Survivor - Heros vs Villians

[Ghoulish Delight]

Wow. So many things to say about that episode.

One, I'm more convinced than ever that the producers actively tailor the challenges to benefit one tribe over the other. The heroes got a pure physical challenge, which they've absolutely dominated (and not just because they had James, every one of the heroes had been dominant in those challenges), and then the EASIEST puzzle in the history of the show in the immunity challenge. You can hardly even call it a puzzle. It was only a puzzle if you call "here are 26 letters, alphabetize them" a puzzle. No logic involved, pure brute force. Notice there wasn't even any communication necessary between the people working on it. Just put the pieces in place. I hope they're proud of themselves for putting together a puzzle a 5 year old could handle.

I'm also more convinced than ever that Russell is not going to make it to the end. He broke Rob. Broke him good. What broke him was that Russell purely out-thought him. There was no leak, Russell just figured out Rob's game and Rob had no idea how to handle that. So why do I think that means Russell won't make it to the end? There's no way Russell breaks Rob like that, and makes it to the final jury again, and then cries and begs for the stupid title on live TV. No, he gets voted out, and the only way his ego would let him accept it was by thinking, "Well, whatever, I out played Rob and I have a million under my belt from last season. I'm the greatest survivor ever." When he found out he DIDN'T have that million under his belt, he lost it.

Coach...you're dumb. Just dumb.

But Jerri may be dumber, or that was a cruel edit. Because she looked delusional in this episode. Coach says, "I'm not pissed because you're asking me align with Russell, I'm pissed because you went and made a promise that would obligate ME without bothering to talk to me first." Jerri summarizes it as, "Coach just doesn't get it and is naive to hang on to loyalty." Err, ok. Then Rob says, "You know what the right thing to do is," clearly meaning that he thinks the smart and honorable thing to do is stick with him. She summarizes it as, "Rob said I should do whatever will keep me in the game the longest." No, that's not what he said at all. Delusional, or some serious editing, or something.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Wow. So many things to say about that episode.

One, I'm more convinced than ever that the producers actively tailor the challenges to benefit one tribe over the other. The heroes got a pure physical challenge, which they've absolutely dominated (and not just because they had James, every one of the heroes had been dominant in those challenges), and then the EASIEST puzzle in the history of the show in the immunity challenge. You can hardly even call it a puzzle. It was only a puzzle if you call "here are 26 letters, alphabetize them" a puzzle. No logic involved, pure brute force. Notice there wasn't even any communication necessary between the people working on it. Just put the pieces in place. I hope they're proud of themselves for putting together a puzzle a 5 year old could handle.

I'm also more convinced than ever that Russell is not going to make it to the end. He broke Rob. Broke him good. What broke him was that Russell purely out-thought him. There was no leak, Russell just figured out Rob's game and Rob had no idea how to handle that. So why do I think that means Russell won't make it to the end? There's no way Russell breaks Rob like that, and makes it to the final jury again, and then cries and begs for the stupid title on live TV. No, he gets voted out, and the only way his ego would let him accept it was by thinking, "Well, whatever, I out played Rob and I have a million under my belt from last season. I'm the greatest survivor ever." When he found out he DIDN'T have that million under his belt, he lost it.

Coach...you're dumb. Just dumb.

.

I Don't know, go back and look at it again. Russell is practically laughing while he's making the offer. Russel gets quite when he's down, boisterous when he's up. I'm going to stick with my Russell goes far prediction.


Coach...you're dumb. Just dumb.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I Don't know, go back and look at it again. Russell is practically laughing while he's making the offer. Russel gets quite when he's down, boisterous when he's up. I'm going to stick with my Russell goes far prediction.

No way. He looks her straight in the eye and is deadly serious. You can see the earnest longing in his eyes. He is not f'n around, he's begging.

[Moonliner]

Another episode down and my boy Russell is still kicking.

If the teaser for next episode actually happens (which I'd bet heavy against) it will definitely make top 10 moments in all of survivor history.

Spoiler:

The Hero's discuss giving Russell an immunity idol

I am somewhat concerned about the future however. The editing is showing Russell as the master manipulator, totally in control of everything... Are they building him up so his fall makes for better TV? I hope not.

It was interesting that Russell voted for Candice despite Sandra's ear-worm regarding Coach and that Coach went home despite Russell not voting for him.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

It was interesting that Russell voted for Candice despite Sandra's ear-worm regarding Coach and that Coach went home despite Russell not voting for him.

I hadn't noticed that until someone at work mentioned it. After some searching, the going theory is that he probably threw a vote Candice's way in service of the "girl alliance" ruse. That way if the Heroes learn what vote counts were, it supports their misconception. Makes sense to me.

I did like that Sandra exposed a major weakness in Russel's game. Even though she was aided by the facts that she was only sort of lying and that voting coach out fit into a larger strategy Russel had, it still makes it clear that his "don't try to get sneaky on me or you're gone" ultimatum can be used to manipulate him.

Coach, you remain dumb. Jerri, you remain dumb. Amanda, you remain smoking hot, but also remain horrible at appearing sincere while humoring someone (referring to the scene where Candice was trying to get her to turn against JT).