Survivor: Fiji - Ep 7: "An Evil Thought"

[rockle]

Back to our regular bat-time and bat-channel, sports fans. Thank goodness. Because I can't deal with all this schedule-shufflingaround because of the stupid basketball. Which, I don't really want to talk about it, except to say: Freaking Kansas. You bastards. I could have won $30 in my office pool and, more importantly, beaten my boss, but noooooooo, you had to choke. You bastards. I could have used that $30!

Anyway ... previously on Survivor: A whole bunch of stuff happened. Find out what by reviewing the previous threads here:

Episode 1 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=407607)
Episode 2 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=408627)
Episode 3 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=409556)
Episode 4 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=410501)
Episode 5 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=411524) (Note: This thread title is incorrect -- it should read "Ep. 5," not "Ep. 4")
Episode 6 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=413367)

So, we're already six episodes in and I still don't know any of these people, except Rocky & Lisi, whom I hate, and Earl & Yau-Man, whom I love. They really should start out with like 10 people so I know what the crap is going on in this middle, muddling, masochistically tedious part of the season. What will happen tonight? According to CBS.com (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor14/show/ep06/next.shtml) ...

· One Survivor walks on dangerous ground, taunting nauseous tribemates who overindulged at the Reward.
· One Survivor has an evil thought and hatches a plan to gain an advantage on the other tribemates.
· After a meltdown and a night at Exile Island, one Survivor must prove to their tribe that they're ready to play the game. Can this Survivor turn the tables and win over their tribemates or will this be the end of their time in Fiji?

... and according to TVGuide.com (http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=285451&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=6414992) (WARNING! Quite spoileriffic! Do not read if you don't want to know what happens tonight!) ...

One of the two hidden immunity idols is discovered and the finder replaces it with a fake idol; Lisi returns from Exile Island and attempts to redeem herself for expressing thoughts that she wanted to go home; another castaway is voted off of the islands. Jeff Probst is the host.

Supplemental material, as per usual: Links (http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/survivor-fiji/285451) to a few TVGuide.com articles about the show, including this interview (http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={4CBF2A77-A5D3-45C6-9999-D06248AA1C6D}) with last week's dearly departed dweeb, Anthony. (Well, some of us liked him, anyway.)

Discussion question: So, how big an ass can Rocky make of himself this week, do you think? Why or why not?

[storyteller0910]

Rockle -

If what is in your second spoiler box is true, it will be the best thing to happen in the history of this show. (Potentially) awesome.

[rockle]

If what is in your second spoiler box is true, it will be the best thing to happen in the history of this show. (Potentially) awesome.OMG, I know. Depending on "who" does the "what." I am actually excited about an episode that does not feature (1) Ian or (2) Ozzy or (3) monkeys. AFAIK.

[storyteller0910]

OMG, I know. Depending on "who" does the "what." I am actually excited about an episode that does not feature (1) Ian or (2) Ozzy or (3) monkeys. AFAIK.

And you know, I have a feeling - no spoilers here, just speculation based on who knows what - that the person doing the "what" is likely to be one of the more likable folks. We'll see, I guess.

[Mama Tiger]

I'm definitely holding out that the person doing the "what" is someone I like. If they can pull it off, it will be one of the Best. Survivor. Moments. Evah!

But yeah, I still don't know who half these people are -- or are. I'd be very happy if they started with fewer people, or else gave us a scorecard, or something, just so we could keep up.

[Dinsdale]

In our office building the elvators have these little TV screens that give brief news/entertainment blurbs. Coming back from lunch it said:

Jeff Probst says this season was (I forget the exact word) unsatisfying. Says cold weather location like Canada might be in the future.

[Borborygmi]

Rockle -

If what is in your second spoiler box is true, it will be the best thing to happen in the history of this show. (Potentially) awesome.Holy crap! OK, basically just a me-too post, but wow. I know this has come up a few times in threads; I think the link below was the first. Wonder if the player reads the Dope?

Don't click if you are not already reading spoilers. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7299064)

PS: I mostly lurk in these threads, but I read them faithfully. You guys rock.

[rockle]

... I know this has come up a few times in threads; I think the link below was the first. Wonder if the player reads the Dope? ...I do not wish to further disparage this crop of castaways, because there is still hope for at least three or four of them to turn out to be OK, but at this point? I will settle for the person in question not actively being a dope.

[Eureka]

The spoilers in the OP don't mention the most exciting moment of the episode.

OK, maybe I exaggerate.
The Losing Tribe finally won a reward challenge. I have a long standing refusal to commit to memory even briefly the names of the various tribes

And this episode is making me enjoy Yau-man and Earl more than I already did--and dislike Rocky more than ever.

[Eureka]

I really liked tonights challenges, especially the immunity challenge. I especially enjoyed watching the young lady who was the caller for Moto. (I hope it's not too spoilery to mention that part of the challenge involved a caller ona platform directing the action of people who were blindfolded.) I just enjoyed her body language so much--and then she fell down, and climbed right back up, and started in again.

[jayjay]

Bitter, party of one!

Heh...this season is going to have one of those knock-down, drag-out, Jerry-Springer-style final tribal councils. So COOL!

[Southpaw]

Bitter, party of one!

Heh...this season is going to have one of those knock-down, drag-out, Jerry-Springer-style final tribal councils. So COOL!I, for one, am hoping for a Susan-like rant during final tribal council. :D

I loved Yau-Man's glee at finding the idol. He is just too cute. Makes me want to hug him and squeeze him, and call him George.

[rockle]

With only a few possible exceptions -- Ian winning the Corvette, for one, and the infamous "My ox is BROKEN!" leg on "The Amazing Race" -- this was one of the most satisfying episodes of reality television ever. And remember that I have watched the "Paradise Hotel" marathon on Fox Reality more than once. So many things to love, I don't even know where to start, but I will try.


I swear to God, Yau-Man is absolutely the most adorable little man ever in the entire history of the known Universe. They should totally make a Yau-Man action figure, and I would buy it and keep it in my curio cabinet, right next to the Longaberger basket that I made myself and my Hess truck collection and my assortment of toy livestock that poops jellybeans.
The longer Earl lasts in this game, the more smart and charming and attractive he becomes to me. Not only does he have an actual strategy for winning this game, but he is having a damned good time doing it, too. Plus: sand drawings! The only thing missing was "earl ♥'s rockle 4VR!" But it's possible that part was left out in editing. No matter -- I know, deep down in my soul, that it was there.
Love, love, LOVE the quality of the challenges this season! It is awesome how, after how many hundreds of these things they've done, they still find new and unique ways to do the same thing. Fire lacrosse! Skull pi���ñatas! People racking themselves into fencing while blindfolded and/or falling off towers in fits of excitement! Comedy gold, right there.
Loved the before-and-after shots of Mookie when Yau-Man "pwnt" his Ravu equivalent. Watch out for those wiry guys, Mookie! That Yau-Man action figure has the special Fire-Lacrosse-Flicker-Action Accessory Pack!
Rocky is a tool. Now, always, and forever. Cannot be said enough.
I believe very strongly that Lisi's laugh can melt steel and drive fear into the hearts of hardened I.H.M. nuns everywhere, including Sister Adelaida of the Sorrows, who is so eeeeeevil that she once made me kneel on uncooked rice because I had "an overabundance of original sin."

And plus, as jayjay already pointed out, it looks like the Final Tribal Council is going to be wicked awesome. So many blahblahbittercakes already!

[jayjay]

drive fear into the hearts of hardened I.H.M. nuns everywhere, including Sister Adelaida of the Sorrows, who is so eeeeeevil that she once made me kneel on uncooked rice because I had "an overabundance of original sin."


I had IHM nuns in high school, too. Mine were different. They were young. And they were PERKY at me!

Except for Sister Vivian of the Holy Nostrils (so named because she could store frickin' QUARTERS up there!)...she was a witch...

[Queuing]

What are IHM nuns?

Mostly just posting one of those "me too" posts. My final 3 is Dreamz, Yua Man and Earl. Island of Earl made me laugh, as did that girl falling off the perch. One of the better episodes in a while for this show.

[jayjay]

What are IHM nuns?

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisters,_Servants_of_the_Immaculate_Heart_of_Mary). It's a Catholic teaching order. Most of my high school nuns were IHM.

[MadTheSwine]

Bye Rocky,I'll miss your rants.Mebbe a melt down in the final jury vote?

Was it Stacy that fell off the platform? Funny stuff!

Yau-Man, you tricky bastard...can't wait to see what happens with the false idol.

Guess the Lisi and Rocky show never materialized...woulda been good TV.

Lisi needs a razor to shave her armpits.

[MissTake]

The best immunity challenge evah! (Granted I've only watched a few seasons, but still).

I too love the YaoMan. He is so cute with his little buck teeth and goofy spastic dance.

[Ring]

I also was very happy to see Mr. Obnoxious go. BUT Dreamz was insane not to vote for Lisi. Now him and the other guy are easy pickins. I can't believe he didn't see this coming. They better hope for a quick merge.

[Batsinma Belfry]

I've had the Yao-Man love for awhile, but when he rubbed noses with the turtle, he made me squee so loud, the dog barked at me.

I was happy when Rocky got voted off. Then I was unhappy when Jeff said Rocky would be on the jury, (I hate him so much, I never want to see him again.) Then jayjay made me happy again, because I totally forgot about the final TC meltdown potential.


Did anybody else wonder about how stinky those cushions and sofas were going to be after everybody was finished wallowing around on them?

[Mehitabel]

Ding dong, the dude is dead!! :) :D :) :D

There are two Asian ladies left--the coffee-bitch with the bad skin but beautiful hair is Stacy; the cute perky Valley Girl is Michelle. Michelle fell off the platform and then climbed right back up! I would have just lain there and whined like Rocky.

Yau Man reached positively Gollum-like levels of happiness, and I loved his subterfuge with the fake II. Nobody but he and Earl know that the Moto camp idol is gone, so none of the folks I still like--them, Michelle, and Cassandra--are in danger of searching for it.

I do wish that when Earl arrived on Earl's Island (which it now shall forever be) he went up there and opened the box to see if the clue had changed at all. Production had time to change it after Yau Man found the turtle and Earl was chosen. However, I fear that Yau is on the chopping block if and when Moto loses, so he'll have to play it and then he and Earl are on square one unless they're sent back to Ravu and find THAT one.

As for Ravu, Lisi is right to enlist another guy to help her with the idol but it'll be a problem if more than one other person finds out. After all, three people can keep a secret if two are dead--hey, put down that fishing line, ya stupid bro-awd!

I myself am still doing the Bro-awd Dance of Happiness and Female Empowerment that Rocky's gone. I hope that we learn in this season what it takes to get your ass thrown off the jury. There's two things I'm looking forward to, only one of which I'll get to see:

1) Rocky under fire from Jenna, Dalton, and the concentrated disgust of every caller on SURVIVOR LIVE tomorrow, and

2) Anthony's face when Rocky is the next one to show up at the Loser Lounge! :D :D

[rockle]

I also was very happy to see Mr. Obnoxious go. BUT Dreamz was insane not to vote for Lisi. Now him and the other guy are easy pickins. I can't believe he didn't see this coming. They better hope for a quick merge.I actually think it was quite smart of him, in a "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" kind of way. They almost never show us strategies that actually work, but I can actually picture the conversation(s) that were had. Dreamz really wanted to get rid of Rocky, but is also smart enough to know that Rocky and Mookie would have been valuable allies. So there had to have been some assurances made by Edgardo at the least, and probably by Alex as well, that at the next T.C., Mookie would be the target and Dreamz would get a fighting chance.

It's kind of not a bad deal, either, at least on paper (although we know how well that worked out for Ulong before, and Ravu before this). Magic Merge Number is usually somewhere around 10. And Ravu should win at least one Immunity Challenge soon. You would think, anyway.

[brownie55]

Did I sneeze and miss where the jury selection starts now? I heard Rocky say he was gonna be on the jury, but I figured he was just being stupid and did not know how the show worked.

And they cut off his final words. I wanted more rant! Now I have to go to CBS to watch it.

I agree that Yau Man is great. He is quickly become one of my all time favorites. It will take real luck for him to make the final 2/3 but he is working harder and smarter at it than anybody we have seen in a long time.

[interface2x]

I just enjoyed her body language so much--and then she fell down, and climbed right back up, and started in again. I enjoy the fact that she is so goddamn cute! I've totally got a thing for her.

[Skammer]

I was wondering about the jury too. There were twelve people left before last night's TC, right? So two finalists and.... ten jury members? That's just odd. What if there's a tie? I wonder if Burnett has another surprise up his sleeve. Or did I count wrong?

[Eureka]

Well, they did have a final three at the end of last season, so they might have a final three again this season.

(Can't tell you whether you counted wrong).

[Wolfian]

These damn Survivors keep following me. First I was in a debate class with Liza from a few seasons back, now Michelle and I go to the same school.

(Totally bragging)

She is adorable, isn't she? When I saw the fall on the ads I thought they were doing some sort of MXE blindfolded balance beam challenge. Oh well. Gotta love blindfolded Survivors smashing into things (http://tetrisbonk.ytmnd.com/). (opens with music. Work safe.)

[phungi]

Did anybody else wonder about how stinky those cushions and sofas were going to be after everybody was finished wallowing around on them?

Definitely! Aso, imagine that someone will shell out serious money for them on the (Elizabeth Glaser?) auction when the show wraps...

Personally, I think they should boil them cushions and mattress and make some "Survivor tea"...

[muldoonthief]

I'm assuming Rocky is just too clueless to know he's not actually on the Jury. Last season, when the jury started at 12, Jeff clearly stated, "The next person voted off AND THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE JURY is ...". When everyone expressed shock at what he said, he told them the jury was starting early. Since he didn't say that last night, I'd say Rocky is making unfounded assumptions.

And was Boo all kinds of stupid at the immunity challenge or what? Michelle's screaming "LEFT! LEFT! LEFT!" as he's slowly stepping right. Finally he sticks out his left arm and asks "Do you mean this way?" Then, after Michelle has kicked ass as the caller, he tells her to get down "Because I've got a loud voice", and when Yau Man asks him what to do, he says "Wait a second, I can't see anything." Maybe if you can't see the game course, YOU SHOULDN'T REPLACE THE CALLER. Dumbass. I hope Earl and Yau Man crush him like a bug.

[gonzomax]

Can someone steal the immunity idol.?

[Rube E. Tewesday]

I'm assuming Rocky is just too clueless to know he's not actually on the Jury. Last season, when the jury started at 12, Jeff clearly stated, "The next person voted off AND THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE JURY is ...". When everyone expressed shock at what he said, he told them the jury was starting early. Since he didn't say that last night, I'd say Rocky is making unfounded assumptions.

.

Huh? I was sure that I heard Jeff say "And the first member of the jury". Anyone else?

[jsc1953]

Huh? I was sure that I heard Jeff say "And the first member of the jury". Anyone else?

That's exactly what he said. Rocky's the first member of the jury -- so if we have a Final 3, there'll be 8 on the jury.

[rockle]

I'm assuming Rocky is just too clueless to know he's not actually on the Jury. Last season, when the jury started at 12, Jeff clearly stated, "The next person voted off AND THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE JURY is ...". When everyone expressed shock at what he said, he told them the jury was starting early. Since he didn't say that last night, I'd say Rocky is making unfounded assumptions.Yes, he did. "The seventh person voted out of Survivor and the first member of our jury is ... (dramatic pause) ... Rocky." I think nobody expressed shock because either (1) they were still muddy-headed for overindulging on beer and nitrites from the hot dogs, or (2) more likely, they're just not as smart as they think they are. Although, based on the previews, somebody gets that something is up, since there's a mad scramble for the hidden idol at Ravu camp.

So, brownie55 -- no, you didn't sneeze. Although we don't know yet whether there is going to a Final Two or a Final Three or what, it's probably a good bet that they're going to do F3 again. It certainly changes your strategy when you're going to be up against two other people at the end, instead of just one. In a lot of ways, it makes every decision in the game more important. You can't just buffer yourself by taking the most loathesome person with you, and you can't necessarily win ever challenge and still win the game. Plus, you have more people to schmooze now, and for a longer time. It emphasizes the social aspects of the game, that's for sure.

(Imagine, for example, if there had been three people at the end of Palau, instead of two. Tom would still have beaten Katie, sure, but what about Ian? What calculus would have been involved for the jury then? King Stud vs. Dolphin Boy vs. Psycho Bitch -- now, that Final Three would have been a sight to behold. Except for that Katie would still have had a 1-in-3 shot at a million dollars, but whatever.)

This is actually another reason why I think Dreamz absolutely did the right thing in voting with Alex & Edgardo at this point. Lisi's vote was cast in the interest of self-preservation, but Dreamz's was also politically expedient: don't piss off the people whose vote you might need later. The "anyone but me" stratagem should not be underrated when it is still a tribe effort. In a game like this, the argument "I think you should vote to give me the money now, because when you needed my vote, I gave it to you without incident" carries great weight (and it already worked at least once, for Sandra) -- Dreamz could have voted for Lisi and forced the tie and all its accoutrements. If Lisi lost the tie-breaker, then things could have gotten ugly later when Alex & Edgardo had other allies. Dreamz would have been "untrustworthy," somethat that will matter to two guys who think they're "honorable" plays, and Dreamz's vote would then become dispensible. Once you have a shot at individual immunity, all bets can be off.

gonzomax: I think so, but it wouldn't be a Good Idea. Because it can only save you once, you know?

[brownie55]

I'll be so glad when we get the DVR.

Second question: Did Lisi really say that the clues were vague? My dog could read those clues and know where to dig.

[jsc1953]

Second question: Did Lisi really say that the clues were vague? My dog could read those clues and know where to dig.

She certainly did. The latest clue was something like "the idol is at the entrance to your cave. Under the highest point. High, meaning farthest above the ground. Cave is that big rock thing you sleep in."

[rockle]

She certainly did.Which is pretty funny, because at this point, the clues practically say "Look for the goddamned 'X,' dummy!" And she still wouldn't be able to find it. But, then again, she probably can't find her own ass with both hands, a flashlight, and a map -- and her ass is pretty big.

[Evil One]

The idea of someone pulling that fake Immunity Idol out at Tribal Council and seeing the look on Jeffs face is extremely funny.

"I have the idol! Aha!"

"Ummmm....no you don't."

[jsc1953]

The idea of someone pulling that fake Immunity Idol out at Tribal Council and seeing the look on Jeffs face is extremely funny.

"I have the idol! Aha!"

"Ummmm....no you don't."

Has anyone ever been forced to produce the HII?

[Evil One]

I don't know. To the best of my knowledge, the use of the Immunity Idols so far has been to let everyone know you have it so they don't bother to vote for you in the first place. I think that's why they changed the rules to "reveal after the vote but before the votes are read".

[muldoonthief]

I don't know. To the best of my knowledge, the use of the Immunity Idols so far has been to let everyone know you have it so they don't bother to vote for you in the first place. I think that's why they changed the rules to "reveal after the vote but before the votes are read".

Gary Hogeboom (aka Gary Hawkins) found the first Hidden II, and used it. His was a little different though - you had to use it before everyone voted, and then it was just like a normal Idol - no one was allowed to write your name down. He was the likely target on the night he used it, so it was slightly useful - he got voted out 1 or 2 shows later anyway.

I guess I missed hearing Jeff say Rocky was on the jury. Sorry about my post.

[Liberal]

I liked Earl's beach drawing.

[PunditLisa]

Earl and Yao Man are the most awesome pair. I also loved Earl's beach art.

Glad that that Moto won the II again because I sooo want to see someone dig up Yao's False HII. Hysterical.

Why, oh why, did Lisi share where the HII was? Idiot! You get the HII yourself and THEN you bargain with it.

[interface2x]

These damn Survivors keep following me. First I was in a debate class with Liza from a few seasons back, now Michelle and I go to the same school.

(Totally bragging) Oh, come on, help a Doper out :D

[Shawn1767]

If someone gets the fake immunity idol and tries to play it, that would go down as one of the sweetest moments in Survivor history in my opinion. Let's hope that Yao Man doesn't have to play his until well after the fake one is found and played.

[Sweetums]

Okay, I figured that I couldn't laugh hard enough when Rockhead got voted out. His roar of displeasure in his final words proved me wrong.

Poor Rocky, first Geico demeans his people in their add campaign, now he gets voted off the island.

[Mahaloth]

Yau-Man is one of my favourite Survivors of all time. The fake idol was so cute! What a great idea!

I said quite early on that this season is truly shaping up to be on of the best.

[Crispy McCloud]

My first post to a Survivor thread here on SDMB, after years of lurking. Hello!

I was just thinking - if Burnett and Co. were still filming in Fiji when we were watching last season (with Yul and Ozzy), that would mean a Final Three would be new to these guys too, right? IIRC, Yau Man, after finding the HII, mentioned taking Earl to the Final Two. What I mean is, this group would still be strategizing towards a Two. The next group of Survivors would be fully aware that there could be a Three. It would be interesting to see if Burnett would change the rules then.

Also, add me to the list of Yau Man fans. He's such a sweetie. Lisi, on the other hand, I would like to see - and hear - less of.