The Joe Hunter mystery is taking over the Survivor 50 conversation, and the show’s live ChatBCC thread is suddenly the place everyone wants to be before the finale.

If you haven’t joined the Survivor 50 group chat over on ChatBCC, you may want to get there before next week’s finale. The conversation is already heated, and with so many former and current players weighing in on who should win, it looks like the chat will stay busy right through the end.

And during episode 12, the energy was just as intense as ever. Some players were fired up for the penultimate episode, while others made it very clear who they were not backing:

Carolyn [Wiger] (8:02pm ET): Besides Joe, who do we not want winning???

Omar Zaheer (8:03pm ET): Indignant Cirie [Fields] confessionals never get old

[Rizo Velovic] (8:04pm ET): Jonathan’s move

Early in the episode, a major reveal showed that one current player has been taking his frustrations to social media, using it to call out fellow castaways from this season — along with some of the players who have been especially vocal throughout Survivor 50.

Kelley Wentworth (8:07pm ET): Y’all. Joe [Hunter] blocked me this week. I ain’t never even said a bad thing but I guess I can be honest now in the final stretch

Savannah [Louie] (8:07pm ET): Join the club girl lol

Kelly Wentworth (8:12pm ET): In other news, I followed [Rick Devens] back this week. Lost one, gained another

Devens eventually joined the ChatBCC group after some friendly pressure from Christian Hubicki, and he brought some sharp observations with him about the episode’s first half — especially when it came to idol hunting and the ongoing debate about being shadowed while searching for advantages.

Sophi Balerdi (8:09pm ET): I hate when ppl bodyguard others when looking for idols

Savannah [Louie] (8:09pm ET): Wait I loveeee it

Sam Phalen (8:10pm ET): If you’re NOT doing this, wyd??

Rick Devens (8:10pm ET): For the record [Jonathan Young] and I had a lot of fun chatting while he followed me and I searched for the idol. And I think he was doing exactly what he should be doing.

The opinions came fast once the episode’s first challenge got underway. Watching Survivor always seems to bring out the competitive side in past players, and that usually means the chat gets brutally honest about the game.

Sophi Balerdi (8:14pm ET): The more I look at this final 7, the more amazed I am at this final 7

Brandon Donlon (8:17pm ET): Joe gets to only spell UNITY because it represents everything he stands for

[Rizo Velovic] (8:19pm ET): This is not AI – I’m actually doing well in a immunity challenge

Sam Phalen (8:28pm ET): [Tiffany Ervin] is at her best when she’s dogging someone back at camp

Owen Knight (8:29pm ET): PETTY SURVIVOR IS BACK

Stephenie Berger (8:42pm ET): Oh so now it’s ok to look at the stars

But after Devens’s early exit from the episode, the mood shifted into a wave of appreciation. Players and fans filled the chat with praise for his game, his attitude, and the way he’s continued to keep things entertaining.

Omar Zaheer (8:44pm ET): Devens has really brought it this season and brought that same energy but also something new and I love that

Savannah [Louie] (8:45pm ET): RICK WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rizo Velovic] (8:45pm ET): I LOVE RICK DEVENS

Cedrek McFadden (8:45pm ET): Respect to [Rick Devens]. Thank you for making great TV for and everything you brought to this game.

Teeny [Chirichillo] (8:46pm ET): The gay bar is more upset than anyone would’ve anticipated going into this season. That is beautiful.

The biggest talking point of the night came during the second challenge, when it became clear it was everyone versus Tiffany. With the plan to blindside her later that evening, Aubry Bracco, Rizo, Joe, and Jonathan all worked together to try to solve the puzzle first. The chat was confused, irritated, and a little entertained all at once.

Sam Phalen (8:58pm ET): WHY ARE THE ALL HELPING EACH OTHER

Carolyn [Wiger] (8:58pm ET): I understand Joe asking Jonathan But like The others Girl

Savannah [Louie] (8:59pm ET): I’m dying. Joe and Jonathan are never getting this

Maryanne Oketch (9:06pm ET): If I had a nickel for every time Jonathan teamed up with other people to beat a woman at a challenge and still lost to said woman, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.

While Tiffany’s big win was being celebrated, it quickly became obvious that fan favorite Cirie would likely be next in the firing line. The chat stayed upset from the moment everyone reached Tribal Council until Cirie’s torch was snuffed, and one complaint stood out above the rest: the show didn’t include Cirie in the finale.

Omar Zaheer (9:26pm ET): They should have aired this in the finale right?

Savannah [Louie] (9:26pm ET): Jury did not look happy

Brandon Donlon (9:26pm ET): Cirie is probably the only person that Jeff [Probst] has let say ‘the tribe has spoken’ 2x. Fun fact

The next morning, though, the biggest news of all hit the chat. Nobody expected it, but everyone had a little fun with it once it landed.

Tiffany Ervin (11:20am ET): Just joined the ‘Joe Blocked Me’ Club

Kelley Wentworth (11:29am ET): I’ll Venmo $20 to the person who correctly guesses joes next block

So as finale week arrives, fans may be disappointed that Devens and Cirie are out of contention, but the bigger question now is whether Joe’s blocking spree will become the real post-episode story. Why is he blocking everyone, and will Jeff — or one of the castaways who’s been blocked — address it during next week’s live finale?

We’ll be watching next Wednesday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+ to see how Survivor 50 wraps up, and to find out who walks away with $2 million and the title of Sole Survivor.