Survivor 44--Final Seven

Although I am enjoying the cast of Survivor 44, I can't say I'm enjoying the season.  In the opening episode, a blunt force head trauma at 8:20 into the episode eliminating one promising character on Tika--Bruce and a rock climbing injury at 41:30, that had a lingering effect on Matthew on Ratu led to the first immunity challenge requiring the ridiculous strength of  six people being played with five and eventually four on Ratu as Brandon who had performed the Sweat challenge with Matthew who had to sit out the challenge because of his arm. Ratu unsurprisingly lost the challenge, and Soka at full strength won, which led to the first of four straight women being voted off, prior to the merge.  Matthew and Bruce were the only men to leave before going to the combined beach.  

The abundance of advantages/losses, idols and fake advantages were overdone this season, and the tribe "swap" was too fixed. In the first journey, Matt, Lauren, and Sara all had to risk a vote for a 1 in 3 chance of an advantage. Lauren, got the ability to bank her vote on the first try. Sarah got the inheritance advantage after losing one vote, and Matt lost his first two votes. 

Sarah was eliminated before playing her advantage. Matt lost his second vote on Day 13, when he voted without being in jeopardy of  being eliminated.  Lauren Banked her vote in the first tribal (which also featured 3 other players going for an advantage--more later) and finally used it, via Jaime Lynne in the day 17 vote and failed to eliminate Heidi. 

The initial idols were held in Birdcages, which required players to find a key.  Carolyn, Brandon, and Danny found them.  Brandon played his idol at the first tribal, (which saved him and sent Maddy home because only three people voted.)   Danny played his on Frannie on Day 15, and Carolyn still has hers and to our knowledge has not told anyone else about it.  

The "twist" with the birdcage idol was that there was a second "idol" in the cage, which had no power. Jaime Lynne found the Ratu Fake Idol, and Matthew found the replanted Ratu Idol, Matt found the Soka fake idol in the Birdcage which Danny had planted. Matt did not bring his bag with him when they were switched out again after the merge, and Kane went home with Jaime Lynne's idol in his pocket, so they never really mattered.  Matt also suspected his idol was fake.      

On the second Journey, Josh, Jaime Lynn and Carson were swapped to new tribes. Carson Tika--> Ratu; Jaime Lynne Ratu-->Soka; and Josh Soka-->Tika.  All three were given an idol to play before eveyone went to one beach (which in the end was one tribal) Josh used his to save himself and send Sarah home.  Tika was heading to tribal again, when Matthew was pulled from the game. 

Heidi was given a Directed Vote at a Tribal that she otherwise did not particpate in.  She directed Lauren to vote for Yam Yam in an attempt to save Matt. The ploy failed. 

So now we are down to seven players, four jury members, and two real Idols still in the game, Carolyn and Heidi (who found the replanted Soka idol after Danny played it.). 

The Jury:

Matt Blankenship--Soka

Brandon Cottom--Ratu

Kane Fritzler--Ratu

Frannie Marin--Soka

The Players

Carson Garrett--Tika

Carolyn Wiger--Tika

Yam Yam Arocha--Tika

Danny Massa--Soka

Heidi Lagares-GreenBlatt--Soka

Jaime Lynne Ruiz--Ratu

Lauren Harpe--Ratu

The Tika 3 aka Three Stooges, have played well in the middle post-merge. They only voted together as a block once (on the Kane vote).  Recently, there seems to be a possible rift forming as Carolyn seems to be on a different page than the two guys.   It has not been talked about yet, but the edit seems to show these three going to the end, however, in order for all of them to make the final three, one of them has to win the final challenge and someone has to make fire to eliminate the final player.  Has Carson made a 3D version of firemaking and would he risk it to win it all. 

The other four need to get wise to Tika on the very next vote, or the Tika Three could very well make the final four.  On the other hand Danny is probably the biggest remaining challenge threat, and will probably be a target in one of the next two Tribals. Lauren, Jaime and Heidi need to make some big moves soon to even have a chance to make a case in the final tribal. 

I think Danny, Lauren, and Heidi will be the next 3 Tika Targets.  Heidi needs to show me some game play intelligence, by using her idol in a key spot in the next two votes.  Carolyn could also counter, which could make the final 5 vote interesting.  I believe a Tika will go to the jury at 7, 6 or 5.  Likely 6, and Carolyn will be the one to turn on Yam Yam or Carson. 

Three episodes left.  Stay tuned.