discohimes asked: Sensei- Do u really think that B Rob has a target on his back at this point?? He seems to have the bulk of his tribe mates, which r quite young, idolizing his every move. I don't think that target is quite ready to appear in the game yet.

He is a threat because he has played before- that simple. The players that don’t realize the threat he is will not last long. He is just so charming, so much so, he could charm the pants onto Britney Spears. The younger Ometepe tribe members are merely idolizing Rob to preserve their position in the game early on. After all, who wants to be the first person voted out?

Great blog! I really enjoy reading your analysis, Sensei. Did you think Matt was going to get voted off? Who do you think will get voted off next week? Do you think Russell or Ralph will get voted off first?

Thank You! It’s a lot of fun, and I am glad you enjoyed it! (subscribe to enjoy it every week)

Going into the episode I did not think Matt was going to be ousted in the event Ometepe lost; especially over Kristina and Phillip. Next week I predict that Kristina will be voted off if Ometepe loses. If Zapatera loses the immunity challenge, Russell or Stephenie are in danger. Seeing that Russell has played two times and has been quite successful, Ralph will last longer than Russell. Simply put, you can not trust Russell, but what you can trust is that you can not trust him.  

New Alliances and Final Three Deals

On Zapatera, as expected, Russell formed a three-person alliance with two women, the charming southerner and sultry aggressor. In Samoa, Natalie and Mick fulfilled those archetypes, whereas in Heroes versus Villains, Russell’s saucy aggressor was former Exile Island finalist Danielle DiLorenzo and his charming southerner was Survivor Micronesia champ, Parvati Shallow. This time, however, Krista has been inaugurated into the Russell Hantz Hall of Fame as his third annual southern charmer. If history repeats, Russell’s southern girls go very far, (Parvati runner-up in HvV and Natalie winner of Samoa)

Last episode’s rehash I did not have the physical or emotional wherewithal to even type one sentence about Phillip Sheppard, the alleged former federal agent. I bet his name isn’t even Phillip. Last Wednesday, I was sitting on my couch eagerly awaiting the premiere episode, and what do I see, an overweight black male scurrying around the island in his salmon colored briefs- not cute. I was thinking to myself, “Who is this jackass?” Such a horrid sight made me contemplate switching channels to watch the ever-so-talented singers on American Idol.

The Black Coach

Congratulations Phillip! Even if you don’t win the million dollars, I still hope you win some reward challenge where you could get new clothes. I mean even Rupert’s sheer dress/skirt in Pearl Islands was more aesthetically pleasing than those briefs. Still on the topic of Phillip, I love how the editors and producers of the show have depicted him as African-American version of ‘Coach’ Wade. The only major difference between these two deluded specimens is that ‘Coach’ is a lot more mentally grounded, which, as avid Survivor fans can attest, is not an easy task to complete. For instance, Coach slays dragons. According to this episode, Phillip slays crabs. This guy is a complete joke! Frankly, if most government officials are as delusional and skeptic as Phillip, it might be beneficial for the world to end in 2012.  

Immunity Idols and Challenges  

Prior to the challenge, Ralph of the Zapatera tribe was collecting stones, and, when searching for more, he happened to find the hidden immunity idol.

Without a clue, might I add. The drama about the idol truly began to transpire after the challenge. At the challenge, each tribe had to smash five tiles with hammers and retrieve a key from each- you know the same challenge done in Micronesia and Cook Islands. After all five keys were collected one tribe member need to use the keys to unlock a box containing one small ceramic ball. Once released, a different tribe member threw the ball at five different square tiles, which lay parallel to the ground. Once all five tiles were broken, the tribe would win immunity and fishing gear. 

It pays to look at history

In the end, Zapatera came from behind and won the challenge. The true drama, however, truly unfolded at the end of the challenge. After Jeff gave Zapatera the immunity idol, Matt, as ‘A good Christian’, decided to congratulate the other team by shaking their hands after the lose. Such a poor display of loyalty was 

Matt’s undoing. In season nine, Survivor Vanuatu, a similar cross-tribal communication occurred. After the tribal switch in that season, Bubba was cluing in his old tribe mate Chris, who was now currently on the opposing tribe, to think about the merge. Being that Bubba was already in the minority after the tribal switch, such an impulsive action resulted in Bubba’s exit from the game that episode. Never fraternize with the other team, especially in a public forum, because the game of Survivor is all about trust- without it one can never succeed.

Similar to Bubba, Matt met the same fate by getting voted out for communicating with the other team. In fact, the entire plot to oust Matt was Boston Rob’s concept and his other minions followed along with the exception of Andrea- Matt’s showmance. As a previous player, Boston Rob truly should not be playing as an overtly aggressive game as he is now if he plans on making it to final tribal council. Boston Rob already has a big target on his back, why make it bigger at such an early phase of the game?

Another disconcerting strategic play was Kristina deciding to play her hidden immunity idol. Just because everyone on the island knows you have an idol, does not mean you have to play it immediately. Since only eight people were voting, Kristina, I think at least, could rightfully assume that the dominant alliance of six would split their votes- three for her and three for Phillip. Granted Kristina knew she was voting off Phillip, she could discern that unless Phillip voted for Kristina, he would be voted off. Even if Phillip did cast his vote for Kristina, which he did, in theory, it still would have been a four-four tie. Why bother using the idol? Save it for later- you have nothing to lose!

My weekly pick to win!

At this point, Natalie is playing an exceptionally calculating game- similar to Amber or Natalie White from Samoa. She has formed her alliance with Boston Rob because she knows she can utilize him as a shield, and, when both get to the end, Natalie will get the majority vote from the bitter jury. Good Job Natalie!!!

Until Next Week,

~ Survivor Sensei has spoken!                        

Hey Everyone!!!

As an avid reality television fan and self-proclaimed Survivor historian, I have finally decided to start a blog about Survivor. Having never missed an episode since its commencement in the summer of 2000, I feel as though I have the knowledge necessary to win the million dollars when I am finally old enough to apply for the show; furthermore, I can justly scrutinize any glaring flaws made by current contestants. That said- let the fun begin!

Boston Rob and Russell Return-

Being that Season 21, Nicaragua, wasn’t the most entertaining season from the aspects of strategy and people, I was apprehensive to begin Survivor Redemption Island with the same dully-underwhelming cast. My fears of an extraordinarily boring and unseasoned cast were realized when CBS officially announced the return of Boston Rob and Russell. Rob and Russell’s inclusion made me assume that the other sixteen castaways were just warm bodies, occupying the island until Rob and Russell remained.  But as the old saying goes, to assume is to make an ass out of you and me.

Short Episode Review and Standout Contestants

Last week’s premiere was extremely exciting. It was full of compelling, intelligent, and sarcastic characters.  Early standouts for me were both Kristina and Francesca on Ometepe. Both women seem to know the game very well, and are not afraid to speak their minds. Firstly, I respect the way both chose to play the game from a viewer’s standpoint. They’re great T.V.! Additionally, most dynamic survivor seasons, Heroes versus Villains for instance, are predominantly comprised of seasoned strategists with a quick wit and no filter. The arguments that season between Sandra and Russell, Danielle and Russell, (and basically everyone else and Russell- let’s be honest…) were so enjoyable, because every Thursday from 8 to 9, I got to see two strong-willed individuals battle each

 other for control. That’s great television. On the topic of fighting………..

Fiery Tribal Council and My weekly picks!

Seeing how much controversy erupted at tribal council with Kristina, Francesca, or should a say Fan-ces-qua, and Phillip, I was disappointed that such a compelling character as Francesca was first out. Hopefully she returns from Redemption Island. Her candor truly made that first episode more enjoyable to watch than arguably all of last season. As of now, my three picks to win are as follows: Sarita, Grant, and Natalie. 

~ Survivor Sensei has spoken!