To everyone who played Season 9, to the producers, and everyone in the VL: This has been a VERY entertaining season. From the true ORG newbies to the XTC-newbies, all of you played your hearts out and brought us hours of entertainment. Though I couldn’t post as much as I had wanted/anticipated, I was still highly engaged as a viewer, watching every tribal council, vote and challenge like a hawk. I feel like you’ve all done yourselves and us alumni proud, regardless of how you placed. (So take what I say below with a grain of salt).
PRE JURY:
Jessaca: I was shocked and disappointed. Was tight with Spencer, you were right to distrust Sam. I wish you and Iqra were able to survive longer than you did. You were a threat coming in and I think too many people caught wind leading to your exit. An exit which, btw, made many of us in the VL more than sad.
Gabby: It was unfortunate to see you go so soon. I kinda saw it coming, but I wish I hadn’t read your game so easily. I hope you continue to play and hone your game.
Welcome to the XTC Fam!
Ryan: Ryan, Ryan, Ryan… what can I say. You left us too soon. I was so ready for you to go deep in this game because I saw potential (and you were recommended by Ricky too). I think your schedule got in the way of early game socializing which is crucial to surviving the early rounds. Better luck next time, please come try again!
Elyse: My first heartbreak of the season. I was a big fan of you and your play style, the confessionals and tribal answers were honest and hilarious… UGH. I did NOT want you to leave, especially not before Jury! I feel like the game lost some edge when you left. Don’t be discouraged from playing again!
Chioma: Detergent Queen! You were a favorite in the Viewer’s Lounge and we were ALL sad to see you go. Not knowing the game and adapting as swiftly as you did was very impressive but a bit too late to keep you alive in the game. I have no doubts we’ll see you cast again if you apply!
Iqra: I honestly didn’t get to see much from you in the game and am bummed about not getting to see you learn and adapt to the game. :/
Welcome to the XTC Fam!
Kyle: TBH after the 2nd/3rd day you kinda dropped off the radar until I heard you called Alex out on a lie, which was fun. Then you left…
I wish I had more to write up here, but I don’t…
Welcome to the XTC Fam!
JURY(
Kristine and Chris: I initially started writing about you two AS the eviction started, so PREBOOT were my live thoughts, POST are updated/current feelings)
KristinePRE BOOT -
- QUEEN!!! I love how she’s grown in this game. She is playing this game like a newbie in the best way NOW. Arguably rough start, and somewhat rough middle but she’s weathered the storm impressively. (Hilarious chucking peace signs in Alex’s face, be it his icon.. no show).
POST BOOT -
- FOR FUCKS SAKES!!!! I’m convinced that you were robbed. You were a gem for us in the VL. You had us laughing from the start and the energy you brought to the game was NEEDED. UGH, just a day out from your eviction and I already didn’t like the game without you in it. Definitely come back to get your redemption/enact revenge on those who robbed you! PS. Your confessionals gave me life!
(pic to come, just too tired to resize it at the moment)
ChrisPRE BOOT -
- This guys growing on me too. Tribal started off pretty slow and lame but I kept getting distracted by him playing with that dumb cat lol (shout out to Jessie for voting him out BC of said cat)! I was bored with you to start but I’m going to be looking at you moving forward.
POST BOOT-
- I need to stick to the people I claimed I liked at the beginning of the game, bc as soon as I start to like someone new they up and get booted…
- I start liking Chioma: GONE
- I start liking Iqra: GONE
- Kyle too… and sadly Chris you were the next to go. I wanted to see you and all the bread baking, but sadly you too were taken before your time. I look forward to seeing you in future games should you try again!
Brandon - It’s hard to separate people in the game from their IRL personas. Brandon is such a sweetheart IRL but in this game… IDK, I think I just expected more or something different from him given he’s married to alum. But no two games or gamers play the same, so maybe it was unfair to hold him in that same light. He’s still a favorite of mine, I just wanted him to expand his game beyond just working with the two allies he’s tethered himself to till death.
(Having written all this out I realize he made a similar lapse in judgment to what I did around that time in my season {despite the circumstantial reasoning behind that decision}, so I’m done judging him for that aspect).
Game aside, he was a fucking treat to watch, and so damn funny. Him leaving the game robbed us of some solid VL entertainment!
Jason – JASON JASON JASON, I have so much to say, haha, but first a question… WHY DIDN’T YOU LEARN FROM CONQUEST!? UGH, you voted me out of Conquest for a showmance, and then you rolled right into another one immediately in this game. It was a struggle watching you from the VL fall into a “showmance” with someone whose dating my friend and castmate, Logan and not be able to steer you clear of that so you could focus on your own game (something I silently wished for you). But you genuinely seemed to have connected with Grace on some level and I find it highly respectable that you’ve not only found out about Grace’s truth but have handled it so well and maturely. Hats off bud. Welcome to the alum family.
(pic to come, just too tired to resize it at the moment)
Devon - Devon is hilarious. VERY impressed and surprised by him in this game. I didn’t know how to read him, whether I hated or loved him at the start but I’ll be DAMNED if this fucker didn’t grow on me! I’m actually laughing at his stupid antics and admire his ability to sway people to his side. Speaking of antics, the fake idol with accompanying Twitter account is so next level extra AND diabolical… magnifique! I think that’s been one of my favorite moments of the season thus far.
(this is how I saw your gameplay personified throughout the game)
Sam - When I first wrote my initial assessment about you I said I thought you’d “play too hard, too fast at the wrong times” and I’m so happy I was right haha. But it’s totally in the most entertaining way, and very nearly worked for you, so, props!!! I like how one second you’re tight lipped while dodging Benji’s Tribal questions, and then (in the very next breath) will start rambling an answer to the question JUST asked of you (while still not directly answering the question). I don’t want to forget your earliest game move of sneaking past Torry to go to the island while she was in a meeting. Could’ve come off as bad PR for you but you got your idol and it never presented an issue for you. You are a great player that I look forward to seeing again (ideally on my side and not as an opponent)!
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Jessie - you floated into merge like I thought you would but WHERE ARE YOU? I almost never see you involved in major gameplay, strategy, or in any of the many episodes of activity/drama we’ve had this season. Avoiding drama is a smart way to avoid getting votes but it seems like you’re not involved in much until one side needs a vote from you. Please pick up the pace and start your game now. You made the merge, now start working on the resume.
My thoughts on Jessie pre-FTC: Jessie, you showed up just like I had hoped. You made a late game showing that ended abruptly with the misplayed idol. You were such a treat and the cast loved you. I’ve no doubt if you wanted to play they’d cast you for a “Second Chances” or as a Hero in a “Heroes vs. Villains” season.
My mental picture of Jessie's gameplay style in the early game
Spencer – I am so shocked by Spencer in this game. I hate to admit (remember I’m not trying to sound like a dick, I’m just being honest…), I forgot you were in the game for a long time, so much at the beginning that I forgot to write my assessment of you. That aside, I remember your intro video and thinking you would either be really social or float on by, and you kinda did both WHILE also gaming your heart out.
I respect the hell out of your social game, you had a great perspective on the game and it helped you not only survive votes but to stay in ppl’s good graces along the way. Had you made it I have no doubt the jury would’ve given it to you. Sorry again for forgetting you, I assure you won’t be forgotten again.
Spencer in this game
FINAL TRIBAL TRIOGrace - What to sayyyyyy…. I think you had a very strong start, arguably one of the strongest starts and foundations but I think you took on too much, specifically in regards to Jason. I think what started off as a fake showmance has evolved into a sticky situation for you. I’ve feared for you SO many of these days. It’s been such a rollercoaster watching you play from the VL; some days I want to congradulate you for something you did and some days I want to scream at you for being a bonehead. Through it all you’ve done what you needed to make it to another FTC. You’ve impressed and won over a fair amount of people and I fully believe this is your game to lose. As long as you keep your cool, stay focused, and own the good and bad elements of your game, the jury (really Jay though) should be cutting you a check!
A book I imagined you wrote amidst the height of the #Grason era.
Torry - I’m SOOOO happy to have been wrong about you. I pegged you as an early boot because I thought you were too sweet and nice to go far, but BOY was I off. I mean, you’re definitely coming off sweet and nice, but girls got game! I underestimated you and I think some of your ex-castmates did as well, which is why you’re still in (and doing well at that) and they aren’t. I pegged you as the first five to go and now you’re in the FINAL TRIBAL COUNCIL! You’ve had a long and wacky road to get here but you did it! Despite people’s opinions of your gameplay you did great and had us in the VL rooting for you hard. Win or lose keep your head high because you did an amazing job.
Alex - Diss A Pointing. Biggest letdown of the season. He seemed like someone who could not just manage the game but potentially control it and he’s just done NOTHING for me, or himself, this game. Everyone’s played the game and he’s not….
He has a bigger shot at the win than I anticipated. On a positive, the social game employed did keep him in the game, but it’s very hard to separate that from being dragged to the end. I’d definitely recommend coming back for another season with a fresh approach.
All in all, this season has been wild and even after having sat in on and helped with the Jury Roundtable, I'm not entirely sure who wins tomorrow but know that it should be entertaining. (and for the last time) Welcome ALL to the XTC Fam!
