# Survivor Season 40: Winners at War **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 12, 2020, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829 "2020-02-12T17:50:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/201 "2020-04-10T15:27:13Z")
Adam’s attempt at the podium “idol” was an all-time classic. I love that he tried for it. I would have loved if it was real. But I loved the way it went down too. And Jeff was masterful. “You want to play … this.” Survivor history. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/202 "2020-04-10T16:09:20Z")
I watched a couple seasons of South African survivor, but never Australian. It would have been funny if Probst chucked his podium into the fire pit like he does fake idols that are played ---
**Author:** ![HammerJoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a6a055/32.png) [@HammerJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HammerJoe)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/203 "2020-04-10T16:14:49Z")
I am disappointed that it wasnt an idol and Adam was saved. It would change the game big time which is what it needs. The game to be exciting needs to kick unexpected players to break alliances otherwise its a bore fest. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/204 "2020-04-10T16:26:14Z")
I loved that Adam took a shot at the podium idol. It was a very clever idea, and when it didn’t work he seemed to take it in stride. Other than that, however, I thought he came off as whiny and pouty throughout the episode and especially at TC. He helped to sink his own boat, really. And Adam has kind of rubbed me the wrong way since the start, so I’m shedding no tears over this one. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/205 "2020-04-10T19:24:03Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > He wasn’t being cruel. No more cruel than when someone plays a fake idol and he says “This is…not a hidden immunity idol.” and tosses it in the fire. Besides, apart from major physical injury, I see the players as puppets going through suffering for my amusement. I actually thought he was less cruel than he often is about fake idols, so I was surprised at the indignation on Twitter. > [@HammerJoe](#): > > I am disappointed that it wasnt an idol and Adam was saved. It would change the game big time which is what it needs. The game to be exciting needs to kick unexpected players to break alliances otherwise its a bore fest. I feel we have already moved too far in that direction and made the game too chaotic. I agree it needed to go some in that direction to avoid really boring stretches of Pagonging by dominant alliances, but they have taken twists and advantages too far IMO, and if it continues in this direction it will become sheer chance as to who is sitting there at the end. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/206 "2020-04-11T12:33:38Z")
I’m not a fan of Adam but I give him props for the attempt. I thought it was astute of him to consider that the podium fleur-de-lis may be an idol and he had nothing to lose by trying. If it \*had \*been an actual idol we would all be talking about what a genius move that was. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/207 "2020-04-11T15:36:02Z")
Who was the intellectual player from Borneo (the country not Survivor Borneo)? ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/208 "2020-04-11T19:46:39Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I feel we have already moved too far in that direction and made the game too chaotic. I agree it needed to go some in that direction to avoid really boring stretches of Pagonging by dominant alliances, but they have taken twists and advantages too far IMO, and if it continues in this direction it will become sheer chance as to who is sitting there at the end. I completely agree with this sentiment. The game has become far too encrusted with variables to “keep it exciting” and backstops to protect popular players. The older players like Rob and Parvati have been ridiculed for using outdated strategy, but we’re reaching a point where strategy is pointless. The clusterfuck at the last tribal council was amusing, sure, but it’s embarrassing to see what a chaotic mess the game has become. Remember when Probst advised aspiring players to study John Nash’s game theory work? There wouldn’t be any point to that now. It’s hard to believe that we used to see players debating shelter construction, fishing to make themselves valuable, or informally deciding on a tribe leader. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/209 "2020-04-11T21:47:17Z")
/\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* “”"N BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBbbbbbbb’ ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/210 "2020-04-11T22:38:22Z")
I think there is still strategy afoot, but it is teetering on the edge of being a crapshoot and the trend is worrying. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/211 "2020-04-11T23:05:33Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > It’s hard to believe that we used to see players debating shelter construction, fishing to make themselves valuable, or informally deciding on a tribe leader. Recent seasons have completely gotten away from showing us any scenes of life at camp – fishing, gathering coconuts, debating whether to kill chickens (in fact, any issues of food at all). It’s just alliance discussion followed by challenge followed by alliance discussion. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/212 "2020-04-11T23:24:30Z")
Not entirely so. Don’t forget about Tony’s ladder this season, which was a riot. But it would be nice to see more of that. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/213 "2020-04-12T00:19:16Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Not entirely so. Don’t forget about Tony’s ladder this season, which was a riot. But it would be nice to see more of that. Back in episode 3, Sandra caught a baby shark; that was also played for laughs. We do still see some of that stuff. The difference in earlier seasons is that the “camp life” stuff was relevant to the game. Players who performed useful tasks around camp were once considered valuable and worthy of keeping. The people who weren’t good at those things had to find other ways to compete. The politics of managing the camp produced leaders and followers, and occasionally people were voted out for being “too bossy.” Now, it seems like everyone’s functionally equivalent, and the only skills that matter are lying, misdirection, and idol-finding. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/214 "2020-04-12T00:36:55Z")
**Crane** , what the Hell was that supposed to be? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/215 "2020-04-12T00:44:31Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Recent seasons have completely gotten away from showing us any scenes of life at camp – fishing, gathering coconuts, debating whether to kill chickens (in fact, any issues of food at all). It’s just alliance discussion followed by challenge followed by alliance discussion. I know, I like seeing some survival aspects, finding food, catching fish. I notice they didnt even try to put a roof on the shelter, which is why the rain made them so cold. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/216 "2020-04-12T02:25:40Z")
Makes me wonder if “shelter” is even the right word for something that doesn’t have a roof! So what do we make of Ben choosing all women for the reward challenge? That had to be some kind of purposeful strategy, right? ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/217 "2020-04-12T02:59:38Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Makes me wonder if “shelter” is even the right word for something that doesn’t have a roof! > > So what do we make of Ben choosing all women for the reward challenge? That had to be some kind of purposeful strategy, right? It was a “school Yard” pick with Jeremy and Kim as the Captains. I assume Jeremy and Kim were picked at random. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/218 "2020-04-12T03:25:21Z")
Are you sure? I could have sworn they said Ben was a captain, and that his team had all women other than him. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/219 "2020-04-12T03:58:28Z")
Chronos et al, I just noticed #209. Couldn’t figure it out. Then I remembered - when I was fixing supper my lap top was open on the dining room table and I noticed the cat was sitting on the keyboard. Don’t know how you could randomly get all the strokes needed to create a post, but she must have managed it. I apologize profusely! ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829/220 "2020-04-12T04:30:08Z")
As long as the cat actually watched the entire episode, it’s fine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-season-40-winners-at-war/847829.md?page=12)