Episode 9 & 10

[michaelbrady]

Please post content related to the first 2 Merge rounds here!

[michaelbrady]

HERE ARE ALL MY RANDOM THOUGHTS. STARTING WITH THE MERGE ROUND:

1) We lost Malcolm to a 8-3 Merge vote. This was a tough loss to the Merge, Malcolm started the game off SO strong, easily the start of the first 10 days of the game. But a combination of mistakes made during the game along with Anders winning immunity here really put Malcolm in a bad spot. I think the ultimate undoing to Malcolms game was the Lance round. It really hurt him and Carly, and I'm not surprised they left back to back here. That round ultimately made Hugo not trust Malcolm because of how chaotic it all was, and Malcolm throwing out Gerdas name for the vote gave Hugo the ability to sway her away from him. I think Malcolm is a very strong player and it sucks to see a star go this early into the Merge. I've loved watching Malcolm play this season and I'm hoping he starts the Jury chat with a Bang!!

2) GREAT round for Anna Lynn and Hugo. They managed to do a lot this round, including getting Gerda to agree to a Malcolm vote AND bring in Leanna for an ally for future rounds. I also think Hugo specifically has done a good job building new connections with people like Rizo and getting even closer to Sarah. Anna Lynn could've been in a really tricky spot this round but she maneuvered everything very well. If I was betting on a winner, I'd be choosing between Anna Lynn and Hugo at this point. 

3) Anders and Leanna in an unhinged Minority position is SO fun to watch. And this isn't coming from a place of not liking them, I actually think they're two of the more entertaining players left in the game, but just watching them rage with each other about their positions and the other players...it's honestly hilarious LOL. Anders is going full-on sicko mode now, just not giving a shit about anyone! This round actually went pretty well for Leanna even if she doesn't realize it, I think she's going to have options moving forward now. These 2 will not BOTH stay in the game for much longer, but while they are here...they're one of the more fun duos to watch!

4) A few players need to step it up, ASAP. Specifically Brenton and Dayle. I feel like both are being perceived as very expendable by the rest of the cast, and I feel like they're either going to be voted out very shortly or essentially brought to the end as a "goat". I don't feel like either qualify as a goat whatsoever....both are smart enough players to make the right moves....but both are just simply not as active as the other players right now. Brenton was gone all weekend, showed up last second and did what he was told. I worry that Brenton will just continue to be a vote rather than thinking for himself. Brenton HAS to turn on people at some point and make a couple signature moves....I still believe he has a shot at winning this game (call me crazy!) Dayle is becoming expendable to her own alliance at this point. Alicia and Rizo both thought about voting her out THIS round and now that it's F10, Alicia just told her prod chat she is 100% going for Dayle. It seems like the reasoning for the Dayle vote just simply comes down to them not feeling like Dayle is loyal to them 100% even though as of now I think Dayle is. Dayle got votes this last round and now has an advantage, I'm hoping this was the fire under her ass she needed to really start going off in this game because I know she's got that in her!

5) Alicia and Rizo are crushing it......................for now. A lot of people (Hugo/AL/Sarah/Dayle)....people they TRUST....have talked about how those 2 think they're running the game and they've made it very obvious they're a close duo. They're both very strong power players in this game and have a lot of influence, however that can change very quickly and they're going to have to make big moves to keep themselves safe. I think working with Anders and Leanna makes a ton of sense for these 2, because once Anders and Leanna are gone....these 2 become targets 1 and 2. I think they realize that which is why I'm not counting them off yet. Plus they have an idol! I'm excited to see what they do because they're both huge players who know how and when to make that big move.

6) I want to see Sarah in the minority just because I think she'd be GREAT at it. I feel like Sarah can still win this game but she has to get knocked down soon in order to do so. i feel like some players are better when they're against the wall with nothing to lose, and I feel like Sarah would be one of them. I also just think it'd be a lot of fun to watch her scramble and flip people to work with her. 

[austintexasholdem]

Malcom was a king - but I think his placement for this game was what he deserved. I think his game collapsed when he was trying to save Lance and threw out his closet ally in Gerda and Hugo played his hand very well in taking Gerda away from Malcom.

Dayle was honestly super boring, she had to know she was on the bottom of that 4 & I was surprised she didn't turn it up a notch at the merge. I think her losing Malcom was a HUGE mistake.

9 players left:

Ranking them from how their playing/who I'm rooting for/just general thoughts

9th - Leanna: Hot Mess Express, I don't think you will place 9th but I don't think you will make it that far. You don't have the strongest relationships that others have. The only root I could potentially see you make it far is a Brenton, you & Gerda but I still think you wouldn't even win with that. Sad I know.

8th- Alicia: I haven't been a fan of you at all. I want you to lose! Aleem was the dream and you screwed him so I hope you get screwed too I hope Sarah gets her Revenge!

7th- Benton: I was on the Brenton train for like 20 minutes and then I hopped off it because your game is so fugly. What have you done so far? Survived. That's about it. At least you applied to the right game! I could definitely see you making it deep into the game, I just hope for some Brenton control. You haven't controlled anything in any round, and have been slaving Alicia/Rizo. You're literally taking up someone's spot in the game right now...and might just slither all the way to the End because people forgot about you. You could actually potentially win this game if we have a bitter jury and they want someone who played their first game to win. Will it be a good win? probably not...unless you turn it up the heat. I have 0.001% faith in you!

6th- Gerda: I think you were a GOAT for like most of the game, but I'm slowly seeing you evolve finally. Only took like 12 rounds or so. I think you will either be an IMPORTANT vote out around 9th or 8th for those Big time players because you are taking a spot from one of them. I think you could slide to the end in everyone's shadows. If I was playing I would have you gone for you at the merge vote because you are becoming dangerous now. But not many people see it. So ill see you at the end probably! Keep those important relationships in Anna Lynn and Hugo and I'm sure you can lose in the final tribal!

THE ALL STARS OF THE SEASON:

5th/4th- Rizo/Hugo: I was a massive fan from the very start, you both are pulling strings on different sides. You guys are both massive threats. One carries an idol, and the other carries closer Bonds and people want to protect him. Anna Lynn is closer to Hugo & Sarah is closer to Hugo...and I think relationships are more important than idols. So I'm giving my upper-hand to Hugo. But I could see a nice idol play in a couple rounds or so? And the Rizo-Anders thing I'm really enjoying as well!

3rd: Anna Lynn - Probably deserves first place. She has all the cards to win it, she has the right connections, the numbers in whatever way she wants to play it. However, the dynamics are becoming smaller and smaller and I know she probably is going to have to choose sides. She could potentially get screwed if she takes out the wrong person, especially when Rizo has an idol. I'm just wondering what her "targets" are moving forward. like I'm so interested in her game-plan. What is she going to do?

2nd: Sarah - I think Sarah is winning this game! I want her to win! Being "left out" of the last vote I hope she starts thriving. She needs to take CONTROL of the game now. She's let too many people walk all over her and now it's her time to shine!

1st: Anders - I want Anders to win so bad! He has Malcom in the jury already who could potentially speak up to everyone who is coming into the jury. Literally the biggest threat/the biggest name talked by everyone coming into the merge. He has no business getting to the end, and if he's there he definitely deserves the W. People keep on saying lets keep Anders for a few rounds. Its perfect for him because he can be building up the relationships he needs right now. I also think he shouldn't use his safety without power because it expires at final 8, and he could just pretend it is good all the way to final 6 or something. The biggest person in his way is Anna Lynn.

Gerda vs Brenton (who can slide to the end)
Hugo vs Rizo (which threat can make the deep run)
Anna Lynn vs Anders (they both know they need to take each other out)
Alicia vs Sarah (who has more women power)
Leanna vs everyone (hot mess express)