Mike Bloom's SurvivorAU 5: All-Stars recaps
Bloomerang! All-Stars index
SurvivorAU: All-Stars Recaps & analysis

Not with a bang, but a whimper

Episodes 22-24: Not with a bang, but a whimper

Published: April 6, 2020

 

Australian Survivor All-Stars has crowned its winner, and Mike takes a look back at the final three episodes that led to the (not so) surprising victory. A super-sized season with a strong winner, who was presented in all his oversaturated glory. A strong win, but maybe too much of a good thing?

 


Shunned stones, Sharn's swing, and suspect surprises

Episodes 19-21: Shunned stones, Sharn's swing, and suspect surprises

Published: March 21, 2020

 

Mike praises the more balanced editing in the penultimate week of Survivor AU: All-Stars, but scratches his head at the attempted rock draw, faux flip, and curious fire-making twist option, as ultimately, the Vakama underdogs crumbled.

 


I TOLD you stop trying to make Exile happen!

Episodes 16-18: I TOLD you stop trying to make Exile happen!

Published: March 13, 2020

 

After a tragic phone call pulled Lee from the game, SurvivorAU switched over to Exile Beach week for the final nine. Mike evaluates the twist that sent six players to Exile over the three episodes, ultimately eliminating just one of them.

 


David and Company

Episodes 13-15: David & Company

Published: March 6, 2020

 

It was a grim week for Survivor AU superfans, as one fan favorite was felled right before the merge, and the underdog alliance fell victim to Pagonging thereafter. Mike recaps the happenings, then looks for signs of hope (or, more likely, there is Mo Hope) in the post-merge.

 


Revenge is a dish best served on a cake tray

Episodes 10-12: Revenge is a dish best served on a cake tray

Published: February 28, 2020

 

With three big characters falling just before the All Stars halfway point, Mike is here to assess the fallout, and not just the fragments of cake strewn across the reward site and Nick's pants. Also, a look at who is best positioned heading into the second half of the season.

 


Stop trying to make Exile happen

Episodes 7-9: Stop trying to make Exile happen

Published: February 21, 2020

 

Mike votes himself out of Week Three of SurvivorAU: All-Stars, but don't worry! It was only a trip to Exile. Now a swap and... whoops, now he's voted out again... but wait, he made fire and he's back in! Whew! All these twists upon twists are really opening a Pandora's Box of convoluted game logic. With too few narrators.

 


Where have all the puzzles gone?

Episodes 4-6: Where have all the puzzles gone?

Published: February 14, 2020

 

In his revisiting the three episodes of week 2 of Australian Survivor: All-Stars, Mike tackles the big stories: the prevalence of strength-based challenges and its effects on tribal numbers decisions, the fall of Zen Hen, the big double-boot twist that ended the week, and, oh yeah, Vakama was occasionally shown, too.

 


Chimps, cookies, and conspiracies

Episodes 1-3: Chimps, cookies, and conspiracies

Published: February 7, 2020

 

Mike revisits the first three episodes of SurvivorAU: All-Stars, from the magnificent spectacle of premiere week's third Tribal Council to the more mundane winner disposals preceding it, to the glorious return and intermingling of multiple fan favorites. Grab a cookie and let's dig in.

 


Australian Survivor 101

Pre-season: Australian Survivor 101

Published: January 19, 2020

 

Mike welcomes you to the Bloomerang, with a complete introduction to all things Australian Survivor. All the backstories, backstabbings, and awkward, smiling politely, back-of-the-truck rides you will need to prepare you for the upcoming SurvivorAU: All-Stars.

 

Mike Bloom's recapsMike Bloom is a television writer, podcaster, and Survivor obsessive. His work around the show can be read at Parade, where he provides exit press and other exclusive nuggets. He can be heard talking way too much about domestic and international Survivor weekly on Rob Has a Podcast, as well as the long-running Survivor Historians podcast. Mike also covers other island-based shenanigans with his LOST rewatch podcast “Down the Hatch” on Post Show Recaps. He feels BrantSteeles are a good way to keep the blood pumping. Banter with him on twitter: @AMikeBloomType

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