I think this episode was a little bit better than last week’s, but I think I’m still waiting for something to happen that makes me remember why I love Survivor so much. I think this season is starting to wear on my love for the show. Maybe it’s just because I’m blogging about it now, because the same thing happened with Big Brother this past season, although that season really did suck!
Anyway, I digress a lot if you haven’t noticed. We start the episode at Upolu (or as Dawn would call it, Oompa Loompa, didn’t it sound like she called it that at Tribal?!?), where everyone is talking about how they can’t have Loco around after the merge, because, well, he’s Loco! They are considering him a liability and think his blowups are going to cost them the game, even if they make it to merge with a stronger numbered alliance. Then, Coach takes it to the extreme when he talks about (figuratively, of course) putting a bullet in his head, like how George did to Lenny in Of Mice and Men. Great book, by the way, and that’s coming from someone who DESPISES reading! Only difference here, Coach, is George killed Lenny to spare other human life, seeing as how Lenny was a killer. You’re playing some ridiculous game where you’re basically doing the same things he is doing, just behind people’s backs instead of to their face. If you think you want to put a bullet in his head, there are probably other people who would want to put one in yours. Think about that.
As we come back from the opening credits/commercial break, we head right to the Duel. This told me that there is some drama forthcoming in this episode since they are getting right down to the duel this week. I enjoyed Ozzy and The Coch’s reaction when they saw that Mikayla was the one voted out and facing off against Christine in the duel. I would have had the same reaction if I was them, but also would have been excited since it was obvious Upolu didn’t care much about strength, and was voting off based on personal reasons. That is always a good sign to see coming out of the other camp.
And, Mikayla proved she just can’t perform unless she’s half naked with shoulder pads and eye black on. The least you could have done, Mikayla was play in your bikini. I’m not knocking what you do for a living (hell, I’ll watch if it’s ever on a regular TV station), just saying you should have competed in what your used to competing in. Every edge you can grab for, you have to latch onto. But, you didn’t, and you’re gone. Christine wins her fifth duel in a row and is still in the game. Congratulations to her. I’m actually rooting for her to get back in the game, even with how this episode ended…
After the duel was over, Ozzy came up with one of his idiotic, thought-to-be brilliant plans. He thinks of a “worst case scenario plan” where if they lose the challenge later, he will sacrifice himself to go to Redemption so that the Savaii tribe can be assured a victory against Christine and therefore have numbers going into the merge, which he assumes is happening after that duel is over. Since when is it ever smart to sacrifice yourself? I understand your thought process that you would want to have numbers going into the merge, but wasn’t anybody paying attention at the duels where Christine was flicking off her old tribe or even at the duel Ozzy JUST witnessed where Albert was helping out Mikayla but not saying a word to Christine?!? Doesn’t he see that even her old tribe doesn’t want her to win, because they’re fairly certain she’s flipping? This is Ozzy’s third time playing and he’s made it past the merge both other times, so he should know by now that people flip after the merge. It happens every single year, so why worry so much about needing to beat Christine at the duel? I think this season has to go down as one of the worst played seasons by a “favorite” to win.
Oh, and the best part of his plan is that he is going to give up his immunity idol to someone on his tribe before he goes to Redemption Island and then expect them to give it back once he returns. Genius. I can’t think of a better thing to do than give away your safety in the game, not once but twice, by first asking to be voted off, and second, by giving up our immunity idol. I say it again, Genius.
“I’m not worthy. I’m not worthy. I’m not worthy, Father.” What the hell happened to Coach’s sanity? See, I knew they were just editing him in a better light this season and that he was still up to all his old weird antics. Look, I’m not knocking prayer. I believe in praying. I do pray, sometimes. But, I am weirded out by people who pray so openly, in public. Like Pretty Eyes even said, how weird is it to hear someone pray about a lie, when Coach was praying to God (who knows all, I might add) to find the “hidden” immunity idol even though he already had it in his possession? I’m all for people believing in God and letting it be known they believe in God, but there comes a time when you can keep things to yourself.
Even with the lie to God, I think Coach’s plan to pretend to find the hidden immunity idol so that the rest of his tribe knew they had it was a brilliant move. He found a way to “tell” everyone he found it without making them see him for a snake for holding back that information. Kudos to a game well played so far by Coach. He may be a wackjob, but the man is playing a pretty good game of Survivor and I really do believe he’s deserving of a win from what they’ve showed us. Although, Loco was a little TOO excited when Coach told him he found the idol. All that jumping around and hugging other people was a bit awkward. I get why the idol is such a wanted commodity in the game, but these people do understand that it’s not really that valuable when the ENTIRE TRIBE OWNS IT!! It’s not like, after the merge, the other tribe is going to tell you, “Hey, I think we’re going to vote out Albert. It’s a good thing you don’t have the idol.” No, it’s called blindsides for a reason. The idol is only valuable when one person is in possession of it and they don’t tell anybody, yet they know when their time is coming. Seriously, in all the years of Survivor, how many times have you seen the idol get used and have it been a “good play?” In recent years, it seems as if the idol has been worthless. Even when it is played, that person didn’t get voted out to begin with. So, the “power” of the hidden immunity idol is all in these people’s heads. Many people have been voted out holding onto the idol, so go jump up and down about that, Loco…
I’m still regaining my vision after seeing The Coch without his shirt on at the challenge. People can be THAT white?!? Good God, that kid looks like he would instantly develop skin cancer by stepping foot in a tanning booth! I did get a kick out of the face and body painting, with Sophie painting a beard to match Albert’s, and both Brandon and Albert painting blue bras on their bodies. It’s not often I get out laughs during Survivor, so some comedy is warranted every now and again.
Great post! I felt so bad for Cochran when Probt started ripping on him during the challenge, then even worse when they got back to camp! I am def pulling for him, as an underdog! At the beginning of the season I was a huge Ozzy fan, but by last night I was happy he volunteered himself to be sent to redemption.
After the credits I noticed that Ozzy voted for Coch, are players not allowed to vote for themselves because I was certain they would show him with his own name written down.
And I am surprised by your answer the fav reality show female contesant… I thought for sure Cassi would be in the running! You were obsessed with her!!
Thanks for the great read!
Yeah, I know everyone expected me to go with Cassi, but had I had to write blogs about the shows those other girls were on, you would have seen what obsessed really is like!! 🙂
So Scott you never answered the question above – are you not allowed to vote for yourself at Tribal?
I’m pretty sure that Jeff says you can’t vote for yourself when there is a tie, so that must be the rule. I’m with Scott, I start to question why I am watching the show until I see a real survivor move happening. It’s not happening yet, but I hope it does(usually after merge). I love the blog, love to talk survivor. The first and best reality/game show. Also as good as the biggest loser for weight loss.