Really enjoyed getting back to a more straightforward game this episode. Frannie and Danny have the potential to be a really strong duo if (big if after the blindside) they can avoid getting split.
I still have no idea what game Heidi is playing and feel similarly about Lauren, save for Lauren's extra vote looming large. But after several low-profile players making good runs lately I'm not sure if that's the worst thing.
Right now I think the cream of the crop is starting to rise to the top with the gameplay strategy. I think the 3 Tika of Yam Yam, Carolyn, and Carson are playing a very smart game of playing both Ratu and Soka against each other and making them feel like they have their votes to make the moves they want then use that information to determine how they want the vote to go. The ones I think are the biggest contenders to win right now in no particular order:
Carolyn - everyone keeps underestimating her and she has an idol that no one has yet to figure out that she has. As long as she can keep that secret the more powerful it gets and she can make a big move when either she is on the chopping block or possibly use it to save someone else and add that to her resume. She still socially awkward and not much of a challenge threat right now but she is kind of like a snake in the grass waiting for the right moment to strike.
Yam Yam - I am not a big fan of him and find him kind of annoying as he tries to play the victim when things aren't going his way when he used to think he was the one with the power and calling the shot. But he's playing a really good social game and building a resume of being on the chopping block several times yet escaping the vote because of his social play.
Carson - yup another Tika but he's been quietly playing the both sides of the vote game and if it is a puzzle challenge it is to his advantage. Playing a smart game by listening and using that information to his advantage.
Frannie - is a physical threat and playing a pretty decent social game and now without Matt there to put as big of a target on her back she has a path she can navigate to get to the end.
Danny - playing well so far and probably my favorite to watch this season but he's a physical threat and playing the idol to save Frannie probably put more of a target on him now
I honestly have no idea what kind of strategy Lauren, Heidi, Jaime, and to some extent Kane are really playing. Kane is strategic but seems like he doesn't want to get his hands dirty when he throws out a name, he wants somone else to fall on that sword or he just goes along with whoever else they want to vote for. Lauren has that extra vote but she's also volunteered to sit out multiple challenges pre-merge so that could come back to haunt her with the jury if she can make it to the end. Heidi and Jaime I can't really think of anything they have done so far that has stood out.
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