In only three episodes, Survivor 47 has shown that this season will be messy. This is a fantastic thing. This CBS reality show, created by Charlie Parsons, has entertained viewers for years with its stories of people surviving on a beach and voting each other out for a grand prize of $1,000,000.
The “New Era” seasons have changed the cast, with players being overly worried about how others see them. They rarely engage in the exciting, confrontational conflict that fans love.
Fortunately, this issue has decreased in recent seasons, thanks to players like Liz Wilcox and Q Burdette. In this current season, the first two episodes show people who are not afraid to speak their honest, sometimes embarrassing, thoughts.
This resulted in a surprising blindside that made viewers wonder: will this chaos continue and lead to even more shocking moments throughout the season?
Survivor Is Built on Blindsides
The latest episode of Survivor picks up right after the last one. Sue Smey and Caroline Vidmar celebrate TK’s elimination while his former ally, Kyle Ostwald, struggles to find a way forward. Gabe Ortis tries to help him by suggesting that Kyle team up with Sue and Caroline to vote out Tiyanna.
Kyle quickly informs the others about this plan. However, Sue does not want to hear it. She believes it is too early for this discussion and states in confessionals that she wants revenge on Kyle because he voted against her last time.
She is not the only one targeting someone! Anika Dhar and Sam Phalen from the yellow Gata tribe clash daily. Sam complains that Anika tries to control everything and corrects him frequently, even though she is right much of the time.
Fortunately, he has an idol that he plans to use on Andy Rueda, who is the apparent target, to help get out Anika with the support of his ally, Sierra Wright.
Tensions are high among these two tribes, but the red Lavo team feels even more annoyance. Everyone seems to be frustrated with one person: Rome Cooney. Since day one, people have labeled him a showboat.
His constant bragging annoys everyone, especially Aysha Welch, who is frustrated by how he hoards supplies and then complains that others are not contributing.
Although he irritates everyone, Teeny Chirichillo feels that since he has an idol, the best strategy is to ally with him, Kishan Patel, and Genevieve Mushaluk, even if she finds him very annoying.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: Paramount+)
Her irritation with him is outweighed by the understanding that Rome is a valuable player, especially when a boat arrives at their beach. Along with Anika and Kyle from the other tribes, Rome leaves for a journey.
Do You Have to Be Likable to Win Survivor?
Journeys are a regular part of modern Survivor. These trips from camp usually give players a chance to gain a new advantage or lose something important in their game.
The three contestants join forces, and Rome complains that he is at the bottom of his tribe while his two main rivals, Aysha and Solomon “Sol” Yi, are in control. This is a complete lie he hopes will put a target on their backs. Eventually, they discover their task: each person receives a bag containing one Advantage and two Lose Your Votes.
Drawing an Advantage gives them the benefit right away while drawing a Lose Your Vote means they will lose their ability to vote at the next tribal council. They can draw again to try for the Advantage, but drawing another Lose Your Vote means they lose their voting power for two tribal councils.
This risky game leaves Anika and Kyle without one vote and gives Rome an advantage, making him even more confident as everyone prepares for the immunity challenge.
This ocean challenge requires players to climb a large floating structure and jump off. They must swim and walk across a balance beam while collecting keys to unlock pieces for their final puzzle. The prize is not only immunity but also some vital supplies. Everyone is eager to get started.
However, the show changes things up by showing how each tribe divides up tasks. While the Gata and Tuku tribes easily assign roles, viewers see Sol and Rome clash on the Lavo team, with both men wanting to go first.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: Paramount+)
They do not resolve this until Rome complains that he will be “really mad” if he cannot go first, pushing the older man to give in to avoid a tantrum. Even with Rome starting, the challenge does not help the Lavo tribe, which struggles with the final puzzle and faces the tribal council later that evening with Jeff Probst.
In Survivor, You Don’t Always Get What You Want
Before tribal council, moments on Survivor are usually filled with intense strategy. However, Lavo’s time before the elimination ceremony is simple. Rome knows he has all the power in his alliance. He identifies Sol and Aysha as his targets for the night, with Teeny initially convincing him to focus on Sol and maintain her relationship with him.
Unfortunately, Aysha does not respond well to this plan. When Teeny and Kishan tell her she is safe if she votes out Sol, she argues that they should target Genevieve instead. This causes the others to question whether she is trustworthy.
This ending is bittersweet for a likable player. It shows the genuine hurt that every eliminated castaway feels but rarely expresses. This emotional moment adds to the pure chaos that defines the early parts of this season.
Each episode offers at least one scene filled with intense feelings as these players seem to be losing their cool earlier than expected.
This chaotic gameplay creates an exciting experience for viewers, reminding longtime fans of the wild early seasons that made this show popular. This is a great energy to start with, and if the trailer at the end of the episode is any hint, viewers can expect even more drama ahead!
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: Paramount+)
As alliances shift, Rome Cooney emerges as a polarizing figure, annoying his tribe yet holding power with an idol. Tensions rise among tribes, especially before the tribal council, where Aysha faces betrayal from her allies, resulting in her elimination. This season’s intense emotions and unpredictable gameplay evoke memories of the show’s wild early years, attracting long-time fans.
It has been over seven years since Jacob Tremblay’s character, Auggie Pullman, reminded everyone about the importance of kindness in the movie Wonder. Auggie is a young boy who has facial features that make him different. Because of this, he becomes a target for bullying at school.
His bully, Julian, played by Bryce Gheisar, faces the consequences of his actions and gets suspended by the end of the film. Many would expect this punishment to change Julian’s behavior, but the new film White Bird shows a different story.
This movie is based on another bestselling book by R.J. Palacio. It takes a fresh direction from Wonder and tells what happens to Julian after he moves to a new school.
White Bird focuses on a powerful cautionary tale that his grandmother, played by Helen Mirren, shares while they drink tea together. As she tells her story, the plot unfolds, and viewers learn about her life during a difficult time in history.
Her story of surviving the Nazi occupation may seem similar to other stories told in war dramas. Still, director Marc Forster’s approach touches the heart through a simple yet meaningful view of humanity’s power.
What Is ‘White Bird’ About?
The movie opens with Julian sitting alone at a cafeteria table. He feels isolated when a popular jock approaches him. The jock tells Julian that he is sitting at the “loser table.” Then, the jock offers Julian a chance to join him and his friends for lunch the next day.
Julian thinks about this offer as he heads home. When he arrives, he is surprised when his grandmother, Sara (Mirren), shares a personal story from her past in France during World War II.
As she begins to tell her life story, the plot develops, and viewers are introduced to Sara’s younger self, played by Ariella Glaser. This younger version of Sara experiences fear and uncertainty as a Jewish girl during a time of great danger.
At first, she feels safe in her small town, but as hostility begins to grow, she starts to worry about her safety and that of her parents. This worry becomes real when her teacher escorts her and other Jewish students out of school. At this moment, Sara truly understands the hatred that Nazi soldiers have against her people.
Sara is the only student who escapes capture by the authorities. With the help of Julien (Orlando Schwerdt), a classmate with a limp whom she used to make fun of, she finds refuge.
Julien and his parents take Sara into their home, providing her with food, clean clothes, and a safe place to hide until the war comes to an end. This act of kindness is crucial, as it allows Sara to survive the chaos surrounding them.
As the war continues, Sara and Julien’s relationship develops. They grow closer together and use their imagination to dream of a world without conflict.
They laugh, share stories, and create a bond that helps them escape the harsh realities of their situation. Their connection provides both characters with a sense of hope during dark times.
Ariella Glaser and Orlando Schwerdt Shine in WWII Teen Romance
Although White Bird features Helen Mirren as a key character, her role is mostly limited to narration. The true stars of the film are Glaser and Schwerdt, who portray the young couple at the heart of this narrative. Their performances create a beautiful and touching portrayal of young love during a difficult period in history.
Throughout the film, Sara and Julien share many joyful moments. They laugh together over Charlie Chaplin reenactments and dream about visiting Paris while pretending to sightsee from a dusty car parked inside the barn where Sara is hiding.
The actors fill their scenes with sensitivity and care, allowing viewers to see the innocence of youth amidst the horrors of war. Their playful moments inside the barn contrast sharply with the growing darkness outside, highlighting the importance of their relationship in such challenging times.
As their bond deepens, the film’s main message becomes clearer. The leads remind viewers of the characters in The Book Thief, another young adult adaptation set during the Holocaust. Their experiences resonate deeply, as both couples strive to find joy and hope while facing adversity.
Still from White Bird (Credit: Lionsgate)
While the main characters are central to the story, the supporting cast also deserves recognition. Gillian Anderson stands out as Julien’s mother, providing a comforting presence throughout the film. In a powerful scene towards the end, Anderson shows her talent, portraying her character in a vulnerable moment that adds depth to the story.
‘White Bird’ Doesn’t Reinvent the Wheel, But It Has an Endearing Message
The plot of White Bird is not groundbreaking, but it carries a well-meaning and timely message. In today’s world, where political conflicts and wars affect many lives, White Bird serves as a reminder to help others rather than adding to the chaos. The film highlights the importance of compassion and understanding in times of hardship.
Even though the film faced many delays before its release, Forster’s work has not lost its sense of purpose. As the elder Sara shares her experiences with her grandson, he begins to question his actions and reflect on how he can become a better person.
This moment is crucial for Julian, as it leads him to understand the importance of kindness and compassion. His grandmother’s story reminds him that even in the darkest times, there is always a chance to choose a better path.
In a similar way to how Forster’s film Finding Neverland shows imagination and the importance of play, White Bird also goes into these themes through the bond between Sara and Julien.
They focus on light-hearted activities, which makes their relationship even more special because it stands out against the backdrop of hate and violence in their world. Their ability to dream and imagine a brighter future is a powerful testament to the human spirit.
The sensitive portrayals by Glaser and Schwerdt create a heartfelt experience for viewers, while Anderson’s performance adds emotional depth to the narrative.
Through their interactions, the film once again proves that kindness is a remedy for evil, and it is never too late to choose the right path. The story encourages viewers to reflect on their own actions and consider how they can spread kindness in their own lives.
White Bird is more than just a film; it is a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness, compassion, and humanity.
Still from White Bird (Credit: Lionsgate)
The adaptation beautifully captures the struggles and triumphs of its characters while offering a meaningful message for audiences today. As viewers watch Sara and Julien face their difficult world, they are reminded that love and kindness can prevail, even in the darkest of times.
White Bird is a heartfelt film that follows Julian, a teenager who learns about kindness and compassion from his grandmother, Sara, while she shares her harrowing story of survival during World War II.
As a Jewish girl, Sara faces the dangers of Nazi persecution and finds refuge with a classmate named Julien, who helps her escape. Their bond blossoms amid the chaos, showing the power of humanity and the importance of choosing kindness even in the darkest times.
