Survivor 20: Episode 10

In another outstanding episode, the tides were turned supposedly against the Heroes, but I think the long-term effects will show that this episode hurt Russell more than anyone... anyone besides JT, I guess.

There were a couple of lessons learned from this episode: 1) it's impossible to overestimate Parvati, 2) Amanda is a terrible liar, 3) Rupert may be thinking after all, and 4) JT can look really really stupid when he tries to.

Here's the thing that astounded me the most - JT actually thought through the actual scenario, and then disregarded it! It's not like he was completely clueless. And the actual theory was much more simple, straightforward, and believable than his own contrived notions. He wanted so badly to be right that he ignored all the blazing neon signs that pointed to the truth. It reminded me of the movie Contact, where they talk about Occam's razor - the theory that, all things being equal, "the simplest solution is usually the correct one." In this case the two options are A: Russell was the victim of an all-woman alliance and managed to survive only because JT slipped him an immunity idol which then was played simultaneously with Parvati's because she somehow smelled a trap which meant that Courtney was simply collateral damage, or B: Russell is a villain and a liar. JT chose option A.

I loved how at the end Parvati gave up both of her immunity idols to save either Jerri or Sandra. It was a canny move, and one I'm sure she hoped would buy both of their allegiance for the rest of the game. Unfortunately I don't think she understands how much Sandra hates Russell. I think she also hates that she was put with the Villains tribe. She will be much happier switching over to the Heroes alliance, where she already has a relationship with Rupert, and they are easily manipulated. This is also partially wishful thinking, since both of my remaining players are Heroes, and they could really use her guidance.

** New Rule Proposal ** After all the fun and games of finding hidden immunity idols and then passing them out like they are candy, I'd like to propose adding a rule. I think they should be a point bonus for anyone gifted an idol, and possibly also a point deduction for giving one away. This rule should not apply to immunity idols won in challenges. What do the rest of you think?

Current Standings:

"Beauty & 2 Beasts" Doug/Bri: 103 points
[1. JT (40 pts)]
[2. Tom (27 pts)]
3. Parvati (36 pts)

"Douchey" Dachui: 74 points
[1. Tyson (18 pts)]
[2. Boston Rob (26 pts)]
[3. Coach (30 pts)]

"Always the Bridesmaid, never the bride" Me: 58 points
1. Colby (18 pts)
2. Amanda (20 pts)
[3. Courtney (20 pts)]

"Gorbag" Bag: 52 points
1. Rupert (18 pts)
[2. Randy (6 pts)]
3. Jerri (28 pts)

"New Rookie" Courtney: 35 points
1. Evil Russell (28 pts)
[2. Stephenie (2 pts)]
3. Sandra (5 pts)

"Moonwalkers" Moon: 34 points
[1. James (7 pts)]
[2. Cirie (7 pts)]
3. Danielle (22 pts)
4. Candice (-2 pts)


Rankings:

1. B2B - Doug & Bri were hurt badly by the loss of JT, but they still have a monster lead and the most dangerous player in the game on their team. I think they are still the favorites to win this season, but now there's actually a chance one of us could possibly beat them. What would be best is if Parvati got voted out next week... but I doubt that will actually happen. Keep in mind that last year's winner, Evil 'Box, won with 126 points, and B2B will probably make at least 113 points if Parv makes the minimum of the jury.

2. Bridesmaids - I'm ranking myself this high because I'm counting on a Sandra mutiny that will miraculously save my team. At first I was bummed that the Villains voted out Courtney over Sandra, since Sandra is so clearly a bigger threat. However, looking back on it now, I am really happy that Courtney got voted out when she did. No way could Courtney help Colby and Amanda as much as Sandra can. If Sandra doesn't switch sides though, I'm screwed.

3. Gorbag - I saw life in Team Gorbag last week! Not only did Rupert actually DO something, and think through a plan, but Jerri won his team some points as well! Either Jerri or Rupert could very well make final 3 if someone thought they wouldn't get enough votes to beat them, so they have the opportunity to win some points. They'll need to win some immunities on the way to the finals, but I don't think that's too out of their reach if it's a physical challenge.

4 - TIE. New Rook - Sandra is one of my new favorites to win the game, but she's likely going to take out Russell on the way, which would kill all hopes of the New Rookie to win her inaugural season of the pool. However, Courtney's team is slowly sliding down a muddy slope that is total points. Over the past 4 weeks, Courtney has netted a grand total of -11 points, thanks to sitting out challenges and "misplays" of immunity idols. It's not like Sandra really misplayed her idol - or that she even had a choice to not play it (although how badass would THAT have been had she been told her name wasn't being put down? "Thanks Parv, I'm just gonna hold on to it for now though...") but she must take the deduction all the same. Rules are rules after all, sorry Court!

4 - TIE. Moonwalkers - Candice is my other new favorite to win the game - but like Courtney, Moon is so far behind in the rankings that I just don't think he can catch up to B2B. Unfortunately I had just finished telling Ben how I loved Candice because she's such a competitor, and then she stepped right off that pole and gave immunity to one of the Villains. Had she stuck it out, I think she absolutely would have turned the tides of the vote. Parv only had 2 immunity idols - if her friend Danielle were vulnerable, she surely would have given her one, right? Meaning it was a 50/50 chance whether she'd give her other immunity idol to the correct person. Meaning that Parvati probably wouldn't have done it, since it would help her more to hold on to her 2 hidden immunity idols, and still have a good relationship with Russell. I guess we'll never know though....

6. Dachui - Danielle told me that their demise wasn't entirely unexpected. She predicted a Villain domination until personalities broke them to pieces. She just hoped they could make it to the merge, where they could take their angst and bitterness out against Heroes instead of each other. Not a bad plan, Dachui, and in the long run I think it was worth the risk. I'm excited to see what schemes you have for the next season too!