Survivor Samoa - Episode 9 - Russell is unreal

[dr.strangelove]

Sorry I have been out of it for the past few weeks. The kids and work are really taking a toll. Last night was the first time in a month I was home before 10 on a Thursday.
Anyway, long and short, I have come around on Russell. He is still an egomaniac and a jerk, but my boy knows how to play this game. Russell does it again, finding another idol without a clue. He is a survivor legend already.

I mean I saw something coming. CBS pushed all week that he was the target without an idol, but I was waiting for him to use Shambo to turn it, not to find another freaking idol. I swear, I am with Jaison, "I’m really beginning to love this guy."

Onto my recap.
Episode starts with Russell being open that it was a mistake to play the idol and that for the first time he is not in control. Of course Laura's angels are as rude as possible openly cheering for his mistake and that he is next. I have to tip my hat to CBS for the editing of last night's show. They start off with the hardcore gameplay, then shift what has cracked into my top 5 all time favorite moments.

Natalie goes rat-hunting. Picture if you will our beautiful blond southern belle, all decked out in her golden bikini, walking through the forest. Suddenly, her little lady upbringing comes out, a scared yelp because she sees a rat. Then, the nature of the game takes over and the first thing she sees is not a dirty rat, but a iog old chicken wing. It reminded my of the old bugs bunny cartoons when bugs and elmer are on a desert island and suddenly elmer turns into a steak or a chicken leg. I swear she did not see a rat, just a cheeseburger. So my new favorite woman beats the little sucker to death and brings home the bacon.

Thanks for the distraction cbs, because it was freaking great. But then its back to survivor, or as it should be called, Russel and some others in Russell's world. Russell says that since he played the idol, there is probably another out there and he is going to find it. I love him. He is already planning how to survive this week. The rest of the team is thinking about the reward challenge and he is thinking game play, all the time. No one els ethere is on the same page as him.

So while five Galu members slide and eat chicken while plotting to take out Russell, Russell is finding the idol. He is amazing. Of course its not just about idols. Luck will run out. If he has to keep finding them, he will lose, so he goes into the next move.

I swear I could see him thinking. We came here down 3 votes. I got rid of one of them by them being distracted with the idol. He played it and they eliminated one of their own, thinking that getting Russell to play the idol was a win. Now he knows he can get out another with his plan, bring Galu to just a single vote lead. But what then. Get Shambo on board and its 5-5. So he goes to work again. I think he has done it.

Of course Laura, who is no slouch in this game, wins again, destroying the plan to oust her. But he does the next best thing, get rid of her stronger girl, leaving her with only Monica as her alliance. I tip my hate to Monica, who had the idea to split the vote to ensure that one of them did not go, but they did not have the votes. they only had seven and needed 5 for Russel. They would never have pulled it off.

Then we begin yet another GREAT tribal counsel. I swear watching Eric glare was fun by itself. Watching Galu implode by talking about how set they are was even more fun. Dave is an idiot. Not only did he dismiss the idea of another idol, he starts talking bad about Erik. Is he even trying to get a vote from him. Erik just kept on punching the air, looking angry. I like him ont eh jury.

After the vote, Russell plays his idol. I swear I thin the world stopped for a second. Galu was just in shock, then flabbergasted. Watching their smug smiles fade into frowns and fear as they realize what was happening was priceless. Once the first vote was read for Russell, he put on a smile knowing that yet again his plan worked. Then it was just a great time watching all of them trying to figure out who was the victim of Russell's plan. Dave looked the most scared. Once the first Kelly vote was read, it all came home. She looked like she was gut punched and Laura seethed that he went after one of her girls. HEr little comment that Russell stirred up a whole lot of hell was right on the money.

So Shambo voted with Galu, but was that part of the plan. I'm sure it was. Russel needs them to thin kshe is on their side still. His next hole card is Shambo. I doubt they will let him find an idol. The preview seems to show Dave and Laura leading a zone style defense to never let Russell be alone to find the idol. I suspect the next plan is to get Shambo to flip. We will see.

[romana]

1. I'm with you!

Russell absolutely understands how to play this game, and in fact, he never, ever stops playing it. I think I love him now! :D I want to see him take it at this point. I just loved the looks of disbelief on Galoob's faces when he pulled out that immunity idol. It was the best TC ever! Russell also earned Eric's vote right there, I think.

[dr.strangelove]

2. He has to go

I'm not cheering for him to win yet. I still think he is a jerk, but he is a jerk who knows how to play. Its like in the first season, I was rooting for Rudy right up until he took his hand off the pole. Then I cheered for Hatch. If Russell is there at the end, he will get my support, but until then, I am hoping he goes. To be honest, even his own tribe should be gunning for him. If Shambo flips and they can surprise the other tribe and get the upper hand, once they have a lead of 5-3, I would take him out if I was Jaison et al.

[murielm99]

6. I agree that he has to go.

The first season, I started out cheering for Rudy, too. I ended up cheering for Hatch, because he earned my respect. He has set the standard for the way the game is played.

I did not like Hatch, but I wanted him to win.

I don't feel that way about Russell. I think he plays everyone, even when he does not have to. He relished lying about Katrina and his fictitious dog. That was not necessary. He lies simply for the sake of putting one over on other people. He may even be playing the audience about his own background. Is he really a millionare oil company owner?

I think it is too "convenient" that he found the last idol. I am not willing at this point to call bullshit on the show. But remember, they are surrounded by cameras and crews. Has he been watching the show's people, and seeing them hide the idol, or is is something less honest than that? If he finds another one, I will begin to question the show's credibility. At this point, they do recruit people rather than simply relying on people who apply to be on the show. Who's to say they aren't finding other ways to spice it up?

They should be doing more to develop other narratives. So far, their editing has made it more about Russell than anyone else. We know very little about some of those other players. I know this is only entertainment, but it is sort of twisted when people grow to admire a shit like Russell. When the amazing Russell goes home, maybe we will learn something about some competent, but otherwise unnoticed players.

[dr.strangelove]

7. The Show

Mark Brunet is a mastermind at creatign drama for the types of personalities he picks for his shows, but I do not think he would risk another Stacy lawsuit and actually try to rig the outcome of the show.

He carefully selects how to edit teh show. Russell is popular because of how he is portrayed. If Russell goes, another will step in to take his place. Not the same role, but a role the cbs can market. Each person on teh show can fill that rile if they need them. Also, remember, they know the outcome before the first episode airs. They market teh whole show as a package to us. Russel is portrayed thsi way for a reason; ratings. They will get their biggest bang for their buck otu fo him.

As for the idols. My understanding is that they are hidden while the tribe is returning from tribal, which takes a couple of hours. If an idol is played at tribal, the producers radio the on site producer, who places the idol. They have the spots worked out with teh clues. This year, Russell just found them without the clues.

[Duer 157099]

3. Also, since he's spent so much time with the idol already

he should know very well how to produce a replica, and I'd bet (or hope) that he considers that strategy soon.

He could also just say that he found it, but they'd want him to show it.

It's too bad that he told some where he found it. And it was funny how quickly (at least in edited time) he went from "I'm not telling anybody" to telling everybody, lol.

I still think he's a psychopath, a smart and cunning one. Glad I don't know him in real life.

[dr.strangelove]

4. I still think he is a jerk

and a sociopath, but man is he good at the game. I'd never let him nearer to my kids than on a TV screen, but still, he is fun to watch. There are a lot of people who HATE him. I don't get it. I love watching this.

Now one of two things happens. Either the Galu guys get smart and recruit Shambo or the division there with Dave and Laura on on eside and BRandon and John on the other forces her to the other side. If I am Russell, I tell everyone including Shambo to vote for Monica. That way, its 5-5 between Monica and whomever the other side picks to go. If its Russell, its him vs Monica in a run-off competition, usually fire building. Monica is sweet but has not shown much of survival skills. I can see him beating her badly.

If Russell pulls this week off, he can go all the way. If they are smart, they cut him loose.

[Vinca]

5. I started out hating Russell, now I'm rooting for him.

That was a brilliant move last night. I hope he finds the next idol, too.