Survivor: Redemption Island

[WWVaBeach]

Quote of the night..."This tribe is like The Brady Bunch went camping and brought along their two bastard step children".

[ajzepp]

Quote of the night..."This tribe is like The Brady Bunch went camping and brought along their two bastard step children".

 

That was great, and it's completely true...

[CosmicBills]

Pretty sure they keep sending clues, even if someone found it (with or without a clue) until the idol is used at Tribal.

Which is why Rob's move to switch the clues was kind of brilliant. He doesn't want to tip his hand (even to his own alliance) that he has the idol. So, keep giving them vague clues rather than the more obvious ones.

 

Of course, one tactic I'd love to see is for someone to find the idol early, keep it a secret, make a FAKE idol and hide it where the clues lead so that when someone finds it, they think it's real. Hell, you could even find it FOR your tribe, give it to someone (publicly) and reap the rewards of being a hero. Then, when the person plays it and it doesn't work, plead ignorance.

 

We've seen fake idols before, but those were designed to project an image of power. I'd love to see someone take if further ... it could be powerful if you can keep your hands clean during the fallout.

 

But that's next level thinking (also it's not necessary for Rob's game) and would take a big set of coconuts to execute.

Edited March 17, 2011 by tgreg99

[ajzepp]

Which is why Rob's move to switch the clues was kind of brilliant. He doesn't want to tip his hand (even to his own alliance) that he has the idol. So, keep giving them vague clues rather than the more obvious ones.

 

Of course, one tactic I'd love to see is for someone to find the idol early, keep it a secret, make a FAKE idol and hide it where the clues lead so that when someone finds it, they think it's real. Hell, you could even find it FOR your tribe, give it to someone (publicly) and reap the rewards of being a hero. Then, when the person plays it and it doesn't work, plead ignorance.

 

We've seen fake idols before, but those were designed to project an image of power. I'd love to see someone take if further ... it could be powerful if you can keep your hands clean during the fallout.

 

But that's next level thinking (also it's not necessary for Rob's game) and would take a big set of coconuts to execute.

 

One of the best tribals ever was when a guy named Randy (pretty sure it was Survivor China) very arroganly used an idol that he thought was legit. As it turns out, it was fashoined by the eventual winner of that season and the look on his face (and the faces of others) when it was played were classic. One of my favorite tribals ever, even though I was actually a big fan of that Randy guy.

[CosmicBills]

One of the best tribals ever was when a guy named Randy (pretty sure it was Survivor China) very arroganly used an idol that he thought was legit. As it turns out, it was fashoined by the eventual winner of that season and the look on his face (and the faces of others) when it was played were classic. One of my favorite tribals ever, even though I was actually a big fan of that Randy guy.

China is the only season I missed! Damn, you mean someone already did that? I know that players have given people fake idols before, but have they actually hid them in the location where the real idol was and let someone else find it? 'Cause that's the way to really f&*k with people without looking like a Russel.

[ajzepp]

China is the only season I missed! Damn, you mean someone already did that? I know that players have given people fake idols before, but have they actually hid them in the location where the real idol was and let someone else find it? 'Cause that's the way to really f&*k with people without looking like a Russel.

 

In this case I think the guy kept it on him and sort of let others know he had it, so your idea may not have been done yet lol. I wish theyd do it more often, though, cause it's great to see the reaction when someone plays a fake one. In fact, IIRC, many of the tribe KNEW it was fake when Randy played it, so he was sort of the only one not in the know lol...it was great

[CosmicBills]

In this case I think the guy kept it on him and sort of let others know he had it, so your idea may not have been done yet lol. I wish theyd do it more often, though, cause it's great to see the reaction when someone plays a fake one. In fact, IIRC, many of the tribe KNEW it was fake when Randy played it, so he was sort of the only one not in the know lol...it was great

That's awesome!

 

The other tactic I'd love to see two people try, though this one would be admittedly tricky, would be to have two people very early (Day 2 or 3) form a secret alliance where they divide the tribe publicly and behind the scenes run the show.

 

Wow ... that was a crappy explanation. Let's try that again.

 

Imagine Russel and Rob. Day One they form an alliance where they divide up the tribe. Each taking 4 people. Then at camp they never appear to be working together. In fact, they appear to be two power players trying to get an edge over the other. If they could keep that perception up until the merge (with both players forfeiting people on their "alliance") then it'd be a GREAT way to divide and conquer the other tribe. People are always looking for someone to flip after the merge. This would be like implanting a double agent and blowing up the new tribe.

[ajzepp]

That's awesome!

 

The other tactic I'd love to see two people try, though this one would be admittedly tricky, would be to have two people very early (Day 2 or 3) form a secret alliance where they divide the tribe publicly and behind the scenes run the show.

 

Wow ... that was a crappy explanation. Let's try that again.

 

Imagine Russel and Rob. Day One they form an alliance where they divide up the tribe. Each taking 4 people. Then at camp they never appear to be working together. In fact, they appear to be two power players trying to get an edge over the other. If they could keep that perception up until the merge (with both players forfeiting people on their "alliance") then it'd be a GREAT way to divide and conquer the other tribe. People are always looking for someone to flip after the merge. This would be like implanting a double agent and blowing up the new tribe.

 

You need to apply for survivor, brother

[CosmicBills]

You need to apply for survivor, brother

I would wash out! lol. I love the social/strategy part of the game. I think I'd be pretty good at it. I love the challenges and think I could do well in those. But the actual "surviving" part? I'm not a big camper. I'm a wuss.

[The Jokeman]

That's awesome!

 

The other tactic I'd love to see two people try, though this one would be admittedly tricky, would be to have two people very early (Day 2 or 3) form a secret alliance where they divide the tribe publicly and behind the scenes run the show.

 

Wow ... that was a crappy explanation. Let's try that again.

 

Imagine Russel and Rob. Day One they form an alliance where they divide up the tribe. Each taking 4 people. Then at camp they never appear to be working together. In fact, they appear to be two power players trying to get an edge over the other. If they could keep that perception up until the merge (with both players forfeiting people on their "alliance") then it'd be a GREAT way to divide and conquer the other tribe. People are always looking for someone to flip after the merge. This would be like implanting a double agent and blowing up the new tribe.

I've always thought the idea of a secret alliance hidden as an worst enemy be something wise to do. In other words bicker all the time at tribal councils etc. but in reality be best of friends as you can tell your group as much as I hate so and so we need to keep him/her around for challenges and camp stuff or to keep numbers for the merge. It felt like Rob might trying to pull this off with Phillip but Phillip isn't smart enough to pull it off as he keep looking for ways to dethrone the King.

[ajzepp]

I would wash out! lol. I love the social/strategy part of the game. I think I'd be pretty good at it. I love the challenges and think I could do well in those. But the actual "surviving" part? I'm not a big camper. I'm a wuss.

Well if that's the case, Probst would be all over you lol

 

I'm not really cut out for the survival lifestyle either...

[CosmicBills]

I've always thought the idea of a secret alliance hidden as an worst enemy be something wise to do. In other words bicker all the time at tribal councils etc. but in reality be best of friends as you can tell your group as much as I hate so and so we need to keep him/her around for challenges and camp stuff or to keep numbers for the merge. It felt like Rob might trying to pull this off with Phillip but Phillip isn't smart enough to pull it off as he keep looking for ways to dethrone the King.

Absolutely. It's really the next evolution of strategy in the game. It's a way to be as disruptive as Russel without suffering the social backlash (because you're pitting people against each other without them knowing it). The trick though is that it requires gaining absolute trust VERY early in the game. I really think the only way to pull it off would be to do it in an all-star setting.

[UConn James]

As Matt and Christa were reading their bible, Natalie and Ashley were THIS ][ short of breaking out into soft-core porn. Philip had a big problem with this. I say, "Shut the ---- up, Philip! Grab a water, sit back and enjoy!" Instead, it's up to Rob to explain, "They're girls!" That's kind of sexist of him (OK, at least it's less sexist than what I just wrote...). Meanwhile, Sereta was apparently dumb enough to brush her teeth with a stick. You really can't go 39 days without brushing?

 

Grant was the man in the challenge --- showing what got him into the NFL --- while the other dude was ripping his shirt off. What the hell was with that?

 

Stephanie was trying to finagle her way ahead of Sereta in the pecking order. It didn't work. So apparently, purple is willing to take an injured player into the next challenge. They had been playing smart right up until tonight. Now there's division in their ranks, ostensibly with the Sereta voters vs. Dave.

 

Matt again survived on Redemption Island. Really strong player, and I'll take odds that he's going to get back in, probably at the merge. But at that point, he may well have to ally with Yellow again.

[WWVaBeach]

I think that tribe made a strategic mistake tonight. Was the princess worth keeping? Time will tell.

[ajzepp]

They had been playing smart right up until tonight.

 

That's where you lost me, man...I think this is the dumbest tribe in the history of survivor. They make Phillip "Gorilla-Lion" Shephard look like Barack Obama. It was dumb to throw a challenge...dumb to vote off one of your strongest players that early...dumb to vote off stephanie...they're just plain dumb. I'm sorry, but after the merge, players tend to stick with their original tribal loyalties. You have GOT to go into the merge with numbers or you're dead. These people shot themselves in the foot and now they're paying for it, just like Probst said at tribal tonight. They are all dead men and women walking. Rob's tribe will completely dominate from this point forward, and not a single member of the crap tribe will even get a sniff of the last week of the game.

 

I think that tribe made a strategic mistake tonight. Was the princess worth keeping? Time will tell.

 

I think so, too.

[Fezmid]

It was dumb to throw a challenge...dumb to vote off one of your strongest players that early...

You're just bitter that your boyfriend was the first one off the tribe.

 

While I agree that it was dumb to throw the challenge - I don't think it was dumb to get rid of Russel first. The guy's made the finals of the first two seasons he played. Why would you want to keep him around when he's that big of a threat? And really, what does he do for the TEAM to propel them? Nothing, he's all about himself. Which is fine - but why keep him around when he's that dangerous to everyone else?

[ajzepp]

You're just bitter that your boyfriend was the first one off the tribe.

 

While I agree that it was dumb to throw the challenge - I don't think it was dumb to get rid of Russel first. The guy's made the finals of the first two seasons he played. Why would you want to keep him around when he's that big of a threat? And really, what does he do for the TEAM to propel them? Nothing, he's all about himself. Which is fine - but why keep him around when he's that dangerous to everyone else?

 

I believe Russell himself established the basis for why you don't get rid of a guy like that so early on. He was a master at using people for his own gain, whenever the opportunity presented itself, and then moving on to the next person when the situation called for it. They should have done the exact same thing. They should have milked every benefit they could out of russell, and THEN get rid of the guy after their situation had improved and they had established themselves in a position of strength. There are plenty of examples in survivor history of how, when the tribe wants one person out, there is very little the one person can do to stop it. Instead, they all peed down their legs and lost sight of their brains. Now they are weak, they are positioned to be exterminated systematically by Rob and Co., and it serves their dumbasses right

[Dante]

That's where you lost me, man...I think this is the dumbest tribe in the history of survivor. They make Phillip "Gorilla-Lion" Shephard look like Barack Obama. It was dumb to throw a challenge...dumb to vote off one of your strongest players that early...dumb to vote off stephanie...they're just plain dumb. I'm sorry, but after the merge, players tend to stick with their original tribal loyalties. You have GOT to go into the merge with numbers or you're dead. These people shot themselves in the foot and now they're paying for it, just like Probst said at tribal tonight. They are all dead men and women walking. Rob's tribe will completely dominate from this point forward, and not a single member of the crap tribe will even get a sniff of the last week of the game.

 

 

 

I think so, too.

This is almost exactly what I was telling my wife last night. The only ones that seem to know how to play the game and compete a little are the ones they vote off. Like you, I think Rob will eat these lame brains up when they merge.

[ajzepp]

This is almost exactly what I was telling my wife last night. The only ones that seem to know how to play the game and compete a little are the ones they vote off. Like you, I think Rob will eat these lame brains up when they merge.

 

Exactly. Obviously they need to strategize to get a guy like Russell out of the game, but they shot themselves in the foot by doing it so early. Same with last night. You have the one wimpy girl who isn't worth a damn in challenges, but they vote out the feisty little ball of whoop ass instead and make themselves even weaker. They seem to have no forethought whatsoever, and they're completely caught up in their own group, apparently with no concern over winning anything. I don't get it.

[UConn James]

From Jeff Probst's blog:

 

I think a lot of you are glad to see Stephanie out of the game. I’m not sure what it is about me that likes the spunky, lippy folks but I am bummed she is gone. She’s definitely a competitor and she’s a great interview.

 

I’ve said it before but I think Zapatera’s biggest problem is they are playing a “too cool for school” game and it’s biting them in the ass.

 

It’s the Russell factor. They are so happy to “defeat” Russell and his two “girls” – Krista and Stephanie – that they’re in danger of losing the big picture.

 

David realized that tonight. I agree with David. I would have voted out Sarita. Nothing personal, Sarita, but I think Stephanie wanted it more and the tribe could have used her spunk.

 

Purple is definitely in trouble now. Obviously, if they can't win challenges.... This is the point where the Big-6 alliance has to break apart as it forms sub-groups that Krista pointed out at tribal last week. They're all going to have to work it to set some things up in case they lose. Yellow pretty much knows who it's going to vote off next (Philip). The day before/of the challenge is going to be critical for purple. Those divisions can really creep into how the tribe performs for immunity --- for good or bad. The circumstances of Russell's departure did play into it; it would be foolish to say otherwise. But I also think that wasn't where purple went wrong. Nor could it have been different based on the personalities they have in that tribe. As I believe AJ wrote, the only avenue Russell has left for any future Survivor is in an All-Stars edition. His reputation is an albatross that needs to be among other people with albatrosses to have a fair shot. I'm not sure why he agreed to appear in a season with a bunch of noobs. Rob has managed to control his group so far, perhaps b/c it has a number of somewhat naive youngsters. Neverthless, I think their unspoken strategy may well be that once the merge hits and it's "every man for himself," they take out purple's remnants and then backstab Rob the first chance they get. His idol has some significance, and the fact that he's managed to keep it secret so far is very much in his favor. As soon as he hears whispers....

 

Probst also defends "spa day" in this post.