Brent
Sullivan is a long-time fanatic of Survivor
and has been writing about it for years. When he is not
writing, talking about, or applying to be on the show, he
spends his time with family, doing nerdy IT stuff, and
watching movies.
His column, "Top Five, Baby!" has run here at the True Dork Times since 2020, when he first wrote about season 40, Survivor: Winners at War. Prior to this, he covered S33: Millennials vs. Gen X through S38: Edge of Extinction at Inside Survivor, under the column title, "Give Me Five!"
Follow him on twitter: @BSully_13
Columns by Survivor season:
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Survivor 44
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 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 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 10: The games begin
Survivor 44 Episode 10 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 7, 2023
As the individual phase of Survivor 44 finally feels fully underway, Brent takes a moment to evaluate the gameplay of some of the bigger characters, and predicts which will have the best shot at reaching the end.
Episode 9: More like a merge vote
Survivor 44 Episode 9 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 1, 2023
With the three original tribes evenly balanced at 3-3-3, Brent enjoyed the old-school merge vote feel of Episode 9's jockeying for power, as the Tika three successfully blindsided Ratu, and helped remove their advantage(s) from the game. How will Ratu and Soka adjust next?
Episode 8: Low moments, a big move, and tribal parity
Survivor 44 Episode 8 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 24, 2023
Brent looks at Episode 8 of Survivor 44's people who were struggling initially but made a comeback by the end of the hour, as a flashy idol play evened up the original tribe numbers at three apiece. How does this change the game going forward?
Episodes 6-7: Post-mergatory movement
Survivor 44 Episode 7 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 17, 2023
Brent combs through the events of the two post-"merge" episodes of Survivor 44 to find scenes of long-term importance, and finds good news for people who like Tika, and a surprising dearth of active idols and advantages, which could be interesting if we're finally going to see a Tribal with only one person immune and everyone voting.
Episode 5: New connections and an early exit
Survivor 44 Episode 5 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 3, 2023
Episode 5 of Survivor 44 finally got around to showing all the just-swapped people on their new tribes, and put some bros (and Carolyn) together for a feast, and Brent looks at how these combinations might affect the long-term game, as the merge looms next week. Except for Matthew, of course, whose shoulder finally ended his run.
Episode 4: Characters, solid groups, and a tribe swap
Survivor 44 Episode 4 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 27, 2023
Brent finds a lot to like in Episode 4 of Survivor 44, including a creative move by a huge character, an alliance that feels set for the long term, and for the first time since Winners at War, a (sort-of) tribe swap that sent three lone players to different tribes.
Episode 3: Fun, camp life, and fake idols
Survivor 44 Episode 3 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 20, 2023
Survivor 44 found the time to spend a lot more of the episode in the three camps for Episode 3, as there was singing, scampering, and fake idols galore. Brent appreciated the return of some of the old-school feel, and offers an update on the many, many advantages (and disadvantages) currently in play.
Episode 2: Solo players, pairs, and a surprise three
Survivor 44 Episode 2 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 13, 2023
In Episode 2 of Survivor 44, the tribes of six (or five) start to coalesce into alliances and singles, and Brent examines which groupings might have long-term significance, along with a look at the idol cages and sit-outs.
Episode 1: Three new tribes, two players out
Survivor 44 Episode 1 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 6, 2023
Survivor 44 kicked off with two hours of action, and two people leaving the game: one via injury, and one via a single vote after an idol play, advantage play, and two Shots in the Dark. Brent looks at the three new tribes, and which players and new twists stand out as having long-term potential.
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Survivor 43
Episode 13: Looking back on 43
Survivor 43 Episode 13 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: December 19, 2022
With the Survivor 43 finale and aftershow in the rearview, Brent takes stock of five key scenes during the season that correctly forecast long-term important points, along with one that seemed predictive, but was misleading.
Episode 12: Top five, baby!
Survivor 43 Episode 12 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: December 12, 2022
It's that time of year, when the column title is the same as the column name, and Brent looks at the top five (baby) of Survivor 43 in his final pre-finale column, and projects which of the quintet has the best chances of getting that money (baby, also).
Episode 11: Plots + schemes + underdogs = fireworks?
Survivor 43 Episode 11 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: December 5, 2022
Brent looks at all the still-unresolved scheming and plotting in Episode 11 of Survivor 43, notes the well-stocked armory of unplayed idols, and puts a massive firework display at the top of his pre-finale wishlist.
Episode 10: Lurking idols, planted seeds, and players on the outside
Survivor 43 Episode 10 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: November 28, 2022
As the majority alliance crumbles and rebuilds, there are just three votes left in the game and three idols still in the mix, creating opportunities for those on the outs to mix things up. Brent highlights five key scenes and items from Episode 10 that may play into how Survivor 43 finishes up.
Episode 9: Two wins, two out, eight left
Survivor 43 Episode 9 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: November 21, 2022
Episode 9 of Survivor 43 split the Gaia tribe back in half, but that opened up the game to some big moves (okay, one big move), and Brent examines the newly formed connections, in a projection of which of the alliances shown could go all the way.
Episode 8: Surprise idols, sketchy power, and fishing
Survivor 43 Episode 8 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: November 14, 2022
As Survivor 43 moves deeper into the post-merge, Brent sees a murky path ahead for one player, another whose hold on power seems suspect, and questions and surprise answers elsewhere. Whose path to the end (with votes) looks the clearest?
Episode 7: Moves, mud, and the AlliGabler
Survivor 43 Episode 7 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: November 7, 2022
Episode 7 of Survivor 43 saw the arrival of individual challenges (sort of), a reptilian challenge winner, another original tribe splintering, and the return of an advantage everyone thought had been safely eliminated. Brent tries to put all the key pieces together to figure out where things are headed.
Episode 6: Four vs. four vs. four
Survivor 43 Episode 6 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: October 31, 2022
The sort-of-merge episode of Survivor 43 featured the infighting and implosion of Baka, the largest group, leaving an even three-way split among original tribes, all still armed with idols and advantages galore. Brent is excited to see where this all is headed in the post-merge.
Episode 5: Manhunts, lost votes, and acting
Survivor 43 Episode 5 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: October 24, 2022
As the pre-merge of Survivor 43 wound down to an event-filled but familiar-feeling conclusion, Brent looks at how the various advantages and disadvantages could affect the fates of the players holding them in the individual portion of the game.
Episode 4: Conflict, cooperation, and questions
Survivor 43 Episode 4 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: October 17, 2022
After an episode that saw alliances split, camps receive unwelcome visitors, and opposing tribes make surprising collaborations, Brent looks at the groupings, conflicts, and rising tensions that may pay off within the next few episodes.
Episode 3: Idols, advantages, and the joys of searches
Survivor 43 Episode 3 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: October 10, 2022
In an idol- and advantage-heavy episode, Brent praises the drive and determination of the contestants who went to work acquiring such items, as well as those who put in the effort but came up short.
Episode 2: Twos and threes in 43
Survivor 43 Episode 2 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: October 3, 2022
The opening episodes of Survivor 43 have provided more time to get to know the new contestants, and Brent uses that introduction to identify and examine key solo players, pairs, and trios in the game's first two episodes.
Episode 1: Three new tribes of big characters
Survivor 43 Episode 1 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: September 26, 2022
As Survivor 43 kicks off with an expanded, 2-hour premiere, Brent revs "Top Five, Baby!" up again with an also-larger six items, with a focus on every tribe and (at least) one important player from each, as shown in the first episode.
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Survivor 42
Episode 13: Looking back on 42
Survivor 42 Episode 13 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 30, 2022
With the winner crowned and the finale and aftershow shown, Brent looks back on how certain seemingly important (at the time) scenes and narrative threads from Survivor 42 ended up paying off (or not).
Episode 12: Five people, one Survivor
Survivor 42 Episode 12 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 23, 2022
As the finale approaches, Brent takes it all in — the big move of Episode 12 and all the rest — and tries to forecast where the top five (baby) will end up when it's all over and the Survivor 42 winner is crowned.
Episode 11: Edits, alliances, and secrets
Survivor 42 Episode 11 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 16, 2022
Brent ponders what one contestant's curious edit in Episode 11 of Survivor 42 means for their game, how the actual alliances are structured, how Omar's big move will be perceived, and what could happen with all those advantages, with just six left.
Episode 10: Raining idols, rewards, and Omar
Survivor 42 Episode 10 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 9, 2022
As the Survivor 42 game clock ticks down to the final seven, Brent takes in the new updates to the idol counts, talks about the reward, and ponders whether the newfound ex-Taku majority will hold together or break apart.
Episode 9: Real-life moves, extra lives, and a move driver
Survivor 42 Episode 9 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 2, 2022
Brent talks about the larger-than-life issues raised at the second Episode 9 Tribal Council, the puppet-master pulling the strings at the first, and how the fallout from these two votes could affect the game moving forward.
Episode 8: Power, knowledge, and Knowledge is Power
Survivor 42 Episode 8 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 25, 2022
This week, Brent examines the Survivor 42 power dynamics: Who's in the know and seemingly in the middle of every discussion, who's on the outs, who has a massive assortment of advantages and idols — who needs to eat, and who will be eaten.
Episodes 6-7: Goats, idols, amulets, and unexpected popularity
Survivor 42 Episodes 6-7 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 18, 2022
Brent tries to take in all the newfound friendships and relationships formed in the double-length merge episode(s), and hones in on key bonds formed over allegedly secret items, and some big players that people just seem to like, as the individual phase of the game kicks off.
Episode 5: From three tribes to one (-ish)
Survivor 42 Episode 5 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 11, 2022
Brent wraps up the three tribes' internal maneuverings in the final fully pre-merge episode of Survivor 42. Who is clearly going to flip, who should consider doing so, and which, if any, tribe will stick together after they ... eventually ... merge?
Episode 4: Tribal fallout and outsized competitors
Survivor 42 Episode 4 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 4, 2022
Alliances are shifting on multiple tribes (except possibly the one with the Goliath), as Brent examines five big events from Episode 4 that could have long-term significance in Survivor 42.
Episode 3: Underwater, underwear, under pressure
Survivor 42 Episode 3 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 28, 2022
Brent is back with a rapid-fire look at the big events, twists, and chaotic Tribal Council action of Episode 3 of Survivor 42, and the way they could impact the game moving forward.
Episode 2: Key pairs and open secrets
Survivor 42 Episode 2 recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 21, 2022
After an episode exploring the characters more deeply, Brent looks at couples — regular and odd — forming in two of the tribes, people's inability to keep things secret, and of course, Maryanne.
Episode 1: Returns, revisions, and exits
Survivor 42 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 14, 2022
Brent is back to break down five key events of the Survivor 42 premiere, from new twists to old, including prominent decisions, actions, and deletions from the fun but rapidly dwindling cast.
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Survivor 41
Episode 13: One last trip back in time
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: December 18, 2021
With Survivor 41 now in the rear-view mirror, Brent looks back at his past predictions from the season and highlights five stories and scenes that really did have long-term impact (and one that didn't).
Episode 12: Looking to the endgame
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: December 13, 2021
This week, the "Top Five, Baby!" is literal, as Brent examines the paths each of the five remaining contestants are likely to follow in the season finale (already!?) of Survivor 41.
Episode 11: Emotional moments, power shifts, and luck
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: December 6, 2021
A new majority has emerged, but can it last? A new twist has entered the game, but did it work? Brent asks these questions and dives into the big, emotional discussions of Episode 11 of Survivor 41.
Episode 10: The many moving parts of a big move
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: November 29, 2021
After a shocking blindside, Brent takes a look at the people involved in making it, their reasons in doing so, and how their decision to act positions them in the game, as numbers dwindle.
Episode 9: Conflict, faces, and showing power
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: November 22, 2021
Brent looks at the continuing conflicts within the main alliance in power, the shifting profiles of people within that core, and whether anyone outside that group can stay in the game.
Episode 8: Fractures, etiquette breaches, and other disasters
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: November 15, 2021
It's only Day 16, but two of the three original tribes are in tatters, people are eating slivers of fruit without getting approval, and there's someone named Heather at Tribal Council! Brent looks at these and other shocking developments in Episode 8 of Survivor 41.
Episode 7: A big move, and a big tribe finally merges
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: November 8, 2021
Brent looks at a bold move that shook up Tribal Council, a small tribe that now appears united, and a big bond that formed surprisingly quickly as Survivor 41 officially enters the post-merge phase.
Episode 6: Add the four and the one: Five topics at the merge
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: November 1, 2021
While the merge is only halfway complete (maybe?), Brent looks at the traditional long-term meat of the merge episode: The feast talk, the new alliances, some old ones falling apart, and, of course, an exile.
Episode 5: Goodbye (?) to three tribes, hello to three idols
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: October 25, 2021
Brent takes a mid-season peek at the three still-standing original tribes and their dynamics, greets three freshly powered-up immunity idols, and nods grimly at an overpowered new advantage.
Episode 4: Looking ahead when one tribe can't lose and another can't win
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: October 18, 2021
Brent ponders the road ahead for an Ua tribe that keeps going to Tribal, and the dynamics of a Luvu tribe that can't seem to get there even when they're trying. Will either of these groups hold together through a swap or a merge?
Episode 3: Broken trust, broken votes, and shifting fortunes
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: October 11, 2021
With so many advantages and votes in limbo in Episode 3, it's hard to track what's of long-term importance in Survivor 41. Brent is here to highlight more significant moments, even ones that don't even involve broccoli or butterflies.
Episode 2: Secrets, advantages, and spilling the beans
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: October 4, 2021
The second episode of Survivor 41 is awash in secrets: things gleaned from eavesdropped conversations, wrapped packages that should have stayed wrapped, and a second summit. Also this week: a rebound for one contestant and a collapse for another.
Episode 1: Twists and risks and savviness
Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis
By Brent Sullivan | Published: September 27, 2021
Survivor is back, and Brent dives into five topics from the double-length premiere episode that he thinks will have long-term impact on the season, from the many new twists, to the increased elements of risk, to one player's savvy gameplay and another's seeming lack thereof.
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Survivor 40: Winners at War
Episode 14: Top One, Baby!
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 17, 2020
With a salute to the new two-time champion, Brent wraps up his Winners at War watch with a look back at five previously flagged key items from earlier in the season that ended up indeed being a big part of the story (plus a miss).
Episode 13: Top Five! (Maybe ... one more as well)
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 10, 2020
Now that Winners at War has reached its (initial) final five, Brent assesses each of their games and chances of becoming the re-winning Winner. Plus a bonus look at some other contenders.
Episode 12: Strained relationships, strained arms, and strained Tribal trends
By Brent Sullivan | Published: May 3, 2020
As the game churns on and tensions mount, Brent is here to break down the key connections, disconnections, and question marks in Episode 12 of Winners of War.
Episode 11: Enemies, extortion, chaos, and ... Tony!
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 26, 2020
After 10 long episodes of biding his time, the old Tony Vlachos came bursting through the trees to shake this episode up. Brent celebrates this development, and the other key events in Episode 11 of Winners of War.
Episode 10: Lots of family, cops, and an original Dakal duo
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 19, 2020
As Brent surveys the key events of the family-heavy Episode 10, the same names pop up frequently: Tony, Sarah, Sophie, Sarah, Sophie, Tony. Original Dakal drives the action, laden with advantages and necklaces.
Episode 9: Chaos, an Edge split, and rising and falling targets
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 12, 2020
After Episode 9's dramatic and chaotic Tribal Council, Brent evaluates where the divisions are and who has become a target on Winners at War, including a new divide that has become apparent at Edge of Extinction.
Episode 8: Big threats, little threats, and actual threats at the merge
By Brent Sullivan | Published: April 5, 2020
The merge and Edge return produce a surprising shuffle of various alliances, as Brent focuses in on key threats, prime targets, and the balance of power in the post-merge scrambling.
Episode 7: Boats or tokens, post-merge Tony, and potent tensions
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 29, 2020
The final pre-merge episode finds the Edge group getting smaller but more token-rich, and two of the three tribes patching over simmering tensions. Brent brings it all together for this week's five key topics.
Episode 6: Peanut butter comfort, spy shack paranoia, and twice the idol fun
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 22, 2020
Brent breaks down five big moments in the big sixth episode of Winners at War, from Edge of Extinction choices to listening to water-well voices to (of course) making a big splash with idol deuces.
Episode 5: Three new tribes and a lot of hardware
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 15, 2020
A big swap adds a third tribe and shakes up the game, and Brent examines the new opportunities and dangers lurking as the players face their new tribemates. Plus: the women this season are accumulating some serious hardware: Will it soon come into play?
Episode 4: Lugging logs and legging the trek up from the bottom
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 8, 2020
Brent revisits a week full of stories of hikes up from the bottom, from the Edge dwellers' literal one (or twenty) to Adam, Rob, and Parvati's metaphorical journeys. Plus a check-in on someone who seems to have completed that journey, and an eye on the swap.
Episode 3: Fishing, covert missions, and momentous decisisons
By Brent Sullivan | Published: March 1, 2020
Winners At War's third episode had some memorable shark-eating hijinks, and a tragic loss as the losing tribe got down to the business of eating its own. Brent highlights the top five moments of this week's feeding frenzy.
Episode 2: Idols, advantages, ladders, and a lad
By Brent Sullivan | Published: February 23, 2020
Episode 2 sweeps in awash in idols and advantages (and fire tokens), but don't worry guys, it's designed to be like this. Brent highlights these new-school developments, plus a rising ladder engineer and an ascendant Adam.
Episode 1: Nerds, rookies, and blowing up the pre-game
By Brent Sullivan | Published: February 16, 2020
Brent manages to whittle the two-hour, action-packed Winners at War premiere into five key events and themes that appear to hold importance for the season as a whole - among them a fun new alliance, and the weaponizing of the mere suspicion of a pre-game one.
Pre-season: Winners at War alliance assumptions
By Brent Sullivan | Published: February 2, 2020
For his pre-season preview of Winners at War, Brent speculates on the five most likely alliances to form in the upcoming all-winners season. Will they make an impact on the game?
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