This next merge episode took place with one tribe already in the majority. This episode is:
GUATEMALA!
This is a season I generally find underrated and in my top 10. But I have to say, the merge episode was far from this season's strongpoint. The set-up going into this was rather weak. Nakum came into the merge up 6-4 and with the numbers. This left a minority of Gary, Danni, Bobby John and Brandon. This alone is probably one of the worst set-ups for a merge episode because we already had a clear majority with no intention of flipping. What makes it worse is that there were 3 strong males in the minority to make it look less attractive to flip.
In the actual episode, the only real drama was who Nakum was going to pick off: Bobby John or Brandon? We did see Bobby John plead with Steph that he just wants to make jury this time. Once that was arranged and the immunity challenge was complete, the rest of the episode was basically just Brandon's sendoff. It just doesn't represent what a merge episode should be about.
In terms of the impact on the rest of the season, I don't believe this had much. Brandon wasn't exactly a standout player going into the merge, he was just looked at as a nice southern boy. Plus, what happened after this really had nothing to do with Brandon's vote off. He was really just a number to weaken the minority alliance. Yes Danni overcame this but I consider that separate and not connected to this episode.
Stay tuned for #27! Hint- this merge involved a fake idol
Borneo
Australian Outback
Africa
Marquesas
Amazon
Pearl Islands
All Stars
Vanuatu
Palau
Exile Island
Cook Islands
Fiji
China
Micronesia
Gabon
Tocantins
Samoa
Heroes vs. Villains
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Redemption Island
South Pacific
One World
Philippines
Caramoan
Blood vs. Water
Cagayan
San Juan Del Sur