The Challenge Season 37: Episode 6 "Alien" Edgic- Character By Character Analysis
Hello all and welcome back to another edition of S37 Edgic analysis! I am extremely excited to be back with a FULL writeup for you all, explaining everything I saw in this episode from an edit perspective. There is quite a lot to breakdown, however it was a short episode (LAME) and quite a few characters received extremely small edits. The overall confessional count was also significantly lower than usual, so most players were not portrayed as complex. Thus, most of my character analysis is rather short. Don't blame me when they cut the episode length by 33%!! BLAME MTV FOLKS!
I have watched this episode 3 times now, and I feel I can complete the writeup with only those watches. This was a terrible episode to rewatch so many times. As always, since I am the only person that I know doing Challenge Edgic, this is more of a group activity. If you present a valid enough case, I will happily change a rating. My rewatches all came super hungover on a plane, so I may miss a detail here or there. ALSO, my episode 5 ratings were definitely rushed as I just filled them in from memory since I was in NY all weekend/week and didn't have a chance to do formal ratings. Alas, I will eventually. But if you see any edits from episode 5 needed in the ratings, please let me know.
One note: I will not be doing any analysis on Fessy and only light analysis on Esther as I believe we should wait to see how that all shakes out first. Apologies if that is what you were hoping to see.
ALRIGHT, LETTUCE BEGIN!
Themes: (I will write more about these as they develop)
Survivor
Berna, Logan, and Emanuel are the only three rookies who have a narrative connection to Survivor so far. I believe this theme will be most important to Emanuel, but we need more data first.
Rookies VS Vet Alliance
I guess Kaycee thought that AmBer didn't count as a vet, because in her confessional she asks who will take the first shot?
Aside from that, it appears we will get no new info on this front yet. Emy and Hughie are likely to be the house vote depending on how things play out with Festher; and I expect Kaycee and Emanuel to throw rookies against them.
Romance
(Active) Fessy + Amanda, Nelson + Berna, Tori + Emmanuel, Kaycee + Nany, Amber + Jeremiah, Big T + Logan, **Josh +**Esther
(Past) Tori + Kelz, Nelson + Ashley, Michelle + Emmanuel,
Again, if you are not familiar, I have a "Hookup Theory." You can refer to my previous posts to read it in depth but the general concept is that romantic involved throughout the season is often given when at least 1 of the players makes the finals. I believe the edit does this to give the audience a stronger way to connect to that finalist and root for them. Granted, this season has FAR more hookups shown than in past seasons, so it is now up to us to determine what is meaningful and what isn't. The players in bold are the ones I am watching closely.
Partnership twist is key
So far this has lead to rookie death over and over again.
End of Episode key confessionals:
We have to wait on the TBC episode this time. WHACK.
Character By Character Analysis
INV: Kyle,
UTR: Bettina, Jeremiah, Priscilla, Logan
MOR: Ashley, Nany, Cory, Nelson, Tori, Amanda, Big T, Berna, Devin,
CP: Kaycee, Emanuel, Emy, CT, Fessy, Esther, AmBer
Reminder: Confessional count can contribute slightly to CP vs MOR and UTR vs INV; however, it is more about overall episode visibility and storyline development. I am looking for a certain level of well roundedness in MOR edit's to distinguish from a UTR rating; and a more higher level of well rounded-ness for a CP rating. If that makes any sense. If you are not familiar with the ratings, please familiarize yourself with them above. It makes reading the below MUCH easier.
Last note: Since we have so many rookies, a lot of my rookie analysis discusses whether or not they are being setup for a return. I think that is part of the fun with rookie edits; comparing them to previous rookie edits, and seeing if they are being setup to come back or not.
I mention SPV a lot. SPV stands for second person visibility- that means when OTHER players are shown talking about a different individual. IE: When Emy says Emanuel "is a beast," that would be Emanuel receiving POSITIVE SPV from Emy, which would contribute to his positive tone rating.
INV (Invisible)
Kyle:
Another INV episode for Kyle. So many thots come to mind on this, as Kyle is a tough character to judge. This is not great. One INV is one thing; but two is crazy. Kyle is arguably the most recognizable male vet on this cast outside CT (and maybe Cory), and widely considered one of the best confessionalist ever, and he has two INV ratings. In 6 episodes!!! Here's the only benefit of this for Kyle: logically, it is actually a great thing that he is just fading into the background after the whole Devin thing. For his logical game to progress, that needs to be left in the past. Do i think it will get brought up again later in the game? Yes, absolutely.
That being said, two INV ratings in 6 episodes does not bode well for his overall winner chances. That is not a stat you historically want to see. If there is any personality large enough to overcome two INV? it is 100% Kyle. So you can't count him out. But no way is he on my contender sheet for now.
UTR (Under the Radar)
Jeremiah
Who? I mean, similar to Bettina, we know nothing about Jeremiah. We know he had a 1 episode hookup with AmBer, but that is IT. It depends on who he goes against in elimination, but with Gabo eliminated, he is now the weakest male edit out there. He did receive 1 confessional, but I can't give him MOR for that. It was pure circumstance that got him that 1 confessional.
Logan
No confessionals after his elimination win. That is not the follow up we wanted for Logan if he were to make the final or win this season. Logan's edit does have some legs, and the romantic interest with Big T certainly helps. However I do not have huge expectations for Logan this season.
Priscilla
She has 1 confessional, but I can't remember what it is. Priscilla started off the season as a strong narrator, but has since regressed dramatically. She is one of the smaller female edit's left. Unless she has a massive episode to overcome her rather small edit thus far, I don't think she will have too much longevity in this game.
Bettina
Who? I mean, besides her laugh, we know nothing about Bettina. I would be shocked if she wins when thrown into elimination. I would also be shocked if she returns to the show after this small of an edit.
MOR (Middle of The Road)
Berna
A really bad episode for Berna. She receives poor SPV from CT (without knowing it) about being a hard partner to work with. Thnn, she trashes AmBer for pretty much no reason based on what we have seen.
With 4 confessionals and the negative SPV, I think the edit is setting up Berna to go into elimination again pretty soon. I have made it clear I think Emy steals Berna after the next elimination. That could potentially leave Berna with a rookie partner, depending on how that entire situation shakes out. I dont know how yet, but the edit appears to be setting this up. I do think that Berna has a strong enough edit to win that elimination (assuming this actually happens, lol). But she lost a lot of points in my book this week.
Amanda
Amanda receives some content this episode, but nothing substantial. I do think that the scene with Fessy was weird, but Amanda was shown to be the rational one in confessional while Fessy seemed dumb for not apologizing.
I have to knock her down from contender 2 to contender 3 (to make the final) as Kaycee's edit has been outperforming her. In addition to that, her partner Kyle has literally been invisible twice so far this season. If her and kyle are to remain partners deep into the game or possibly even into the final, their edits would possibly make sense as finals losers. Now, it is way too early to actually say that, but we have to wait for more clarity once the vets start going after each other anyways.
Until we receive more data, Amanda remains a solid female edit, but nothing spectacular as it appeared in episode 1.
Tori
3 confessionals for Tori this episode, maintaining a solid MOR episode. She starts some drama here, which is the first thing in a while that Tori has done that genuinely made me like her.
I don't fully understand how she called Kaycee unpredictable. That was like a typical Tori line, saying something just to make sure her confessional was the one used. That part about Tori will never change. However, beside from that, she is one of the smaller vet edits from this episode. Like Devin, I don't think we should read into this episode at all. Tori is still in extremely good shape and number 1 in my female contenders.
Nany
The scene was Kaycee had a ton of potential to be cute, however then all they did was repeat things about Kaycee, Fessy, and Josh that we all already knew. So ultimately, it proved pretty boring to be honest. Regardless, I enjoyed seeing Nany so happy and outside the game I wish them the best.
Other than that, Nany still has a rather small edit but she has no INV episodes, which suggests she is still completely in the running to make thee final. That being said, with the other female edits on the board, I do not expect Nany to get her first win this season as of now.
Big T
Big T has gone extremely quiet recently, or at least it feels that way. While I love and Logan's thing, I do not believe either will make the final. Big T had the perfect storm of things going right during DA to make it as far as she did and with the remaining cast in S37, I do not think that she will make it deep into the game. I could be wrong for sure, but that is just based off the information we have so far.
By the edit showing her and Logan getting physical, it also sort of completed that storyline. If either of them were go be eliminated, that storyline would naturally close without any question marks. That isn't great for their longevity.
Hughie
MORN for Hughie this episode due to the negative SPV from Emy. He receives a MOR due to his confessionals regarding the partnership. It could be CP, but I didn't think it was enough..
I honestly don't have much to say about Hughie-- I don't think he will be one of our rookies to make the final nor win. For now, Hughie remains a super fun character that will continue to be targeted in eliminations. The partnership twist really gives him a disadvantage.
Nelson
Nelson has had a pretty dramatic cool down since his giant opening 2 episodes. That is totally OK-- he hasn't been involved in much during the last few episodes. However, I would eventually like to hear how Nelson plans to navigate the middle of the game and who he would want to run the final with. Surely it wouldn't be with Priscilla's edit, but you never know. Again, if we think back to my earlier analysis on Nelson, we can't expect extreme strategic content. What we can expect is authentic, funny, messy-ness. And that is what I anticipate us receiving more of soon if Nelson is to be in the final.
I still think Nelly T is a top contender based on his opening episodes, we just need to wait a bit more on him. Him and Amanda are kind of in similar boats; strong opening edits with extreme regression since. I do prefer Nelsons edit tho, as Amanda has more editorial issues due to Kyle (and Tori+ Kaycee strong edits).
Cory
Cory has 2 confessionals this episode and checks in as a MOR rating-- extremely consistent with his overall edit thus far. There has been nothing over the first 6 episodes suggesting he will make the final; however there is also nothing suggesting he does not make the final. For Cory, we continue to wait.On a side note, I just want to say how appreciative I am that Cory tried to stir the pot a little bit. We need more people practicing the "Counter Kaycee Principle." Please keep stirring the pot, Cory.
Ed
A pretty quiet episode for Ed, although he remains relevant and humorous with 2 solid confessionals, enough to warrant a MOR rating. The first was about Logan and how he trusted Logan-- interesting, we haven't seen literally any footage of this, but ok. Connection noted.
Ed has a pretty strong rookie edit, and he is attached to the strongest girl (edit wise, and possibly logic wise too) in the girl. So is there a chance he makes the final? Forsure. I could see that. But, I am under the assumption that very few rookies will make the final, if any. For the males, I am not ready to give that role to anyone but Emanuel as of right now. We need more than just funny humorous data for Ed to overcome that episode 2 scene where he says he is just here to cause chaos and have fun.
Devin
A pretty quiet episode for Devin, clocking in with 2 confessionals. This is only the first episode that Devin hasn't been a CP rating, but yet, he still provides us with solid confessionals and content. The edit does not let us forget who Devin is; this still suggests real longevity in this game.
Compare this to his number 1 Ally, Kyle, Devin has a far superior edit so far. Kyle now has 2 INV episodes, while Devin barely has anything BUT CP content. At the very least, until the Vet-Vet war truly begins, Devin is extremely safe. If his edit continues this way, and he continues to be portrayed super complex.
Let's ignore Kyle. Beisdes Emanuel, Devin has by far the strongest male edit on the table. It's not close, and Emanuel just barely edges him out due to his SPV. Nelson edges him out due to proven endurance. But don't sleep on the number 1 draft pick Devin Walker.
Ashley
A solid episode, but similar too many vet females this episode, really nothing crazy. I do think that her and Josh are actually a really good team and depending on Josh's endurance, they might actually be able to run a final together and do well. Ashley would be a great partner for him; Josh would be a mediocre partner for her. However in a final that involves swimming? This could be a deadly pair.
The problem? Ashley has been an unreliable narrator all season so far. Granted, we are only 6 episodes in, but literally 5 of 6 episodes, Ashley has inaccurately predicted something in confessional. That is usually not coincidence, and typically Winners are NOT shown as being wrong. I don't have high expectations for Ashley to be our champion this season so far with the data that we have.
CP (complex personality)
Josh
I don't want to write too much about Josh, as we have to wait and see the repercussions from the Festher fall out.Here's the facts about Josh. No matter yours, mine, or the worlds long time opinion of disliking Josh, the edit is being INCREDIBLY kind to Josh this season, on all fronts. I'm not saying the edit isn't actually portraying what is happening, I'm sure it's showing what actually happened. But it is definitely favoring Josh. You need proof? Go look at any Josh thread on this reddit. The amount of comments you'll see supporting Josh is insane. You need more proof? Go check his instagram story where he is showing 20+ DM's of Fans openly saying I use to hate you, but now I like you.
Josh's edit has legs this season. We will learn more after next episode. He is 100% CPM this episode.
CT:
CT’s role this entire episode revolves around Emy. After the last episode when he gave her that pep talk, I feel pretty confident that Emy will win the next elimination and pick CT as a partner. There is literally no other reason to include this scene in the very beginning of the episode. CT receives his second CP rating of the seasons his episode, strictly for his confessional on Berna during the daily. But to be honest with you, both of these could have been MOR episodes. They are the lightest of the light CP. I believe the last episode was circumstantial, and this episode was more revolving around the fact that Emy is going to pick him if she wins the next elimination.
My overall stance on CT has not changed. Until we hear a plan from him on how he is going to minimize his threat level and save himself from the Cory's of the world targeting him, I am under the assumption he is going to get the Darrel treatment from Double Agents. If we hear from him earlier and receive more strategic content like we did in DA, No matter how small the strategic content we get, it will be important.
Emy
Emy with an absolute monster episode. This could be the equivalent of a big episode prior to being eliminated, but I don't think so. The SPV that she received in this episode I believe is setting her up to win this elimination; especially if it is a solo hall brawl.
If she does win this elimination (assuming she is still going in, of course), I am fairly confident that the edit is setting her up to take CT as a partner. This was now episode 2 in a row of CT giving her a pep-talk/ positive SPV.
Can Emy make the final and win? I actually do think she can make the final, but no, I do not think she can win as of now. While I think she CAN make the final, I don't think she will either. That is simply because of her early season breakdown scenes. Typically the edit does not want to portray winners as "weak" and Emy uses this word in reference to herself multiple times.
Regardless of this Challenge though, Emy appears to be a mainstay for future seasons to come and I personally love that. She seems like a mix of Dee and Camila, just their tenacity and passion for drama. I hope she is here to stay for a while.
Sidenote: How mad you think Jozea is about this scene LOL
Esther
What a fall from grace. personally I understand why people are offended by the throw a drink thing, but I want throwing a drink to be acceptable behavior on the challenge. We need that drama, even if it was super disrespectful. I love when she contradicts herself tho about the being nice thing.
More on her edit next week when we know what happens to her and Fessy.
Amber
Ohhhh AmBer. I mean, I kinda get it. I actually really like her as a competitor. I think once she gets more comfortable in her own skin and in her own abilities, she will be a fantastic consistent competitor.
However, the vibe I get from Amber is definitely that she can be kindaaa annoying. Like, how I would describe it: Do I hate her, think she's fake, think she's weird, annoying, etc? Absolutely not. I enjoy her as a competitor! Do I think she would get on make me roll my eyes every now and than like that super hot girl who knew she was super hot in sophomore english kind of got on my nerves from time to time? yeah, maybe. That sounds about right. But like 90% of people in the world annoy me. so that is not really a knock against her.
So does that warrant someone literally throwing a drink in her eye, or her being treated the way she has? ABSOLUTELY NOT. To me, it is extremely obvious that the Vets are jealous. And Amber's personality is not conducive making people over look that.
From an edit perspective, MTV didn't really help her out. When Berna and Esther were trashing her in the club, the edit intentionally slowed down. I struggle to see AmBer going back to back champ this season with the data we have so far. I would expect her to be thrown in repeatedly later in the season, just from a logic standpoint.
Kaycee
As much as I hate to say it, Kaycee is receiving some solid content episode after episode recently. With the Fessy/Josh situation, she is being shown as the logical one in between them. It's still messy, but Kaycee is being shown to be that glue that Josh hoped to be. She is incredibly boring still, but they continue to give Kaycee this air time with Nany. While this was bound to be shown regardless, it is important to note that Kaycee received a ton of positive SPV from Nany, not the other way around.
When you combine the rational BB edit, the romantic edit, the positive SPV, and the logic that she is partnered with arguably the best male edit in the game, Kaycee has a lot going for her. She has rocketed up to number 2 in my female contenders to make the final, although she is still a ways below Tori. She receives a CP this episode with a Ptone.
I do wish Kaycee had more content discussing her partnership with Emanuel. This episode is really the first time we hear it, and that isn't super encouraging for them running the final together *yet*, though that can change quickly.
Emmanuel
I mean, this is now episode 5 in the row where we are receiving significant SPV (second person visibility) for Emanuel. George said it best on the redditors react podcast: we hear MORE about how good Emanuel is than we actually see him perform well. He has performed well every challenge don't get me wrong, but the way we are hearing about his performance is becoming almost too in your face. Like, I kind of want them to cool down with the Emanuel SPV. If the final were tomorrow, he would forsure have the best edit to win. 100%. This SPV is insane.
Besides reminding me of Turbo, Emanuel is now reminding me of Jordan from WOTW2. Not only in the way he looks (and Tori i guess LOLL) but how other players are talking about him. He is constantly referred to as a threat, a competitor, a lion, a beast. In this episode, we hear Emanuels ally Emy say he is a beast and that he is going to win the challenge, people. Not only this; it doesn't end here. Cory, a reliable narrator this season, confirms that Emanuel and Kaycee are one of the best teams here.
If Emanuel doesn't at least make the final, they are giving this guy the best rookie edit for a return ever. At this point, I would be VERY surprised if he loses an elimination. The only question is: Does he remain partners with Kaycee? Or Does his relationship with Tori come into play as a potential partnership?
Last note: Here is how you know that the Edit really cares about Emanuel. At one point when talking to Kaycee, Emanuel says he wants to throw in the "weakest" players against them. He uses air-quotes. He doesn't actually call anyone week. The edit didn't have to show us his air quotes. It did, showing us that he respects everyone int he house. another reason to root for him. We also see AmBer complaining to Emanuel. Basically the narrative around Amber is that she is being annoying and complaining about the blindside; yet Emanuel is shown to be supportive. Despite actually hearing the complaining from Amber, Emanuel is never shown saying anything negative to or about her. I feel like he definitely had a confessional they could have used, but they chose not too. Carefully, crafted, edit.
Contender List
Male: Emanuel, Nelson, Devin/Josh. Other males to watch for**: Cory, Kyle, CT.**
Female: Tori, Kaycee, Amanda. Other females to watch for: Ashley, Nany, Berna.
And that is it! Another edition of Challenge Edgic in the books. I really hope you enjoyed, and I really hope we are back to FULL episodes for the rest of the season the week after next.
Please help me choose a podcast name! Episode 1 releases next week and I need help with a name!
Posted Sep 20, 2021, 1:06 PM UTC · edited