Holy cow, Erik officially goes down as the worst Survivor player ever! (I hope everyone heard James declare that he had finally given up his crown.)
I thought nothing could top the most excellent gameplay of last week with the playing (finally!) of a hidden immunity idol by Amanda, especially with all the acting she did to pull it off. But this week’s master manipulation of Erik by all of the women (especially Natalie) into handing over individual immunity to Natalie at tribal council was astounding. I joined the members of the jury in open-mouthed amazement at the thought Erik might actually go along with it. And then when he handed the necklace over, even the women who put together the whole delightfully evil plot were shocked that it worked. I had been worried they laid it on too thick at tribal when they were going on and on about how he had to do something to make them trust him again. But it worked like a charm.
Playing on Erik’s insecurity about his lack of votes from the jury was the perfect strategy and they played it to the tee. He was so concerned that he might not have enough votes on the jury that he forgot the first rule of “Survivor”: You have to get to the final tribal council before you can worry about where the votes will lie. Yes, you do have to be concerned with votes along the way, but the bottom line is, if you let that overwhelm you, you’ll be going home at No. 5 instead of No. 2 or 3. And that was his downfall.
So who came up with that idea? I can’t remember now if it was Amanda or Cirie who first said to Natalie, “What if Erik gave you his immunity necklace?” Anyone else remember who it was? A bright idea like that could well be excellent point to bring up at the final tribal council to score points with the jury.
Anyone else think this is the best season in a long time? I know someone who said “Survivor” was getting so boring, she decided to quit watching after the first few episodes this season, and it’s safe to say she made the wrong decision. If there was ever a season to stick it out to the end with, this one was it. Wow.
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May 9th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I was like just about every body on the show last night-left with my mouth hanging open, thinking “He can’t seriously think he’s not going home!” Like Natalie said “I don’t even know what to say.” But I think they better get smart soon and get rid of cirie or she will win this whole thing. I still can’t believe no one has seen how she has strategized so much this season. It is fun to watch.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:00 am
It is great fun, Laura. What’s your opinion of the season as a whole? It’s shaped up to be one of the best ever for me. It’s too bad a lot of viewers have fallen away and are missing out on this.
Did you just die when Erik sat there with all his fingers crossed? It makes me giggle right now just remembering it. Erik’s bonehead move just goes to show you that smooth talkers can triumph over brainless brawn anytime.
Cirie probably deserves to win, but I still don’t like her. Didn’t like her on her season and don’t like her on this one. But then I hated Richard Hatch as well, yet looking back, there’s no question he deserved to win it all.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I have missed bits and pieces of this season but always enjoyed the shows I did watch. And I was busting up laughing when Erik had his fingers crossed. Especially given lasts week lost contestant. I can’t remember who it was but I would think Erik would have realized Natalie could pull one over on you. Guess he didn’t see that one coming!