Episode 8 Best Move/Worst Move

Every Thursday on FSG Blog, we will be posting at least three “Best Moves” and three “Worst Moves” from the latest episode. It’s up to YOU to vote for what you consider to be the best and the worst move. If you disagree with the three options for best or worst moves, then select “Other” and then write an explanation in the Comments section below of the move that you consider to be the best or the worst. The results for this poll will be posted every Monday.

Kellyn winning individual immunity

The first individual immunity challenge in most seasons of Survivor requires endurance and determination. This challenge was no exception. Contestants had to balance an idol on the end of a long pole, which they had to hold only with arms. On top of this, they had to stand on a narrow beam without losing their balance. Impressively, Kellyn managed to beat out the competition and proved once again that although she may seem harmless and sweet, she’s here to play.

Wendell organizing a voting bloc against Chris

Although Domenick could be given some credit for helping to organize a coalition to vote for Chris instead of for him, Wendell should get the most credit for it because he’s more suave (or, to borrow Chris’ word, “swa-vay”) than Dom. Although the ten person voting bloc is likely temporary, this move demonstrates Wendell’s strong social skills and power of persuasion, since he effectively talked eight people into voting for Chris.

Chris sneaking out to Ghost Island at night

Before we get to all the bad moves Chris made this episode, it would only be fair to give credit where credit is due. Chris took a risk sneaking out in the middle of the night to Ghost Island, and he managed to pull it off without a hitch. He was able to get JT’s idol from Game Changers, and he increased its life to one additional tribal council by wagering his vote twice. Taking calculated risks in Survivor is important, and Chris proved he is willing to take those risks.

Chris refusing to work with Dom and Wendell

This was the first of Chris’ many bad moves in this episode. Dom and Wendell attempted to extend an olive branch to him in order to work together, at least temporarily, at the first merge vote. Although Dom’s pitch needed a little more finesse, Chris should have lied by telling Dom and Wendell that he was willing to work with them and then gone behind their backs and tried to blindside one of them. Instead, he blatantly refused to commit to anything, which clearly demonstrated to Dom and Wendell that he wasn’t going to work with them. By not telling them what they wanted to hear, Chris drew a line in the sand, allowing Dom and Wendell to strategize against him.

Chris attempting to form an 11-person alliance

We can at least give Chris credit for trying to make a big move, but it was the way he went about it that was completely wrongheaded. Instead of talking to people individually or in pairs like Wendell and Domenick did, Chris took ten people – everyone except Dom and Wendell – to the well in an attempt to form an 11-person voting bloc against Dom. The problem with this is that people are less likely to tell you how they really feel when they’re in a large group, and it’s nearly impossible to get everyone on the same page when there are so many competing interests. He also didn’t seem to take into account that some of the people he was attempting to sway to his side were already aligned with Dom and Wendell. The execution of the move was bad, showing Chris’ lack of social awareness. In the end, he failed to even persuade a single person to vote with him.

Chris failing to play his idol

After sneaking out in the night and getting a limited use idol for himself at Ghost Island, it’s unfathomable why Chris didn’t play his idol at tribal council. It’s especially shocking considering that he could only play the idol at one more tribal council, and that he didn’t even have the use of his vote at this tribal council because he wagered it and lost it at Ghost Island. He must have felt so secure in the imaginary voting bloc he thought he had effectively organized that he didn’t feel the need to play his idol, again demonstrating his utter lack of awareness.

Photo Credit: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment