May 10, 2007: Revenge of the Hidden Immunity Idol
OK, America, I officially love Boo. The man is
funny. Just watching him prepare his little hidey-hole to eavesdrop on any strategy sessions near the watering hole was hilarious. Too bad it will probably go as unused as Yau-Man's fake immunity idol. I applaud their efforts, though, because once all the contrivances of the rich tribe versus the poor tribe arrangement disappeared, it was these little moments of strategic gold that have made the season fun to watch. With the numbers dwindling, these strategic moves have grown bolder by the week, and I love it!
First of all, I have to say to Yau-Man: this is how you play the game! Yau-Man made two big moves tonight. First he exacted from Dreamz a promise of immunity at the final four in exchange for a big ole' truck won at the reward challenge. (Of course, Dreamz would have to actually
win immunity in order to give it up, so we'll see how that goes.) Then Yau-Man sent
himself to Exile Island to get the other clue, and because of that his partner Earl was able to find the third hidden immunity idol of the game. Brilliant!
Then comes Dreamz with the counter-attack. Have I mentioned how much I've enjoyed this season's editing? Couldn't you almost see a light bulb appear onscreen above Dreamz's head when he realized that that rascally Yau-Man had basically swindled him out of a million dollars? Hence the third big move of the night: Dreamz staged a power play with Stacy and Cassandra to oust Yau-Man and release himself from his hastily agreed upon pact. Dreamz may be an unconventional castaway, but I enjoy watching him play the game with instinctual aggression rather than a wait-and-see attitude. If Yau-Man had not picked up on the "bad vibes" at camp he would surely be gone. It was Stacy's talk at tribal council of vote-splitting that convinced Yau-Man to play his idol. That move saved him from elimination. It's a safe bet that Stacy is somewhere kicking herself.
It remains to be seen if Cassandra's power play will have dire consequences. Her vote against Yau-Man validated that man's fears about the final four, but in the long run it could work to her advantage. This woman has been willing to jump ship for some time now. If she makes it to the end, her willingness to take a risk in the game may save her from the dreaded coattails derision that often rears its head at the final tribal council.
Enough with the analysis - I have many questions! If tonight's HII had been played earlier in the game, would it have been re-hidden and available to possibly use for a third time? Why hasn't anyone pulled Boo into an alliance? The man is a free agent, and with his recent winning streak he's someone you'd rather have on your side than not. And while we're on the subject, Boo wears that immunity necklace well, doesn't he? My friend Andy wonders if Boo will be this season's
Kelly Wiglesworth - a seemingly clueless player whose competitors wanted her gone yet who won five immunity challenges in a row to secure a spot in the final two. It could happen.
What about that Ford truck? Will the car curse still apply to Yau-Man and tank his chances of a win even though he gave it away? The looks exchanged between the ousted horsemen have me wondering if Yau-Man's generosity might have secured him a spot in the final four but cost him votes on the jury. Then there's Earl. With an idol in his pocket and all his talk of Stacy bowing out of the game with dignity, has he developed a bit of a god complex? Am I thinking too much? Probably. All I know is that in tonight's challenges everyone wobbled on the beams, but whoever manages to keep their balance in the game will be this year's ultimate survivor.
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