Survivor: Caramoan - Episode Nine

Classic Fans vs. Favorites challenge! 

OMG WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EPISODE! This seriously makes every boring and stale episode of the first half of the season OK. There's so much to say, it's hard to talk about this step-by-step, but that's what I've tried to do in my video. Maybe I'll be more successful here...

I think this episode showed three big things: skill in strategy, the power of paranoia, and luck.

Malcolm took advantage of the Reward Challenge loss to talk to who he thought was on the bottom. Originally, I thought this was great... until I saw he was approaching Dawn and Sherri. HUGE mistake. It really surprises me that Malcolm was so oblivious to Dawn's role in voting out Corinne. It's a big shame... but great for Dawn and it's nice to see her really play (even if it seems it's not going to last...). I still think Brenda and Erik would have been a better choice

Then, we have Andrea, who is also playing hard and very strategically. I'm not her biggest fan, but I do like how she gives it her all. That said, the minute she heard her name was being thrown around, her game fell apart. Her paranoia led her to make the less smart move in voting for Michael, but ultimately, that was the lucky choice which keeps the Stealth R Us alliance in the majority.

Let's go back to great strategy when Tribal Council continues to go in the same direction we've seen with people yapping away, and Malcolm realizing his move may have been compromised. He was very impressive in his quick thinking and though I still think he's in a terrible position right now, he's also not  yet shown how good he is in challenges, and the Stealth R Us'ers won't see it coming when he starts winning Immunity Challenge after Immunity Challenge. (Well, that's my ideal turn of events, ha.) Now is the time for Malcolm to step. it. up. If he makes it to the end, he will truly be a worthy winner and in for the title of Best Survivor Ever in my book. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, here...

I talk about a lot more in the video below, including Brenda's potential strategy, Eddie and Andrea's "rapport" and if voting for Reynold has a chance in helping Malcolm argue his case in the tribe moving forward... Ultimately though, the only takeaway you should note from this post is: WATCH. (...that stands for both my video below and the episode!) It's possibly the best Tribal Council I've ever seen. Now we're talking, Survivor: Caramoan.

Survivor: Caramoan - Episode Four

Did anyone figure out what they were looking at??

OMG guys, great episode, right!?? This is the first episode I've been super excited about so far this season -- especially given all the hype about how awesome this season is, even better than last season, etc. There's lots to talk about in this episode, like Shamar's evacuation, the Stealth R Us expansion, the ultimate elimination and what other scenarios could have gone down, which I always love to go over -- all in the video below.

In other news... Remember when I said we didn't get to see a lot of the Fans after episode one?! Well that's definitely changed! Obviously it all depends on who loses, and the Fans have definitely been losing too much for a balanced season. I'm looking forward to when the tribes mix -- it'll give new life to some of the players [*cough* Eddie and Reynold *cough*] and also mix up this ridiculous Stealth R Us alliance. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely great to see the Favorites coasting -- they are the favorites after all -- but while I've been impressed with some of the Fans, overall their tribe has been wearing to watch (I say this from my comfortable and cozy room...) and I want to see more Faves! (Clearly I will get my wish next episode... Yikes.)

Watch the video and let me know what you thought! I was definitely surprised that the whole tribe voted for Laura... Didn't see that one coming though I guess it's a good thing the remaining alliance stuck together in the vote at least, but I think it was mistake on the long run, even if they win the next challenge.

What about you? Surprised/Disappointed/Glad at the outcome of the vote? Relieved about Shamar's med evac? Thoughts on WTF happened to make Brandon turn psycho next episode? (Let's face it, that teaser almost took all of the attention off of the episode...)