Tyler Barros

***Tyler*** was a castaway on Essential Survivor: Maldives. He later returned for Essential Survivor: Peru.

## Maldives

Being a more recent fan of Essential Survivor before his debut, Tyler was definitely excited for begin his journey within the franchise. He came off as extremely gamebotty which in understandable, but some would definitely argue that his actual gameplay didn’t match up with his perception of it, let’s see if you agree or disagree.

From the jump, Tyler was always thinking about the game. Even when they were on the plane heading to the Maldives. He liked Bradley and Pierre because of their base appearances, while he was weary of Kamala’s. Regardless, at the marooning when it was revealed who the returnees were, Tyler was indifferent. Not knowing whether teaming up, or targeting them would suit his best interest. After being placed onto the Bodu Beru tribe, like any other player, Tyler’s goal was to make connections. He connected quickly with Mike (after catching him idol hunting), and Pierre (in which they had some rough patches due to fishing). After the tribe sadly lost immunity, Winter was looking like the easy boot. Tyler, originally wanting to save her, was planning to throw out Pierre’s name in spite. But when Winter revealed her target to be Bradley, Tyler’s will to save her was flushed down the drain completely, much like the rest of the tribe. However, there was a point in time where Tyler believed that Winter somehow got the votes to stay and began to distrust some allies (this is a recurring event within his gameplay) but later calmed down and voted her out with everyone else.

As for the next two episodes, they weren’t eventful as Bodu Beru won both of them. Although, Mike and Tyler do solidify themselves as Number 1’s in the game. Even going as far to believe that they have a stronghold over the game due to having an alliance with every single member. It didn’t matter much though, as a swap came at F15. Tyler was swapped into a great position where he was in the majority alliance by a 5-2 split. When his tribe lost the challenge, he was gunning after Brad due to Kamala and Pierre's connection and not wanting the latter to try and flip. The alliance was in agreement and booted him. All the while, Tyler had this growing distrust for Magnus that began to brew and brew over little actions. Ultimately, his trust for Magnus was almost completely washed when he threw his vote onto Tyler during Kamala’s exit Tribal (which Tyler was already suspicious of going home here).

At the merge, we really see what Tyler is made of here. Obviously, Bodu Beru takes advantage of the 7-4 majority split, taking out Jake and Zent in quick succession. But at the Final 9, it was a Bodu Beru civil war… that Tyler did not know of. With Pierre as his new #1 ally, Tyler was planning his endgame around the idea of getting him and Pierre to the Final Tribal Council. Even going as far as to make an alliance that he had no intention of using until the Final Seven. So it’s safe to say that Tyler definitely had a reality check when Pierre was swiftly blindsided, leaving him in the game distraught and confused.

At the Final 8, Tyler swore to not trust anyone after believing that he was in control of the game at this point, but of course, he needed to trust someone. He began to place his eggs in the basket of Trey and Joseph, after realizing how big of a Jury Threat Kam would become if they allowed her to advance any farther in the game. And in an attempt to gain some new trust while direct votes away from him, Tyler bluffed about having an idol. So at Tribal Council, he made a fake one, and played it for himself. Along with making a SECOND one, and playing it for John. These two moves I mentioned highlight Tyler’s strategic capabilities really well.  However, he did declare that he wanted to bring John and Magnus to the Final 3, which isn’t the best idea as John would easily beat him.

The next two rounds were extremely direct as Trish went home in 7th for being caught in too many lies, and Trey was booted in 6th as he was perceived to be a Jury Threat. However the Final Five was everything BUT direct. After winning his first (and only) individual immunity, John, Mike and Tyler wanted to split the vote 2-2 between Joseph and Magnus to confirm one of them goes out. Unfortunately, Tyler forgot to vote resulting in a tie between Joseph and Michael instead, in which Mike was idoled out. A result that after their rocky relationship, couldn’t be more fitting.

The Final Four was also a wild round. Tyler was only one round away from getting his dream Final 3, and the only person in his way now was Joseph. A threatening returnee who Tyler knew had to be voted out to claim his win. John and Magnus knew this as well, so win magnus pulled out immunity, it wasn’t looking good for Joseph. But from a come from behind move, Joseph somehow convinced Magnus to tie the vote between himself and John to force fire, which he did, beating John and advancing to the Final 3. Tyler, rightfully so, was completely berating Magnus’s decision. When Joseph won Final Immunity, Tyler knew that it was over for him as Magnus solidified goat status, becoming the final person voted out of the eighth season.

## Peru Voting History

 Lost The Plot
 Boot Bingo
 Fakey McGee
 Barney
 Love The Animosity
 Simp And Simper
 Can't Argue Facts
 Voted Out, Day 17