Stranded in Mykonos

Busy life this time of year so we'll see how it goes

Alright Aegean Sea 2.0

I think that there's a lot of personality in this group. Obviously, we're missing some standouts from Aegean premerge but I think that there's a good collection of crazies here and that the smaller more intimate game should lead to some good gameplay throughout. I feel like a bunch of people are going to be vying for head honcho based off the personalities and I don't think the early days cool kids club we're seeing is going to be able to hold through too long. Not that these guys play sloppy, I just see some trigger-happy heads coming to the front. 

I just noticed on another run through that this game has a bunch of pre-built-in pairs from the get-go. Mike/Hali, Paul/Michelle, James/Morgan. They all are sort of getting together (varying levels of whether Hali is completely involved or not because she had a slow start but lbr she likely will get in the center). I mean, it makes sense to put the non-duos at a disadvantage in that sense. I feel like the game will end up being those duos in some capacity trying to lobby the rest of the cast over the other duos. I guess in some cases it's already more split up but just generalizing. 

Regarding the Bounty twist, Lucky Morgan for getting the free chest with the Carolyn pull. I think that one of the most interesting parts about this twist is how it's being handled by different people. Some people completely ignoring it and just playing their game, and then some who are going to let it have an impact on what they do. I can respect someone adjusting their gameplan to fit the twist in to their game. For example, Voce considering throwing out that Rodney is talking shit is fun. 

Quick runthrough:

Carolyn - Not very active last time, said she had pokemon and would be busy, not surprised she's getting pushed out here. Happier to see her leave first than get dragged on further.

Hali - We love Hali. Not the most active start but honestly, I'm not too worried for her. She's got a person to stick by her side for the early days in Mike and as we saw last runthrough is just an overall good gamer. I think that she has the potential to not be the initial targets when the big threats start aiming at eachother, but it's early days.

James - James is aggressive and self-serving which I like to watch. We may not always agree on how we view the game if the lurkers lounge in Aegean Sea is any indication, but that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy him from this side of things. I expect him to be a top dog and me to want him to fall a few rounds in for having too much power, and it already looks like it could be that way.

Michelle - Definitely the redemption arc that we're all looking at the most here. She's already put herself in a good spot and is everything that we expected she could have been if it wasn't for Zakros + Jacob. She's going to be great and definitely has winner upside in this bunch. Her confessional has been a stellar read thus far and I'm here for whatever she's got.

Mike - This games eventual winner, let's be real. No honestly, Mike can game with the best of them. I think that it being stranded and all, he might get a little too caught up in the theatrics of the game which could hurt him? But honestly, I expect Mike to be an in-your-face player who's already chocked up a solid confessional and I know for a fact that regardless of placement he'll be stuck in our minds for something.

Morgan - I remember liking Morgan once we got in her head! I hope the confessional keeps up because she is the much-needed foil to James' aggression. She got super lucky with the bounty but already seems to be in some semblance of a majority for the start of this game so, good on her. Since she wasn't as vocal last go through, I have less expectation but feel as though she has the tools to show me otherwise.

Naseer - Lol Naseer was a mess last time yeah? I remember him being welch and obviously the entire green tribe was a fucking mess. He seems to be doing fine, some people are considering him a fringey ally/ someone to bring in but I see him having a harder time connecting with some here. Should be fun regardless/so far the confessional has been endearing.

Paul - Big Paul, I expect some big things a la Michelle because they both left such a stamp on the premerge despite being early outs. I like that he's a bit self-serving here, and he's already identifying some of James' intricacies. I went into the season thinking he was going to be a straight shooter kind of guy but him being serious about the Bounty makes me think he's going to push more. I like Paul and would like to see him succeed.

Rodney - Already showing to be more active than last time through but if he's gonna fill the comic relief role then I hope he doesn't get dragged. If he starts pushing agendas and shit then fuck yes but the Voce prevote early stings lmfao. Love Rodney for what he's worth but it's already merge so we'll see how he actually shakes.

Stephanie - Kind of coming in to the game with a disadvantage since James is here lol. It sounds like she's fringe with the majority group and I bet that she can use that to get herself as a useful vote later. I remember her being in a bunch of controversy last season but none of it was really her fault right? I like her a lot, she definitely has the chops to make something happen.

Sydney - What a character. I think she's been more solid funny than Rodney this time through? I'm not sure where she really sits with people right now. A no show to the challenge can speak inactivity, but if she gets through that initial bump then she could cost a good bit.

Voce - Seems to be falling for the same slightly paranoid tropes as last time already. I liked Voce a bit, he's definitely not on the same level as some of the other heads here but he is trying, even if that seems to keep pushing him towards some conspiracy theories idk. He is in the same spot as old green, he managed to make that work out a bit, but who knows with this group.

Not the most well thought out ngl, I think we'll learn a lot once the dust settles from the Carolyn boot that is immanent here. Excited for some action.

Post Round 2

Yeah so, I'm not sure how good of a move that was? I think that a scorned James is a problem for the people in his "alliance" and if he is given some ground to run there's going to be a problem. After a confesh run through it sounds like everyone is feeling pretty comfortable though? Everyone sans Naseer seems to be involved in some sort of something so where does James run to that it doesn't blowback to a mike or a paul? I dunno.

Biggest winner has to be Sydney. She didn't go home, now she has a big Calibur name in Mike wanting to work with her long term. I'm not going to lie and say I'm reading a bunch of IMs but I am impressed by the turnaround some people have had by Sydney today. She is here and swinging hard. 

Biggest loser is obviously James, but him being out of a duo can be good for him if he makes it through the initial downfall. I think Hali was saying she didn't mind him without Morgan? So that can work for him. I think that outside of him the biggest loser is Stephanie. It was obvious that she really wanted to get James out, she didn't even have a problem with Morgan. James is now still here, fighting for his life and while he was being cordial with her before will almost definitely try to leverage against her. I know he isn't blaming her directly but like... where else does he try to fire?

Naseer getting the extra vote is fine? I think that he's going to take some heat soon honestly, so we'll see if he ends up even using it

Naseer getting the extra vote is fine? I think that he's going to take some heat soon honestly, so we'll see if he ends up even using it