With three weeks between real episodes (the recap episode doesn’t count because it always sucks), I had almost forgotten what’s been going on with Survivor: Exile Island. Who cares about basketball?! Give me some starving castaways who want to screw each other over. The show’s triumphant return this week did not disappoint, although I have to admit that I was a bit surprised with the voting outcome.
Why Nick? He was nice, didn’t ruffle any feathers, and was a real treat to look at. And as far as sheer brain power goes, I’d say that Austin has one up on him in that department. Of course, at this point in the game, it’s difficult to weigh which quality is more threatening: brute physical strength or keen intellect. Austin appears to have both, although perhaps that’s not something that Casaya recognized during their short time with La Mina post-merge.
I must say that it was a bit surprising and disappointing to watch Bruce and Cirie stay loyal to Casaya given the idiocy of certain members of that tribe (cough, Shane, Danielle, and Courtney). On the other hand, when former La Mina alpha dog Terry approached both of them with the exciting offer of joining up with his gang to vote out one of the Casaya clowns, they didn’t bite. Cirie looked at the situation very logically; what would she gain by wandering to the other side? I was thinking that she would finally have a chance to get rid of the morons she’s been laughing at for the last few weeks, but apparently that wasn’t enticing enough.
And Bruce? I can’t believe he didn’t jump over with Terry and company. He saw right through Aras and Shane’s ploy to make him look like the leader of Casaya, yet he wasn’t sufficiently irked to change his strategy. Both tribes were talking a lot about a Pagonging (getting picked off one by one), but I doubted that it would actually happen. I’m a big fan of the flip-flop, which is one reason why I think Survivor: Amazon is one of the best seasons ever. Unfortunately, the absence of Rob Cesternino means that voting patterns will probably remain utterly predictable, despite the fact that Probst continues to sagely remind everyone that “anything can happen.”
Sure, it can, although the only element of true intrigue that I see at this point is Terry’s possession of the immunity idol. It would totally rock if he could continue to dominate in the challenges and not have to use the idol until much later, but I anticipate that the idol will come into play sooner rather than later. And once the idol is gone, Terry will have to keep wearing the immunity bib (what the hell happened to the talisman?) to stay in the game. Even a golden boy like Tom Westman didn’t achieve that feat. Terry’s not going to win.
But Sally might. I just love the way that my Minnesota girl has gone from first on the chopping block at La Mina to the one that everybody forgot about. After her respite at Exile Island, Sally entered the merge as a lone wolf. Even though Casaya didn’t forget that Sally would stay loyal to La Mina and vote with them, no one mentioned voting her off. If they’re smart, they will, even before Austin. Sally’s easy-going nature and girl-next-door friendliness make her seem like a non-threat, but I think that woman has serious game. I could see her sitting off to the side while the likes of Shane, Danielle, Courtney, and Aras self-destruct.
I guess I can’t make up my mind anymore about this season. On the one hand, the Casaya group is in a position to rapidly dispose of Austin, Terry, and Sally at the next three tribal councils, but I have a feeling that immunities are going to mess up that plan. And with shrewd players like Cirie on the lookout for the best possible situation to get ahead, a shake-up could very well happen. I certainly hope so, anyway.
Speaking of immunity, I really loved the challenge this week. The first individual immunity competition typically demands that the contestants do something horrible or boring until they can’t stand it anymore and drop out. This challenge, which had the survivors hanging by their arms and legs like bats, was one of the best yet (and a hell of a lot more interesting than the tired gag of standing everyone on a perch). Shane was amusing when he asked Jeff to bring out the treats for anyone willing to drop out. The dude is obviously well-versed in the traditions of the show and was certainly justified in asking if any snacks were forthcoming. Then again, when the Casaya gang found out that there would be no temptations to lure them down, they jumped anyway. How’s that for bravado?
A question lingers: what will become of Exile Island? No one was sent there this week, and I’m wondering if any future banishments will be part of some reward for the castaways rather than a punishment. It makes sense, seeing as how some still believe they’d have a chance of finding the immunity idol. I could also imagine that the producers might set up some sort of tent with a bed and food for someone. In any event, I guess there wasn’t enough time to show any island action this week, although it seems a bit wasteful given the whole premise of this season.
I must depart from the game for a moment to do a bit of ranting. Are any other Survivor fans out there really tired of being judged for liking this show? I know I am. I recently told somebody that I write this column, and he asked me if I was serious. What’s so wrong with being a fan of a TV show? There are plenty of sports fanatics, porcelain doll aficionados, and stamp collectors out there who enjoy their hobbies as much as I do. What makes a reality TV viewer inferior to anyone else with an interest. I realize that I’m preaching to the choir here, since anyone who would take the time to read this column is at least as diehard a fan as I am. But still, to all of you Survivor lovers out there, don’t let the haters put you down! It’s a beautiful thing when people can find something in this world that entertains them the way that this show has. Is that so wrong?
