‘Survivor 44’ Episode 2 Recap: “Two Dorky Magnets”

Spoiler alert: This text incorporates spoilers for Survivor 44 Episode 2.

It’s official: Survivor 44 is underway. No extra premieres, no extra introductions, and no extra new benefits (for now). We’re within the thick of Fiji with 16 castaways after Bruce was medevaced and Maddy was voted out in Episode 1. The episode kicks off immediately after tribal council, with the Ratu tribe congratulating Jaime on her profitable shot-in-the-dark play.

Matthew and Lauren are feeling nice as a result of they didn’t have to decide on sides. Kane, alternatively, obtained the brief finish of the stick when he grew to become the one particular person to vote in opposition to Brandon that’s nonetheless left. Brandon’s not joyful and now Kane is rightfully paranoid. Then we see some stunning, crashing waves earlier than we head into the meat of the episode.

Our three favourite tribes aren’t simply surviving, however thriving. On the Soka tribe, which is the one tribe with six gamers, Matt and Frannie’s showmance develops. Matt misplaced his vote for the following two tribal councils, so his “Matt-stock is at an all-time low” however don’t fret! He “actually, actually likes Frannie,” and after we study that his ex-girlfriend obtained to maintain the canine, we all know that Matt actually wants a win.

Matt and Frannie get so shut that he feels comfy sufficient to inform her that he seems like she’s a “fishy” and he has the “massive, lengthy rod.” Erm, is that this nonetheless a household present? Matt even reveals to Frannie that he misplaced not only one, however two of his votes, and Frannie thinks they need to keep aside, however they’ll’t! How romantic. She says that they’re like “two massive dorky magnets,” giving the second episode its title.

At our kooky Tika tribe, everybody decides to search for the important thing to the birdcage, and feeling like she’s on the outs, Carolyn by no means! offers! up! even after sticking her hand right into a snake’s nest. Indiana Jones wouldn’t love this episode. In actual fact, Carolyn is such a decided individual that she as soon as dug via her son’s poop for 3 days straight to search out his lacking tooth for the tooth fairy.

1. Ew! 2. Is that willpower or delusion?

Even nonetheless, Carolyn finds the important thing and shortly hides it. When her tribe goes off with out her, Carolyn shortly steals the package deal contained in the birdcage however forgets to switch it. She realizes her flub simply within the nick of time. Nonetheless, in doing so, the bag is each shifting and empty when the remainder of her tribe will get again from their outing. And someway, even Carson the NASA pupil can’t put two and two collectively that Carolyn is the one who has the benefit.

Again at Soka, Danny decides to search for the important thing whereas the remainder of his tribe is all buddy, buddy. He finds the important thing and manages to open the cage, get the idol (and the pretend), and put it again instead earlier than anybody else within the tribe notices. He has to take the danger, as a result of in his phrases, “Scared cash don’t make no cash.” Please don’t ask us what he means, as we don’t know, however his platitudes work for him.

Tika and Soka get their first appears to be like at Ratu, who voted out Maddy, and the sport will get actual. Host Jeff Probst explains the very complicated immunity problem, which we’ll do our greatest to explain. Principally, every crew should go up and over a internet impediment to a big pile of sand luggage, which they then must empty till they discover a colourful bag that incorporates a small ball.

Then the crew should untie some knots (we at all times must untie knots in Survivor challenges) to launch a ladder that they push as much as a platform. One crew member climbs the ladder and drops a rope down, which the crew makes use of to launch a bridge. Then, the crew member on prime of the platform crosses the ladder to get to a lever to safe the bridge.

As soon as that’s executed, your complete crew can cross the bridge, slide down the impediment, untie some extra knots (as a result of why knot?) after which one crew member has to maneuver the ball up a snake puzzle. Sure, it’s a really snakey episode. Earlier than the problem commences, Claire declares that she’ll sit out… once more. Jeff asks, maybe for the primary time in Survivor historical past, “Is {that a} volunteer or a tribe resolution?”

Claire solutions, “Each,” to which Jeff responds, “Hmm.” Curiouser and curiouser. Regardless, Soka begins within the lead as at all times, however Ratu and Tika compensate for the snake maneuver. Matthew leads the Ratu crew to victory, securing a bounty of fishing gear, their flint, and their security. Sarah and Josh are neck and neck for Tika and Soka, respectively, however Josh pulls out the win, sending Tika to tribal council.

Matthew reveals to the castaways that he constructed the snake maneuver in his yard to apply. Whereas we at house might imagine that’s spectacular, he’s principally simply let the cat out of the bag that he might be an enormous risk, regardless of his shoulder harm. Carson notes this and shares via confessionals that he additionally constructed loads of the traditional Survivor puzzles at house utilizing his 3-D printer, however he would by no means, ever inform his tribemates this.

Again on the Tika camp, it looks like Carolyn would be the straightforward vote-out. But, we at house know that she has a hidden immunity idol. Nonetheless, Carolyn and Yam Yam are like crumpets and jam jam — not solely do they go collectively, however they’re tasty to observe! Yam Yam says that Carolyn is “a mixture of Goofy and Cher.” We by no means thought that mixture may exist, however he nailed it!

Carson seems to be tight with Helen and Sarah, the opposite two youngins on the tribe, however he approaches Yam Yam and Carolyn, prepared to work with them. Carolyn is skeptical — what’s the profit for Carson? So proper up till Jeff reads the votes, Carolyn appears to be like like she’s about to pee her pants, which we wouldn’t put previous her based mostly on the earlier episode.

As Jeff grills the Tika tribe, Helen reveals that she’s apprehensive. “What if I’m simply dwelling in my very own delusion?” she asks. Jeff responds, “That may be known as a blindside, and that’s what occurs on Survivor.” That’s our clue that we’re about to witness a blindside, however earlier than we will get to that, Yam Yam shares his appreciation for Carolyn’s emotional vulnerability and openness.

Yam Yam loves that she cries, and so can we… everybody loves tears on tv! Carolyn shares that she’s simply grateful to be there (and for ripe papaya), giving us an at-home lesson in gratitude. When she votes, she describes the spooky chess board, “This is sort of a horror film up right here, like a haunted home,” and the editors give us some creepy music to accompany the second.

Carolyn rightfully decides to not play her idol, as a result of Carson chooses to vote with Yam Yam and Carolyn to take out Helen. Maybe Carson noticed Helen as an endgame risk, and it’s potential that he felt like a trio of three totally different personalities with Yam Yam and Carolyn might be a stronger alliance. Hopefully, we’ll discover out his true intentions within the subsequent episode. However via all of the snakes within the timber and the challenges, Carson was the last word snake within the grass.

New episodes of Survivor air each Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.