Another day, another season! This off-season felt far too short, but I chalk that up to my life being on a decent pace for this one. I could tell you a lot about what’s going on, but you didn’t tune in for a Cam Andrea life update, but for another reason.

Odds are, if you pay attention to Survivor, you saw the list. You saw the same list countless others have. It’s a pretty vital list that really defines the game this season, and was only released about a month ago. When I first saw it, I was in shock- especially since last season I indicated that I was planning to cut back attention on the articles and, spoiler, I still am keen to do that so I don’t waste everyone’s time on a season that may not matter worth a squat. Still, when I saw these ones, I had my work cut out for me when I first saw this…

Yeah. Eighty-two! Thankfully my coronary halted when I found out most of them were immunity idols and snuffers used to adorn the island shelter. However, hidden in there are some past items from Survivors- mostly idols- that have really been bonezoned by the players who owned them. Here, there’s a chance to do them right. Not gonna lie, my initial instinct is that this will go very badly. There’s little knowledge of how they’ll be handled, and I am not entirely convinced that there will not be an Advantagegeddon at Final 11.

That being said, I kind of dig it.

I like nostalgia. While the true nostalgia here only goes back as far as China (there aren’t even any decorative Borneo items! #conchshellrobbed) because idols and shit only existed from that era on, I still appreciate them acknowledging there are past seasons further than the last three away. Even in Game Changers we only had three from before Caramoan, and those are three HvV stars. Here, we have some influence and tribute to many seasons, all wrapped up inside a campy, spoopy package. That can go really well.

This update will be spent talking about the idols. There are a lot of them. I think there’s an overabundance of idols both real and fake- but at the very least they have interesting backstories. An idol is an idol is an idol- they all do approximately the same thing- real ones negate votes, fake ones look like they do. What matters is the backstory of the failed ones- what lessons are there to gain from their failures? That’s what we’re here to find out.

(And yes, for those asking, I am doing my first pre-game assessment article on these advantages. I will probably be tackling the cast soon! Probably. Can’t decide if it’s unnaturally good or ungodly awful- I just know that words will be had about the way Domenick talks about James Lim. I just have to figure out how, cause the old way made me take a week to get through six castaways- I am not subjecting myself to that again!)

James’ Unused Hidden Immunity Idols (China)

Origin When James was kidnapped by Zhan Hu and forced to watch Aaron go, Todd came up with a plan to aid him. He found and gave a hidden immunity idol from his camp to James when James was temporarily abducted to old tribe Fei Long’s reward, so when Jamie threw another challenge she received an idol to her face. Moreover, he informed James of where to find the one at Zhan Hu when he returned, giving him two idols. James was pleased.

History: Following Todd’s advice, James was able to retrieve the second idol- and an error in finding a blank board caused Jamie’s side to scoop it up and believe it was an idol. The tribe did not go to Tribal Council until merge, causing James to retain his two idols (and Jamie to play the fake to no avail). However, he did not repay Todd with the return of his idol, meaning Todd had knowledge of James’ two idols- and no reason to keep him for too long.

Bungled Play: Todd’s side, at the leadership of Amanda, knew that James’ two idols would mean that if he survived past Final Seven, he would play them straight into the Final Four. They took a risk in voting James, knowing that the odds were in his favor to play one of his two in the three rounds left. James, trusting them, did not, and as such was blindsided with them both in his pocket.

Analysis: It’s hard to assign full blame to anyone. I don’t think James was entirely an idiot. He trusted his alliance, who had saved him in the Jean-Robert vote and provided no reason to bend otherwise. However, his hate for the other Zhan Hus blinded him to any sort of rebellion within the ranks. You see, James is a very loyal, simple player. To him, Fei Long = Good, Zhan Hu = Bad. So he will stay with good no matter what. Any other player would think that not satiating someone who knows about your two idols one is not knowing how to maintain an alliance. James just thinks the alliance needs no maintaining.

(Also, as a brief point, Peih-Gee is often blamed for not letting James know that the Fei Longs were set to betray him, but a) she was given no full explanation other than to shut up and she wouldn’t go home, and b) do you honestly believe that James would listen to Peih-Gee at all?)

Ghost Island: How will this appear in Ghost Island? Well, first off, as one and not two- because being given two idols is just too much. Generally, idols are considered part of Survivor lore and will have similar uses- so aesthetic differences are everything. Due to its bulk in size (it was the header for the gate, after all) it will be hard to find, especially as the crew gets savvier and starts looking through bags for idols. Hiding this will take work, especially considering its history of not being hidden from the most important people to hide it from like Todd. More than any other idol, it will be the most difficult to conceal. At the very least, if people know about it, best to think of them as different from when they didn’t.

Ozzy’s Fucking Stick (Micronesia)

Origin: In Episode Four, Ozzy was sent to Exile Island with Kathy. There, he found the idol, but was inspired by Yau-Man to hide a fake idol there. However, Ozzy skipped a few craft classes in High School, as he literally found a stick and lightly carved a face into it before putting it back.

History: Everyone’s favorite douche canoe Jason Siska took a break from alienating others and being a right asscheek to go to Exile and find the stick. Without a doubt in his mind, the member of the fans tribe assumed that this was a Hidden Immunity Idol and pocketed it gleefully.

Bungled Play: Jason and Eliza were left on their own when merge hit, forced to cling to each other as allies. However, Jason, fully believing the stick was an idol, promised Eliza that if he won immunity (which he did) he would give it to her. Ecstatic at her survival, Eliza gleefully promised the audience that she would be as hated as Jonny Fairplay… until she saw it, took half a second to deduce that it wasn’t an idol, and went to verbally destroy Siska in a classic scene where she attempts to try logic with a moron. That Tribal Council, literally out of options, Eliza plays the stick and hopes for a miracle she does not get, and is railroaded 8-2 out of the game.

Analysis: Hahahaha Jason thought a stick was an idol that’s fantastic what a putz. I will admit afterward that it was pretty smart of Eliza to pinpoint and announce that Ozzy had the idol. Well, as smart as someone leaving the game could get. Regardless, this not only screwed Jason, but Ozzy- it revealed he had the idol and increased his target exponentially, giving Cirie and her side the guts to oust Ozzy, idol and all, next round.

Ghost Island: This is going to require a new level of salespersonship to convince anyone of anything regarding it. It is a stick. I would imagine it would be played as a fake, but come on. Non-fans would see a stick and laugh them off the planet. Fans would see the stick and think of that chucklehead who thought an idol was a stick and laugh them off the planet. The best thing you could do is try and convince them that this time production made it an idol, and even that is not guaranteed to work.

This is an advantage on hard mode, and if anyone has a choice the benefits do not outweigh the work to make it work. The only way it could be valuable is if it actually is an idol, you could show it off, and others will laugh you off the planet only to receive an actual idol to the face. Otherwise… novelty value! Everyone has wanted to see the stick make a comeback, and we have inched closer and closer to that, especially with Lauren’s seashell idol. The stick will be the return of an old friend at this rate, and its impact on the metagame has been surprisingly high.

Oh… were you looking for what advice the players should take? Well… don’t assume. Don’t assume foliage is instantly an idol because it has a face on it, and don’t assume everyone would be cool with you being exposed for having an idol.

Andrea’s Hidden Immunity Idol (Caramoan)

Origin: One of the rare idol sagas that, unplanned, lasted for only a round, Andrea received a clue to the umpteenth hidden immunity idol of that wretched season and found it with her alliance.



History: N/A, it was only one round. I really should take this section off for short term items.



Bungled Play: This gave her alliance the ammunition it needed to turn on Andrea. This also gave Andrea the ammunition to blindside Brenda as was her secret goal, but the people she expected to help her- Cochran, Dawn, Sherri, Erik- sided with Brenda over her. She didn’t play the idol, and kaput, she and the idol were both gone.



Analysis: Essentially by taking the idol when Erik gave it to her, Andrea was giving away the leverage she needed to vote Brenda out. She was unaware of this, and decided to avoid playing it- to her detriment.



Ghost Island: Idols themselves are basically the same, but the pitfalls are not; since this season is about surviving pitfalls of the past owners, this is a lesson in keeping idols secret. Depending on who you’re aligned with and what your place is, you can’t share knowledge of what items you have. Sometimes it’s beneficial, other times it’s not. It’s hard to avoid everyone looking at you when you return from basically advantage island, so how you play it matters. Especially if you’re like Caramoan Andrea, a cockroach player who could tell she was on the outs of a big alliance, the last thing you need to do is give them ammunition if you aren’t willing to play it.

Jon’s Hidden Immunity Idol (San Juan Del Sur)

Origin: In San Juan Del Sur, during Exile Island’s brief return, Jon visited twice, getting two hidden immunity idols. One, he used at Natalie’s discretion at the Stick To The Plan Tribal Council at Final 9, then immediately went back to Exile and found one to replace it.

History: What Jon did not know is that his ally, Natalie, was not one to go down without a fight. After Jon and girlfriend Jaclyn voted out Jeremy at Final 10 without involving Natalie, their prerogative was to immediately accept Natalie back instead of distancing her from their core. However, Natalie knew they weren’t to be trusted and led a brutal revenge arc against Jonclyn, willing to strike against them- but only at the right time, leading him through a rough patch of easy votes to dwindle numbers she couldn’t use. At the Final 7, she led a pre-emptive strike, taking down Alec, an outsider that Jon could use, in a split vote she pretended to botch. She convinced Jon it was a mistake, but planned to take him down at Final 6- the last possible time.

Bungled Play: Jon’s trust in Natalie was ironclad- to the point where Natalie was able to gain enough troops to split the vote against him and Jaclyn without tipping him off to play his idol. Even as Jaclyn was suspicious that the rug could be pulled from underneath them, there was no escape- the vote split caught them and took out Jon and his idol.

Analysis: Natalie’s quest for revenge meant that as soon as Jon took Natalie back in, there was only so much that he could outrun as long as Natalie was in. He let the enemy in his gates because he was sure she was still a friend. Once he had decided that, there was no hope.

Ghost Island: Another idol, how fun, but with it comes a message- finish cleaning your messes thoroughly. After Jeremy was voted out, Jon was willing to let Jeremy’s closest ally Natalie back in because he liked her- and it was Natalie who was his undoing. Maybe it’s unappealing to do away with a whole block if you only want one person out and feel the other could aid your game- but even if a group isn’t a package deal, Jon should have thought through the ramifications. To undo his mistake, whoever earns this idol should learn to think through the consequences and be prepared to act on them all- not just some.

Scot/Kyle’s and Tai’s Hidden Immunity Idols (Kaoh Rong)

Origin: Both were found the way hidden immunity idols generally are- but there was a twist. If two people combined their idols together, it would form one “Super Idol” that could be played after the votes.



History: Like all great stories, the two with the power found each other when Scot and Tai met in a swap. Scot had subdued himself without Kyle, an original tribesmate who freed him up to act an ass, so Tai was drawn to him and, by his recommendation, kept his idol and let go of tribesmates. Come merge, Kyle and Scot reunited and eventually took over the game with Tai- in theory. When their fourth Nick was voted out after the Beauty women betrayed them, Scot and Kyle went ape- using the power of the super idol they presumed Tai would give them to destroy camp and play bullying antagonist with impunity.



Bungled Play: Eventually, however, Tai would “leave the dark side” based on original Brains member Aubry, who treated him with more respect than Scot and Kyle did- while they ordered around boot targets and waged psychological warfare, she listened to and talked to him even on opposite sides. This all came to a head when Scot got enough votes to be eliminated- and Tai denied Scot the super idol, leading to him taking Kyle’s now useless idol out of the game. While morally this satisfied Tai, this would damage his rep- and not even matter for his own idol, as the last time to play his idol was skipped when Joe medevac’d in fifth place.



Analysis: A relationship this kinetic was bound to end in disaster. Opposites didn’t attract in this case as neither one was willing to change or communicate, which was needed in such a powerful position. Scot did not take into consideration that Tai wouldn’t like him embracing such a villainous role, and Tai did not effectively communicate that Scot delivered brute force that shoved Tai out of the picture far too transparently.



Ghost Island: My question: will the two Kaoh Rong idols (listed separately) be able to combine to form a Super Idol? Though I loathe the idea of any Super Idol, I have accepted that twists I hate will run rampant through Survivor… and if this twists makes two unrelated people work together, I am fine with that. One thing to keep in mind is that this is a great power that will require the both of you to access. Whatever you have to do to make that work and stay sympatico, either do it or split early to use it as a normal idol. While the super idol relationship between Tai and Scot was amazing TV, it was the absolute worst way to handle a super idol.

David’s Fake Idol (Millennials vs Gen X)

Origin: In the finale, the “nerd” alliance of four had a major outsider problem in Jay- it was final six, and he had been on the outs since the Final 13. A combination of immunity wins, a hidden immunity idol, and staying back as other targets and drama became more pressing got him ahead seven rounds past his expiration date. To counteract this, alliance leader David decided to use materials and an “Idol Rules” paper he got with one of his idols to build a fake and hide it for Jay to find.



History: As it happens, Jay did find it! A whirlwind of it looking well done, having the rules with it to further its legitimacy, and a rule change from the past allowing for idols to look differently from each other, all made this idol seem very legitimate.



Bungled Play: Though Jay didn’t stop from winning immunity and swaying people to his side, Jay made the fatal mistake of no longer looking for hidden immunity idols, as David tricked him into thinking he had one. When he ran out of options, he played it at that Tribal Council, shocked to find out it was fake. He was promptly shuttled out of there, in good spirits regardless.



Analysis: This was far less a fault of Jay’s and more being vastly outplayed by David. No one has gotten as much mileage out of a fake idol. Either they fail to save you, or are literal sticks and rocks (I see you Ozzy and Rupert). However, this conditioned Jay to make the mistake of no longer looking. I don’t blame him- this idol looked pretty legit. Still, the complacency ended his game.

Ghost Island: This is less difficult to use than the stick. Sure, its recency will lead to more fans recognizing it, but on the other hand, I’m a dedicated fan and I couldn’t tell you exactly what it looks like without a photo… a buoy thing and a candle like cage decor thing, right? (Edit: I was very, very wrong.) There’s a good chance people can get away with this fake.Ultimately, though, if someone were to get conned by this fake, the lesson is to be greedy. Sure, that late in, looking for thirty idols to conveyor belt to Probst is exhausting and unappealing, but if you’re at the bottom, desperate times call for desperate measures, and not every idol is hidden directly under the raft you give confessionals at. If you’re at the bottom and there’s no one else, sometimes you gotta put the work in to survive.

JT’s Hidden Immunity Idol (Game Changers)

Origin: Directly after he accidentally got Malcolm voted out at the double Tribal Council by telling old tribesmate Brad who to idol, JT went back to camp with NuNuku all suspecting him of betraying them, and not a solid ally in the world. When the morning came, he dug and found an idol, effectively saving himself.



History: The tale of JT being swapped onto NuNuku is essentially the freeze-framed “bet you’re wondering how this scenario happened” of Survivor. Bad enough that he got swapped five-one alone below the minority tribe, but he managed to work on alienating them all. In the first round on NuNuku, he sent everyone from Mana on a raft ride only to sneak off and go idol hunting, which went nowhere. Eventually, he did make an ally of Malcolm, the only one shown willing to hear him out, but in a quest to get out two time winner Sandra, he got Malcolm voted out as stated above. Obviously, playing the idol would save him from the scenario he put himself into… but then Michaela ate sugar with her coffee, and he lost his goddamn mind.

Bungled Play: When Michaela asked for a teaspoon of sugar with her coffee so she could “try it out”, JT muttered under his breath and to others away from her how ignorant and crazy that bitch was- his words not mine. Sandra got a “sweet” idea to send JT off the deep end by eating all of the sugar. As reckoned, he suspected Michaela and went straight on a bloody trail of destruction against her, to the point where his hatred made him feel confident in not even bringing his idol to Tribal. Then…

Analysis: I mean, obviously the lesson to take from this is “don’t be as goddamned idiotic as that crazy bitch JT”. Sandra snowed him with eating the sugar then agreeing with him that eating sugar was the worst crime ever, but used that to keep him raging while she went behind his back and blindsided him.



Ghost Island: I guess if I were to narrow it down, it would be “even if you think you have an ironclad stance and argument like ‘bitch likes sugar, bitch therefore ate all the sugar’ do not think it’s a given that everyone agrees with it.” Your beliefs are not the beliefs of others. Make a conscious choice whether to stand alone or to fade in- sometimes one is better than the other depending on how awful the counter-stance is (like Mike while the Axis sat around and let Will screech at Shirin for existing near people accusing him) but keep in mind no matter what that not everyone will agree with you.

Lauren’s Hidden Immunity Idol (Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers)

Origin: Since HHH loved giving idols out to the point where they had no value, Lauren stumbled upon half an idol, with the other half hidden at the challenge. Both of those together would make one hidden immunity idol. Even though it was literally a shell on a rope, it had power.



History: After Lauren obtained the idol, she was involved in a conversation where the alliance she was in talked about flipping on Ben. Ben overheard, and flipped first, trying to get Ryan, Chrissy, and Mike from the minority on board. However, they were undecided.



Bungled Play: Lauren tried to prove her trustworthiness to Mike, who informed her that Ben was going off on her. However, she did this by giving Mike the shell half of her immunity idol to hold onto for a Tribal Council. Having no allegiance to Lauren, Mike threw the shell in the firepit at Tribal for all to see. Chaos reigned, but all six of the votes went against Ben. It was not to be, however, as Ben played his own idol, sending Lauren home with one measly vote that her own idol would have negated.



Analysis: Lauren had a history of being open with her advantages. She was walking with people when she found the idol clue, and she worked with Ben to get her extra vote, and used it to help build her counteralliance. However, those were with people she had trust in, and while they got along well on NuYawa, Mike was deemed an enemy, especially after his own disastrous idol play severed his flimsy ties to NuYawa members of the majority alliance. He had lost their trust, and Lauren spent way too much to try and gain it back- when she knew her name was on the block and could have used that idol to save herself.



Ghost Island: This item is interesting, because Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers has not aired by the time Ghost Island filmed. Also, it is literally a generic shell and a string. I honestly cannot wait to see how the hell anyone tries to spin a shell no one has seen before into a usable idol. As far as the moral tale for the idol itself, the takeaway is to be careful how much you trust someone. Is the trust of someone you feel finicky about worth the risk? If so, how do you do it- with the actual idol or some other prop? How do you sell it?

Conclusion

I think I have made it clear in the past, resent, and presumably future that I am not fond of idols. I am not fond of when all of them are played and send someone home for not finding a magic stick, I am not fond when someone plays three in a row and some are hidden literally right where producers have him give confessionals, and I am not fond of them when someone can literally dictate a seven person Tribal Council with one vote. However, I can’t deny, though I would like to, that idols can be a good accessory to accelerate storylines. They’re a MacGuffin, and while they can be overpowered, they’re a good prop to really get stories going- and as proven above, they are not foolproof. In fact, fools and foolish mistakes are often the best things to happen to it.

I’ll be back soon with the items that didn’t involve idols, and it will not be 4k words.

-Cam

P.S. All of the racist micro and macroaggressions have been helpfully underlined.