They can't exactly give a purple edit to He-Man. Like... the guy is a literal superhero. You can't NOT notice him, and him soloing team challenges wasn't exactly something they could hide. They HAVE to show challenges and who wins them. Jonathan managing three other people at once while crushing shit was so remarkable that they had no choice. He would get a strong edit even if he was screwed by the hourglass. Casual stangirls love guys like him at first sight. It's warranted this time (much like with Malcolm, who isn't even the same archetype).
Lydia wasn't purpled. She got an intro package - what with regarding her body image and learning to accept that - and a few confessionals with information about her. The editors definitely held back some with her because they didn't want her to become a fan favorite, because that would lead the casuals to condemn the hourglass twist. Which they probably are anyway. But there's a difference between her MOR edit and being purpled. I think if she didn't get hourgassed, she'd have gotten a strong edit and made it deep for the reasons Ermine stated.
It doesn't matter who went home with this twist, it's still incorrigible. It was a MASSIVE improvement that Jeff told them "The person on Exile gets to make a game-changing decision" which led Drea to use her oracle powers to figure it out - why he didn't do that in S41 is beyond me. But... Thank You, Danny McCray. Like seriously. Without Danny's rant calling Probst a liar, I don't think he changes as much as he did. Even so, get rid of this shit for good, and make immunity, well... immunity. And it's not like there was an actual decision there. Make there be more serious ramifications if the hourglass gets smashed.
Lydia's demise was partially self-inflicted, by stating that she'd prefer to vote Jonathan out over Maryanne. Should have just said Maryanne and, knowing what Omar was gonna do, split the vote and pile the rest on Jonathan. I think it was her age and naivete that got the better of her. The bullshit twist definitely was the biggest factor, though, because without it, they just pile the votes on Chanelle and nothing of value is lost. Omar is justifiably mad at her for lying to him about risking her vote. I don't know why Chanelle doesn't seem to understand that lie is why nobody trusts her.
It's fascinating to dissect and I am gonna need to rewatch it.
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BlueCrystalTear | You're living your own life. You're you. #FearTheDeer | ((FREE HUGS))