Survivor: Blood vs Water Episode 4 Notes

Premiere

 

Redemption Island

Brad Culpepper gets attacked again at Redemption Island. Candice gives Brad the middle finger as she enters the arena and calls him out as she is incensed by Brad orchestrating her husband John being voted out. Candice is a real firecracker and pours it on Brad with a verbal beatdown and brutal stares. Specifically, she criticizes Brad for hushing and voting out the women in his tribe. However, it is a notion that her husband does not even support. Nevertheless, John admits to being too trustworthy of Brad. Foolishly, Brad declares to everyone in the arena that John should not have trusted him. It is not a smart statement as it puts the thought in his alliance’s mind that he is deceitful and reinforces the idea to the other tribe that he is a liar and villain.

The duel is a box puzzle between Candice, John, and Marissa. John impressively finishes it quickly. It supports my opinion that Tadhana should not have voted him out as they have lost every challenge and John was one of their best players in challenges. As always, Candice is completely calm and methodically puts the puzzle together. Marissa is completely frazzled the entire challenge. She is visibly shaking and nervous. She never had a chance. As John won the duel, he gets to decide which player gets a clue to the hidden immunity idol. Before he can think, Candice tells him to give the clue to Monica so they can put a target on Monica’s back in an attempt to hurt Brad. However, Brad instructs Monica to burn the clue and Monica wisely does it. Getting a clue in front of both tribes does more harm than good as you are a major threat because every player either thinks you have the idol or will find it soon.

Tadhana

Brad feels the heat for repeatedly getting blamed for people being voted out. As Redemption Island is in play and it is Blood vs. Water, he has to incur the wrath of the players he voted out and their loved ones. He also makes an excellent point when he says that relationships are going to be important when the tribes merge. In any other season, your goal is to keep your tribe stronger so you can win challenges and go into the merge with numbers. With the majority tribe, you can eliminate the other tribe one by one. However, it is different in this season. Instead of making sure your tribe has the numbers, you can try to keep a tribe and alliance of players with loved ones on the other tribe. When the merge occurs, your alliance has an opportunity to bring their loved ones into the alliance. The possibility of turning a loved one can completel changes the dynamics of the merged tribes. Accordingly, a player without a loved one would not be as valuable in that situation. The only person in Tadhana without a loved one still in the game is Caleb. His fiancé Colton has claimed in post game interviews that his leaving the game is a strategic move to take the target off Caleb’s back. However, it only took the next episode to disprove Colton’s self proclaimed brilliance in the move as Caleb is an immediate target because Colton is not there. Nevertheless, Caleb is in the key alliance in the tribe with Vytas and Hayden. Similar to my perspective, they decide it is wise to keep Brad around as he is taking the blame for everything and he is a big target that will deflect attention from them.

Galang

Gervase and Tyson develop a strong alliance and friendship. In a comical part of the episode, they sneak off to drink coconuts without their tribe mates knowing. They call themselves the Coconut Bandits. While Laura Boneham discovers the empty coconuts, she does not figure out that it is Gervase and Tyron eating the coconuts. Monica thinks that it is crabs that are cutting holes and drinking the milk in the coconuts. In a self serving manner, Tyson reinforces Monica’s idea by telling her crabs were eating coconuts all the time in Samoa. Gervase and Tyson are a natural alliance. They are both care free, fun loving, and trash talkers. They also lost their loved ones. Consequently, it makes sense for them to team up as other players still have their loved ones in the game. I look forward to seeing this entertaining combo going forward.

Immunity Challenge

The challenge is three parts. First, the two tribes have to paddle and untie blocks. The Culpeppers distinguish themselves as great athletes as Brad and Monica are both stars in the first leg of the challenge for their respective tribes. In the second part of the challenge, the tribes have to solve a puzzle with the blocks. Finally, two players from each tribe have to solve a second puzzle to find a key that will raise their tribe’s flag and signal victory. Laura Morett and Tyson square off against Ciera and Vytas. Similar to a past challenge, Laura is able to beat her daughter, Ciera, easily again and win immunity for Galang. Once again, the returning players have a huge advantage with puzzles with their experience.

Tribal Council

While the most logical vote is Ciera, Brad overplays his hand. When the guys go off to get water to confirm that the vote is for Ciera, Brad sticks around camp to talk to Ciera and Katie. Naturally, it raises suspicion. During tribal council, Jeff Probst gets Brad to admit that it makes sense to vote off a player that does not have a loved one for reprieve from the animosity he has experienced from Galang. Immediately, Jeff asks Caleb if he feels that pressure. However, Caleb turns the table on Brad by telling the rest of the tribe that he is voting for Brad. Of course, the two women will vote for Brad as they are on the ropes and Brad’s ouster will shatter the male alliance.  The vote is a tie between Brad and Ciera. In the revote that only Hayden, Caleb, Katie, and Vytas can vote, Brad gets voted out 3-1. As there would be a deadlock after a second tie, rocks would have been drawn between the four voters. Whoever draws the purple rock is voted out. As such, it made sense for Vytas to change his vote to Brad to eliminate the ¼ possibility that he is voted out. For Caleb, I thought the move was a great strategic move. If he feels Brad is untrustworthy and trying to vote him out sooner than later, it makes perfect sense to turn the tables on Brad with the two women still in the tribe to vote Brad off before Brad can vote Caleb out.

Next Episode

In the preview, Monica offers to takes Brad’s place. She is definitely upset with the verbal attacks against her husband. As such, it is an emotional decision rather than a strategic one. While Monica may have a better chance at winning the duel with her past experience, it is not a good strategic move. Brad would reenter the game with Galang. However, that tribe is already incensed with Brad. Specifically, he would draw the ire of Gervase and Tyson as Brad is held responsible for voting out both of their loved ones.  More importantly, Monica is in a very good spot in the majority alliance. Nevertheless, I do not think the swap will happen. I doubt Brad will allow his wife to switch places with him and save him. His pride will not allow him to accept the offer.

Pat Wong

About Pat Wong

Patrick is a contributor for Rookerville. He is an avid sports fan. Before joining Rookerville, he was part of a defunct New York Yankees message board, NYYankeefans, where he was its top poster and was inducted in its Hall of Fame for his contributions. Patrick is also a passionate fan of movies. He has enjoyed reading movie reviews over the years and is excited about the opportunity to review movies.

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