# Survivor: Redemption Island Starts tonight **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 16, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609 "2011-02-16T18:23:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/41 "2011-02-18T03:54:36Z")
Anyone see what Rob gained from the amateurs? He knows that Philip was telling the truth, and only he can be trusted for his word. No one knew of the HII, Phillip revealed it, Rob demanded to see it as proof who is more trustworthy of the three not in his alliance. Everything Phillip said was truthful in Rob’s eyes since Kristina proved to everyone that Phillip was being totally up front by actually pulling out the HII in her bag. Kristina has absolutely no chance of getting into the good graces of Rob’s alliance. She is pretty much toast unless her tribe can win from here on in until a merge or tribe mix up. She needs to parlay the HII somehow rather than using it to stay one more week. I don’t know why people think Fran is smart. If she was actually smart she would not have used the “smokescreen” on Rob and set off Phillip into his mistrust tirade. The way Phillip demanded to know the thought process of Kristina and Fran when told to vote Rob should ring loud bells this guy needs to know shit before doing something and he won’t blindly do things. If she wanted to use the “smokescreen”, Phillip should have been updated that this tactic wouldve been used. Fran maybe educated but very dumb on character appraisals. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/42 "2011-02-18T05:05:08Z")
> [@BMada](#): > > Anyone see what Rob gained from the amateurs? > > He knows that Philip was telling the truth, and only he can be trusted for his word. He also knows that Philip can’t be trusted to keep his damn mouth shut for more than two seconds! > [@Mahaloth](#): > > Dude, those “redemption island possible moment” things are insulting to all our intelligence. We get it; they get to maybe get back in the game and that is hugely significant. It’s not that complicated. Dear Survivor Producers, If you really want me to buy into this new Redemption Island gimmick, DON’T invoke _Shambo_ as if we were all begging for more of her! “What if Shambo had gotten another chance in the game during her season?” I would have quit watching in disgust, that’s what. I mean, _really_? Fucking _Shambo_? Give me a break! Regards, Tangent ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/43 "2011-02-18T09:21:29Z")
Best TC ever!! It was a train wreck and I loved every minute of it!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/44 "2011-02-18T13:41:46Z")
If Phillip is a former federal agent, then I’m a former Queen of England. He is so full of crap. Not to mention abusive, impetuous, and paranoid. And the droopy fuchsia underpants have got to go. I was pissed when Probst gave Russell’s team a huge advantage in the challenge: “The key to solving the puzzle is to make sure that the pattern is on the outside.” Shut up, dude! I think Francesca was completely right to want to keep Rob around for awhile. Face it, no one is going to give the million bucks to the person who is back for Round 3. Geez. I was surprised to see that they were all given shelter building supplies right away. That speaks volumes about their living conditions. ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/45 "2011-02-18T13:51:23Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I think Francesca was completely right to want to keep Rob around for awhile. Face it, no one is going to give the million bucks to the person who is back for Round 3. Geez. This is Boston Rob’s \*\*fourth \*\*go at this…his original season, All Stars, and Heroes vs. Villains. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/46 "2011-02-18T14:37:25Z")
> [@Ruffian](#): > > This is Boston Rob’s \*\*fourth \*\*go at this…his original season, All Stars, and Heroes vs. Villains. Not to mention his 2 shots at Amazing Race. Of course, the producers worked very hard to make sure he didn’t win TAR. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/47 "2011-02-18T14:40:01Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > Was talking with someone about “Ex-Federal Agent?” --he pointed out two things: > > 1. Phillip said he had worked for ‘several’ agencies. My friend (retired government worker) said it’s generally hard to fire federal workers – civil service and all – but you can try to kick them sideways into difference slots. So that ‘several’ could mean he was so godawful at whatever that they kept shoving him around from agency to agency until they finally had grounds to fire him. > > 2. “Federal Agent” doesn’t mean just FBI and ATF and such. In fact, he said the temps they send around with clipboards to households that haven’t returned census forms are also called ‘agents.’ > Okay. That would make Blabber-mouthed Phillip being an ‘Agen’ a great deal more believable. When they were in the chopper, they played an interview with him where he claimed his first & middle names were “Special Agent” for years. Does that apply to the temps as well? I think he’s just completely making this up - I think the “?” means he never told the producers about that part of his background, so they’re just going with what he’s claiming on screen, without confirming it. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/48 "2011-02-18T17:23:00Z")
Did any one see the movie Cube? If so, you know who special agent man reminds me of. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/49 "2011-02-18T17:52:46Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > And the droopy fuchsia underpants have got to go. Can we please please be more specific about this. The droopy fuchsia underpants have got to be COVERED. Please don’t make them go. There is no blur that could save us. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/50 "2011-02-18T18:09:44Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Can we please please be more specific about this. The droopy fuchsia underpants have got to be COVERED. Please don’t make them go. There is no blur that could save us. Excellent point. ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/51 "2011-02-19T03:23:18Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > Dear Survivor Producers, > If you really want me to buy into this new Redemption Island gimmick, DON’T invoke _Shambo_ as if we were all begging for more of her! “What if Shambo had gotten another chance in the game during her season?” I would have quit watching in disgust, that’s what. I mean, _really_? Fucking _Shambo_? Give me a break! > Regards, > Tangent If they bring Shambo back in any form, I will definitely stop watching Survivor, and I’ve been watching since day one and probably watched 90% of all episodes when they actually aired and the other 10% online streaming or online article reading. More Russell and Rob is fine with me, but I’d rather see new and interesting people. We need a celebrity Survivor, might not be popular idea with other fans of the show, but I’d love to see it just once. ---
**Author:** ![ekweizn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7c8e57/32.png) [@ekweizn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekweizn)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/52 "2011-02-19T09:44:56Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Dude, those “redemption island possible moment” things are insulting to all our intelligence. We get it; they get to maybe get back in the game and that is hugely significant. It’s not that complicated. Something to be gained from the Sprint promos is that the furthest someone got who was featured in those segments was Erik from Micronesia. He finished 5th, which suggests to me that Redemption Island may be used when someone is voted out at final 5, followed by a duel to return to the game. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/53 "2011-02-19T18:59:50Z")
I think I’ve cracked the code. Philip is a dyslexic Fed Ex agent. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/54 "2011-02-19T20:58:29Z")
Apparently an outsider was at the tribes camps for the first few days. [His comments.](http://www.tv.com/survivor-heres-what-really-happened-during-that-epic-tribal-council/story/25188.html) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/55 "2011-02-20T15:11:12Z")
Yahoo Answers says that Philip was a Federal Agent? for three years in that he worked for the Defense Investigative Service conducting back ground checks for people getting security clearances. [Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos](http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110217061043AAIHrsU) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/56 "2011-02-20T16:19:38Z")
Help me out with strategy here. If you find the HII, why would you immediately want to tell someone. Later on when you already have an alliance I can understand it but why early on when you have no clue who to trust? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/57 "2011-02-20T16:26:03Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Yahoo Answers says that Philip was a Federal Agent? for three years in that he worked for the Defense Investigative Service conducting back ground checks for people getting security clearances. [http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110217061043AAIHrsU](http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110217061043AAIHrsU) Ah jeez, a friend of mine from high school does that and I never thought of her as some kind of secret agent. What an idiot. Phil, not my high school friend. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/58 "2011-02-20T17:05:51Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > Was talking with someone about “Ex-Federal Agent?” --he pointed out two things: > > 1. Phillip said he had worked for ‘several’ agencies. My friend (retired government worker) said it’s generally hard to fire federal workers – civil service and all – but you can try to kick them sideways into difference slots. So that ‘several’ could mean he was so godawful at whatever that they kept shoving him around from agency to agency until they finally had grounds to fire him. > > 2. “Federal Agent” doesn’t mean just FBI and ATF and such. In fact, he said the temps they send around with clipboards to households that haven’t returned census forms are also called ‘agents.’ > Okay. That would make Blabber-mouthed Phillip being an ‘Agen’ a great deal more believable. My Bro was an IRS Agent. And the IRS has the most "Agents’ of any agency. But the temps are not “agents”. However, yes, there are Census “Agents”. I am rather unhappy with Russell, who cheated, being back yet again. He cheats. I am also not happy with Jeff no longer having a real blog after each show. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/59 "2011-02-20T17:26:19Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Help me out with strategy here. If you find the HII, why would you immediately want to tell someone. Later on when you already have an alliance I can understand it but why early on when you have no clue who to trust? 1. Because you’re dumb and you’re only knowledge of strategy is from watching other HII finders revealing theirs. > [@DrDeth](#): > > I am rather unhappy with Russell, who cheated, being back yet again. He cheats. When did he cheat? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609/60 "2011-02-20T17:30:03Z")
Y’all may not have caught this detail, but Phillip is a former federal agent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-redemption-island-starts-tonight/571609.md?page=4)