New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

Matt. No one says anything about him either. He talks about how hard Survivor is and how he feels he is way stronger now.

Julia. No one says anything about her. Julia will be applying the lessons of Survivor to race-car driving. In particular, she will be more “ruthless and more aggressive in getting what I want."

Corinne. “Strategic, charismatic, lots of energy,” described Dawn. Corinne’s voice-over is self-mocking, saying she was going to flip for a gay and three hotties. Ha! She explains that you have to take risks in Survivor, and also that “I am exactly who you think I am." I did enjoy you a lot more this season, Corinne.

Michael. Nothing said about him. He wanted to do it all, and he’s proud of his game.

Phillip. Cochran talks about how he created Stealth R Us, was a powerhouse and eccentricities aside, he did know his game. Well, he knew the game enough to put an alliance together and control it, but not enough to have any chance of winning at the end. Dawn and Cochran agree that they were glad to play with Phillip but it was surreal. Phillip voice-overs that he hopes this season proves “to put on full display my ability to grasp and learn something from a true master of the game, Boston Rob” but really, if you’re over 50 and you feel the need to prove that, what does it say about you? He would like his legacy to be that he’s “not the crazy guy," but this season just cemented it.

Malcolm. Dawn says “challenge beast” for what must be the eighth time this episode and “the biggest threat to win the game." Malcolm ruefully describes how he “crashed and burned," and also that “part of me needs to be here to get the job done." See you next returnees’ season, Malcolm.

Reynold. Eddie’s best friend in the whole game. Reynold gives a more self-aware voice-over than I’d credited him capable of. “In a little bit over my head… you need to always keep your guard up. I was never able to get there.” I have a suspicion we’ll be seeing Reynold back in a couple of seasons too. I’ll always remember him as the guy who said “Hope is the only one worth **ing anyway."

Andrea. Cochran says she is charming and beautiful, and then with a look at Eddie, really really smart. Andrea is glad that she played more aggressively this time, but going home with an idol in her pocket was the low point, especially as she thinks she could have made it to the end. When I first saw Andrea cast, my initial thought was “who?” but she was one of the few good casting decisions for this season. Note to Survivor: this is what happens when you give those supposedly “uncompelling Survivors” a second look.

Brenda. Cochran describes her as “one of the strongest players, physically, spiritually and emotionally." Brenda is still hung up on Dawn. “Maybe the game isn’t that black and white, maybe you can make real strong connections out here and be motivated to keep those connections." She’s “very proud of what I did, and I wouldn’t change a thing."

Continued:       1       2       3       4       5       6