Happy Thanksgiving everybody! There’s a lot to be thankful for when it comes to this season of Survivor. Season 37 continues to provide us viewers with a scrumptious assortment of tasty treats, week in and week out! After last week’s epic, earth-shattering blindside, you would think that this week couldn’t possibly live up to it. You’d be wrong! Tonight was just as exciting and just as great an episode. Survivor: David vs. Goliath is firing on all cylinders right now. Let’s feast on what went down during tonight’s episode! And yes, you can expect a few more food references as we inch dangerously close to my favorite holiday. Sorry Christmas, you don’t serve stuffing!).
As I do at the beginning of every recap, please heed the following: Remember that this recap assumes that you have already seen this week’s Episode 9 of Survivor: David vs. Goliath. If you have not and don’t want to be spoiled, please come back later! It’s important to add that while we WILL hit on all of the important developments of the episode, this is not a linear “blow-by-blow” recap. It is more of a discussion and reaction of what we just witnessed together.
CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON FOR MORE, AND THIS IS YOUR LAST *SPOILER* WARNING!
Like seriously, Survivor, you need to stop doing this to me! For two straight weeks now, the Tribal Council has left me fidgeting in my chair. I am a complete nervous wreck, shouting at the TV as if I am watching a football game. Tonight, my wife just repeated, “OMG! OMG! OMG!” I marveled at how consistently unpredictable this season has been. It’s a real rarity for Survivor – as good as it always is. The season is keeping us veteran fans of the show on our toes. They’ve thrown us so many red herrings over the years that many of us can actually tell when and how they’re doing it. Not these last two weeks. Can this season seriously keep up at its current pace?
A quick note: Due to Thanksgiving, there will not be an exit interview on Thursday. However, the interview with Dan will take place next Monday. It will be up later that day. Look out for it!
Speaking of Dan, just ouch. It can’t be fun to go through the life owning the fact that he is the first person in Survivor history to play an Idol at Tribal and still go home. There was literally nothing he could have done. Nothing. Even dating back to last week.
RELATED: Survivor: David vs. Goliath Episode 8 Recap: You Get What You Give
What if Dan had not played his Idol on Angelina? He would have two Idols this week and still would have been sent home. Or at least I think he would have. Now that I think about it, would Jeff had let him play a SECOND Idol AFTER the Nullifyer was played? Hmmmm. He could have played his Idol(s) on anyone, thrown them in the fire, or tried throwing them at Probst. Nevertheless, none of it would have mattered given the way that the Davids played this Tribal. The combo of Nick‘s steal-and-double-vote advantage and Carl‘s Idol Nullifyer proved to be an unstoppable one-two punch.
Has there ever been a more likable alliance than the current David Five? They are simply a well-oiled machine at this point. That scene where they shared their secrets with one another was just delicious. It was like mom’s green bean casserole (there I go again…drool…). They are playing selflessly right now. It actually hurts a little to imagine them turn on one another at some point down the road.
But one thing at a time…the Davids are desperately trying to even the score with the Goliaths. They finally did so by masterfully orchestrating the last two Tribal Councils. Not only are they now at 5-5 with the Goliaths, but Christian – allegedly the biggest target among them – comes through the other end with an Idol in his possession. It is currently the only one still in play. Fear not, there will be more Idols put in play and discovered as this season progresses.
RELATED: Exclusive Interview: Survivor: David vs. Goliath’s John Hennigan Reacts To Epic Blindside
Alison finally got some good screen-time tonight. Right out of the gate it appeared she was on-board to shake things up in a major way. She came full-circle by the end of the episode, as the Goliaths continue to try to play things safe. Alec and Kara tossed a few votes towards Angelina after a quick decision was made right before the vote. This was an act of last-minute desperation and in an attempt to salvage their games moving forward.
They’re hoping to tell the Davids, “See? We voted against a Goliath! You can trust us now!” But we know that they “missed the boat,” on making a big move, as someone earlier in the episode said. In their defense, Dan (and Mike) made good points. They explained that the Goliath who flips not only goes right to the bottom of the Davids, but they ruin the games of all of the other Goliaths. In turn, they would ruin their own games since they will lose all of those jury votes. But you came here to play, right? Well play then!
Episode Take-Away: It was another great episod. Just like that the two titans on the Goliath tribe, John and now Dan, see their torches snuffed. Of the remaining Goliaths, Mike and Alison seem the most screwed. Even though you don’t want to think about it yet, the Davids will, in fact, be forced to turn on each other at some point. One of them will need a Goliath to get further in the game. That’s the beauty of Survivor. But underdogs are always fun to root for. There has never been a more entertaining band of misfits than this remaining David clan. I’m rooting for so many different people and we are nine episodes in! It deserves repeating: This is such a great cast.
RELATED: Exclusive Interview: Survivor: David vs. Goliath’s Lyrsa Torres: ‘On The First Day I Put The Target On Me’
But don’t get too cocky if you’re a David fan. The work is not quite done. With the numbers at 5-5, next week becomes even more pivotal. As we saw in next week’s preview, Carl and Gabby are already in-fighting. That could just be the crack that one of the Goliaths needs. Don’t count Mike out yet. Although he’s been on the wrong side of things lately, he’s no turkey. Mmmmmmm. Turkey.
Voted out this week: Dan Rengering
Won Immunity: Alec
Vote: Nick steals Alison‘s vote. Dan plays his Immunity Idol on himself. Carl cancels out Dan’s Idol with his Nullifyer advantage. 6 – Dan (Gabby, Carl, Christian, Nick vote #1, Nick vote #2, Davie), 3 – Christian (Dan, Angelina, Mike), 2 – Angelina (Alec, Kara)
RELATED: Survivor: David vs. Goliath Episode 6 Recap: ‘Hope Is Not A Strategy’
Next Week’s Episode: With a few votes cast her way, Angelina looks to seek revenge. Elsewhere, Gabby and Carl are “on a collision course.” Uh-oh.
Quick Note! I appreciate that you are reading this Recap! Because of Thanksgiving, my exit interview and Podcast with Dan will be moved to Monday, 11/26. Return right here to Reality Tea on Monday for my FilmSurvivor Podcast. You can listen to my full exit interview with the eliminated contestant Dan Rengering. Those that have followed me also know that I am a RottenTomatoes-approved film critic. I encourage you to check out my weekly movie reviews (like “Creed II,” and “Green Book” this week). I am also the national film critic for AXS.com and am a movie critic/TV personality in the Detroit area. As always, the easiest way to get all of my Survivor coverage and movie reviews is to follow me on Twitter – @tomsantilli – or on Facebook.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving everyone, and we’ll be back on Monday!
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF TONIGHT’S SURVIVOR EPISODE? ARE YOU A FAN OF THE IDOL NULLIFYER POWER? WHICH GOLIATH DO YOU THINK HAS THE BEST CHANCE TO MAKE IT TO THE END OF THE GAME AT THIS POINT?
Photo Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Robert Voets/Timothy Kuratek/Jeffrey Neira/Michele Crowe/David M. Russell
