The True Dork Times: Survivor stats, stuff

May, 2018

Jeff Pitman's Ghost Island recaps

Episode 14: Fit to be tied

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 29, 2018

Jeff takes a final look at Ghost Island's thrilling final vote, the winner, the runner up's missed fire-making decision, and gives a final verdict on the Ghost Island format.

Episode 14: There's only one winner

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 26, 2018

Ryan looks back at the highlights of Ghost Island's finale and season, from the challenges to the champion(s) to the curses. He also crowns several winners of various prizes, even though the show (quite dramatically) had just one.

It's Kind of a Funny Story - S36

Episode 14: Let the curses stay unreversed

By Dan Otsuki | Published: May 25, 2018

Dan praises the nail-biter Survivor: Ghost Island jury vote and the final three, while taking to task lingering problems with the Final 4 firemaking, the Ghost Island format, and next season's theme.

Jeff Pitman's Survivor NZ: Thailand recaps

Episode 5: Ticks and talks

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 23, 2018

In its fifth episode, Survivor NZ: Thailand hits the swap, producing two tribes with outnumbered Chanis. Yay. But one has an idol, which gets played... incorrectly. Yay again. But wait, there are also some minor head injuries.

The Baker's Dozen - S36

Episode 13: Unsolicited advice

By Andy Baker | Published: May 22, 2018

With the finale of Survivor: Ghost Island rapidly approaching, Andy offers free advice to the six remaining players, the host, the titular island, and to casting. And closes with a final prediction.

Jeff Pitman's Ghost Island recaps

Pre-Episode 14: Jury Jeopardy - S36

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 21, 2018

The True Dork Times writers assemble once more to project the jury votes, while doing battle with scribes from other Survivor sites: InsideSurvivor, A Tribe of One, Purple Rock Podcast, and the RHAP bloggers. Who can boast the most votes noted for Ghost Island?

Jeff Pitman's Ghost Island recaps

Episode 13: The case for no tribes (or one tribe)

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 19, 2018

With a season built on smoke and mirrors slowly revealing its hype to be little more than a mirage, Jeff has: some complaints about Ghost Island and the post-merge narrative, a mini vidcap gallery, and... a proposed twist that could actually shake up the game.

Kaiser Island - S36

Episode 13: Going kamikaze

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 17, 2018

Ryan revisits all the big moves of Episode 13, and somehow still has time to mourn Kellyn, have visitations from Ghost Angela, pirate Sebastian, and crazy Donathan, while still spending half the episode with the obvious winner.

Well, in theory... - S36

Episode 13: Who still has a chance to win?

By Pat Ferrucci | Published: May 17, 2018

With just the finale remaining, Pat asks how Ghost Island ranks as a Survivor season, and who among the remaining players is most likely to win.

Jeff Pitman's Survivor NZ: Thailand recaps

Episode 4: Folding the wildcards

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 16, 2018

As both Wildcard contestants have now exited the game, Jeff asks whether they faced a level playing field. Plus praise for another interesting Outpost twist, and a historical reckoning of Chani's terrible challenge performance.

The Baker's Dozen - S36

Episode 12: Perception is reality TV

By Andy Baker | Published: May 14, 2018

Andy reflects on how the remaining Ghost Island players see themselves and their position in the game, and how the potential jurors see them. Who comes off the best?

Well, in theory... - S36

Episode 12: The expected utility of not moving

By Pat Ferrucci | Published: May 13, 2018

Pat looks to Expected Utility theory to try to decipher Laurel's big decision in Episode 12 of Ghost Island - a decision that came out, once again, to result in not making a move.

It's Kind of a Funny Story - S36

Episode 12: If it ain't broke...

By Dan Otsuki | Published: May 13, 2018

In perhaps his final Ghost Island column, Dan laments Chelsea's near-invisible exit and the sluggish post-merge gameplay, and makes a modest proposal to avert Pagongings by... well, read and find out.

Jeff Pitman's Ghost Island recaps

Episode 12: Laurel's no-win situation

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 12, 2018

Sometimes the best move is also the most boring one, even when it doesn't necessarily lead to a winning game. Why? Naviti Strong, mostly. Also: Suggestions to fix the Loved Ones visit rut, and a look ahead at the endgame.

Kaiser Island - S36

Episode 12: Go big or go home, girl

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 11, 2018

Ryan Kaiser reminds us that as the oozing Malolo orange lava of the Ghost Island pre-merge petrifies into Lavita black rock, only Aunt Patty can shake things up and make them interesting again.

Jeff Pitman's Survivor NZ: Thailand recaps

Episode 3: The Outpost vs. Ghost Island

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 8, 2018

Jeff conducts a more thorough investigation of the relative strengths and faults of the two current Survivor island-based getaways: the US's Ghost Island, vs. NZ: Thailand's Outpost. Which will emerge supreme? Also, Chani Power Rankings.

The Baker's Dozen - S36

**Episode 11: Survivor is...**

By Andy Baker | Published: May 8, 2018

Andy looks in depth at the many flaws, difficulties, curious choices, and frustrations... but also successes with Ghost Island, and emerges with a complicated but ultimately hopeful look at the season and state of the game.

It's Kind of a Funny Story - S36

Episode 11: Bad luck is boring

By Dan Otsuki | Published: May 5, 2018

One bad decision may haunt you forever, but Dan decries the outsized role one bad random draw (or two, or three) has been having on the outcome of the season. Plus an attempt to decipher the curious decisions in the two Tribals.

Well, in theory... - S36

Episode 11: Cognitive dissonance and idle contestants

By Pat Ferrucci | Published: May 5, 2018

Pat looks askance at the lackluster move-making thus far in the Ghost Island post-merge, and argues that several strategists' hesitance to change the game can be explained by the theory of cognitive dissonance.

Jeff Pitman's Ghost Island recaps

Episode 11: Orange crushed

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 5, 2018

Jeff explores how the Malolos still managed to snatch twin defeats out of the jaws of a golden opportunity for one or more successes, how an unseen player is somehow racking up big advanced scores, and how the numbers of votes, challenges won, and idols this season stack up historically.

Kaiser Island - S36

Episode 11: Luck of the draw

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: May 4, 2018

Like Probst, Ryan has very few questions about this largely snooze-inducing episode, but stay (Naviti) strong, there are real fakes, slaps, and sleeping to be had as he recaps the double Michelle Yi-ing.

Jeff Pitman's Survivor NZ: Thailand recaps

Episode 2: Outwit, outplay, Outpost: A test for Tess

By Jeff Pitman | Published: May 2, 2018

Survivor NZ: Thailand's first run through the Outpost was a complete success, as JT and Tess demonstrated the potential for both mischief and pure entertainment. But where does the episode leave its few remaining older women, and... its superfan contestants?

The Baker's Dozen - S36

Episode 10: Big Survivor

By Andy Baker | Published: May 1, 2018

This can't be true: Somehow, some way, Andy has (allegedly) come across the top-secret, season-fixing discussions that took place between certain executive producers of two Big, still-standing CBS competition-reality shows.

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