Each week on this blog, I'll write up some thoughts paired with a short video on the latest episode of Survivor. Because Survivor is the most awesome reality show on television. Who's with me?!
It's episode two after the tribe swap, and we're already done and moving to the merge next week. But let's not jump the gun! I'm here to talk about this week's episode.
In the video below, you'll find my thoughts of the moment on Phillip, Cochran, Corinne and Malcolm, including how pathetic, subtle, unsubtle and dangerous they all are, respectively.
A bit underwhelming this week overall, so I'll keep this short. But clearly, the hope never dies.... and maybe the merge will inject some strategy into these people! We're already more than halfway through the season now, come on!
Best quote of the episode: "I'm tempted to say that [Julia] has a vanilla personality, but that would be doing a great disservice to the flavor of vanilla. I mean, people actively seek out vanilla-flavored products. [...] Nobody's clamoring for anything Julia-flavored." -- John Cochran
I'm rooting for Brenda, Malcolm and
Cochran to pick things up.
We made it to the mix... and things are still underwhelming. Now, we've still got two uneven tribes but in a different way -- rather than experience vs. newness, we have extremely strong vs. just not strong enough. I'm not saying strength is everything, but challenges have been very brawn heavy this season, and it's not doing the new Bikal any favors.
The Fans are overall very disappointing and not trying to make big moves at all -- just saving their skin for 3 more days. I love the Favorites obviously, but I didn't want it to be quite this much of a landslide in their favor. There are definitely cracks in the Favorites armor that the Fans could have taken advantage of, but instead everyone just decided to blurt out everything they could think of, which is a clear sign of playing to stay a few extra days rather than playing to win. I'm not saying it's never possible for "3 more days" (as Sandra would put it!) to turn into a million dollars, but in the Fans case and given the game of the remaining ones until now, I think it's very unlikely.
I didn't talk about Phillip in this video, but it's clear to me he also stands no chance of winning. Clearly everyone finds him ridiculous and annoying, but they all know it's in their best interest to humor him, at least for now.
What I do touch on -- and we talk about this too in the podcast I did with a fellow fan (see below) -- is how Tribal Council has turned into a therapy free-for-all where everyone just blurts out everything. Corinne did just that this episode, and I think that really could hurt her. Not to mention, I found her unnecessarily bitchy and just annoying too. Once Favorites start turning on themselves, it's obvious she's on the bottom of the totem pole. I'm surprised she was up for Player of the Week this week!
Anyway, here's my video below! Take a look and let me know what you think about the season so far, how the mix might be a good and/or bad thing, and who you think has it in him or her to win it. Parvati endorsed Cochran in her latest Survivor After-Show, and I'm rooting for either Brenda, Malcolm or... Cochran too.
In other news, as I mention in the video, I did an awesome podcast with a fellow fan on Talkshoe.com. It's a full season recap until last episode, and it's really long. A bit self-indulgent, but it'd be awesome if you joined in on the convo and took a listen! We're looking into doing more of these each week.
How hilarious was it when Bikal's flag dropped?
Good thing it wasn't a bad omen for the challenge!
Another solid episode of this new season of Survivor, which still looks promising. Obviously though, there's still a lot to be learned and much still to be laid out, so I'm glad we got to see more of the Fans tribe this episode. We definitely needed to know them!
I was so glad to see the Favorites/Bikal win again! They're really so impressive when they're on their game. Erik, Brenda and Andrea killed it at that challenge! Such great teamwork! And Cochran placed himself well yet again this episode in the rope pulling section, so as to be helpful without holding the whole challenge on his shoulders. Malcolm -- taking risks yet again with the high-pressure role; SO glad he was able to pull through (with Philip's help, gotta say it like it is!). Brandon and Philip both provided as much entertainment as one could hope for. It's almost over-saturation with both of them on one season, let alone on one tribe!!! I'm game as long as they don't both stay all the way -- which I think is unlikely, so we're good.
As for the Fans/Gota, so many missteps, but also some promising moves from Sherri and Laura! (Note: Laura did get one of my Confidence Stars, just sayin'!) Shamar and Allie both get some talk time in the video below, obviously, along with Reynold, who's not quite living up to my Confidence Star in this case: alliance of four in a tribe of ten, romance on the first night, not properly hiding the Immunity Idol, calling out Shamar so obviously... need I go on?
Check out the video and let me know what stood out to you in the comments!
Oh how I wish I could have the feeling
they're all feeling right then!
Survivor is BACK! The wait is over and we're finally here. This episode was solid, but the jury is still out on how good this season will be. Well, the season's already done technically, but we haven't had any clear indications yet as to whether or not it will be awesome. I do love the premise of repeating the Fans vs. Favorites experiment, and though the choice of Favorites (or Heroes as Jeff called them in the challenge!) is dubitable, it's something new and I agree with Jeff's statement that there comes a point where you need to make new all-stars.
I'm happy to say so far my predictions have been quite accurate -- though of course it's still early days -- and with Shamar in particular, though not for the better. I'm still waiting to see how Laura and Julia will do as we didn't get to see much of them. Definitely impressed with Cochran and Dawn's swing vote turned controlling move, and excited to see more. I'm SO GLAD that Cochran isn't on the chopping block right off the bat. And I'm also excited to see the former Redemption Island players leading their own games rather than play under Boston Rob. The rest of my thoughts are in the video.
Favorite quote of the episode: "I might be seeing a new Dawn." --Cochran
