"It Hit Everyone Pretty Hard!"
It's always a sad day on
Survivor when a player gets taken out of the game due to circumstances beyond their control. Today was especially sad for this reviewer since Jonathan Penner was a particular favorite. Always interesting, always entertaining Jonathan played the game with such enthusiasm that he energized his whole team. He gave it his all yet never lost sight of the fact that in the end it was just game.
So, it just sucks that last week's infernal game of prison-escapee tag the same one that left others battered and bruised resulted in this season losing one of its best players due to a potentially life-threatening infection. Jonathan's teary farewell group hug, Kathy sobbing, "we need you! I need you!" had me misty-eyed myself.
Now James is left on a tribe of women and one longhaired guy and he's feeling a little vulnerable as he should. Let's face it James is not the most strategic player
Survivor's ever seen. He has one thing going for him and that is his strength. We saw it at the reward challenge where, supported by his tribe, he carried two players on a tiny platform across the water to victory against Malakal. There's nothing wrong with being a physical player, but as the numbers get whittled down it's the thinkers that make it to the end. Sure, in China James had two Hidden Immunity Idols, but one was given to him and he was told where to find the other. Nearly every strategic move James made in China was directed by Todd. I fear for him playing alone this time around.
Here in Micronesia James has not done much aside from hang with Parvati and even she was putting the moves on another man tonight. That woman will flirt with anyone who can help her get ahead in the game. Tonight it was the Micronesian man who taught them how to fish and catch coconut crab. Tomorrow it's anybody's guess.
But tomorrow is not promised to anyone in this game. When will people realize that? Ozzy that comment was meant for you. The cocky fall first and your days are numbered unless you come up with a better strategy than substituting the HII with a stick. Jason, who found the faux idol will figure it out soon enough, Ozzy. This guy is hungry for a win. He is almost as driven as Erik who (whining in that perfect pitch necessary to peel the paint off of walls) did his best to convince a weary Chet to use his vote to get rid of Ozzy.
A word about Chet. I cannot believe that this man, who after witnessing a limping, impaired Jonathan play as hard as he did before being medically evacuated from the island, would have the nerve to pull the health card as an excuse to bow out of the game. He had a what a piece of coral in his foot?! It just pales in comparison. Frankly, I'm confused as to why he was cast. Is he even a fan? Could he have been
that compelling in his audition video that he warranted a spot on the team as a fan short for
fanatic? His performance on the island just does not add up.
On the other hand, it is highly amusing how some of the fans hold the favorites in such awe. The faves weren't necessarily chosen because they were the best players, but because they had audience appeal. Remember none of these favorites have taken home a million bucks yet. Here's hoping that Erik will realize this now that Ami has defected to his side.
That's so like Ami, isn't it? I'm disappointed that she, Cirie and Tracy did not join up as an all-powerful trio. Even more surprising to me was the fan-bashing. I did not see that coming and if it continues I see the comfortably cocky Cirie, Ozzy and Amanda having their experience advantage pulled right out from under them. If anything they should recognize the signs from Tribal Council which was filled with much rumbling about the 'blind-sided' and those who 'feel safe'.
As a viewer I was a lot less confident that the self-sacrificial Chet was going home over Ozzy, but in the end Chet's torch was at last put out. How interesting that Jeff chose to read the votes so as not to reveal any other names. Even more interesting is the fact that it was Erik's name and not Ozzy's that rounded out the vote. Where does the game go from here? Your guess is as good as mine.
So what are your thoughts about tonight's show? Can Malakal pull it together enough to win a challenge? Is James really on his own? Is Ami's new alliance a good strategic move? Will Jason realize he has a faux Idol?
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