Survivor 20 Ep 9 "Survivor History"

[lazarus]

Oh, JT. Rupert planted a Rupert seed, and look what it's done to the game.

Sandra and Courtney did well in a challenge, which is a nice change. Sandra looked like she could have stayed up there for 2 days. Smart move sitting Russell out.

Russell needs to get over himself. He did not plant a Russell seed, Rupert planted a Rupert seed with his big mouth last week, talking about a women's alliance. That got Colby and JT thinking the same thing, and gave Russell the idea to play it up.

On the history making decision:
I found interesting everyone's motive for going along with JT. Colby and Rupert completely bought into the idea of an Evil Wimmen's Alliance. Candice thought it was bullshit, but it would get the HII out of JT's hands (not realizing that that means the Villains now have control). Amanda simply sat there slack jawed, agreeing with everybody about everything.

If the supposition of an EWA was correct, this was a good move. Since we know it's not correct, it's a bad move. I don't think it approaches Erik or Tyson levels of stupidity, but it's top 5.

Unspoiled prediction: Merge next week, Russell plays the HII, JT goes home.

[dr.strangelove]

1. They should rename the hidden immunity idol, the "Russell"

Dude, he is a freak. Those idols just go to him, even when he is not looking for them. Its insane. I swear, if they were fish, he would stand up in the boat and say, "It's Russell" and 20 fish would jump in the boat and fillet themselves.

I have to also give Jerri a kick in the ass. When she got back, how she did not think she needs to rethink her plans is beyond me. She was not in on it, yet she never thought to circle the wagon's with Courtney and Sandra. Jeri is really just bad at this game. She may be a bitch, but she is a dumb bitch. I have to give Russell credit again though, he played Jerri the right way. He told Jerri that he did not vote for coach and claimed it was a surprise to him too. That was a great move and the first move I've seen him make toward getting votes on the jury. reveals

It was great that the women could school the men in a challenge for a change. I was glad to see Rupert and JT fail. But I have to disagree with my friend Laz again. While Rupert did make the dumb observation and break one of the cardinal rules of never tipping your hand, Russell saw the opening and played it up. Its the real reason why he got rid of coach and the real reason why he acted as he did in the reward challenge. JT saying to Russell hang in there was awesome.

Also, props to Parv for hiding the idol note and hiding the idol from Russell. I loved that scene where Parv is feelign up Danielle to hide the note. Thanks for the gratuitous boo shots Mark.

So then we go back to camp and get the dumbest move in teh history of survivor. James, you are not the dumbest player ever any more. Goign home with two idols in your pocket is dumb, but going home because you gave your idol to someone who you knew nothign about was worse. JT, you deserve to go home. Also, that note was way too grade school.

I was also pleased to see Sandra and Courtney do well in the challenge. It was made for their body types. But again Laz, you just hate Russell. He planted the Russell seed. He played the part to a tee. Part of survivor is seeign openings and playing them the right way. Jerri did nto see the opening last night when she was on the outs with Parv and Danielle. She could have joined with Saundra and courtney and went from teh 4th in a 4 to at least the 3rd in a three and gave herself a chance to finish in the top 3, where anything can happen. She missed the opening and will now be at others' mercy. Russell saw the opening and spent five days acting on it. He saw the removal of coach as a part, his actions at the challenges and it worked. Now he never thought he would have gotten the idol,but his part should not be overlooked. It was his best move this season.

It was a good tribal council. Sandra was in great form. she will be a force in this game. they should have ousted her last night, and that will come back to haunt them. she knows she is 5 on a team of 5, so she will break up that group. I'm sure she realizes that she needs to get the idols played. I bet she sets up JT and Russell to get the idols played and JT of course goes home, but Saundra knows that when she flips, its still 5-4 heroes to villains. Unless Jerri can work on Colby, who is in the same position at Saundra and the most likely to flip, I see the villains going down.

I love it when they go in tied. I see a merge and lots of fun coming. Should be great episodes.

[dr.strangelove]

2. The real dumbest move

I think the real dumbest move last night was keeping Saundra around. she is way too dangerous. Parv was right, she should have gone. Russell was smart to see that keep Courtney would hurt him more than Parv, but dumb to miss the forest through the trees. Saundra will flip and haunt them all. Plus, she gets a week to do it, because even if we lose a hero next week, she can flip and essentially stay in the same position. If she is smart and brings Jeri, she can really do something. It is gonna get good.

[romana]

3. Saundra

Saundra really is a great player. She knows what to say when, how to vote when, and when to sit quietly. I'm convinced she does NOTHING in this game by accident. She has to be one of the most disciplined players ever. I can't wait to see her in action once the merge takes place.

Parv is also a savvy player, and knows a threat when she sees one. She was right to want to vote out Saundra. But she failed. It shows that even with an idol Russell doesn't know about and the idea that she's somehow in control, Russell and Saundra (yes, I think she's more in control than we are led to believe, even though she didn't want Courtney voted out. She voted for her.) are really the ones calling the shots.

[lazarus]

5. yes, Russell

took advantage of the idea, but he didn't come up with it. Rupert did that all by himself. I credit Russell for doing a fine job exploiting it, but it really fell in his lap. Like the HII. :hi:

I agree with you that the real bonehead move was keeping Sandra. She's too dangerous to allow anywhere near the merge. The previews show her already working Rupert.

I don't know if she'll flip right off the bat, or wait until they're at 9. That's what I'd do. Get one of the HII's out, take out a challenge threat, then flip to make it 5-4, with room to maneuver. Given that, JT is probably gone, as is Russell's HII.

[romana]

4. JT, what the hell were you thinking

What a boneheaded move! I can't believe he did that.

I can't decide of Rupert was just mouthing off about the EWA or if he's making some kind of play for the merge. He and Saundra know each other, and he said that so blatantly, it did make me wonder if it wasn't planned somehow as part of a cross-tribe alliance we haven't seen, between Saundra and Rupert.

Rupert's not a terribly strategic player, but if this was his job, he did it well.

I guess time will tell, and it could just be Rupert being dumb. I've never understood why he's so popular with people.

[lazarus]

6. it was just Rupert being dumb

He's never shown the slightest ability to strategize beyond "make an alliance, stick with it no matter what."

It came out so forcefully and quickly, and JT agreed with it so readily, that I have to believe they were already talking about it at camp.

[dr.strangelove]

7. Rupert

The mystery to me is why they brought him back. Surely there were other heroes who wanted back. He can;t be a ratings grabber. I don;t get him.

[lazarus]

8. Remember

Rupert won America's Tribal Council after ASS. I imagine he's very popular amongst the casual fans. It's the hardcore fans who see him for the useless git he really is.

Remember, Russell won Fan Favourite. Heck, I loved Russell during Samoa. But then I got online and read interviews and saw secret scenes and realized that every member of his alliance was planning to take him to F3 because they knew he couldn't win. The editors hid all that to hype him up for Heroes vs Villains. The only other editing snow job as bad as this was when they hid the Tina-Colby alliance way back in Australia.

[Suich]

9. I'm confused...

how or where did JT form this "bond" with Russell?

:shrug:

[lazarus]

10. it's all in JT's mind

For several reasons. First, JT has taken Rupert's idea of an Evil Wimmen's Alliance to heart. JT is currently on the outs with his alliance. He thinks Russell is on the outs with the EWA. So he feels a connection there.

Add in the fact that Russell is a Southerner, as JT is. Plus, JT is possibly the only Hero to not buy into the whole Villain/Hero divide, so he's not as suspicious of Russell as he should be.

I also think JT heard too much that Stephen was the brains of the outfit on Tocantins. He decided to prove that he can outwit, too. So he's been jumping alliances (I think to break up all the pre-season tandems), and now has gone completely outside the box with the Biggest! Move! Ever!

Had he kept his wits about him and played his game, I think he would have done a lot better. I dunno, it may all work out for him, but I don't see how.

[dr.strangelove]

11. I can't see JT getting past the next two weeks

He is not "in" on the hero alliance right now. He is a huge target of the villains as a previous winner and the strongest physical hero. Plus, he is a dumbass. Unless russell thinks he can use JT and wants to keep him around, I say he goes. But I think Russell's huge mistake in getting rid of Courtney instead of Saundra will haunt him because I suspect she will reform an alliance now and turn the tide against him. Still, JT has to go and Saundra has to know that getting rid of him can only help her as the heros will need her more then.