I just got home from working an 11-10 shift, so I was sure hoping for a good episode tonight, to keep me entertained and cap my night off with something good. I gave up on the hopes of something great, since Survivor has sort of lost its edge, but so far this season has been pretty good/entertaining, so I could still hope for something good. And, I can also hope to discontinue my use of run-on sentences. You’re welcome, Mrs. Murphy. Just a quick note – Mrs. Murphy was my 9th grade and 12th grade English teacher – she, in no way, cared about my run-on sentences, but I couldn’t remember any other teacher’s name that I EVER had in my entire 16 year education process. And, we tell our kids education is important, right? One teacher! That’s all I can, honestly, remember, right now in this moment. That’s a shame.
Anyway, we break into the episode at the Gota tribe, where Eddie and Reynold are throwing a PBS fit since they didn’t get their way. I loved Michael’s comment, “Where did you think we’re gonna go from here?” Something along those lines, but I just loved it in retort to Eddie’s same question, basically trying to paint himself (and Reynold) as the savior(s) of the tribe, when they’re really just ticked off because they’re on the outs of the main alliance. I also loved how they attributed Hope being voted out because she was the prettiest girl in the game! Yeah, that’s exactly why they voted her out, dummies. It had nothing to do with her being in your alliance, and them hoping that if they kept you two dummies around, you’d help them win a challenge or two. But, you go ahead and keep thinking it was because she was pretty. PBS is a real epidemic. I’m not lying. Also, I wish I suffered from it.
Over on the Bikal beach, Phillip is off and running again, proving himself to be quite the entertainer. He, also, proved he read a book or two during his time away from the game, equating himself to Napoleon and how he knew he couldn’t pay his troops, so he gave his troops names and status, in hopes of keeping their loyalty in times of war. I’ll let that one slide, Phillip, because it actually makes a tad bit of sense. Although, I will say that you’re taking it a bit too far now. It was cute and funny the first time around, but now you’re just handing out names to everyone, and hoping they don’t all turn on you, yet you’re doing exactly that by beating a dead horse. Also, Brandon is no “Conqueror.” Did you not watch his last season? The guy has serious issues. Here’s how the names SHOULD ring out in StealthsRUs:
Phillip: The Crazy
Andrea: The Blonde
Malcolm: The X Factor
Brenda: The Purple Bikini
Cochran: Harvard – I’m giving out this nickname to him, even though I promised myself that I’d only ever call someone Harvard if they were a complete moron, which I don’t think Cochran is at all.
Brandon: The Half-Turd
Erik: The Other Guy That Doesn’t Matter
That’s everyone, right? Oh no, Dawn. I’d just call Dawn, Dawn. She doesn’t need a nickname. The Bag Lady, maybe. Something offensive, probably, that didn’t really fit her personality, but just so we could call her that and see if they’d air it or if they’d continually pretend she wasn’t a part of our group, or bleep it.
Let’s head on over to the first reward challenge of the season. How about it? Who’s excited? Are you? I know I am, because the winner of this event gets a bushmen to come over to their camp to teach them how to survive on the island. Awesome. Who wants the yacht ride and steak dinner – give me the fruit, the chicken, and the bushmen.
Shamar tries to take one for the team, and let all the girls climb on top of him, but doesn’t realize that in the process, he’s taking up the entire plank they’re all supposed to stand on, which causes the Favorites to have a slight advantage, and pulling out the reward challenge victory! Congrats on your win, guys.
I think the phrase you were looking for is “phoning it in.” I also think you are correct about the casting of the “fans” because if they truly are fans of the show they have to be the dumbest ones they could find.
That was seriously silly of Shamar to crouch on the platform, he could have stood in the middle as support beam. I think Cochran and Laura should talk, I think they could have good, intelligent conversations. Just saying.
It was “mailing it in.” I thought of it as I was lying down, going to sleep. Of course.
But, yes, “phoning it in” works, as well. Ugh – such a dumb mistake on my part…
I thought Cochran was hilarious when he was describing the bushman at camp, how he was doing housekeeping and ‘bumping and grinding’ with the girls? And how he would be perceived as a creepy predator if he tried to do the things Tata did,lol…
I agree, I think Cochran’s comments about the bushman were funny, and spot on. He’s made me laugh a few times.
I noticed too this years challenges have a lot of throwing – maybe they were trying to cater to Malcolm this season or something, I think Probst really liked Malcolm, maybe the survivor gods did too, and want him to win. But, I have been enjoying the originality of the challenges -‘a lot better than in recent seasons where it did feel like they were phoning it in. This year they gap have been rather elaborate set ups, would have taken a lot of time,
And, while I agree with you Scott that they should have stuck with their alliance, I really didn’t want them too, I think this will make the show more interesting – because if they kept their original alliance, I honest think the fav’s would have picked them off. Like you said, others will be pulled towards Eddie and Reynold, and I think that will make for an interesting game for us to watch anyway. But, you know when it comes to Reynold I suffer a bit from PBS myself, and I would have been sad not to see him next week 😉 might have been a factor. Sherri is the only girl I liked from that team, so I hope she sticks around, I think if she aligns right come the merge, she could go far. She reminds me a bit of Denise from last season.
hi scott 🙂 i love your recaps! the only survivor blog i read. i read a few of the bachelor ones and you are definitely up there with the funniest blogs about silly “reality” tv shows. this is the first comment i’ve made on any! so umm yeah, you’re super special.
i agree with most of what you have to say each week and appreciate how articulately you point out all the absurd in this show, be it the “characters” or editing or the lack of actually HIDING the HIDDEN immunity idols! i mean sheesh.
but what i really want to know is if you, or anyone besides myself (i haven’t seen anyone mention it) has noticed something. does anyone else see Sandra Bullock
every time Sherri is on screen?? the resemblance is pretty serious
Thanks, aliceswonderland!! I feel pretty special. 🙂
I think it may just be you – I don’t see any Sandra Bullock resemblance. But, I’ll give it another look next week.
Odd coincidence here. Two controversial and heated characters, Colton and now Shamar, were removed for medical purposes. They don’t want to portray the LGBT community wrong and obviously don’t want to offend the Marines and military. Not saying it’s set up but two of the loudest and most confrontational players in survivor history were both medically removed. Strange. Thoughts?
Interesting discussion on hidden immunity idols
http://robhasawebsite.com/buffington-post-whats-wrong-hidden-immunity-idols-survivor-caramoan-glenn-holford-s26e4/
Also, there is a picture of Sherri in there, and I have to say, I do now see the Sandra Bullock resembalance.
I won’t ever put anything past production studios, but I don’t think they pulled those two guys for anything other than they were truly injured. They have the choice to edit these people any way they seem fit, so they’re the ones choosing to show the “negative” side of things. And, since reality shows LOVE drama, why would they want to send those two home when that’s all they’re doing. You may be on to something, but I don’t think so. But, I’ve been wrong before…
Scott — Love the blog! I must agree I think everyone loves Malcolm and I’m rooting for him to win this time around. He’s one of the best to watch, or at least was last season. They aren’t giving him nearly as much air time this go around. Philip was super annoying the first time on, but this time he’s simply hysterical.
Quick question — any idea why Jeff only wears blue shirts???
@Aliceswonderland – I see Sandra Bullock EVERY TIME!!!!!! It was driving me silly.
yess! i’m not the only one! 🙂
thanks Cndgirl and recklessstarlight!
ok Scott, seeee?? now you have to think about that at least once when she’s on tonight! and if you tell me you don’t see it i will stop reading!! just kidding, no i won’t. but let me know if you do! 🙂