Thursday, April 29, 2010

SHE'S KIND OF LIKE BOSTON ROB IN A GIRL'S BODY: Final nine is always an interesting point in Survivor -- any one person's flipping can change the balance of power, and a well-timed "send a random threesome away for reward" helped destabilize things.

What's safe to say about this episode is that the person who was eliminated caused his or her own elimination. Also, that that was the most civilized reward location I've seen in quite some time. Also, I'm getting tired of hidden immunity idols -- it's like when The Amazing Race had a fast forward available every single week, and it's overtaking the fundamental strategic game.

added: Folks who have already called out Jeff Probst for his in-show sexism will find further evidence in his pervy report on this week's show. He does, however, add this: "Next week is a biggee. Two immunity challenges. Two tribal councils. Two people gone." I'll tell you what I think that means in the comments.

16 comments:

  1. Daniel Fienberg11:06 PM

    I also expressed my annoying at the never-ending run of immunity idols. Russell's gotten so callous with them that he's able to pretty much whip one out and toss it into the fire on spec, which is basically what he did tonight. They either need to make the Idols harder to find or restrict the number available in the game or something. "Survivor" has become an Immunity Idol game now and that's not what it was meant to be... 

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  2. Not that last week wasn't completely awesome because of the Idols, and not that I didn't appreciate the fight over the clue but, yeah. 

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  3. Daniel Fienberg11:25 PM

    Immunity Idols have led to many of the game's most memorable moments in recent years, from James going home with two, to Amanda's Idol that nobody know she had, to Parvati last week. And they're probably unavoidably integral to the game. But sometimes, like tonight, they can get to be a little bit much...

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  4. slowlylu12:08 AM

    The use of the immunity idols is similiar to judges' save on Idol. I can accept that reality television requires a certain amount of producers' manipulation to ensure a narrative arc but prefer for the strings to be less visible. I would like to see an immunity idol countdown at the beginning of each season and episode so that the audience and the survivors can factor it into their game play.

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  5. Here's what I especially liked about this episode.  The villains went into final 9 with a 5-4 advantage... but Russell *knew* Sandra wasn't really on his side, and therefore had to get someone else to flip.  Thus, Candice.  I didn't watch Russell's first season, but my sense is that his reputation as a strategic genius was overrated.  But I thought what he did in this episode was brilliant.  (And as it was, wasn't the final vote a 6-3 Amanda-Parvati split, not 5-4?  I'm on the road this weekend, without a DVR, so I couldn't go back and double-check who voted for whom... but I think it was 6-3.  Someone can confirm, I'm sure.)  Also, next week's ep looks like FUN!

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  6. Yup, 6-3. Now to see if the "heroes" figure that out.

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  7. Jennifer J.1:47 AM

    I'm with Adam. I'm so sick of all these hidden immunity idols. The blindside from last week was fun, yes. These idols are so prevalent and obvious that the clues might as well be word-for-word where they are or just a map. It's already that easy. That's why it's so boring. I miss old school Survivor. I actually appreciate that level of play more. 

    I'm also curious to know if anyone has any thoughts on why they are not doing any all-out physical individual immunity challenges? 

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  8. Jennifer J.1:48 AM

    I really wanted a Hero to win, but I'm just gonna have to be honest and say, "Ha! Not likely!!!". :P

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  9. To me, two eliminations next week means "it's a Pagonging in progress, and there's no reason to spread it out over two weeks of television.  Say goodbye to Colby and Rupert."

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  10. bella wilfer1:26 PM

    I see your point, Adam, but I also think it's a sweeps issue - they want the finale to air at the end of May sweeps (ie Sun 5/16) so they have to cram a double elim in before then if they're to hit a final 5 by that date.  However, that doesn't mean that you're wrong about why they decided to make THIS ep the double elim...though it'll be a pretty boring ep if you're right.

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  11. bella wilfer1:27 PM

    And for the record I still think Candice could win the whole thing...

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  12. Obviously, they also could have started the season on February 4 rather than February 11 as well to gain that extra hour.

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  13. was pulling for Colby, but he deserves to lose after making Amanda give the clue back to Whateverhernameis. Also, this from probst about immunity idols going forward: "Next season it will take more than just looking under a rock to find a hidden idol.  I won’t give away what we’re doing, but in planning our creative for next season we coined a phrase, 'The Russell Factor' and it influenced how we will play the hidden idol next season."

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  14. isaac_spaceman2:54 PM

    Spoiler:  The "Russell Factor" is that the immunity idols will be some of Russell's vital organs. 

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  15. Adam C.5:25 PM

    I hope "The Russell Factor" means that they will be hiding fake HIIs as well as real HIIs.  That would make things way more interesting.

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  16. Jennifer J.12:31 AM

    Me, too. He didn't even seem remotely interested in the actual cat fight which leads me to think....

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