With only six of the original cast left in the jungle, it's easy to see the build up to the end. Wandering in circles all day chewing corn, these sad folks just want the entire ordeal to be over with. Screw the million dollar cameras, the multi-million dollar production crew, and especially screw the mosquitoes - both real and of the CGI variety. Yeah, they've got those too.
Back to the show: With Gary's departure last week, all we can hope for is some sorta depth to the story line. Will we get it? Not yet by the looks of things, as the conversation is shallow and banal. At least we have Rafe to entertain us. And he does! Personally, I'm betting on Rafe to win this whole she-bang.
Then, as always, XAKÚM (sha-koom!) suffers through another night of Christmas Carrols sung by Howler and The Monkeys.
(Stephenie and Bobby-Jon not shown as they were surprise additions to the cast)
I'm not quite sure what happened next, just anther morning in camp (Danni and Judd doing cartwheels for some reason) until I hear my wife say:
"Blurred crotch!"
"No! Did they blur her crotch?"
"Yep"
Danni has some of the skimpiest red shorts ever shown on prime time, and it appears that they were showing a bit too much "definition" for the tender eyes of us puritans in audience-land. Heh!
Reward Challenge
Some sorta food auction. Not sure I understand the point until family members walk out of the forest. Here's the deal, you get to bid on the chance to have your wife/boyfriend/sister spend the night in the jungle. Sweet! (gak)
Great line of the night from Rafe as he sees his mother walk into the open: "Aye, this is so Random!"
Having the most cash left, Judd begs a loan from Stephenie and ends up the high bidder to have his wife join the tribe for a night. BUT, he gets to pick two of his tribemates to share in this familial bounty. Steph and Cindy get the nod. Rafe, Danni, and Lydia go off to the old campsite to spend the night planning and plotting.
Article comments
1 - Tyler Newton
In case you all didn't know, Lydia = Vecepia II, only that Lydia is even WEAKER than "V."
And as all survivors go, if you don't vote the weak off early (Vecepia), they somehow win the game.
Looks like Lydia is in the driver's seat to win Survivor, especially with the Judd shake up.
2 - Bennett
Thanks Tyler, but that was before I started watching this train wreck of a TV show. I saw Rob and Jen, then Survivor AllStars. So any shows before that (much better I've heard)are a total mystery to me.
Interesting point though. We'll see how Lydia does in the few shows remaining. You could be right!
Cheers!
3 - Tyler Newton
The reason Vecepia won was because she was so weak, she was never a threat after getting to the merge.
Usually before the merge weak players are voted off, because they are liability to winning team immunity. However, if you can survive until the merge, then all the strong players are threats you need to take out.
Another perfect example is the weakest player in the HISTORY of survivor, Scout. Nobody was as pathetic as her, but she lasted a LONG time (final 4 I think) because she got to the merge, and then all the men (it was battle of the sexes) were the threats, not poor little weak injured Scout.
Lydia was once a threat to leave early because she was weak, but she luckily survived to the merge.
Now the threats are likely going to go: Judd (gone) and maybe next week Raef (if everyone is smart...dude wins a lot of immunity challenges).
Stephanie is a threat, but there is some thinking (and I agree with this) that if the final 2 is Stephanie with anyone else remaining, the anyone else remaining will get most votes.
Why? Because the castaways in the end will likely not vote for someone who has already done the Survivor thing: Stephanie had her chance the first time around, and if she gets to the final 2, the jury will be fine with her getting 100k, but not the one million grand prize.
4 - Tyler Newton
To finish my thought, Judd was smart in thinking he wanted to take Stephanie to the end. Judd would likely win if that happened. Judd had other issues though.
Lydia can win this if she can find a way to convince Stephanie that Stephanie should want Lydia in the final 2. Of course this would be bad for Steph, but she may be stupid like Judd.
One thing is clear: If one of the women wants to win, they should get rid of Raef ASAP. He's the only man left, and the last time one man was left with a bunch of women, he won (Chris).
5 - Bennett
Aw man, good analysis! It's a pity that we don't catch more of what's really being said between tribe members.
You're right about Rafe, he's stayed under the radar, but with control. No telling what arrangements he has with any one of the gals, or whether they see him as the real threat the way you do.
Cindy has been damn quiet, on screen at any rate, and I always suspected a depth that hasn't shown through her "game" face.
Other than Steph (you made some great points about her btw), any one of the folks still there desevre to win, at this point. It'll be interesting to see how physical the upcoming challenges will be, particularly the immunity challenges.
6 - El Bicho
How did Danni tell half-truths? Judd was lying to Lydia, but Danni didn't know that.
Judd is a scumbag and an idiot. The second he turned on his team he was doomed. He should have known after Jamie that he was not a part of the group. Cindy has to be the most worried right now. She should team up with Danni and Lydia.
The reason Vecepia won was because the majority of people hated that blonde mormon she was competing against.
You can call it weak, but it is smart to stay under the radar. The strong and "smart" get too cocky and show their hand to quickly. There have been times when strong players have been voted out before the merge. Look at Hunter, to name one.
If Steph gets to the finals, some might consider it more impressive. I would.
Anyone who goes to the finals with Lydia will win. Who in the jury would vote for her. Look at Katy v Chris. Everyone got on her about how lazy and ineffective she was.
7 - Bennett
Danni said something along the lines of "Judd is still pissed off about Jamie being voted off" when nothing like that was said.
Don't get me wrong, she was 100% effective.
She's no slouch, neither is Cindy.
8 - El Bicho
"Rafe, he's stayed under the radar,"
What?! Bennett, are you joking? The guy has won a few immunity challenges, including beating Gary and Jaime at physical contests.
I think he was underestimated at first because he's gay. Even though he wins, he is able to diffuse his threat appearance because he communicates well, has made bonds with the women, and is able to read his group.
He is leading the group, so well that they don't even know it. He appears to always be a part of the idea to cut someone loose and no one ever says, "Who put Rafe in charge?"
9 - El Bicho
Judd did mention Jaime to Lydia while Danni was near by. This might have occured during your smoke break.
My memory isn't 100%, but did you see that sequence?
10 - Bennett
You make my point for me. Both times he won immunity I wrote "oh great, the one guy that's not even on the radar for elimination wins immunity."
You're right about his leading the group "so well that they don't even know it."
That's why I gave him the official nod with this post. They all deserve it, Rafe just deserves it more.
11 - Bennett
No I didn't catch that. Damn yellow journalism!
12 - Flying Bannana Pie
Rafe is fucking Gay.
13 - Bennett
What? Ya think?
Do you suppose he's just a little bit gay, or "full throttle gay"?
C'mon, fess up!
14 - RogerMDillon
The name Flying Bannana Pie is f'ing gay