MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - Week 6

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's the last night of March and as you all prepare to turn that page to April, it's time for us at DCBLOG to take you on our weekly journey through the MTV Trifecta. Coming up in the next few days, the Camilinator returns to The Challenge, the doctor is in the house on AYTO Second Chances, and two compelling In-Depth stories. But first, we begin this weekend with Stranded with a Million Dollars, and the beginning of the business half of the season.
   Last week, alliances were tested as a deal was proposed that would've changed the game further. There was a demanding journey from one camp site to the next that did nothing but deepen the divide between the alliance of two and the alliance of four. And it's the ladder who then decide to do what they've been doing most of this time: spend more of the money and leaving the two-person tribe to worry that the cash could be limited.
   This week, it's week 6 and it's that Core Four who are in control going into the journey to Camp Six, and just as they have done all season line they continue to keep the food for themselves and refuse to share it with Team Makody. But when sickness comes to the island, two players may be forced to make life-changing decisions that could not only lose them their cuts of the cash, but also their camp control of the game.

Ahead, the second half of Stranded with a Million Dollars begins, as we commence our weekend look at the Trifecta on DCBLOG.




►#DCSocialPulse  STRANDED - EPISODE 6
@GinaPandaBaby: Episode 6 of #MTVstranded tonight :) didn't think I would even make it to the second episode 😂
- @MTVStranded: @GinaPandaBaby KILLING IT GIRL #MTVSTRANDED
@MTV: #MTVStranded starts right now! RT if you're watching + tweeting along with @MTVstranded 🌴
@MTVStranded: Run to your couch and turn that TV on, a new #MTVStranded starts NOW! 💥
@MTVStranded: OHHHH we’re halfway thereeee! (Sing it with me now!) 🎤 #MTVStranded (GIF: Cody - "We're almost at the halfway point.")
@MTVStranded: Not gonna lie, I also cheers for cheeseburgers. #MTVStranded https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8DQKz3V4AMPHq_.jpg
- @iamzoewhite: @MTVStranded @GinaPandaBaby @tewsdaykate @AlexApple_ 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
@AlexApple_: You ether die a hero or live long enough to be the villain #MTVStranded https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8DQTqwVMAEFmCu.jpg
@MTVStranded: .@CodyThrive is NOT about these shopping sprees. #MTVStranded (GIF: "Dumb stuff like that, and they eat right through it.")
- @iamzoewhite: @MTVStranded good thing no one cares 😂
@MTVStranded: Which journey would you choose? 🤔 #MTVStranded   38%Longer but easier / 62%Shorter but tougher   162 votes•Final result
@GinaPandaBaby: "No Gina" hmmm, no faith in me LOL #MTVstranded #JourneyTime
@MTVStranded: Early bird gets the worm, and the camp space. #MTVStranded (GIF: Cody -  "If we get to the camp first, we get first pick at where to pitch our tent.")
@MTVStranded: .@alexapple_ wants his team to make it to the finish line in one piece!  #MTVStranded (GIF: "Gina worries me wth how much she struggles.")
@MTVStranded: Will @ginapandababy make it through this journey without flaring? #MTVStranded (GIF: "It's really frustrating.")
@GinaPandaBaby: Lmfaoo when you trip on a slippery rock 😂😌 #NotEvenDrunk at least my pineapple is safe #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: This route is looking tougher and tougher. Will @CodyThrive and @Makinime make it?! #MTVStranded (GIF: Cody - "I'm carrying a heavy duffle over slippery rocks.")
- @CodyThrive: @MTVStranded Who would have thought... Slippery rocks would be my demise on day 20. Sorry guys. I'm out. :(
- @MTVStranded: @CodyThrive Those damn rocks. 😡😂 #MTVstranded
@makanime: @MTVStranded they didn't even show the best part...our journey was epic✨✨🏝💪🏽 @CodyThrive
@MTVStranded: TFW you’re secretly hoping for your friends to cancel plans but they show up last minute. #MTVStranded (GIF: Cody - "They made it... Congrats")
@CodyThrive: No better feeling in life than that rucksack flop. Anyone know what I'm sayin? #MTVstranded
@GinaPandaBaby: Haha I feel so sorry for my group. Sorry guys LOL #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: A water source right next to camp! How convenient! #MTVStranded (GIF: Alonzo - "Finding that fresh water sorce is great.")
@GinaPandaBaby: #CAMP6 I made it! #MTVstranded and my pineapple is safe <3
@GinaPandaBaby: Giiiiiirrrlll I can't with the Fiji bug bites. #MTVstranded
@CodyThrive: The stupidity is truly at an all time high. Like these 4 are the DUMBEST in reality tv history. #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: No socks, wet clothes, and a stomach ache?! I’d be OUT. #MTVStranded (GIF: Alonzo - "I'm not feeling too good.")
@MTVStranded: .@iamzoewhite is not looking too good… #MTVStranded (GIF: "Something's going on.")
@iamzoewhite: @MTVStranded look who's here, dumb and dumber 😂😂
@CodyThrive: Upstream about 50ft was a lil waterfall. Mr. Thrive drank up there. 😏 #MTVstranded
@makanime: Illness is a mindset...that boys had it the whole time👀👋🏽👋🏽🏝🔫 @MTVStranded
- @MTVStranded: @makanime .@makanime is SAVAGE #MTVstranded
@iamzoewhite: @MTVStranded #Squaaaaad https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8DUhiJW0AAwK10.jpg
@makanime: Was so sad to see all 4 of them walk up....let's see if karma has smth to say about this😏😈🔮🏝🔫👋🏽 @MTVStranded
@iamzoewhite: @MTVStranded Thank you 🙏🙏🙏 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8DUw_tWkAAyTrs.jpg
@MTVStranded: The morning after a night of drinking feels 🤒 #MTVStranded (GIF: Alonzo - "I'm trying to drink water but that's not helping.")
@MTVStranded: "Now we got a game." @CodyThrive
@MTVStranded: .@alexapple_ is trying to be strategic with his group buys, for his group. #MTVStranded (GIF: "You have to make choices that keep you in the game.")
- @AlexApple_: @MTVStranded I'm not going anywhere #MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: Wait so pizza is healthy? #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: How would @michael_schuur and @themercinater feel about the #Corefour buying @IAMZOEWhite socks? #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Breaking news: @alexapple_ is not the most strategical thinker, according to @CodyThrive. #MTVStranded (GIF: "You're not.")
@MTVStranded: Something is NOT RIGHT with that water, I tell ya! #MTVStranded (GIF: Alonzo - "I've never, in my entire life, felt this sick before.")
@GinaPandaBaby: &we are also getting some make-up #MTVstranded #NoEyebrows #GroupBye
@ChrisLacerra: @AlexApple_  @CodyThrive @makanime @MTVStranded (picture of a man holding pizza in his hands) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8DVsyYVAAAwsyE.jpg
@MTVStranded: HOLY TOLEDO. What a wonderful phrase. #MTVStranded (GIF: Cody - "Holy Toledo! What is going on?")
@MTVStranded: 🆘 NEED HELP FOR @IamZoeWhite PLZ #MTVStranded (GIF: Alex calling satellite phone - "I think we need a medic.")
@iamzoewhite: @MTVStranded we want it alllllllll!!!!!! 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕
@MTVStranded: Me after getting a paper cut. #MTVStranded (GIF of Alonzo sleeping)
- @GinaPandaBaby: @MTVStranded Lmfao I can't.
@GinaPandaBaby: Dirty water is no bueno :( #MTVstranded
@CodyThrive: Doc: what's wrong?   Alcryzo: I'm just weak!!! #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: .@alexapple_ can’t deal with the thought of losing one half of the #splashbrothers #MTVStranded (GIF: "He's the person I lean on the most, he's my best friend."29
- @AlexApple_: @MTVStranded Cash me outside, how bout dah???
@MTVStranded: TFW you’re opening your report card and have no idea how you did. #MTVStranded (GIF: Nothing bad, nothing bad, nothing bad.")
@MTVStranded: Should @IAmZoeWhite stay or should he go?! #MTVStranded   75%He's too sick to stay. / 25%Hold on a lil longer!   186 votes•Final results
@MTVStranded: WOAH THERE. Has @makanime gone over to the dark side? 😳😂 #MTVStranded (GIF: "Hopefully the whole tent gets sick.")
- @AlexApple_: @MTVStranded Shocker. Can't reason with stupid
- @makanime: @MTVStranded Byeee my former bullies😚😚🏝👋🏽 karma loves m☺️🔮💗🤷🏽♀️💁🏽
@MTVStranded: What. Just. Happened. #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: This goodbye has me like 😞 #MTVStranded
@GinaPandaBaby: Noooo Alonzo! :((  @iamzoewhite #MTVstranded
@makanime: Gastromastro-itis? Nah fam, a case of zero cajones. Let's call a spade a spade 🙄🏝🔫☺️👋🏽 @MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: If they really weren't gonna make him shoot his own flare they should have let me do the honors!!! LAME!!! You quit YOU flare. #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: Goodbye @iamzoewhite we'll miss you 😭 #MTVStranded (GIF: Alonzo - Survived 21 Days, 7 Hours)
@CodyThrive: This is great practice for Alex! (Shooting the flare) #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: Bros carry each other’s hearts in their hearts. (Forever). #MTVStranded (GIF: Alex - "One part of me feels like the other part of me just lost.")
@CodyThrive: Is there any way we can return Alcryzo's socks now? #MTVstranded
@GinaPandaBaby: Being sick and stranded on a island is no joke. #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: Me too tbh 🍕 #MTVStranded (GIF: Cody - "He has his ups when he buys pizza, and he has his downs when he's not eating pizza.")
@MTVStranded: .@CodyThrive be like BYEEEE. #MTVStranded (GIF: "Hey Alonzo, see you never!")
@CodyThrive: HEY ALCRYZO!!! ...SEE YOU NEVER!!!!!!! #BB16 #MTVstranded #MrThrive
@makanime: Woah, woah...@MTVStranded ✋🏽 Alfonzo did not 'SURVIVE' for 21 days...he WHINED his way through all of them and almost broke my poor👂🏽s🙄👋🏽
@MTVStranded: .@TEWSDAYKATE NOT YOU TOO, GIRL NO! #MTVSTRANDED (GIF: "I don't know if it's what Alonzo had.")
@GinaPandaBaby: Why does everyone keep thinking I'm #Next? Because I like to party hardy😂💁🏻 #MTVstranded #goodbye #CityGirl
@MTVStranded: NEVER FEAR. Pizza's here! #MTVStranded (GIF: Eilish - "I need something in my stomach.")
@SBoyleLegends: Damn, I was really thinking that the  $1,000 deck of cards was going to help Alonzo beat out @CodyThrive & @makanime.
@GinaPandaBaby: Thank you @iamzoewhite those socks were comfy :)))) #MTVstranded
@CodyThrive: Man I hate temptations... Except when they're for me. #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: When you're winning and you dgaf what anyone thinks. 😝 @MTVStranded (GIF: Cody - "Sorry, not sorry")
@themercinater: .@MTVStranded @michael_schuur @iamzoewhite I have problems of my own to deal with #MTVStranded #Shoelaces https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8DZp_IW4AA_DC2.jpg
@CodyThrive: So she just spent money on a temptation but she can't eat? UNREAL!!! #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: Who's flaring next? 🤔 #MTVstranded   05%Cody / 40%Gina / 51%Eilish / 04%Makani   460 votes•Final results
@makanime: @MTVStranded hold up. let me get this straight. So it's downpouring all around you. But you wanna spend 5k for the water..smfh @tewsdaykate
- @CodyThrive: @makanime Use the 15k pot to catch the FREE rain!!!
@CodyThrive: So this is that karma stuff @makanime always tells me about. Mom Lady calls Makani a "Hippie Bitch"... I say karma's a bitch. #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: PUSH THROUGH IT @tewsdaykate 🙌🏻 #MTVstranded (GIF: "DO IT!")
@Cesa_Rod617: Excuse me, what's your return policy on socks? 😂😂😂 #teammakody #mtvstranded
@MTVStranded: Health FIRST. (Mental health included) #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Can't deal with all the feels rn. 😭 #MTVStranded
@GinaPandaBaby: Nooo Eilish :(( @tewsdaykate You are strong girl! That island and this game is not easy! #MTVstranded
@MTVStranded: .@tewsdaykate GET BETTER QUICK GIRL. Plz don't leave! #MTVstranded (GIF: "NO!")
@GinaPandaBaby: I'm just over here trying to sleep -.- #MTVstranded #NoGoodbyes #Nope #ComeBack #YoureNotLeaving
@CodyThrive: Karma is REAL @makanime :) #MTVstranded
- @makanime: @CodyThrive I was tryna tell them👀🤷🏽♀️😳🏝👋🏽 that stray dog kicks back🐕😤
@iamzoewhite: Just in case y'all didn't know 😂😂😂@MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: .@tewsdaykate NOO. We hope you're okay girl. #MTVStranded (GIF: Eilish - Survived 22 Days, 17 Hours)
@CodyThrive: More flare practice for Alex! Load it up!!! #MTVstranded
@iamzoewhite: Health is nothing to play with. 🙏When you have to choose between your life or money, which would you choose ?
@MTVStranded: @CodyThrive FEELS THE POWER. #MTVStranded (GIF: "The power of the group-buy is in my hands.")
@autumnmaurer_ / Autumn, Cody's girlfriend: Christmas came early for #TeamMakody #mtvstranded @CodyThrive @makanime
@CodyThrive: It's time to play hardball Thrive Nation!!! #StandUpToTheBully
@MTVStranded: Thanks for watching this week! Two sad flare outs, but I'm PUMPED for next week's episode! Same time, same place! #MTVStranded (GIF: Cody - "I'm pumped.")
- @CodyThrive: @MTVStranded I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!!!! THRIVE NATION SON!!!!
@GinaPandaBaby: We're not gonna drink or eat?! 😌 well then... #MTVstranded
@makanime:
 @MTVStranded heheh the ending though..!👀😩next week is about to get crazzyyy🏝😈 might just become the villains on ya😏 #TeamMakody 😈😈#hardball
@tewsdaykate: @MTVStranded lord knows I tried. Mama didn't raise a quitter. I would have died out there before I quit
@tewsdaykate: It was fun @MTVStranded mama didn't raise a quitter. I would have died out there before I ever pulled that flare. 🏝🌺🦋
@AlexApple_: Didn't watch @MtVstranded yet tonight so can't answer your questions. All I know is I'm still around https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8D1CEfXUAACK4r.jpg
@CodyThrive: "@glynch10: @CodyThrive In all seriousness, How you gonna carry all that money down the stretch?"  RT I'm a fucking paratrooper in the US Army. I've carried much heavier things than stacks of $$$ for far longer than these journey distances.
@jordiedanielle: Finally starting @MTVStranded it's never too late lol and this shit looks hard but some of these people look weak so I'm team cody lol 💪🏼
@makanime: The real question though...who's shorts are shorter? @CodyThrive 's or mine?👀🙈 @MTVStranded
@makanime: The wastefulness in this game makes me sick... @MTVStranded
@makanime: 'Party friends' aka fake friends, Gina? You just made some more👀🏝 @MTVStranded
@makanime: Song so appropriate...I WAS built for this😏🐒🏝🌿 @MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: Is @makanime beasting this journey? 🤔 #MTVStranded   53%YES. / 26%....DUH. / 10%Of course. / 11%There is no "no" option 😜   182 votes•Final results
@makanime: @MTVStranded dammit there's four of them🙄🙄😑 but not for lonnngg😈😈😏😏🏝🔫🔫👋🏽
@makanime: I will take a rationed 🥕 & pb over fastfood 🍕🍔 every time 😑😑💯 smh @MTVStranded 🏝💸
@makanime: Did he just say fully loaded pizza gives you nutrients????🤢🤢🤢 excuse me?? I had ignorance in my 👂🏽s😑😑😑 @MTVStranded
@makanime: This looks serious👀👀🙊 medic just showed up...I hope it spreads😈😈😈🏝🔫🔫👋🏽 @MTVStranded
@makanime: Huh...fonzo left. Couldn't of seen that coming🙄 i shall continue w my daily routine & go pee☺️🐒✌🏽🏝 @MTVStranded
@makanime: Y'all are eating cold pizzas w pounds of mystery meat thrown onto them & so confused when you fall sick 🙄🙄🙄 @MTVStranded
@CodyThrive: It's amazing to be on MTV. I remember praying for this and for it to all come together like this is such a blessing. Win or lose. TY Jesus.
@MTVStranded: Feel better @tewsdaykate. You didn't deserve to go out that way. #MTVStranded
@MTVStranded: You think THIS episode was crazy? You ain't seen nothing yet. Thanks for watching! Tune in next week same time/place! #MTVStranded
@makanime: Honestly, I doubted @CodyThrive & if he would ever turn on me. The fact that we're still friends says everything you need to know🏝😌
@AlexApple_: The best character on @MTVStranded is Tam, the medic. He should be cast in season two
@ZAKLONGO: Can't wait to see @CodyThrive ruin the pizza party next week on @MTVStranded 😂🍕✌🏼

▪    ▪    ▪ 

 STRATEGY ROOM 

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR...

Last week here, we entered the Strategy Room to look at where this trip stands at the halfway point, when there were six on the island and it was a battle between two people versus a core four. Now, with both Alonzo and Eilish now taking their leave due to medical reasons, this now becomes a two on two game as we enter the business half of this season with four weeks left.

   As we wrote here last week, this second half began with two alliances with one outnumbering the other: Team Makody in Cody and Makani, and the Core Four of Alex, Alonzo, Eilish and Gina. And so far this season, it has been the ladder who has been controlling the game and the group's finances, taking advantage of all but two chances to take a group buy and the many temptations given to either them or their rivals.

   Well, in the space of one week, the trajectory of this season have changed with two moves that have made this game much more competitive as it was heading into this week. We saw Alonzo tough out the past two weeks with trying to stay in this game and last week, the words of his mom encouraging him to stay in this game gave him some hope. But with him struggling to stay in this game and his health becoming a more important issue, paramedics went to him when he needed help when he had the stomach flu and in the end he would be medically evacuated. And when this game became a game of five players, Eilish encountered her own health problems and she too also had to take her leave and get some help when she had her appendix removed.

   Here, they have banked all of the available $600,000 so far, but have been spending about half of that - most of it coming from the Core Four. The preference of Alex & friends have been to take advantage of what they needed in the short term while Cody and his group have thought about long-term and thinking of when to possibly begin their move. Now that this game is now two on two, this now becomes a even greater game of strategy than was the case not long ago.
   In week 1, we saw Cody make clear his strategy to try and limit the amount of money spent and then let the other players suffer so he can get a larger cut of the cash. It's clear that he's been dominating the strategic part of this game while the Four have been binge spending. Now that Eilish & Alonzo have flared out, now Cody & Makani have a much better opportunity to take control from Alex & Gina. They can now utilize that strategy he laid out early on to make the others' game feel weaker, especially with both losing their best pals, and Alex & Gina have to rely on each other to keep them afloat. The question now is, will both be able to make it to Day 40 and how strong will they be to handle these four weeks?

   As we always like to say, any of these competitive shows we cover is a game of momentum: as we've seen before, someone can win the last elimination and ride that wave into winning the final Challenge, and a group with no chance to win $1 million can get a few Truth Booths or rely on a puppet master's luck and win AYTO. Here, now having two less players have now made this an equal playing field here on Stranded Island. Cody & Makani have now a better shot to take control of this game and as soon as this coming week, they could.
   As he stated in one of his confessionals, he now has the control of the group buy, where not only do he and Makani can get something for themselves, they can also control the group's finances and try to play small ball in buying little or nothing for as long as they have control. He has that Army Ranger experience where those who come to Camp must be strong, and now he can utilize that experience to help him go all the way...along with having a partner who had doubts on whether she can make it to the end, but now has some renewed faith.
   So, this game is now a true 50/50 game, and it's anyone's for the taking. Now, it's up to both of these final two tribes to make it to the end and grab whatever the final purse will be at trip's end.

▪   ▪   ▪   ▪   ▪

Tomorrow, DCBLOG will be turning our attention to The Challenge: Invasion and this week's episode as Camila's alter-ego returns, a love triangle ensues and the beginning to an epic Champs elimination. Plus over the course of this weekend, ExtraTime In-Depth will present two compelling stories on a challenge one Challenger has had to endure both in and outside the show, and as they say goodbye, a look at a top punk band's Challenge breakthrough.
   Also tomorrow, it's the NCAA Final Four as North Carolina, Gonzaga, South Carolina and Oregon duke it out in Glendale, Arizona. The National Semifinals of college basketball's biggest event tips off after 6PM Eastern/3PM Pacific, and DCNOW @DC408DxNow will have all the action.
   Thank you for checking out our look at Week 6 of Stranded with A Million Dollars, and be sure to join us tomorrow when our coverage of the MTV Trifecta continues. Make it a great weekend.

- I AM DC