Everyone loves a good tribal council, and in between the quotes from Jeff Probst and the use of the hidden immunity idol tonight's episode of "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" ranks among the best since Russell single-handedly took down Galu last season. While the vote came at the sacrifice of one of the game's all-time great strategists, it certainly made for good TV.
Crying Coach
Speaking of good TV, there's really no one better than the Dragon Slayer known as Coach. The guy was in full-on "delusions of grandeur" mode this time around, alternating between wanting to quit and being a noble warrior.
The fact that Coach went to his "co-coach" Tyson following Sandra's tribal council insult was funny enough. He then, for some reason, got even more upset once Tyson told him the best way to make friends would be to stop acting like a nutjob with the story-telling and the tai chi. But how can you strip Coach of what makes him Coach? That's the problem: you can't.
Coach then went to Boston Rob, who professed to him that he was safe and valuable to the tribe. It's possible that Rob didn't mean either one of these statements, which is what made the scene even more entertaining.
So let's hope for the return of "Happy Coach" next week. "Emo Coach" is just so sad.
A reward with one purpose
Okay, let's be serious: they didn't bring the reward challenge for this episode back because it was "one of the most memorable in show history;" they brought it back because it was a good excuse to get people covered in oil. In other words, the show was merely re-doing what they did with the mud from last week.
We didn't really learn a ton about anyone during the challenge, with the exception of Rupert (who is apparently still struggling with a broken toe). The Villains ended up winning, which earned them a box o' goodies courtesy of Sears. (Hooray for random show product-placement again! It still doesn't measure up to the Casa de Charmin.)
Idols part one: the Villains do nothing
Now, we have the most entertaining part of the episode. I admit that from a personal standpoint I'm not a huge fan of immunity idols, particularly when they show up again and again. These things should be sacred -- one or two per season, at best.
It was discovered by certain castaways in camp supplies that there was a hidden immunity idol buried around camp -- but there was one problem: the clues were discovered in front of everyone. Boston Rob read out the Villains clue to everyone, which was followed by Sandra's quick line that the idol translates to mean a "target." (Brilliant observation, Sandra.) It was then that the tribe did the most non-sensical thing ever: not look for it! Are you people insane? Sure the idol is a target, but it can also guarantee you safety for one week.
Of course, there was one person who went a-looking: Russell. The guy is an idol magnet, even if he hasn't seemed to have discovered his treasure just yet. His excuse to go find the silly thing ("I'm going for a walk") was ridiculous enough, but the fact that Rob and the other guys didn't follow him only adds to the idiocy.
Boston Rob is making one of the biggest mistakes I've ever seen him make by not hunting for the idol. With it in his hands, he could be virtually unstoppable in this game. Instead, he's acting almost like he's too good for it just because he won second place on a season before idols came to fruition. Get with the program, Rob.
Idols part two: the Heroes do everything
The Heroes, meanwhile, took a more practical approach and had everyone scrambling for the idol like crazy. Some of them had good strategies (with the exception of James -- I have no idea what that guy was doing), but Tom's quick thinking paid off as he snagged the idol from under a tree trunk. Unfortunately, there was one problem: Amanda saw him doing it. This of course leads to what can only be called a massacre of great survivor strategy by the two-time runner-up.
First, she tells everyone what she saw just to get on Tom's bad side. Then, she later tries to ally with him following the immunity challenge. Then, she changes her mind again after talking to Cirie. This, "Survivor" fans, is why Amanda lost both times and may be considered one of the most overrated contestants in this game. She's a great follower, but a very poor leader.
Tom, on the other hand, could inspire a little-league team to beat the Yankees. More on that later.
Finishing what "Samoa" started
The immunity challenge this week was good and bad. I love the presence of the "let it roll" concept, where one person ultimately orders around people in blindfolds from one of the strangest vantage points possible. However, I can't keep myself from seeing Russell Swan on the ground every time I see this challenge played out.
Boston Rob and Tom (appropriately) were the two strategists, and the final blindfold race literally came down to a few close seconds as the Villains came out on top. It probably bought Russell another few days on the island, since he looked to be the target from everyone not named Parvati.
The wheels start turning
Now we get to some great gameplay, and proof that Tom and JT didn't win based solely on physical strength. Tom knew that JT was worried about Cirie, and he also know that she had stopped his plans of voting out Candice thanks to her "master persuasion." Tom and Colby also knew that they were the two people out on an eight-person tribe. The plan by the others was to split the vote evenly so that one would go home even if Tom played the idol.
This is where Tom managed to bring JT on board for one vote based on one solid argument: you can't trust Cirie, and she wants the alpha males out of the game. That argument was enough for the "Tocantins" winner, and that swing led to Cirie getting voted out with one three votes to her name. Tom played the idol, canceling out his three; thanks to JT, Colby only had two to his name.
It is a shame to see Cirie leave so early, since she may unquestionably be one of the best pure strategists of all time. She's still one of the best to never win.
The only thing greater than the vote? Hearing Jeff Probst take Rupert to task for voting based on alliance even when he knew that it would hurt his tribe in challenges. Jeff has a point, and Rupert's biggest flaw is yet again exposed: he's a great guy, but he can never win "Survivor" by being so predictable.
Next time...
We have another injury! Who could it be! There's also more of the Russell / Boston Rob feud, which is mainly fun because both guys are so full of themselves that I think they will each try and snuff Jeff's torch once they are voted out of the game.
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What did you think of Tom's big move at Tribal Council? Let me know your thoughts below and check back tomorrow for my interview with Cirie.
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Comments
I loved how Tom got rid of Cirie, I would have done the same thing. I always thought she was a lazy player and terrible at challenges. I was glad to see her go. Coaches crying had me gagging on the couch, what a winer, what kind of coach acts like that and Rob is not far behind. As far as Cirie being the best strategic player ever. I so don't agree she skated on everybody else skirt tails. I don't know why but she has always annoyed me. I do love Survivor and I haven't put money on anybody yet. Oh and Courtney looks so gross, talk about anorexic!! GROSS!!
It was the smartest move to get rid of Cirie. I agree with Tammy in that she always skates on others skirt tails. I really hope that Russell gets eliminated soon. Yes, he makes a great show but he is so full of himself, it is pathetic. I would rather see Rob advance rather than him.
Oh man that was such a blindside getting rid of Cirie, she was going to sweep the show and had everyone dancing around her. Such a good episode!
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