Applebee's and Playing Chicken with Idols on Survivor 46

Episode 10 gave us a lot to sink our teeth into...

Déjà vu. That’s what Survivor 46 episode 10 brings to the table. After last week’s episode where I wrote, “If you’re going to play your idol – PLAY YOUR IDOL,” the same shocking realization comes into play again. If you state how you need to play your idol, chances are good you should go ahead and play your idol.

Yes, again, this is just armchair analysis and I do not have the faintest idea on what it actually means to be out there playing the best reality TV show. There’s a sense of isolation, wicked conditions, and the wild state of hunger plays a massive driving force into people’s ability to strategize and produce in challenges.

Proudly Yelling at Another Contestant in Survivor 46 Episode 10?

Survivor 46 episode 10 is brought to you by Applebee’s. There was a reward challenge dedicated to feasting on some pretty amazing food items, and by the end of the descriptions and talk about it, I wanted, nay, needed Applebee’s in my life.

There was mention of yummy wings, burgers, and so many other items I cannot even remember, but I can visualize everything I saw onscreen. Yes, I want to devour some Applebee’s right now – and I would gladly like to win this challenge or be taken. But, if a player makes it on the show, should they expect to be taken on any given reward?

Well, Hunter went home last week, and Q was the other side of a split vote. And Liz voted for Q. Going into this reward challenge, Liz mentioned the amazing connection she has with her daughter going to Applebee’s and watching Survivor. That is absolutely incredible and I can only hope to have those awesome moments with my kiddos as they’ve recently branched into the Survivor world.

I think the challenging part of this, as Q stated after winning the reward challenge, and she had yelled and ranted at him for a minute after not being picked, “But Liz you voted for me last night so.” Look, I’m not saying Q has played a perfect game. I’m not saying Liz has played a perfect game. I’m saying that expecting to be picked for a reward challenge is quite a large expectation, even if someone knowingly came into a foodless game with a severe food allergy.

As someone who struggles with finding their own emotional path in life, it’s difficult to judge others; however, I don’t know if screaming at another individual (and admitting to being proud about it) is a path I would like to take.

What’s the Deal with All of These Idols Not Being Played?

Tiffany and Hunter both mentioned playing their idols last week. Both of them decided not to and one of them went home. Tiffany was a target last week, and perhaps because she didn’t know that, she felt comfortable enough to bypass that initial thought process.

In this week’s episode of Survivor 46, Tiffany felt as though the vote for Q would be unanimous. There couldn’t possibly be another plan. Despite (however many days prior) mentioning she would need to burn her idol to reduce her risk, that frame of mind vanished in the wind. It could only be Q tonight, right? Well, I thought the vote would be Q as well.

And, with Liz being appalled at being left out of the split-vote last week, and Q still being in the game, and Q not picking her for Applebee’s, she voted to blindside Tiffany – and Tiffany was sent packing. Despite this massive emotional desire to get rid of her hated nemesis in Q, she set that aside for this vote to BLINDSIDE Tiffany.

What is Happening Next in Survivor 46?

The Survivor 46 season is down to seven players. From what we’ve seen onscreen, there are a few players left who either haven’t been heavily involved strategically or are being kept as a smokescreen. So, who will get votes in the end? Maria and Charlie continue to be the focal point of guiding decisions in some way throughout the season. Venus and Liz are around, but their vantage point hasn’t seemed to dictate a positive place in the game.

Is this a season where an obvious winner is not even possible? If the season ends with Q, Liz, and Venus in the finals, who gets the votes? Is that where we’re headed? After another major blindside, will the remaining players start to see the power of Maria and Charlie – and ultimately get rid of them? Kenzie was blindsided by the vote, so perhaps her relationship with Ben will aid in such a move.

It’s been a WILD ride the past few episodes of Survivor 46 and I can only imagine where it goes from here. Plus, on top of this season, Survivor 50 has been announced with a dedicated cast of returning players. So, we’ve got a great season with Survivor 46, and we have a great returning season to look forward to ahead.

Survivor is awesome.