Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Survivor: Redemption Island, Ep. 8 - Turn the Other Cheek

I guess Matt's presence of mind can only go so far. He exhibits nerves of steel in the duels (winning six in a row), and then he has a complete lapse when he re-enters the game. Telling every thought in his head to Andrea was imprudent. Confessing it all to Boston Rob was sheer lunacy. Matt, if your relationship with God dictates a certain course of action - follow that path. But, Mariano doesn't need to know every last detail. Your impolitic gameplay rivals (if not exceeds) Phillip's worst moments this season. You are not Job, your misfortune is your own creation. As Shii-Ann noted in All-Stars, you never want to incur "the wrath of Boston Rob." You messed with the primal forces of Survivor - you threatened the Robfather. Hopefully, you can make good use of your second stint in the penalty box and the third time's the charm. Then again, despite her promises, did Lucy ever let Charlie Brown kick the football?

Dave's admiration for the move Ometepe made at tribal council was interesting, but I'm not so sure he wasn't putting on a show. I think Dave was ingratiating himself with Rob, hoping he'd earn a little extra time in the game. Dave was saying: 'I get it. That was a great move. If you need help in blindsiding your own people later on, come to me. I can work with you.' What Dave might not realize is that Rob has been chucking out people like that since Day One... of All-Stars! He blind-sided Cesternino under the same exact circumstances! Mariano has to be the cleverest one on the beach. He will never work with Dave. Any collaboration would last about 18 hours.

Still, Dave seems to be in less immediate danger than Steve or Mike. The issue is: can they get Grant to flip? The preview shows that Grant might waver, but that smells like manufactured drama. If Survivor history is any guide, two or three Zapatera members will get the boot before the Ometepe alliance shows serious strain.

Natalie's win in the immunity challenge was very impressive. She's a dancer, so the task played to her strengths, but it was an excellent performance. The issue is whether she can take the pressure when Ometepe starts to dissolve. If one of her key allies (Boston Rob or Ashley) gets blind-sided, will she crumble without their support? Last season, Kelly S went to pieces under such circumstances, but I get the feeling Natalie might be stronger than that. In some ways, she reminds me of Jenna when she won Amazon - a young woman who lost her alliance, but persevered. Natalie is not the favorite, but she is climbing the list.

The show has focused on the men, but one gets the feeling that the Natalie-Ashley-Andrea triangle might determine this game. They all are athletic, and have already been involved in enough backstabbing that they might not hesitate in making an aggressive move once the males cannibalize each other. Andrea is still the outsider, but seems to have the wits to jump at the right moment. If she does not jump, she might be the one to convince the others that it is time to get rid of Mariano. I would have more confidence in them if they would display some interest in where their hidden immunity idol is. They must know by now that one of their own has it? Right?

So, expect some manufactured drama as Zapatera gets routinely picked off. Then, the fireworks will happen.

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