Survivor: Philipines, Ep. 10: Schadenfreude

It looks like I'm going to sneak this review in just in the nick of time.

 

Last week, Pete made the only argument he could make (you need me to flush Malcolm's idol).  Nobody bought it, and he went home.  Though, I have to admit, it took a lot of guts for Malcolm not to play his hidden idol.  He was told explicitly that his name was being discussed, and he knew it would take only one to flip.  I think I might have played it.

 

The immunity challenge was fun, and I think Carter got a huge advantage from winning the reward (and calories) the day before.  Otherwise, I think Skupin would have pulled it out.

 

As for Abi's tribal council tearfest, there are a couple of lessons to be learned.  First, never get into a debate with a therapist/psychiatrist about your personal shortcomings when they are ticked with you.  You will never win that exchange.  These people referee those type of arguments all day long.  They know every trick of the trade.  They will go for the jugular.  They know how.  And, they'll do it while seeming to be the only reasonable person in the room.  You can't win.

 

Denise really laid into Abi.  In some ways I thought it was gratuitous.  I'm no Abi fan, and I don't know what it would be like to be out there with her for weeks on end.  But, did she really need to methodically dissect her like Hannibal Lecter?

 

Probst threw Abi a couple of life preservers ("maybe it is because English is your second language," "maybe it's cultural"), but Denise swatted those away like Kent playing slow-pitch softball.  Denise is a therapist, she has heard every smear ever levied by one spouse on another.  She could knock down Probst's defenses after only two days on the job.  Meanwhile, the Director of Economic Development in Brasilia must have been pulling his hair out after Probst had so casually smeared the culture and reputation of his homeland.  Who would want to invest in a country full of 200 million Abis? 

I'm not saying Abi is a sympathetic figure.  But, once you get someone crying like that, you can call off the dogs.  Denise eventually did, but only after she had pushed it a little further than was necessary.  Denise wanted to do it - not because it would help her in the game.  It was revenge.

 

Other stuff:

 

-  Why did Penner tell Lisa it was too early to make a four-person alliance?  What is he waiting for?  He's still a major target, why would he turn down that offer?

 

-  Skupin is worried about Malcolm at the end.  He should be.  Frankly, Skupin has really limited options.  I don't think much of his former tribe will vote for him (except for Roberta, and maybe Lisa).  Artis, Abi, Pete - I think those votes are lost to Skupin.  He'd beat Abi, and maybe, Carter in a jury vote.  He's in the wrong final four alliance.

 

Odds of winning:

25% Denise 
22% Malcolm
16% Lisa
13% Skupin
12% Penner
09% Carter 
03% Abi  

Enjoy tonight's episode!