What I'm still not completely grasping, though, is how the Upolu men could have blown such a huge lead on that puzzle. Do they lack puzzle-solving skills? We're they lackadaisical, like Christine believed? I think it has to be the latter, because that puzzle really wasn't very difficult. Hopefully they'll learn from that and FAST, because you can't win Survivor if you're going to get lazy. I'm really happy that they blew it though, otherwise Cochran was probably going home.
Obviously the biggest drama of the night was Brandon's creepy obsession with Mikayla. Coach's summary of "Brandon has demons" is probably the most succinct way to explain Brandon's issues... but I'm still not sure what's really going on. He complains that she walks around in her underwear to other people as they all stand around in their underwear. He accuses her of being slutty, when I haven't seen her make a single play in that direction. Mikayla clearly came into this game thinking that her physicality would be her greatest strength, not her flirtatious nature. I don't want to get into it too much more because I could go on for a long time. Plus, I already talked with Ben & Moon about it for about 30 minutes last night, and now I'm sick of thinking about it. However, I'd love to hear other people's opinions! Ultimately it probably doesn't bear thinking about for too long because Brandon will probably be out within the next 3 episodes anyways.
The Standings
Team Top 3: Moon - 27 pts
1. Ozzy (17 pts)
2. Sophie (3 pts)
3. Jim (7 pts)
Team Dungeons & Dragons: Me - 17 pts
1. John (7 pts)
2. Elyse (7 pts)
3. Coach (3 pts)
Team Country Bears: Courtney - 16 pts
1. Mark (7 pts)
2. Whitney (7 pts)
3. Semhar (2 pts)
Team ICRWYTNISTB: Dachui - 13 pts
1. Keith (7 pts)
2. Brandon (3 pts)
3. Stacey (3 pts)
Team Baseball, Belts & Bibles: Doug/Bri - 13 pts
1. Albert (3 pts)
2. Rick (3 pts)
3. Dawn (7 pts)
2. Christine (3 pts)
3. Edna (1 pt)
Power Rankings
1. Top 3 – Moon is getting his wish and is moving to the top of the power rankings board. Ozzy did himself & Moon a favor by finding that idol in almost no time. As Moon said, if Ozzy makes it to the merge he'll have a good chance to win a decent number of challenges, and he has a safety blanket. Still, he does have a huge target on his back, and if word gets out that he does have an immunity idol, they'll start gunning for him. My guess is that Sophie will actually outlast both Ozzy & Jim. In the war of the Savaii Alpha Male, the score's now Jim: 1, Ozzy: 1.
2. Dungeons & Dragons – I can summarize my reasons for placing myself 2nd in the power rankings with two words: Dragon Slayer. Coach is playing a crafty game, and I think he's doing a great job of controlling his team. I expect him to drop Brandon from his alliance within a couple episodes, and then bring in either Edna or Mikayla for the New Final Five. He's not being super dominating like Boston Rob was, but he's definitely still getting his way. I think Coach has a real chance to get far in this game if he can keep it up!
3. Baseball, Belts & Bibles – Doug & Bri's team is decent, but none of them seem to be stand-out players. Even if they all make it to a merge, I don't see anything of them racking up a lot of points. It's only 2 episodes in, so this could definitely change, but that's the vibe I'm getting right now. I've gotta say, though, that I was really impressed with Albert's smooth-tongued diplomacy. That guy can probably talk his way out of trouble if it starts coming his way.
3. Baseball, Belts & Bibles – Doug & Bri's team is decent, but none of them seem to be stand-out players. Even if they all make it to a merge, I don't see anything of them racking up a lot of points. It's only 2 episodes in, so this could definitely change, but that's the vibe I'm getting right now. I've gotta say, though, that I was really impressed with Albert's smooth-tongued diplomacy. That guy can probably talk his way out of trouble if it starts coming his way.
4. Hide Yer Kids, Hide Yer Wife – Bag's team is aptly named, although that wasn't intentional. His team o' ladies really should hide - from Brandon! I'm really happy that no one on the Upolu tribe wanted to go along with Brandon's "get rid of the Jezebel" plan. I like Mikayla, plus Bag would've been essentially knocked out of the game without her.
5. Country Bears – Papa Bear and Whitney got almost no air time this week, so I can't really change Courtney Bar's power ranking. But we'll be cheering for Semhar in next week's "Battle of the Useless" on Redemption Island!
6. ICRWYTNISTB– Dachui's team is getting worse and worse and creepier and creepier! Brandon now has tattoo issues as well as women issues. Stacey is definitely the most disposable on her tribe. Keith's in a good spot, but 1 out of 3 is not enough strength to win the Survivor pool.
8 comments:
Amazing that two teams could be ranked worse (justifiably) than Bag's.
With the exception of Coach and Ozzy, I feel like a lot of air time at this point in the game isn't usually a good sign. My guess is Brandon, Jim, and Cochran won't be around long after the merge, if not sooner.
Mikayla is getting screwed right now for no justifiable reason. Brandon is trying to lead a witch hunt and I can't figure out why? What are his "demons" and will we ever find out? And how is his wife reacting to his interviews! Who knows... I agree with Michal and I see coach and the rest of his alliance switching Brandon out for Mikayla and/or Edna.
Picking Albert as the 2nd overall pick (after trading Tom the first pick) I was betting on Albert having some social AND athletic skills. He (and his fellow team members) should have finished off the puzzle this episode, but I was very happily surprised at his smooth talking and deflection of the "Probstbation" at tribal. I'm going to disagree with Michal, however, and predict him racking up some serious points by the end of the pool. He's just laying low right now, cause he has the end game in mind.
Lastly - Onion Bagel, Cream Cheese.
Agreed with Moon.
I have an off topic question. You list yourself as having the pool low score for the 'Samoa' season. But I do not see Samoa listed under anyone's name as a victory. Is it known by a different name (e.g. Heroes v Villains, Fan vs. Favorites)?
Unless this was just sneaky updated by Michal, Samoa is listed under Bag's wins.
So, Mr. Bag, if you want me to start another interesting "thread" you'll probably need to find it here instead of FB cuz I'm kinda boycotting the stupid service.
ANYWAY, I want to weigh in on the Brandon-Mykala situation. "Witch hunt" is a very appropriate description, because in my humble opinion, it's men like Brandon who were responsible for the real witch hunts in our history. Men who cannot control their own lusts have for ever "blamed the woman." Actually, this is my complaint about burkas, as well. Muslim men who don't want to have to take responsibility for their own wandering eyes and lasciviousness decided that women need to cover every iota of skin so they won't be "tempted." It's an old, old story, so blatantly illustrated by Brandon. I'm glad he got called out at least a little by Christine and Sophie. Do you think scuzziness is genetic?
Also, re: Coach--it's like a whole new guy. Unlike Evil Russell, he seems to have learned from his past missteps and is taking on a much humbler, wiser attitude. I actually like him so far, and in past years I've been ready to shoot him.
I'm not so quick or sneaky to have added a win to the list, so Samoa must've been there before.
My mom just summarized my thoughts on Brandon better than I could've. Thanks Mom! And apparently at least our opinion about scuzzy men is genetic :)
Or I taught you well! ;-)
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