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Look, here’s one from my daughter Violet! Dear Daddy,Why do you love Survivor more than me? Violet Hmmm… okay. The cast of “Survivor 43'.CBS Not exactly how I was expecting to kick things off here. And loving something thesameis not loving itmore. I’ve told her that a million times. The cast of “Survivor 43'.CBS Oh, here’s one from my son Dale. Let’s see what that dude has to say. Hey Dad,Thanks for getting me the Survivor: Panama DVD set for my birthday....

Sami proves he’s a teen titan with a move that absolutely should not have worked… but did. How did he do that? Who am I talking about then? Noelle Lambert, Karla Cruz Godoy, and Sami Layadi on ‘Survivor 43’.CBS Look, I’m not gonna sit here and front. But it didn’t, and he may have just pulled off the move of the season. Let me set the table before we go any further....

There are certain markers for anySurvivorplayer big points in the game that contestants hope to make. Notbeing voted out firstis a huge relief for any person who ventures out to the island. Making the merge andthe juryis another. Carolyn Wiger, Yam Yam Arocho, and Lauren Harpe of ‘Survivor 44’.Robert Voets/CBS (3) However, there is one big marker that no longer exists. One of the casualties of the new era ofSurvivorhas been the loved ones visit....

A lot has changed onSurvivorover 44 seasons. There’s no longer a hilarious trunk of fake money sitting at Tribal Council.Jeff Probstditched the cowboy hat. Players don’t randomly sport sunglasses. The cast of ‘Survivor 44’.Robert Voets/CBS Frankly, they should bring all of these things backtout de suite,but that’s not the point. The trunk of cash is gone. As is the cowboy hat. The cast of ‘Survivor 44’.Robert Voets/CBS Now it’s time to get rid of something else....

What’s going on? Well, I certainly got that one wrong. Who could forget my SUPER confident Betsy Bolan pick forSurvivor: Samoa? Matt Blankinship and Claire Rafson on ‘Survivor 44’.Robert Voets/CBS Still, this one hurts. I saw something in Claire Rafson’s pre-game press. She seemed loose, at ease. Claire Rafson on ‘Survivor 44’.Robert Voets/CBS I figured she would be a social dynamo. I thought she looked athletic… which appears to have been a misread of epic proportions....

Get ready for some questionable opinions on seasons, twists, and players. Survivorfans are an opiniated bunch. I know this from experience judging by the… shall we say…colorfulreactions to mySurvivorseason rankings. Brandon Donlon, Katurah Topps, and Drew Basile of ‘Survivor 45’.Robert Voets/CBS (3) I also know from said rankings that not all opinions are popular ones. But where’s the fun in everyone thinking the exact same way? There would be no debate and discussion if everybody agreed on everything....

The lack of food is getting to Uncle Bruce. Look, there he is doing the Robot! And now he’s playing peekaboo in a boat! Bruce Perreault on ‘Survivor 45’.CBS “If we lose today, Jeff takes the flint,” Bruce says to the camera. “Mentally, I’m ready. Physically….” He then shakes his head in the negative. And his tribemates are starting to notice. “But I was looking at him and he was slowing down, and that’s not Bruce....

The Reba tribe won flint! But can they use it? What good is a flint if you don’t know how to use it? The Reba tribe on ‘Survivor 45’.CBS “He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever met,” Drew says. Of course, Sifu would not be the first person unable to make fire with flint. One contestant, Sundra onSurvivor: Cook Islands,couldn’t even make it with matches. And Sifu was not about to give up....

Jake and Julie are ever so amused. Then check out a hilarious exclusive deleted scene from this weeks episode. Yes, you get Drew being sad about the reward feast flyover. Drew Basile in ‘Survivor 45’ deleted scene.CBS But you also get more. Including a montage of exasperated noises coming from everyones favorite analogy-spewing contestant. CBS He’s a little stuck in his ways, observes Jake OKane in the clip. He has a real problem with authority....

The entire cast also explains their jury strategy had they made it to the end. Survivorgames are won and lost at final Tribal Council. If you cant articulate why you deserve the million dollars, then you likely wont get it. Jake O’Kane on ‘Survivor 45’.CBS Playing to the jury is a complicated recipe featuring equal parts confidence and humility. Overcook or undercook either of those ingredients and your dreams of reality TV glory could be toast....

It’s time for some damage control. Its a good thing he didnt tell everyone about it in his sleep. And that weakness is… talking in his sleep. Drew Basile talking in his sleep in ‘Survivor 45’ deleted scene.CBS In an exclusive deleted scene from this weeks episode, Drew is chatting up a storm while he slumbers. Some people have to come back from Tribal Council and do damage control, he explains....

Dee puts game before love. Thats all everyone kept saying on this weeks episode ofSurvivor 45. No, they were not discussing the rap sheets of formerSurvivor: The Australian Outbackcontestants. Dee Valladares and Austin Li Coon on Survivor 45'.CBS That wasnt savage; thats just brilliant production work. And why stop there? Coming up with ways to inflict suffering on reality TV contestants really is my favorite hobby. Drew Basile and Austin Li Coon....

Two players are voted out as a last-minute revelation by one of them backfires. I can see the future! And I mean actuallyseeit. Jeff Probst on ‘Survivor 45’.Robert Voets/CBS Like, just right now. A vision of the future! I saw someone voting for Kaleb! The cast of ‘Survivor 45’.Robert Voets/CBS I saw someone voting for Julie! But how could this be? We weren’t even close to Tribal Council time, especially with the longer 90-minute episodes....