Survivor 48 - Brooklyn South League #12

Before we get started, a reminder of who has whom:

Second, 5 bonus points to Jo for knowing that Phils-osophy by Phil Dunphy is from the show Modern Family!

Without further ado, let’s get to the final update of the season and see who takes home the crown!

The Final Five cheer for each other, and Kyle is especially happy that his and Kamila’s plan to get Shauhin out worked. Joe and Eva think they made the right call. 

This is why “Trust, but verify” is a rule!”

Pretend Points Rule #2 – Trust but verify: When a player is told information counter to that players knowledge, trust the source but verify its truth with other players.

Kamila can’t believe Joe didn’t confirm their story with Shauhin, and for that she hopes to be nominated for an Emmy. She finally understands that you can lie in Survivor. You just can’t get caught.  (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’” [Kamila] to Scott!)

They are brought to a clearing in the forest with pedestals holding cryptexes. An advantage in the upcoming immunity challenge awaits for the first person to solve the puzzle using clues around camp. 

They race around, all telling us how important it is that they win. Once we see the letters, I solve the jumble in two seconds (I’m a freak that way). It takes Eva a few seconds more but she’s still faster than her competitors. She secures her advantage by spelling it out on the cryptex!  (7 points for “Obtain a secret advantage” [Eva] to Tom!). No one should be shocked by her win as she reminds us that she’s been flush with advantages all season (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’ [Eva] to Tom!)

At the Immunity and Reward challenge, they have to crawl through a muddy net, throw a ball at a target and then maneuver it through a sandbag filled cage, finally sinking it in a basket. Making the basket reveals numbers that open a lock, revealing a key. The key unlocks the puzzle. The first person to complete the puzzle wins immunity and reward.

Eva’s advantage allows her to dunk her basket shot rather than toss it.

Joe’s the first into the muddy net which looks like an energy-sapping nightmare. Mitch passes him, sinking his shot on the first try again. I think that’s the 4^th time this season he’s shown his basketball skills.  Mitch and Joe have almost cleared out Stage 3 by the time Kamila finishes Stage 1. They head to the puzzle as she sinks her ball.

Jeff: These challenges look so easy when you’re sitting at home

Me: No. They really don’t.

The puzzle is so hard that despite being well behind in last place, when Kamila finally catches up, only Eva has a couple of pieces in place. Kamila quickly takes the lead on Eva and demolishes the rest of the puzzle, completing an incredible comeback and winning her 2^nd individual immunity and reward! (16 points for “Win individual immunity” and “Win individual reward” [Kamila] to Scott!). She gets to choose one person to go with her to the Sanctuary, and naturally she picks Eva. 

This is Eva’s 4^th time being chosen to go on reward. I’m not sure if that is a record, but it has to be close! (3 points for “Chosen to go on reward by someone else” [Eva] to Tom!)

She’s been on so many rewards that she may be the only person in Survivor history to gain weight while on the island!

Back at camp, they clean off by sitting in the ocean like babies. Mitch sees Joe as vulnerable, and with Kyle and Kamila he has the numbers, but Kyle has no plans to flip. He and Joe are solidly on Mitch as the vote.

At the Sanctuary, Kamila struggles with how to separate herself from Kyle and what’s best for her game from her emotions. Eva has no such worries. She’s playing her idol and she’s solidly with Joe to the end.

When they return to camp, Kyle and Kamila agree to vote for Mitch.  Instead of raising his hopes and keeping him in suspense, they all tell him he’s the vote. “I shoulda made a move”, says he.

At Tribal #1, Kyle explains that everyone was open and honest about the vote but that doesn’t make it any easier. Mitch is heartbroken but he had his chance a few weeks ago and wouldn’t pull the trigger. Since it’s the last week she can do so, Eva plays her idol and Mitch is voted out 4-1

(3 points for “Chosen to vote first” [Mitch] to George!). 

(2 points for “Play a hidden immunity idol on yourself” [Eva] to Tom!)

(4 points for “Received vote against” [Mitch] to George!)

(-1 point for “The tribe has spoken” [Mitch] against George!)

(1 point for “Jury member” [Mitch] to George!) 

I’m going to call this one “Shoulda, woulda, coulda, didn’t”

 Back at camp, the Final 4 celebrate as Kyle reminds us, they are two groups of duos who have played completely opposite games.

The next morning, they all talk about who they’d bring to the end and who’d make fire. Joe, the fireman, wants to avoid having to make fire at all costs.

Kamila tells Kyle her best shot is not to sit with him, and so she’ll bring Joe.  Kyle tells Joe he’d bring the fireman as well.  Finally, Eva will ALSO take Joe to the end.

For his part, Joe is taking Eva. Shocking no one.

It’s Simmotion for the Final Immunity Challenge. This is the game where they add a ball into a swirling metal maze and catch it before it drops, and then add a 2^nd ball, 3^rd, 4^th etc... Kyle feels like a little kid – he always wanted to play this one.

The first ball is easy. The second is as well.

But this requires FOCUS, Jeff reminds them. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS

Me: SHUT THE FOCUS UP, JEFF!

On the 3^rd ball, Eva drops. (3 points for “First out in an individual challenge” [Eva] to Tom!).

On the 4^th ball, Kamila drops leaving Kyle and Joe to battle for final immunity.  In the end, Kyle’s youth wins out as Joe loses focus for a second and drops!  (8 points for “Win individual immunity” [Kyle] to Kyle!)

Kyle feels great about winning and feels even better after telling Joe he’s going to the Final 3. He’s hoping Eva wins fire making to avoid having either on the jury advocating for the other. Eva, however, thinks it’s crushing that she didn’t get chosen – but she would have taken Joe too!

Eva and Kamila practice making fire. Kamila looks like she has some idea of how to do it but Eva is unable to get even the smallest spark. She gets completely frustrated.  She’s crying so loudly that Kyle rethinks his plan to force her to make fire!

Joe goes to comfort her and offers to make fire himself, but Eva won’t hear a word of that.  She does accept his help as he teaches her how to do it.

At the fire making challenge. Kyle announces that Joe is coming with him to the final three and Kamila will face off with Eva to make fire. (5 points for “Chosen to be in Final 3” [Joe] to Jo!), (3 points each for “Chosen to make fire” [Eva, Kamila] to Tom and Scott!).  Eva already looks stressed as they sit down, but Shauhin echoes our sentiments from the jury

It. Is. TIME!

Eva is the first to show a spark and a flame as Kamila can’t get anything going.   Her fire builds and quickly licks the rope.  Despite burning it for a solid 20 seconds, the rope refuses to pop 

Kamila still has nothing.

Eva begins to panic as her fire slows drops below the rope and begins to die out. 

Kamila still has nothing but encourages Eva to stay calm. She’s classy!

Calmed, Eva adds more wood to the fire and builds it back up.  The rope finally pops and Eva has won her way into the Final Three! (10 points for “Win fire making challenge at Final 4” [Eva] to Tom!)

This is the end for Kamila’s game, but she’s sure her parents will be proud.

The official photo of the "So Close" award

The final sun rises over the camp as the boat bearing Survivor breakfast arrives. As they chow down, we hear the jurors talk about the finalists. They’ll all have some insightful questions to answer tonight (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’ [Cedrek] to no one!) and most of all, they better own their game.

Following breakfast, Joe is in shock as Kyle comes clean about being a lawyer, and Eva comes clean about being a PhD candidate in Engineering and working with the Navy.

I hope being a fireman is enough!

At Final Tribal council, the power shifts to the jury. 

Cedrek asks about the weaknesses did you play with and how did you minimize them?  Eva’s autism (duh), Joe wears his emotions on his sleeve (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’ [Joe] to Jo!)  and finally, Kyle’s overconfidence.

Mitch asks about how they leveraged relationships, Chrissy about when they planned to betray each other (Spoiler alert: never), Star about what undercover moves didn’t we know about, Mary what the jury thought of you, David how they used their challenge wins to their advantage.

But the highlight is when Eva claims they knew they needed to go for Shauhin due to his idol.  Kamila pointedly asks Kyle to explain that move, and in that moment, I thought Kyle won the game. He tells everyone that while Eva was the heart and Joe was the muscle, Shauhin was the brains and so that’s why he framed Shauhin by making up the story about his idol and using his secret relationship with Kamila to sell it.

 It was a jarring moment. If the jury was unsure who they were voting for, it sealed the deal.  In the end, Joe got one vote, Eva two and the other 5 went to Kyle meaning Kyle is your Season 48 Survivor winner!

(15 points for “2^nd runner up” [Joe] to Jo!)

(20 points for “Runner up” [Eva] to Tom!)

(35 points for “Winner” [Kyle] to Kyl!)

Clearly, he is worthy

And with that, here are our final scores:

• In 8^th place with 81 points…Bobby!
• In 7^th place with 85 points…Stephanie!
• In 6^th place with 92 points…George!
• In 5^th place with 121 points…Will!
• In 4^th place with 146 points….Scott!
• In 3^rd place with 165 points…Jo!
• In 2^nd place with 175 points…Kyle!
• And that means THE WINNER OF PRETEND POINTS SURVIVOR 48 BROOKLYN SOUTH, who either led or was within a couple of points the entire way, with 224 points is….

TOM!

Congratulations, Tom on winning the inaugural season!

Thank you everyone for playing! I hope you enjoyed it! We will be back soon when Big Brother 27 premiers in July with an exciting new way to choose players that will keep everyone in the game all the way to the end!

Survivor 48 - Patchogue Medford League Update #12

Before we get started, a reminder of who has whom:

Second, 5 bonus points to Carol and Lia for knowing that Phils-osophy by Phil Dunphy is from the show Modern Family!

Without further ado, let’s get to the final update of the season and see who takes home the crown!

The Final Five cheer for each other, and Kyle is especially happy that his and Kamila’s plan to get Shauhin out worked. Joe and Eva think they made the right call. 

This is why “Trust, but verify” is a rule!”

Pretend Points Rule #2 – Trust but verify: When a player is told information counter to that players knowledge, trust the source but verify its truth with other players.

Kamila can’t believe Joe didn’t confirm their story with Shauhin, and for that she hopes to be nominated for an Emmy. She finally understands that you can lie in Survivor. You just can’t get caught.  (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’” [Kamila] to Brian!)

They are brought to a clearing in the forest with pedestals holding cryptexes. An advantage in the upcoming immunity challenge awaits for the first person to solve the puzzle using clues around camp. 

They race around, all telling us how important it is that they win. Once we see the letters, I solve the jumble in two seconds (I’m a freak that way). It takes Eva a few seconds more but she’s still faster than her competitors. She secures her advantage by spelling it out on the cryptex!  (7 points for “Obtain a secret advantage” [Eva] to Dylan!). No one should be shocked by her win as she reminds us that she’s been flush with advantages all season (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’ [Eva] to Dylan!)

At the Immunity and Reward challenge, they have to crawl through a muddy net, throw a ball at a target and then maneuver it through a sandbag filled cage, finally sinking it in a basket. Making the basket reveals numbers that open a lock, revealing a key. The key unlocks the puzzle. The first person to complete the puzzle wins immunity and reward.

Eva’s advantage allows her to dunk her basket shot rather than toss it.

Joe’s the first into the muddy net which looks like an energy-sapping nightmare. Mitch passes him, sinking his shot on the first try again. I think that’s the 4^th time this season he’s shown his basketball skills.  Mitch and Joe have almost cleared out Stage 3 by the time Kamila finishes Stage 1. They head to the puzzle as she sinks her ball.

Jeff: These challenges look so easy when you’re sitting at home

Me: No. They really don’t.

The puzzle is so hard that despite being well behind in last place, when Kamila finally catches up, only Eva has a couple of pieces in place. Kamila quickly takes the lead on Eva and demolishes the rest of the puzzle, completing an incredible comeback and winning her 2^nd individual immunity and reward! (16 points for “Win individual immunity” and “Win individual reward” [Kamila] to Brian!). She gets to choose one person to go with her to the Sanctuary, and naturally she picks Eva. This is Eva’s 4^th time being chosen to go on reward. I’m not sure if that is a record, but it has to be close! (3 points for “Chosen to go on reward by someone else” [Eva] to Dylan!)

She’s been on so many rewards that she may be the only person in Survivor history to gain weight while on the island!

Back at camp, they clean off by sitting in the ocean like babies. Mitch sees Joe as vulnerable, and with Kyle and Kamila he has the numbers, but Kyle has no plans to flip. He and Joe are solidly on Mitch as the vote.

At the Sanctuary, Kamila struggles with how to separate herself from Kyle and what’s best for her game from her emotions. Eva has no such worries. She’s playing her idol and she’s solidly with Joe to the end.

When they return to camp, Kyle and Kamila agree to vote for Mitch.  Instead of raising his hopes and keeping him in suspense, they all tell him he’s the vote. “I shoulda made a move”, says he.

At Tribal #1, Kyle explains that everyone was open and honest about the vote but that doesn’t make it any easier. Mitch is heartbroken but he had his chance a few weeks ago and wouldn’t pull the trigger. Since it’s the last week she can do so, Eva plays her idol and Mitch is voted out 4-1

(3 points for “Chosen to vote first” [Mitch] to Sheila!). 

(2 points for “Play a hidden immunity idol on yourself” [Eva] to Dylan!)

(4 points for “Received vote against” [Mitch] to Sheila!)

(-1 point for “The tribe has spoken” [Mitch] against Sheila!)

(1 point for “Jury member” [Mitch] to Sheila!) 

I’m going to call this one “Shoulda, woulda, coulda, didn’t”

 Back at camp, the Final 4 celebrate as Kyle reminds us, they are two groups of duos who have played completely opposite games.

The next morning, they all talk about who they’d bring to the end and who’d make fire. Joe, the fireman, wants to avoid having to make fire at all costs.

Kamila tells Kyle her best shot is not to sit with him, and so she’ll bring Joe.  Kyle tells Joe he’d bring the fireman as well.  Finally, Eva will ALSO take Joe to the end.

For his part, Joe is taking Eva. Shocking no one.

It’s Simmotion for the Final Immunity Challenge. This is the game where they add a ball into a swirling metal maze and catch it before it drops, and then add a 2^nd ball, 3^rd, 4^th etc... Kyle feels like a little kid – he always wanted to play this one.

The first ball is easy. The second is as well.

But this requires FOCUS, Jeff reminds them. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS

Me: SHUT THE FOCUS UP, JEFF!

On the 3^rd ball, Eva drops. (3 points for “First out in an individual challenge” [Eva] to Dylan!).

On the 4^th ball, Kamila drops leaving Kyle and Joe to battle for final immunity.  In the end, Kyle’s youth wins out as Joe loses focus for a second and drops!  (8 points for “Win individual immunity” [Kyle] to Iyasah!)

Kyle feels great about winning and feels even better after telling Joe he’s going to the Final 3. He’s hoping Eva wins fire making to avoid having either on the jury advocating for the other. Eva, however, thinks it’s crushing that she didn’t get chosen – but she would have taken Joe too!

Eva and Kamila practice making fire. Kamila looks like she has some idea of how to do it but Eva is unable to get even the smallest spark. She gets completely frustrated.  She’s crying so loudly that Kyle rethinks his plan to force her to make fire!

Joe goes to comfort her and offers to make fire himself, but Eva won’t hear a word of that.  She does accept his help as he teaches her how to do it.

At the fire making challenge. Kyle announces that Joe is coming with him to the final three and Kamila will face off with Eva to make fire. (5 points for “Chosen to be in Final 3” [Joe] to Carol!), (3 points each for “Chosen to make fire” [Eva, Kamila] to Dylan and Brian!).  Eva already looks stressed as they sit down, but Shauhin echoes our sentiments from the jury

It. Is. TIME!

Eva is the first to show a spark and a flame as Kamila can’t get anything going.   Her fire builds and quickly licks the rope.  Despite burning it for a solid 20 seconds, the rope refuses to pop 

Kamila still has nothing.

Eva begins to panic as her fire slows drops below the rope and begins to die out. 

Kamila still has nothing but encourages Eva to stay calm. She’s classy!

Calmed, Eva adds more wood to the fire and builds it back up.  The rope finally pops and Eva has won her way into the Final Three! (10 points for “Win fire making challenge at Final 4” [Eva] to Dylan!)

This is the end for Kamila’s game, but she’s sure her parents will be proud.

The official photo of the "So Close" award

The final sun rises over the camp as the boat bearing Survivor breakfast arrives. As they chow down, we hear the jurors talk about the finalists. They’ll all have some insightful questions to answer tonight (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’ [Cedrek] to Sheila!) and most of all, they better own their game.

Following breakfast, Joe is in shock as Kyle comes clean about being a lawyer, and Eva comes clean about being a PhD candidate in Engineering and working with the Navy.

I hope being a fireman is enough!

At Final Tribal council, the power shifts to the jury. 

Cedrek asks about the weaknesses did you play with and how did you minimize them?  Eva’s autism (duh), Joe wears his emotions on his sleeve (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’ [Joe] to Carol!)  and finally, Kyle’s overconfidence.

Mitch asks about how they leveraged relationships, Chrissy about when they planned to betray each other (Spoiler alert: never), Star about what undercover moves didn’t we know about, Mary what the jury thought of you, David how they used their challenge wins to their advantage.

But the highlight is when Eva claims they knew they needed to go for Shauhin due to his idol.  Kamila pointedly asks Kyle to explain that move, and in that moment, I thought Kyle won the game. He tells everyone that while Eva was the heart and Joe was the muscle, Shauhin was the brains and so that’s why he framed Shauhin by making up the story about his idol and using his secret relationship with Kamila to sell it.

 It was a jarring moment. If the jury was unsure who they were voting for, it sealed the deal.  In the end, Joe got one vote, Eva two and the other 5 went to Kyle meaning Kyle is your Season 48 Survivor winner!

(15 points for “2^nd runner up” [Joe] to Carol!)

(20 points for “Runner up” [Eva] to Dylan!)

(35 points for “Winner” [Kyle] to Jay!)

Clearly, he is worthy

And with that, here are our final scores:

• In 7^th place with 120 points is…Sheila!
• In 6^th place with 143 points is…Lia!
• In 5^th place with 144 points is…Angela!
• In 4^th place with 162 points is…Iyasah!
• In 3^rd place with 164 points is…Dylan!
• In 2^nd place with 180 points is….Brian
• And that means THE WINNER OF PRETEND POINTS SURVIVOR 48 PATCHOGUE MEDFORD with 200 points is….

CAROL!

CONGRATULATIONS CAROL ON WINNING OUR 2^nd SEASON!

Thank you everyone for playing along with another great season! We will be back soon when Big Brother 27 premiers in July with an exciting new way to choose players that will keep everyone in the game all the way to the end!

Survivor 48 - Champions League Update #12

Before we get started, a reminder of who has whom:

Second, 5 bonus points to Carol for knowing that Phils-osophy by Phil Dunphy is from the show Modern Family!

Without further ado, let’s get to the final update of the season and see who takes home the crown!

The Final Five cheer for each other, and Kyle is especially happy that his and Kamila’s plan to get Shauhin out worked. Joe and Eva think they made the right call. 

This is why “Trust, but verify” is a rule!”

Pretend Points Rule #2 – Trust but verify: When a player is told information counter to that players knowledge, trust the source but verify its truth with other players.

Kamila can’t believe Joe didn’t confirm their story with Shauhin, and for that she hopes to be nominated for an Emmy. She finally understands that you can lie in Survivor. You just can’t get caught.  (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’” [Kamila] to Dalphyne!)

They are brought to a clearing in the forest with pedestals holding cryptexes. An advantage in the upcoming immunity challenge awaits for the first person to solve the puzzle using clues around camp. 

They race around, all telling us how important it is that they win. Once we see the letters, I solve the jumble in two seconds (I’m a freak that way). It takes Eva a few seconds more but she’s still faster than her competitors. She secures her advantage by spelling it out on the cryptex!  (7 points for “Obtain a secret advantage” [Eva] to Ricky!). No one should be shocked by her win as she reminds us that she’s been flush with advantages all season (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’ [Eva] to Ricky!)

At the Immunity and Reward challenge, they have to crawl through a muddy net, throw a ball at a target and then maneuver it through a sandbag filled cage, finally sinking it in a basket. Making the basket reveals numbers that open a lock, revealing a key. The key unlocks the puzzle. The first person to complete the puzzle wins immunity and reward.

Eva’s advantage allows her to dunk her basket shot rather than toss it.

Joe’s the first into the muddy net which looks like an energy-sapping nightmare. Mitch passes him, sinking his shot on the first try again. I think that’s the 4^th time this season he’s shown his basketball skills.  Mitch and Joe have almost cleared out Stage 3 by the time Kamila finishes Stage 1. They head to the puzzle as she sinks her ball.

Jeff: These challenges look so easy when you’re sitting at home

Me: No. They really don’t.

The puzzle is so hard that despite being well behind in last place, when Kamila finally catches up, only Eva has a couple of pieces in place. Kamila quickly takes the lead on Eva and demolishes the rest of the puzzle, completing an incredible comeback and winning her 2^nd individual immunity and reward! (16 points for “Win individual immunity” and “Win individual reward” [Kamila] to Dalphyne!). She gets to choose one person to go with her to the Sanctuary, and naturally she picks Eva. This is Eva’s 4^th time being chosen to go on reward. I’m not sure if that is a record, but it has to be close! (3 points for “Chosen to go on reward by someone else” [Eva] to Ricky!)

She’s been on so many rewards that she may be the only person in Survivor history to gain weight while on the island!

Back at camp, they clean off by sitting in the ocean like babies. Mitch sees Joe as vulnerable, and with Kyle and Kamila he has the numbers, but Kyle has no plans to flip. He and Joe are solidly on Mitch as the vote.

At the Sanctuary, Kamila struggles with how to separate herself from Kyle and what’s best for her game from her emotions. Eva has no such worries. She’s playing her idol and she’s solidly with Joe to the end.

When they return to camp, Kyle and Kamila agree to vote for Mitch.  Instead of raising his hopes and keeping him in suspense, they all tell him he’s the vote. “I shoulda made a move”, says he.

At Tribal #1, Kyle explains that everyone was open and honest about the vote but that doesn’t make it any easier. Mitch is heartbroken but he had his chance a few weeks ago and wouldn’t pull the trigger. Since it’s the last week she can do so, Eva plays her idol and Mitch is voted out 4-1

(3 points for “Chosen to vote first” [Mitch] to Carol!). 

(2 points for “Play a hidden immunity idol on yourself” [Eva] to Ricky!)

(4 points for “Received vote against” [Mitch] to Carol!)

(-1 point for “The tribe has spoken” [Mitch] against Carol!)

(1 point for “Jury member” [Mitch] to Carol!) 

I’m going to call this one “Shoulda, woulda, coulda, didn’t”

 Back at camp, the Final 4 celebrate as Kyle reminds us, they are two groups of duos who have played completely opposite games.

The next morning, they all talk about who they’d bring to the end and who’d make fire. Joe, the fireman, wants to avoid having to make fire at all costs.

Kamila tells Kyle her best shot is not to sit with him, and so she’ll bring Joe.  Kyle tells Joe he’d bring the fireman as well.  Finally, Eva will ALSO take Joe to the end.

For his part, Joe is taking Eva. Shocking no one.

It’s Simmotion for the Final Immunity Challenge. This is the game where they add a ball into a swirling metal maze and catch it before it drops, and then add a 2^nd ball, 3^rd, 4^th etc... Kyle feels like a little kid – he always wanted to play this one.

The first ball is easy. The second is as well.

But this requires FOCUS, Jeff reminds them. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS

Me: SHUT THE FOCUS UP, JEFF!

On the 3^rd ball, Eva drops. (3 points for “First out in an individual challenge” [Eva] to Ricky!).

On the 4^th ball, Kamila drops leaving Kyle and Joe to battle for final immunity.  In the end, Kyle’s youth wins out as Joe loses focus for a second and drops!  (8 points for “Win individual immunity” [Kyle] to Jay!)

Kyle feels great about winning and feels even better after telling Joe he’s going to the Final 3. He’s hoping Eva wins fire making to avoid having either on the jury advocating for the other. Eva, however, thinks it’s crushing that she didn’t get chosen – but she would have taken Joe too!

Eva and Kamila practice making fire. Kamila looks like she has some idea of how to do it but Eva is unable to get even the smallest spark. She gets completely frustrated.  She’s crying so loudly that Kyle rethinks his plan to force her to make fire!

Joe goes to comfort her and offers to make fire himself, but Eva won’t hear a word of that.  She does accept his help as he teaches her how to do it.

At the fire making challenge. Kyle announces that Joe is coming with him to the final three and Kamila will face off with Eva to make fire. (5 points for “Chosen to be in Final 3” [Joe] to Roberta!), (3 points each for “Chosen to make fire” [Eva, Kamila] to Ricky and Dalphyne!).  Eva already looks stressed they sit down, but Shauhin echoes our sentiments from the jury

It. Is. TIME!

Eva is the first to show a spark and a flame as Kamila can’t get anything going.   Her fire builds and quickly licks the rope.  Despite burning it for a solid 20 seconds, the rope refuses to pop 

Kamila still has nothing.

Eva begins to panic as her fire slows drops below the rope and begins to die out. 

Kamila still has nothing but encourages Eva to stay calm. She’s classy!

Calmed, Eva adds more wood to the fire and builds it back up.  The rope finally pops and Eva has won her way into the Final Three! (10 points for “Win fire making challenge at Final 4” [Eva] to Ricky!)

This is the end for Kamila’s game, but she’s sure her parents will be proud.

The official photo of the "So Close" award

The final sun rises over the camp as the boat bearing Survivor breakfast arrives. As they chow down, we hear the jurors talk about the finalists. They’ll all have some insightful questions to answer tonight (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’ [Cedrek] to no one!) and most of all, they better own their game.

Following breakfast, Joe is in shock as Kyle comes clean about being a lawyer, and Eva comes clean about being a PhD candidate in Engineering and working with the Navy.

I hope being a fireman is enough!

At Final Tribal council, the power shifts to the jury. 

Cedrek asks about the weaknesses did you play with and how did you minimize them?  Eva’s autism (duh), Joe wears his emotions on his sleeve (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’ [Joe] to Roberta!)  and finally, Kyle’s overconfidence.

Mitch asks about how they leveraged relationships, Chrissy about when they planned to betray each other (Spoiler alert: never), Star about what undercover moves didn’t we know about, Mary what the jury thought of you, David how they used their challenge wins to their advantage.

But the highlight is when Eva claims they knew they needed to go for Shauhin due to his idol.  Kamila pointedly asks Kyle to explain that move, and in that moment, I thought Kyle won the game. He tells everyone that while Eva was the heart and Joe was the muscle, Shauhin was the brains and so that’s why he framed Shauhin by making up the story about his idol and using his secret relationship with Kamila to sell it.

 It was a jarring moment. If the jury was unsure who they were voting for, it sealed the deal.  In the end, Joe got one vote, Eva two and the other 5 went to Kyle meaning Kyle is your Season 48 Survivor winner!

(15 points for “2^nd runner up” [Joe] to Roberta!)

(20 points for “Runner up” [Eva] to Ricky!)

(35 points for “Winner” [Kyle] to Jay!)

Clearly, he is worthy

And with that, here are our final scores:

• In 8^th place with 96 points…me!
• In 7^th place with 114 points…Kristyn!
• In a tie for 5^th place with 142 points…Roberta and Dalphyne!
• In a tie for 3^rd place with 145 points…Jay and Marissa!
• In 2^nd place with 161 points…Carol!
• And that means THE WINNER OF PRETEND POINTS CHAMPION LEAGUE SURVIVOR 48 with 210 points is.....

RICKY! 

CONGRATULATIONS RICKY ON YOUR 2^nd WIN!

Thank you everyone for playing along with another great season! We will be back soon when Big Brother 27 premiers in July with an exciting new way to choose players that will keep everyone in the game all the way to the end!

Survivor 48 - Champions League Update #11

 

Before we get started, a reminder of who has whom: 

Second, 5 bonus points each to Carol, Kristyn, and Marissa for knowing Kevin Costner’s “I did not come here to lay up” was from Tin Cup!  Also, 5 bonus points for Carol from last week. She did get “Fucking Brilliant.” I just didn’t see it.

On to the update!

Mitch thinks now is finally the time to make a move.  Now? NOW? Not two weeks ago when you had the numbers and Joe was just sitting there to be had.  FFS Mitch!

Pretend Points Rule #3 - Play to win: Mid-to-late game opportunities to dismiss a stronger player shall not be passed up, even if allied with that player. There’s only one winner.

Eva correctly believes she’s the only one with an advantage, and that it doesn’t matter who wins immunity – either Mitch or Kamila is going home.  Shauhin wonders - does to go after Joe and Eva or is he delusional?  Well, he DOES think he’s played a better game than Joe so…let’s be generous and say, “jury is still out”.  Kyle tells Kamila Shauhin may be making a play and it might be time to leverage this “secret #1 relationship” we’ve been hearing so much about.

At the Reward challenge, it’s pouring but Shauhin doesn’t care if it’s uncomfortable. They suffer every day. This is just another thing on the pile.

The challenge is to hold themselves on a steep ramp over the water with ever-smaller handholds. The last person on their ramp wins letters from home and one night at the Sanctuary.

They all last through the first two handholds, and Eva’s stomach is growling. I can understand why – the other’s stomachs have grown accustomed to no food while Eva was chosen to go on reward three times!

When we get to the final handhold, Kamila drops (3 points for “First out in a challenge” [Kamila] to Dalphyne!). Mitch follows her.  Joe, Eva, Kyle, and Shauhin remain. They’re not called the Strong 4 for nothing! Eva is called out for using her feet and Joe drops soon after. Kyle struggles and falls meaning Shauhin wins reward! (8 points for “Win individual reward” [Shauhin] to Kristyn!).

He gets to choose two people to join him at the Sanctuary.  As he’s considering voting Joe out, you’d think “Not Joe” is obvious…. but that’s who he picks, along with Kyle.   (3 points each for “Chosen to go on reward by someone else” [Joe, Kyle] to Roberta and Jay!).  If THAT doesn’t send a message to Mitch that he’s not in the club, I don’t know what will. 

Earth to Mitch. Come in, Mitch!

At the Sanctuary, Shauhin thinks he’d have turned into Liz begging for Applebee’s if he didn’t win (5 points for “Reference a previous season’s player” [Shauhin] to Kristyn!)

Shauhin wouldn't have taken her either

Letters from home hit hard, as always as Joe, Shauhin and Kyle all cry hearing what their families sent.  With Kyle away, Shauhin and Joe talk about getting rid of him.  Joe doesn’t think either of them lose to him, and that it’s them + Eva at the end.  Sahuhin seems hesitant here, breaking Rule #7

Pretend Points Rule #7 - Always say yes: If approached to join an Alliance, Final Three, Final Two, say yes. Saying no is like saying "Please target me!".  Say yes, and then do whatever you want. 

Shauhin tells us he’s been incredibly patient getting to this point, but it may be Icarus Time, all gas, no breaks and to throw caution to the wind.  (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’” [Shauhin] to Kristyn!), (5 points for “Say the title of the episode” [Shauhin] to Kristyn!).

With Joe gone, Shauhin thinks he and Kyle make perfect allies. Kyle agrees but has never truly trusted Shauhin ever since he went through Kyle’s bag.  Shauhin thinks Joe or Eva on the jury means they’d advocate for each other, but Kyle thinks it’s Shauhin’s time instead.

Back at camp, Mitch and Kamila think Shauhin made a million-dollar mistake. Mitch thinks he’s a knucklehead and it’s all I can do to not shout “YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE AND WERE TOO AFRAID TO DO ANYTHING” at the TV.

Kamila, who also didn’t do anything, thinks feeding the enemy doesn’t help vote him off tomorrow and if Joe wins immunity, she’s targeting Shauhin. Eva is upset that she didn’t get chosen to go. She shows so much entitlement here – she’s ALWAYS chosen to go!

It’s not a great look

At the immunity challenge, they have to knock a rope off a pillar using a sandbag, then use the rope for balance while walking on a barrel down the course. Once complete, they crawl under a heavy net to get a bag of balls. Finally, they have to maneuver the balls through a snake trap maze.

I’m exhausted just typing that.

Shauhin, Joe and Mitch take the lead while Eva can’t get the rope to drop. Joe has a lead on the barrel, but Shauhin blows past him, making it look easy and takes the lead into Stage 3.  He’s racing Joe on the snake trap, but Joe isn’t playing around.  He shows why he’s the ultimate target by blitzing the maze and taking home individual immunity for the 4^th time! (8 points for “Win individual immunity” [Joe] to Roberta!).  In delicious foreshadowing, Kamila reminds us that if Shauhin goes home tonight, it’s because he fed Joe.

Back at camp, chaos starts.

Kyle and Kamila enact their plan to frame Shauhin. Since no one knows they are working together, Kyle tells Joe about Shauhin flipping on the fireman, which is true.  He also told Joe that Kamila said Shauhin showed her an idol, which is not.

Joe tries to put it together, thinking Shauhin is trying to knock off him or Eva.  He considers that Kyle could be lying, displaying a level of skepticism we haven’t seen all season. He talks it over with Eva who feels like she was punched in the gut. They don’t know who to believe, so Joe confirms the story with Kamila.

Pretend Points Rule #2 – Trust but verify: When a player is told information counter to that players knowledge, trust the source but verify its truth with other players.

 Kamila “verifies” the story, of course (meaning I should update the rule) and Joe is stunned that Shauhin didn’t show him the idol! Since Shauhin doesn’t actually have an idol, asking him about it does nothing but further convince him Shauhin is lying. (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’” [Joe] to Roberta!). Joe hoped Shauhin would come clean, while Shauhin wonders if something else is going on. The frame-job is complete when Shauhin tells Kyle, Kamila and Eva how bothered Joe was. They see themselves as a better duo than Joe and Eva, who consider whether Kyle and Kamila cooked this whole story up but dismiss it.

This raises a philosophical question for me: Joe and Eva are clearly better at Outplay – the competitions.  Kyle and Kamila are better at Outwit – the devious gameplay. Which duo is actually better?

It's a Phils-osophical question!

5 points if you can tell me the show this picture comes from

Message me directly

Tell no one else

No Google, ChatGPT, Bing or asking your nerdy friend.

You know it or you don’t!

At tribal council, Mitch’s game hasn’t gone how he wanted but Eva says she’s surprised her trusting nature hasn’t been abused.  Interesting point. Let's hold that thought.  The others talk about trust and emotional connection as well, which makes me think they’re all kowtowing to Joe’s ego.  Chrissy, Charity, Sai, Mary…they all wanted to play the Survivor we are used to seeing. Joe, Eva and David didn’t…and their stamp is on the season.

 As Kyle talks, Joe stares holes through Kyle as he goes into “The Zone” where time slows. Is Kyle lying? Yes, but Joe doesn’t know better. He re-enters The Zone as Shauhin talks.  Is Shauhin lying? No.  Can Joe figure it out? Well….

In an effort to spot the lies, Joe thinks he’s gotta think 2-3 steps ahead as he asks people to walk him through their thoughts. His bullshit meter isn’t good enough, however.  Kyle and Kamila have played him to perfection, as evidenced by the struggle he faces when deciding who to vote for.

Mitch is chosen to vote first (3 points for “Chosen to vote first” [Mitch] to Carol!). and no idols or advantages are played.

Don't stop me now

Remember in EVERY OTHER SEASON OF SURVIVOR when they’d all be concerned about flushing an idol, and getting rid of its holder?  Eva got that Idol from Star PRE-MERGE. Everyone knows she has it and it’s never even been a conversation point!

Remember in EVERY OTHER SEASON OF SURVIVOR when there was an obvious duo and everyone worked and worked to find a way to break them up? Eva’s breakdown moment when Joe hugged her in front of everyone was WEEK 5!  Again, it’s never even been a conversation point!

Every one of these people has played their game scared of Joe. None of them deserves to win over him, and they’re fools if they let him sit at final tribal.

Ok, rant over.

At the vote, Mitch picks up 2 votes.  Shauhin is one…but who is the other?  Shauhin picks up the other 4 and is voted out, becoming Juror #6.  Kyle and Kamila’s plan worked perfectly.  How's Eva's trusting nature looking now? They knocked out one of Joe’s main allies but let his main ally keep her idol…. again…thus guaranteeing herself Final 4.   

Insanity? Stupidity?  You decide. Anyway, we’ve got points!

(2 points for “Received vote against” [Mitch] to Carol!)

(4 points for “Received vote against” [Shauhin] to Kristyn!)

(-1 point for “The tribe has spoken” [Shauhin] against Kristyn!)

(1 point for “Jury member” [Shauhin] to Kristyn!)

Delusional beliefs reach predictable ends

In the end, Kamila voted for Mitch.  I’m going to need to hear why next week!

Ok, so what does that mean for our scores?

Ricky maintains his lead with Eva over 2^nd place Carol who drops player-less Marissa into 3^rd. Roberta moves up to a tie for 4^th and despite being 40 points off the pace, still has a shot to win if Joe has a big Finale night.  She’s tied with Dalphyne who has Kamila and also has a chance to sneak out a victory with a big Finale night. Kristyn moves into 7^th place thanks to Shauhin’s 28-point night, but that’s as far as she’ll go as he was voted out. Jay flounders in 7^th place wondering how Kyle can be such a good Survivor player, but such a Fantasy drag.  And speaking of drags, I’m on the bottom and if I’d gotten every bonus point available this season, I’d be in 5^th.  Lowercase yay. 

1. Ricky	160
2. Carol	149
3. Marissa	145
4. Roberta	120
5. Dalphyne	120
6. Kristyn	109
7. Jay	99
8. Scott	96

Survivor 48 - Patchogue Medford Update #11

 

Before we get started, a reminder of who has whom: 

Second, 5 bonus points each to Carol for knowing Kevin Costner’s “I did not come here to lay up” was from Tin Cup!  Also, 5 bonus points for Carol from last week. She did get “Fucking Brilliant.” I just didn’t see it.

On to the update!

Mitch thinks now is finally the time to make a move.  Now? NOW? Not two weeks ago when you had the numbers and Joe was just sitting there to be had.  FFS Mitch!

Pretend Points Rule #3 - Play to win: Mid-to-late game opportunities to dismiss a stronger player shall not be passed up, even if allied with that player. There’s only one winner.

Eva correctly believes she’s the only one with an advantage, and that it doesn’t matter who wins immunity – either Mitch or Kamila is going home.  Shauhin wonders - does to go after Joe and Eva or is he delusional?  Well, he DOES think he’s played a better game than Joe so…let’s be generous and say, “jury is still out”.  Kyle tells Kamila Shauhin may be making a play and it might be time to leverage this “secret #1 relationship” we’ve been hearing so much about.

At the Reward challenge, it’s pouring but Shauhin doesn’t care if it’s uncomfortable. They suffer every day. This is just another thing on the pile.

The challenge is to hold themselves on a steep ramp over the water with ever-smaller handholds. The last person on their ramp wins letters from home and one night at the Sanctuary.

They all last through the first two handholds, and Eva’s stomach is growling. I can understand why – the other’s stomachs have grown accustomed to no food while Eva was chosen to go on reward three times!

When we get to the final handhold, Kamila drops (3 points for “First out in a challenge” [Kamila] to Brian!). Mitch follows her.  Joe, Eva, Kyle, and Shauhin remain. They’re not called the Strong 4 for nothing! Eva is called out for using her feet and Joe drops soon after. Kyle struggles and falls meaning Shauhin wins reward! (8 points for “Win individual reward” [Shauhin] to Lia!).

He gets to choose two people to join him at the Sanctuary.  As he’s considering voting Joe out, you’d think “Not Joe” is obvious…. but that’s who he picks, along with Kyle.   (3 points each for “Chosen to go on reward by someone else” [Joe, Kyle] to Carol and Iyasah !).  If THAT doesn’t send a message to Mitch that he’s not in the club, I don’t know what will. 

Earth to Mitch. Come in, Mitch!

At the Sanctuary, Shauhin thinks he’d have turned into Liz begging for Applebee’s if he didn’t win (5 points for “Reference a previous season’s player” [Shauhin] to Lia!)

Shauhin wouldn't have taken her either

Letters from home hit hard, as always as Joe, Shauhin and Kyle all cry hearing what their families sent.  With Kyle away, Shauhin and Joe talk about getting rid of him.  Joe doesn’t think either of them lose to him, and that it’s them + Eva at the end.  Sahuhin seems hesitant here, breaking Rule #7

Pretend Points Rule #7 - Always say yes: If approached to join an Alliance, Final Three, Final Two, say yes. Saying no is like saying "Please target me!".  Say yes, and then do whatever you want. 

Shauhin tells us he’s been incredibly patient getting to this point, but it may be Icarus Time, all gas, no breaks and to throw caution to the wind.  (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’” [Shauhin] to Lia!), (5 points for “Say the title of the episode” [Shauhin] to Lia!).

With Joe gone, Shauhin thinks he and Kyle make perfect allies. Kyle agrees but has never truly trusted Shauhin ever since he went through Kyle’s bag.  Shauhin thinks Joe or Eva on the jury means they’d advocate for each other, but Kyle thinks it’s Shauhin’s time instead.

Back at camp, Mitch and Kamila think Shauhin made a million-dollar mistake. Mitch thinks he’s a knucklehead and it’s all I can do to not shout “YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE AND WERE TOO AFRAID TO DO ANYTHING” at the TV.

Kamila, who also didn’t do anything, thinks feeding the enemy doesn’t help vote him off tomorrow and if Joe wins immunity, she’s targeting Shauhin. Eva is upset that she didn’t get chosen to go. She shows so much entitlement here – she’s ALWAYS chosen to go!

It’s not a great look

At the immunity challenge, they have to knock a rope off a pillar using a sandbag, then use the rope for balance while walking on a barrel down the course. Once complete, they crawl under a heavy net to get a bag of balls. Finally, they have to maneuver the balls through a snake trap maze.

I’m exhausted just typing that.

Shauhin, Joe and Mitch take the lead while Eva can’t get the rope to drop. Joe has a lead on the barrel, but Shauhin blows past him, making it look easy and takes the lead into Stage 3.  He’s racing Joe on the snake trap, but Joe isn’t playing around.  He shows why he’s the ultimate target by blitzing the maze and taking home individual immunity for the 4^th time! (8 points for “Win individual immunity” [Joe] to Carol!).  In delicious foreshadowing, Kamila reminds us that if Shauhin goes home tonight, it’s because he fed Joe.

Back at camp, chaos starts.

Kyle and Kamila enact their plan to frame Shauhin. Since no one knows they are working together, Kyle tells Joe about Shauhin flipping on the fireman, which is true.  He also told Joe that Kamila said Shauhin showed her an idol, which is not.

Joe tries to put it together, thinking Shauhin is trying to knock off him or Eva.  He considers that Kyle could be lying, displaying a level of skepticism we haven’t seen all season. He talks it over with Eva who feels like she was punched in the gut. They don’t know who to believe, so Joe confirms the story with Kamila.

Pretend Points Rule #2 – Trust but verify: When a player is told information counter to that players knowledge, trust the source but verify its truth with other players.

 Kamila “verifies” the story, of course (meaning I should update the rule) and Joe is stunned that Shauhin didn’t show him the idol! Since Shauhin doesn’t actually have an idol, asking him about it does nothing but further convince him Shauhin is lying. (1 point for “Mention ‘in this game’” [Joe] to Carol!). Joe hoped Shauhin would come clean, while Shauhin wonders if something else is going on. The frame-job is complete when Shauhin tells Kyle, Kamila and Eva how bothered Joe was. They see themselves as a better duo than Joe and Eva, who consider whether Kyle and Kamila cooked this whole story up but dismiss it.

This raises a philosophical question for me: Joe and Eva are clearly better at Outplay – the competitions.  Kyle and Kamila are better at Outwit – the devious gameplay. Which duo is actually better?

It's a Phils-osophical question!

5 points if you can tell me the show this picture comes from

Message me directly

Tell no one else

No Google, ChatGPT, Bing or asking your nerdy friend.

You know it or you don’t!

At tribal council, Mitch’s game hasn’t gone how he wanted but Eva says she’s surprised her trusting nature hasn’t been abused.  Interesting point. Let's hold that thought.  The others talk about trust and emotional connection as well, which makes me think they’re all kowtowing to Joe’s ego.  Chrissy, Charity, Sai, Mary…they all wanted to play the Survivor we are used to seeing. Joe, Eva and David didn’t…and their stamp is on the season.

 As Kyle talks, Joe stares holes through Kyle as he goes into “The Zone” where time slows. Is Kyle lying? Yes, but Joe doesn’t know better. He re-enters The Zone as Shauhin talks.  Is Shauhin lying? No.  Can Joe figure it out? Well….

In an effort to spot the lies, Joe thinks he’s gotta think 2-3 steps ahead as he asks people to walk him through their thoughts. His bullshit meter isn’t good enough, however.  Kyle and Kamila have played him to perfection, as evidenced by the struggle he faces when deciding who to vote for.

Mitch is chosen to vote first (3 points for “Chosen to vote first” [Mitch] to Sheila!). and no idols or advantages are played.

Don't stop me now

Remember in EVERY OTHER SEASON OF SURVIVOR when they’d all be concerned about flushing an idol, and getting rid of its holder?  Eva got that Idol from Star PRE-MERGE. Everyone knows she has it and it’s never even been a conversation point!

Remember in EVERY OTHER SEASON OF SURVIVOR when there was an obvious duo and everyone worked and worked to find a way to break them up? Eva’s breakdown moment when Joe hugged her in front of everyone was WEEK 5!  Again, it’s never even been a conversation point!

Every one of these people has played their game scared of Joe. None of them deserves to win over him, and they’re fools if they let him sit at final tribal.

Ok, rant over.

At the vote, Mitch picks up 2 votes.  Shauhin is one…but who is the other?  Shauhin picks up the other 4 and is voted out, becoming Juror #6.  Kyle and Kamila’s plan worked perfectly.  How's Eva's trusting nature looking now? They knocked out one of Joe’s main allies but let his main ally keep her idol…. again…thus guaranteeing herself Final 4.   

Insanity? Stupidity?  You decide. Anyway, we’ve got points!

(2 points for “Received vote against” [Mitch] to Sheila!)

(4 points for “Received vote against” [Shauhin] to Lia!)

(-1 point for “The tribe has spoken” [Shauhin] against Lia!)

(1 point for “Jury member” [Shauhin] to Lia!)

Delusional beliefs reach predictable ends

In the end, Kamila voted for Mitch.  I’m going to need to hear why next week!

Ok, so what does that mean for our scores?

Carol maintains her lead, but with Kamila, 2^nd place Brian is not out of it yet! Angela remains in 3^rd despite Mary’s jury member status. Lia had a big week, moving from 6^th to 4^th, but it’s for naught as Shauhin was voted off.  Iyasah and Dylan were tied for 4^th coming into this week. Despite Kyle only scoring 5 points, Iyasah pulls ahead of him as Eva did nothing but whine about not going on reward. Unfortunately for Dylan, that’s not a scoring category.  He drops into a tie for 7^th with Sheila who’s still got a shot to move up if Mitch can get off his ass and DO SOMETHING! 

1. Carol	195
2. Brian	158
3. Angela	144
4. Lia	133
5. Iyasah	116
6. Dylan	112
7. Sheila	112