This is an interesting point. I think it was clear last season that they were a strong risk of having edited too much/in too unrepresentative a manner, so I’d be surprised if they’re risking that again this season.
With that said, it would explain a bit - I would have thought you almost always just play your best available player, possibly versus their expected opponent, and if you get down to the weaker players then so be it - your opponents should be down to their weaker players as well.
I did read recently that some tribal councils can go for over an hour. Personally I have no issue with editing of that type - it’s necessary and creates higher quality content on the episode itself - so long as it’s a faithful edit.
With that said, it would explain a bit - I would have thought you almost always just play your best available player, possibly versus their expected opponent, and if you get down to the weaker players then so be it - your opponents should be down to their weaker players as well.
I did read recently that some tribal councils can go for over an hour. Personally I have no issue with editing of that type - it’s necessary and creates higher quality content on the episode itself - so long as it’s a faithful edit.