Pre-season: The (lack of) evolution of the Survivor alpha male

Survivor Multi-season analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: September 5, 2023

Damnbueno looks back on the pitfalls and obvious but frequently ignored lessons of attempting to play Survivor as an alpha male. With fewer attempts in the new era, has the archetype finally run its course?

Episode 13: A mostly banger half-season

Survivor 44 Episode 13 Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 31, 2023

With Yam Yam's resounding victory in last week's Survivor 44 finale, the Tika three officially completed their rise from outnumbered underdogs to commanding majority. In saving themselves, they also saved a season that had lost its way mid-season. But did they save the new era, or was it all just luck?

Episode 13: 44 in 20/20 hindsight

Survivor 44 Episode 13 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 29, 2023

With the Survivor 44 finale finalized and the aftershow shown, Brent takes a look back at five key predictions from scenes and events that seemed important at the time that actually ended up being so ... and one that didn't.

Episode 13: Just be yourself

Survivor 44 Episode 13 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 28, 2023

Ryan goes through his reactions to the Survivor 44 finale, from joy for Yam Yam's victory to dismay at Carolyn's zero jury votes, to everything in between. Plus an announcement of an ending, for now.

Episode 13: A finale this|close to a classic

Survivor 44 Episode 13 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: May 25, 2023

Damnbueno wraps up his Survivor 44 commentary with a run through the finale and aftershow, with particular focus on a Final Tribal Council that he feels ranks among the all-time best, with each finalist presenting a strong case for the million.

Episode 12: Top five, baby!

Survivor 44 Episode 12 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 22, 2023

As the final five hike their way into the finale of Survivor 44, Brent assesses the chance each player has of winning, should they reach the final three, then gives his prediction of how the two remaining eliminations will play out.

Episode 12: All your craziness is not craziness anymore

Survivor 44 Episode 12 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 21, 2023

The Survivor 44 finale is now just days away, and the final three is guaranteed to have at least one Tika. Ryan breaks down the final five's chances of winning, and ponders the desolate wasteland of a future Survivor season that does not have Carolyn in it.

Episode 12: Three main characters

Survivor 44 Episode 12 Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 20, 2023

One of the strengths of Survivor 44 has been its ability to stick to a consistent storyline week to week, as we have watched the three Tikas overcome adversity, finally seizing control of the numbers with Episode 12's vote. But a bigger achievement is reaching the last episode before the finale and having all three Tika players appearing to have virtually equal chances of winning.

Episode 12: A race to a great finish

Survivor 44 Episode 12 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: May 18, 2023

With the endgame in clear sight, Damnbueno talks about the moves that should or shouldn't have been made in Episode 12 of Survivor 44 (as well as those that actually were).

Episode 11: Setting up the endgame

Survivor 44 Episode 11 recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 14, 2023

Episode 11 of Survivor 44 featured a crowd-pleasing immunity win and a similarly well-received idol play, and Brent goes through the crucial maneuvers and decisions made at final seven, with an eye to who is now best positioned to control the game the rest of the way.

Episode 11: Finishing strong

Survivor 44 Episode 11 Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 13, 2023

Whether you're a Survivor contestant or a Survivor season, the most important thing is finishing strong, to leave a good last impression in the minds of the jury or the audience. And in Episode 11, Survivor 44 is doing just that, as are the Tika three, particularly Carolyn and Yam Yam this week.

Episode 11: One with the lobster

Survivor 44 Episode 11 recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 12, 2023

Ryan's wish for an (almost) all-Carolyn episode is FINALLY granted (*bling*, thanks Jaime) in Episode 11, and as you might guess, he is extremely pleased with the results. Two chances left to make this a season-ending streak.

Episode 11: Mergatory report card update

Survivor 44 Episode 11 recap/ analysis

By Damnbueno | Published: May 11, 2023

Prior to his recap, Damnbueno runs through an assessment of each member of the Final 7's chances of winning, then dives into the surprise wins and big moves of Episode 11. Is Final 7 too early to make a flashy move?