Every tribe that comes to the puzzle behind the other looks to the in progress puzzle for clues (unless a physical barrier prevents it). Which is why every second tribe in makes up a lot of ground.

I don't see either brother voting the other out. But the "betrayal" could come when one votes out the other's ally. Or just abstains from a vote they know is going against the other.

Both are necessary. You need a little chaos brought about by an inexperienced player. Otherwise, it's a poker game where everyone folds most of the time. Not interesting.

Possible mitigating factor: perhaps his reason for dating her aren't exactly unshallow.

We'll know something is up when he talks next week about his "peacocking" strategy.

I think we all know what I was thinking: chicks don't count. TM Jeff Probst.

I start a Survivor podcast, then get backstabbed. Irony. I feel so Aras right now.

I'm guessing that was Vytas getting so caught up in giving good quotes for TV. Too cute, Vytas. Too cute.

It does seem to be a challenge where more petite women have done well due to smaller footholds. But John will have the upper body strength advantage, and Laura M is a little… top heavy we shall say?

Marine Mike was the second person to come back from RI, rather than the more interesting Jesus Matt or Grant Matos, so, yeah, story can't always dictate what's best. And it's not like they've been checking back in with Laura too much like they did with Candice, so I don't feel like they've been goosing that story too…

They did that last time, but all the pre-merge RI challenges were one on one duels. If they're committed to have three person "duels", then it would make sense to keep one person on RI so it doesn't take three episodes to load it up again.

For the record, even though the past two weeks have evened it out, I still think we'll need to adjust the scoring for future RI seasons. And now I can make that argument without it seeming so self-serving.

Hmm… is it a good idea to give an addict that much cash?

Gabon had two swaps. The first wasn't great for Ace, but he had a chance to turn it around. The second was a disaster for Marcus.

China was the most unfair as planned. Others have wound up being more unfair, but just due to random chance. But the idea of taking two people from each tribe and moving them over? Forget the "two strongest" element (which just doubles down on the unfairness), the fact that they limit it to two ensures that everyone…

I'm sure the dog could look after their two kids.

The newest Purple Rock podcast is posted. With @JudgeReinhold on vacation this week, I enlisted my wife to help blab about the episode. This week's historical discussion focuses on the merge:

True dat.

I'd be okay with it. Be interesting to see what one gimmick (loved ones) does without the other (returnees).

Correct!