Survivor: Redemption Island, Ep. 2 - Hail Caesar

"Every day Rob impresses me. It is unbelievable how well he can just talk to people and play this game and see what they need and fulfill that need. It is absolutely amazing." - Matt

The Cult of Rob deepens. Kristina offered no signs of resistance this week, and even Philip has submitted. The player with the least self-control now asks Rob when he can go to the bathroom. If you look carefully at one of the longer shots, you can see Grant and Matt carrying Rob to the immunity challenge on their shoulders.

Anyway, we know what happened: Matt showed sportsmanship, which is something I do after every competition, but is prohibited for one of Caesar's gladiators. And, though Philip blew the challenge, he had shown enough supplication to please the Emperor. Therefore, after the games, Rob gave Philip a thumbs up, and Matt a thumbs down.

This provided an early test for his devotees: would they sacrifice one of their own so early? Andrea was not to be trusted, but the other three never questioned the order. Kristina dutifully played the immunity idol, and Philip passed his elaborately crafted loyalty test. Not a single thing happened in that tribe which Rob wasn't in control of. Even the cameramen asked Rob where to set-up.

Rob may act like he had no choice, but it looks as if he likes the power that comes with sitting on the throne. Caesar is going to get stabbed in the back one day, but he'll be ruling with an iron fist until the spell is broken. Tonight's events may do just that, as the wrath of Andrea will be unleashed. Perhaps she can act as a deprogrammer for the rest of the tribe. If Matt was so quickly disposable, maybe the others can awaken to the fact that their tribe is in deep trouble. However, it might take additional tribal councils before they question their faith.

Rob said he didn't want to play the game this way, but his strategy is coming into focus: get rid of competition early. He knows he's going to Redemption Island at some point. He figures he has a plausible shot of winning several one-on-one duels. If he survives that and comes back - he needs to go on an immunity challenge run. The best way for this to work is to get rid of the physically stronger players early. He's sending them to Redemption Island so they can cannibalize themselves. That way, when Rob goes to Redemption Island, he only has to beat one person at a time.

If Matt's staying fit into Rob's plans, he could have burned down the shelter without raising Mariano's ire. But, the supposed slip-up of congratulating the other tribe gave Rob the excuse to target him. Sending Matt to Redemption Island was more important than winning future tribal immunities. The stronger players better watch where they step, or they'll be going next. This is why Rob has chosen to align with Natalie - who seems to be the weakest since the tribe put her in charge of the locks (Andrea & Ashley are athletes). If I were one of them, I'd try getting to know Kristina (just in case). 

As for the other tribe, Russell's bravado is playing thick, but, I was on his side regarding the confrontation over the immunity clue. I have no idea why Ralph forced that. Was he simply trying to show his tribemates that Russell is duplicitous? They already know that. I don't think Ralph has the wits to win this game.

When the immunity challenge ended so early into the hour, I was certain that the show would climax with a Redemption Island duel. I guess they're going to place it at the beginning of each episode, so this show had a little too much talk for my taste. The stuff about Russell and the clue lacked drama because Russell is not going to find the idol. It also lacks intensity because I don't think Russell has any chance of surviving his tribe's first vote. All of his bragging aside, Russell needs a tribe mix-up to save his neck.

I was worried about Boston Rob and Russell being on this season. I thought they'd be dead men walking, which means they'd be there to goof off, draw attention to themselves, and collect an appearance fee from the producers. My fear was that the show would have 16 people playing Survivor and two wannabe celebrities doing something completely different - and it wouldn't work.

I still think Rob and Russell are playing "Celebrity Survivor" not Survivor, but I'm starting to see that Rob at least has a plan - and is trying to win. I think he might have made a mistake this week, and he still needs to be the center of attention, but he is trying. I didn't think this episode was particularly good, but I'm optimistic for the season.