Survivor Redemption Island - First Thoughts on the Twist!

By now I'm sure you have heard about the new twist to Survivor that will be premiering during the upcoming season of Survivor.  Here are my thoughts on it:


The premise of the twist, bringing players back into the game, goes against the essence of Survivor and therefore I really don't like the twist.  I didn't like the Outcast twist done in Pearl Islands and I don't think I will like this twist either.  But, let's look at some of the positives and negatives of the twist:


Positives:

• The episodes may be more exciting, having 3 challenges in it (assuming the contestants not on Redemption Island still have to compete in an Immunity and Reward challenges.
• You may get to see a player that you didn't want to go come back later and have a chance to win.
• It may prevent someone from quitting knowing that they don't immediately go to the Ponderosa.

Negatives:

• As stated above, it goes against the basic principle of Fire represents life.  
• Once you are out of the game, you should be done.
• Could make it more difficult to get to know the players, since there could be less face time, due to having to show the RI challenge.
• Depending how it is implemented, it could favor one type of contestant more than others.

With that said, I'm all for having those voted out coming back in to compete in challenges, but the only reward maybe they would get is a chance to be on the jury.  Maybe only the final 5 people voted out are guaranteed the jury spot and the rest compete for the remaining spots, that could be interesting.  It also throws another level of difficulty in determining jury votes.  

The only way I can see RI working is if the challenges are predetermined and it is just the luck of the draw for those that have to compete.  I also don't think that the person coming back should be allowed to re-enter the game after the first jury member is selected, that way they still have a decent amount of time that they have to survive.  The returning member should NOT be given immunity at their first TC, but I could be in favor of them getting a clue to a hidden immunity idol.

Another thing that I think would be interesting is, instead of having the Survivors that get booted compete against each other, maybe bring the last two voted out back for the next immunity challenge and one competes on each tribe.  The RI player that is on the winning tribe stays at RI and the other goes home.  

So we will have to wait and see exactly how it comes to pass, but I don't like the premise.  With that said, I will still be watching the show and blogging every week.  

So until next time... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua: Episode 15 - And the winner is...

So the day has come for the finale and to make it easier for me, I will be blogging as the show is on, at the commercial breaks.


First Immunity challenge, Fabio comes from behind to get an amazing win.  It started with everyone getting the first question right, then Fabio was the only one to miss the second question, which put him way behind.  Only Dan was slower, even though Dan didn't miss a question.  Fabio quickly started on his puzzle after getting their with Chase, Holly and Sash working on it already and Sash making great progress, but Fabio rocked the puzzle and throws a monkey wrench in the alliance's plan.  I hope that Sash flips to Fabio's side and votes out Holly, even though I like Holly and wouldn't mind her winning.


At TC, Jane looks much better cleaned up.  Big mistake made by voting Dan out, he was a guaranteed non-vote in my mind.  I really think that Fabio has to win again.  I loved Dan's parting comments, they were classic. From Sash's point of view, he could have gotten rid of Holly and then possibly Fabio and been guaranteed the win.  Fabio could have voted out Sash next, should Holly had gone home and guaranteed himself the win, but now that won't happen.  Holly still needs to go or she walks home with the money.  Sash vs. Fabio in the Final would be awesome, sitting next to Chase, since Chase doesn't have a prayer to win.  I think Fabio may win that. 


The Fallen Comrades section is a staple of the show, but personally I think it takes too much time in the show.  It does give a quick recap of who everyone was, as you tend to forget those who got voted out early.  As most people agree that NaOnka and Kelly Purple shouldn't be on the Jury, they also shouldn't be included in the this either.  


WOW, Fabio's stack was very precarious for the last few coins, but he did a great job tilting the sword to keep it balanced and outlasted Sash to win his third straight immunity.  That is awesome!  Best move now is to vote out Holly, but if he can't convince Chase to do so, then he will have to vote out Sash, to avoid the tie.  Although the tie at the final 4 in the past as been a fire challenge, so maybe it isn't a big deal if there is a tie.  


The scrambling is fun.  Sash is a slimebag, but Holly is still a threat.  Voting Dan out last TC was a big mistake.  I think more people will be upset with Sash, thus won't give him their vote.  I still don't think Chase will get many votes.  Maybe NaOnka's.  Holly hasn't upset too many on the jury, so she is the biggest threat and she should go.  


At TC, the smartest move was played.  Holly was great, I really liked her, but for Fabio, that was the best person to send home.  Fabio and Holly would have been a very close vote and her going home is clearly a compliment, as she was a threat to win.  Sash proved in this TC that he is too shifty and I don't think he will get a lot of votes.  I still think Chase be on the short end of the voting and I think we will see Fabio walk away with the million dollars.  We'll see in a few minutes.


At the Final TC: 


Opening comments: Sash tries to take a page out of Tina Wesson's book by bringing up the three parts of Survivor, but he didn't play the game that Tina played.  Tina was true to her alliance and Sash wasn't.  Chase asking to bring on the questions, but does he really want them.  I don't think Fabio's opening comments were great, but the jury seemed to connect to the have fun aspect of it.  NaOnka didn't agree that they all had good times, yet before she quit, she had worked with Fabio.  Overall I do think Sash's comments were the best, but I don't think it will be enough.


Jury questions: 
Brenda: Only addresses Sash and Chase.  Vote for Fabio.
Marty: Clearly not Chase, probably Fabio gets that vote.
Holly: unsure who she is voting for.
Jane: Not for Sash.  Not sure if she is thinking Chase or Fabio.
Benry: Not Chase, but I think he's thinking Fabio.
Dan: Not Sash, Not Chase,  Vote for Fabio.
Purple Kelly: Maybe a Sash vote.
NaOnka: Vote for Fabio!  Great emotion and it was genuine.
Alina: Not sure who she is voting for.


Jury Vote:  Who's vote will be shown?
Marty - Fabio
Alina - Chase
Dan - Fabio
Brenda - Chase, surprising.


And the Winner is... Fabio! 5-4


AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm really surprised Chase got as many votes as he did.  Not too surprised that Sash didn't get any, he was too much of a villain and he wasn't smart how he did it.  Reminds me of Russell, without all the crazy stuff.


Reunion Show:


What the heck was Fabio talking about?  He is crazy, but I'm so glad he won.  Brenda looking good and with the info that she knew she wasn't getting the idol, she definitely should have scrambled more.  Chase is not a bad musician, if you like that kind of music.  


Jimmy Johnson still is a class act and Terry Bradshaw is funny.  Nice gesture of Holly to get Dan the boots and I love how Dan sidestepped the question.  Holly cleans up well too and Jane actually looks descent and not upset, like she did on the show.


NaOnka is a fool and delusional.  To say that she was playing for the show, while that may be true to an extent, it is who she is and to say that what you do in a public arena shouldn't be used to judge you in your profession or any other way is also foolish.  Should she be a teacher, that's not for me to decide, but I'm glad she is not in the district where my kids will be going to school.  Jane certainly was impressive, especially for her age.  Kelly B has a great outlook.


Sprint Player of the Game - Jane


Congrats to Boston Rob and Amber on the birth of their second child.  I can see why Jane won the  Player of the Game, as she was popular. 


Not usually a fan of bringing people back that have been voted out, but it sounds like a great twist.  We will see starting February 16th.  


So another good season is in the books and until next season... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua: Episode 14 - Jane's Conniption

What an episode of Survivor!


I have always loved the family episode of Survivor and I am always bummed when they don't do it.  Tonight was great and I think the family members did really well in the challenge.  Before we continue, let's go back a little.


The show starts off with Chase and Fabio talking about taking each other and Sash if either of them win a reward.  We all know that is not going to happen, otherwise why show it to us.  As I alluded to above, the challenge was very good and there were several very close to getting it.  In the end, Chase's mom won and Chase got to pick two people to go.  The first one he picked was Sash, no big surprise there, but then he picks Holly over Fabio, which really isn't a big surprise either, but it just shows how clueless Chase really is.


On the reward, the 3 Survivors eat and it looks like the family members watch, which if I'm a family member, I'm eating too.  There was enough food for six people.  They got to take the EVO with them to capture their memories, which is a kickin' phone, as I have one myself.  Afterwards Chase knew he was going to have to face the wrath of Fabio, and Fabio didn't disappoint.  While the reward was happening, Jane felt left out too, which I don't understand.  Everyone's family is important to them, so the fact that your daughter is going off to college and you chose to play the game of Survivor, that was your choice, get over it.  Fabio has a reason to be upset because Chase promised him.  


Next we come to the immunity challenge and Fabio kicked butt, which I was glad to see.  I think it would have been an easy and much more boring episode if he lost, because then he would have been going home.  But instead he won immunity and caused some drama in the process.  This is where Chase really shines as an idiot (at least as it comes to the game).  Chase pretty much forces Holly and Sash to admit to Jane that she is going home.  Not that it matters, because Jane figured it out by Chases dumb expression he had on his face.  


As we get closer to Tribal Council, Jane takes a couple pots of water and extinguishes the fire and then at Tribal Council lets it all hang out.  It was great.  Chase once again puts Holly and Sash on the spot, in front of the other three and the jury.  Another dumb move.  Jeff then pretty much tells Fabio, Dan and Jane what they should do, and he was right.  Their best move would have been to force a tie and with Chase being as wishy washy as he is, he just may have switched and decided to vote for Holly.  Alas they didn't vote together, instead everyone voted for Jane and I can't wait to hear her question at the final TC.


Now we have Fabio and Dan who appear to be on the outs and Chase, Sash and Holly controlling the game.  The previews show everyone thinking everyone else is a threat.  Really, when has Dan ever been a threat?  Here is what Fabio, Sash and Holly need to do.  They need to make sure that  they are sitting next to Chase and Dan in the finals.  I don't see Dan getting the votes, with his wealth and is uselessness in the game.  Chase is just play stupid and has burned too many bridges and gotten on too many nerves.  I don't see anyone voting for him.  I don't think that will be how it plays out, which ultimately will make a better final episode/TC.  


Who do I want to win?  Right now, I'm rooting for Fabio first and Holly second. I could live with a Sash win, but would be utterly disappointed with a Dan or Chase win.  I would be shocked but disappointed.


How do I want to see the game play out?  I want to see Dan and Fabio approach Chase and convince him that they should be the final 3 because no one will vote for Dan and Fabio can say that he is too dumb to win.  I'd like to see Sash go first, then Holly and have the final 3 of Fabio, Dan and Chase, with Fabio winning.  The other scenario would be for Dan and Fabio approach Holly, but that is riskier, since both Chase and Sash are threats in a physical challenge.  But actually the best scenario would be to have Fabio, Holly and Sash in the final, because it will be a much tougher vote for the jury.  Again I don't think Dan or Chase have a shot at winning, but I could see either of the other three having a legitimate shot.


Now the Survivor Purist in me thinks that Fabio doesn't deserve to win, because his overall game hasn't been spectacular, but Holly and Sash have both played a good game.  I think Sash has played the most strategic, but Holly orchestrated the ouster of Brenda and she came back from the brink of quiting and is playing a strong game.  I think Holly has stepped on less toes than Sash, so I think she should win.


So until Sunday, which should be a fun episode... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua: Episode 13 - Triple Threat

Tonight we saw Sash in the power seat as being the swing vote in two 3 person alliances and whether he chose right will remain to be seen.


At the reward challenge Chase cleaned up, both figuratively and literally, and then potentially made the biggest blunder in the game by bringing Jane instead of Sash.  So far Sash has stayed on his side, but I would not be surprised to see him flip things on end and team up with Fabio and Dan and try something to get Chase or Jane out.  Chase is not a very smart player and even with an immunity  idol, he is in danger of going home if he is not careful.


Jane holding her little ceremony for the chicken was ridiculous.  I thought it was a great time for the 4 guys to do it, because one the rest of them were eating good and Jane wasn't around to protest.  The main thing is that Kelly-Nay didn't quit.  


At the immunity challenge, Fabio almost pulled out a win, but Sash ended up taking it.  That gives him the triple threat of immunity for this TC, a hidden idol for the future and being the swing vote.  Unfortunately, he is still in a tough situation, because Dan and Fabio can't trust him, although I think Fabio feels Sash looked out for him, so he may still trust him.  That would make for a great mix up if Dan or Fabio could pull the votes out to blindside Sash.  But I don't think it will happen.


So what would I like to see happen?  I would love to see Sash team up with Dan and Fabio and blindside Chase.  The way it would work is Sash would have to convince Dan and Fabio to approach Chase, Jane and Holly and present a case why they should blindside Sash, since he has the idol and if he doesn't see the vote coming, he probably won't play it.  Then Sash vote with Dan and Fabio and force a tie, but play his idol and hope Chase doesn't play his (which no one knows about as far as we know).  Of course it would be awesome if both played their idols and they had to do a revote, since non of the votes would count.


Of the six left, I'd like to see Holly win.  I don't really want Jane to win, because I don't think she has played a real strategic game.  I don't want Chase to win because he has made way too many mistakes. Fabio I would be indifferent about winning.  Sash would be ok too, as he has played a strategic game.  Not always a smart one, but still a good game.  Dan doesn't have a prayer.


I think Dan will be in the final 3, unless Chase's alliance holds.  Voting out Dan at this point is crazy, because there is no way he will win, so you want him sitting next to you.  Of the rest of the group, I think you really do want Chase there, because I don't think he can win either.  So Holly or Sash need to bring those two until the end.


So we have two episodes left and anything can happen.  So until next time... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua - Episodes 11 & 12 - Recaps and Quitters!

Episode 11 - This was a recap episode and other than revealing Kelly was considering quitting, it wasn't that revealing.  But it was still Survivor, so it's good.


Now on to Episode 12 and let me say that I don't think I have been this angry about people quitting as I am tonight.  I think the rules need to be changed that if you quit, not only should you not get any prize money based on placement, if you are in the time when you would become a jury member, I think you should forfeit that right too.  If you need numbers for the jury, replace them with a previously voted out non-jury member (in reverse order of being voted out).  In times past they didn't give quitters a chance to give their final remarks, or at least didn't air them.  I wouldn't have aired them tonight.  On top of that, I'd almost not invite them to the live reunion show.  That is how much I respect this game and if I ever made it on the show, there is no way I would quit it.


So NaOnka and Kelly, good riddance and you have just entered the world of Survivor Quitters.  That is not a great place to be and no NaOnka, it is not an accomplishment.


Now onto the rest of the episode.  First off I really liked the challenge and loved how Jeff was constantly in their ear.  If I was competing out there, I would have wanted him to shut up, but I love it when sitting at home.  Both teams fought hard and in the end the blue team came out ahead.  Dan got to join them because he decided to back them.  After the challenge was over, Jeff offered Benry, NaOnka, Holly, Dan and Chase the opportunity to help the entire tribe out by one of them giving up their reward to get more rice and a tarp and the person that should have, didn't. NaOnka showed her character and in the process has possibly ruined her life.  Sadly for her, the way she played this game may cost her more than the million dollars, it may cost her a family, a job and happiness.  Would you want to be with her, I wouldn't.  At least Russell was playing the game, NaOnka just was herself, her sad self.  In the end Holly stepped up and helped the tribe and if she can survive until the end, she will walk away with the money.  She is who I am rooting for now, but she also has a huge target on her head.


I think Chase is in the best position in the game right now, because as far as we know, no one knows he has the idol and that is better than having the idol, because no one will be trying to flush it out.  The question is... Does he have what it takes to make it to the end and win?  History isn't on his side, as he has made some real blunders so far.  Holly and Jane both could win this game if they get to the end, so a Chase, Holly, Jane final 3 would be fun.


Sash only holds a little power, since he still has the idol, but I don't think he will for long.  I think it will be flushed or he will be blindsided.  Fabio, is my next favorite in the game, after Holly, so I wouldn't mind seeing him get to the end and win it.  I don't think Dan can win the game, so he is a  perfect on to bring to the end.  Benry, could win, but it depends who he is there with.  


Tribal council was good, other than the quitting.  I loved Dan's look when NaOnka said her joints hurt, that was classic.  I loved how Jeff handled it and I personally think they should have burned the torches.  Since the two of them left, I would have preferred they not join the jury and have it be a final 2 instead of a final 3 and have 7 jury members, but they didn't think that way.  Either way, we are down to 3 episodes left and it should be interesting.  


So until next time... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode 10 - Wood Chests to protect the fire... really?

First off whose bright idea was it to put the three wooden chests so close to the fire?  The intention was good, but the implementation was dumb.  This is not the first time in Survivor history that a camp has been partially burned down during a fire.  If memory serves correctly, it happened during Survivor Amazon.

Brenda had the game in her hand and still could not survive this episode.  The person who she tried to please, was one of the original two that started talking about taking her out.  Holly is playing this game and comes off smelling like roses because it was made to look like NaOnka was the orchestrator of this, but Holly and Jane were the driving force.

The reward challenge was interesting and the blue team certainly had it going from the get go.  What I wonder is could all five of them fit on one piece of wood at the same time?  If so, could they have just left all the barrels and just kept sliding the wood up to the front?  Either way, it certainly seemed that Chase was the mastermind behind winning that challenge.

Once on the reward, which was pretty freaking cool if you ask me, we saw something that I never thought I would see in this game.  NaOnka and Fabio working together.  From the previews of next week, it appears to be short lived, but I was surprised.  

Back at camp, after the fire and the blue team returned, Chase is running around like an idiot.  Personally, I would have split the votes between Brenda and Chase, especially since Chase realized that Brenda was going and voted for her.  The split would have made sure one of two threats went home.  Brenda, by taking a power player out of the game (which of course happened anyway) and Chase, a loose cannon that could hurt you down the line, especially since he is not on your side.  To me Sash could be dealt with later.  But it appeared that Purple Kelly and Brenda are the only two that didn't vote for Brenda.

The immunity challenge was rough and I am super impressed with Jane's performance.  Even with Chase trying to talk her out of the challenge, Jeff immediately chimed in and said not to give up on the challenge.  

The previews show that NaOnka once again does something she shouldn't have done and Fabio saying he wants her gone, but in reality anyone that wants her gone is not playing the game.  There is absolutely no way she can win this game and is the perfect person to take to the final 3. It appears that the alliances are Jane, Holly, NaOnka, Benry and Dan with Fabio and probably now Sash on board. Chase and Purple Kelly are on the outs.  If I'm in charge, I say you make it seem like NaOnka is going and you blindside Sash to get him and his idol out of the game or make him think you are gunning after him and flush the idol, only to vote out Chase.  Kelly is really not too much of a threat, so she can go whenever.  Whomever goes to the final should make sure that Dan and NaOnka are sitting next to them and they will guarantee themselves the million dollars.  

So another great episode this week and I can't wait until next week.  It will be weird not watching Survivor on Thanksgiving night, but it is always possible they may do a recrap episode.  While the recap episodes have improved over the years, they are still crap. 

So until next week... the Tribe has spoken!

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode 9 - Dumb and Dumber

Marty or Jane... who would you have picked?  But before we get to that, let's look at the rest of the episode.


Personally Jane's tirade about Marty was getting on my last nerve.  Marty is playing the game and doing it fairly well and not being all emotional about it.  The swap really screwed him in this game, because I think he would be in a much better place had it not happened, assuming the original Espada tribe didn't continue to lose.   But we can only deal with reality and that is what we will do.


Another great reward challenge.  I loved the busting through things and thought it was ironic that it was men vs. women.  Chase chose to align himself with the women, because he is essentially one.  He isn't playing this game very well at all and that may make him a prime candidate to bring to the finals, along with NaOnka.  I don't see anyone giving him the money.  The men end up winning the challenge and Jane's proclamation that she will beat Marty in a physical challenge is proven wrong.  She showed her age and really struggled toward the end of that challenge.


I personally thought Marty's plan was a great plan, the only problem was that NaOnka didn't go for it, which means she knew that they were gunning for Jane and didn't need to play her idol.  Neither Marty nor Jane are someone you want to go to the finals with, so it is right to want to get both of them out of there.


In the immunity challenge, it came down to Marty and Brenda and I think that Marty lost his train of thought when the little conversation happened before the last reveal, and I think that is what cost him.  So Sash and Brenda decided that they would reject Marty's plan, but the bad think is they didn't inform some of the people, so that may come back to bite them.  What that also does is make Jane that much more paranoid and may start running off at the mouth on someone else.


Once again the scramble before Tribal Council showed that Chase is horrible at this game and what is worse is he is betraying his own personal values in the process.  Sash and Brenda are controlling this game and I really think there is a great possibility that Jane is going home next. (I hope the preview isn't that she collapses or something, because the way they edited it, it certainly seems serious). I hope that she goes home by being voted out and not for some other reason.  That goes the same for anyone else.


This leads us to Tribal Council where NaOnka was being NaOnka, the same person she has been for 27 years.  I'm sure her parents love her, but I don't see how they can be proud of how she acts and her attitude.  As much as I can't stand her, I fully expect her to be in the final 3, with the only possibility of her being voted out earlier would be by a mistake.  I hate to wish this, but I really hope she doesn't procreate, because that is one gene that doesn't need to be passed along.


So the previews have got me wondering, but we'll have to wait until next week to see what happens, so until then... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode 8 - Boo Hoo, they left me the smallest tortilla!

The merge has come and Marty is still in trouble, but once again manages to survive.  Alina was a threat and while she said she was a pawn and not a power player, she was indeed a power player.  She may have played a pawn for a little while, had she not been voted out, but I don't think it would have lasted.


Seems like things are going to fall apart next week for Brenda and Sash, but that could just be editing.  This week Sash convinces everyone to keep Marty so he doesn't have to go back on his word and that is smart.  He also is smart to bring NaOnka to the end, as she will not win this game.  I said last week she is another Russell, but she is not, other than she also has no social game.  Now who should Sash bring with him and Na, seems to me Alina would have been a decent choice, but since she was trying hard, she may have beat him, so my guess would be Dan.  If he is smart he will take Dan and Na to the end.  No one will vote for Na because she is crazy and Dan has too much money and no one really likes him anyway.


Jane is also not playing with her head.  She wants Marty gone, which is fine, but she doesn't see the whole picture.  Being narrow minded in Survivor will come back to bite you.  You have to analyze your best move and do it.  In this case, Sash did what was best for his game by convincing the others that Alina was the one to let go, but I don't think that was the right play.  I actually think that Marty would have been the best choice.  I know I just said Jane wasn't playing smart, but she was targeting the correct person.  Marty's plea at the end was pathetic and his comments at Tribal Council certainly didn't win him any votes.  


Marty's hope is to get Fabio, Dan and a couple others and shake things up.  Sash's plan seems good at this point, but the previews seem to indicate otherwise.  Chase is a huge wild card and I'm not so sure I'd trust him at this point.  It seems like he goes with his heart, not his mind.


At the immunity challenge, Jane showed she is a threat and I think she needs to be watched.  As Marty did point out, she has the perfect sad story and depending on who the jury is, it may be enough to get her the money.  I would get rid of her soon.  I noticed everyone seemed to be pulling the handles away from the bar, I wonder if it would have been easier to push in instead.  


So Marty lives another day and we'll have to wait until next week to see if he survives again.  So until then... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode 7 - Milk your own Milk!

Different Strategy this week, blog as the show airs... we'll see how it goes.


First off, why tell Marty you were trying to flush the idol, it makes about as much sense of not taking him out when they had the chance, since he didn't play it.  Also NaOnka now is against Alina again, didn't she just say their relationship was closer now.  Funny how things change.


Reward Challenge: Dan proves that he is the best challenger in the history of the game... NOT!  Despite his poor performance, Espada wins reward.  Fabio pees in the pool, which may cost him if they go to tribal council again, but it also is the perfect reason for Marty and Jill to talk to him again.   La Flor didn't really do that bad, but Espada had a better team overall.  NaOnka was pretty impressive in this challenge but so was Jill.  Overall a fairly lame challenge in my mind though.


Jane eating her fish, while I think she certainly is entitled to it, I don't know how you can cook a fish without the rest of the tribe seeing the smoke or smelling it, so it was a very risky move.  It really could help Marty out in the long run though, because if they do find out about it, she will need to go crawling back to him and Jill.  Alina is in NaOnka's sights, but will she go?  I'm not so sure, but we will find out before the hour is over.  


The reward looked like a lot of fun and the food looked amazing.  


Immunity Challenge: This was another cool challenge and Brenda and Kelly just couldn't grasp it.  La Flor is not working well together at all.  Espada on the other hand had that challenge mastered.  They worked well together and even Dan was able to hold the chute still.  Alina is safe for another week.  Now will Jill or Marty go home or will they work magic... we'll find out in a few minutes.  Maybe La Flor would have won if Fabio pee'd down the chute.  ;-)


Somebody needs to be renamed Erik, before Tribal Council, I would have said it was Marty, because it was clearly a stupid move to give up the idol, when he was guaranteed to stay if he kept it and used it.  I don't see Sash giving it back to Marty, but on the other hand, he made a mistake at TC saying if he losing trust in Brenda and the group, so it may be wise to mix things up and join forces with Marty.  Once again, La Flor had the opportunity to take Marty out but chose not to do it and it may just bite them.


With the preview we see the merge is happening, which surprises me it is this early, with 12 people still left in the game, which means the jury will start next episode too.  NaOnka's last name must be Hanz, because she is pulling a move out of Russell's book and he will be so proud.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), I think she will be found out and will be sent home sooner than later.  If she can keep it a mystery and she does stir up trouble, then she may be in a good spot. Either way, I don't think she can win.  She too doesn't understand Jury management and the social side of the game.


So, another week is down and I think I like blogging during the commercials, but we'll see if I do it again next week. Until then... the Tribe has spoken!

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode 6 - Marty and Dan, still surviving!

Great episode with lots of jockeying going on and while I'm sad to see Yve and Kelly B go, it's not the end of the world and it will certainly make it more interesting on La Flor.  


First to the immunity challenge, I think this was another great challenge and comical too.  Watching Dan really struggle after being the first to find the ring was funny, in a sad sort of way.  Jill winning immunity, really set them up good to stay and although it was risky for Marty not to play the idol, it may have been the smartest move he has made.  I wouldn't be saying that though, if he had gone home.  ;-)  Now Marty and Jill still have the idol and Fabio just may go over to their side.  They still need one more to make a power move, but I'm not sure who that will be. Holly winning the immunity idol didn't really matter.  They were set on either Dan or Yve and if Yve would have won, then Dan would be gone.


I would love to see Marty and Brenda battle it out for a while.  There are 7 left on La Flor and 6 on Espada, which means that the first Jury member should come in two episodes, if they do the final 3, which I believe they have done every time they have started with 20 players.  I think they will delay the merge until after at least one person is on the Jury.  If La Flor can win the next two immunity challenges, then Marty could have a chance in this game, but if they lose, the idol will be flushed.  I don't think Marty is dumb enough to give Sash the idol, as they show in the previews.


The Espada tribe can go anyway they want, as right now they aren't that interesting as a tribe.  I still would like to see NaOnka go before the merge, but I would like to see her on the jury, because she will be entertaining for sure.  The editing on her has changed and I predict that she will go fairly far in the game.  If Dan makes the merge, he will go deep, as he will be the last to be voted out before the power alliance has to turn on itself, unless Dan is in the power alliance, which would be interesting.


So until next week... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode 5 - Espada don't Noah what they are doing!

Twists, swaps and stupid moves, that is what Survivor is all about... well maybe not.


First off I was glad to see that even though the swap happened, we finally got to see two challenges.  To me the show progresses better when there are two challenges to break up the camp life.


Let's start at the swap, I was happy to see that both power alliances got broken up, as that makes the game more interesting and I think the swap has helped both Holly and Kelly B.  I also liked how they did the swap, by drawing a captain and then picking the people from the other tribe that you don't want.  Definitely some strategic thinking had to go into that decision.


Before we get to the reward challenge, let me say that I think they are getting so much better at designing the challenges.  I really liked both challenges this time around.  The ball and having to catch it was probably a lot harder than it looked, having to watch it and then react at the last minute.  It was a close match and I was worried that Espada was going to give it away when NaOnka was just rifling those balls up really fast.  I was thinking, give your guys a chance to breath, but in the end they pulled out the reward.  The traditional 2 chickens and rooster.


Back at camp Tyrone started off wrong, because it did look like he was telling them how they were going to run the camp, but it could have been some editing too.  He could have done better by asking how they did things, kind of like Marty did on La Flor, but not doing it in such a cocky way, like Marty did.  In the end, Tyrone just didn't have the social game to mix with the younger players.


At La Flor, Marty showed everyone he had the idol and Brenda said that it was the dumbest thing he could have done.  Maybe or maybe not, we'll have to see.  Marty had a point that Jill probably would have said something about it, so why not get it out in the opened now, but on the other hand, he could have held that info until he needed it and if confronted about, he certainly could have come clean at that point.  I could certainly see Marty's idol being flushed out at the first Tribal Council he goes to (assuming that he doesn't win individual immunity next week) and then going home the next time he goes to Tribal Council.  If he makes it to the merge, then he will still have a tough time staying, but he is the chess master (which is another mistake saying that).


NaOnka was ready to checkout and I think she would have been a good choice send home.  I say that not because she has annoyed the heck out of me this season, but for the same reason that was brought up in Tribal, you just don't know when she'll wig out again.  But since she stayed, it definitely should have been Dan to go home.  Once again they vote out someone strong, just because they don't like the way they act, when Dan is weak and will not help them in any challenges, yet no one thought to mention him as a possibility.  Personnally, I would have taken out Dan, then NaOnka (or the other way around, it really doesn't matter) then gotten Tyrone.  If NaOnka stayed around, then she would be better physically than Dan would have been and if she regained her wits, then Tyrone could go and all is fine, if not then she goes, then Tyrone.  But that's my thoughts and obviously they wanted Tyrone to go, so he went.


Now let me back track to the immunity challenge, because I really liked this challenge.  It would have been funny if NaOnka had been on the wheel, but cruel at the same time.  In this challenge I thought Espada was smart by slowing it down some and that got them the ball first, but they just couldn't execute on breaking the tiles.  I thought that it was good that Tyrone stepped aside and let Benry have a go at it, because he did better than Tyrone did, but the both missed a lot.  Jimmy T would have won it for them for sure, but they sent him packing last week.  Jill and Fabio did an excellent job of getting the win for La Flor.


So next week, as I alluded to earlier, they will be playing for individual immunity, which if they follow previous seasons, both tribes will have one person that wins immunity and more than likely one tribe will get to sit in on a portion of the tribal council of the other tribe while they partake in a meal or something.  


Wild guess but I think Brenda will win individual immunity for La Flor, they will flush Marty's idol and send Jan home, to break up the alliance there.  I think Alina will win immunity and NaOnka will have recomposed herself and Dan will go home. I could be way off base, but who knows.


So until next week... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode 4 - Don't play this game if your name is Jimmy

Jimmy T started the show running his mouth and didn't shut up and if they were going to vote a Jimmy out last week, Jimmy T should have gone instead of Jimmy Johnson.  With that said, Dan really should have gone, or maybe not.   No I haven't lost my mind, Dan should have gone home until I saw the previews, which I predicted would happen, a tribal swap next week, unless your name is Marty, then the right move was made.  I personally think that Dan was more of a liability and he should have gone home last week, but he didn't hurt them this challenge, so no big deal.  Since Dan didn't go home he will hinder whichever tribe he ends up on next week and he will be voted out at the next tribal council, unless he can make friends quickly with his new tribe.


NaOnka is just plain evil and I hope that someone talks some sense into her either during this game or when she gets home.  I would gladly keep Jimmy T in the game and vote NaOnka out, because she is a major cancer, while Jimmy T is more mild.  Jimmy is just full of himself, but NaOnka is full of S***, pardon my asterisks.  I was really hoping La Flor was going to TC and that NaOnka's alliance would turn on her and blindside her and her idol out of the game.


For the challenge, I don't think the Medallion of Power is the reason why the younger tribe won, it was the younger tribe communicated/listened better.  I don't think Tyrone is at fault, as he did his best and I don't think anyone on that tribe could have done better.   


Now let's look at the previews, because that is a lot more fun to imagine what will happen in the swap.  La Flor currently has 9 players and Espada has 7, which means that more than likely the new tribes will have the same number, which depending on how they do it, both tribes could have more younger players than older players.  Normally that would be great for the younger people, but we are seeing signs of cracking and I think that NaOnka and Brenda gets separated and that is why NaOnka is having a hard time, but honestly, I didn't pay that close of attention to who else was in the shot. Does that bode well for her, who knows.  Marty's biggest chance is if he ends up with Dan and Jill on his tribe, then he may have a fighting chance, otherwise he is toast.  His only other hope is if the younger tribe is severely splintered.  Russell did it two seasons ago after the merge, so it can be done, but the difference there was that Russell had 3 others that had to be solid with him, Marty may not have that.


While this week's episode was good, I'm looking forward to next week's episode more.  So until then... the Tribe has spoken!

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode 3 - Drop back and punt

Well that sucks... and I'm not talking about the show.  I just finished typing this weeks blog and blogger screwed up and I lost the entire thing.  I guess it didn't save any draft copies.  Anyway, now to try again.


So the show starts out as it always does and it shows the losing tribe returning after tribal council and who opens their mouth, NaOnka of course.  Then she ruins a majority of fruit trying to get the clue to the hidden immunity idol, which she has no prayer of figuring out, because she is just plain stupid, or is that Hood, not Ghetto.  Right!  That girl doesn't have a functioning brain and I can't remember any player that I have despised more, and I have despised quite a few.  I hope her alliance comes to grip the fact that she is a cancer, (although probably the perfect person to sit next to in the finals), and votes her out.  


At the challenge, La Flor took a big risk not using the Medallion of Power, but it worked out as Benry came back on his second round and dominated.  Tyrone dominated early and once he started missing, he should have stepped back and let someone else go, but pride got in his way.  Despite what he says it was all about Tyrone Davis and his ability to win the challenge.  No one will know for sure if they would have won if they would have but Jimmy T or someone else in earlier.  I was really rooting for Espada, because I didn't want the previews to be right.


At Espada's camp, Marty announced to everyone that he had the idol and the tribe would be better for it, but it was Jill's idea and there is no way he would have done it without her prompting him to.  It worked out pretty well for the most part, but we'll see how it all plays out.  Marty got his wish by sending Jimmy J home, but I really think Dan was the smarter choice.  Jimmy J may not have been the most physical and he didn't cost them in the challenges, but he is a great leader and motivator and I think that tribe needs that.  Marty wants everyone to come to him, but if he is smart, he'll let Jimmy T be the vocal leader and he can pull the strings from the shadows.


I really think that everyone is expecting the tribes to remain old vs. young, but I would not be surprised in the least if they did a tribal swap and I give it two weeks.  The reason I think that is that they don't want to keep it going this way too long, as it will be uneven and since they haven't done a tribal swap in the last few seasons, it would be a surprise to most of them.  It will also throw a monkey wrench into both alliances and hopefully cause NaOnka to be sent home earlier. Based on the face time she has been getting, I think it is a real possibility that she is leave sooner than later.


Only time will tell and while I'm disappointed with who was sent home, I'm still enjoying the season, despite it being on Wednesdays.  Couldn't watch it as it aired because I was at church, but I recorded it.


So until next week... the Tribe has spoken.

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode Two - And you thought Wendy was bad!

Well another tribal council and whole lot said that shouldn't be said.  I loved Jeff's comment, "first time in 21 seasons an opening question leads to so much whoop ass!"  Love it!  That is why Jeff is the best reality show host, bar none.

Holly had her little breakdown and Jimmy J was right there to be the coach that he is.  He is an asset to that tribe and they are dumb if they vote him out soon.  Jimmy T is an idiot who thinks the world revolves around him.  Jill made a bold move by giving the clue to Marty and I think that has helped both of them in this game.  I think Marty will honor that trust and keep her close and that has made him a lot more powerful.  He was also smart the let Jimmy J take charge.  I think he is the player to watch on that tribe. 

Espada was smart to use the Medallion of Power, but I think they could have won the challenge without using it, but it really all depends on who else would have had to go through the mud and how fast they found the ball.  Tyrone was money once he held onto the ball.  Benry on La Flor started out great, but then he started to look like Shaq or Dwight Howard at the free throw line.

All in all I think the older tribe has it together pretty well and Holly is the only question.  Holly could have made back a few points when admitting what she did if she had gotten the shoes first and cleaned them up the best she could, but Dan will be gunning for her.  If he is smart, he'll let it slide, but either way I don't see Holly sticking around too long, unless Espada goes on a winning streak and she doesn't do anything else stupid.

Now lets move to La Flor.  Missing socks... maybe Russell Hanz is hiding on the island somewhere.  Let's justify it by stealing someone elses socks and then when Fabio goes to calming talk to her about it, NaOnka flips out, before he even says a word.  One word describes her... CANCER.  She must be the next to go and from the previews, it doesn't look like she mellows out next week either.

Chase is not real bright either.  It's one thing to have two alliances, but it is another thing to come right out and say it at TC.  He needs to watch his back, but the only thing that will keep him there now is his strength.  If they take him out next, the tribe is full of morons. 

I think Wendy snuck back into TC with a muscle suit on, because Shannon just doesn't know when to shut up.  Not only did that cost him the game (although I'm not convinced his TC tirade changed any minds as much as his taking charge at camp did) it cost the tribe a strong player for challenges.  He too was a cancer though, because he did a whole lot of destruction in his tirade and for that reason, it was a smart move.  Personally I think I would have taken Nay out first and kept Shannon's physical strength on the tribe, but they both need to go.

So episode two rocked and made up for an average first episode and it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.  If all is as it is portrayed (the producers wouldn't lead us astray would they, LOL) then Espada should run away with it, but unless it really is that obvious, I'm sure La Flor will rebound or there will be a tribal swap to change the game up.  Speaking of tribal swaps, there hasn't been one for a few seasons, so it probably would come as a surprise and I can't imagine them leaving them separated by age the whole game.

So until next week... the Tribe has Spoken!

Survivor Nicaragua - Episode One

Well we are off to a new season of Survivor and I'm liking it already. I'm still learning everyones names, but I loved the intro where they thought they were two tribes and the search for the  Medallion of Power, then only to be switched up.  I like it when they keep them off guard.

I think the young group, La Flor, are cocky and I think that will catch up with them.  I do think they made a smart move to take the flint and fishing gear over the Medalion, especially since it goes to the other tribe once it is used. 

My first impressions of the tribes:

La Flor: Like I said earlier I think they are cocky, but that is normal.  I think Jud is a doofis and Kelly B will be a good player, if they don't vote her out due to her leg.  It will be interesting to watch Chase to see if he will be a good player or not.   The rest of them I didn't get a good feel for yet.

Espada: Overall I like this tribe.  Jimmy T. got on my nerves and Marty could be another one that will over time, but I really like Jane and Holly.  I was glad to see Jimmy Johnson stick around because I think he will be a great motivator for this tribe.  I also agree that he can win this game, if he makes it to the end, but I don't think he will.  Wendy shot herself in the foot, when she opened her mouth.  I don't think it would have turned out any better if she would have been herself and I'm not even sure it would have turned out better if she had kept her mouth shut at tribal, but she was the smart move to get rid of tonight.  Personally I think the tribe made the wise move not using the medalion, because they may need it next time and if they used it, they would have been at the bigger disadvantage next time.  Granted they did lose, and it did seem like it was fairly close, so using it may have given them the win, but you never know.

Overall, I'm glad the show is back on, although I wish it was still on Thursdays, and it does look like it will be a good season.  I am keeping my eye on Yve from La Flor and Holly on Espada.  Holly gets my attention because she was smart to shed her alliance and vote with the tribe and if she always thinks that way, she should go far.

So until next week, the Tribe has spoken.

Episode 14 - We Have Our First Two Time Winner!

Well the season of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains has come to a close and I am happy to report that I predicted the final 3 and winner here on this blog, several weeks ago.  

As suspected, with Colby's loss at the immunity challenge proved to be the final nail in his coffin and I loved his I'm resigned to going speech, then a little bit later he tries to work on Russell.  Finally nice to see Colby actually play the game.  He made it farther than I expected him to and it was also good to see that the animosity between him and Jerri, that existed in the All-Star season, seems to have disappeared.  

I always enjoy the Fallen Comrades portion of the final episode and leading up to the final immunity challenge.  This challenge was awesome and as Jeff said, it was the closest challenge in history, especially for a final immunity challenge.  I'm glad Russell got the immunity, but would have been ok if Parvati got it as well.  Actually it would have been interesting if Parvati would have got it to see if she would have gotten rid of Russell and kept Jerri.  I thought Parvati was going to get it there when she was walking right down the middle, right towards it, and Russell and Jerri were going along the rope.

Jerri gets voted out, which was the correct move, from Russell's perspective.  If he would have voted out Parvati, instead of Jerri, then he would have looked even worse than he did, at least to the Jury.  

In the final tribal council, I thought that all three opening comments were good, but I thought that Russell and Sandra's were a little better than Parvati's.  I thought the Jury's questions/comments pretty much sucked.  Once again we had a bunch of jury members going on and on about morals and playing the game with integrity.  While each person has to make that decision for themselves, this game is about manipulating and deceiving.  I really expected more out of an all star jury, since they should have realized that.  

With that said, did they get the vote wrong?  It is hard to say.  

Sandra didn't have the strategic game that Parvati and Russell had, but she did try to get the Heroes to get out Russell, but they were too stupid to listen to her.  I think that by her pointing that out, that swayed several to vote for her.  Sandra is a great talker and her game was similar to her game in Pearl Islands.

Russell once again lacked the social game necessary to win.  As Rob pointed out and Russell just about admitted, he only plays to get to the end and not to win.  That reason alone prevents Russell from being called the best player to ever play the game.  By his logic, he played twice and made it to the end twice, yet didn't win, but he can't be the best because Sandra did the same thing, but won twice.  Russell really needs to pay attention, should he be asked back again for another all star season.

Parvati played as good of a strategic game as Russell, but had the benefit of playing a great social game as well.  She is also good in challenges, which helps to save your butt sometimes.  In my mind Parvati deserved to win this season and I still believe that Parvati is the best player to ever play the game.  I think the reason why she didn't win is that she really didn't do that great at answering the questions, which surprised me, and Sandra did a great job of answering the questions.  I'm not so sure that her being in an alliance with Russell hurt her, but I also don't think it helped.


All in all this was the best season to date.  It would have been really fun to see this cast play each other as complete strangers, just to see how different it would have turned out, because I think it would have been completely different.

The reunion show was good as always, at least since Jeff started doing them, and while I was happy Russell won the America's vote over Rupert, I disagree with America's vote for dumbest move.  Here were the scenarios:

Colby taking Tina to the finals - While this was dumb from an economic standpoint, Colby did stay true to alliance, so I don't think it was that dumb.
Tyson flipping to vote out Parvati - This was a pretty dumb move, especially since his side had the numbers, but he was trying to make a move and it would have been brilliant had it worked.  So definitely not the dumbest move.
James getting voted out with two idols - This was not the dumbest move, although it was dumb.  It is more that it was being naive, not dumb.  It has happened to others since as well.
J.T. giving Russell the idol - As Jeff said, this was a great move in theory, should Russell had actually been in trouble, but he wasn't.  This is similar to the move Tyson made, trying to make a move in the game, so definitely not the dumbest move.  Also J.T.'s move didn't cost him immediately.
The dumbest move by far is Erik giving up the immunity idol and getting voted out at that tribal council.  When you are at the end of the game, you never give up your necklace, unless you know 100% that you are safe and are controlling the game.  This rarely happens and it is much better to give up a hidden immunity idol, which is done after the vote, than to give up a necklace before the vote.  So America missed the mark on this one and Erik still holds the dumbest move distinction, in my mind.


So now we have some time to ponder the past 20 seasons, before the next season begins.  So look for my blogs once and a while and I'll definitely will be back in full force for season 21.


Until next time... The Tribe has spoken.

Episode 13 - Time to Tie Die

Once again a Hero goes home with Rupert and personally I'm glad to see him go and I really do hope Colby is next.  The reason is neither Rupert or Colby have played the game well enough to deserve to win, so I'd rather no Heroes be left at the final 3, so that isn't a reason for the jury to vote for them.

Sandra was smart to play the idol, although it looked like Rupert was going regardless, since Parvati won the immunity challenge.  I'm really hoping the final three is Parvati, Russell and Sandra, because I don't think Jerri deserves to win, but if Russell is now being true to Jerri, instead of Parvati, then it is possible Parvati could be out after Colby. 

I love the family episodes and I loved how close it came at the end.  I think Jerri should have taken Russell, but not because he is in an alliance with her, but because he came closest to winning the challenge.  Parvati would have been the next choice.

So let's look at the final 5:

Colby - I have always been a fan of his, but in this case, he doesn't deserve to win.  He has practically lucked himself through this game and never seemed like he had a strategy, other than to be aligned with Tom.  I think he is gone next.

Jerri - While Russell declared alliegence to her, I'm not so sure he wants her in the final 3.  I could actually see her winning if it came down to her, Russell and Sandra in the finals.

Sandra - I've always like Sandra too but I don't think she has played well enough to win this time.  I initially thought she may win, but the only way I see her having a shot is if Russell and Jerri are sitting next to her.  Even then, as I mentioned above, I think Jerri might actually get the vote, but then again, Sandra did try to help the Heroes, after the merge.

Russell - Will not win regardless.  Once again his social game, or lack thereof, will cost him.  That is why I no longer think he is the best Survivor to play the game, even though I still think he deserved to win last season.

Parvati - If she makes it to the final, then I think she has this game won, which will be the second time for her, which will make her the best player in Survivor history.  Not only winning twice, but her style of game play is great.  She excels at the social game and through that can be very manipulative.  So I'm actually rooting for her to win.

So until Sunday... the Tribe has spoken.

Episode 12 - Two Tribal Coucils and Candice and Danielle gone

Another great episode and a bold move by Russell and it could be a great move or it could be a bad move, but either way, it may cost him the game.  Before I get to that, lets step back a little bit.

The first challenge was amazing to watch everyone step down so quickly and it came down to Parvati and Rupert and Parvati won.  The twist was a clue to a hidden immunity idol, which Sandra found, but Rupert was smart to put a rock in his pocket to cast doubt and it worked.  The girls were dumb to vote off Candice instead of Colby, because it cost Danielle the game.  If they would have voted Colby, Russell wouldn't have questioned his alliance, meaning he wouldn't have seen the need to get rid of Danielle or Parvati.  This is also where Russell's paranoia may have hurt him or may have made it a brilliant move.  By breaking up Parvati and Danielle, he prevents a possible problem later, but he has also assured that Danielle will not vote for him, should he make the finals. Also there was talk that they thought there would be a final two, but they are being observant, since the jury started with 12, which means there will be 9 jury members and 3 finalists.

Moving on to the second challenge, Russell was a beast and deserved to win that challenge.  Colby was disappointing and really not anything like the person we saw in the Outback.  The challenge worked out well though as Parvati or Russell could get immunity and only Rupert was what could have changed things.  But ultimately Russell won and then pitted Danielle and Parvati against each other and Danielle dug her own grave at Tribal Council, as I believe that Jerri wasn't planning on voting for her.  So was it a good move by Russell, let's analyze it:

Keeping Danielle and not making the waves would have kept the peace and assuming that Parvati wouldn't have turned on Russell (something I think she would do eventually), then they had their final 3.  I think Parvati would have won in that scenario.

Getting rid of Danielle, Russell splits up the dynamic duo of Parvati and Danielle, which I think was something that needed to happen at some point, but the way it was done has cost Russell one vote for sure.  I will be really shocked if Russell get's Danielle's vote, should he gets to the end.  I'm not sure how the rest of the jury feels, but I don't think they like Russell either and it really depends who he brings to the end.  I really don't think that Russell will go with Rupert and Colby, at least longer than one vote, if at all.

So I think that Russell's best bet in the finals is to sit next to Parvati and Sandra because I think if Rupert or Colby make it to the end, with the Jury consisting of mostly Heroes, they will win.  With that said, I don't think Russell will be able to win.  I don't think the Jury is going to care that Parvati and Sandra have won previously, if sitting next to Russell.

My personal preference is that either Russell or Parvati would win this game, because I think they are the best two players in the game and in the history of Survivor.  I really think Parvati is a better player, so I really hope she wins again.  For some reason though I think Sandra may get to the end and may end up winning again.

The previews make it seem like all hell is breaking loose, but I think that is more editing than anything.  I think Russell is playing Rupert and Colby and one of them will go home.

So until next week... the Tribe has spoken.