Will you accept this olive branch? Zach Shallcross had the difficult decision of choosing between Kaity Biggar and Gabi Elnicki in the season finale of The Bachelor on March 27. While his proposal...One crazy thing about Survivor is that it is so unpredictable by nature. You never quite know what’s going to happen, by design. And yet the game is so tough, that the occasional medical evacuation is inevitable.
But whenever these med-evacs do happen, it always leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It seems unnatural. The game is changed, and not because of strategy, alliances, or blindsides. It’s almost impossible not to play the “what if” game, cycling through all the different ways the game might have played out had the injury not occurred.
It’s enough of a game-changer in and of itself, that it feels doubly insulting when production uses the injury as an excuse to change the game even further. That’s what I believe happened when they cancelled a scheduled Tribal Council after Matthew Grinstead-Mayle was medically evacuated from the game.
Losing Matthew is a huge blow to this season. He was a mastermind strategist, had great in-game awareness, and was a huge social threat. He seemed destined for greatness. Instead, he’ll be forgotten as time marches on, just another pre-merge victim of the game. Unlike Bruce Perreault, who was the first to leave the game this season due to injury and was then invited back for a future season, I think Matthew’s time on Survivor is all but done. Even if he is asked to come back and “redeem” himself in a future installment, he played long enough to show how big of a threat he really was. With a major target on his back, I don’t see Matthew doing as well as he could have done this season had he been able to continue.
But of course, it wasn’t a full minute after his injury until the internet created controversy with his exit: Technically production didn’t remove Matthew from the game. The pain from his separated shoulder just became too unbearable to continue. So if production didn’t pull him, could this be considered a “quit”? The word “quit” has such a negative connotation to it, that it doesn’t seem to apply here, given the understandable pain Matthew must have been dealing with. But it has to be considered a quit, no? I don’t mean any insensitivity. And I would likely quit Survivor if I stubbed my toe, or got more than one mosquito bite.
Does its categorization matter? The main takeaway is that Matthew is no longer in the game. So what now?
Matthew‘s injury prompted Jeff Probst to arrive at the Purple Tribe’s beach with some good news to go along with the bad: Yes, Matthew is no longer in the game. But his bad fortune was good for Carolyn Wiger, Josh Wilder, and YamYam Arocho. They had just been about to leave for what was shaping up to be a very intense Tribal Council. Probst then informed them that due to Matthew’s injury, they no longer would need to go to Tribal Council.
I’m not a fan of this decision at all.
First and foremost, at least be consistent. Just this season as mentioned, Bruce left the game due to injury. They didn’t cancel Tribal Council though. Why not? In other seasons, there is no clear precedent. It seems that production cancels Tribal whenever it wants to, and tries to justify it with these in-game visits from Probst. More likely, Probst didn’t want to lose Matthew AND lose another big personality in the same episode or pre-merge (they clearly love YamYam and Carolyn – who doesn’t? – and as we saw with flashbacks, Josh’s story is an amazing one).
Their decision not only impacts the game in ways that stretch well beyond Matthew leaving, but it also renders half of this episode completely useless. We just watched a close-fought Immunity Challenge, that in retrospect, was a complete waste of everyone’s time. It meant nothing that the Orange and Green tribes were victorious. It meant nothing that the Purple tribe lost their second consecutive challenge.
In my view, there is no good reason why the Tribal Council couldn’t have gone on as planned. I would rather production alter the game moving forward in more subtle ways (one less jury member, for example) than to have thrown this tribe a lifeline when they didn’t deserve it. And for Matthew’s remaining tribe…they not only lost an alliance member, but now the enemy tribes are stronger because no one else went home. As they should have. You know, after losing an Immunity Challenge.
Also, I’m not a fan of how it was portrayed. They left Matthew’s official decision off-camera, in an attempt to squeeze some drama out of it. Just not a fan.
Something we can all agree on though: Josh’s fake Idol is maybe the second-worst in the game’s history behind that “stick” presented to Eliza Orlins back in Season 16. I loved that it instantly fell apart in YamYam’s hands.
Without a vote-out in the episode, there was a lot of time spent on future tribe dynamics. But the most fascinating segment had to be the “journey” that Carolyn, Brandon Cottom, and Danny Massa took part in. First, I loved that the twist was that there was no twist. There were no “risk/reward” challenges and no advantages (unless you count the food). Yeah right! Try explaining that one to the tribemates back at camp! Nobody will believe for a second that there were no advantages to be found. This decision by production sows doubt, and I loved it.
But wow was it painful to watch Danny and Brandon “bro out” during their feast! Carolyn is so unique and such a mesmerizing presence this season. We’ve never seen anyone quite like her. And she has shown that she is not just here to be a crazy pre-merge personality. She has been playing this game! She has an Idol, planted a fake Idol, and pulled off a huge blindside. And yet, something about her allows other players to dismiss her outright.
There might have been some creative editing there, but clearly, there was enough machismo to make her worried about these Bros heading into the merge. Why Danny and Brandon would have left her out is mind-boggling, and says a lot more about their games than it does Carolyn’s.
If anything, key information did change hands. Carolyn let the boys know about Josh’s temporary Idol, which led Danny to connect the dots and determine that Jaime Lynn Ruiz and Carson Garrett must also have temporary Idols. But with the merge next week, does this info become useless?
At any rate, let these men continue to discard you, Carolyn! We see you. And you’re quickly becoming my pick to go far this season…not as a goat as Brandon might have alluded to. But as a possible winner!
Elsewhere, we got to see Carson continue to nudge his way into the good graces of his tribe. A budding “nerd-mance” blossomed between Carson and Kane Fritzler, who has transformed from a grumpy-pants the first few episodes into his current incarnation as a giggling geek (the highest of compliments from one geek to another).
And the full-on showmance between Matt Blankinship and Frannie Marin continued to grow. The pair has now reached the merge, and something tells me that they are not going to be top on anyone’s list. Alliances are good, but love is in the air. Could Fran-Matt combine with Car-Kane to form the ultimate Nerd Alliance? Could this be the antidote to the budding “Bros” Alliance? Will the rest of this season remind me of high school? Will Season 44 be remembered as “Survivor: Revenge of the Nerds” when all is said and done?
I’m just saying that there are more nerds and outcasts than there are “cool kids” remaining in the game. This could lead to several more injuries as we move along, but it’s a risk I’m willing to root for.
The Survivor Official Podcast that followed this week’s show had Jeff reminiscing about Survivor Season 1 way back in the Summer of 2000! Lots of fun insights and good stories. Again, this is a must-listen for die-hard Survivor fans and casual fans alike. You can find the podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
We’re honored here to be associated with Survivor legend, Erik Reichenbach! He just so happens to be an amazing artist. As always, we’re thrilled and honored that he shares his talents every week in my column and with my audience. If you don’t see his art below, that means that it isn’t ready yet (one does not rush an art-eest). But it will appear once ready, so check back if you don’t in fact see it.
All of Erik’s work can be found and purchased on his site, DabuDoodles.com. I urge you to support this fantastically skilled former Survivor player!
Out this week: Matthew (left the game due to his ongoing shoulder injury)
Won Immunity: Green Tribe and Orange Tribe
Vote Result: No voting this week as there was no Tribal Council due to Matthew’s injury.
Current Advantage/Disadvantage List:
Next Week’s Episode: Drop your buffs, you are about to enter Merg-Atory!
Quick Note! I appreciate that you are reading this recap! I am also a TV personality and Film Critic in the Detroit area and a RottenTomatoes-approved film critic. Check out my past movie reviews and my movie show (episodes are also available online at the website, www.MovieShowPlus.com.) Follow me on Twitter – @tomsantilli – or on Facebook.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS EPISODE? IS MATTHEW’S EXIT A MED-EVAC, A QUIT OR DOES IT MATTER? AND WHO DO YOU PREDICT WILL WIN SOLE SURVIVOR?
[Photo Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Robert Voets/Timothy Kuratek/Jeffrey Neira/Michele Crowe/David M. Russell]
The post Survivor 44 Episode 5 Recap: Adding Insult To Injury appeared first on Reality Tea.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And when two friends are caught in bed together, even in an uncompromising position, consider that they are hooking up. Hindsight is 20/20, of course. But the Vanderpump Rules cast is reconsidering all the signs that Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval were hooking up.
Even Lala Kent, as outspoken and shrewd as she is, is reviewing her notes on what she missed. According to Page Six, Lala and her VPR co-stars ignored major signs that Tom and Raquel’s “friendship” moved beyond what is socially acceptable.
Lala spilled the tea while on Jeff Lewis’ Sirius XM show earlier this week. Someone remembered, “opening the doors and seeing Sandoval and Raquel under covers together.” According to Lala, that individual rationalized, “‘This is weird but they’re just best friends.'”
The Give Them Lala Beauty founder did not share the identity of the person. Only that Tom and Raquel were discovered at “some party.” Bravo cameras were not present at the event.
“These two have crossed a line. They’re f–king each other,” Lala recalled saying to co-star Scheana Shay.
Neither cast mate shared their suspicions with Tom’s ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix because they didn’t have any proof. Also, Lala and Ariana hadn’t been “super close for a while.”
Pump Rules alum Brittany Cartwright had her suspicions as well. While appearing on Watch What Happens Live, Brittany said, “There were times whenever we went to certain events when [Sandoval and Leviss] came together and I was like, ‘This is kind of odd.'”
RELATED: According To Lala Kent “Security Got Involved” During Filming Of Vanderpump Rules Reunion
As with the others, the evidence wasn’t compelling enough for Brittany to be sure. She explained, “Tom Sandoval makes friends, like, really fast with different people, so I was, like, maybe they’re just close friends right now.”
When news of the affair broke, an insider claimed Raquel “has slept over at Tom and Ariana’s house when Ariana’s been out of town.”
Indeed, Ariana had no idea, either. She claimed to be “blindsided” after finding a sexually explicit video of Raquel on Tom’s phone.
Jeff Lewis asked Lala if she thinks Raquel was “lied” to and “manipulated” by Tom. The mother of one answered, “If Raquel were not dear friends with Ariana, I would say that Sandoval groomed her.”
Vanderpump Rules alum, and Brittany’s husband, Jax Taylor thought Tom fixated on Raquel because she is “easily influenced” and “can be controlled.” Well, he would know a little something about cheating.
While Tom and Raquel’s co-stars are fixated on the disgraced couple’s past, the two lovebirds are looking at the future. Raquel denied that she had put a “label” on their relationship.
For his part, Tom “wants to make it work with Raquel.” According to an insider, Tom knows “the odds are stacked against them as a couple.”
TELL US- WHAT WOULD YOU ASSUME AFTER FINDING TOM AND RAQUEL IN A BED TOGETHER? SHOULD LALA HAVE TOLD ARIANA?
[Photo Credit: Santiago Felipe/Getty Images]
The post Vanderpump Rules Star Lala Kent Claims Tom Sandoval And Raquel Leviss Were Found “Under The Covers” Before Affair News Broke appeared first on Reality Tea.
Mazel tov! Your new Netflix reality show obsession has arrived. From the producers of Indian Matchmaking, Netflix's Jewish Matchmaking—which E! News can exclusively reveal premieres May 3—follows...Welcome back for another week of Vanderpump Rules! Are you keeping up? Lala Kent is angry with Raquel Leviss because she finds her hard to trust. Raquel is mad at Lala because she previously hooked up with her boyfriend and has a temper. Scheana Shay is on Raquel’s side but also has a growing friendship with Lala since they’ve bonded over motherhood.
Tom Schwartz is making moves on Raquel which upsets both Katie Maloney and James Kennedy. Ariana Madix never picks a side, and is somehow business partners with Katie, best friends with Scheana, and living with Raquel’s actual boyfriend, Tom Sandoval.
James’ dad Andros made an appearance this week. He’s come with brand new teeth to enable his son’s drinking. Once again, I cannot avoid the pity I feel for James. The advice he received from his dad is that it’s impossible to work as a DJ and be sober. He told James that binge drinking is a “right of passage,” and that he has never thought James has a problem with alcohol. Andros continued handing out free advice and approved of James wanting to marry Ally Lewber.
Later, Ariana, Scheana, Lala, and Ally get together. They discussed the fact that Ally and James consider themselves twin flames, a phrase typically reserved for toxicity and love bombing. Scheana mentioned that James was asking for details about how long he’d have to be away from Ally in Mexico during the upcoming wedding. Ally admitted she doesn’t really care to be invited to the ceremony itself. She feels like James only wants her there because Raquel has a date.
Lala, Scheana, and Brock Davies filmed a scene out to lunch. Lala brought up Raquel quickly, and she seems poised to create interpersonal drama at Scheana’s upcoming wedding/filming event. The Witches of WeHo 2.0 have been plotting.
Lala told Scheana that she can’t be expected to control herself around Raquel during the wedding in Mexico. I’m not even clear on what she’s still mad about. Was it the Oliver Saunder’s bit? Or the “you don’t have a man” truth bomb? Either way, Lala is going to have to separate from the group during any bridesmaid’s events. No doubt to spend time in Katie’s busted wing of the hotel listening to Creed.
The lunch conversation then shifted to the growing bond between Lala, Brock, and Scheana. Scheana admitted that she has even considered a fantasy life where she and Lala live close to each other as celibate sister-wives. Lala is eating her words after her previous attacks on Brock for being a deadbeat dad. She even gives a crying apology for the camera. Any bets on how long this peace treaty will last?
It’s a surprise bridal shower for Scheana and everyone was there except Katie. Which also means Kristina Kelly wasn’t there, I guess. I can’t tell yet if Kristina is auditioning to be a cast member or Katie’s emotional support human. Regardless, this gave Tom Schwartz a free pass to flirt with Raquel.
And flirt they do. Raquel and Schwartz started talking about ass tattoos within feet of James. James was frustrated because he continues to feel completely entitled to Raquel’s attention for some reason. He begins drunkenly juggling Lisa Vanderpump’s china and talking about putting blue-eyed babies “into” Ally. He claimed that if Brock can make two kids, why shouldn’t he? What would Andros say about this?!
Schwartz and Sandy’s, or as James likes to call it, TomTom, looks terrible in daylight. We were treated to a mid-day scene in the unopened restaurant because Greg has finally hired a functioning chef. During the scene, Katie introduced herself as Schwartz’s best friend. I’m completely unsure why she’s there.
Later, Sandoval invited everyone to a party at TomTom Schwartz and Sandy’s after the bridal shower. James was still drunk, and he begged Scheana to give him a plus-one to her wedding for Ally. She and Brock agree. I can’t help but feel happy for poor sad James to get a win in this episode. Why am I like this?!
Schwartz then took Raquel to do a sound bath just outside the men’s bathroom, where he encourages her to take deep breaths. He sheepishly admits to owning his own galaxy light, and Rachel invites him to bring it to Mexico. Wink wink.
We’re finally there. It’s time to get out our magnifying glasses and hyper-analyze every scene involving Schwartz, Raquel, Sandoval, and Ariana. This is supposedly where it all goes awry.
There was a scene of Ariana saying she was excited to have quality time with Sandoval during this trip. Deeply disturbing. It then cuts to Raquel meditating with her galaxy light. Deeply disturbing. It then cuts again, this time to James crawling on the floor trying to get Ally’s attention while she ignores him. Deeply disturbing.
Lisa Vanderpump calls Katie and Ariana to let them know they got the restaurant space they had wanted. They are officially business owners, and it’s all happening! Ariana’s life will be changed forever after this week.
The final scene of the show was Ariana screaming at James for his aggressive and dysregulated behavior earlier in the trip toward one of Brock’s friends. Things become heated, and Ally walked out due to embarrassment. She said in her confessional that she felt like she doesn’t know who she is dating.
TELL US – WHO DO YOU THINK ALLY IS DATING? IS JAMES EVER GOING TO GET HIS LIFE TOGETHER? DID YOU SEE ANY OTHER RAQUEL/SANDOVAL CLUES? THOUGHTS ON LALA BECOMING CLOSE TO BROCK AND SCHEANA?
[Photo Credit: Nicole Weingart/Bravo]
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