# Survivor: China - Ep. 2: "My Mom Is Going To Kill Me!" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 27, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714 "2007-09-27T18:50:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/41 "2007-09-28T17:55:32Z")
[QUOTE=Lamar Mundane] Anyone notice how perfectly square the rocks were that made up the firepit? Later in the episode they showed a huge pile of them just a dozen or so feet away from where the pit was being built. It couldn’t have taken more than a few hours to build that thing, even by one person. [/QUOTE] “You know, it couldn’t have taken me more than a few hours to build that thing. I was really flying… and, boy, are my arms tired! Ha ha! Thank you, thank you! My name’s Dave Cruser; I’ll be here 'til next Thursday! Try the rice!” ---
**Author:** ![cantara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@cantara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cantara)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/42 "2007-09-28T17:58:40Z")
A number of previous seasons had dumped off the contestants in their photo-op gear. I guess they want to prevent some from being…comfortable…and wearing stuff that you would want to be wearing. Oh the boneheads on the yellow tribe… 'We need to build a shelter. Where should we build it? a) In the damp elevated clearing nestled in a natural shelter of trees b) In the exposed mud pool Trees scare me…mud it is!" “Hey, we should have a roof. Should we a) split bamboo like gutters to ensure the rain runs off into our swamp b) split bamboo with the curved side up so the rain pours on us in lines” “We’re hungry, can we build a fire? No, I want to make a Texas barbecue over here in the swamp, then we’ll get a nice meal roasting on a spit! How do we fit rice on a spit?” (It did look like a nice setup at the end of the show, though) I am not a survival expert, and I don’t think I could last very long wearing the same damp underwear, but surely SOMEONE would think about what they are doing? Is everyone afraid of having a target on their back because they voice a design opinion and back it up with sound reasoning? ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/43 "2007-09-28T17:59:02Z")
[QUOTE=RikWriter] I dunno about Dave…it seems to me that his teammates are so freaking stupid that rolling his eyes may be the only thing he can do to stay sane. [/QUOTE] On the other hand, there’s a subtle line between leading and commanding. If you’re stuck with leading people in what is basically a popularity contest, it’s not the time to break out the Patton act. And it seems a weird allocation of resources. Having a permanent fireplace is nice, but perhaps it wouldn’t have been out of line to ask for three volunteers to build a quick fire and get some rice cooked for everyone? It looked as if he was using the prospect of a meal as some sort of leverage: First you work, then you get to eat. That would piss _me_ off. (Incidentally, his fireplace is a stupid design, at least for cooking. It’s a nice campfire, not an effective stove. But it looks great.) ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/44 "2007-09-28T18:03:23Z")
[QUOTE=cantara] A number of previous seasons had dumped off the contestants in their photo-op gear. I guess they want to prevent some from being…comfortable…and wearing stuff that you would want to be wearing. [/QUOTE] You’d think they’d have learned by now and not BROUGHT any non-functional clothing. I know if they told me to show up for a semi-formal photo-op, I’d be wearing khakis, hiking shoes and a comfortable fishing shirt over an underarmor T-shirt and wearing an Australian bush hat. Stupid-asses. ---
**Author:** ![lalenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/45 "2007-09-28T18:26:31Z")
[QUOTE=Spiny Norman] On the other hand, there’s a subtle line between leading and commanding. If you’re stuck with leading people in what is basically a popularity contest, it’s not the time to break out the Patton act. [/QUOTE] Exactly right, the girl with whom I was watching the show said it perfectly: “He’s being a boss, not a leader.” ---
**Author:** ![Nefarious\_Chipmunk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nefarious_chipmunk/32/1045_2.png) [@Nefarious\_Chipmunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefarious_Chipmunk)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/46 "2007-09-28T18:40:35Z")
I think that the idol must be a “whatsit behind the doodad” because otherwise everyone would notice the moment it was removed and that seems like it might defeat the point of being so secretive. Jeff made a special effort to make sure that only a couple of people knew it was even a possibility. With no Exile’s Island, it would sure be easy to assume that there is also no HII. I really hope that one of the rewards is some sports bras, or maybe even th choice of three items from their luggage. As a female with only slight interest in seeing other people’s boobies, I think this will get old really fast. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/47 "2007-09-28T18:44:35Z")
[QUOTE=cantara] A number of previous seasons had dumped off the contestants in their photo-op gear. I guess they want to prevent some from being…comfortable…and wearing stuff that you would want to be wearing. … I am not a survival expert, and I don’t think I could last very long wearing the same damp underwear, but surely SOMEONE would think about what they are doing? [/QUOTE] > [@RikWriter](#): > > You’d think they’d have learned by now and not BROUGHT any non-functional clothing. I know if they told me to show up for a semi-formal photo-op, I’d be wearing khakis, hiking shoes and a comfortable fishing shirt over an underarmor T-shirt and wearing an Australian bush hat. Stupid-asses. As a semi-related aside, ever since I started watching Survivor, I have started keeping on my person at virtually all times a sandwich-size zipper-top plastic bag that contains _at least_ two pairs of underpants, two pairs of socks, and a spare “granny-style” bra with no underwires. I pack like my mother, which means that I can fit this baggie in my purse or pocket, and I would DEFINITELY be able to bring it along if I were suddenly called away for a photo shoot. If I upgraded the selection to include a bathing suit, I would have to jump up to the quart-size baggie, but I’d still be able to take it with me sort of incognito. Just saying. These people are NITWITS. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/48 "2007-09-28T18:52:04Z")
[QUOTE=rockle] Y Heh. Are they really that attractive even when you know they’re _completely fake_? [/QUOTE] _Know_? Yes.\* Look\*? No. In other words, knowing they are fake isn’t a turn-off but having them look un-natural is. Actually it was the weird shit double lip piercings that turned me off. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/49 "2007-09-28T19:00:10Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Actually it was the weird shit double lip piercings that turned me off. [/QUOTE] I couldn’t decide if she looked like a rattlesnake or a vampire. Also couldn’t figure out why women were wearing bras instead of bathing suits. I guess it’s a matter of taking my pick between “nitwits” and “dumbasses”. 😛 Also, I think the monkey was doing something other than scratching himself. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/50 "2007-09-28T19:16:45Z")
[QUOTE=KSO] Also, I think the monkey was doing something other than scratching himself. [/QUOTE] I thought so, too. Glad I was not the only one. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/51 "2007-09-28T19:34:45Z")
[QUOTE=heraldgwena] As a female with only slight interest in seeing other people’s boobies, I think this will get old really fast. [/QUOTE] As a male, may I state: No it won’t! 😃 Count me with **RikWriter** on dress. I’d bloody well _sleep_ in that outfit from the minute I reported to Survivor for the start of the series. Stylish, but practical. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/52 "2007-09-28T21:05:27Z")
[QUOTE=Spiny Norman] On the other hand, there’s a subtle line between leading and commanding. If you’re stuck with leading people in what is basically a popularity contest, it’s not the time to break out the Patton act. [/QUOTE] Yes, that’s Dave’s shortcoming as a leader. Instead of barking orders and taking a “We’re gonna do it my way!” approach, he should have taken the “May I make a suggestion?” approach, or should have just quietly led by example. On the other hand, at least he was _doing something_, whereas the others were sitting around bitching, moping, and whining…which accomplishes exactly nothing. Dave should have handled this by handing them the flint and saying, “Fine. Go ahead and start a fire and cook if you like. I’ll be working on the hearth.” ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/53 "2007-09-29T01:52:37Z")
On the one hand, we have Ashley’s enormous boulders and on the other we have Sherea’s enormous natural breasts. I cannot imagine having boobs that size whethey they were au natural or man made. I have sympathy for Dave. I’ve never seen more lazy, whiny people in my life. He was at least doing something. And it’s not like they needed his permission to do anything though I didn’t see any of them raise his/her hand when Jeff asked for someone to step up and take charge. I get completely squicked out by the poor bastards who have to put on wet jeans. Brrr! ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/54 "2007-09-29T02:45:34Z")
[QUOTE=PunditLisa] On the one hand, we have Ashley’s enormous boulders and on the other we have Sherea’s enormous natural breasts. I cannot imagine having boobs that size whethey they were au natural or man made. [/QUOTE] Trust me: they’re heavy. _Especially when you’re running around outside and you’re not wearing proper undergarments._ ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/55 "2007-09-29T04:01:01Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t understand J.R.'s strategy of making everyone think he’s lazy. I think he really is lazy, and he’s just trying to pull one over on them, (and us), because he thinks he has Super Poker Player strategic abilities. He seems to feel he has to have a secret strategy just for the sake of having it. The man strikes me as a fool. > [@](#): > > Yes, that’s Dave’s shortcoming as a leader. Instead of barking orders and taking a “We’re gonna do it my way!” approach, he should have taken the “May I make a suggestion?” approach, or should have just quietly led by example. > > On the other hand, at least he was doing something, whereas the others were sitting around bitching, moping, and whining…which accomplishes exactly nothing. Dave should have handled this by handing them the flint and saying, “Fine. Go ahead and start a fire and cook if you like. I’ll be working on the hearth.” I think some of the smarter players are laying back and letting the nails get hammered down. Chicken and Ashley were first. And Ashley’s right, Dave will be going soon. Some group of players will form a voting alliance and Dave will be on the outside. Dave seems to feel he’s won some election and has some genuine authority over the other players. He should be practicing a more low-key form of leadership - “First Among Equals” rather than “My Word Is Law”. ---
**Author:** ![Sweetums](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Sweetums](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweetums)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/56 "2007-09-29T14:06:28Z")
Haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, but I couldn’t resist the discussion. Not a huge surprise to me that Ashley got the boot so soon. ``` As a WWE stripper/diva, she's used to being the center of attention. Survivor is not a place where you want to attract a lot of attention, especially if your first day is spent being sick. "Hey look at me, and by the way, I'm useless" just ain't gonna keep the torch lit. And yeah, the robohooters kinda skeeved me. :p ``` ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/57 "2007-09-29T19:47:50Z")
[QUOTE=Sweetums] Haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, but I couldn’t resist the discussion. Not a huge surprise to me that Ashley got the boot so soon. ``` As a WWE stripper/diva, she's used to being the center of attention. Survivor is not a place where you want to attract a lot of attention, especially if your first day is spent being sick. "Hey look at me, and by the way, I'm useless" just ain't gonna keep the torch lit. And yeah, the robohooters kinda skeeved me. :p ``` [/QUOTE] I watched it with a friend of mine who is a NA (Narcotics Anon) counselor. It appeared she was on withdrawal, which is “sick”. After some debate, our educated guess is Codeine. Calling: **Qadgop the Mercotan** , what do you think? You’re the expert. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/58 "2007-09-29T19:53:09Z")
[QUOTE=Sweetums] Haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, but I couldn’t resist the discussion. Not a huge surprise to me that Ashley got the boot so soon. ``` As a WWE stripper/diva, she's used to being the center of attention. Survivor is not a place where you want to attract a lot of attention, especially if your first day is spent being sick. "Hey look at me, and by the way, I'm useless" just ain't gonna keep the torch lit. And yeah, the robohooters kinda skeeved me. :p ``` [/QUOTE] I watched it with a friend of mine who is a NA (Narcotics Anon) counselor. It appeared she was on withdrawal, which is “sick”. After some debate, our educated guess is Codeine. Calling: **Qadgop the Mercotan** , what do you think? You’re the expert. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/59 "2007-09-29T20:30:24Z")
What a second week! “Leaders” challenged! Strategically blurred nudity! Kidnapping! The Sisterhood of the Travelling Boobies! Monkeys and pandas living together! Let’s see what’s on the menu this week . . . **Column A: Zhan Hu** **Appetizers** Here for a bit, or staying a while? These _amuses-bouche_ might earn their stay, but it could be too early to tell: **Denise** and her mullet are both still silent, though this team is functioning pretty well for the moment, so there’s not a lot of screen time at this camp. **Lunch Combos** With your choice of soup or egg roll, these should stick around for a _little_ while:[ul][li] **Courtney** – no real change here, except that we weren’t treated to as much of her eye-rolling.[_] **Jean-Robert** is on the bubble. His rope-a-dope strategy sounds like it will backfire long before anyone realizes how useful he claims he can be (although he admittedly had a strong showing in the reward challenge.[/ul][/li] **Dinner Combos** A little more to consider, and two sides come with; we should definitely see more of these:[ul][li] **Aaron** takes a small step back by remaining the willing leader (therefore target) and also seems to have been pulled into Schemer Todd’s alliance as a dupe.[_] **Amanda** takes a big step forward by allying herself with Todd and putting in a strong showing (sorry about the pun) at the reward challenge. Her alliance with Todd was portrayed as a bit more equitable than their pulling in of Aaron, but we’ll have to see how equal they really are.[_] **James** steps up by being a monster in challenges. Similar to Frosti on the other side, hasn’t said much, but has let his muscles do the talking. He’ll be around, but definitely will have a target on his back as the merge approaches due to his physical prowess.[_] **Leslie** – even though Jaime seems to think she’s weak, she managed to ingratiate herself with Todd by providing him with the Hidden Immunity Idol clue. Mistake? Probably, but if she’s useful to Todd somehow, he might want to keep her around and no doubt would be able to convince his alliance to do so.[/ul][/li] **Chef’s Special** Hot & spicy or vegetarian deluxe: **Todd** – The little schemer takes a step forward, forming an alliance and pulling the ostensible “leader” Aaron into it. Also seems to have mysteriously gained the trust of Leslie. **Column B: Fei Long** **Appetizers** Here for a bit, or staying a while? These _amuses-bouche_ might earn their stay, but it could be too early to tell: **Erik** – Yeah, Erik finally spoke, but didn’t say a whole lot. **Lunch Combos** With your choice of soup or egg roll, these should stick around for a _little_ while:[ul][li] **Jaime** was pushed into the limelight just a bit by being the first kidnap victim; Zhan Hu apparently believes she’s important to her tribe. Also formed the Sisterhood with Ahsley and Sherea (though that didn’t turn out very well).[_] **Sherea** confuses me. She takes a small step forward by forming the aforementioned Sisterhood and being vocal at Tribal Council, but then votes against her sister in the end and cries about it.[/ul][/li] **Dinner Combos** A little more to consider, and two sides come with; we should definitely see more of these:[ul][li] **Frosti** – no real change here, still relatively strong in challenges, but we haven’t heard much from him.[_] **Peih-Gee** – improved her standing ironically by stepping back just a bit. She let Dave take the lead _and_ the heat.[/ul][/li] **Chef’s Special** Hot & spicy or vegetarian deluxe: **Dave** hasn’t led with much aplomb, but has also been the victim of a bit of the “we’ll let you lead, but we’ll resent you for it” attitude from his tribe. With his most vocal critic gone, it might be smoother sailing around camp. **Deep-sixed & egg rolled away** Rejected by the patrons: **Ashley** – you might have thought as I did that her wrestling skills would be useful, but in the reward challenge, Jean-Robert just dragged her when she tried to stop him. Admittedly a mis-match, but just didn’t look good. That combined with her inability to have a civil discussion with Dave pretty much sealed her fate. The tribe basically decided to add by subtracting. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714/60 "2007-09-29T20:56:40Z")
**Quixotic** , your tribe names are reversed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-china-ep-2-my-mom-is-going-to-kill-me/420714.md?page=4)