Retro Survivor rewatch: Borneo episode 8, “Thy Name is Duplicity”
Survivor: Borneo took a slightly more negative turn in episode 8, thanks to its decision in portraying the first alliance as it did.
To be fair to Survivor, it seems like the plan for the show, starting in the premiere, was that the Tribal Councils would be sad and difficult affairs. Even in episode 8 of Borneo, some players picked up on that idea instead, providing an easy contrast to the first alliance. The result is that “Thy Name is Duplicity” feels rather tense and fraught, punctuated by some sad moments.
By virtue of the merge happening in episode 7, Jeff Probst’s voiceover of how Survivor works had to change a little bit for episode 8. However, before you get too excited, the same footage of Richard jogging to Tribal Council with Tagi still showed up.
The alliance’s continued to be portrayed somewhat negatively, thanks to its efforts in eliminating Gretchen. Jenna used the word “conspiracy,” Sean said “bloodbath,” and Gervase said she had been “picked off.”
But Jenna started to play the game again, forming bonds with women like Sue. Of course, Sue continued to let that idea seem possible while talking about preferring her already-formed alliance in confessionals. Much as we think Richard spearheaded everything, he was not the only one playing Survivor in a form we might recognize today.
Speaking of, he also played the provider role. This is usually not a successful ploy anymore. In the early days, it certainly helped, though, with the tribe’s perceptions of him.
Perception played a role in Greg’s storyline, too. Others thought he and Colleen were in a relationship. She insisted it was not that way. He gave a confessional about her being his kitten. Also, Richard and Greg teased each other here and there, with Richard saying he saw right through it in a confessional of his own.
Probst then paid a visit to Rattana with a crate that didn’t contain food, but rather a TV for videos from home for the reward challenge. Jenna famously did not get one. The reward for winning the archery challenge, though? The full tape and the ability to tape something to send their family. Greg shot first and won. He did share his video with Rattana, though Jenna didn’t watch (or participate in the filming) and kept shooting at the target.
Survivor continued to establish Gervase’s strategy of relying on likability to win (or at least go further) before cutting to a Probst introduction to the next immunity challenge: a “jungle rope maze” to collect five carabiners, while staying attached to at least one rope at all times.
This is an example of a challenge the show would rework today, because the jungle element makes it tough to follow all of the action at once. Sure, the show uses its handy subtitles to show who led, but it still doesn’t work perfectly. Gervase ended up with the win.
Back at Rattana, people tried to make alliances to try and counteract the already-known voting bloc that had led to Gretchen’s elimination. But, in a recurring theme this season, “too little, too late” came into play again, because the Tagi foursome had a plan.
At Tribal Council, the topic? Strategy, shockingly enough. Sue said there wasn’t an alliance. So did Kelly. Colleen openly said she didn’t want to play that way.
When it came to the votes, Jenna took three, but then Probst started reading votes that had Greg’s name on them — four of them in a row. A look at the credits showed he took Jenna’s as well for a 6-3 vote (with the fifth vote, Sean’s, being shown). He left making everyone laugh.
Next: Borneo episode 7 rewatch
In episode 9, there will be more alliance talk, of course.