You got me. He’s more forgettable.
yea, he looks creepy to me too. He’s a fitness instructor too. I dont think I want a thin balding man with a ponytail training me.
Has the HII ever been played like this before? Where it actually made the difference between someone getting voted out? It seems whenever its been played (and more players have left with one in their pocket than not) it’s been unneeded.
Russell just thinks like a Survivor producer:
a. A HII has been played; therefore a new one must have been planted
b. There’s no Exile Island so it must be in camp;
c. And it must be by some landmark, because you have to be able to find it with written directions.
all of which was true.
Which means the Survivor producers needs to start thinking differently if they want to stay ahead of the contestants. Assuming they do.
Either that, or he’s going to win it all…since he’ll have so much screen time as the end game plays out.
Yul Kwon won the whole shebang during his season cause he parlayed his HII into power. Convincing a “shady” guy to side with him when his bloc was down in the numbers.
Although I don’t have an example at hand, yes, its been played like this before in pretty much exactly this manner, where the tables were turned in tribal council and a ‘safe’ player went home. I agree, much more often the idol is not played when needed (Erik) or is played when not needed (Russell, last week) or used as a device to gain loyalty (Yul).
I think they changed the rules after Yul’s season regarding HII because before they can use it after the votes so it meant they wielded super powers, they had control of who was gonna go out or not. They made the rule for using HII just before votes are to be read because of Yul’s power parlay.
Twice just off the top of my head: Gary Hogeboom in whatever season that was, and what’shername on Survivor Allstars who used it near the end.
Then there’s the 4th option – needed, played, but fake (either a good fake, like Bob the Science Teacher, or a really bad fake like Ozzie’s pointy stick).
“That’s just a stick!” ← previously the greatest II moment ever; last night it got demoted to #2. 
I forgot (or intentionally put it out of my mind) the disgusting shot of Shambo digging away at her crotch, knees splayed, while talking to Russell on the bridge.
That was nasty.
It’s because of stuff like that it’s a good idea to knit while you watch TV. Sometimes you just gotta look down and follow the TV show via audio only. 
I’m pretty sure Russell knew Shambo was going to vote for him–after they talked, she was alone and said the plan was a 6-4 vote. Plus he’s smart enough to realize he needs her as an information pipeline… I really want to see Foa Foa continue their streak. I also loved that Erik was psyched by Russell’s move.
Russell needs to make a fake Hidden Immunity Idol right away. Because he would be the first person smart enough for the #5 way of playing the idol. When the Galu shadow him to find the next idol, he needs to pretend to find the idol and palm something into his pocket and stand quietly with a smile.
The Galus will see this and think Russell found it again and stop looking. Once that happens, he will be free to continue looking. If it is too well hidden, he can parlay the rumors of his finding the idol to his advantage.
I would agree Russell making a fake HII would be smart, but I think enough people got a good eyeful of what it’s supposed to look like, the “hook-like” bone. I doubt they’ll spring in a new looking idol, it’s been the same look so far. Faking he found it would be good, but would he have to prove he found it to Galu. Next week’s episode will hopefully be good
When found, the HII is usually wrapped in burlap or something; so Russell might be able to get away with the charade if he kept (and can visibly “find”) one of the wrappers.