The recap of last week's episode seems more in focus, as if they've brought the stage lights up to opening night level. This is the point in the season where I was lured into watching Survivor three years ago. The tribal-crowd has thinned out, and there is more space; more opportunity to check out the subtle machinations of deceit between tribe members.
And this is where this program begins to shine. If you've yet to debase yourself by watching a show like Survivor, these next few weeks will show you why this program has, well, survived for so many years while most other shows of this genre have fallen by the wayside.
And So: after a bit of infrared conversation back at camp (bizarre rambles by Jamie towards Gary, not good) , XAKÚM (sha-koom, heh!) passes another night to the truncated hoots of Howler and The Monkeys.
(Stephenie and Bobby-Jon not shown as they were surprise additions to the cast)
The next morning starts out with Jamie continuing to pester his teammates with paranoid rants and rambles. At one point Rafe turns to the camera and utters the first (shall we say Part A) quote of the night:
Reward Challenge
Split into two teams to compete for the reward of a helicopter ride to a jungle mansion where showers, a gourmet dinner, and clean bedding await the four members of the winning team.
Tied to a team member with a six foot leash, the four pairs take turns staggering through an obstacle course set in a deep mud pit. Over and under barriers, faces in the muck, they struggle to retrieve heavy pots of seed corn. Return with enough corn to fill your big pot and your team wins reward.
Note to self: In a mud race, short legs are a disadvantage.
Lydia is the determining factor in this competition. She is physically incapable of slogging through as fast as the others, and costs her team the race. So we watch Stephenie, Gary, Judd, and Danni set off for a wonderful evening away from camp.
With the team split in two, Gary has a solid opportunity to make a case for getting rid of Jamie, which he does quite well. Judd is not listening, but he is gracious about the situation, and simply enjoys the time getting to know Gary and Danni ( the last two members of the opposing tribe - from back in the early weeks).
Article comments
1 - John Owen
As glad as I am to see Captain Insano off the show, I have to admit he was better than half the fun. Rafe and Lydia are only around because they seem like the likeable, helpful, and ultimately beatable types who get knocked off in the final four, and they plus Cindy, Danni and Gary are just too... nice to be much fun.
However, as things get tighter, I wonder what Danni will hold over Gary in regard to his "secret identity" as "Gary H who played football at Central Michigan, sure, but not Gary Hogenboom who played football at Central Michigan and would be just about exactly my age and height but who ain't me no siree Bob." Not that anybody would have given a crap at the outset had they known that a former journeyman NFLer was one of the contestants. Idiot.
Will Steph stay bitchy?
Will Danni starve to death?
Will Judd flip out one night and eat Rafe alive while proclaiming all the while that he never did nothin of the sort?
2 - El Bicho
It was good to see Rafe lead the action, if he did, in taking out Jamie. So many people always appear to not be playing the game.
Although I would want to go to the final two with Jamie because no one liked him. Now, you are left with having Lydia as the ideal candidate in the finals. Everyone could beat her because she has completely coasted.
Can't wait to see Jed explode next week at being left out of the loop. Next week would be the perfect time to form a woman's alliance, 4-3, although it only benefits Danni at this point.
3 - Bennett
John and El Bicho - Great comments! I agree that I'm going to miss the unpredictable madness that Jaime brought to the game in the last couple of weeks, but he was a boor.
Rafe has been holding back, and is tougher than he looks.
I too look forward to Judd's outrage as shown in the previews. It's not like he has endeared himeself to the rest of the gang too much at this point, might be the final straw.
I think the whole Gary/NFL deal is just hype, and will have nothing to do with the final episodes of the show.
Cyndi is a player too, WAY a player I think, and will have much more impact on the tribe in the next few weeks. I sense an alliance with Danni and Greg (and Rafe)?
Steph? Her eyebrows still creep me out.
Lydia? Final five for her physical weakness, glad she's stuck around to this point.
4 - PRHMUSIC
I work at a software company. Every time there is a new season of Survivor, there is a pool. Everyone throws in $5 and draws a name. Remember Pascal, when he was in the final three and no one would vote for the other? Well, I had Pascal and he drew the rock with the stripes on it so he lost.
This time, I have Lydia. I hope she makes it to the end. I know she is flying under the radar except when she's proving she is not the most physical cast member this season. I hope Lydia wins but I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't. I think Judd needs to be taken out of the equation soon.