Well, my blank slate is no longer blank in a couple of instances. My original feelings of some of the heroes and villains have been renewed, and even magnified in a couple of cases, while only a couple of them have started to change my opinions. Not sure how “y’all” feel about it, but for me, this was a rather intense episode where few of the heroes came across well, while most of the villains did.
Let me go over this with each individual in order of the impression left upon me as a viewer and longtime fan of the show:
James – As frequent readers know, I have never really liked the gravedigger, despite an overwhelming show of support from most fans. This episode highlighted everything I don’t like about him. He is a misogynist bully. Remember how he treated Peih-Gee in China? That was the treatment Steph got last night. The theme running throughout James’ three runs on Survivor is that he treats women extremely badly and he in turn gets screwed over by them.
Last night, James was correct at first. The Heroes are all over the map on the challenges. This is a group used to getting their way and of being right. They can’t help but try to take over. However, what I saw was a little different, and this could very well be the editing. I saw JT not taking charge and as a result, the puzzle was starting to be put together incorrectly. I saw a team in need of Rupert’s bulk on this challenge in the puzzle section, even if he’d be a bit slow in running. If Rupert can’t step up to do these challenges, they need to boot him NOW, because he will just get surlier once things really go badly. As they lagged behind, the heroes began to panic, and that is when Steph started to speak up. James is right, they need one voice directing traffic in the challenges, but he didn’t have to be such a dick about it.
Let me directly address the big guy – and I can do this because I am far, far away from him. So, Steph’s teams never win? Well, partial point to you there. True, she has a terrible track record on challenges. But you know what, so do you. How many individual immunities have you won? None. Even Courtney beat you in an immunity challenge in China. Steph won one on Guatemala.
Also, let’s match your record with Steph. Your seventh place finish on China matches her seventh place finish on Palau. And your seventh place finish on Micronesia (I know, the finger injury, but you weren’t going much further at that point), how does it stack up to her second place in Guatemala? And to mock her Palau experience as the last member of the worst tribe in history? Well, I view that as proof of her tenacity. Palau was like two mini Survivors the way Ulong got their ass kicked. She was the Sole Survivor of Ulong, and even survived a couple of tribals after the merge. You? You got sent home in China with TWO immunity idols in your pocket and were taken out of Micronesia with a finger infection.
Shut your mouth, James.
Rob – I didn’t think I could like Rob more after his previous four runs on reality shows, but I do here. Can you believe that Rob is getting a hero edit? I can, as I found him to be the hero of All-Stars and the Amazing Race 7. The one issue I have with him is his joke that once again he is on the “buffoon tribe.” While that was the case in Marquesas, in All-Stars, his tribe rocked. And he met his wife there, and she looks like this, so not so much on that one, Rob.
I loved how Rob became the provider and the voice of reason in the Villain camp. However, the stomach flu can take down anyone. I doubt Rob passed out the way it was shown; if he did, he passes out very neat and orderly. I think he got dizzy, went to lie down and passed out. That’s when Jerri found him.
And how about that for an odd pairing? Rob causing concern even among his haters, and Jerri taking the role as caregiver. Rob’s feeble plea for her to “get help” and his rather heartfelt, if delirious, admission that he respects and cares for the game too much to see it get the better of him was the most human and vulnerable we have ever seen the guy. Marriage and fatherhood seems to have helped him a great deal. And two days later, there he is, healthy and leading his team to another victory.
Steph – Sorry to see her go, but she got cornered. She tried her best, but once JT flipped, and Cirie and Candice rejected their offer, her team had no chance and Steph was doomed. I know some were turned off by her post-snuffing comments that “if y’all lose the next challenge, a little less cursing of your tribe would help.” But you know what, I am ok with that. James just berated her repeatedly for basically an entire day and called her out during Tribal. Remember that Tribal Council is a LOT lengthier than we see. She had enough, and she is also correct. The heroes are not acting like heroes. And we got the chance to see James seal the deal on his full-scale villainy with his lame comeback, “Keep your mouth shut.”
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