Her? Really? Well, OK.

The finale! I loved it. I loved the whole season. I loved the whole good vs. evil thing. Sigh... and now it's over for another season. Sigh again.

So. am interested to hear your thoughts on Sandra's win. None of us saw it coming (well, until maybe the final three, right?) and all of us asked ourselves why the heck she was back in the first place. Who was she again? She won? Really? Her? So how did she get to the end again?

If you missed it - here's the short version. The first immunity challenge was won by Parvati. Colby fought hard, but couldn't quite do it - the story of his whole, sad season. Did you feel just a little sorry for him? Don't lie. Everyone wants Colby to win just a little. But he can't. And so his fate was sealed. He threw in a last-ditch effort for Russell to keep him over Sandra, but to no avail. Colby was gone.

Then there was a huge time-suck where they walk past the extinguished torches of their fallen Survivors. It's painful to watch, but it's the only way they can make the show into 2 hours. It started to get annoying to hear Jerri say each person's name the same way.... like this: "Sugaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrr".... "Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaames".... "Courtneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey"

Anyways... time suck over, we move onto the final immunity challenge. A maze where they have to go through all blindfolded and find necklaces and then find their way out again. It was pretty exciting. Russell won, but both Jerri and Parvati were RIGHT behind him. Gah! Could have been anyone's game. Except poor Sandra, who couldn't get it together.

Wasn't sure who was going to go this time. Would Russell stick to his original alliance? Who did he think he could beat in the final? (Turns out, it didn't matter. He wouldn't have beaten any of them.) Jerri got the boot. I really liked Jerri in the end. She was much more likeable, more of a Hero really and I liked how she said in the reunion show that she has gone from being one of the most hated Survivors to one of the most liked. And you can tell she's really happy about it and really happy and thankful to have played and to have gotten as far as she did.

Then the jury. It was good, but it made me crazy. You all know how I feel about the whole "good vs. evil" thing and how you have to play with "integrity" as long as that integrity fits the mould of what other people think "playing with integrity" should be. I also know not all of you agree with me, but that's the beauty of it. I didn't actually think anyone would change, and yes, all of these types of comments made me crazy. They just come off sounding bitter. Let's have some interesting questions for the finalists! Let's ask about what they'll do with the money. No mention at all about the fact that Sandra & Parvati had already won it... No real interesting questions at all. More comments and crabbiness. And Coach, talking about who he thought was the biggest warrior (he liked Parvati)... which is expected and funny. He wouldn't want to ask a question as it would take the focus away from him. Hee.

So, where were we? Right. I'm not defending Russell....exactly. I don't think he should have won. He played a perfect game to get himself to the end ONLY. Not to win it. To win it, he needed to make some friends and play nice a little. The jury votes for you and he doesn't get it that they need to like him at least a little in order to respect his game play. And they don't. To win Survivor you need to have some kind of social game at the end. You need to at least pretend to want to be people's friends and show some form of loyalty to someone. He could have played on his loyalty to Parvati more, but instead he came off petty when she insisted that they protected each other instead of how it is in his mind - that he protected her only. Now, while I don't think the game is entirely about making friends and being social, there's definitely that aspect to it, right? The winner is always the one who can strike the fine balance between being cunning and strategic, lying to the right people, being truthful to the right people, keeping certain loyalties, and building relationships. You need to cut people out without making them FEEL like you backstabbed them because you hate them or are ambivalent towards them. And like the Silver Fox Tom Westman said, it's also a combination of social play, physical play and luck. Russell said luck had nothing to do with him getting to the end - but it always does. Do you agree? He just didn't get it - even when Jeff straight out asked him if he understands that the jury's opinion matters. Nope. America should vote, says Russell (and they did - they gave him the 'fan favorite' award for $100,000). Jeff basically said, but that's not how this show works, Russell. We're not American Idol. The rules say the jury votes for you, so why don't you get it that that's the only way you can win? Nope. Like talking to a tree.

Anyways, the jury was fairly split between Parvati (4 votes) and Sandra (5 votes). Russell got nothing. No surprise. Here's where I'm not sure Sandra should have beat Parvati. I think Parvati - as much as I couldn't stand her in the beginning - played a great game. Plus she was fierce in the challenges, where Sandra has never won anything. However, Parvati was tied to Russell which may have cost her a few votes.

Do you think Sandra deserves to win? Like Parvati, I liked Sandra a lot more at the end. In Jeff Probst's blog, he mentioned a while ago that Sandra is strong because she knows when to say stuff and make moves and when to shut up and go along with others. I think this is true. She could be abrasive, but she also knew when to follow along and fall into the background. She made people think that she was "riding coattails" or playing "under the radar" but she also had to hustle quite a bit to save her butt on a number of occasions. She tried to get Russell out, but when she couldn't get anyone else on board, she knew that she should keep to the original alliance and vote WITH Russell to stay in the game. And at the end, she made a way better case for herself for the jury. She distanced herself from Parvati & Russell, saying she had to look after herself and got there on her own. She talked about her loyalty to her alliance and what she had to do to stay around once that alliance was gone. And in the end, she had made some friends and people liked her devotion to her family etc. etc.

Final, random thoughts:

- Sandra burning Russell's hat at the end. So funny. And at the reunion show saying, "Well, it was funky and it had to go, but I did feel bad after for a bit."
- Poolster Lori wonders why there are 3 finalists and 9 jury votes - couldn't it be a 3-way tie? Hmm...
- Candace made me hate her at the final Tribal Council. Her comments were stupid.
- Rupert... oh Rupert. His comments were expected - about how bad Russell is, blah, blah, blah. But then at the reunion, when asked about the good vs evil thing, he says how it IS difficult. How the lines are "blurred" and how even he had to sometimes lie, steal, whatever, on the show. So how does he figure his lying is better than Russell's lying. Is it better when you don't MEAN to lie and you're called a Hero? What? And how does it make you a good person to call someone else a "disgusting human being" on national television. I'm pretty sure that even if you don't like someone, it's not a nice thing to say. Also, for the love of puppies and candy and everything good in the world, lose the damn tie-dye already. Does he have a whole closet of tie-dyed tank tops? It's awful. And the beard. Trim it. Seriously. It's gross. There. (Hey, I never said I was a hero. I agree with Russell. Rupert is a dumbass.) And oh yeah. TWO toes were broken! Oh dear, said Eeyore.
- JT won a dumbest Survivor move ever award. Cute.
- They didn't talk about the Coach/Jerri romance at all!
- They did show the Survivor baby - Boston Rob and Amber's new addition. Rob has some serious hotness these days all of a sudden, non? Huh. And he wouldn't shake Russell's hand. Said he'd go back any time and kick his ass. Jeff: Maybe we'll have a whole season of just Rob vs. Russell. Hee. I also liked the way Rob said (in the time suck part) that the new generation of players is smarter and that the game has changed. Interesting then that Sandra won and not a "newer" player.
- Jeff asked both James and Colby if they weren't having any fun this season. James skirted the issue but did admit that even his mom didn't like him this season on the show. Colby talked about how the adventure wasn't there, that there was nowhere to explore, etc. which was what he liked on previous seasons. Also that he was sucking at the challenges, so yeah, he didn't have as much fun. Thought it was a good, honest answer.
- Candace got married after the show. Who cares? Right.
- Next Survivor is going to be in Nicaragua. Yay! Back to scary animals roaring!

And that's it. It's great every single season because it's unpredictable. They're keeping the challenges clever, Jeff somehow never ages, and there are a couple of twists to keep us on our toes. It's fun. Every time. And I enjoy ranting about it (clearly) and that you keep reading. Thanks, and see you back here sometime in September?

How I learned to love Parvati, and why the sad donkey had to go...

So before I say anything else, don't forget that Sunday is the finale! Don't forget!

Finally they had the family episode! I love the family episode! It makes us remember that our Survivors are actually real people who have other people who love them. I know, it's hard to believe in some cases (read: Russell) but that's part of the charm. Sprint product placement aside, it's fun to see who gets all choked up and what people come out to support our Survivors (remember Coach bringing his Assistant Coach? So sad and great at the same time!) Rupert and Russell's wives were there (both quite lovely, non?).... Sandra's uncle (her husband's in Afghanistan).... Jerri's sister, Parvati's dad and Colby's brother.

Which brings me to some of the best unintentional comedy ever. The family members have to help out in a challenge where the Survivors throw a bucket of water & the family have to try to catch it in their own bucket. Not as easy as it sounds. Colby, who - let's recall - can't win a challenge to save his life, got SUPER mad at his brother, Reid for not catching the water. It wasn't just mad, but it was progressively more and more mad.... so like this:
"Come on Reid, work with me."
"Talk to me Reid."
"Come ON, Reid."
"Seriously Reid, why can't you catch the water?"
"Reeeeeeeeeeeeeid! COME ON!"
"GEEZ! Reid, FOCUS! TALK TO ME!"
"REID, YOU ARE THE WORST WATER-CATCHER OF ALL TIME!"

Really, Colby? OK, I'm exaggerating a bit for effect, but it's not that far off, trust.

Jerri & her sister won the challenge, and of course could take two others with them. She chose the girls - Sandra & Parvati. Was there strategy involved there do you think, or did Jerri just feel the need for a day out with the girls? Russell, of course, was mad & went on about it at length about how that just cost her a million bucks, blah, blah, blah. Then Russell goes up to Rupert and Colby and makes an alliance. Or so we think. Russell would make an alliance with a tree if he thought it would help him in the game. Never take a Russell alliance too seriously. And of course, 'cause he's not that bright, Rupert trusts Russell. Again. Mind you, Rupert doesn't have much choice in the matter but still, you know that in Rupert's mind he's thinking, gee I hope Russell has turned his life around (thanks to me) and is ready to play this game with integrity. Ugh. Meanwhile, Colby is thinking this: (insert crickets chirping noise here)

Later, immunity would be won by Parvati. Again, this girl brings her A-game to the end. Remember, she is going to use this to her advantage - not just the immunity - but she is going to point it out to the jury just how good she is at the game.... the social part, the strategy part AND the physical challenge part. Right? More and more, I'm sad to admit that I'm liking Parvati. As poolster Lori pointed out today, Parvati is the only one who seems to be really having fun playing Survivor. Well, I think Russell is too in his own weaselly way. Poolster Lori also pointed out that both Parvati and Colby have names that either sound like or are cheeses. Coincidence?

With Parvati immune from the vote, Russell knows he's going to have to turn on his new "alliance" with the fellas and stick with the girls instead. Turned out to be a good move, as Colby and Rupert voted against Sandra, who played the immunity idol.

Sandra was funny. She taunted Russell all day with Parvati, almost like she was tempting him to vote her out. Hee. Then, when she played the idol, she said something like "I've got to play it because I don't want to carry it around in my bra any more." Hee. Funny because A) she was indeed carrying it in her bra and B) no one knew she had it, so their faces were priceless. As a side note, Sandra normally does not wear a bra. She really should. Yikes!

Parvati made a pretty smart comment at Tribal Council too. She noted to Jeff that the smart thing in her opinion was to keep the villains together. Why would you take a hero with you to the end when they have lots of friends on the jury? True.

And do you keep Rupert or Colby? Who goes first? Well, Colby can't complete a thought or an action. Colby is no threat. Rupert is still pretty strong and actually has come pretty close to winning a lot of challenges. Rupert is also annoying to have at camp. There was a lovely part last night where the whole tribe is trying to sleep and Rupert decides it's a good time to saw, chop, and break up huge pieces of wood. Hee. Jerri came fairly close to snapping. Finally, despite the fact Rupert is annoying, he actually does have friends on the jury, and is oddly likeable, though I can't understand it personally. Maybe it's kinda the way you still like your golden retriever after it chews up your remote control or something? Something about good (or oblivious) intentions maybe? I don't know. I do know that I'm going to have trouble not rolling my eyes and throwing up a little when he gets to ask a question as a jury member. Ugh. Let me guess - it'll something wicked original like, "Do you feel like you played the game with INTEGRITY?" "Are you PROUD of HOW you played the game?" "How can you LIE and expect to win a million dollars?" Oh, I'm starting again.... sorry.

Where was I? Right. Eeyore, the tie-dyed pirate, has been sent packing. Maybe he'll trim his beard.... who knows? I'm also interested whether all his "jury" clothes will be tie-dyed...

Don't forget to watch on Sunday!! 2-hour finale! So exciting!!


"

Now what? Eeyore > Boobs McGee?

Gaaaaaaaaaaaah! Some crazy business going on last night, my friends! TWO, count 'em, TWO Survivors left our show last night. So fun! There is so much to talk about.

Let's start with Eeyore... I mean Rupert. Rupert is mad at Russell. Rupert is mad that Russell swore on his kids' lives that he'd do something or other (unimportant)... and of course Russell did not live up to his end of the bargain. Now don't get me started, but those of you who read this know that it's one of my particular pet peeves about Survivor when people get all high and mighty about how the game is played. My own opinion is that there's nothing in the rules that says you can't lie. In fact, the motto is "Outwit, outlast, outplay." To outwit means to "get the better of a person by superior skill, craft, or ingenuity; to prove too clever for." I'm pretty sure that's exactly what Russell is all about, non? The motto is not "Be morally superior, outlast, outplay" right??? I mean, it's not to say you can't CHOOSE to play the game without lying to anyone & in fact that can be a good strategy too. I'm just saying it's not the only strategy and it's NOT REAL LIFE. It's not wrong to lie in a game where outwitting your opponent is the point.

And let's remember shall we, that Russell is on a team called the VILLAINS. If you, Rupert, choose to believe what Russell says, then ummm.... you're a fool. Let's consult our dictionary again.... Villain, n. "An unprincipled or depraved scoundrel; a man naturally disposed to base or criminal actions, or deeply involved in the commission of disgraceful crimes." OK. So it's not like Russell's a con man who hid the fact that he's a villain. That's the name of his team!!! Sheesh.

Right. So Rupert decides that he just can't sit by and let Russell be a villain. Rupert needs to have a talk with Russell. Now, there could be a lot of ways to approach this situation. Rupert picked the worst way possible. He said something about Russell being "a disgusting human being." Well, I don't know about you, but Russell's response (to smirk and shake his head and tell Rupert he's a dumbass) was fairly justified given what we know (see paragraphs above re: outwit and villain). And I really didn't mind it when Russell told us that Rupert should "pack up his tie-dye" and go home. Hee.

So I'm sort of a Russell fan again. I know, I've been fickle. But honestly, Russell is playing the game HARD. And ego or no ego, the man plays the game better than pretty much anyone else. But now I'm thinking that Russell might have the same trouble as last time in the end.... but more on that later.

The first immunity challenge was one where everyone has a bucket attached to their hand which they have to hold above their heads. Well, Jeff brings in treats. I have never seen so many people bail for treats. And people whose status in the game is not at all solid.... Colby, Candice, Jerri, Sandra.... these people should NOT be giving up immunity for cookies. Parvati won. Parvati does not NEED to win, but Parvati is smart and knows darn well that your time could be up at any point and immunity is always a good thing. Also Parvati is thinking ahead and knows she can use these things in the end (look how well I played the game... look how many challenges I won....) Colby on the other hand.... dude needs to get off his high horse and get back to Rachel Ray. Ugh. (On a side note... I often wondered if the girls get to shave their armpits... the answer is no.)

The "big twist" was that the whole bunch of them got to hear the clue to the hidden immunity idol. So everyone went searching when they got back to camp. Sandra found the idol and immediately re-hid it & didn't tell anyone else. Clever. Rupert put a rock in his pocket and did his best to try & make everyone think it was the idol. A good play for Eeyore. Even Russell thought he had it. So the plan was to split the vote between Rupert and Candice. Rupert and Colby got wind of the plan & were thrilled at the idea of getting rid of Candice, who they were also disgusted with for jumping ship. In Tribal Council, Candice didn't do a great job of defending her actions. Should have just laid it out - you guys are losers, why should I stay with you when I had an opportunity to get in with the winners? In the end, though, it turned out to be a bad move, as the Villains didn't need her any more (did they ever really?) and the Heroes hated her for flipping. Candice, out. I don't miss her. She's boring.

Next challenge. An obstacle course of sorts with a puzzle at the end. Russell won. Then comes the crazy stuff. Russell decided to try to turn Parvati and Danielle against each other by telling each of them that the other was plotting against them. Now, this could turn out to be either the most brilliant move ever, or one of the dumbest. Russell does not know that girls talk to each other about these things and tend to stick together when they feel like they're being bullied by a dude. So neither Parvati nor Danielle was having any part of it. BUT, the seed was sown. Russell had Colby and Rupert's vote for Danielle. And he got to Jerri, who told the girls she wouldn't change her vote. Russell played on her fears, though, and she switched. And Russell remained calm at Tribal, and Danielle cried. No one likes a cryer (see: Sugar.) Brilliant play. Danielle was voted out. And honestly, I don't miss her either. I never liked her - she's a mean girl. One of those. Yes. And her breasts were really distracting.

Now here's the thing. That move has made the Parvati-Russell alliance break apart. Now it's girls vs. boys. And this is the environment in which Parvati thrives. It'll now be Parvati, Jerri & Sandra vs Russell, Rupert and Colby. (Yes, I believe that Colby and Rupert will be foolish enough to believe Russell again.) AND, the bigger picture is for Russell - if he does make it to the end - who does he take with him? Who can he beat? I think his initial plan was to take Parvati, who people don't really like and who's already won. But she is charming and has more social skills than Russell. More people like her by the end of the game than at the beginning. Sandra might be a choice because I'm not entirely sure how many people like her and her game play strategy is not so overt. She has also won a million already, so you'd have that against her, but her husband's a soldier in Afghanistan... she'd get some sympathy votes. Then there's Colby. You could make a pretty good case that you played the game WAY better than Colby. Everyone played way better than Colby. The only reason Colby's still in the game is that he goes along with whatever others are doing and is not a threat. He doesn't win challenges (not even close!) and he hasn't thought of any strategy. If I'm Russell, I bring Colby. The only possible pitfall here is that the jury doesn't think like you & I. The jury is easily swayed by the "morality" argument as we saw last time when Natalie beat Russell. The jury also tends to vote more based on likability vs. how well you played the game. So what if you're the best player ever... we don't like you. You never became our friend. You lied. And now Russell's main allies (Parvati & Danielle) would probably even vote against him. Russell is in a pickle.

OK - long post today. My only other comment is that I am loving Courtney and her fashion stylings every time she shows up on the jury. Seriously, how many suitcases of clothes does she have? AND the best was Coach in his t-shirt with his band's name on the front: DRAGONZ. Yep. If you haven't watched Ponderosa yet (you can watch from the CBS Survivor website) you really, really owe it to yourself. Trust.