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Post by stephen on Feb 19, 2023 19:08:10 GMT
Liz and Jordie confirmed to be Keith and Wes Nale fans, and I love it.
This was an extremely gripping episode, and I gotta say, I'm shocked Nina isn't taking a leaf from Sandra's book and playing "anybody but me." Putting her neck out for Dave and being noncommittal the way she was -- that could've gotten her flipped on so fast. I do think Hayley didn't play it that much better, but Nina had a pre-existing relationship with Jordie and she could've easily parlayed that... but I guess it wasn't to be.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 19, 2023 22:22:35 GMT
Jordie, whyyyyyyyy. As much as I like her, Nina has just been hyped up because of her Mum, all she does is stick to the majority. Another great quote this week with, "Just get your face...better"  |
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Post by stephen on Feb 19, 2023 22:55:16 GMT
Jordie, whyyyyyyyy. As much as I like her, Nina has just been hyped up because of her Mum, all she does is stick to the majority. Another great quote this week with, "Just get your face...better" I am devastated about Jordie. I actually think the move was sound -- but what they should've done was to wait until the last minute, scare Nina and Hayley into voting them, then throw it out to Sam that he was the target and let the fireworks go off. |
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Post by stephen on Feb 20, 2023 17:16:51 GMT
Awwww, I liked Ben and wanted to see him sneak through this vote, especially if he got the chance to see the "idol" beforehand and recognized what it was and immediately move to throw Flick under the bus.
Looks like tomorrow night's gonna be fireworks city for poor Simon.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 20, 2023 23:02:05 GMT
Eh, Ben's insistence on always staying at the bottom was annoying, and did him in. Could have made a bigger move with his own idol, instead of just going for someone else at the bottom. And he could have flipped to the Spice Girls straight after the swap. Oh well. Shonee and her crab confessional We stan  |
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Post by stephen on Feb 21, 2023 14:55:30 GMT
Simon’s jaw drop at the reward challenge when he gets thrown under the bus — classic. Say what you will about Simon, but the man is giving us JT energy and every season needs someone like that. I hope we see Simon stick around well into post-merge. Fingers crossed.
Stevie with that excellent reward challenge performance!
“Who’s gonna be the bigger tosser?” “Simon.” Lol.
Jonathan slamming Sam and Flick for not being able to do a proper ring-toss — gotta love the snark, especially when he followed it up with his response to Shonee asking him to come to the Heroes tribe for dinner. “Hmm, no.”
I love the idea of an idol clue in a fortune cookie! That’s genius.
Simon sitting in the rain in his confessionals looking like a kid who dropped his ice-cream on his Xbox — just heartbreaking stuff. “A brown wooden circle of disappointment” indeed.
Simon sitting on the bench watching his tribemates throw the challenge — just keeps mounting up that disappointment. And then JLP with the “it’s ‘cause you sat, brother.” I really, really hope this is a non-elim; I need the Simon misery train to keep rolling.
Shaun: “Anyone need water?”
Simon, hopeful for a strat chat: “Yeah, I could go.”
*Shaun takes Simon’s bottle and asks if anyone else wants to go*
SAVAGE.
Sam starting to get a sense of strategy in real time — it’s a beautiful thing to watch. If this is all it takes is for someone to destroy the mateship and unleash the self-preservation in the most loyalty-brained player in Survivor AU history, I’m glad we got to see it. (And lol at Nina being the one to (unintentionally?) blow the whole mess up.)
NINA IS COMING TO PLAY. Fucking FINALLY.
I also have to say I am impressed at what little I am seeing of Dave. He does seem to be playing an ace social game and does have some strategic acumen — I just wish we saw more of him.
MUTINY MUTINY MUTINY! I love a good mutiny!
I half-expected Sam to want to mutiny, tbh.
Lol, Liz saw that option and said screw y’all, bye Simon. We got a Spice Girls reunion!
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Post by stephen on Feb 21, 2023 15:07:03 GMT
And now a look at the Week Four leaderboard:
1. Liz. This was her big breakout week and in a big way. She held onto her idol, she developed bonds on Villains 2.0 that I think will ultimately serve her well down the track, and she mutinied to the Heroes when no one would hold it against her. Liz is physically capable and she's not as high-profile a threat as George or Shonee, and I feel like she has more options than either of those two moving forward. This week propelled Liz to the top for me.
2. Shonee. She's got her #1 back on side with her (with an idol), and George is by far the bigger target of the duo. I do feel like Liz has the upper hand on Shonee due to the former's relationships that I already enumerated, and Shonee will eventually be targeted for her reputation. Still, I think she's at a healthy #2 spot.
3. Shaun. More and more secure by the day and no one knows about his idol and Hayley's being targeted over him. The only reason I don't rate him higher than Shonee is because he is seen as the figurehead and eventually they'll want to take a shot at him come merge. Still, I don't think it'll work... at least not at first. Still, he's easily got the highest win equity on OG Heroes.
4. Nina. This was Nina's breakout week and it was beautiful to behold. Unfortunately, it didn't pan out in a huge Hayley blindside (even though I adore Hayley), but it shows Nina is ready to play and make a move. I feel like the seeds are sown; we just need to see whether the potential blindside against Hayley gets back to her and if she knows it was Nina who set it in motion.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 21, 2023 22:29:06 GMT
Lol, the contestants always be thirsting over JLP.
Simon huddle over looking sad in the rain was like llama Kuzko at the start of Emperor's New Groove.
Sandra would be so proud if her daughter helped orchestrate the blindside of a former winner.
Will obviously refrain from winner picks/ranking, because you know...
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Post by stephen on Feb 21, 2023 23:17:30 GMT
Lol, the contestants always be thirsting over JLP. Simon huddle over looking sad in the rain was like llama Kuzko at the start of Emperor's New Groove. Sandra would be so proud if her daughter helped orchestrate the blindside of a former winner. I really am hoping for some major Sandra-in- Game Changers energy to come from Nina soon. The plan was sound but now that it didn't happen, there's every chance it gets leaked back to Hayley, and I feel like if Hayley gets to the merge, she's going to link up with George and then Nina's on the back foot. Still, there's every chance they could throw the challenge and force the move to happen again. Simon's dead to rights now so there's no need to really get rid of him here, and I'm sure he'd be desperate to work with them. Something tells me that Simon's "lone wolf" narrative might actually have legs. |
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 21, 2023 23:57:48 GMT
Lol, the contestants always be thirsting over JLP. Simon huddle over looking sad in the rain was like llama Kuzko at the start of Emperor's New Groove. Sandra would be so proud if her daughter helped orchestrate the blindside of a former winner. I really am hoping for some major Sandra-in- Game Changers energy to come from Nina soon. The plan was sound but now that it didn't happen, there's every chance it gets leaked back to Hayley, and I feel like if Hayley gets to the merge, she's going to link up with George and then Nina's on the back foot. Still, there's every chance they could throw the challenge and force the move to happen again. Simon's dead to rights now so there's no need to really get rid of him here, and I'm sure he'd be desperate to work with them. Something tells me that Simon's "lone wolf" narrative might actually have legs. I could definitely see Hayley linking up with George, but Nina would potentially be going that route too thanks to the connection with Liz. Who knows, maybe the Spice Girls do break up. |
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Post by stephen on Feb 22, 2023 0:00:55 GMT
I really am hoping for some major Sandra-in- Game Changers energy to come from Nina soon. The plan was sound but now that it didn't happen, there's every chance it gets leaked back to Hayley, and I feel like if Hayley gets to the merge, she's going to link up with George and then Nina's on the back foot. Still, there's every chance they could throw the challenge and force the move to happen again. Simon's dead to rights now so there's no need to really get rid of him here, and I'm sure he'd be desperate to work with them. Something tells me that Simon's "lone wolf" narrative might actually have legs. I could definitely see Hayley linking up with George, but Nina would potentially be going that route too thanks to the connection with Liz. Who knows, maybe the Spice Girls do break up. That preview didn't look too good for the Spice Girls, but it could also be a misdirect. But yeah, it would be interesting if it turns out that the Spice Girls are the alliance who wind up splitting and the rival factions go to war. God, imagine that, and Shonee is trapped in the middle -- does she go with her BFF Liz or her shield George? |
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Post by stephen on Feb 26, 2023 16:47:07 GMT
Stevie and Evil Gerry bonding over their shared half-deafness was such fun to watch.
Uh-oh! Liz leaked the Hayley blindside to George. If George gets to Hayley at a challenge and spills the beans, this could blow up in Nina’s face in a huge way.
Aaaaaaaand George ratted out Nina. Now to see how things shake out over there.
I imagine we’ll not know who got the clue/idol at the reward except in a flashback? Or was there really nothing there?
“Things will spice up quickly.” Oh George.
I loved the editing between Matt and Flick’s confessionals over them feeling they’re safe over the other.
I really wish the previously-on segment last episode hadn’t given away that there would be a dispute on the Spice Girls’ side of things, not only because it gave away who lost immunity but also because it would’ve been fascinating in real time to see the fallout.
The Steve compromise was heartbreaking, and I honestly thought we were gonna get a Redemption Rock-type non-elim that would keep Steve in the game as another lone wolf. I think this was a massive misstep on the Spice Girls’ part.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 26, 2023 23:39:10 GMT
I'm assuming someone did find something at the reward. Absolutely no idea who though.
Agreed, Spice Girls played that horribly. They better hope Liz's connections with Nina, Sam and David are strong enough, and that Hayley is willing to work with George, because Flick and Matt are running straight back to the OG Heroes. Well at the very least Flick, I have ever so slight hope for Matt.
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Post by stephen on Feb 26, 2023 23:50:41 GMT
I'm assuming someone did find something at the reward. Absolutely no idea who though. Agreed, Spice Girls played that horribly. They better hope Liz's connections with Nina, Sam and David are strong enough, and that Hayley is willing to work with George, because Flick and Matt are running straight back to the OG Heroes. Well at the very least Flick, I have ever so slight hope for Matt. I feel like they would've shown if any non-Hayley person found it, as a way of boosting what Nina was saying about her threat (especially if they were successful in ultimately ousting Hayley with that advantage). I think delaying the reveal only works if it was Hayley who found it, or if it wasn't found at all. I feel like Nina might very well be our merge boot, especially if Hayley spills the beans to Shaun that Nina was gunning for her (as Shaun wasn't in on that vote). Nina is on extremely thin ice and even though she's got solid allies in Sam/Dave, I feel like she could easily be the target between those three. |
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 26, 2023 23:52:48 GMT
I'm assuming someone did find something at the reward. Absolutely no idea who though. Agreed, Spice Girls played that horribly. They better hope Liz's connections with Nina, Sam and David are strong enough, and that Hayley is willing to work with George, because Flick and Matt are running straight back to the OG Heroes. Well at the very least Flick, I have ever so slight hope for Matt. I feel like they would've shown if any non-Hayley person found it, as a way of boosting what Nina was saying about her threat (especially if they were successful in ultimately ousting Hayley with that advantage). I think delaying the reveal only works if it was Hayley who found it, or if it wasn't found at all. I feel like Nina might very well be our merge boot, especially if Hayley spills the beans to Shaun that Nina was gunning for her (as Shaun wasn't in on that vote). Nina is on extremely thin ice and even though she's got solid allies in Sam/Dave, I feel like she could easily be the target between those three. DON'T YOU PUT THAT EVIL ON ME |
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Post by stephen on Feb 26, 2023 23:55:57 GMT
I feel like they would've shown if any non-Hayley person found it, as a way of boosting what Nina was saying about her threat (especially if they were successful in ultimately ousting Hayley with that advantage). I think delaying the reveal only works if it was Hayley who found it, or if it wasn't found at all. I feel like Nina might very well be our merge boot, especially if Hayley spills the beans to Shaun that Nina was gunning for her (as Shaun wasn't in on that vote). Nina is on extremely thin ice and even though she's got solid allies in Sam/Dave, I feel like she could easily be the target between those three. DON'T YOU PUT THAT EVIL ON ME It says a lot that George knew it was a Sam/Dave/Nina effort but he specifically name-dropped Nina when he told Hayley. And I just can't see George surrendering Hayley at the merge after he spent so much time finessing that bond in the pre-merge. I think we're going to see the Spice Girls fracture at the merge, unless George is certain Hayley has the idol and she plays it without him flipping away from the Spice Girls. If Hayley nullifies those votes, I can't see her wanting Nina still in the game. |
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Post by stephen on Feb 27, 2023 15:08:24 GMT
Lol, after that heartbreaking recap sendoff, first thing we see? King George in his brioche-white birthday suit.
Evil Gerry remarking on the Flick situation makes me think that they are emphasizing this as a big mistake—but I am hoping that it’s in service of what proves to be a wise investment with Matt. (Also, apparently Evil Gerry has been aligned with Matt since Day 1?)
Ooooh, our first Final Three chat of the season — and Matt and Evil Gerry thinking of cutting George at the F3? Very interesting.
Damn, that looks like the tastiest merge feast ever.
That look from Nina during Hayley’s mat chat with JLP—that war is not over.
I really am glad that Simon made the merge. He’s going to be absolute gold on the back half of the game and I’m so glad he made it to this stage.
“DIE, HAYLEY!!!!” Lol George at his schmooziest.
“I cannot believe both George and I have made merge.” Neither can I, Hayley. Neither can I. (And I loved that last supper line.)
Lol, well at least George’s tribe name suggestion is better this time around. (Also, lol at Nina’s pettiness at “Vigilantes” being shot down.)
Of course Flick is leaning more towards OG Heroes. This was never in doubt. George played with Flick for 47 days—he knows what she’s like! Again, while I think that keeping Flick might benefit Liz specifically, it was never the right move for George or Shonee.
“My thought is we go for one of the girls.” Oh boy. So much for not wanting it to be a sausage-fest.
Ooooh, that theme when Shonee and Liz debrief with Flick—BAH GAWD IS THAT SHONEE'S MUSIC???
“I’m just shook she’s not telling us.” “I can’t believe she’s playing us.” LIZ, THIS WAS WHAT GEORGE WAS WARNING YOU ABOUT. (Note that I am not specifically frustrated with the girls on this, but when you’ve got past relationships in the mix, you have to consider that, and I feel like they should’ve cut Flick and *then* set their targets on the Meat Tray.)
“George was right.” See above.
I really hope that Simon sets his grudge aside and actually works with him. (Although I feel like if he did something like win individual immunity, he’d just flip back to the Meat Tray.)
LAST GASP!
I love the little side-glances Nina gives every time someone mentions the new tribe name.
Damn, I thought Nina was going to pull that one off!
God, I don’t like that they’re targeting Shonee. At least they have an idol as an insurance policy—but still.
Yes! Finally we get some insight from Matt into his game, and he’s going to stick with George. Unlike Flick, Matt seems like he was genuine in his scheme to play the mole. I’m really digging this.
Play this one smart, Simon. Flip on the Meat Tray.
Liz telling Simon how to use his acting skills and Simon being confused by that—classic Simon.
Lol Hayley’s jaw drop at the hammock when Simon said he hadn’t decided.
Uh-oh — David talking to Liz at the well. Is he about to flush the idol? (David’s actually playing a really good game from what little we’re seeing of him—I wish he was getting more screen time.)
George going to Shaun to get that extra vote . . . oh, I don’t know if this is gonna work. (I love Shaun’s Hannibal Lecter confessional.)
Nope, that didn’t work.
But I think now, flipping the vote on Dave might actually be the best option. It disables Sam and Nina, who both had Dave as their #1, and if George was honest in his talk with Shaun, Shaun might play his idol for Sam. (I don’t think Shaun would do that specifically, as I think he’s playing a much more self-interested game, but it does create chaos.)
Oh no, Matt. Don’t fall into the doubt rabbit-hole now.
I am freaking out about Shonee here—please please please don’t end the Shontent Train.
Lol at George trying it with this cooked potato theme. Did Cara tell him to do that?
Oooof—that Flick voting confessional was savage.
YES LIZ YES. SPICE GIRLS FOREVER.
Oh shit, Dave trying a Benji. Is it gonna work? NOPE. That Liz nod was COLD.
“Thanks, Flick.” Shonee is coming for revenge.
David’s reactions when he realizes it’s him—man, I really wish that we’d gotten more of him this season because he’s hilarious.
I love the smiles from the OG Villains down the line as the final votes are read.
“Flick is finished.” “They’re all finished.” Yep, Flick could’ve bought herself goodwill if she had played double-agent like Matty.
“No prisoners from now on.” Evil Gerry has inherited Stevie’s one-liners.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 27, 2023 22:16:29 GMT
This season is just so damn good. David isn't part of the jury, so looks like a final 2 again. If somehow George, Hayley and Shonee all make final 7, I don't even know man.
Also, I actually find the sight of whole lobsters, fish and big ass cooked pigs incredibly unappetising. And I'm not even vegan.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 27, 2023 22:18:03 GMT
Where's my invite to go nude swimming Flick?!?
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Post by stephen on Feb 27, 2023 23:15:44 GMT
This season is just so damn good. David isn't part of the jury, so looks like a final 2 again. If somehow George, Hayley and Shonee all make final 7, I don't even know man. Also, I actually find the sight of whole lobsters, fish and big ass cooked pigs incredibly unappetising. And I'm not even vegan. I heard it said that the only reason BvW was a Final 3 was because there was a risk of a couple getting to the end. But yeah, it does look like we're getting a F2, though I wonder if the Jackie situation forced their hand on that. |
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 28, 2023 0:28:04 GMT
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Post by stephen on Feb 28, 2023 2:18:26 GMT
Liz might be the most cold-blooded player I've seen since Heidik.
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Post by mhynson27 on Feb 28, 2023 7:21:31 GMT
Liz might be the most cold-blooded player I've seen since Heidik. She's a pole vaulter, she has to have ice in her veins. |
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Post by stephen on Feb 28, 2023 15:10:25 GMT
George immediately smoothing over Matt and Hayley’s confessions of flipping by calling it “a decision”—I like that. Makes it feel less like a betrayal and more like a diplomatic act. I wonder if that’s going to help ease the burn a bit for those who are on the wrong side of the votes in the long term.
“I wanna go on the hammock, too! We weren’t allowed yesterday!”
I gotta say, I am loving the idea of newbies playing Heroes v. Villains because I think it allows players to naturally gravitate towards the theme, rather than playing on past perceptions. Evil Gerry and now Evil Vixen Matty!
Simon coming over to the hammock with the knife. “Don’t stab me!”
Oh my God, stealing Nina’s vetoed Villains name for their own sub-alliance. That’s true villainy. “Matty, you’re a bad boy” indeed. Kevin Jacobs would love this crew.
Shonee and her margies for the next Blood vs. Water.
“The Pity Party” is so much fun. I wonder if Nina’s been mentally filing away potential alliance names since childhood.
“Don’t stuff it up, Simon!”
“Shonee’s barrel starting to drop.” “No, it’s not, Jonathan, it’s a visual illusion.” Love it.
Lol at Liz dancing while holding that rope. I would’ve loved to have seen her win doing that while everyone else drops one by one.
“Your hand . . . is fine.” Hayley being a pain researcher is one of the most interesting backgrounds one can have in this game—it really is fascinating to see her apply those aspects of her life to the game.
“Our alliance won. That’s all I care about.” Liz’s eyes are already icing over as she contemplates the next throat she’ll slit. Bonus points for hugging Flick and checking which spot to fit the knife into her back.
Lol at Evil Gerry explaining the risk to Simon. He is so into this game and I love it. He’s like if AU Tarzan had strong game savvy.
Uh-oh. An idol is now back in the mix.
“What’s better than burying the hatchet once is twice.” I like that.
Flick used Sweet-Talk on Simon. It’s super effective.
Hayley used Logic on Simon. Critical hit!
Oh God, the hat! Imagine if JLP decided to casually spill the beans on what Simon did to the hat to George.
“Oh, are we the vigilantes?” Nina is FUMING. I love it. Especially with how proud Evil Vixen Matty is at revealing it.
Ooooh, this idol talk being played over Shaun having to come to a decision. Great job, editors!
Evil Vixen Matty coming in with these savage lines. I really hope it’s not his night to get booted if Shaun decides to play his idol for Flick, because I am loving his descent into chaos.
SHAUN DIDN’T PLAY HIS IDOL. My man! I love this self-interested side of Shaun.
Flick got flicked out of the game and onto the jury. I’m gonna be very interested to see how she reacts when Shaun plays his idol and how he’ll come to reckon with his decision not to save her.
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Post by stephen on Feb 28, 2023 15:10:39 GMT
The leaderboard for Week 5:
1. Liz. This week belonged to Miss Freeze, Australia’s answer to Brian Heidik. Liz had a wobbly middle with the trusting of Flick but I think that she was ultimately the one who probably would’ve benefitted from that considering she did have alliance with Sam/Dave/Nina that she could’ve fallen back on and I think they would’ve scooped her up once they booted Shonee. But the way she coldly iced Dave and then Flick—brutal vengeance. She’s an immunity beast, and now that Flick’s gone she probably has the strongest chance of winning out over the remaining women. Liz feels like she’s also got the smallest target on the Spice Girls, give or take a Gerry, but her win equity keeps rising for me. In a season of huge returning personalities, Liz has been highlighted substantially and I think there’s enough care and design in her edit that I think she’s our top contender.
2. Matt. This was the breakout week for Evil Vixen Matty and he’s become an extremely fascinating player to me. He seems unconcerned with mateship and wants to play a conniving, scheming game, and he’s actually suited very well for it. He’s strong enough to be a physical threat, he’s got ride-or-dies in Gerry and George, and even though he copped a few votes this last tribal, I think that was more to make a statement than any real attempt to get him gone. Don’t sleep on Matt; I think he’s easily catapulted to the #2 spot as the second of two newbies likeliest to win the game.
3. Shonee. It’s been ups and downs for Shonee, especially when it was clear that she and Liz bungled things by keeping Flick and booting Stevie, but I feel like karma caught up with her immediately at the merge where she caught votes . . . but I think she rebounded nicely. I don’t think Shonee’s in a bad position now, as I think people are ready to take shots at George directly now, whereas I feel Shonee still has Liz looking out for her.
4. Shaun. He’s got the idol but he’s been taking L after L this week with his allies being winnowed down. First Dave and now Flick. There does seem to be the chance that he’ll be the last of the Meat Tray standing if there isn’t a flip though, because Hayley seems interested in keeping him around and I don’t think George wants to target Shaun just yet. But Shaun is gonna need things to shift in his favour real soon in order to prevent a pagonging of his original alliance. For what it’s worth, I do think he made the right call in letting Flick go and keeping the idol. That would’ve probably just made him more of a target and kept Hayley/Simon tighter with the Spice Girls.
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