Survivor: San Juan Del Sur, Episode 7

                   The merge episode is typically my favorite episode of every season of Survivor. This, however, was a complete let down thanks to yet another Survivor quitter. The only beacon of hope is that it looks like we are being set up for an epic showdown next week between good and evil. (Josh and Jeremy)

Probst Quote of the Week:

"Now you must balance BOTH of your balls."

Onto the countdown...

12. Jeremy

Jeremy, uncharacteristically upset about something. 

I have seen every episode of Survivor since it premiered in 2000, and can remember just about every castaways' name that has ever played the game. Of all the 500 plus people, I don't remember any of them being as miserable and angry as Jeremy. I get it, I would be pissed too if Julie beat me in an individual Immunity Challenge, but this guy probably gets angry when someone leaves footprints in the sand. 

I am sure he is a decent dude in real life, but based on how his personality is being edited on the show, he is quickly becoming one my least favorite castaways ever. Next week it is likely that either him or Josh/Reed will be voted off, and it will all come down to King Jon and Queen Jaclyn's vote. I never thought in a million years that I would feel the need to utter these words, but #TeamBroadway all the way.  

11. Julie 

Trail Mix, the new Beef Jerky

It's been a while since we have had a food stealing/hoarding incident on Survivor, and EVERY time it has spelled disaster for the culprit. Back in season 2, Kel was bounced for allegedly smuggling beef jerky on day 6. In season 3, Diane was voted out first for stealing a can of beans with Clarence. Season 6 Janet was berated (and eliminated) in episode 2 for being accused of having a granola bar that she apparently smuggled in somehow (and I NEVER need to know where she was hiding it.) And now, thanks to Julie, we have #trailmixgate. Message to future Survivors: DONT F WITH OTHERS PEOPLE'S FOOD.

I really, really, really, wish that we were able to see the footage of what happened when Julie stormed off and went into the woods. Did she run all the way to Probst's camp and pull him out of his luxury tent? Did she have an epic meltdown to the cameramen or producers, demanding Probst come have an official "Let me get this straight; you're quitting the game." chat? Either way, I am pissed we didn't get to see it, and feel as though we, as loyal viewers, deserve to see more of the behind the scenes footage of the shamed quitters making their final decisions to pull themselves from the game. 

I am still not exactly sure what pushed Julie over the edge? Was it the fact that her tribe mates ate her stolen trail mix? Was it because Alec made a comment about where the trail mix went? Was it because people made fun of her boobs? Could she really not stand being away from her wonderful, amazing boyfriend JOHN ROCKER??? Or was it because she was appalled that Missy told her she considered her a loved one? The Survivor world may never know...... until the reunion of course. 

"Jeff, they stole my trail mix that I stole, and they made fun of my boobs. And Missy said she loved me. I quit."

10. Alec 

"I wish I had some trail mix to go with this broth."

Now that the merge is upon us, I am hoping to see some personality from Alec. I feel like he would be fun to have as a fraternity brother, but he is awfully boring to watch, and is bringing nothing to the table. I think most people are so "whatever" about Alec that if episode 8 started and he wasn't on the show anymore, I doubt anyone would even wonder or care where he disappeared to. 

9. Wes

All poor Wes wanted for his birthday was for his father to know it was his birthday. 

Wes actually spoke a few times this episode. We heard him talking about how delicious the merge feast was. Josh then informed us, and Keith, that it was Wesley's birthday. Big episode as far as Wes standards are concerned. 

The first individual Immunity Challenge came down to a showdown between father and son, and unlike Baylor, Wes was actually happy for his old man when he beat him. My feelings towards Wes are much like my feelings towards Alec: I think he would be a lot of fun to hang out with at a bar, but if he doesn't make some big moves soon, he will be forever forgotten about by 11:15pm on finale night. 

8. Reed

"Oh My God!" YAYYYYYYY, the camera man finally wants to talk to me!

When I think of Reed, I think of the picture below.

 He is simply, just there. The season is now more than half over, and we know next to zilch about Reed. There is absolutely nothing to dislike about him, but there is also nothing to love. There must be some reason why he has been so invisible for the first half of the season; either he is going to be voted off next (or real soon) and we never really needed to get to know him, OR, he is going to make it to the very end and we will have plenty more time to get to know him. Next week will be the deciding factor for Reed, as I expect him to be gone within the next two weeks, or continue to sail to the final three. As of right now though, there is a better chance of Julie being allowed to "un-quit" the game and win the entire thing, than Reed winning this game. 

7. Missy

 "I'm sorry I was such a lousy mother, Baylor, but I'm playing a great game of Survivor. That makes up for it, right?"

It is quite possible that Mommy Missy is the reason that Julie ended up quitting the game. Missy may have convinced Julie that the only reason she wanted her to stay, was to advance her, Baylor, Natalie, and Jeremy in the game. If Missy did not make Julie feel like she was being used, there is a small possibility that Julie would have stayed for at least one more day, and one of the big players (Josh, or Jeremy) would have been booted this week. 

Missy also pretty much convinced her daughter to be heartless, and not have any emotional regard for lying, and backstabbing her friends and former allies ("it's a game, suck it up, Baylor."). Mommy Dearest or Best Mom Ever? You decide. Either way, after next week, Baylor and Missy could be considered the greatest blood vs. water duo to ever play the game. 

6. Baylor

Sorry Josh, my mom told me I couldn't play with you anymore.

Anytime Baylor does not get votes against her at Tribal Council is a good week for me, as I predicted her to win from episode 1. I understand that there was no TC this week, but I wouldn't have been surprised if someone blurted out "can we have Baylor quit, instead" as Probst was sharing Julie's news with the group. 

As I mentioned with Missy, this next week will determine if Baylor is one of the first jury members, or the winner of Survivor: San Juan Del Sur.

5. Natalie

If this look doesn't make you want to share your trail mix (that you were planning on eating all by yourself) with your tribe, I don't know what will. 

Natalie has been relatively quiet lately, but she is never Reed-invisible. Each week we see an, albeit brief, clip of Natalie scheming with someone. This girl is playing the game, and harder than anyone. I feel as though we are being set up to believe that she could be in danger of being voted off soon, but I am still very confident that Natalie will be terrifying me with her angry glares until the very end of this game. 

4. Jaclyn

Jaclyn, being perfect Jaclyn

The only reason Jaclyn is not ranked in the top two is because I feel as though she is starting to let Jon do all the work again. She is one half of (potentially) the most perfect power couple the game has ever seen, but I wish we could see a little more gameplay out of Jaclyn. From the looks of next week's preview I think I will be getting my wish. I just hope, however, that her and Jon can agree upon getting rid of Jeremy over Josh. But come to think of it, Jaclyn could vote out every single family member and friend that I have and I would still think she is flawless. 

3. Josh

"If the couples don't vote with me next week I am going to be so fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffflllipping mad."

All season long it has been a battle of Team Jeremy vs. Team Josh and next week, one of them is going down. On the off chance that one of them wins immunity one of their right hand men could be gone, but for the most part, either Jeremy's or Josh's days are numbered. While I think Jon and Jaclyn would be morons to side with Josh, I really, really hope they do (at the very least just to get rid of Jeremy, then they can go back to Missy and Baylor).

Regardless of whether or not Josh survives much longer, he is an all-star worthy player, and if he does get screwed by the numbers soon, I hope we get to see him play again. 

2. Keith

First individual immunity goes tooooooooo.................Keith?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!????!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??

Keith wins the first individual immunity and the poor guy doesn't even get to wear the necklace to tribal council. I guess that is what he gets for forgetting his son's birthday.
I am loving Keith more and more and would love to see him go deep into the game. If team Josh is on the wrong side of the numbers this week though, I fear that Keith may need to jump ship and leave Ol' Wesley fending for himself. If Josh or Reed go home, Wes' game is all but over, and Keith MAY be able to work his way back into the Baylor/Missy/Jon/Jaclyn alliance that he is so against at the moment. Regardless, he has been fun to watch and I am not ready for him to leave our screens anytime soon.



1. Jon

Jon, the coolest guy I (don't) know.


Spoiler Alert:
Jon has been my favorite since week one, and will be my favorite until he gets voted off or wins the season. My favorite Jon moment this week was when he made fun of Wes for losing to Keith in the Immunity Challenge. ("You Blew it, you can't even beat your old man. hahahahahah")

He plays the game with his heart (like Jeremy), but is having a hell of a good time doing it (unlike Jeremy).

He is always positive (unless someone is stealing trail mix), always funny, and always a gentleman (even when he is pissed off at Julie, he still refrains from calling her a nasty word). "What a Selfish. Little. ughhhhhh" exclaims Jon as he shares his feelings with his tribe. It was just two weeks ago that Dale, twenty years his elder, was calling Missy a "bossy bitch."
Jon is an all time Survivor stud, and for me, a Jon win would be the most rewarding Survivor victory in twenty-nine seasons.

PICK TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 7: BAYLOR

PICK TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 6: BAYLOR
PICK TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 5: BAYLOR
PICK TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 4: BAYLOR

PICK TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 3: BAYLOR

PICK TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 2: BAYLOR

PICK TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 1: BAYLOR

WANT TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 7: JON
WANT TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 6: JON

WANT TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 5: JON

WANT TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 4: JON

WANT TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 3: JON

WANT TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 2: JON

WANT TO WIN AFTER EPISODE 1: JON

THINK WILL BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 8: REED
THINK WILL BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 7: REED

THINK WILL BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 6: DALE

THINK WILL BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 5: WES

THINK WILL BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 4: DREW

THINK WILL BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 3: JACLYN

THINK WILL BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 2: JACLYN

WANT TO BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 8: JEREMY
WANT TO BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 7: JEREMY

WANT TO BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 6: JEREMY

WANT TO BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 5: JEREMY

WANT TO BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 4: JEREMY

WANT TO BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 3: ROCKER

WANT TO BE VOTED OFF EPISODE 2: ROCKER