[Jeff Probst]

Now that you've had some time to decompress from the craziness, let's do a recap.

After the first challenge and council, Hannah is voted off. Then everyone in the game is blindsided with a fauxmerge and live vote.

Do you have any regrets about the live council, wishing you had spoken up more? How does that council affect your game going forward and what were your thoughts on the outcome of Brian leaving? Were you surprised by any votes? Does this make you want to play a bit more aggressively now having seen that anything can happen?

Finally, what are your thoughts on the merge tribe and the makeup of the people here?

[Danni]

Sheesh Jeff. What a night.

I have no regrets for the live council. A little mad at myself for accidentally voting for Zeke, but I'm all about being #TeamNotBoring, and that tribal was the furthest thing from boring. It could have ended my game but WOW the entertainment factor was incredible. I'll be honest, I think the reason no one wanted to speak up was the threat of idols. That was my biggest fear, and the targets (Ryan and Adam) have both been rumored to have them. I would have hated to get idoled out at that tribal, even more so than going to rocks tbh. Taking the chance was better than letting people know where the initial vote was headed. HOWEVER, I do think we missed the opportunity to discuss the vote between Ryan and Adam. Instead we spent the whole time discussing if Adam had played this game before.

As for Brian leaving, it's both a blessing and a curse. Loved the guy and definitely wanted to work with him, but he was getting mouthy and making himself a target, which in turn caused people like Caryn to become wary of me. I'm also pretty convinced he voted for Drew at that live tribal, which only would have made things more difficult. Of any allies I have in the game, he was probably the best one to be taken out.

Side note: Don't listen to these fools saying last nights twist wasn't fair. The rules were clear from night one. two ties leads to a rock draw no questions asked. People can be bitter all they want, but that's the game.

I was happy to not see my name show up at that tribal. I'm worried it means that people don't see me as a player, but best case is that a lot of people want to work with me. And based on the messages last night, it looks like the merge tribe is full of people looking to play the game with me.

I do think it's time to start playing more aggressively, but not because of the rock draw. I think its safe to say that the game can't be won in the pre merge, and I wasn't about to put my neck on the line so early. However, now is the time to start kicking ass, taking names, and working my way to the end. I think a lot of people won't see me coming.

lets get this show on the road, Jeffery

[Danni]

Oh Jeff. What have I gotten myself into.

It's going to take a lot of work to play the middle in these votes. Gary is definitely back and wants to work with Lydia and I (as expected), but I don't think he's going to be keen on working with Joaquin and Dale, especially because he feels he can use Ryan.

On the other hand, I think joaquin is going to start trying to rule with an iron fist pretty soon. Hopefully I can make some time to chat with Dale and make some plans because I'm not planning on being a pawn in Joaq's quest for the crown.

Things are about to get spicy

[Danni]

Jesus fuck. It hasn't even been 24 hours and shit is hitting the fan so hard right now. This Ryan/Chrissy thing is getting out of hand. On the bright side, Joquin, Dale and Myself are all able to compare stories so we know that somethings fucked.

On the bright side, I think this drama is going to cause a rift between the vets which is a good thing for me. If I can get Joaquin on board to cut one of these losers, then I can really keep a potential all vets alliance at bay.

At the very least, I think Ryan has an idol which is why he feels comfortable making waves already.

We're a bunch of freaking animals out here Jeff. let the fucking hunt begin

[Danni]

Saturday morning strategy time!!!

ok. So first things first, I heard my name come up for the first time yesterday from that fucker Ryan. Apparently he threw me out as an option to Dale because we've never been on the same tribe. I understand the logic, but no fucking way am I ever trusting that slimy piece of shit.

I'm also getting a little sketched out by the vets constantly saying that they're afraid of things becoming vets vs newbs. Honestly, I feel like the more they try and protect the other vets, the more that things become polarized like that. I think if they all continue to push this agenda of not targeting other vets, I'm going to have to jump ship and make a move because it does me no good to be a newb working with 6 people who have played the game before.

Still interested in this sketchy Chrissy/Ryan situation. I honestly cant tell if the two of them worked together out of necessity on Taino or if they have a secret thing going on. From what she told Dale, it sounds like Chrissy trusts the slimy scumbag, but everything else she says makes it seem like she doesn't.

[Danni]

so my plan is to get Lydia/Gary to join me in working towards getting out Ryan. I feel as though Dale would for sure vote with us as he seems to be the least gung ho about not targeting the other returning players.

we'll see how things unfold today, but it looks like we're finally going to have to pick sides and run with them

[Danni]

UGH GARY WHY

Gary is literally working with every person I want to target, and wants to target every person I'm working with. Coming into this season one of my goals strategically was to work with someone who had a different alliance than me so we could have access to all the information. The problem is I didn't expect that to mean that Gary would push so hard to keep his own people

I think once we can make an agreement on this first vote we should be good. I was able to talk to him about potentially targeting Chrissy instead of Joaquin and Caryn. I need to talk to Dale and Lydia, because both of them would need to vote with us to make this plan work. this is so fucked I love it so much

[Danni]

Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck

I'm pretty sure Gary is the fucking rat who has been throwing my name around and sharing info. So much for TOUTTE. Definitely think I'm gonna need to offer him up as a target sooner rather than later.

lol i feel like I'm pretty much out on everyone after this weekend? Lucy has proven herself to be pretty straightforward though. so idfk. this mess better all come together before tribal or we may end up in the same situation we found ourselves in at merge with votes flying everywhere

[Danni]

ok. unless I hear that the majority of the tribe wants someone else, I'm going to go into tonight voting for Ryan. Dude is using my name to try and rally troops around him, and i literally have never given him a reason to think we're working together.

on that point, this is going to cause a rift between myself and Gary, and probably Chrissy as well. However, without Ryan around I think Gary won't really have anyone to work with so he'll be an easy target if he doesn't have an idol, OR he'll be desperate to get in with the majority and save his own ass. either option works for me.

I basically feel like I'm back at square zero because I honestly don't think I can trust anyone here

[Danni]

I think I stepped in it yesterday. Wouldn't be surprised if Joaquin and Dale kinda back off from me after this blow up about Ryan targeting me and Lydia. I'll definitely try and win back their trust moving forward but for now it looks like I may just need to take a back seat and let whatever happens happen.

[Danni]

Oh Jeff. I'm probably storming off into the night before you can post the questions for tonight's tribal

but I'm done. I'm done listening to people and letting them get in my ear. I'm done letting people tell me where to vote, and I'm done being intimidated into apologizing for fucking talking to people.

Gary, if you ever read this, I'm sorry that i flipped but I wasn't going to go to rocks again and risk losing another ally. This is a hit I'll have to deal with, but fuck it.

lmfao I can't WAIT for the flood of messages apologizing for lying to me about the vote. and I can't wait to not care about any of it