Episode 13: A finale this|close to a classic

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: A race to a great finish

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: Mergatory report card update

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?

Episode 10: Oh frontrunner, where art thou?

Published: May 5, 2023

As Damnbueno sees a winner contender fall in Episode 10 of Survivor 44, he ponders the optimal path to the end in new era Survivor, and the lack of a clear picture of who's really 'running the game.'

Episode 9: Final nine is divine ... I hope

Published: April 27, 2023

Damnbueno takes a look at the struggle for power in Episode 9 of Survivor 44, with three tribes trying to seize the reins, as the game finally gets under way in earnest. With the requisite mid-Tribal whispering, of course.

Episode 8: Coping with new era Survivor

Published: April 20, 2023

After a brief deep dive into core strategic approaches that are still valid in the new era, Damnbueno plunges into Episode 8 of Survivor 44, which actually had a fair amount of strategic gameplay, and featured the entire merge tribe finally voting and being at risk.

Episode 7: Mergatory report card

Published: April 13, 2023

Before going through the rock-draw-driven events of Episode 7 of Survivor 44, Damnbueno hands out his mid-season grades for the gameplay of the remaining competitors, then jumps back into the key-finding and split-squadding action.

Episode 6: Textbook self-destruction

Published: April 6, 2023

Episode 6 of Survivor 44 marks the sort-of-merge, and Damnbueno is excited as the game (sort-of) kicks into high gear with the individual phase of the game. But first, a review of the wide gray area between a quit and a medevac.

Episode 5: To sit or not to sit?

Published: March 30, 2023

Damnbueno looks at the maneuvering and idol shenanigans in Episode 5 of Survivor 44, most of which - while entertaining - ultimately became moot as another player left the game for medical reasons.

Episode 4: When living in a crazy world, learn how to speak crazy

Published: March 23, 2023

Damnbueno has the run-down on Episode 4 of Survivor 44, featuring a doubling of active idols, even more fake idols, a sort-of swap, and both literal and strategic bellyflops.

Episode 3: To play is to overplay ... sometimes

Published: March 16, 2023

Damnbueno takes you on a tour through Episode 3 of 44, from the fake idol finds, to coming-and-going injuries, to playing too hard, to competing too little, to hesitating about making a decision. Plus gargoyles!

Episode 2: Survivor minds over Matt-ers

Published: March 9, 2023

After a brief tour through the history of Survivor Matts, Damnbueno dives into Episode 2 of 44, including all the idol hunts, Matt-related events, and surprise reconfigurations of voting alliances at Tribal.

Episode 1: Island of No Secrets

Published: March 2, 2023

Damnbueno is back for 44 with a first-look run-through of the two-hour premiere, from the injuries to the oversharing to the too-many-to-count (and mostly public) advantages and Shots and idols played at the first Tribal Council. Can't any of you people keep a secret?