Well, I was out of town for a week and surprised to see the Reunion show listed on my DVR. This season has been so flipping boring that I didn’t even realize that I missed the finale.
Seriously, it was the worst season by far, which is a shame because last season was one of the most entertaining.
I agree with fans who complained about allowing a guy to come back from EOE so close to the finale. I’ve always hated the ability to return in the past and this was no different. What left me scratching my head is why they put all the exiled players together! Anyone who’s ever been to Redemption Island in the past has always said that being alone was by far the worst punishment. You take away that element, and you get a boring party with really bland food, but a party nonetheless.
I also think that they didn’t think through how people who were on EOE had an advantage over people who stayed in the game. No paranoia, no stress of challenges, no cameras in your face. On top of that, having them all compete in a challenge to decide the returnee gave a huge advantage to players like Chris or Joe.
No, if they’re going to let players back in, they should isolate them, and then perhaps draw rocks. Or maybe bar returning players from competing in reward challenges. And let them back in the game in way earlier so that they cannot just dominate in challenges like Chris did and sail to the end.
As far as this season goes, I was shocked that nobody approached Devens to form an alliance except for Chris. When someone is just rocking it out finding HIIs and winning challenges, you’d think that people would see an opportunity to ride coattails. Not this group.
I do think that Chris played a good game once he got back into the game, so kudos to him for that. While I understand the peanut gallery’s bitterness toward him for not outwitting, outplaying, etc., you cannot fault HIM for that.
Another criticism I have of this season was the “gifts” bestowed on active players from EOE players. Breaking up alliances can be so critical and satisfying…unless you allow that “dead” player to send secret gifts to his BFF. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth because players like Reem or Aurora, who are already at a disadvantage because they are less likeable are put at even a worst advantage for not being popular.
At the reunion, I was surprised by how much Julie and Gavin had changed in the few months. I was glad that they didn’t spend a ton of time kissing Sia’s ass, even though I’m sure she’s a nice lady. I’m ticked that both Sandra and Boston Rob are back again, but glad that it appears they’ll just be mentors. And Jeff’s botox is beginning to make him look Hollywood freakish. Stop it already.
P.S. And to answer the question, yes, Joe, cut your hair. You’re morphing into Johnny Depp, which isn’t a good thing.