Joanna is so much sharper than she's playing, I really wish she'd sell her ideas harder and not allow herself to be led by Rob of all people.

Joanna (to Christy): How the hell are we going to trust Ted. Like I cant trust him as far as I can throw him.

And still so bitingly funny, she sends this follow up PM without waiting for a reply from Christy;

Joanna (to Christy): And obvi he's so fat I can't throw him very far.

Joanna is actually a very good player when she is dedicated. She is fairly loved by her entire tribe and had Rob not made some a big mistake, she was guaranteed a final 3 spot. Joanna's biggest problem is gaining votes, because the UTR game doesn't usually sit well with the jury.

If Ted does flip again, I can't see why people won't want him out. It's obvious that Ted wants to keep flipping for the remainder of the game, which is great as a viewer, but as a player, that would drive me nuts.

But why target the guy who is a potential vote over someone who is a certain enemy? I think he will go far, especially if he can keep racking up the IC wins. Then if he gets close enough to the end, he might get dragged as a goat - where he can actually put forward a pretty good argument that he played for himself and dictated the game.

He certainly did for the merge round.

I have a bigger write-up about this & the merge round I'm trying to finish before tonight, but damn there's just so much happened..

It's not entirely not Joanna's fault she is where she is now either. Back in Ep 5, she had srs reservations about Ted's loyalty, and was well connected to Shawna, who had Jeanne is her pocket. At the time she wanted Jeanne to stay and not Ted. If she hadn't been such a passenger to Rob & Christy's steering, that is at least one more solid number in her court, two if Jeanne being around kept Dan from flipping, and three if this then means Shawna's safety. She allowed Rob & Christy overrule her even though it's not what she wanted.

She needs to push her own agenda a bit more.

No sooner do I type that than she is doing it.

Right now she is trying to sell Christy on allowing Rob to be booted tonight, gain a little Helios trust, and prove Ted a flipper. Good girl yourself Jo.

Why is that smart, exactly? Rob is annoying and controlling, but he is a number on their side. Erin/Penny want nothing to do with an Asteria, Daniel only wants to work with Joanna and Ted just wants to be entertained.

If Ted wants to flip and eliminate a few Helios, why would she want to stop him?

Joanna (to ): Or I could just vote with them, out Ted as a lying sack of shit. Continue to get info from Dan/Penny. Idol the shit out of Penny...
Christy (to ): I don't see the point in idoling Penny out. She's not a threat whatsoever. And actually what you've said is way riskier, IMO.
Joanna (to ): Penny was the one that got those two to flip. You know I've hated Ted since he fucking got on our tribe. I really don't want to go with him. If people think we're on opposites ends, that could be really good.
Christy (to ): Penny only got Daniel. Ted was a last minute addition, and that was all Ted. He told them that he's willing to go for Shawna. I know you hate him, but are you willing to let Rob go just so you don't have to work with him?
Even if people think we are on opposite sides, I won't have the votes to survive, and you'll follow immediately after.
Joanna (to ): IDK I just think at final eight we'd start finally getting some offers because H/B and E/P would finally start trying to get each other out. And if they think I'm on their side then I could get info on who is the boot target then get someone idoled out.
I think this plan is good and I trust you and Rob but it's just so hard having to trust Ted.

Sure they lose a number in Rob tonight, but they gain enough to possibly get them out of the hole they're in, and what has Rob's "leadership" gained for them so far but the loss of other more reliable numbers, fake allies, unreliable insight into Helios, and a big fat target - they're nearly better off without him.

Immunities & Ted's idol aside, they could be aiming for;
Rob leaves tonight. Ted gets exposed as a serial flipper and loses everyone's trust. Christy gets in with B/H. Joanna gets in with E/P/D.
Next round Ted is on everyone's hitlist and C/J are sitting on both sides of the camp with their strong allegiance hidden and soon forgotten. They have a decent enough 'inside man' in Daniel, info coming from both camps plus an idol up their sleeves that they can claim Rob took with him to Ponderosa. And like Joanna said, they *will* start getting offers at that point.

I'm just happy to see Joanna pushing her own agenda, whether it's a wise one or not.

I love Penny <3
Tonight's hopeful clusterfuck is all down to her :D

I'm so excited!! Each round has delivered so damn much. What an awesome cast.

Boo hiss, it looks like it's settling down.
Daniel/Erin/Penny vote Rob
Rob/Christy/Joanna vote Daniel

Ted probably Daniel
Helen/Brian either throwaway or Daniel

Although those last three are susceptible to change. Maybe Joanna's too? icon-mystery