Survivor: Fiji - Ep. 8: "So You Think You Can Meke?"

[rockle]

What, no Survivor thread yet? You weren't all waiting for me, were you? Sorry I didn't start this earlier, but I took a half-day from work so I could go to a baseball game and sit outside in the freezing cold and the snow* and watch the Phillies stink up the damn joint, plus besides to which, now I think I'm dying of some dread illness because I'm already running a fever and I have a cough and a headache and I should be in bed already, quite frankly, but I am dedicated to my reality TV practically to a fault and I just couldn't miss this, so can you please have Jeff Probst bring yellow roses and/or Casablanca irises to my funeral?

Anyway ... Am I the only one who watched tonight? I hope not, because this was one of the most beautiful episodes of this show ever -- and by "beautiful," I of course mean "schadenfreude-licious," as is my wont. I don't want to give too much away for the people still watching, but I did want to pipe up with these little gems:


Currently, when I am having a bad day or when things are working out or when I am feeling particularly craptacular, I like to say "My ox is BROKEN! This is BULLSHIT!" I will be adding to my repertoire of misappropriated reality TV lines the following, uttered by Alex, which is so funny that I actually clicked the TiVo button about ten times and listened to it over and over again: "I throw my hands up in despair, as if to say, 'What the HELL?'" Great big old [sic]. You can't make this stuff up, people!
Not that we didn't already know this, but Lisi is a clueless, cantankerous twat who shall forever be known in my house as "Miss Disagreeable."
"Dreamz" (another [sic] there) is my new hero and I ♥ him at this very moment like you cannot possibly believe.

Also, because you already saw it in the previews: White boys dancing is never going to not be funny.

And one little spoilery thing, just because:

Bwahahahahahahaha! Four alpha males and an ant-hammerer got skunked in an Immunity Challenge by a doofy guy who fell out of a hammock and a skinny guy who kissed a fake turtle tchotchke las week. Heh. Hilarious.
Off to bed now. I'll link to previous threads tomorrow, if I live that long.

* = No, really. It was snowing. Flurries, but still.

[monstro]

Dreamz is really living up to the "asshole" predictions people made about him, isn't he? ;)

He was brilliant and bold at the TC. And he did it without being mean. I hope he goes far in the game.

[Eureka]

I believe you about the snow. I woke up to snow, and skipped church this evening because of a very windy flurry right at departure time. Despite having actually set my VCR. Although, I never did get around to putting a tape in it, so if I hadn't been home I might have missed the episode. Which would not have been the end of the world, but. . .

Lisi--I'm going to give you a piece of advice--why I don't know, given that she was my least favorite player in tonight's episode--especially at Tribal Council, wishywashy answers to questions, especially of the "Do you want to be here?" form are not good. They don't come across as sincere or true, they come across as being unenthusiastic. You don't get to keep changing your mind.

Making them dance was a new and different challenge--and showed, not for the first time, the differences between the two tribes. I'm not surprised by which team had rhythm and togetherness.

[Tangent]

Yau Man rules! It was so great seeing him totally outdo all the buff, shirtless guys at the immunity challenge.

I loved the reward challenge, too. It was funny watching the contrast between the well-rehearsed and synchronized Moto dance and the improvised, chaotic, hesitant Ravu dance.

Lisi is one of the biggest idiots in Survivor history. And that's saying a LOT. I still can't believe she told the boys how to find the immuniy idol, and then she was clueless when they dug it up almost right under her nose. Then she tells everyone she wants to be voted off, only to change her mind at the last minute and then she gets pissed that she's sent packing? I am so glad we'll only have to see her on the jury from now on.

[Mama Tiger]

Boy, this jury is stacking up so far to be full of "My question to you is YOU SUCK!" people, isn't it? I can hardly wait for the final Tribal Council!

Could I love Yau Man any more? I want to take him home and pet him and feed him candy and keep him on a shelf for ever and ever! What a fabulous outcome at the immunity challenge -- the little shrimpy guy totally skunking all the buff guys! Hahahaha!

Yeah, this was definitely one of the best Survivor episodes ever, and certainly my favorite thus far this season.

[jayjay]

Heh...immediately after the end of the show and Lisi's farewell, I said to supervenusfreak, "This is going to be the bestest Final Tribal Council EVARRR!!!"

[Shawn1767]

I liked it when Lisi said something like "You have to get up awful early to outwit me." Um, yeah, they DID get up earlier than you did.

And I love how Yao Man is out-perfoming Mookie. I think Mookie is a weasel.

[Frostillicus]

So I guess that it is NOT a good strategy to tell all your tribemates that you want to go home, only to change your mind literally ten minutes before going off to Tribal Council. Who da thunk it?

[Lamar Mundane]

She may be the worst contestant yet on Survivor. I know, some have quit early on because of weakness but I cant think of anyone who was as useless as this one.

Some used occasional talent and a generably agreeable personality to last in the game, but never have I seen as weak and nasty a person as this last this far.

Thank God.

[Mirror Image egamI rorriM]

Yau-Man: Where did he learn that? It was amazing!

Earl is a wonderful dancer. I really liked the dance contest--it was a good way to include Fijian culture, with real Fijians, instead of the Surviorized version of the culture they usually do.

[John Mace]

As much as I like Yau-man, Earl is the guy to watch. He's a phenomenal player. I can't get over how at ease he is-- the guy is smart, athletic, personable and in control. I hope it comes down to these two guys in the final 2. That will be a tough vote!

Lisi... what can you say. She had the nerve to call her tribemates losers. WTF??? She is one of the biggest losers in Survivor history. Who the frack does she think she is...???

[DrDeth]

Yau Man rules! It was so great seeing him totally outdo all the buff, shirtless guys at the immunity challenge.



Lisi is one of the biggest idiots in Survivor history. And that's saying a LOT. I still can't believe she told the boys how to find the immuniy idol, and then she was clueless when they dug it up almost right under her nose. .

Preach it, Brother! On both counts. Yau man rocks and Lisi has to be the single most stupid person in Survivor history.

[Batsinma Belfry]

Could I love Yau Man any more? I want to take him home and pet him and feed him candy and keep him on a shelf for ever and ever! What a fabulous outcome at the immunity challenge -- the little shrimpy guy totally skunking all the buff guys! Hahahaha!




After lastweek, I had a dream that he was living with me, and I was making little clothes for him.

[BooBoo316]

I think Mookie has some issues relating to Yau-man. He keeps running him down when he talks about him, and he gets the "I just bit a lemon" look whenever Yau does well in a game. For my part, I 'm loving it.

[DrMemory]

Favorite quote of the week (or this whole series, so far)

Jeff: What could you possibily be doing, Yao man???

Yao: " Looking for the Straightest Arrow, Jeff". :D

[Skammer]

I was a little worried about Dreamz when he kept going on about how he was close with Cassandra. She's on the other team Dreamz! Keep your mouth shut! Yeah, he meant that he could bring her into their alliance, but all it did was make them question his loyalty. He was lucky that Lisi wanted to quit (most of the time).

Also, Lisi's final speech has classic --- "You guys are LOSERS!" Um, are you talking to the guys who are still in the game?

[rockle]

He was brilliant and bold at the TC. And he did it without being mean. I hope he goes far in the game.I have to say, depending on the audience, what Dreamz did last night could have completely backfired. But on this tribe, with all those guys who think they're "honorable" players, calling Lisi out on her B.S. was exactly the right thing to do. And the way he did it was absolutely classic: "It's a yes-or-no question, Lisi." The smirky sort of sneer at the end was a nice touch, too. About 50% of the time, I would think it was completely jerkish, but said to Lisi? Practically an inaugural address.

After lastweek, I had a dream that he was living with me, and I was making little clothes for him.Is it because of last week's thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=414493) when I said I wanted a Yau-Man action figure? (Incidentally, you can get to all the other previous threads by clicking that link.)

I also wanted to give props to Michelle for recognizing that she needs to work some strategy, even while the team is winning, by setting up for what comes next. Bonus props for knowing outright that she and Stacey are pretty much indistinguishable, function-wise -- although I would argue that Michelle has already shown herself to be much more intelligent and useful than Stacey, through her self-awareness and her (adorable) performance in last week's Immunity Challenge.

This season started slow, but it's getting better. That is always a good thing that will keep me coming back for more. Damn you, Burnett!

[Draelin]

Words do not even begin to describe my love for Yau Man. The flexing after he nailed the challenge for Moto was the kee-yooo-test thing ever.

I can't even comment about Lisi. I thought I disliked her, but it turns out that I'm so apathetic to her "plight", I can't even get worked up about it.

But Rocky laughing his ass off during Tribal Council was at least mildly amusing, even though I dislike him, too. :)

[Clark K]

Yau Man reminds me of the nerdy little chicken from the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons. Foghorn would bluster around and show off, then the little chicken in his nerdy glasses would silently get out his slide rule and T-square and perform miracles -- like making a paper airplane with the speed and firepower of a fighter jet.

[Dolores Reborn]

I think Yau Man must have watched Revenge of the Nerds. Remember how the gay guy threw the javelin the best? Yau Man tested his spear for balance and backed up for more projection. Brilliant!

I asked my husband if we could adopt him. He said no, the bastid. (He doesn't watch the show!)

Lisi totally shot herself in the foot. Good riddance to a whiny LOSER.

[phungi]

Words do not even begin to describe my love for Yau Man. The flexing after he nailed the challenge for Moto was the kee-yooo-test thing ever.

I don't know who said it last week, but every time I see Yau Man happy I think of him doing the Gollum-dance.


Good times!

[JSexton]

This season is finally coming into its own. Yao Man is just my freaking hero. I was really hoping he'd use his buff as a spear thrower and bulls-eye it. Still, his performance (and flexing) was fantastic.

Lisi is one of the most clueless people to ever appear on TV. The ironing was delicious.

I'm glad Earl is in my pool. :)

[jsc1953]

Bonus props for knowing outright that she [Michelle] and Stacey are pretty much indistinguishable, function-wise -- although I would argue that Michelle has already shown herself to be much more intelligent and useful than Stacey, through her self-awareness and her (adorable) performance in last week's Immunity Challenge.

Great bit of editing (almost TAR-level), to show Michelle & Stacey side by side, as Michelle was saying this.

Now that Lisi's gone, Stacey is elevated to Least Favorite Player status. She's been living in the lap of luxury all along (skated through the reshuffle), contributed zero zip nada to any of the challenges, while working on her haughty sneer and disdainful attitude. A major Comeuppance is a-comin', and I can't wait.

[SkeptiJess]

I love Yau Man, too -- what a neat guy. I also really like Earl, who seems intelligent and decent. Not to mention that he was the very essence of hotness during his dance. Michelle has really grown on me a lot, too -- she seems to have her head on straight and she's not a mean bint like Stacey or Lisi. And I hope Alex sticks around for a while, mostly because I think he's gorgeous and I like to look at him.

I was delighted to see Lisi go. I have loathed her from the very first day. Stupid & mean, with an unbelievably over-inflated opinion of herself. Yuck -- everytime she was onscreen I just wanted to knock her down and kick her 'til she stopped crying.

I wonder what the big twist will be next week?

[Liberal]

Also, because you already saw it in the previews: White boys dancing is never going to not be funny.Not so fast with the stereotypes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benji_Schwimmer. ;)

On Yau Man's fake. I don't think anything is going to come of the fake idol. It wasn't even shown in the recap last night. I think the producers would want to remind people of it if they intended to use it as a plot element later.

[phungi]

I wonder what the big twist will be next week?

Winning tribe at the Reward Challenge picks a member of the losing tribe to shave Lisi's pits?

[rockle]

Not so fast with the stereotypesBuzzkill. :D Although in my defense, I meant "white guy" as opposed to "white boy." A subtle difference, that, but a difference nonetheless.

[Liberal]

Buzzkill. :D Although in my defense, I meant "white guy" as opposed to "white boy." A subtle difference, that, but a difference nonetheless.:D That's what I love about you, Rockle. Very classy, you are.

[MadTheSwine]

Was more hoping dreamz got voted off,probly would have if Lisi wasn't a complete idiot.

I think alex and ed are the ones to watch in this game...mookie is gonna screw one of them tho with the immunity idol I bet.

[John Mace]

Dreamz is growing on me a bit. I couldn't stand him early on, but I thought he had some great moments last night. The backflip in the dance was a surprise (although he is a cheerleader coach) even if it probably got the team downgrading in the "authenticity" category. But I liked the way he ripped into Lisi at TC, and I loved his little monologue (can I call it a soliloquy?) when he cast his vote.

I'm still routing for Earl to win with an honorable mention to Yau-man. Maybe we'll see both of those guys on the next All Stars edition.

[Queuing]

I missed the beginning. How did Mookie end up with the other immunity idol?

All in all, a good episode. I was worried that Alex and Edgar (I think that is their names) would not vote Lisi off, but I am glad they did. She said (to the camera at least) that challenges don't matter! WTF? Challenges are of extreme importance. Well normally, not so much this season as whichever tribe is in the good camp will win. Which should be a surprise to no one. My top 3? Earl, Dreamz, Yau Man.

[rockle]

:D That's what I love about you, Rockle. Very classy, you are.I do what I can, you know?

I think alex and ed are the ones to watch in this game...mookie is gonna screw one of them tho with the immunity idol I bet.Alex and Edgardo seem like the guy of guys who would dominate this game, at least on paper, but I don't think they're as smart as they think they are. We know that a merge is coming next week -- they told us that in the previews. So, even if Dreamz was a firm alliance-mate, Ravu would be going into the merge down by two players. And we already know that Dreamz has every intention of aligning himself with Earl, Michelle & Yau-Man, and he's planning to take Cassandra with him.

[DrDeth]

I missed the beginning. How did Mookie end up with the other immunity idol?

All in all, a good episode. I was worried that Alex and Edgar (I think that is their names) would not vote Lisi off, but I am glad they did. She said (to the camera at least) that challenges don't matter! WTF? Challenges are of extreme importance. Well normally, not so much this season as whichever tribe is in the good camp will win. Which should be a surprise to no one. My top 3? Earl, Dreamz, Yau Man.

Lisi was so fucking stupid she gave them all the clues, free, for nothing. In turn they voted her off.

[Spoke]

Yau Man's mannerisms and accent remind me of James Hong (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0393222/), the actor who played the eye specialist in Blade Runner (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/).

Rocky and Lisi together at the Loser Lodge? What an annoying place that must be.

[SkeptiJess]

Alex and Edgardo seem like the guy of guys who would dominate this game, at least on paper, but I don't think they're as smart as they think they are. So true. Especially Alex -- he seems smart; he's well-spoken, he's well-educated and yet he almost never does anything that isn't stupid as hell.

He's sure pretty, though, isn't he? Those eyes! That nose! Just, yum.

[rockle]

So true. Especially Alex -- he seems smart; he's well-spoken, he's well-educated and yet he almost never does anything that isn't stupid as hell.

He's sure pretty, though, isn't he? Those eyes! That nose! Just, yum.Yes. He kind of looks like my brother-in-law, which makes me feel kind of guilty, somehow. Like, I shouldn't be looking at this guy and thinking he's sort of hot. Won't that make my sister mad?

[Shawn1767]

I am male and agree that Alex is attractive, and I was actually pulling for him because he seems sensible. However, the shine wore off when I started seeing stuff like this on the Internet:

Survivor's Alex Angarita Charged with Resisting Arrest; Battery
"Survivor: Fiji" contestant Alex Angarita appeared at a Los Angeles County Superior Court hearing on two felony charges of resisting arrest and one felony charge of battery to a peace officer....Angarita was involved in a fight with his girlfriend when police were called to arrest the Harvard Law graduate....

It does reference the Enquirer, though, but I have seen it reported elsewhere...

[Liberal]

I think Edgardo is emerging as my favorite. I like him, and I'd be happy if he won it all. (Sorry, Edgardo. I probably just hexed you.)

[Lamar Mundane]

Of the changes they've made over the last couple of seasons, the best one is the potential for a "final three". This seems to have eliminated the talk about keeping the most annoying/useless players around so they can be taken to the final two for an easy win. That scenario never actually came to pass anyway, and now the strongest players will stay in, and the losers go to the loser lodge, hopefully to annoy each other into a viscious attack in the final tribal council.

The "exile island" concept has yet to have any positive impact on the game at all, and I don't see it coming this season, either.

[want2know]

I think alex and ed are the ones to watch in this game...mookie is gonna screw one of them tho with the immunity idol I bet.
:eek:

[Shawn1767]

An observation my sister made during the immunity challenge:

You haven't gone yet, you see three or four people try a certain technique and fail to hit the target or do poorly. You see Yau-Man back up and then throw the spear, you see Yau-man steady himself on his knee while he shoots the arrow. In both cases, Yau-Man succeeds and you see this, yet you immediately go back to the techniques that you saw fail?? What?
It almost seemed as if Ravu were trying to "throw" the match...

[Wolfian]

An observation my sister made during the immunity challenge:

You haven't gone yet, you see three or four people try a certain technique and fail to hit the target or do poorly. You see Yau-Man back up and then throw the spear, you see Yau-man steady himself on his knee while he shoots the arrow. In both cases, Yau-Man succeeds and you see this, yet you immediately go back to the techniques that you saw fail?? What?
It almost seemed as if Ravu were trying to "throw" the match...
I think its more along the lines of why NBA players don't shoot foul shots underhanded even though its really effective--it looks silly. Add in the fact that if they miss using Yau's technique they not only got beaten by the old guy they also failed at his game.

In short: thinking with the wrong head.

[Shawn1767]

Yeah, it's the "I'll lose before I look stupid" mentality. :dubious:

Oh well...they can discuss their technique after Yau-Man kicks their asses.

I like Earl and Yau-Man. I think they have a much better chance of using the immunity idol the way they want to than the way that Edgardo, Alex and Mookie do.

Does anyone else see that trio winding up like something out of "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" over that idol? (or Bart, Nelson and Milhouse over the RadioactiveMan comic book?) It's got "train-wreck" written all over it.

[SkeptiJess]

I am male and agree that Alex is attractive, and I was actually pulling for him because he seems sensible. However, the shine wore off when I started seeing stuff like this on the Internet:

Survivor's Alex Angarita Charged with Resisting Arrest; Battery
"Survivor: Fiji" contestant Alex Angarita appeared at a Los Angeles County Superior Court hearing on two felony charges of resisting arrest and one felony charge of battery to a peace officer....Angarita was involved in a fight with his girlfriend when police were called to arrest the Harvard Law graduate....

It does reference the Enquirer, though, but I have seen it reported elsewhere...Well, damn.

I think I'll pretend I didn't read any of that and just continue to lust after him for his looks alone. rockle, your sister is a lucky girl -- presuming of course, that your bro-in-law only resembles Alex physically.

[rockle]

Well, damn.

I think I'll pretend I didn't read any of that and just continue to lust after him for his looks alone. rockle, your sister is a lucky girl -- presuming of course, that your bro-in-law only resembles Alex physically.He does. Although my brother-in-law is not quite as buff as Alex, he's still kind of a Hot Babe. And my sister would never tolerate any kind of shenanigans from her husband. She kind of takes after me in that regard. (Incidentally, I just realized that my sister and I both married college hockey players. Cooooooool.)