Redemption Island: Episode 7

Guess who's in 2nd place now bitches? That's right, the soggy Saggy Bottom Panties came through big time! Actually I was pretty amazed that Phillip knocked that last brick wall down largely by himself. He's either stronger than I thought, or just so nuts that he doesn't realize that he broke bones attempting it. Maybe he hit his head hard enough in the attempt that he got some sense knocked back in!
Interesting choice by the Purple tribe to eliminate Sarita, and I wonder if we'll have a bunch of Talking Heads saying that it was a terrible idea now that they're going into a merge. I think that they made the wrong decision - they made their "loyalty" bed with their last decision, and they should have laid in it no matter how prickly it felt. Instead they panicked & flipped back to the "strength" bed at exactly the wrong time.

No matter who wins the pre-merge duel I'm really excited to see the dynamic that will ensue with a free vote wandering around their camp. Both Sarita and Matt could choose to ally themselves with their old tribe, or switch to the other one. I think that coming back in, either sticking with your old tribe or trying something new is a good move. It'll be interesting to see what their decision is. I think that if Matt switched to Purple that Phillip and/or Andrea could go with him, and give Purple the majority again.

With all that being said, ANYTHING can happen after a merge, and I'm excited to see what alliances collapse, what new bonds forge, and who will take the first stab at Boston Rob.


The Standings
 
Team Cockydoodlebug: Doug/Bri - 63 pts
1. Grant (20 pts)
2. Rooster (23 pts)
3. Andrea (20 pts)

Team Saggy Bottom Panties: Me - 60 pts
1. Phillip (20 pts)
2. Ashley (20 pts)
3. Natalie (20 pts)

Team #Winning!: Moon - 56 pts
1. Boston Rob (30 pts)
2. David (13 pts)
[3. Krista (13 pts)]

Team Evil Crushell: Courtney - 36 pts
[1. Evil Russell (10 pts)]
2. Sarita (11 pts)
3. Julie (15 pts)

Team Fabioesque: Dachui - 35 pts
1. Mike (15 pts)
2. Matt (5 pts)
[3. Stephanie (15)]

Team Haterz Gonna Hate: Bag - 25 pts
[1. Francesca (0 pts)]
[2. Kristina (10 pts)]
3. Steve (15 pts)


Power Rankings

1. Team Cockydoodlebug - Still crushing, although there's some concern that Rooster may have been the only tribemate to side with Sarita & vote for Dave. He still has the hidden immunity idol, but he may start drawing fire because of that. Maybe it won't matter though because of the merge. Still liking this team, especially now that Grant can own the physical challenges & start raking in points. I don't think Rob will let him get close to the finals, but he doesn't have to be a closer to be an asset to this team.

2. Team #Winning! - We're entering a danger zone for Rob, who's more at risk with a merge than before. But Dave survived the last tribal council, and could now be a real producer for Moon. He seems really well-rounded, except for his obnoxious personality.

3. Saggy Bottom Panties - I've determined that my team is filled with dark horses to win this, the darkest horse obviously being Phillip. They may be lazy, crazy, and disgusting, but my team is in an alliance that could potentially see two of them at final tribal council. Could this be enough to get me the win, even without individual wins on the way? We'll have to see...

4. Team Fabioesque - Fabioesque fell pretty far behind in the points race with Matt out of commission. But if he survives this next duel, then he could be a huge threat to the game. Everyone's going to want him in their alliance I would expect, and he's proven himself capable of winning the sorts of challenges that will be common post-merge. Hopefully a late comeback from Fabioesque's alpha males will put them right back in this thing.

5. Evil Crushell -  Losing Sarita hurts, but she could pull a huge upset & be right back in this thing. Based on her exit interview she's already mentally preparing herself to forgive her tribe 100%. If she does come back, then suddenly the tribes are tied again, too. This may have turned out to be an uber-crafty move on the Purple tribe's part: no way would Dave forgive his tribe if they'd voted him out, but if Sarita comes back they're still 6 strong.

6. Team Haterz Gonna Hate - I think Steve is suffering, not from old age, but from guilt at coming up with the idea of throwing a challenge to eliminate Russell. This was his brainchild & it's come back to bite them hardcore. Now Purple tribe is turning against each other & not meshing at all. It's a tough burden to bear but he needs to shake that off and get his mind back in the game!