November 16, 2006: Four Straight Wins
I love, love, love this show! It has excitement; it has conflict; it has betrayal; it has underdogs; it even has new verbs. Where else would you hear about octopussing? And Rebecca, if you chose only to speak one word during this week's show, I'm glad it was that one. Let's see, it is day 22, and over the course of the next three days Aitu pulled out another two challenge wins - making it a four-challenge sweep since the infamous mutiny. I'm so pleased for this underdog team, and who says that dog can't hold a grudge? They sent Candice to do yet another stint on Exile Island. And to display the workings of their well-oiled machine, Aitu members all chimed in together to call her name. Aww.
For whatever reason, Jonathan is bearing none of the brunt of the mutiny from his former 'mates. If he makes it to the merge, we'll see if all is forgiven. But Raro is going to have to start winning some immunity challenges. I mean, they have double the numbers, you'd think that would count for something. In Raro's case, double the numbers turned into a double elimination that sent both Rebecca and the pissed-off Jenny to seats two and three of the jury box. Things have become a little black and white on this tribe. The lesson for the week - surprises in bottles aren't always a good thing.
Given that Jenny suffered the most from the second vote, I'm wondering if Raro felt, as I did, that she was trying to throw the compass challenge by not digging. Not that it mattered. Adam and Candice spent enough time arguing over east by southeast to make Raro's loss a total team effort.
Aitu's reward was a very cool feast with the locals, who gave them a warrior's welcome and got Yul to engage in a little freak dancing. That's another thing I love about Survivor - it always makes an effort to show the native culture of the host islands. After this win, the "four orphans" were now well fed, relaxed and ready for yet another victory, because honestly any loss on their side would be a devastating blow. There are nine players left in the game, no sign of a merge, and Probst only knows how many more surprises are yet to come. This season has been many things - controversial, uneven, humorous and at times dull, but it has kept my attention. For the love of Survivor, that's why I keep watching.
