Survivor: One World - FINALE in 15 seconds

Final 5 Girls

That's it! The season's over and Kim was crowned victor and Sole Survivor. I can't say I was surprised or particularly excited, but I do think it was deserved. She owned the game, both physically and strategically, and I go to sleep feeling a bit better about the whole thing because she didn't totally blindside and backstab everyone and actually stuck to some values and alliances by choosing to go to the end with Chelsea and Sabrina. Do I think she would have still won beside Alicia and Christina? Definitely. But I wouldn't have felt as good about it.

I also think the Final Tribal Council was very self-absorbed. Any respect Alicia might have earned in last week's episode in my mind was totally stalled in her completely self-promoting and somewhat delusional speech at Tribal. There were very few poignant and enlightening questions, and as much as I love Troyzan as one of the contestants this season, his question to Kim was just weird. I don't think there's any right or wrong answer to "when Kim's strategy to take him out began," and he certainly can't be the judge of it. Anyway, the right person won this season, and that's that.

As for the Reunion Show, Colton's chance at apologizing and eventually redeeming himself was wasted, and he just comes across as an even more ignorant and socially inept person. I completely agree with Jeff's comment that he's actually a contestant people hate, versus a villain people love to hate like Russell or Fairplay. All I can say, and I hope the Survivor gods hear me, is that I never want to see or hear of Colton again. The End.

Before moving on to thoughts about the season up ahead, here are my 15s on the Finale!!



So... Do you think the right person won? What are your thoughts about the three returning players twist for next season? Who do you hope to see? Who don't you hope to see? [Hope: Jonathan Penner / Dread: Colton] Let me know your thoughts!

Love and cuddles until next season... and maybe a few posts between now and then... :)

Survivor: One World - Episode 11 in 15 seconds

Blast!!! WHY didn't Troy prevail?!?!! I feel how happy and relieved Chelsea and Kim must have been, but I so wish Kat had done something and that the game had turned on its head a bit. It looks like the girls will be imploding starting next week, but too little too late for me...

Troy: I appreciate you, and I respect your efforts - you really did your best and played a great game. It just sucks that the odds didn't fall in your favor in terms of contestants to play with.

Here are my 15s -- I suppose my last dedicated to Troy... We had a good run. :)



PS. You can [try to] sell me an ocean-front property in Kansas any time.

Survivor: One World - Episode 10 in 15 seconds

And once again, the better plan gets thrown out the window by short-sighted players. When they're ready to make a move, it will be too late... But if Troy wants to stand a chance in winning, he needs to realize the Jury's the one making the decision in the end! Hopefully he can make it back to their hearts and put away that overly vocal frustrated and competitive guy.

Here are my 15s this week!



What was cut off....: "...or he won't get any votes!"

PS. I was also totally moved at the auction by people's reactions to their letters from loved ones... It was impressive to see their facial expressions shift from survival in the game to survivor back home with all my family!

Survivor: One World - Episode 9 in 15 seconds

I have to admit, I didn't know who was going home until the very last minute... I'm disappointed it was Jay in a way -- but he was the blind one this week and so he needed to pay those consequences. I'm certainly very glad Troyzan played his Idol, but now he better step it up if he wants a chance to make it to the end. KEEP FIGHTING TROY!!

And as always... here are my 15s... let me know who you're rooting for!

Survivor: One World - Episode Eight: Here Come The.. Clowns?

Now THAT was an AWESOME Reward Challenge!

Though this season has definitely had its share of ups and downs and twists and turns, this episode highlighted some stronger strategic thinking. (Sure, Colton was also strategic, but I can't say I could see his strategy working out well on the long run.) With some of these moves and reactions, I've finally started respecting some of the contestants more -- separately from whether or not I like them.

1. Kim and Jay are the strategic frontrunners, even if they're not super interesting. 

Yes, Sophie and Rob C. predicted their dominance in the game far sooner than I did... And though I never contested it, I can actually picture one of them taking the cake quite clearly now. Kim's strategy is impeccable. Sure, she's not the most exciting person to watch, and her game seems almost too perfect, but she's playing extremely well. She's got options, she's making moves, she's curbing fires when they arise... and she's controlling the game in a way that's not going to cause people to totally hate her either. Jay on the other hand is certainly not in control of the game, but he's very aware of what's happening and making moves to protect himself until he can strike back. Kind of like chess I suppose... I wouldn't rule him out at all just yet.

2. I can't believe Troyzan fell for that...


As much as I like him, I'm pretty disappointed at how quickly he fell for Kim's trap. She played him like a fiddle and he didn't even think twice about it. That just goes to show that this season is lacking strategists... and those who are strategic are either total pricks or just not that likeable. That makes me question the whole 'what are you looking for in a contestant?' issue. Are we looking for clowns that entertain, smarties that control the game, or fools to make us feel like we'd be smarter? Ideally, a combination of all or some of those qualities... and I feel like a lot of the contestants this season aren't displaying a lot of depth.

3. Are the guys screwed?

It's all going to play out in the next episode... but basically, it's in Kim's hands. She could decide to forego her girls alliance and pair up with her original Chelsea, Sabrina, Troyzan and Sab, but without her doing that, the only obvious way a guy will make it further is by winning Immunity over and over and over again. But like I said above... I wouldn't rule out Jay just yet.


What are your thoughts on strategy this season? Disappointed? Impressed? Do you find the contestants interesting in a deeper way than for pure entertainment value?

Survivor: One World - Episode 8 in 15 seconds

Things are looking up! And well, by looking up, I mean looking to be shaken up. Not that this season hasn't had its ups and downs, but I feel like strategy - the proper kind - has been scarce and limited to 2-3 players. No longer! Kim just orchestrated an amazing blindside - though almost thwarted by Chelsea - and Jay is awake and therefore very exciting to watch.

Here are my 15 seconds from tonight's episode! (No longer blog post from last week's up... I wasn't really feeling inspired aside from what I said in my Tout.)

Survivor: One World - Episode 7 in 15 seconds

Not a bad episode as far as episodes go! Definitely still rootin' for my guy Troyzan. And Tarzan proves to be as entertaining as ever, though I can't say I'd want him on my tribe... That dirt/poop situation would have driven me crazy in just about 2 seconds. That's 7.5 times in one Tout, which you can see below for the latest episode!

Survivor: One World - Episode Six: Too Soon?

...and then there were 12. And they were all alone.

Another eventful episode here on Survivor: One World. Here are my two cents!

1. There is no time on Survivor when picking on someone the way Colton and Alicia picked on Christina is a good move. 

That wasn't even strategic on their part... it was just plain mean. And clearly, with the merge upon them and Alicia without Colton's coattails (which weren't very reliable, but still) is going to suffer the consequences of her insensitivity and lack of foresight - and, well, brains. I'm glad Christina didn't let all that get her down. I'm not her biggest fan either, but her position is due more to the luck of the draw than her character. I hope she does stick it to Colton (post-elimination) and Alicia in some way.

2. I'm glad karma got Colton, but I wish the rest of the contestants had instead. 

I can't say I wasn't happy to see Colton get med'evac'd, but I do wish he'd been sent home in a more spectacular fashion... like let's say, a big kick in the metaphorical backside. Now, all we're going to hear for the end of time is how no one could touch him, how he could have won the whole thing, how he was controlling the game and everyone in it at all moments and how he's the best thing that ever hit Earth. At least that's the last I'll have to say about Colton. I pray he's not invited back on any season - though I don't see why he would be... I can't remember anyone being invited back who didn't make it to the merge. Good riddance bigot!

3. That merge came SO early, and I am NOT happy about it. 

I know they plan challenges and merges in advance and not as adjustments to the show, but this was just weird timing... Also, not cool! I wish they'd stuck to the One World idea longer, and I certainly wished they'd left more than 4 days for the new tribes to form proper alliances. At least when they mixed up the tribes, I felt like the die had already been rolled for the men/women alliances and the consequences already set up for each contestant... Here, it's like it was barely in its caterpillar phase... It'll still be interesting to see how things shape up now that it's an individual game, but I am disappointed they didn't stick to their twists a bit longer.

4. Survivor: One World; definitely a good season, but a very polarizing one at that. 

I will say this is one of the more exciting seasons I've seen in a while, but it's one I can't quite place on my list of favorites either. Favorite seasons always come with favorite contestants, and while there are some I really root/rooted for (Monica; Troyzan), there are many I feel completely indifferent about, a handful I find are making really poor choices in the game (Jonas; Leif), a good few who I really dislike (Colton; Alicia) and a majority I feel totally neutral about. And no one wants someone who they feel neutral about to win the game... So where does that leave this season? In the very very entertaining and eventful category.


What do you think about Colton's departure from the game? Will you miss him? Who do you think will be voted off first post-merge?

Survivor: One World - Episode 5 in 15 seconds

Some great moments in this episode! I keep saying this, but it's a very different season for me as a viewer this time, and though I'm not connecting as much to players just yet, I'm very much enjoying the ride and witnessing how things play out...

Standout moment: Tarzan (is he for real!?) and Jeff's clear adoration of Tarzan.

And your 15 seconds start.... now.