[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for Survivor Season 44 Episode 3.]
Survivor 44 Episode 3 proved as soon as once more that Jeff Probst was proper to name this solid a “sophisticated” group of players. For 2 seasons in a row, gamers sat on their hidden immunity idols for many of the episodes, pondering it was finest to maintain them secure till considered one of two issues occurred: they wanted to make use of the idol to guard themselves or betray one other, or they wished to deliver the idol into the finale to impress the jury. Simply three episodes in, the Survivor Season 44 solid has made extra thrilling use of their hidden immunity idols than the final two seasons mixed.
Episode 3’s title, “Sneaky Little Snake,” is a misnomer, as there isn’t one sneaky participant on this installment, however two. Danny from Tribe Soka and Matthew from Tribe Ratu performed related manipulative tips on their teammates, setting the stage for some plot twists that may seemingly thrill viewers whereas crushing some gamers. Nevertheless, one participant within the episode took a foul wager on a poor technique, resulting in a panicked scramble earlier than tribal council.
Tribe Tika had a simple, enjoyable time on this episode. Sarah is much less trusting of Carson following the Helen blindside final week, however they acquired an immunity problem that performed to their strengths, touchdown them in second place and rendering their points moot for now.
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The entire tribes get alongside effectively up to now and appear to be having a blast with one another. However nobody was having as a lot enjoyable as Danny at Soka as he planted a faux idol and masterminded its discovery. Every participant that unlocked the birdcage acquired an actual hidden immunity idol and a faux one. Brandon nonetheless has his faux, however his actual idol was flushed within the Season 44 premiere. And Carolyn has stored hers secret from Tika, although some followers on social media fear she confused her fake idol for the true one.
Danny snagged Soka’s, and in Episode 3, well repackaged the faux idol, locked it again within the cage, and hid the important thing, setting the stage for somebody to be bamboozled. To actually make sure that nobody discovered the faux idol parchment, he ate it. (Ratu ate dwell worms on this episode, so everybody’s dabbling in bizarre snacks however was consuming it needed…? Truthfully, who cares? It was humorous as hell.)
Throughout a bunch key search, Matt discovered and took the bait, after which Danny dug additional into his sneaky plot by outing the invention to Josh. Now, all eyes had been on Matt as a substitute of him, and the group has already centered their consideration on Matt and Frannie because of their relationship.
Matthew pulled the same transfer over at Ratu. After bonding with Jaime (the group’s “plant mother and plant dad”), they went on a stroll that exposed a hidden idol by the effectively. Jaime snagged it, and Matthew pretended to be excited for her. In actuality, he had discovered the precise idol days prior (now that Brandon’s was flushed, it was solely a matter of time earlier than one other was introduced in), however this one got here solo.
Matthew made a faux idol himself, wrapped it in the true idol parchment, and hid it on the effectively with out anybody catching clever. He performed the supportive good friend to Jaime to achieve belief, but it surely’s additionally a failsafe in case he wants to put a goal on her again in the future. However that point was not now, as Ratu received the immunity problem, scoring themselves instruments and fruit. Tika acquired the identical, however much less.
Claire and Heidi sat out on the prime of the immunity problem, which featured water, sand, and stacked puzzle parts, making for Claire’s third skipped problem in a row. Jeff questioned her on this final week and probed once more right here, however Claire asserted that it was a tribe resolution and that her ego wasn’t concerned.
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Soka won’t ever know if they’d have received had she or Heidi performed. However what they did know was that Claire was not pulling the identical weight as all people else, and Claire knew the goal was squarely on her again in consequence. She began gunning for a Josh elimination, with Danny main the Claire marketing campaign. For him and Josh, it was easy: this was their first time going to tribal council, and Claire hadn’t performed within the challenges for 3 video games in a row. It’s not a great look while you want a stable group to win.
However Claire outlined energy as belief, not brute pressure, in her tribal plea for security. Heading into the votes, Frannie appeared primed to vote for Josh, with Claire and presumably Heidi on her aspect. She stated Claire not enjoying in challenges was “fixable,” however Josh being suspicious was not. Heidi was torn on what to do. She appeared to care about Claire genuinely however knew to not let private affection impede her gameplay. In tribal, she did a wonderful job at giving substantive sufficient responses whereas concealing her subsequent transfer.
It was clear to everybody that Claire was on the chopping block, and Jeff dug into that matter. Her argument was that she “swallowed her satisfaction” by sitting out on the challenges, saying they had been group choices that had been tough for her to bear. However she volunteered to take a seat out two episodes in a row with out a lot group deliberation, and her teammates weren’t questioning her energy within the Episode 3 problem. Claire stated herself she wouldn’t carry out effectively within the water.
The remorse on her face was evident on this tribal, however she pleaded her case by telling Jeff, “They didn’t even give me an opportunity to point out what I’m fabricated from.” Sadly, from the viewers’ POV and her group’s, she selected to not compete. It might have led to a savvy cross-tribe pow-wow with Matthew within the premiere which will have benefitted her post-merge. Nonetheless, with out that particular person technique being repeated in subsequent challenges, it’s onerous to grasp why she opted out.
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Claire argued that tribe energy isn’t solely bodily, which is true. Belief is required throughout the board to face any impediment. However by sitting out and placing her belief within the tribe to not choose her for it, she robbed herself of the chance to point out she could be trusted throughout the board to defend allies, to supply for the tribe, and, sure, to be a useful software when combating to for a problem victory.
Claire performed her shot at midnight, that means there was no vote from her or Matt (he beforehand misplaced two; everybody however Frannie thinks he misplaced one). The ultimate tally got here right down to Josh, Heidi, Danny, and Frannie’s votes, making Heidi the deciding issue like Claire stated earlier than — or so it could appear.
Claire was actually, voted out, however the finish credit scene revealed that Frannie went in opposition to her personal Josh plan and voted for her as a substitute. Heidi voted for Claire as effectively, making the choice unanimous.
Subsequent week will seemingly give perception into Frannie’s plot-twist resolution that helped take out an early fan-favorite participant.
Survivor, Wednesdays, 9/8c, CBS
