Survivor: Redemption Island

[KarenP]

Well, I think this was one of the best tribal councils ever. I can't believe Phillip spilled about the immunity idol.

I guess I am in the minority but I just love Boston Rob. I hope he goes really far but I am worried because his tribe is definitely the weaker of the two.

I do wish these people would put some clothes on! Haven't they heard of bathing suits or shorts for goodness sake??

[A Big Kid]

Well, I think this was one of the best tribal councils ever. I can't believe Phillip spilled about the immunity idol.I guess I am in the minority but I just love Boston Rob. I hope he goes really far but I am worried because his tribe is definitely the weaker of the two.

I do wish these people would put some clothes on! Haven't they heard of bathing suits or shorts for goodness sake??

I would have been surprised if he didnt. When she called him out in front of everyone, what did she expect?

[Carol]

I guess I am in the minority but I just love Boston Rob.

I'm sitting right next to you, Karen. He is a great player. He has a huge target on his back though. It's gonna be rough.

[KarenP]

I'm sitting right next to you, Karen. He is a great player. He has a huge target on his back though. It's gonna be rough.

I know, Carol. I sure hope Rob can hang in there. I would love to see him in the game a good while. Oh who am I kidding? I'd like to see him go all the way!!

[Ian]

Well for all of you Rob fans, he seems to be solidly in control of his tribe at this point so I wouldn't worry too much for his safety. They all seem to realize (unlike last time) that he's a valuable asset to a tribe, both in terms of his physical and strategic play, so they're going to keep him around.

I loved the whole drama with Russell and Ralph. I admired Ralph for standing up to Russell, even if he did look a bit foolish for trying to claim he knew the game as well as a guy who'd played it twice now. I think Russell would do well to watch out for Ralph. I suspect he's more of a player than you think.

Good episode last night, although I was really hoping we'd see the Redemption Island duel. I really want to know how that works!

[SBETigg]

I think Rob is safe, for now, but I think getting rid of Matt this early was a mistake. Andrea would have been a better choice. Well, Phillip would have been ideal. He is going to cost them, I fear. But he does seem harmless and he's good TV, so I don't mind them keeping him for a while. I think Rob is over-thinking the game and getting a little ahead of himself. Matt could have been useful. Rob could have explained why he wanted Andrea gone and Matt would have still been in Rob's pocket, easy to ditch at merge if needed. Andrea is going to be more willing to throw her vote to anyone else now, both now or down the line. That one could haunt him.

I think Russell's in trouble. They're going to lose a challenge, and he's not making any moves that will keep him around at that point. The first two games he played, he had the benefit that no one knew his game. This time, they know and they are already wary. The same strategies won't work, and he's playing those same strategies. I will be surprised if he makes merge- unless it's on Redemption Island.

[Ian]

I think Russell's in trouble. They're going to lose a challenge, and he's not making any moves that will keep him around at that point. The first two games he played, he had the benefit that no one knew his game. This time, they know and they are already wary. The same strategies won't work, and he's playing those same strategies. I will be surprised if he makes merge- unless it's on Redemption Island.

Yeah we'll see. I agree that I'm not sure his strategy is going to work as well as it did last time, because the first time around no one knew him at all and the second time no one had a chance to see him play before they taped the show.

This time everyone is fully aware of how he operates, so it will be a true test for him. If he pulls it off, though, he cements himself as one of the greatest players ever.

[Granny Jill A]

Nice challenge. Loved it when Ralph "Man Sweater" aimed well and true, winning in spite of what Russell said about him.

I'm also glad Ralph didn't spill that he found the immunity idol.

I agree that ousting Matt from Rob's team was an error. Matt just may come back to haunt Rob.

Favorite player at this point? Man Sweater

[laprana]

Another good episode last night! I was cracking up at Phillip's crab hunting in his Superman underpants...did he really need a 6-foot-long pointed stick and a rock to kill/catch a crab that was the size of a half dollar? Why didn't he just pick it up?

I was so glad to see Ralph stand up to Russell the way he did! He stood his ground but he handled it well, not trying to be a bully the way Russell was. And then he won the challenge for his team! I'm already so tired of hearing Russell talk that I hope he's the first one booted off his tribe.

I also didn't really understand why they voted Matt off last night. I can understand breaking up him and Andrea, but then why not get rid of Andrea first? It seems like a move that could really hurt them in challenges. But what was with Matt congratulating the other team after the challenge? Definitely not a great move to make in front of your fellow tribe members who just lost.

[SBETigg]

But what was with Matt congratulating the other team after the challenge? Definitely not a great move to make in front of your fellow tribe members who just lost.

That didn't bother me. I think he was honestly just trying to be a good sport. He doesn't seem crafty enough to have used it as a strategy to endear himself with the other tribe. Though, strategically, not a bad move since some of those people could decide his fate after merge, had Rob not targeted him for it. I think he was just naive enough not to realize that things one does naturally, like congratulating the winners, don't always translate well in the Survivor game. I can see why it made Rob want to keep an eye on him, but not to the point of eliminating strength when it's needed.

[Ian]

Heh ... this is gonna be good. One thing Russell has never done particularly well with is challenges. He's always gotten as far as he has with his wits not his brawn. It will be really, really interesting to see if he can step it up and last on Redemption Island. Something tells me he might be going home next week, though. He doesn't seem to have the discipline required to excel in the challenges.

I totally get whey they voted him out, though. He wasn't doing what Rob was doing and being a team leader, making himself valuable to the tribe. He basically said one thing, did the exact opposite, fooled no one, and got himself booted. I'd have done the same thing.

[Melanie]

I totally get whey they voted him out, though. He wasn't doing what Rob was doing and being a team leader, making himself valuable to the tribe. He basically said one thing, did the exact opposite, fooled no one, and got himself booted. I'd have done the same thing.

Which means he hadn't learned a thing. Hello...these folks have seen your game Russell, a 'pleasure' the others hadn't had in your first two seasons.

He deserves what he got because his ego and stubborness got in the way.

[Ian]

He deserves what he got because his ego and stubborness got in the way.

Totally agree!

[Granny Jill A]

I cheered when Russell got the boot. Hope Matt stands up to the bully and beats him at the challenge.

Ralph is still keeping mum about the idol. Good strategy.

Stephanie is next on my list to get the boot.
What a pain in the bahookie.

[laprana]

Good riddance, Russell! I was very glad to see him go, if not home, then at least to Redemption Island. I think Ian's right, I don't think he has ever done well in challenges, so hopefully he'll be one and done in the Redemption duels. It will be interesting to see if Stephanie loses some of her swagger and venom now that her "protector" is gone. I also hope she's the next to go.

[SBETigg]

I tend to think Russell will stay around on Redemption Island a while. It serves the producers to have him there, at least until Rob joins him for a head to head. I'm guessing they might tailor some challenges to his strengths. Also, he has a leg up because the Redemption challenges are all based on previous Survivor challenges, which Russell has been through while new people have not. I don't like the idea that he will not go away easily, but that's my prediction.

I did enjoy last night's show. I could not believe the mouth on Stephanie. And then after Russell got the boot, "Storm's a coming." Oooh, very threatening. There's two of you. I hate that they threw the challenge (never a good idea and I lose respect) but now I think they should just go ahead and throw the next two to cut those chippies (Stephanie and is it Kris?) right out of there before they have a chance to make merge and exact revenge.

[TheDuckRocks]

I absolutely hate it when a team throws a challenge, but this was the one time I was actually rooting them on. Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Matt beats the the tar out of Russell in the Redemtion Island challenge. Although Russell being Russell, I'm sure in his demented mind he will still consider himself the greatest survivor ever.

[Nascfan]

That was great! While not a fan of a team throwing a challenge (it usually bites them) it was so cool to see Russell take the walk of shame. Probably the best thing would be for Stephanie to go next because then even if Matt loses, then either Russell or Stephanie would go home permanently as they'd have to face each other at Redemption. Wouldn't that be sweet!

[Granny Jill A]

I tend to think Russell will stay around on Redemption Island a while. It serves the producers to have him there, at least until Rob joins him for a head to head. I'm guessing they might tailor some challenges to his strengths.

I'm guessing you're right because this is TV after all, and not spontaneous or unscripted.

I'll be grumpy until Russell is GONE -- for good.

[SBETigg]

Tonight is being called a "can't miss" by the press, who got to see the episode early (I guess to build buzz). So I wonder what happens? About the only thing that would really surprise me is if Russell goes home for good, or if Rob gets booted already. So I'm eager to see it and find out what's up.

Also, the whole Redemption twist has worked out for Survivor, giving the show new popularity after some iffy seasons and earning it a renewal with CBS, and a new two year lock-in for host Jeff Probst. Which is awesome, because I can't even imagine Survivor without him.