The True Dork Times: Survivor stats, stuff

November, 2017

The Golden Ticket - Ben Martell's Survivor: HvHvH analysis

The Golden Ticket - S35

Episode 9: When editing goes bad

By Ben Martell | Published: November 28, 2017

Ben takes issue with Survivor's editing choices, such as completely omitting Mike's fake idol play at Tribal Council, apparently in favor of necessary exposition of new advantages. He then explores Devon's alleged winner's edit, asks if anyone played well, and tries to predict the upcoming double-episode's two boots.

Jeff Pitman's S35 recaps

Episode 9: Fall o' the leaders

By Jeff Pitman | Published: November 27, 2017

Jeff takes a critical eye to the emerging pattern of how seeming dominant at the merge of a three-tribe Survivor season can come at a huge cost, plus a look at Mike's idol play, Joe's game, Cole's challenge dominance, and some potential foreshadowing.

Well, in theory... - S35

Episode 9: Ben needs a lesson in mass communication theory... badly

By Pat Ferrucci | Published: November 24, 2017

Pat explains agenda-setting theory, the art of framing what to think about, but not how to think, and contrasts Chrissy and Ben's patterns of persuasion in Episode 9 of Survivor: Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers.

It's Kind of a Funny Story - S35

Episode 9: Scotch 'n' Survivor

By Dan Otsuki | Published: November 24, 2017

Dan takes a stream-of-consciousness, somewhat scotch-aided tour through the highs, the lows, and head-scratching-even-while-sober events of Episode 9 of Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers.

The Golden Ticket - S35

Episode 8: Threatening women

By Ben Martell | Published: November 21, 2017

Ben argues that, rather than seeing Desi's ouster as evidence of Chrissy feeling threatened, it's more accurate that Chrissy rightly identified Desi (and Ali, and Roark) as a long-term threat in the game. Also, a look at Lauren's advantage, and whether Joe was the correct target.

Jeff Pitman's S35 recaps

Episode 8: The spaghetti saga

By Jeff Pitman | Published: November 20, 2017

An appreciation of the superbly executed combination of twists that led to the sequential discovery and hiding of the immunity idol clue, and then the idol itself in Episode 8 of Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers. Also a discussion of the changing narrators, the changing perspective of Devon, and the changing definition of an idol.

It's Kind of a Funny Story - S35

Episode 8: The clues and the clueless

By Dan Otsuki | Published: November 16, 2017

Dan praises the secret feasts and the big discoveries by Lauren and Ryan, explores Cole's lack of gameplay, questions the tone of Ben's edit, and peers into the future beyond Episode 8 of Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers.

The Golden Ticket - S35

Episode 7: Edit vs. reality

By Ben Martell | Published: November 14, 2017

Following the merge, Ben attempts to separate audience reactions based on editing from the likely reality of the game itself, with particular emphasis on Chrissy's gameplay, Ben's alleged swing-vote status, the decision to target Jessica, and more.

Jeff Pitman's S35 recaps

Episode 7: The downside of goats

By Jeff Pitman | Published: November 13, 2017

After a power-establishing Tribal Council capped off the pre-jury phase, Jeff looks at who's in charge, who made the right moves, asks how long the idol whisperer can last, and shows the merge wasn't early. With graphs. And vidcaps.

Well, in theory... - S35

Episode 7: Who holds the golden fleece after the merge?

By Pat Ferrucci | Published: November 10, 2017

Pat explores the black sheep effect, and argues that by ignoring it, the majority alliance made the wrong move at the merge of Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers.

It's Kind of a Funny Story - S35

Episode 7: The Love, the Queen, and the Fool

By Dan Otsuki | Published: November 10, 2017

Following the merge, Dan looks at Ben's and Lauren's decision as one between royalty and comic relief, notes the importance of the merge vote, and finds an underdog who might overcome the long odds of being on the wrong side of it.

The Golden Ticket - S35

Episode 6: Compelling characters

By Ben Martell | Published: November 7, 2017

Ben re-examines Ryan's move against Ali (and Roark), then delves at length into what makes a compelling Survivor character, and why their relative prevalence this season is helping Ben enjoy Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers.

Jeff Pitman's S35 recaps

Episode 6: Tepid for now, heating later?

By Jeff Pitman | Published: November 6, 2017

Jeff takes stock of the state of the season through the pre-merge, and questions the naysayers who find it dull, especially in light of the potential conflagration looming after the tribes merge. Which may resemble less the three tribe names of the title, and more another hero-containing past one.

Well, in theory... - S35

Episode 6: Who holds the power at the merge?

By Pat Ferrucci | Published: November 5, 2017

Pat takes a one-week sabbatical from the theory in order to assess the events of Episode 6, and how they affect the remaining contestants' chances of winning Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers.

It's Kind of a Funny Story - S35

Episode 6: Good move, bad TV

By Dan Otsuki | Published: November 3, 2017

Dan laments the loss of Ali (for TV purposes), then gathers himself to project the post-merge likelihood of success for the remaining dozen players of Heroes v Healers v Hustlers.

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