Round 16: Jake Strikes Again

[benjimcfly]

Welp. 

Jake ran XTC9.
Jake is running XTC12. 

Everyone knew how he played his first win. Everyone knows how he is playing his current game.

Jake, you are seriously the most dangerous player I've ever seen. Like Sandra always said: You should have taken [me] out first. 

Even in the off chance you don't make FTC (which I can't fathom right now), you've done what I would consider the impossible: Play the same game TWICE and get away with it. I'm jealous beyond my years. It's been a pleasure

[benjimcfly]

Tatiana's #1 is Jake.
Andrew's #1 is Jake.
Matt's #1 is Jake.
Kyle's #1 is Jake.
Racheal's #1 is .
Jake's #1 is being everyone's #1.

De. Ja. Vu.

[benjimcfly]

Rankings!

1. Jake

Nearly the entire cast has no intention of taking out the returning winner. He's so good at misting people and getting all of the information. Andrew telling Jake that Matt was going home was the end of the game for everyone, in my opinion. No one is going to take Jake out this round, putting him in the final 5. Kyle is wrapped around his finger, as he has been since final 11, and he will not cut Jake at this point. Matt might be smart enough to cut Jake, but he wants to "beat" at the final 3. Matt, you won't and can't beat Jake. 

2. Matt

Great idol play last round... but that was Jake's move and not your's, unfortunately. Jake will tell everyone at FTC that you were his meat shield investment, and if he lost you, he would be next. Which is 100% true. You've played an amazing game. Take Jake out, and you win. But everyone thinks you're the big threat to win, so they will cut you first. Plus, Jake is everyone's #1, so they won't cut him. When Taylor said "I look forward to voting Matt or Jake in the finale" she meant "If Jake isn't there, I will vote for Matt". 

3. Tatiana

Girl, you have been trying ALL GAME to take out Jake. Now you know the force that he is. You need to take out both Jake and Matt to have a shot. Kyle is ready to get you out, because girls? It makes no sense. I think you and Kyle would be an interesting final 2 in the FTC. Praying for you <3

4. Kyle

Kyle has a plan to get rid of Jake at final 4.

If things go as planned, he will undoubtedly vote him out. But it will be also because everyone else in the game will want him out at that point (assuming Matt goes this round and Andrew thereafter). Also, if Kyle considers this his "move" for the game, he might be gravely mistaken, once the jury pipes in. Kyle, it's a move to get rid of someone and work your own game without them. Not right at the end.

Just my opinion, but if the final 3 is Tatiana, Kyle and Racheal, I think Tati takes it in a 6-2-0.


5. Racheal

Unfortunately, you're up against some heavy hitters. The jury hasn't seen the game you've played, comparatively. If they're bitter enough, you might have a chance. However, it looks like your opportunity to make FTC is VERY high. That's not easy, with this cast. Be proud of the game you played. You escaped a lot of votes where you were the primary target.

6. Andrew

I know that you didn't realize what you were doing, but you gave Jake all of the ammunition to take last round and create the best path for himself to win, despite all of the odds. You didn't want to work with cute boys, but here we are. It's okay. Jake has done this to most XTC players. Unfortunately, Jake is ready to vote you out. :\

[jay]

wait wtf ... just logged onto the board for the first time tbh and jake is in the Final 6. SHEEEESH

[jay]

18 players voted off and Jake is still there after having playest the greatest ORG game ive seen in season 9. Really hope he gets the win

[benjimcfly]

So.

I have been too hard on this cast the last few rounds. It isn't malice, but I want to give further insight as to why I might feel that way. 

As a viewer, it hurts to watch players put all of their *good* faith into a player who has zero good intention for them *IN THE GAME*. Jake is honest when he talks with all of you, but when it comes to separating the game and personal, he's the best I have seen.

If it were more organic and less predictable, it would have more finesse. I'm not diminishing Jake's game or his plays, but all of these players KNEW coming into the season that he won with being close to everyone in the game and he created a narrative to get other players out.

In this season, I kept saying from round to round "they know better, and they won't let Jake have a shot at FTC". Now, Kyle's plan is to take him to final 4.

Final. 4.

And it's going to happen. Since Kyle won't write Jake's name down and Andrew refuses to ever write Jake's name down, Jake has a shot at winning XTC twice. 

If Andrew wins final 5 immunity, I think Jake wins this season. He will have Andrew indebted to him never writing his name down, and it will be a fire making challenge at Final 4 (this is presuming Jake doesn't win immunity at final 4). I think Jake could beat anyone at the fire making.

There are too many scenarios where Jake finds himself at the final 3. I don't know why everyone is giving him a pass (and has given him a pass) for 44 days. It's not frustration, but it's more the dialogue they had throughout the game. "Jake won because he controlled people... but he won't control *me*". The fact that people entertained taking him to the merge at final 18 was so egregious. Even the Jury has been reliving those thoughts. Michael said "I thought I could control Jake through the merge and cut him at 10 or 9". Shit, even Kyle said "I will take Jake far, but not past final 7".

Jake won his season because he's really fucking good at lying to people and getting the information he needs. At this point, since he has continued to do that this season, I feel like it would be equivalent to Lebron James winning the NBA finals with a triple double average and they gave MVP to the guy who hit the game winning 3 pointer. Color me bitter, but I think Jake deserves the win that he built for himself.

All of the other players: you haven't played poorly. Hell, you all have been playing an AMAZING game. Kyle, with your humor and energy, I've wanted you to win since day 7. Andrew, you're hilarious and you always seem to work your way out of a vote. Racheal, your story arc is my favorite of all the remaining players. Tatiana, you've been the a force when working with people and highly social. Matt, your knowledge of the game (and particularly *this season*) and knowing the right moves is honestly unparalleled.

I feel as though all of you gave your assets each round to Jake. And he knew what to do with them.

Good luck, final 6, and may the fiercest player win .

[benjimcfly]

Kyle live confessional, talking about final 5 and beyond.