Five Drinks Into Reality TV: Survivor Season 26 Episode 10 "One Zipped Over the Cuckoo's Nest"

Tom's Take:

This was the third episode in the row that really delivered. If the rest of the season is like this than this season could still be a top 5 season.

So here are our players. 

1. Andrea: 200 Points.

 Andrea survived a week where the Stealth R US core was targeted. That is very good for her chances of winning this game, and as of right now I find myself cheering for her especially since so many people on twitter dislike her. She's playing a good game, and she's really cute.

Pre-Season Prediction: Early Boot.
1st Episode Prediction: Early Juror.
2nd Episode Prediction: Early Juror.
3rd Episode Prediction Early Boot.
4th Episode Prediction: Late Juror.
5th Episode Prediction: Late Juror.
6th Episode Prediction: Early Juror.
7th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
8th Episode Prediction: Finalist
9th Episode Prediction: Winner
10th Episode Prediction: Winner

2. Brenda: 186 points.

Other than the editing, I think there's no reason to think Brenda won't win this game. I've even got this secret theory that the Editors are giving her a "stealth" winning edit. And I just can't forget the mention of her being "dangerous" in the first episode. Still, I can't ignore the edit, and I think this episode showed why Brenda will eventually fall. She trusts Dawn.

Preseason Prediction: Winner
1st Episode Prediction: Winner (but probably not for long.)
2nd Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge Boot
3rd Episode Prediction: Early Juror
4th Episode Prediction: Late Juror
5th Episode Prediction: Late Juror
6th Episode Prediction: Late Juror.
7th Episode Prediction: Late Juror.
8th Episode Prediction: Late Juror
9th Episode Prediction: 5th Place.
10th Episode Prediction: 4th Place.

3. Dawn: 141 Points

The most hilariously misleading previews of all time were the ones that made this episode seem like it would be about Dawn quitting the game. Instead she was just a crying mess, but I think she finally moved into the final 3 with this episode and Cochran's decision that he was no longer weary about taking Dawn to the final 3.

Pre-Season Prediction:Late Juror
1st Episode Prediction: Late Juror
2nd Episode Prediction: Early Juror
3rd Episode Prediction: Early Juror
4th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
5th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
6th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
8th Episode Prediction Late Juror
9th Episode Prediction: 4th Place.
10th Episode Prediction: Finalist

4. Erik: 120 Points

 Fillup. That is all.

Pre-Season Prediction: Early Juror
1st Episode Prediction: Early Juror
2nd Episode Prediction: Early Juror
3rd Episode Prediction: Early Juror
4th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
5th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
6th Episode Prediction: Late Juror
8th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
9th Episode Prediction: 6th Place.
10th Episode Prediction: 6th Place.

5. Cochran: 263 Points

Cochran needs to actually make a game move for him to have a chance at winning this game.

Prediction: Early Boot
Prediction: Early Juror
Prediction: Late Juror
3rd Episode Prediction: Late Juror.
4th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
5th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
6th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
7th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
8th Episode Prediction: Late Juror
9th Episode Prediction: 2nd Place.
10th Episode Prediction: Finalist.

6. Malcolm: 294 Points.

Malcolm just guaranteed Fan Favorite and a 3rd season in my book. I  love Malcolm. I just don't think the 3 Amigos have a chance. I hope I'm wrong though.

Pre-Season Prediction: Finalist
1st Episode Prediction: Late Juror.
2nd Episode Prediction: Winner
3rd Episode Prediction: Winner
4th Episode Prediction: Winner
5th Episode Prediction: Winner
6th Episode Prediction: Winner
7th Episode Prediction: Winner
8th Episode Prediction: Winner?
9th Episode Prediction: 8th Place
10th Episode Prediction: 8th Place

7. Phillip: 254 Points.

Wow. Did not see that coming. A lot of people are discussing whether Malcolm's move was great or not. Personally I think Phillip was doomed in this vote, but HE decided to make a move by falling on his sword. The result? Stealth R US was able to stay (mostly) intact, and the 3 Amigos were forced to use their idols. Phillip effectively prevented Malcolm's great move from becoming one of the best of all time. Kudos.

About sitting out the immunity challenge, I don't really care, but I guess it is kind of Survivor Karma.

Pre-Season Prediction: Late Juror
1st Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge
2nd Episode Prediction: Early Juror
3rd Episode Prediction: Finalist?
4th Episode Prediction: Finalist?
5th Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge
6th Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge
7th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
8th Episode Prediction: Late Juror
9th Episode Prediction: 3rd Place.
10th Place

8. Eddie: 99 Points

When did I start liking Eddie so much? He's really grown on me, but damnit, I don't think he'll last much longer.

Prediction: Early Boot
Prediction: Pre-Merge
2nd Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge
3rd Episode Prediction: Pre- Merge
5th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
6th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
8th Episode Prediction: Early  Juror
9th Episode Prediction: 10th Place.
10th Episode Prediction: 7th Place.

9. Michael: 76 Points.

Great 1st Juror. I'm giving some points for that.  

Pre-Season Prediction: Pre-Merge
1st Episode Prediction: Early Juror
2nd Episode Prediction: Early Juror
3rd Episode Prediction: Early Juror
4th Episode Prediction: Early Juror.
5th Episode Prediction: Early Juror. 
6th Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge
7th Episode Prediction: Early Juror.
8th Episode Prediction: Late Juror
9th Episode Boot. 

10. Reynold: 207 Points.

Reynold is a challenge beast and his raw optimist for this game is contagious. I'm rooting for him, but I think he's going home next. 

Pre-Season Prediction: Pre-Merge
1st Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge
2nd Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge
3rd Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge
4th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
5th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
6th Episode Prediction: Early Juror
7th Episode Prediction: Early Juror.
8th Episode Prediction: Early Juror.
9th Episode Prediction: 9th Place
10th Episode Prediction: 9th Place

11. Sherri 105 Points

I remember when I liked Sherri, but the editors have carefully turned me against her over the last few weeks. Still, she's in a position to make a move next week. Let's see what she does. 

Pre-Season Predictions: Early Juror
1st Episode Prediction: Early Juror
2nd Episode Prediction: Late Juror/Finalist
3rd Episode Prediction: Early Juror. 
4th Episode Prediction: Early Juror. 
5th Episode Prediction: Pre-Merge
6th Episode Prediction: Early Juror.
7th Episode Prediction: Early Juror.
8th Episode Prediction: Early Juror.  
9th Episode Prediction: 7th Place. 
10th Episode Prediction: 5th Place.