Survivor: Redemption Island

Hello Fellow Survivor Enthusiasts

First, Jeff will not ask if anyone wants to play an Immunity Idol at Tribal Council until someone reveals it at Tribal. This way he does not let the cat out of the bag in case a player found the clue and Idol and wants to keep it a secret or that in this season there is even one in play or yet. Even though he may know it through production he shouldn't reveal it until the players do. The other Tribes second Council he asked because in their first Council Kristina revealed she had one.

Now to what I thought of last night. I agree to a certain extent but I only thought the show was half good. The first half hour I kept saying "Boring" Wasted was the first 15 minutes on the Duel and I have a funny feeling if they keep up using that much time that the seasoned watchers are going to let them know like they did last season about the quitters. Speaking about last season, the second 15 minutes was wasted on a recycled challenge. It was boring and the excuse they use as to why they used it again was lame too. Add to that Davids so very poor showing in faking he was solving the puzzle was pitiful. This from a man that states in his pregame interviews that he is a genius and will have to play down to the rest. For petes sake dude...its a slider puzzle. You could go 90 mph moving them tiles and not get anywhere to make it look good.

I certainly don't see any benefit for Steve and Davids lie to Russell about who won the Duel at Redemption Island. It served no strategy as you would get nothing from it but the ramifications could be huge. First it doesn't hurt Russell in any way as he will see who is there when he goes there. It wouldn't change anyones strategy in playing the duel but it can certainly bite Steve and Dave in the ass. What if Russell didn't get voted out and was chosen to watch the next duel? Why take that chance for nothing? What if one of them decided it may be in his best interests to let Russel know? It was a poor move that could still bite them in the ass. Maybe something like this may work more towards the merge but certainly has no value now.

This Julie may go far as it looks like she has a great face and composure to say what others want to hear without letting it show on her face. I think there were a lot of people watching that was hoping she would swing her vote including me because it makes for better strategy when there isn't a tribe that just picks off those left on their own tribe. Julies decision to stick with her alliance was the right one for her. She would have been a bone head if she did save Russell because then the tribe would have been 4 & 4 and a target on her back. Now if her decision would have put her in the majority then thats a different story.

Throwing a challenge...I don't think that has worked much at all in past seasons and I agree that it isn't always a good move and don't think it was here either. I have said this before, the only way Russell's play can work is if nobody knows him. If there had been a season between his first and second I don't think he would have made the merge in Hero's vs Villains because they would know who he was. That being said he would be the least of my worries in this season but could be an asset and get rid of him before the merge. I actually don't see why Krista a Stephanie would have exposed themselves with him unless its because they are both so young and by doing that could jeopardize any chance of winning. They don't seem to realize as the others on the tribe that Russell is nothing now that everyone knows him.

Isn't it great to watch Rob work. He keeps himself with options which a lot of players don't think about once they are content with their alliance. They don't leave themselves a choice if their alliance turns on them. Look at Rob work Phil, Look at him work Kristina, Look at him try to work on Andrea always keeping is options open. A great strategy so he can be prepared and be flexible. He did this greatly in Hero's vs Villains too except for the bone head move by Tyson he would have gone a lot longer.

I have been working on some suggestion for changing the hidden Immunity Idol for future seasons and will send them to Jeff on his web site. I am off to read comments about the time spent on the duel by others at Jeff's site.

What you guys think?

Hi GreyFuss

Thanks for the clarification on the immunity idol.

You might be right about Russel and throwing the challenge but I don't blame them for wanting to get rid of Russel. I don't know if it served any purpose telling Russel that Francesca won the duel. Maybe it was like a psychological thing. I'm glad that Julie didn't flip. I think that alliance might be interesting to watch as time goes on.

Throwing the challenge sure gave the other team a boost in morale (what are the names of the teams, I haven;t figured it out yet ) It is great watching Rob work. I like the way he thinks of different options and possibilities. I hope he last longer this season.

I hope you came up with some better ideas for those hidden immunities. What are some of your ideas?

I didn't read any of the comments about the duel. It was better than I thought it would be but they spent way to much time yakking about it. IMO

hatshepsut

Interesting thoughts, GF.

I took the lying about Francesca to be either psychological...or not knowing how RI works when you first get there, Steve thinking you may not know your opponent right away.

David was also very lame in his faking. I agree. He really didn't look like he was trying.

Whether or not throwing the challenge was good or bad is a judgment call based on whether or not you think you're a better tribe with or without Russell. Clearly the Gang of 6 felt they were better off without him....and this was their best chance to remove him from the game. Russell's threat on his way out the door....may mean nothing. If he loses the duel he's gone. If he wins and eventually comes back, he'll have either a weakened or no alliance to speak of....depending on when he gets back in the game.

Boston Rob is a pleasure to watch. He will likely make it to the merge....but lasting much beyond that will be a matter of how many of his tribemates go with him.

Ralph....for a rube....is being very smart not telling anyone he has an immunity idol. That is a card best kept close to the vest.

Next week should be interesting.

I agree that David did look lame faking that puzzle. I guess he figured it was better to look lame than take the chance of accidentally solving the puzzle.

After thinking about what GreyFuss said and reading what Jeff said about throwing a challenge , I respect their opinion but I still think they made a good move. We've seen what happens when the tribe doesn't get rid of Russel when they have the chance. I agree jk Russel may not even make it back from Redemption Island. And if he does his alliance will probably weakened or gone.

Boston Rob seems to cover his bases pretty well. I think he'll make it to the merge too. Did he ever make it to a final three ?

I think Ralph may be smarter than what he acts.

Next week should be interesting. Even though I'm not a big fan of Redemption Island I'm really looking forward to see what happens next week. I'm betting Russel's ego gets in the way of his winning.

hatshepsut

Wow what a night on Survivor. I couldn't believe it. Matt beat Russel and Russel is gone. And then Russel started crying oh my gosh who would have thought it. I was kind of like in disbelief. But Russel went out in typical Russel fashion telling what was going on in his camp.

Another nice piece of work that Rob did getting rid of Kristina. I don't think she can beat Matt. The way things are going it doesn't look like there's going to be anything left of Rob's tribe.

hatshepsut

You are right there, Hat.

I loved watching Russell lose. But he didn't go out without raising a ruckus. The way he baited Ralph! And the dark haired girl next to him (don't recall her name) telling him to shut up!

Ralph's ego is getting in the way...you can see it. And what did I just say last week about Ralph being smart and not letting anyone know he has an idol! Dumb move spilling the beans.

Rob was priceless again....coming up with the idea of the picnic so he could search for the idol. He'll be smart enough not to spill the beans. He is in control of his tribe....but he'd better start winning soon. They need to get rid of Stephanie next. Looks like she's going to stir the pot next week.

I think it was Sarita sitting next to Ralph. Ralph is getting a really big ego. I don't understand why anyone would tell the tribe that they have the idol. It was a dumb move on Ralph's part I think.

It looks like Stephanie is going to stir up trouble. You are right I think, they need to get rid of her. I think she'll break the alliances up and the tribe will go down if she stays. I think she will try to play like Russel.

Rob was great to watch again. But like you said they need to start winning or things are going to be bad in that tribe. I don't think Rob will share the news with the tribe that he has the idol.

hatshepsut

Well...this week's episode was pretty predictable. I'm beginning to really like Matt. If he ever gets back into the game, he's going to be tough in the individual challenges. I thought Kristina was going to pass out during that challenge.

The purple tribe is showing signs of stress. Another challenge lost. I really thought Stephanie did a good job. If she didn't have to keep stopping to tell Ralph to just shut up until she got to him, she could have possibly had those extra few seconds to finish first.
David is now becoming a jerk. "From now on I do the puzzles, Period!" The first time he falters he's going to look like an arse. They need to stop second guessing themselves and get on the same page again. And stop with the finger pointing! That is so counterproductive.

Krista...or anyone who's on the outside of an alliance kill me with their justifications. I've said it before, folks concentrate on the "end game" too soon. Yes...the alliance of 6 aren't foolish enough to believe that any of the other 5 can turn on them in a split second. What they know NOW though is that Krista and Stephanie have no allegiance to any of them, and at the merge will quickly strike alliances with those members of the Ometeppe tribe that make it to the merge. The idea is to get to the merge with aa many of your original tribe members as you can....then you pursue your further alliances to get to the end.

Rob is really fun to watch. He's got everyone snowed...although Philip clearly is bristling at Rob's calling all the shots.

At this point I'd love to see a tribal shake-up in the game. I think it's necessary to keep the dynamics going. Stephanie's really interesting and I'd love to see her hook up with the other tribe rather than just be voted off. Otherwise, it will be fairly predictable until the tribes merge...and even then, you may see more predictability depending on the number of each tribe that make it to the merge. That's what contributed to last season's boring game.

It is starting to look like Matt might be hard to beat. If he manages to make it back to the tribe he may be a formidable enemy to Rob. But on the other hand Rob is pretty smooth. I had to laugh at the way he was running around acting like they had to find that immunity idol.

I agree David was acting like a real jerk. Sounds like he is falling victim to the big ego. A big tribal shakeup would be interesting. Better I think than the finger pointing going on.

hatshepsut

Well no big surprises last night. Wouldn't it be funny if Mat got back to the tribe and ended up wining .

hatshepsut

You are right, Hat. However....Stephanie's a toughy and depending on the challenge could surprise Matt.

Krista's downfall was Jeff's play-by-play. She started looking over at Matt rather than concentrating on her own maze. That unnerved her. It would be hard to tune Jeff out....but she could only control her own maze. What Matt was doing was technically irrelevant. I thought it was very sweet and classy of her to give Matt her Bible.

I really was hoping for a tribal shake up, so that the game wouldn't go predictably. Ometeppe is now the stronger tribe...more united and focused. That Grant is very good in the challenges. Steve, on the other tribe, was vocalizing about the weaknesses of his tribe mates. Hello...I didn't see him excelling in the challenge yesterday!

I'll bet Dave is a good lawyer....the way he was arguing to keep Stephanie. Unfortunately, he lost the case.

Hello fellow Survivorites

Well after holding back on my comments last week I think I better chime in now. Once again last nights "Half Show" was pretty good. I am not in favor of Redemption Island and how it is tainting "The Game". The purity of what the game of Survivor is is what I like and even though it looks like a lot of people like it for entertainment purposes I don't like the way it has invaded and meaninglessly "The Game". These are the losers and just like last season with the quitters should not be able to play or affect the game once they are out. I accept the fact that one person is going to be allowed to have a second chance but that is when they should be allowed to interact with the real playing of the game not while they are on Redemption Island. They are the losers bracket and should not be allowed to impact the game with any comments while the real players are there and vice versa. Quite frankly I don't want to see them until the last one reenters the game as there is more attention being paid to them than the game at hand. And whats this about those on Redemption Island getting their luxury items....what???...Burnett are you nuts?...Why? They are losers and are supposed to be the to endure another chance to get back in the game. The real players don't get their luxury items. I read in Probst's Blog that they give them their luxury items on redemption island because the days are long and lonely there.....well boo hoo. If they want a chance to reenter the game then they should suffer through it and persevere until the last man (woman) is standing and worthy of having another chance..........OK, rant over, I am not going to say anything else about Redemption Island again until the last one reenters the game.

Why did Jeff out Grant during the Challenge? Was this a slip of the tongue? Sometimes I think Jeff involves himself too much in "The Game".

Rob is why I am not a big fan of past Survivors replaying the game. His experience's just give him a big advantage over all the first timers. How many times did we asked (Haven't any of these players watched Survivor before?) Not only has Rob watched all the Survivors this is his 4th time playing and it shows with his masterful plays. Although he may have over played the clue at the reward challenge and because of that was seen by Phillip. But his not grabbing the clue was great. Why take a chance on someone seeing you grab it when you don't need it. I would have liked to see Philip get the clue and see him run around the island looking for it. Speaking of Phillip I sure am glad he is still there as he makes me laugh.

Yes Stephanie might be a little tougher to beat. Their challenge should be good to watch.

I was wondering about them getting their luxury items on Redemption Island. It seems a little bit unfair to me. shouldn't Redemption Island be coming to an end pretty soon and the jury starting ?

I must have missed it, how did Jeff out Grant ?

Not only does it seem like the players haven't watched Survivor but it seems like a lot of them seem to think they can sit around and do nothing and win.

It would have been very funny to see Phil running around looking for the idol. Phil makes me laugh too. He either has everybody completely fooled or he's completely nuts.

I was hoping for a bit of a shakeup too. Maybe something good will develop next week.

hatshepsut

Probst outed Grant by blurting out during the competition that he was a former NFL player when the knowledge was not known by all. Certainly not by the other tribe and you could hear one of the ladies say "I knew it" like she had been suspecting it. Bad Jeff, Loose lips sink ships.

I don't know if its the extreme mental and physical fatigue but a lot of players keep making the same mistakes as others in previous shows and there are many going on this season.

I don't believe Dave isn't as smart as he thinks he is as he seemed to be making his decision to get rid of Sarita on personal reasons and not strategic. At least that is the way I saw it unless he thought that since he may be low on the totem pole that now was time to at least try and make a move. If that was his reason then at someone on that tribe is play the game and keep themselves maneuvered to stay in the game..

NONONONONONO.....No tribe shake up. Not ever and especially not when the numbers are the same. All that does is screw up the whole game and the game that is being played by each castaway. And in addition it just develops into picking off the smaller numbers which actually takes away from game play and just vote out the easy marks. It sure is the way I would play if I was there.

Oh I missed him saying that Grant was a former NFL player. Yes indeed loose lips sink ship. I think Jeff does get a little to involved with the game. I think he has blurted things out before.

I thought David was making his decision to get rid of Sarita for personal reasons also. I really didn't see any strategy in the decision that made sense to me. He may well feel that he is low man on the totem pole, but I think he better figure out a better strategy. The big alliance there seems to be all about trust. And that's kind of funny too. It's Survivor, what makes any of them think trust has any part of getting to the end. Anyway if I was playing I don't think I would trust anyone. Not with a million dollars at stake.

No tribe shake up. Ok I think I see your point. Shake up the tribe and they stop playing a strategy game and start picking off the weaker links. Which ends up being boring and having someone more or less win by default rather than by playing a good strategy game. Is that what you mean?

I hope you don't really mean it that you aren't going to give anymore rants. Your rants tend to put a new slant on things that I hadn't thought about before.

hatshepsut

I was entertained with last nights show but its just so abbreviated because of all the stuff at the beginning. Get rid of all that and bring back Reward challenges and also bring back the idea that you can't sit out the same person twice in a row but this time extend it to the following weeks show to and not just one episode.

Why didn't one of the tribes think of hoisting someone on their shoulders or better yet shimmy up the pole when they where shooting baskets? Do you think they were told not to?

GreyFuss wrote:

Why didn't one of the tribes think of hoisting someone on their shoulders or better yet shimmy up the pole when they where shooting baskets? Do you think they were told not to?

Now that you mention it I wonder too. That would have been a great strategy.

I thought last night was highly entertaining also. I don't think Phil means to be funny but I laugh every time he opens his mouth. It was so funny the way he was talking about winning the challenge reward. Oops did he forget Rob had to go back and help him a couple of times. It's very funny the way Phil and Rob talk about each other. I thought I would laugh myself to death when Phil started talking about the girls being in Robs underwear. After Rob threw that clue away I wondered 'isn't anyone else on that tribe thinking about the idol'

If the tribes merge next week or the week after will that be the end of Redemption Island. The jury is going to have to start pretty soon right ?

Has anyone else noticed that in other episodes people are staring to look like skin and bones by this time. But these guys don't really look like they are going without eating. Doesn't really mean anything I guess but it made me wonder.

As far as I'm concerned they are spending way to much time at the beginning of the show on other stuff. They need to show more of the tribes and what they are doing. In previous seasons by this time I had gotten to know the people and how they thought and operated. I cared about what was going on with them or what happened to them. And while I think this has been a good season and very entertaining, I just don't feel connected to any of the players. I don't feel like I know any of them or how they think or operate. I think it's because we aren't getting to spend enough time with them.

hatshepsut

That's a very good point, GF. I didn't even think of that!

I like the concept of Redemption Island....but it does take way too much time. I'm gonna miss Stephanie. She really fought hard and tried her best. I love her little diatribes....particularly telling Zapatera to get rid of Sarita...and telling Rob don't trust anyone on Zapaterra.

That was a great challenge and I agree, Hat, Phil nearly cost them the win. I mean c'mon, Phil! Expecting to win favor and respect strictly on the basis of age????? Right now they see you as the "grumpy old man."

I really was pleased to see Zapaterra get smart and realize that they need to be strong as a tribe. Unfortunately, it may be too late If they do merge next week. Ometeppe has the greater numbers...unless Phil flips. And where will Matt's loyalties lie presuming he beats Sarita and re-enters the game. That's one of the GOOD things about Redemption Island. It adds that wrinkle that may or may not even things out again.

And Rob is a hoot!

Stephanie should have started sucking up to the tribe the second that Russel was gone. It might not have done her any good but it couldn't of hurt.

Sarita is so weak with the challenges I would bet Mat can beat her even with an injured foot.

I'm thinking that it's to late for Zapaterra. I'm thinking that Phil will flip when they merge or at least try to if he's still there. I don't think he'll be sucessful trying to join the other tribe. They seem to be a lot more intolerant. If Sarita survives I bet she will flip. If Mat survives I think he will try to rejoin with Rob. Of course he could flip and try to take Andrea with him. If that happens Rob is probably a goner.

I like watching Rob too. He is funny. And I love his facial expressions when he does something.

I'm still not that crazy about Redemption Island. I just am not sure that a second chance follows the idea of bieng a Survivor. And it takes way to much time away from the rest of the show.

hatshepsut

Didn't the preview show us that the merge and the last one on Redemption Island returns to the game next week? If so the they merge at 12. I wonder if the producers had a plan for the merge depending on the outcome of the duel. If Matt wins then no merge until 10 in hopes that after the next duel they would be even. if Sarita wins then they merge and the tribes are even 6 - 6 which of course makes for a better merge because at least for one week they won't pick off the weaker tribe one by one. If this scenario is correct then Matt loses next week and is gone from the game and Sarita is in.

I thought the previews said the merge happened next week. It should be interesting no matter who wins the duel.

hatshepsut

hatshepsut wrote:

I thought the previews said the merge happened next week. It should be interesting no matter who wins the duel.

hatshepsut

Thats what I said. Keep in mind this isn't live. If my speculation was correct the merge would not take place next week if Matt had won the duel. Thus my idea that he lost and the tribes merged at 6. If Matt wins then the sides would be 7 - 5 and we all know what happens then. We all know that for watching purposes we like to see an even merge and it is my belief that the producers hope that happens so why not have plans in hopes that they can nudge it that way by adjusting the merge time accordingly. Of course this is all speculation on my part as I like to put myself in the producers shoes just like I try to play the game as if I were there.

Actually I had forgotten that the show wasn't live. So if Sarita and goes back that might open some doors to interesting possibilities. I had kind of forgotten that when one alliance has the larger number they just pick off the smaller alliance.

hatshepsut

Saw a new commercial... of course the merge happens....but it showed a snippet of the duel and it is endurance where the players have to stand on small pieces of wood on 2 spread poles. If Matt cut a foot real bad as the previews state could this mean the end of him? Plus the fact that women seem to be better at this given their weight and smaller feet. The winner goes back into the game but here is something new....Jeffs last words of the commercial are "Redemption Island starts again"

That two pole endurance is a tough one. Like you said if Mat has a cut foot it's going to be very hard for him to win it.

Redemption Island starts again ? What does that mean ? How can it start again ? What about the jury ? I don't get it.

Would the loser then become the jury ? If that's what happens would that mean a smaller jury ? Or would the numbers work out the same.

hatshepsut