Survivor 5/1/08

[Mahaloth]

Pretty good episode so far.

SPOILER:

James is taken out by medical.

Unbelievable!

[HongKongFooey]

Originally Posted by Mahaloth

Unbelievable!

SPOILER:

Who would've thought it would be for such a (relatively) minor injury too? James is the type of guy you'd expect to take stitches without anaesthetic and not flinch, but he gets taken out by a nick on his finger!

[jayjay]

Man, I love a good blindside. So does the jury, apparently. The look of utter panic on a certain someone's face when that happened was priceless...

[Mahaloth]

It's about time it got played. Amanda handled it exactly correctly by saying she didn't have it and showing them all her stuff.

[Johnny L.A.]

Originally Posted by Mahaloth

It's about time it got played. Amanda handled it exactly correctly by saying she didn't have it and showing them all her stuff.

I thought she might have been overplaying it. I've known people who go to lengths including emptying of pockets to 'prove' they're innocent, even when they are lying. Such a display would have mede me very suspicious. But aside from that, she pulled it off perfectly. Good acting.

[Polerius]

One of the most satisfying episodes this season

[MadTheSwine]

The Doctor is sorta hot...so was amanda crawling around digging in the sand.

[squeegee]

OK, that was a pretty good episode where some really lame things happened. James is out because of his finger, which is really a shame. He didn't have a choice, the doctor made the call, sucks to be him, just like for Penner, which is really unfortunate.

It might have been sad to see Alexis go, but I feel I didn't yet even know who the hell she was. We've gotten pretty much squat for character development of Alexis from the editors, except for really brief excerpts. I think there was all of one minute of confessionals from that girl the whole season. Maybe. So I didn't feel very invested in her. I certainly felt bad for her as she limped away after Tribal, poor girl.

It was a great blindside on Amanda's part, but I wasn't very surprised -- they showed her digging under the tribe flag -- how could she not find it? Yeah, maybe somebody comes along and interrupts and she has to give up, but it was apparent (to me) when Parvati said "I told her to go bathe" that the idol was in the bag, and she'd play it.

The reward challenge was especially insightful -- this challenge has always been a pretty telling one -- who's up, who's down, what the trends are. The biggest trend I saw was Cirie chopping (I think) four people out of the competition. On the last Cirie chop, she even had her own goddamn theme music! Really, go watch it again! Do you think Cirie is going to the final four? I can't stand the suspense! </sarcasm>

Is it just me, or was that one of the worst edited tribal councils ever? Just random cuts, no drama, complete editing chaos. I didn't know what the hell I was looking at one moment, and then we get three random cuts of Amanda rolling her eyes in between some other person talking in between a really crappily framed shot of the jury. Ick. What happened to the tech expertise on this show?

[singular1]

So Jeff said James was the third person removed from the game by medical this season - who was the third?!?! I know Jonathan & James, and Kathy left because she was losing what little sanity she had to begin with, but it was voluntary. Chet had a boo-boo on his foot medical wanted to remove him for, but he chose to be voted out worthlessly, rather than help his aged alliance to wipe out Ozzy. Who am I forgetting?

I loved James father. That "we gonna talk about her when we get home" was great, and I totally agree with him about James being the one you wouldn't invite to a family dinner - what's up with that? Do they think he'll bring Bat Soup to a potluck?

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by singular1

So Jeff said James was the third person removed from the game by medical this season - who was the third?!?!

I don't think Jeff said "three people removed by medical", just "three people removed in a way other than getting voted out", so James, Brenner, and Kathy.

[twickster]

Originally Posted by singular1

So Jeff said James was the third person removed from the game by medical this season - who was the third?!?! I know Jonathan & James, and Kathy left because she was losing what little sanity she had to begin with, but it was voluntary.

No, he said James was the third person to leave for a reason other than being voted out. Your count and the reasons for each are correct.

[Sarahfeena]

Originally Posted by singular1

I loved James father. That "we gonna talk about her when we get home" was great, and I totally agree with him about James being the one you wouldn't invite to a family dinner - what's up with that? Do they think he'll bring Bat Soup to a potluck?

I didn't get that, either. At least you know he'd eat whatever you put in front of him and compliment the chef! And he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would be rude to your mother or anything like that.

Originally Posted by muldoonthief

He's not just a guy who works for a cemetery digging graves. He (and I think his brother?) own a business where they do all the graveside work for a burial - digging the grave, setting up & tear down of chairs, tents, clean up, etc. There's no way you can be a successful business owner without brains & savvy.

Yes, I think you're right that it's a family business...maybe his dad is part of it, too? I think James just likes to say that he's a gravedigger because it sounds cool.

[squeegee]

Originally Posted by Sarahfeena

Yes, I think you're right that it's a family business...maybe his dad is part of it, too? I think James just likes to say that he's a gravedigger because it sounds cool.

Actually, I don't think I've ever heard James describe himself as a "gravedigger". The Survivor web site does, but I recall early in the S:China, that someone asked him what he does, and he said "I bury people", a description which could apply to both a gravedigger or someone involved in the graveyard business in general.

[Sarahfeena]

Originally Posted by squeegee

Actually, I don't think I've ever heard James describe himself as a "gravedigger". The Survivor web site does, but I recall early in the S:China, that someone asked him what he does, and he said "I bury people", a description which could apply to both a gravedigger or someone involved in the graveyard business in general.

You're right, now that I think about it. I don't know how much liberty the producers take with these descriptions, but I suspect a lot.

[Astroboy14]

Originally Posted by Sarahfeena

You're right, now that I think about it. I don't know how much liberty the producers take with these descriptions, but I suspect a lot.

I laughed out loud the first time we saw Eric and the description said "Ice Cream Scooper".

[longhair75]

It would have been a much better blindside had they taken out Cirie

[jayjay]

I was kind of disappointed they didn't do much with the family members. We got about two minutes of the jellyfish and that was it. I really liked H.B. in Cirie's last season and was hoping they'd have more of those two.

[Liberal]

I think this has been the best season of Survivor I've seen since the first one. After years of predictable Pagonging — which frustrated the crap out of me and sent a lot of good players packing early — I think it's great finally to see some top-level strategy and execution.

Survivor has never been about brute strength, but brutal people have prevailed because other people were stupid. For me, Survivor is about social skill and bravery. It's an endurance thing. A player needs to pace himself, not just in physical terms but in terms of wearing out his influence.

I thought it was great to see people make good, gutsy plans and see the plans work. Blindsides and hidden idols and treachery. I was afraid that the merge, at first, would be the same old same old. Establish the numbers and vote the others out. But no. Alliances broke and reformed, and there emerged an unexpected powerful force among the women.

I'm a huge Ozzy fan, and I was sorry to see him go. His remarkable athleticism might have, in seasons past, saved him. But this time, people were actually playing the game. It's the kind of thing that we've always wished for, and now that we've gotten it, I'm really glad.

[Liberal]

Agreement on the invitation to dinner thing. James would be among the first I would invite.

[muldoonthief]

Originally Posted by Liberal

Agreement on the invitation to dinner thing. James would be among the first I would invite.

My wife and I couldn't understand it either. She suggested it's because he eats 5 times as much as the average human.

[tsm]

Originally Posted by muldoonthief

My wife and I couldn't understand it either. She suggested it's because he eats 5 times as much as the average human.

That's what I'm thinking. They're just afraid he'd eat all the food.

Natalie would be the last one I'd invite. I can't stand her!

[SkeptiJess]

Originally Posted by muldoonthief

My wife and I couldn't understand it either. She suggested it's because he eats 5 times as much as the average human.

That's the only reason I could think of. And James voted for himself as the one you'd least like to invite to dinner. So maybe they've talked in camp about his appetite.

Anyway, for me, he'd be one of the first I'd invite. He just seems like a heck of a nice guy -- the type who'd eat everything you made and tell you over and over how good it was. Exactly the sort of person you want to have over for dinner.

I loved this tribal council. Amanda played it exactly right, maintaining her lie right through the council. So often, people spill all their beans during the council -- it's like they think there's a rule that you can't lie to Jeff or something. Very nicely done.

I loathe Natalie. Her face reminds me of that creepy Cat-Woman with all the plastic surgery and her personality reminds me of every tiresome bitch I've ever met. Yuck.

[jayjay]

Originally Posted by Jess

I loathe Natalie. Her face reminds me of that creepy Cat-Woman with all the plastic surgery and her personality reminds me of every tiresome bitch I've ever met. Yuck.

She does remind me of a cat, a little. But what she really reminds me of is a Dr. Seuss character. The woman could play a live-action Grinch with no makeup. She's the only human being I've ever seen who actually gives the impression when she smiles of the corners of her mouth actually curling into a spiral while her eyebrows slope to about a 60 degree angle.

[Sarahfeena]

Originally Posted by Liberal

Agreement on the invitation to dinner thing. James would be among the first I would invite.

I'm sure he would be better company than any of that "women's alliance."

[phungi]

I am still stymied at the lack of in-game strategy. Last week, Amanda, James, and Jason could have gone to Erik and tried to take back control. This week, after Erick went up 2-1 in the IC, the so-called "woman's alliance" could have handed Natalie a victory by shooting at her bottles. Instead, they allowed Erik to win, when he was the target and the one person who could not win immunity.

[jsc1953]

Originally Posted by phungi

This week, after Erick went up 2-1 in the IC, the so-called "woman's alliance" could have handed Natalie a victory by shooting at her bottles.

Brilliant. I'm a relatively smart person, and that hadn't occurred to me either -- so I can't be too surprised that it didn't occur to the Women's Alliance.

[Liberal]

They had to shoot at their own bottles.

[tsm]

Originally Posted by Liberal

They had to shoot at their own bottles.

Did Probst say that? Plus, what's to prevent you from "accidentally" hitting someone else's bottle. "Oops. I was aiming at my bottle but I accidentally broke Natalie's. Oh, darn."

[squeegee]

Originally Posted by tsm

what's to prevent you from "accidentally" hitting someone else's bottle. "Oops. I was aiming at my bottle but I accidentally broke Natalie's. Oh, darn."

I dunno. What was there to prevent Amanda from getting a hug from her sister? Is Probst going to start slapping her around, screaming "I told you NO, bitch!"? No, probably not. The players are pretty docile because they know if they piss off the producers they won't win the game. I'd guess that's why the folks who run things felt pretty comfortable giving the players a high powered firearm in the first place.

[muldoonthief]

Originally Posted by squeegee

I dunno. What was there to prevent Amanda from getting a hug from her sister? Is Probst going to start slapping her around, screaming "I told you NO, bitch!"? No, probably not. The players are pretty docile because they know if they piss off the producers they won't win the game. I'd guess that's why the folks who run things felt pretty comfortable giving the players a high powered firearm in the first place.

There's a difference between "don't walk over there and hug your sister", and "you have to aim at your own bottles only, even though only the bottles are only a foot or so apart from each other and realistically, we have no way of knowing what you're aiming at." Maybe they had an off-camera revealed rule that if you hit another player's bottle, it gets replaced and your turn is over, making that strategy useless.

And that wasn't a high powered firearm - it was some kind of compressed air powered thing. If it was truly the .50 cal it was mimicking, it would have left gaping holes in the canvas backdrop, and a hit would have pulverized the bottle.

[squeegee]

Originally Posted by muldoonthief

There's a difference between "don't walk over there and hug your sister", and "you have to aim at your own bottles only, even though only the bottles are only a foot or so apart from each other and realistically, we have no way of knowing what you're aiming at." Maybe they had an off-camera revealed rule that if you hit another player's bottle, it gets replaced and your turn is over, making that strategy useless.

You're right, we just don't know what rules are layed out that we don't hear about -- there's pretty obviously some briefing that contestants get that we don't see, otherwise in some these challenges, where the players have to do some unlikely series of really difficult maneuvers, which we see Jeff explaining to them in 30 seconds, half the players would goggle and say "uuh, wait... we have to do what now?", instead of the usual shot where everyone nods and says they get it and the challenge begins.

Which reminds me: the whole staged thing where we at home could "see" through the sights of that rifle was really annoyingly trite. Is it just me?

And that wasn't a high powered firearm - it was some kind of compressed air powered thing. If it was truly the .50 cal it was mimicking, it would have left gaping holes in the canvas backdrop, and a hit would have pulverized the bottle.

Heh, yeah, point taken. I guess I was using "firearm" in a pretty loose sense.

[Polerius]

Originally Posted by squeegee

What was there to prevent Amanda from getting a hug from her sister?

I thought that was jerkish of Probst.

[phungi]

Originally Posted by tsm

Did Probst say that? Plus, what's to prevent you from "accidentally" hitting someone else's bottle. "Oops. I was aiming at my bottle but I accidentally broke Natalie's. Oh, darn."

Just re-watched the IC online and one Amanda almost hit someone else's bottle... Probst narrated: "Amanda, almost hit Alexis' bottle"

[Liberal]

Originally Posted by tsm

Did Probst say that? Plus, what's to prevent you from "accidentally" hitting someone else's bottle. "Oops. I was aiming at my bottle but I accidentally broke Natalie's. Oh, darn."

[...shrug...] Probably just wouldn't count it. The instructions, as aired, were: "The first person to break all three of their saki bottles wins immunity." Granted, the grammatical matter of number exists, but I hear that as a person breaking his own bottles.

[Eureka]

Originally Posted by Jess

I loved this tribal council. Amanda played it exactly right, maintaining her lie right through the council. So often, people spill all their beans during the council -- it's like they think there's a rule that you can't lie to Jeff or something. Very nicely done.

Yep. My only concern about her was the degree of delight she showed when almost everyone voted for her, and all those votes were worthless. Yes, it's great she won the vote this week, but what's to keep everyone from voting for her next week.

Of course, people upthread have made comments that indicate that next week really is a whole new game, because of the type of changing dynamics I never pay attention to.

[Liberal]

Survivor is definitey a "get it while you can" environment. The dynamics change daily. Hourly.

[squeegee]

Hey, there was a little minor drama at Tribal where I thought Amanda indicated she was upset with Erick for some reason. I've already erased it from my DVR -- anyone remember what that was about? I recall it didn't make a lot of sense at the time, though maybe I was missing something.

[jayjay]

Originally Posted by squeegee

Hey, there was a little minor drama at Tribal where I thought Amanda indicated she was upset with Erick for some reason. I've already erased it from my DVR -- anyone remember what that was about? I recall it didn't make a lot of sense at the time, though maybe I was missing something.

Amanda was making a big deal about how she saved Erik at some former point in the game (I'm assuming they're talking about the Ami ouster) and had expected a reciprocation, but Erik apparently had no intention of returning the favor. It was basically the same confrontation they had previous to them going to TC, only offered as explanation rather than confrontation.

And of course, it was all for show, since she had the idol and didn't actually NEED Erik to vote to keep her. But it really did sink Erik as far as any alliances with Amanda.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by jayjay

And of course, it was all for show, since she had the idol and didn't actually NEED Erik to vote to keep her. But it really did sink Erik as far as any alliances with Amanda.

Agreed, but I think the show's audience (the jury) got the message loud and clear. This group has not been shy about letting the jury in on all the little machinations that are occuring back at camp. Keep in mind that all three of the jury members were also in on that deal to keep Eric, so he's basically just told the entire jury to date to fuck off (or at least that's what Amanda is counting on).

[FlightlessBird]

I think she was laying groundwork for a final battle with him. "He's a liar! Give ME the million."
Zakalwe, beat me to that...

Originally Posted by squeegee

What was there to prevent Amanda from getting a hug from her sister?

I distinctly remember a family challenge from another season where someone went for a hug, and Probst said, "<name>, not even asking for permission, goes and gets a hug"

[squeegee]

Originally Posted by FlightlessBird

I distinctly remember a family challenge from another season where someone went for a hug, and Probst said, "<name>, not even asking for permission, goes and gets a hug"

Yeah, that sounds familiar now that you mention it. So I guess the answer to the question (what's stopping Amanda from hugging her sister?) is "nothing, other than Amanda's being cowed by the Probst-meister".

[Moonchild]

Originally Posted by jayjay

Amanda was making a big deal about how she saved Erik at some former point in the game ( and had expected a reciprocation, but Erik apparently had no intention of returning the favor.

I think that's a little hypocritical on Amanda's part. She wouldn't have been in the position she was had Alexis not acquiesced to Amanda's request to get sent to exile and find the II (FGS, even Jason found it; how hard could it be?). No good deed goes unpunished on Survivor.

That said, Parvati, ironically, improved her situation dramatically by showing loyalty to Amanda. Very, very unlikely Amanda writes down Parvati's name. They're in this together now. Of course, if Natalie/Cirie/Erik vote off Amanda, Parvati's sure to follow. It's a matter of which side Erik & Cirie align with. If Cirie is thinking -- and she usually is -- she sides with Natalie and Erik because of those three Cirie wins the million (right?). Of course, Erik might fall to the Amanda camp, but I wouldn't bet on it.

High potential for next week's episode to be brilliant.

I still believe the biggest key to Survivor is aligning with an alliance of members THAT CAN BE TRUSTED. If you can read people and successfully predict their loyalty you improve your stock significantly. Being able to keep your sanity helps, too.

I'm in agreement about whoever posted that we didn't really get to know Alexis. I sort of saw her as a Natalie mimmicker, but then she was identified as "most honest," and was clearly much less harsh, maybe an interesting personality for the show. She is supposed to be a motivated speaker but the producers/editors never showed her speaking!

[MadTheSwine]

Originally Posted by Moonchild

If Cirie is thinking -- and she usually is -- she sides with Natalie and Erik because of those three Cirie wins the million (right?).

Huh? I believe the only reason cirie is still around is because everyone thinks they will beat her easily in the finals.I think she will get another goose egg in the finals if she makes it there.

[squeegee]

So now that Amanda played the Idol, that means it'll get placed again on Exile Island. And possibly found for the fourth time! This is really getting silly. I hope they make it at least a little more difficult to find next time, or retire it altogether.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by squeegee

So now that Amanda played the Idol, that means it'll get placed again on Exile Island. And possibly found for the fourth time! This is really getting silly. I hope they make it at least a little more difficult to find next time, or retire it altogether.

Will it get replaced? I thought Jeff made a big deal last time about it being replaced because it had never been used.

Originally Posted by Moonchild

If Cirie is thinking -- and she usually is -- she sides with Natalie and Erik because of those three Cirie wins the million (right?).

Maybe not. Other than his misstep with Amanda, Erik has played a pretty straightforward game and Cerie's betrayal would be bigger than Erik's in the minds of a jury that would be 5-2 Favs over Fans (IMHO, of course).

[Slacker]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Will it get replaced? I thought Jeff made a big deal last time about it being replaced because it had never been used.

I think you're right - it was only replaced because it hadn't been used. I don't think we'll see it again.

Speaking of which, they either need to make it harder to find the hidden idols, or make a trip to Exile island the reward in the Reward Challenges. Three people in a row finding it is too much.

[ShermanAter]

If that cow cirie wins I will never watch Survivor again. I can't believe anyone would vote for her.

In this last shooting game she blanked again. Not even close. As usual. She is using up all the good air.... Totally worthless

[fiddlesticks]

Gravedigger sounds more interesting than "sexton". Then again, maybe not.

[JSexton]

Originally Posted by fiddlesticks

Gravedigger sounds more interesting than "sexton". Then again, maybe not.

I beg your pardon.

[singular1]

By the way, it was Jonathan that didn't bother to ask for permission to hug his wife - and I think that spirit is what caused Jonathan to be such a fan (and Probst) favorite.

Alexis had a fascinating blog for the first few episodes of the season, before CBS gave her the smackdown. She would blog the day after the episode aired about behind-the-scenes details and day-to-day life. One of the things she noted was that Jeff explains the challenges in great detail, walking the tribes through them step-by-step as many times as it takes until everybody completely understands what they're trying to do. And apparently Kathy drove him absolutely nuts with hundreds of stupid questions, which should come as a surprise to no one. I hope she can put it back up and update it after next weekend's finale. It was a great look at the game from an insider's perspective, and she's a good writer as well.