# Survivor May 6 2010 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 7, 2010, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571 "2010-05-07T00:19:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/41 "2010-05-07T20:01:25Z")
> [@BMada](#): > > I don’t think it was all for show. With the way Rupert gravitated to the idea of voting for Danielle this week, and how oblivious Rupert is to the game, I think Rupert has the hard on. Colby could care less, he’s checked out ages ago and doesn’t even want to actually strategize. He’ll go with the flow but not with the massive hard on Rupert has for his supposed new alliance with Russell. I don’t think Rupert knows how to play the strategic game. He never has and never will. I could be wrong this time but I doubt it. I agree that Rupert is a terrible strategy player, but that’s exactly why I think he’s just putting on a show with Russell. Rupert has always seen himself as a paragon of virtue. For him, it’s all about a code, acting on principle, valuing ethics, etc. There’s nothing that would offend his self-righteousness more than trusting and allying himself with someone so odious as Russell. So Rupert, IMHO, will be putting on an act not out of strategy but out of his natural sense of superiority. That’s what would make him convincing. In fact, it would make sense strategically to bring Russell to the finals as a surefire way to earn more votes from the jury, but Rupert would be the most likely to boot him purely for emotional reasons. ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/42 "2010-05-07T20:05:56Z")
I’d disagree with the virtue of Rupert. He’ll do whatever to stay in the game, short of actually thinking of a plan of his own and working it like Russell does. He’s the leech/parasite type player and will hang on to whatever is best for him strategically, because he can’t think of his own stuff to further his game. I don’t think there is ever a show with Rupert, he can’t fake or lie with skill, whatever you see is whatever Rupert is thinking and feeling. Just like the way the other Survivor’s hate his self-centered actions of chopping wood at night, getting into the shelter loudly and thinking no one notices, or his incessant need to criticize the way things are done. He can’t keep his emotions and his feelings bottled up or hidden. At least that’s the way I see him. I could be totally wrong and the editors are stringing me along. The whole code and ethics thing is more in the neighbourhood of Coach, not Rupert. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/43 "2010-05-07T20:20:19Z")
Well, we’ll agree to disagree. I think Rupert is harshly judgmental because nobody can possibly live up to his (unrealistic) standard of behavior. That’s why I’ve never seen him as a Hero, though he (and America–shudder) clearly does. In the past seasons, he’s never been much of a parasite–he was always fiercely loyal, to a fault, with his alliance and would bitch and moan whenever other players did things that were designed to win. Being a leech/parasite means you float with the wind, but Rupert has never behaved that way. He’s like a clueless Horton–the faithful elephant 100%. So his “virtue” is all self-appointed and highly conditional, but he still sees himself that way, and like Russell (who also has an over-inflated sense of his abilities), he acts out of motivations separate from actually winning. I agree Rupert is a bad actor, which is why, while I think he’s faking it with Russell in the clip we saw, he probably wouldn’t be able to hide his glee at the anticipation of stabbing him in the back. The thing is, Russell is exactly the type of person who overestimates his own abilities that he can’t see the writing on the wall. Plus, also, Rupert never gets a hard-on about anything except being proven right and having people validate him. To sincerely ally himself with Russell, he would have to concede that he misjudged him, and Rupert is too proud for that. He likes to sulk and play the wounded martyr, so latching onto Russell as a coattailer would be completely out of character for him. He’s never done it before mid-season. Once he latches on (within the first episode or two), it’s a death grip, and pity the ally who tries to think outside of Rupert’s grasp, because Rupert will bring the hammer down on them in the most petty and self-serving way possible. ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/44 "2010-05-07T20:29:36Z")
I like your character analysis of Rupert, seems to be right on. Perhaps it’s my need to put Rupert down since he’s a so-called hero that I can’t see him using Russell. Honestly, I think he’s trying to change his game from the past. I don’t think he was particularly loyal, it was more are you worthy of staying in the game or are you just a waste of space to him. If you’re not pulling your own weight he’d drop you in a heartbeat. But this time around he played the loyal to his alliance way, where he kept the weak James along, got rid of Stephenie asap and the other baffling moves of the heroes early on. This is the best thing about H vs V, survivor being played at a whole other level. I don’t know how they’re gonna outdo themselves after this season is done. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/45 "2010-05-07T21:23:59Z")
Believe me, your impulse to put down Rupert is a sound and prudent one. 😛 I think his loyalty to his past alliances were part of his egoism; anyone who were willing to join him and his “cause” was automatically ennobled by association. Hence, even though he might not ordinarily agree with their tactics or behavior, by virtue of them being allied with him, it was OK. Similarly, him jumping on the Candice-hate bandwagon was half spite (because she “betrayed” him) and half self-preservation, and I’m sure that while he took no joy out of being on the same side as Russell, he did take joy out of skewering her for acting in her interests rather than his. :rolleyes: At this point, though, he really doesn’t have an alliance anymore. Colby’s a lump and Sandra, while the “villain” he probably trusts the most, is still playing her own game, not Rupert’s. For the first time, he actually has to look out for himself, which is why a short-term collaboration with Russell may be in the cards, but his long-term hate for him will still probably rule out in the end. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/46 "2010-05-07T21:24:07Z")
Regarding Rupert I tend to agree with Probst in his most recent blog: > [@](#): > > WHAT A LOAD OF HYPOCRISY > > Russell’s decision to bring in Colby and Rupert is a perfect example of the hypocrisy in this game. Russell who moments earlier had sarcastically called Rupert, “the second coming of Christ” offered to align with him so they could take out Danielle. First he approached Colby, who had no issue aligning with Russell. Then he approached Rupert, the man who despised Russell so much he had called him a “disgusting terrible human being.” They bumped fists like brothers, without so much as a word and just like that… they’re allies. > > That’s Survivor. Right there. Leave your morality at home. Save your speeches for the shower. Here’s the thing though. Russell’s move doesn’t surprise me at all. He has always said, “I’m a villain who is playing a game.” Rupert on the other hand has made his name and a decent living off being the morally superior one. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t stand on a pedestal and proclaim yourself the most moral of all only to hop off the pedestal the minute a better situation presents itself. Changing sides and changing your mind is fine – that’s basic Survivor. But you can’t have it both ways. ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/47 "2010-05-07T21:38:08Z")
and that blog part is what makes me sick of Colby’s honour… That voting confessional statement he said, “I’ll be happy when I out of this game will you be” to Candice. Both the remaining heroes have no clue how to play the actual game of Survivor. They have this meta-game they play that is supposedly moral. Although I don’t like the moves Russell plays, the dirty “I swear on my kids’ lives” or outright lying, that’s the game of Survivor. He may be a prick off the show, or he’s putting on a show for the cameras, who cares, he’s not deluding himself into thinking this is a moral test, like how the Heroes believe it to be. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/48 "2010-05-07T21:45:45Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Then he approached Rupert, the man who despised Russell so much he had called him a “disgusting terrible human being.” They bumped fists like brothers, without so much as a word and just like that… they’re allies. What exactly was his other option in that scenario? Rupert knew that he was going to the one voted out unless something changed, Russell had immunity so Rupert couldn’t try to get the others to vote him out, so of course if Russell says they want to vote Danielle, Rupert would be thrilled and go along with that. Rupert stays another day and someone from the other alliance goes home. Was he supposed to say, “No, I’m not aligning with you to vote Danielle, I’d rather you all vote \*me \*out”? ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/49 "2010-05-07T21:50:58Z")
the hypocrisy is in the fact that Rupert easily lambasted Candice for making a move with Russell yet has no second thought as to keep his ass off the line when voting with Russell when he has a plan to get rid of Danielle. Rupert walks around with the air of superiority when in fact he’s just as willing to make deals with the devil so long as it isn’t him going home. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/50 "2010-05-07T21:57:31Z")
> [@BMada](#): > > the hypocrisy is in the fact that Rupert easily lambasted Candice for making a move with Russell yet has no second thought as to keep his ass off the line when voting with Russell when he has a plan to get rid of Danielle. Rupert walks around with the air of superiority when in fact he’s just as willing to make deals with the devil so long as it isn’t him going home. But Candice wasn’t in any danger of going home when she switched sides. There’s no hypocrisy there. She just decided to switch, it wasn’t like she had no other options. And it’s not like Rupert betrayed anyone, Danielle wasn’t part of his alliance. He voted the only way he possibly could to stay in the game. ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/51 "2010-05-07T22:04:49Z")
it’s not the situation that’s different. It’s the use of moral high ground that’s the root of the hypocrisy. If you can’t stand a guy like Russell in one instance, why can you all of a sudden now join sides with him when you are disgusted by him. The reason how you can change your tune so easily? To stay in the game longer. Rupert reeks of the moral high ground hypocrisy, he’ll be all in your face for being a turncoat, but he’ll be willing to use the same person if it’s to his advantage. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/52 "2010-05-07T22:11:03Z")
Rupert likes to claim the moral high ground. If he wanted to maintain that without hypocrisy, then yes, he should rather go home than ally with Russell for anything. ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/53 "2010-05-07T22:21:09Z")
Probst announced in his blog they’re going to name the Dumbest Survivor Move at the finale. You can vote for it here: [CBS Shows - Popular Primetime, Daytime, Late Night & Classics](http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/vote/) Erik still has my vote, though James and Tyson are nipping at his heels. ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/54 "2010-05-07T22:22:46Z")
I’m assuming the contest is only for Americans to vote for so I won’t be contributing. I’d have to agree with Erik’s giveaway to be the dumbest move. ---
**Author:** ![Roadfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@Roadfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadfood)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/55 "2010-05-07T22:24:04Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > He played last season **exactly** like he’s playing this one - if anything, he was more obnoxious to his fellow players last time. Clearly he was convinced he had already won that season when he went on H vs. V. He’s going to wind up with a jury of people who’d happily watch him get run over by a bus. I just have to chime in agreement here. I said it last season and I’ll say it again: Russell did not deserve to win last time, and does not deserve to win this time. There are TWO aspects to winning the game of Survivor. Russell is good at one but totally sucks at the other. He pissed off Coach, he pissed off JT, he pissed off Danielle, he pissed off Rupert . . . and then he somehow expects them to vote him the million dollars? Because he’s the best at lying and betraying? Because he so skillfully betrayed and backstabbed the very people who will be deciding who gets the million? Russell is a fool. He lets his ego get in the way of winning. He said it himself this episode:He absolutely HAD to get back in control. That’s been the most important thing to Russell in both seasons, feeling like he’s in control of the game. He just doesn’t understand that being in control is not what gets you the win. The puppets don’t like the puppetmaster. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/56 "2010-05-07T22:25:59Z")
> [@BMada](#): > > Richard Hatch is only considered the greatest because he had no previous Survivor to use as a guide. He was good at many things but I think he’s not as good socially as Parv. He’s a better version of Russell socially, a strategic mastermind and a challenge threat. Richard kind of sucked in his second season. I’d put Boston Rob, Amanda, Parvati, and Russell all ahead of Richard by virtue of multiple good showings in the game. Being good in the inaugural season and never being good again could be criticized as only effective against total noobs. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/57 "2010-05-07T22:38:45Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Richard kind of sucked in his second season. I’d put Boston Rob, Amanda, Parvati, and Russell all ahead of Richard by virtue of multiple good showings in the game. Being good in the inaugural season and never being good again could be criticized as only effective against total noobs. - Cirie. On this season, everyone plotted to vote her out early because they were afraid of her. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/58 "2010-05-07T22:52:56Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > By many measures, Parvati is the greatest Survivor to ever play the game. No doubt. But I don’t like her. I don’t fault her gameplay at all, I just am sick of her. She strikes me as completely fake and a total mean girl and I have a very negative reaction to that. Again, _irrational_, and no doubt silly. I own that. And I object to the “Dumbest Move Ever” contest, because it doesn’t include the whole Ian-in-Palau-final-three business. _That_ was the dumbest move ever, IMO. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/59 "2010-05-07T23:00:23Z")
I lurve me some Parv. I hope she wins it all and gets crowned Greatest Survivor Ever. Erik still wins the Mega-Stupid Award. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571/60 "2010-05-08T00:45:48Z")
Overall, I don’t mind Parvati too much, except for two things I don’t like" The name “Parvati.” And her laugh. Her laugh is like fingernails down a chalkboard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-may-6-2010/538571.md?page=4)