Production: go ahead and move the season at a glacial pace, you know how it thrills me. Episodes 6 and 7 could’ve and SHOULD’ve been one episode, or at least aired back-to-back. Everything altogether — all the fighting and the DQ and elimination and tears and resulting drama — would have made an electric episode. But instead, we get two ho-hum ones, with a week in between to kill everyone’s enthusiasm 🙄 Not stunning.
Player of the Week
- Emy — 19
- AmBer — 16
- Emanuel — 10
4+5. Josh & CT — 3
Damn, no love for the other daily winner, Kaycee? But Emanuel got 10 votes. I’m guessing all the Big Brother fallout drama meant she was forgotten, even though Josh got 5 votes despite not winning, and Amber got 16 despite getting dunked on. Interesting.
Emy deserves to win PotW, tho, 💯. She managed to avoid getting voted in by the house despite being on a rookie-rookie team, for only the second time this season (the first being when Logan volunteered to go in). Then she has her number one toss her into the Lair, without fear, so she can win and then pick her own partner and finally not be in a dual-newbie pair. Esther was a strong competitor, no slouch at all. Two mission wins out of 6, against so many other teams with more experience? Impressive.
But Emy was impressive as well, handily winning Rage Cage and stealing “Uncle CT” as her partner. FINALLY someone picks a top-tier partner and previous champion as their teammate. I felt like Mugatu when people kept choosing Devin, Nany, and Tori 🙄
Oh, and not to mention that Emy was inducted into the Veteran Alliance AND had a whole segment with the Satan Sisters (and that red dress) AND her new song. They are pushing her hard, and I love it.
And then there’s CT. Why?? He had Berna, a newbie that shows fierceness in both competitiveness and controversy, and now has Emy, who shows the same. And seemingly did nothing else. Ok.
Best Political Game
- Emy — 29
- CT — 28
- Emanuel — 7
- Cory — 6
- Devin — 4
Emy relied on her ally Emanuel to go fight in the Lair and upgrade her partner to CT, who encouraged her to do so — and thereby pissed Berna off. Is that good politics by Mr Masshole? No. But Emy is liked while Berna is persona non grata, so I guess it’s an upgrade that way.
Good job on Emy + Emanuel, though, who are standout rookies but are seemingly in with the Vets now. And Emanu also didn’t get any blood on his hands this episode. Great job!
Cory stirred up a lot of drama and argued with Amanda in these episodes. Good politicking? Not one bit. At least Devin tried to keep his ally Josh from entering the fray and involving himself in the fight.
Best Social Game
- Emy — 29
- CT — 22
- Emanuel & Amanda — 5
5. AmBer & Devin — 4
Emy is cleaning up this week, and you love to see it! She gets along with the Vets, which is why they invited her to their Truce, signed in sri racha. You know it’s real when the cock 🐓 sauce comes out!
CT has encouraged Emy on numerous occasions, giving her several pep talks and all but telling her to pick him as a partner. And he got his wish this week, which he should be jubilant about, for all the unnecessary shit he was talking about Berna…
AmBer as good social game???? I have to laugh. We saw MANY people in these two episodes talking about how fake she is and how they don’t like her. TERRIBLE social game. Next.
Amanda didn’t show good social game these episodes either, but at least we didn’t get numerous occasions with people dragging her (like we had, with Berna and Esther about AmBer, and CT about Berna). She fiercely protected her friend Josh, arguing with her friend Cory, and also encouraged Fessy to talk things out with Josh before the big blowout. She could do worse.
And then Emanuel and Devin continued showcasing how smooth they are. Looking out for their allies and using their power to advance their games collectively. Good on ye.
Best Edit
- Emy — 42
- AmBer — 18
- Amanda, Emanuel, & CT — 5
I mean, is there another option? Emy got the elim win, the partner upgrade, the hot sauce signature, the song at the club, the makeover by Amanda & Ashley, scenes with Emanuel, sound bites talking about her family, everything. Slay.
AmBer did not get a good edit. Think of the confessionals I mentioned above. The editors could have EASILY left Berna, Esther, and others shit talking AmBer out of the episode — but they purposefully included them, PLUS the scene of her yelling and being annoying and dancing in slo-mo at the club. They even put in Esther dragging Bamber once and for all before she left. Terrible edit. And I just have to LOL.
Emanuel continues getting positive second-person visibility (SPV) during every mission, and finally, he won one. The editors want us to remember him and notice how well he’s doing. Keep your eyes on him 👀
CT got the episode named for him and had several scenes in which he was grooming Emy, but in a nice supportive way. He was also a great partner to Big T (mostly) AND AmBer last season. He knows that’s how you get the best out of your teammate, and I applaud him for it.
And then Amanda was shown to be in the right during the argument with Cory, the convo with Fessy, talking with Josh, and boosting Emy’s ego before her song debut. She is not the Messy Pop-Off Queen we know and love — now she is Mama Amanda. Still feisty but a great supportive person overall.
Biggest Misplay
- Fessy — 46
- Esther — 21
- Berna — 10
- Josh — 5
- Tori — 3
Again, no surprises here. Fessy got DQed for lightly pushing Josh’s face. Which is ridiculous, but everyone should know better. Now he won’t make the final for the first time in his Challenge career. I expected him and Kaycee to make it a threepeat, but I guess it’s up to her now — to join the Elite Club of 3 finals to start a Challenge career, along with people like Jamie Murray, Coral Smith, Darrell Taylor, Veronica Portillo, and Jenna Compono.
Esther threw a drink and Josh smashed one, and both had TJ scold them like children. She got voted into elimination and sent packing by Emy — which honestly surprised me. I thought Esther was gonna make it deep this season, for all the focus and positive coverage of her earlier on in SL+A. Colour me shocked.
Josh lost his best friend and a strong ally to boot— strong in that Fessy wins things and wields power, not because Fess is reliable, because he’s not 😂 But he is still squarely in the Veterans’ Alliance and has other people looking out for him: Devin, Ashley, Amanda, Nany, and AmBer at least. He’s good.
Berna has the whole house against her, seemingly, and got a massive downgrade in partner from CT to Hughie. Not before Chris shit all over her in multiple confessionals tho! 🤡
And then Tori (and Cory) stirred up a bunch of drama by making up a lie about who ate Bamber’s pizza. The difference? She seemed to catch all the flak for it, and Cory got off scot-free. She apologized during deliberation, which is good, but it’s evidence that she did misplay.
Whereas for Cory, it probably is better for him in the long run. Fessy is a monster competitor who will always get in the way of B+ players like Cory (and Nelson, Kyle, etc) winning missions and eliminations. So for Fessy to be home by his own hand, instead of Cory taking a shot and potentially missing, is great for his game. Maybe he will be the one to make a third straight final, instead of Fessy or Kaycee 😦 Reminder that I am totally unspoiled.
Back or Buh-Bye
I’m shocked that the majority of people don’t want Esther back next season. 47 said no, 40 said yes. And I ask — WHY??? She brought drama, lewks, entertainment, great confessionals, a showmance, a cutthroat spirit, AND the ability to win missions — with a partner who is fasting for Ramadan, no less! Their second daily win was all thanks to Esther, as Fessy said on the Aftermath. The bitch is strong and shows out in every aspect.
I literally do not give a single f*ck that she threw a drink at Bamber. Would so much rather that than whatever Nany, Bettina, and Priscilla are doing, which is… Nothing.
As for Fessy, I’m not surprised at all. 26 votes for back, 47 for buh-bye. Everyone hates him, but it is undeniable he gets the people talking, and THAT is what matters for a reality TV show. Polarizing personalities who can compete and cutthroats and canoodle. I’m excited to see him back just for the 🧂
—
And that’s it. This survey had fewer than 100 responses and the last write-up couldn’t even get 20 upvotes. Am wondering if I’ll continue doing these. It obvi takes time, and for what????
Gimme your thots. Thanks,
🖤 Nova
