

Social, Strat, Challenges. Who's it gonna be in the finale?
Who's got the resume to win the big bucks?

----
Day 45

AJ feels Zara saved him and would take him to the end. Feels Kaelan will as well - they shook hands on 'final 2' pact. Myles writing his name down threw him for a loop. Gives a low vote of confidence to Zara on a final 2 - doesn't want to write Kaelan's name.

All 4 telling everyone else that they got them blah blah blah, but likeliest duos are Kaelan/AJ and Myles/Zara.

Immunity means everything!
Challenge - Tethered to a frame, untangle as much rope as you can to retrieve a key to free their bond. Throw sandbags at a spinner target that unscrews to drop disks that are used to climb over a ramp. Roll 5 balls into divots on a long paddle, but avoid the holes in that paddle. Agility and coordination (may still be Kaelan's forte, but Myles had sneaky athleticism a couple of challenges). Kaelan knows how to loop rope for easy transport. Myles gets key first. Kaelan not enough rope slack. Zara way behind and a terrible sandbag tosser. Myles gets his disks and over the ramp. Kaelan catches up. Myles had 2 but drops all and AJ catches up. Myles slow and steady balancing wins immunity and guaranteed spot in the finale! (Zara still throwing sandbags)

AJ / Kaelan in danger when Myles / Zara pick 1 - had agreed with Zara to go AJ the night before and she sent Kate home instead. AJ / Kaelan also have to double up - on Zara to force a 2-2 tie and fire making.
Making fire: AJ doesn't know how. Zara not good. Kaelan seems to be decent at it - has not seen either of the 2 attempt to build a fire all season.

Zara tries to get AJ to flip on Kaelan - but trust is not there. While they speak, Kaelan is practicing fire - has flames. Kaelan later helps Zara practice and she did.
Zara realizes she should have blidsided AJ last night - oopsies. So it's 2-2 and fire OR Myles flips on Zara 3-1.

Jury minus Morgan - ooh possible fire!
Tribal: Noooooo fire! Jungle Rat Myles exacts revenge for last night and controls the narrative: AJ (1) vs Zara (3) and the Lambourghini driving momma speeds off to jury.

No goat this season.

 

[Riffraff]

Ep 24 - part 1

Spoiler: Final Immunity - Heart

Mostly copy/Paste the basics about the top 3 players from Ep 23.

Poker AJ - the schmoozer / social game had the best manipulation on the season. Besties with everyone for their needs and definitely the guy that knew everyone's info and strats. Usually trying to change votes at the last moment and things seem to go 'his way.' 'Hostages theory' is his to claim but also threw challenges that may have gained enemies. Had idol.

Analyst Myles - the luckiest mo-fo in AU Survivor history with 4 idols. Playing 'from the bottom most of the game, has had 26 votes against him as the Jungle Rat / King and still alive. Idol immunity + individual win. The wildcard of the bunch. Strat talk 24/7 but oblivious in social. He's the 'character' people will remember for this season and likely best 'representative' for the show / fanbase.

PHD Kaelan - the Challenge Immunity King with the most in AU Survivor history and nearly always on the right side of the vote. Most liked by others personality-wise. Least votes (1) against him on the season. Always edited in a positive light / attitude. Tried to stay in the background on purpose (too much). Lacks obvious signature 'moves'. No idol.

Social, Strat, Challenges. Who's it gonna be in the finale?

Who's got the resume to win the big bucks?

---
Day 46

Myles didn't expect to make it this far coming into the game. Kaelan had eyes on winning it from the start.

AJ knows he's the least fit of the three and needs Kaelan to win immunity since he's a loyal guy (final 2 pact).

Endurance Challenge for the Immunity and pick who is in the final 2 with them. Best friend/AJ, best friend/Myles, mum/Kaelan live to root them on.

AU Survivor record: First time 3 men in the final challenge. Record: First time 3 from same OG tribe in the final 3.

AJ least fit of the 3, but tallest. Kaelan most fit, but muscles are heavy. Myles is the lightest with possibly the smallest feet that likely does well in the event, but shortest reach to the bamboo. Stand on narrow pegs with just bamboo to hold onto. At intervals, move to narrower pegs. 1hr before first move - too easy. 2nd set pegs are smaller and differing heights. AJ is schmoozing Kaelan's mum, think talking takes his mind off the pain. 2hrs peg 3 set - smaller, further apart, and further from bamboo. Jungle Rat is pretty much sideways to reach poles. Quite the stretching. AJ psychological warfare/talking. AJ smiling saying it's not a poker face, but happiness. Myles struggling hard and out 2hrs 25min. He's a goner if the final 2 pact holds true. The entire game is likely AJ's to win now. 4th set of pegs smaller and wider - both delay the transition as long as possible. Kaelan tries to stay in zen mode whilst AJ has been saying he'll take Kaelan if he can get his first immunity win (resume). 3+ hrs - AJ drops - almost an intentional stumble.

Kaelan carries AJ over to his best friend. Kaelan has secured the final with his 7th immunity win (old record was 5 - shattered and possibly untouchable now).

A very happy Mum.
----

Tribal

Try to get Kaelan to bring you along:

Myles reveals to all that Kaelan has had a final 2 pact with both he and AJ - he'll have to break a pact with someone. Explains his vote count against him as sloppy gameplay. Says everyone says that AJ has had an excellent game and can't bring him to the final - jury nods. Everyone respects the game AJ has played - jury gives the 'oh really' side eye doubt face. Doesn't give a lot of specifics.

AJ eloquently says Miles has played a historical game by breaking 6 AU Survivor records. 4 idols owned, played correctly, votes removed due to idol, most total votes against, most amount of time playing from the bottom, (#6 edited out?), and also says that he's the character fan would cheer for. Kaelan visibly gulps multiple times.

AJ says they have played similar strat games and could go back and forth - how to decide between the 2? Decide with your heart. Jury knows AJ has a way with words - 'sneaky' murmurs. Heart mentioned 3 different ways.

Another final 3 first: Kaelan pulls both off to the side for a chat. AJ talks more than Myles. He looks up to AJ, both physically and respectfully. Don't see the same level of reverence for Myles. Undecidedly looking between the two. Heart.

Heart wins? Negative. Saves the fan favorite Jungle Rat Myles sending AJ to be the 8th member of jury (minus Morgan).

Jury full of astonished faces and a couple smiles (even Zara had an ever-so-slight curled corner of the mouth).

He witnessed the tongue of AJ - honey words flowing, very prepared to go against Myles, even sweet-talking his mum - can't battle that in front of a crowd.

Big points to have the guts to cut him.


Can't wait to see the 'jury arrival night and next morning' video of AJ. Quite the welcoming or put on blast dinner the others have had. Interesting and awkward receptions by the ousted.

 

[Riffraff]

Ep 24 - part 2

Very entertaining season with conspiracy theories, injuries, steal an idol, almost rocks, almost fire, loads of records being set, and no goat brought to slaughter = has high re-watchability.

Spoiler: And the Sole Survivor of S12 is...

Kaelan and Morgan were my early favorites - still a chance to get one right.

Wonder if Kaelan now reveals he's a PHD student - reason why he was on Brains, not Brawn. Hoping a 'good guy' that didn't go full deceive / back-stab mode can win a season. Just a likable personality - one to have a cold frothy one with off the island.

Myles has quite the resume as AJ laid out - so maybe no surprises and now defensible. No social game made him unlikable by some of the cast - reason he was on the bottom so much.

Final day 47

Long edits:
Myles - negative light edit. Re-showed him pissing off the majority of jury members with strat talk / no social and being a wildcard instead of loyal. He acknowledges he has work to do to win over the jury. Verbalizes that Kaelan has stealthily played a good game.

Kaelan - positive attitude edit. Knows Myles has gotten under others' skin repeatedly. Acknowledges that he doesn't have the most visible resume. Shows him talking about each jury member getting eliminated before they got the vote. Thinks he can convince the jury that he was operating all the time - covertly.

Final Tribal
'Challenge Enthusiast' vs 'Jungle Rat'

Kaelan speech = Indisputable Immunity Challenge record holder. Best Social game = 21 tribals with only 1 vote against. Physical threat that hid in plain sight. Played with a lovable personality - he was called the tribe's golden retriever. Low threat level - can be sitting there making fire each night and people would talk strat openly right next to him. Strat hiding behind two vocal guys in AJ and Myles, but always in the conversations. They were his shield just like he was theirs physically. What has more strat than taking out the biggest strat threat in AJ? Versus Myles he's the better social and physical player. To cap it off - Out 'thought' all the 'Brains'... Spoke well and came prepared. (6 jury seemed to like it)

Myles speech = Not a 'better strat' versus 'better social and physical' game. He called it a game of opportunities. He swung and missed on some, but hit a lot of home runs. Overcoming struggles and the bottom. Cracked up the jury when he said he has 'personality flaws'. No filter. Shouldered the tribe's heat - 26 votes (AJ 4 / Kaelan 1). Jury non-committal on positive/negative reception. Record number of idols held and more importantly - played correctly - extremely hard to do. Instead of slaying the AJ and Kaelan dragons - he rode them to the end and used one to kill off the other. Survived the season by every way possible. Music intensifying during speech. Slightly less impressive vocally, but funnier. (Even Zara smiled and we all know that's hard to pull off).

Jury Crossfire (minus Morgan so an even number of votes, tie is possible) and voting.

Describe the 3 pillars and who played them better. Myles says Kaelan won easily the physical. Myles says he won strat easily with big moves. Then says he had the better social game - jury with the what?!?! faces. Kaelan 'can't disagree more' - on social as he's pissed off most, got literally yelled at, and stepped on the spaghetti with his nasty feet for others to eat after - laughs and nose crinkling faces.

They wanted to know if Kaelan's perceived positive attitude is how he is in real life. Yes said in fluffier words.

Kaelan stumbles on describing his least proud moment about his gameplay - voting out his ally AJ. Said others broke a bond first before he voted them out - not well received. Myles talks about not playing well when he rarely got on top - too cocky. Truthfully admits that he wouldn't have lasted as long if he didn't luck into the idols. Made good moves when lucky and you can't control luck - Kaelan abruptly injects that he controlled luck via challenges - again not taken well. Repeatability of game outcomes if played 1000 times, who's game wins more - idol luck or challenge wins? Myles says he played poker hands - going all-in when he had the cards. Kaelan again interrupts. Then gets asked if the immunity wins gave him power - why no game defining moves? 'Fed' big plays to AJ and Miles to stay low threat - not a good answer. Jury not impressed.

LOL - AJ - has heard so much absolute delusion tonight. He's going to tell each of them their biggest mistakes and how they did their best to throw away $500,000. Quite the approach. Worth watching for sure. Myles - speech at the end had no logic at all. Tried to take AJ out at 5, but 'rode the dragon' to the end. Kaelan - you say you played strategically perfect, but... took the 2 biggest strategic shields to the literal end to go up against 1 of them at jury instead of someone he could definitely beat.

What changes would you make? Kaelan again stumbles saying he can't think of things that he'd need to change - very well played and confident in his game. Myles goes humble about his social game needing improvement, not strat talk the first week. Took advice and tried to make changes. Music is good for build up. Smiles across the jury as he describes how he took adversity and 'made it work.' Regardless of outcome, he'll be proud of that.

Kaelan - slightly better speech.
Myles - much better cross-examination.
Did it make a difference or do pre-tribal impressions matter?

Friend and Mum enter.

Sole Survivor S12 is Kaelan (1) vs Myles (7)

The Jungle Rat will be remembered as a character and represent the Survivor brand well.

Very entertaining season with conspiracy theories, injuries, steal an idol, almost rocks, almost fire, loads of records being set, and no goat brought to slaughter = has high re-watchability.

 

[El Floppo]

Ep 23

Spoiler: Brains 4 vs Brawn 0 - and some fire?

Only the Graduates remain!

Last episode was a 3-degree Zara edit with multiple interviews, immunity win, and decided who went home (her endurance competitor Kate). She needed the highlight as she's viewed as the season's goat. She hadn't shown much the rest of the season as a sidekick to Karin.

Poker AJ - the schmoozer / social game had the best relationships / manipulation on the season. Usually trying to change votes at the last moment, has lots of moving parts going on, and things seem to go 'his way.'

Analyst Myles - the luckiest mo-fo in AU Survivor history with 4 idols. Has had roughly 30 votes against him as the Jungle Rat / King. The wildcard of the bunch. Strat talk 24/7. He's the 'character' people will remember for this season.

PHD Kaelan - the Challenge Immunity King with the most in AU Survivor history and nearly always on the right side of the vote. Always edited in a positive light and tried to stay in the background on purpose.

Social, Strat, Challenges. Who's it gonna be in the finale?
Who's got the resume to win the big bucks?

----
Day 45

AJ feels Zara saved him and would take him to the end. Feels Kaelan will as well - they shook hands on 'final 2' pact. Myles writing his name down threw him for a loop. Gives a low vote of confidence to Zara on a final 2 - doesn't want to write Kaelan's name.

All 4 telling everyone else that they got them blah blah blah, but likeliest duos are Kaelan/AJ and Myles/Zara.

Immunity means everything!
Challenge - Tethered to a frame, untangle as much rope as you can to retrieve a key to free their bond. Throw sandbags at a spinner target that unscrews to drop disks that are used to climb over a ramp. Roll 5 balls into divots on a long paddle, but avoid the holes in that paddle. Agility and coordination (may still be Kaelan's forte, but Myles had sneaky athleticism a couple of challenges). Kaelan knows how to loop rope for easy transport. Myles gets key first. Kaelan not enough rope slack. Zara way behind and a terrible sandbag tosser. Myles gets his disks and over the ramp. Kaelan catches up. Myles had 2 but drops all and AJ catches up. Myles slow and steady balancing wins immunity and guaranteed spot in the finale! (Zara still throwing sandbags)

AJ / Kaelan in danger when Myles / Zara pick 1 - had agreed with Zara to go AJ the night before and she sent Kate home instead. AJ / Kaelan also have to double up - on Zara to force a 2-2 tie and fire making.
Making fire: AJ doesn't know how. Zara not good. Kaelan seems to be decent at it - has not seen either of the 2 attempt to build a fire all season.

Zara tries to get AJ to flip on Kaelan - but trust is not there. While they speak, Kaelan is practicing fire - has flames. Kaelan later helps Zara practice and she did.
Zara realizes she should have blidsided AJ last night - oopsies. So it's 2-2 and fire OR Myles flips on Zara 3-1.

Jury minus Morgan - ooh possible fire!
Tribal: Noooooo fire! Jungle Rat Myles exacts revenge for last night and controls the narrative: AJ (1) vs Zara (3) and the Lambourghini driving momma speeds off to jury.

No goat this season.

We were laughing, but knew as soon as they mentioned "making a big move" they would make the tiniest and worst/safest move possible. Was happy to see them realize next vote what a costly mistake they'd made.

Feel like there's been too much covering of their own butts here, in terms of their own idea of how they'll be perceived

Challenge beast is a smart guy, and gets the strategies.. but initiates none of them. Seems the most concerned with how he'll look. Every comment before the votes in front of the fire is so vanilla kumbaya... Even though he seems like a nice guy, he's not good tv and feels disingenuous.

His partner has strategized well, but I still feel like is too concerned with being the one to push the move initially. Even though he's considered the move, asking somebody else what they think and letting them verbalize it first means THEY initiated the move. Something he doesn't get, and continues to want to take credit for it. Not saying he isn't playing a smart strategic game, just that it's not as puppet mastery as he thinks.

Last one.. yeah... Definitely the most fun for TV and has played a highly strategic, forceful game. Despite some misses, both strategically and socially, Id prefer he wins this.

 

[rustycolts]

Looks interesting.

https://x.com/Realitytv__fan/status/1911357193435176997?s=19

 

[Riffraff]

Looks interesting.

https://x.com/Realitytv__fan/status/1911357193435176997?s=19

All-Stars edition. I'm in.

 

[rustycolts]

Looks interesting.

https://x.com/Realitytv__fan/status/1911357193435176997?s=19

All-Stars edition. I'm in.

I'm surprised David is playing again after winning all that cash on Deal or no deal Island. He now has won more cash on TV than anyone ever. Though according to this article he hasn't been paid yet. I wonder what's up with that. Personally I'm hoping Luke wins.

Man who won biggest TV prize in US history still hasn't got it 7 months later

What is taking so long?!

metro.co.uk

 

[Riffraff]

I'm surprised David is playing again after winning all that cash on Deal or no deal Island. He now has won more cash on TV than anyone ever.

They had to make sure they said most on 'network' television on Deal or No Deal Island. $5.8mil

The Beast Games winner got almost double that at $10mil. Largest cash prize in TV history ($5.05mil after taxes).
Beast Games gave away over $25mil in 1 season.

 

[rustycolts]

I'm surprised David is playing again after winning all that cash on Deal or no deal Island. He now has won more cash on TV than anyone ever.

They had to make sure they said most on 'network' television on Deal or No Deal Island. $5.8mil

The Beast Games winner got almost double that at $10mil. Largest cash prize in TV history.

Whoa didn't know that. How do you watch beast games? Cinema app?

 

[Riffraff]

I'm surprised David is playing again after winning all that cash on Deal or no deal Island. He now has won more cash on TV than anyone ever.

They had to make sure they said most on 'network' television on Deal or No Deal Island. $5.8mil

The Beast Games winner got almost double that at $10mil. Largest cash prize in TV history.

Whoa didn't know that. How do you watch beast games? Cinema app?

It was on Amazon.

The joke goes:
The IRS won Beast Games as the winner only gets $5.05mil after taxes.

 

[rustycolts]

I'm surprised David is playing again after winning all that cash on Deal or no deal Island. He now has won more cash on TV than anyone ever.

They had to make sure they said most on 'network' television on Deal or No Deal Island. $5.8mil

The Beast Games winner got almost double that at $10mil. Largest cash prize in TV history.

Whoa didn't know that. How do you watch beast games? Cinema app?

It was on Amazon.

The joke goes:
The IRS won Beast Games as the winner only gets $5.05mil after taxes.

Watching it now. Pretty interesting. 52 people eliminated themselves from the get go. Pretty sweet though they all got a little less than 20k.

 

[Runkle]

Probably won't watch live but will follow up once I'm at the binge point.

Finished a binge of this season. Pretty crazy!

Myles was an entertaining winner, for sure. In the end I could see that the jury just didn't like Kaelen's attitude about repeatability and playing it perfect, I guess they don't want to reward a game-bot.

Glad that Max got the final comeuppance, he bullied Myles his whole time out there and I was happy to see it blow up on him.

Some great moments this season. The Graduate Foursome just flat-out declaring they were going to rocks was epic. And there was an amazing challenge design earlier in the season. The challenge with the sandbags... just brilliant. We've seen the strength-puzzle challenge a million times. But putting the puzzle in the middle? Great. Making the puzzle spell out "there's an idol in the sandbags", though, was the chef's-kiss moment. A tiny little tweak that made all the difference at took it to the highest level. Just great challenge design. And of course... Myles found that idol without looking for it. Classic.

Some crazy plays. The self-immolation was wild.

Side note, it was hilarious looking back at how mean Production was to Ben in the edit. I guess they were really upset about whatever caused him to quit, they didn't even show his exit and it seemed like they retroactively scrubbed him out of every episode they could. Really curious about the backstory there.

Overall, a good season. Not an instant classic, not the best ever, but still better than most and way better than any US "new era" crap for sure.

 

[Runkle]

Spoiler: Agreed

You have to love it when people hear their name early (and often just once), then ruin their game with a myopic focus on getting one person out.

I loved every time this happened. So many people went mental the first time they heard their name brought up. But the ones that made it to the end? Multiple times they said "Oh, votes are on me? OK, well, gonna catch a few eventually, no big deal" and moved on.