Malcolm's story arc of bad decision after bad decision ended with - you guessed it - another bad decision. He had so much potential and it was disappointing to watch him play such a sloppy game. With him out of the picture, I hope that Cochran & Andrea will continue to search for the idol where he was looking! There is treasure there to be found.
I'm always a fan of a Survivor auction with some gross stuff involved, but I wish there'd been more of it. And shame on Team Stealth for letting Malcolm win 1 of the strategic advantages! While it didn't work out for Malcolm this time, often the minority alliance/player is able to turn the tables based on the advantages they get at the auction. They need to go in with a plan for that sort of thing, and someone needs to step up and make the "sacrifice" to win the immunity idol clue for the team.
Cochran continues his tear in challenges too! Who would have thought during the draft that at this point in the game he'd be our points leader? Strategic player? Yes. Has a chance of going on a deep run and even winning the game? Sure. But points leader? Not a chance! Cochran is almost like a Malcolm in reverse. In his first season he tried the whole betrayal & treachery plan & it didn't work out so well for him. This season he's just embracing his nerdy self & taking advantage of his strengths. I can't help but cheer for him & hope his story arc continues on its optimistic path.
Jessum's Harem, on the other hand, is letting that voice in their head get to them. (It's just Jessum, ladies, don't let him scare you!) Both Dawn & Brenda are doing a really bad job of holding it together. Hopefully the food helps.
Erik continues to be completely clueless, but he's SO clueless that people really aren't considering him as a threat, so that's actually working well for him. Will either Eddie or Reynold finally get voted out next week? They've been on the chopping block since Day 3, and it rankles me that they are both still in.
I'd like to see a women's alliance form and try & go to the end. Not sure it'll actually happen because I get the feeling they mostly don't trust (or like) each other, but I think Sherri might be able to lead the charge on that. She'd have a good chance against the other ladies, I think! She has a great underdog story, she's persevering, she hasn't really pissed anyone off, and she hasn't gone off the deep-end at any point in the game. Andrea would be her biggest competition, but she could get her knocked off fourth pretty easily I think.
Side Bets:
Bag has lost every single side bet this season. Congrats Bag!
- Toothpaste: Pickett v. Bag -- Winner: Pickett
- Med-evac: Bag (Cochran) v. Moon (Shamar) -- Winner (so far): Moon
- Odds on Malcolm hooking up with a fellow castaway - Pickett =-500 on no hook-ups -- Winner: Pickett
The Score:
JeffCo Cartel "The Great White Hope": 114 points
1. Erik - 35 pts
2. Eddie - 32 pts
[3. Hope - 3 pts]
4. Cochran - 41 pts
[5. Allie - 3 pts]
Moon "the Blindsiders": 104 points
[1. Malcolm - 41 pts]
2. Andrea - 29 pts
[3. Michael - 20 pts]
4. Sherri - 12 pts
[5. Francesca - 2 pts]
Pickett "Jessum's Harem": 101 points
1. Brenda - 31 pts
2. Dawn - 21 pts
[3. Laura - 1 pt]
[4. Corinne - 17 pts]
[5. Phillip - 31 pts]
Bag & Leah "Shamarn't": 66 points
1. Reynold - 37 pts
[2. Julia - 6 pts]
[3. Matt - 6 pts]
[4. Shamar - -2 pts]
[5. B. Hantz - 19 pts]
Power Rankings:
1. The Great White Hope
2. The Blindsiders
3. Jessum's Harem
4. Shamarn't
Douche of the Week:
Malcolm, largely for his "even if I'd found the idol I wouldn't have played it" exit interview.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Fans v. Faves II: Episode 10
So much to talk about in this episode, but sadly I have very little time to do it! So I'm doing quick talking-points instead:
1) This episode's reward challenge was a beautiful example of how working as a team can be more powerful than having physically fit, athletic people. Good strategy & good teamwork by the purple group!
2) Dawn's breakdown & paranoia was overblown in last week's preview (thank goodness) - I completely understand how it could happen if you're getting no sleep in such a stressful environment. I just hope it didn't hurt her chances too much of winning. Yay Brenda for becoming a close ally to her too!
3) Is Cochran now the favorite to win the whole thing? I think so. Winning that food eating challenge must have given him a whomping boost of confidence that he was sorely in need of because he's been on a tear ever since!
4) I had no problem with Phillip sitting out the immunity challenge. Probst had a better chance of winning it than he did, so traumatic childhood incident or no, save the energy I say!
5) Tribal Council: was Malcolm's idol play brilliant or wasteful? I say wasteful! Considering his athleticism & puzzle-ability, using the idols for himself keeps him in the game longer with good chances of winning immunity on the way & other opportunities for flipping players in the alliance. Plus, once that alliance is down to just 1 player it's not a minority alliance anymore; it's a swing vote. I think Malcolm was hoping he could get away with not playing his idol... until Probst noted it could be a bluff. Plus, if he is going to make this sort of play, the amigos should target someone who will fracture the alliance, not Phillip. Most people in the Stealth alliance are very okay with Phillip going home, so they're not going to switch their voting plan. If they'd targeted Andrea or Cochran on the other hand things might have gotten messier. (Credit goes to Ben for making this observation.) Overall I think that Malcolm has been playing the worst strategic game this season of all the players. It seems like he wanted to be a bad guy, but he's just not that good at that kind of strategy.
Side Bets:
- Toothpaste: Pickett v. Bag -- Winner: Pickett
- Med-evac: Bag (Cochran) v. Moon (Shamar) -- Winner (so far): Moon!
- Odds on Malcolm hooking up with a fellow castaway - Pickett is taking -500 on him not hooking up with anyone
The Score:
Pickett "Jessum's Harem": 99 points
1. Brenda - 31 pts
2. Dawn - 19 pts
[3. Laura - 1 pt]
[4. Corinne - 17 pts]
[5. Phillip - 31 pts]
JeffCo Cartel "The Great White Hope": 98 points
1. Erik - 33 pts
2. Eddie - 28 pts
[3. Hope - 3 pts]
4. Cochran - 31 pts
[5. Allie - 3 pts]
Moon "the Blindsiders": 84 points
1. Malcolm - 27 pts
2. Andrea - 25 pts
[3. Michael - 20 pts]
4. Sherri - 10 pts
[5. Francesca - 2 pts]
Bag & Leah "Shamarn't": 62 points
1. Reynold - 33 pts
[2. Julia - 6 pts]
[3. Matt - 6 pts]
[4. Shamar - -2 pts]
[5. B. Hantz - 19 pts]
Power Rankings:
1. The Great White Hope
2. Jessum's Harem
3. The Blindsiders
4. Shamarn't
Douche of the Week:
Malcolm.
1) This episode's reward challenge was a beautiful example of how working as a team can be more powerful than having physically fit, athletic people. Good strategy & good teamwork by the purple group!
2) Dawn's breakdown & paranoia was overblown in last week's preview (thank goodness) - I completely understand how it could happen if you're getting no sleep in such a stressful environment. I just hope it didn't hurt her chances too much of winning. Yay Brenda for becoming a close ally to her too!
3) Is Cochran now the favorite to win the whole thing? I think so. Winning that food eating challenge must have given him a whomping boost of confidence that he was sorely in need of because he's been on a tear ever since!
4) I had no problem with Phillip sitting out the immunity challenge. Probst had a better chance of winning it than he did, so traumatic childhood incident or no, save the energy I say!
5) Tribal Council: was Malcolm's idol play brilliant or wasteful? I say wasteful! Considering his athleticism & puzzle-ability, using the idols for himself keeps him in the game longer with good chances of winning immunity on the way & other opportunities for flipping players in the alliance. Plus, once that alliance is down to just 1 player it's not a minority alliance anymore; it's a swing vote. I think Malcolm was hoping he could get away with not playing his idol... until Probst noted it could be a bluff. Plus, if he is going to make this sort of play, the amigos should target someone who will fracture the alliance, not Phillip. Most people in the Stealth alliance are very okay with Phillip going home, so they're not going to switch their voting plan. If they'd targeted Andrea or Cochran on the other hand things might have gotten messier. (Credit goes to Ben for making this observation.) Overall I think that Malcolm has been playing the worst strategic game this season of all the players. It seems like he wanted to be a bad guy, but he's just not that good at that kind of strategy.
Side Bets:
- Toothpaste: Pickett v. Bag -- Winner: Pickett
- Med-evac: Bag (Cochran) v. Moon (Shamar) -- Winner (so far): Moon!
- Odds on Malcolm hooking up with a fellow castaway - Pickett is taking -500 on him not hooking up with anyone
The Score:
Pickett "Jessum's Harem": 99 points
1. Brenda - 31 pts
2. Dawn - 19 pts
[3. Laura - 1 pt]
[4. Corinne - 17 pts]
[5. Phillip - 31 pts]
JeffCo Cartel "The Great White Hope": 98 points
1. Erik - 33 pts
2. Eddie - 28 pts
[3. Hope - 3 pts]
4. Cochran - 31 pts
[5. Allie - 3 pts]
Moon "the Blindsiders": 84 points
1. Malcolm - 27 pts
2. Andrea - 25 pts
[3. Michael - 20 pts]
4. Sherri - 10 pts
[5. Francesca - 2 pts]
Bag & Leah "Shamarn't": 62 points
1. Reynold - 33 pts
[2. Julia - 6 pts]
[3. Matt - 6 pts]
[4. Shamar - -2 pts]
[5. B. Hantz - 19 pts]
Power Rankings:
1. The Great White Hope
2. Jessum's Harem
3. The Blindsiders
4. Shamarn't
Douche of the Week:
Malcolm.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Fans v. Faves II: Episode 9
What a great episode! Lots of meta-game going on and a nice variety of strategies coming into play right now.
Dawn to me was the most impressive player this episode. Somehow word must not have made it to Malcolm & Co that she's the reason their first blindside failed, otherwise I have no idea why they'd talk to her again. But when they did she played it brilliantly. She's certainly a better actor & strategist than anyone is giving her credit for. I wonder how much of her weeping with Andrea at the end of the episode was an act too.
I'm second-most impressed by Malcolm's last-second plea/demand for Reynold's immunity idol. The fact that Reynold gave it to him was foolish, but this was insanely effective for Malcolm because 1) he saved his own idol, and 2) no one will believe that he has another one in his back pocket now. He can easily knock out a member of the majority alliance with that. However, that won't be enough for him to survive, so really what he needs to do next is figure out how to leverage his idol into more than just 1 casualty.
I wonder how much the Fave alliance calculates their plans around how likely it is that Phillip will blow them at tribal council. I think you'd have to because there's no way to control what he says. Or maybe they encouraged him to give his speech to get Reynold or Malcolm to play the idol? Now THAT would be an amazing strategy!
Right now Eddie is the only one in the Buff Guy alliance who is playing a good strategy. Trying to get Faves to switch into their alliance is a lost cause, which they should have figured that out after the last episode. Trying to wheedle your way into the majority alliance is definitely a better way to go right now. I expect Eddie to outlast Reynold at this point.
Side Bets:
- Toothpaste: Pickett v. Bag -- Winner: Pickett
- Med-evac: Bag (Cochran) v. Moon (Shamar) -- Winner (so far): Moon!
- Odds on Malcolm hooking up with a fellow castaway - Pickett is taking -500 on him not hooking up with anyone
The Score:
Moon "the Blindsiders": 84 points
1. Malcolm - 27 pts
2. Andrea - 25 pts
[3. Michael - 20 pts]
4. Sherri - 10 pts
[5. Francesca - 2 pts]
Pickett "Jessum's Harem": 83 points
1. Brenda - 31 pts
2. Dawn - 15 pts
[3. Laura - 1 pt]
[4. Corinne - 17 pts]
5. Phillip - 19 pts
JeffCo Cartel "The Great White Hope": 80 points
1. Erik - 29 pts
2. Eddie - 18 pts
[3. Hope - 3 pts]
4. Cochran - 27 pts
[5. Allie - 3 pts]
Bag & Leah "Shamarn't": 52 points
1. Reynold - 23 pts
[2. Julia - 6 pts]
[3. Matt - 6 pts]
[4. Shamar - -2 pts]
[5. B. Hantz - 19 pts]
Power Rankings:
1. Jessum's Harem - That's right, I've declared myself as the strongest team! I'm probably seriously jumping the gun on this based on previews for next week, but at this time I think that Dawn is playing the best game, Brenda is earning me points, and Phillip is annoying to the point of virtually guaranteeing himself a spot at Final Tribal. Dawn, Phillip & Cochran for the Finals!!
2. The Blindsiders - Moon has the two big guns on his tribe and there's no way they're both making it to Final Tribal. And while Andrea is a great schemer, she's prone to really intense panics which I think will ultimately be her undoing. For these reasons, even though Moon has the sole lead for the first time this season, I'm dropping him out of the top place. Losing Michael was a blow too. Better to lose him than either Andrea or Malcolm, but still, he could've brought in more points.
3. The Great White Hope - I loved watching Cochran's reaction to the Buff Guys' invitation to join the big balls club. It really proves to me how much of an asshole & idiot Reynold is. He only thinks one way so he assumes everyone else will think the same way as him. And he definitely doesn't think women are as smart as men. If he did, there's no way they could have fooled him as often as they do. Erik is still off in lala land (or beyond it) and while Eddie is finally playing a smarter game, I think it's too little too late. He also needs to be prepared to backstab Reynold which he doesn't seems to be willing to do.
4. Shamarn't - Reynold needs a new idol & a new plan fast. This guy lost everything but his lit torch this episode.
Douche of the Week:
Phillip for DOW. I almost gave it to Reynold for handing over his idol & being a misogynist, but then remembered that Phillip decided to take credit for uncovering Malcolm's betrayal. Maybe the spirit of Jessum Herring whispered it to him in a dream, but otherwise he just happened to be sitting nearby while everyone else made the plans, gathered evidence, and tricked the other players.
Dawn to me was the most impressive player this episode. Somehow word must not have made it to Malcolm & Co that she's the reason their first blindside failed, otherwise I have no idea why they'd talk to her again. But when they did she played it brilliantly. She's certainly a better actor & strategist than anyone is giving her credit for. I wonder how much of her weeping with Andrea at the end of the episode was an act too.
I'm second-most impressed by Malcolm's last-second plea/demand for Reynold's immunity idol. The fact that Reynold gave it to him was foolish, but this was insanely effective for Malcolm because 1) he saved his own idol, and 2) no one will believe that he has another one in his back pocket now. He can easily knock out a member of the majority alliance with that. However, that won't be enough for him to survive, so really what he needs to do next is figure out how to leverage his idol into more than just 1 casualty.
I wonder how much the Fave alliance calculates their plans around how likely it is that Phillip will blow them at tribal council. I think you'd have to because there's no way to control what he says. Or maybe they encouraged him to give his speech to get Reynold or Malcolm to play the idol? Now THAT would be an amazing strategy!
Right now Eddie is the only one in the Buff Guy alliance who is playing a good strategy. Trying to get Faves to switch into their alliance is a lost cause, which they should have figured that out after the last episode. Trying to wheedle your way into the majority alliance is definitely a better way to go right now. I expect Eddie to outlast Reynold at this point.
Side Bets:
- Toothpaste: Pickett v. Bag -- Winner: Pickett
- Med-evac: Bag (Cochran) v. Moon (Shamar) -- Winner (so far): Moon!
- Odds on Malcolm hooking up with a fellow castaway - Pickett is taking -500 on him not hooking up with anyone
The Score:
Moon "the Blindsiders": 84 points
1. Malcolm - 27 pts
2. Andrea - 25 pts
[3. Michael - 20 pts]
4. Sherri - 10 pts
[5. Francesca - 2 pts]
Pickett "Jessum's Harem": 83 points
1. Brenda - 31 pts
2. Dawn - 15 pts
[3. Laura - 1 pt]
[4. Corinne - 17 pts]
5. Phillip - 19 pts
JeffCo Cartel "The Great White Hope": 80 points
1. Erik - 29 pts
2. Eddie - 18 pts
[3. Hope - 3 pts]
4. Cochran - 27 pts
[5. Allie - 3 pts]
Bag & Leah "Shamarn't": 52 points
1. Reynold - 23 pts
[2. Julia - 6 pts]
[3. Matt - 6 pts]
[4. Shamar - -2 pts]
[5. B. Hantz - 19 pts]
Power Rankings:
1. Jessum's Harem - That's right, I've declared myself as the strongest team! I'm probably seriously jumping the gun on this based on previews for next week, but at this time I think that Dawn is playing the best game, Brenda is earning me points, and Phillip is annoying to the point of virtually guaranteeing himself a spot at Final Tribal. Dawn, Phillip & Cochran for the Finals!!
2. The Blindsiders - Moon has the two big guns on his tribe and there's no way they're both making it to Final Tribal. And while Andrea is a great schemer, she's prone to really intense panics which I think will ultimately be her undoing. For these reasons, even though Moon has the sole lead for the first time this season, I'm dropping him out of the top place. Losing Michael was a blow too. Better to lose him than either Andrea or Malcolm, but still, he could've brought in more points.
3. The Great White Hope - I loved watching Cochran's reaction to the Buff Guys' invitation to join the big balls club. It really proves to me how much of an asshole & idiot Reynold is. He only thinks one way so he assumes everyone else will think the same way as him. And he definitely doesn't think women are as smart as men. If he did, there's no way they could have fooled him as often as they do. Erik is still off in lala land (or beyond it) and while Eddie is finally playing a smarter game, I think it's too little too late. He also needs to be prepared to backstab Reynold which he doesn't seems to be willing to do.
4. Shamarn't - Reynold needs a new idol & a new plan fast. This guy lost everything but his lit torch this episode.
Douche of the Week:
Phillip for DOW. I almost gave it to Reynold for handing over his idol & being a misogynist, but then remembered that Phillip decided to take credit for uncovering Malcolm's betrayal. Maybe the spirit of Jessum Herring whispered it to him in a dream, but otherwise he just happened to be sitting nearby while everyone else made the plans, gathered evidence, and tricked the other players.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Fans v. Faves II: Episode 8
Sorry, I totally forgot to write up the blog last week!
I love the post-merge chaos, and this season lived up to my expectations. Alliances flip in a heart-beat & only those savvy enough to catch on survive. Or, in some cases, they're just informed by the savvy folks (which doesn't bode well for the others long-term).
Overall this was a fantastic episode for Jessum's Harem! Sure, they lost Corinne, but the rest of them voted on the side that prevailed. The war between Faves & Buff Guys isn't over, but this was a crucial battle for the Faves to win. I expect there to be heavy casualties on both sides with a lot of back-and-forth on who is the majority alliance at any given time, but ultimately I think this first vote was key & the Faves will emerge bloodied but victorious.
Note: I gave Corinne 10 pts for making the jury although I don't think that was officially announced. So I may have to adjust scores later if that turns out not to be true.
Side Bets:
- Toothpaste: Pickett v. Bag -- Winner: Pickett
- Med-evac: Bag (Cochran) v. Moon (Shamar) -- Winner (so far): Moon!
- Odds on Malcolm hooking up with a fellow castaway - Pickett is taking -500 on him not hooking up with anyone
The Score:
Pickett "Jessum's Harem": 87 points
1. Brenda - 25 pts
2. Dawn - 15 pts
[3. Laura - 1 pt]
[4. Corinne - 27 pts]
5. Phillip - 19 pts
Moon "the Blindsiders": 77 points
1. Malcolm - 32 pts
2. Andrea - 25 pts
3. Michael - 6 pts
4. Sherri - 12 pts
[5. Francesca - 2 pts]
JeffCo Cartel "The Great White Hope": 68 points
1. Erik - 25 pts
2. Eddie - 14 pts
[3. Hope - 3 pts]
4. Cochran - 23 pts
[5. Allie - 3 pts]
Bag & Leah "Shamarn't": 48 points
1. Reynold - 19 pts
[2. Julia - 6 pts]
[3. Matt - 6 pts]
[4. Shamar - -2 pts]
[5. B. Hantz - 19 pts]
Power Rankings:
1. The Blindsiders - Moon is maintaining his #1 spot because Malcolm is still the only one who knows where both hidden immunity idols are. The war is on full steam, though, and I think most of the big blindsides will be hits to Moon's team early on.
2. Jessum's Harem - This episode makes me believe that Dawn has a legitimate chance to win this competition. She's grown very wise with the strategy this season & I think she can fly under the radar very successfully now.
3. The Great White Hope - Congratulations to Cochran for his first individual win! Btw, I think he was right - doing well in the challenge of eating disgusting stuff should improve his status with the ladies. And the Buff Guys wussing out about eating this stuff certainly damaged their reputation more than if they'd just eaten the gross stuff quickly & without complaint. At the same time, my condolences to Doug & Bri for having mindless Erik on their team. Is he licking tree frogs in the forest off-screen, or did they actually use his brain in place of a pig's for the food-eating challenge?
4. Shamarn't - Bag & Leah are out of this game. If my educated guess is correct players are now making the jury, so all the other teams are guaranteed 30-40 points from that alone. Even Reynold can't overcome these odds. Time to start designing a new trophy!
Douche of the Week:
Erik for my DOW this week. It's inexcusable to be on the show for a second time & still have no idea what's going on in the game.
I love the post-merge chaos, and this season lived up to my expectations. Alliances flip in a heart-beat & only those savvy enough to catch on survive. Or, in some cases, they're just informed by the savvy folks (which doesn't bode well for the others long-term).
Overall this was a fantastic episode for Jessum's Harem! Sure, they lost Corinne, but the rest of them voted on the side that prevailed. The war between Faves & Buff Guys isn't over, but this was a crucial battle for the Faves to win. I expect there to be heavy casualties on both sides with a lot of back-and-forth on who is the majority alliance at any given time, but ultimately I think this first vote was key & the Faves will emerge bloodied but victorious.
Note: I gave Corinne 10 pts for making the jury although I don't think that was officially announced. So I may have to adjust scores later if that turns out not to be true.
Side Bets:
- Toothpaste: Pickett v. Bag -- Winner: Pickett
- Med-evac: Bag (Cochran) v. Moon (Shamar) -- Winner (so far): Moon!
- Odds on Malcolm hooking up with a fellow castaway - Pickett is taking -500 on him not hooking up with anyone
The Score:
Pickett "Jessum's Harem": 87 points
1. Brenda - 25 pts
2. Dawn - 15 pts
[3. Laura - 1 pt]
[4. Corinne - 27 pts]
5. Phillip - 19 pts
Moon "the Blindsiders": 77 points
1. Malcolm - 32 pts
2. Andrea - 25 pts
3. Michael - 6 pts
4. Sherri - 12 pts
[5. Francesca - 2 pts]
JeffCo Cartel "The Great White Hope": 68 points
1. Erik - 25 pts
2. Eddie - 14 pts
[3. Hope - 3 pts]
4. Cochran - 23 pts
[5. Allie - 3 pts]
Bag & Leah "Shamarn't": 48 points
1. Reynold - 19 pts
[2. Julia - 6 pts]
[3. Matt - 6 pts]
[4. Shamar - -2 pts]
[5. B. Hantz - 19 pts]
Power Rankings:
1. The Blindsiders - Moon is maintaining his #1 spot because Malcolm is still the only one who knows where both hidden immunity idols are. The war is on full steam, though, and I think most of the big blindsides will be hits to Moon's team early on.
2. Jessum's Harem - This episode makes me believe that Dawn has a legitimate chance to win this competition. She's grown very wise with the strategy this season & I think she can fly under the radar very successfully now.
3. The Great White Hope - Congratulations to Cochran for his first individual win! Btw, I think he was right - doing well in the challenge of eating disgusting stuff should improve his status with the ladies. And the Buff Guys wussing out about eating this stuff certainly damaged their reputation more than if they'd just eaten the gross stuff quickly & without complaint. At the same time, my condolences to Doug & Bri for having mindless Erik on their team. Is he licking tree frogs in the forest off-screen, or did they actually use his brain in place of a pig's for the food-eating challenge?
4. Shamarn't - Bag & Leah are out of this game. If my educated guess is correct players are now making the jury, so all the other teams are guaranteed 30-40 points from that alone. Even Reynold can't overcome these odds. Time to start designing a new trophy!
Douche of the Week:
Erik for my DOW this week. It's inexcusable to be on the show for a second time & still have no idea what's going on in the game.
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