For the first time this season, the tribe had its say – and it said its word quite clearly: Maor Shoshan, who was marked from the beginning of the season as one of the leading forces in the “Baibain” tribe – ended his path with a painful defeat. Out of nine survivors, an overwhelming majority of five voted to kick him out. Doreen Dotan-Prakash can mark herself a cautious victory, and this is surely only the beginning.
With the exception of a short foray into the Tagalog tribe (which we’ll touch on later), naturally the Beibain tribe was the focus of the third episode of Survival that aired yesterday (Saturday). Also because of the fact that he is the tribe that should have been put up for removal, but also because he is the tribe within which there was the strongest division: between the Dorin camp and the Maor camp. The two chieftains took command of their territory from the beginning of the chapter, and all members of the tribe had to choose a side.
It doesn’t look any better in the Knesset. Coalition discussions in “Survival” (screenshot: Network 13)
At least at the beginning of the episode, it seems that a clear division was formed: Nevo Shamir, Sapir Kashti and Maya Kay moved to Dorin’s side, while Maor tried to consolidate Alit, Casey and Shikar around him – when Sahar was the floating voice, the tip of the scales that was supposed to decide who would be evicted in the end. But while Doreen managed – albeit barely – to keep her team around her, Maor failed in this task – big time.
His behavior towards Casey Zapata, whose voice he needed, was simply – there is no other word – repulsive. On the one hand, he exerted unceasing mental pressure on her (to the point of obsession) not to oust him, and on the other hand, when she discovered the obvious signs of her difficulty with the situation, he simply used her in the most cynical way – with the aim of trying to discourage her and make her retire (because if she quits , eight remain and elimination is impossible).
here they come Maor in “Survival” (screenshot: Network 13)
And it wasn’t just a matter of karma that he ended up paying for with defeat at Tribal Council; It is also the ability to manage people and deal with their problems. In the end, a leader in a democratic environment (like the environment of “survival” – where you depend on the council and the votes of people) cannot move forward and succeed without the trust of the people around him. In his behavior, not only did Maor lose Casey – he also lost Alit in the same way, and eventually also Sahar, which decided the battle and marked his way out.
In the end, Maor broadcast throughout the tribal council his desire to “take things slowly”, but that’s exactly where the dissonance arose: because in his behavior he broadcast desperation and pressure, which did not allow him to form close relationships. Unlike Doreen, who knew how to conduct the same dialogue with Casey (obviously wanting her not to dismiss her) in a completely different way, Maor lost his human relations and went home. In the terms of Israeli politics, Maor’s coalition fell apart in the first vote of no confidence.
Okay that was disgusting. Maor and Casey, “Survival” (screenshot: Network 13)
In Tagalog, at the same time, as if nothing had happened – the tribe remained with its nine members in a rather calm atmosphere, and only one relatively limited segment appeared in the episode in which two things happened: the first is Tal Mord’s monologue, in which he talked about dealing with his cancer-stricken mother. Along with the difficult story (without an ounce of cynicism), it is clear that the production aims here to shine a light on Mord’s character – who received the least attention when most of the focus went to Baybain.” The second thing that happened is the opening of a possible front between Gal Rubin and Guy Rosen, because of his decision In the last episode to give immunity to Doreen.
And this story, as well as Sahar’s dilemma, touched on a fundamental dilemma in “Survival”: how much you should think about your personal strategy (as someone who ultimately wants to win), and how much you should think about your tribe and the group. For example, when Rosen chose to give the necklace to Doreen – some claimed that he strengthened the second tribe – he left a charismatic and strong figure inside him, instead of trying to keep a weaker survivor. Sahar, who was debating whether to oust Maor, thought the same thing – should he give up someone who could help them in the future, in the name of momentary intrigue? This is a dilemma that will be worth following further.
so much love Baybain tribe, “Survival” (screenshot: Network 13)
Another development came from the first tribal council and is the introduction of a new element: the stones of destiny. What are destiny stones, you ask? Well, the production of “Survival” decided that anyone who is eliminated can carry a stone with him, which he will throw into the fire after the moment when it became clear that he was eliminated. If the stone survives the fire, it will be saved and returned to the game. If not, it will be definitively rejected – when only one of the 18 stones can survive.
This is a very problematic decision. It helps the dramatic element of the series, but detracts from the competitive spirit of the game. In the same way, someone can be completely bad, hateful to his friends, useless in any way – but because of heavenly bodies and spirits, he will stay in the game. There is an objection here to meritocracy – that is, to the simple competitive desire to be the best, in favor of relying on luck. There is nothing wrong with a “lifeline”; As a fan of “A Star Is Born 3”, I’m totally into it. But the “lifeline” should be based on any abilities, professional or social. It was equally possible to draw a lottery on who would survive last and not turn to the tribe, with all this torches and sailing. It was no less entertaining, but apparently it was less “survival” – and more like one of the programs that airs after it: the lottery.
Be nice next time. Maor, “Survival” (screenshot: Network 13)