Episode 14: Take it all in

Published: May 15, 2020

The War of Winners ends on a high note, in what could be the last Survivor finale for a while. Ryan celebrates the season's emotional end and its embrace of its past champions, with hopefully more to come. A finale that was grand, even if it's not the grand finale.

Episode 13: Funeral march

Published: May 8, 2020

The end of Winners at War is nigh, and this week, Ryan is turning the episode's penultimate steps into a pathway to that end for the remaining five players, plus the two thousand jury members/people on the Edge.

Episode 12: Son of a B

Published: May 1, 2020

It was a bittersweet week, as the war between winners not only claimed a fan favorite, but also as the fantastic tale of the spy nest fell well short of expectations, like a nocturnal avian projectile. Ryan finds other reasons to cheer, though. So... relax and let him carry you through the forest?

Episode 11: Psychotic double agent

Published: April 24, 2020

Ryan revels in an all-Tony episode, as the show focuses almost entirely on his idol-finding, extortion-complying, immunity-winning, vote-flipping antics. Verdict: Time well spent (unless you don't like Tony, in which case, better luck next week).

Episode 10: A fantasy come true

Published: April 17, 2020

This week's episode was overstuffed with love, tears, kids, and confusion. Ryan wouldn't cut a second from the first three, but wishes there was room to better demystify the last part. Still, here's his guide to what (maybe?) happened after the challenge and at Tribal.

Episode 9: Worth a shot

Published: April 10, 2020

Winners are at war, and they're coming for you, apparently. So get ready to whisper, listen to changes of plan every five minutes, and/or pin your hopes on a podium idol. Or, you know, just flip a coin. Ryan has the guide to all your Episode 9 options.

Episode 8: Everyone's a lion

Published: April 3, 2020

Ryan takes you on a safari excursion to observe the lions and hyenas of the Winners at War merge menagerie. Who has the main mane? Who is lurking in the bushes, waiting for the scraps? Who is the Tiger Queen?

Episode 7: Thank you for schooling me

Published: March 27, 2020

As the final pre-merge torch gets snuffed, Ryan takes a moment to somberly observe the passing of power from old school to new school. Then he gets to the business you've been waiting for: The awarding of the Debbie Donato Wanner Award for Best Performance on a Balance Beam.

Episode 6: Watch this, Jeff

Published: March 20, 2020

Ryan both celebrates and mourns the twin Tribal Councils that sent two legends home, one in particularly legendary fashion, during Episode 6 of Winners of War. Don't worry, some peanut butter will make it all better.

Episode 5: Cracks up the wazoo

Published: March 13, 2020

After a nod to Yul's noble ALS quest, Ryan recaps the many twists and turns resulting from the swap to three tribes: awkward reunions, even more awkward self-quarantines, and obstacle champ Sandra staying safe and staying out of sight.

Episode 4: He's f***ing dangerous

Published: March 6, 2020

It's another week, another favorite leaving for Ryan, but he's not gonna give up, and he'll push through a grueling episode featuring Adam's implosion then recovery, Ethan's near-death experience and survival, and Tyson's near-safe experience that was snuffed by an immovable Queen.

Episode 3: Devour that guy and spit out his bones

Published: February 28, 2020

Ryan goes through the stages of grief over the blindsiding of Ethan: denial, anger, more anger, actually lots of anger. Well, anyway, somehow he ends up at acceptance. (Sort of?) Thankfully, Tony and Tyson are still here to provide comfort in this difficult time.

Episode 2: Is she just clueless?

Published: February 21, 2020

Ryan mourns the loss of his Danni Girl, gone too soon. But he's excited about the exploits of noted aerialist Tony Vlachos and a freshly devilish Sophie G. Clarke, and is anxiously anticipating escalating tensions in the looming Boston Rob - Sandra war.

Episode 1: Everybody has a target

Published: February 13, 2020

Twenty Survivor winners, all at war with each other? Ryan is elated to report that for the premiere, at least, the formula worked, and was exactly the bloody, blindsidey mess he was hoping it could be, if not moreso. Fire tokens and Edge of Extinction notwithstanding.

Pre-season: Cheers for Chaos Kass

Published: February 9, 2020

With Survivor unleashing a 'Survivor at 40' clipshow this week in preparation for the Winners at War premiere, Ryan takes us back to his favorite moment in Survivor's first two decades: The Cagayan merge Tribal Council.

Pre-season: Wagering on the Winners at War

Published: February 3, 2020

Ryan luxuriates in an all-winners cast two decades in the making, and ranks each winner's chances of winning this particular season (Edge of Extinction notwithstanding). Who has the best chances to win? Who has none?