10 Thoughts On… Survivor: Philippines – Episode 2 Review

10 Thoughts, Reviews, Top Story

1. Just when I thought Roxy was going to be one of the better players this season, she completely changed her under-the-radar strategy from last week. This was even more baffling considering that she overplayed after seeing where that got Zane last week. Roxy had no reason to single Angie out at all. I think that if she had just kept her mouth shut, Russell would have gone home.

2. With that being said, I can see why she pointed out that Malcolm/Angie were coupling up. I think that she wanted to set-up a couple of targets ahead of herself, in the event that Russell was sent home. The fact of the matter is that Roxy knew that she was next on the chopping block if Russell was sent home and by trying to shift the target to Malcolm and Angie, she trying to line up more targets to get rid after their leader was sent packing. While I can definitely understand the methodology, I just feel that she did it too aggressively. Such a shame. I actually think she could have been a great player if she had kept herself in check a little more.

3. I know I talked about RC last week, but she continues to impress me. I think what I find the most fascinating about her strategy, is that she is clearly a student of the game. On paper, she is doing everything you need to do to win. Get in a strong alliance of four and have one hanger (Artemis). Make sure there is a leader who will be the first to go if need be (Skupin). Have one player that you trust implicitly and who isn’t well-liked by the others (Abi). Then use one of the strong guys to help win challenges (Pete). I literally think she is playing perfectly. The only issue is her choice for her main alliance. I think we got a lot of foreshadowing in last night’s episode about Abi’s paranoia, and there is now no doubt in my mind that she will be the one responsible for RC’s demise. I think telling her about the idol was a mistake, but it’s one that we have grown accustomed to on Survivor. When you find the idol, you have to tell someone. RC also handled Abi perfectly during the latter’s freakout. She is just an amazing player.

4. With that being said, I am interested to see what Penner does with the idol now that he has it. I am not sure how aware he is of the rest of his tribe hating him, but in his case, I actually think it might be a better move to use the idol to get some allies. I am not sure. By doing that, the other players could Clement him and cement his fate by sending him home with the idol. On the other hand, it isn’t like he has a lot of allies at this point anyway.

5. I really am getting a strong sense of Colby/Tina déjà vu with Malcom/Denise. They are clearly the game’s strongest pair and I absolutely adore Angie. The only thing that will hurt them is their own tribe’s ineptitude. Right now, if you are asking me to pick between Team RC and Team Malcolm, I believe RC’s alliance is much stronger only because they have been winning.

6. Seriously, why are they hiding Carter?

7. I thought that this week’s episode lost a lot of steam from last week’s brilliant premiere. If Russell’s tribe keeps losing, it will take a lot of the intrigue out of the season only because Team Skupin and Team Penner haven’t had to make any decisions and seem destined to easily make it to the merge at this point.

8. It must be killing Russell to see his team lose at everything. Remember, his old Galu team on Samoa was unstoppable. Swan’s words after tribal council were almost prophetic. He doesn’t like being the target because he is used to his teams winning everything.

9. Is Lisa really that unaware, or is it part of her strategy?

10. Taking bets on whether Skupin will be forced out of the game because of an injury again.

Murtz Jaffer is the world's foremost reality television expert and was the host of Reality Obsessed which aired on the TVTropolis and Global Reality Channels in Canada. He has professional writing experience at the Toronto Sun, National Post, TV Guide Canada, TOROMagazine.com and was a former producer at Entertainment Tonight Canada. He was also the editor at Weekendtrips.com.