‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ analysis: Vytas Baskauskas starts strong on questionable tribe
One episode into “Survivor: Blood vs. Water,” and there is already one thing that is very clear to us: This tribe of “new players” is basically acting and operating the same way as many other tribes of “new players” have in the past on the show. When you vote to get rid of someone early in the game, you’re looking to just do so on the basis of who is making themselves a target … or in Marissa Peterson’s case, whose family member is making them a target.
This was an easy boot to close episode 1, but was it the right one? Surely not. If we were in the game, and the alliances were what they were, we would have targeted Tyson Apostol’s girlfriend Rachel Foulger for one simple reason: Don’t give the challenge beast more potential power later. Is weakening Gervase really something that you need? Instead, you’re just going to motivate him here to actually do better, and let’s be honest here: He really couldn’t do any worse. The man is already dipping into the Colby Donaldson territory of embarrassingly bad challenge performances by a returning player.
In eliminating Marissa, the one silver lining is that she seems athletic, and could beat either Rupert Boneham or Candice Cody at Redemption Island.
About that move…
Of course, we have to talk here about people being “voted out” as soon as the land on the island. How stupid is this? You can say that it’s different from “Survivor: Palau,” but it’s really not. If Laura Boneham had actually gone to Redemption Island instead of Rupert, she would have never gotten to play, almost guaranteed. Unless you are a Matt Elrod or an Ozzy Lusth, what sort of chance do you really have of getting back in the game?
We don’t really have to get into how Rupert going so early was terrible, but we will anyway. He probably would have been fine for a few weeks on the returning player tribe. He’s great at building camp and fishing, and he was therefore a resource. You don’t vote out a resource over Colton Cumbie, and he may have also stayed longer than Kat Edorsson.
As for Candice, we think that she was probably just voted out because she arrived to the game late with husband John (they were last-second additions after RC Sainte-Amour and her dad had to drop out). Personally, we would have preferred to just scrap Candice and John (and day 0 while we’re at it), and started with just 18 players with everyone getting to play the game.
The best players
For now, the most impressive guy is actually not Aras Baskauskas, but his brother Vytas. He has himself a good alliance, but he’s subtly keeping his options open. You know that Brad Culpepper, or just “Culpepper,” as Jeff Probst for some reason calls him, is not going to make it far in the game. You don’t lead an obvious alliance without being a target, unless you’re Boston Rob or Coach. Vytas and Hayden Moss should be positioned well to go far in the game.
As for the returning players, it’s a little hard right now to get a read. Aras and Tyson seem to have good friendships early, and we’re at least pleased with the way that Tina Wesson is immersing herself. She’s one of those people that could be in trouble, but could go very far if she makes it to the merge.
Overall, what did you think about this episode, and who do you think is playing the best game? Be sure to share your thoughts below! Meanwhile, click here if you want to watch a preview for the new episode airing on Wednesday night.
Photo: CBS