S47, Episode 8: Return of the Auction

Another blindside, another angry exit. I have never seen such a quick change in disposition as I saw in Sam and Sierra when their names were read.  These blindsides are the result of an incredibly fluid tribe. There isn't a single alliance controlling the game, which makes this a great season.

Takeaways

• It's the return of the auction!!! (If you could see me, I am ecstatically jumping up and down on my sofa.
• In the mad dash for cash, Andy just got in his own way (again). "I'm so bad at this." Yes, champ, you are.  In all fairness, I competed with my brother in a beer scavenger hunt once, and we passed the finish sign at least five times before seeing it. The adrenaline clouded our vision (and maybe the beer didn't help).
• I try to watch vicariously and imagine how the players are feeling in the moment. When I saw the chips, salsa, and that beer, my head exploded. 
• Kyle ended his vegetarian/vegan streak of six years for some wings. Good choice, Kyle. 
• Not only did Rachel get the biggest burger I've ever seen, her fries contained an advantage. After last week's gift, she is clearly the Chosen One!
• I'm not sure which was worse, eating the grubs or the fish eyes.  And production did an amazing job of picking up the crunch of the eyeball!
• When Genevieve wanted to go after Gata, Caroline complained that that's what she wanted to do. Big, smart moves don't involve waiting until others get the same idea. 
• This is the second challenge where Sue was dialed in!  She is the Terminator:  "(She) can't be reasoned with. (She) doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And (she) absolutely will not stop... ever!" 
• Kyle is in a difficult situation. He has a target on his back because he keeps winning challenges, so now he has to keep winning, or he is gone.
• Andy (Not Austin) revealed New Andy (New Not Austin). Unfortunately, he went from being used by Sam and Sierra to being used by the rest of the tribe. Despite his self-congratulatory grin at tribal council, he wasn't the mastermind of that move.
• Huge props to production for running with the "She's All That" reference, including the episode title. I loved that movie!
• Rachel played her shot in the dark instead of her idol, and that was a genius move. She was carefully studying the other players, looking for a reaction that would suggest she was the target. I'm assuming she would have then played her idol if she sensed danger. Right now, she is safe and still has an idol. Again, genius....

Quote of the Episode

• Rachel: "Oh, duh, I forget about Andy every time."

Questions

• Kyle keeps winning but hasn't been strategically involved in the game. Will he start leading some moves that earn him votes in the end?
• How does Sam react to Sierra's exit? He clearly needs to regroup, but who does he align with?

Last Week's Survey

Tonight's challenge brought a lot of luck to the game since people were safe due to a random draw and the success of someone else. How do you feel about luck playing a role in Survivor?

This Week's Survey