1. It’s time to call a spade, a spade. I think Malcolm is overrated. Practically every Survivor that I have talked to over the last few weeks has told me that Malcolm is the best player this season and please do not misunderstand me, I am not saying that he isn’t. I just think that he is the best of a bad bunch. While I would never say this personally, many have made the comparison between his game in the Philippines to Kim’s performance on Survivor One World in terms of their individual innate genius. The flaw in that theory is that they were not playing against anyone that could challenge their dominance. So far, Malcolm is the best of a mediocre bunch.
2. While I don’t think Dana should have left the game, especially after how tough she was talking in the first episode about getting rid of Penner, I certainly don’t question her decision to leave. While I realize many people would love nothing more than to play the best game in the world, it is certainly tougher than people think. Sometimes the elements are too much to handle and I don’t think all of these Thursday morning quarterbacks could know how she was really feeling.
3. Am I the only one baffled by why Kalabaw chose to eliminate Dawson? I still don’t understand the decision. I know Jonathan briefly mentioned that she was a distraction by trying to take control of the puzzle, but I actually thought she was helping to solve it. There is no question that it should have been Katie. While I like her, I think eliminating Dawson was a bad decision and one that will hurt the tribe in the future.
4. I would really like to discuss the idiocy of Tandang. The decision that they have made to keep the newly acquired Malcolm instead of tribe leader Mike and consummate challenge performer RC proves that none of them really know how to play. Malcolm is smart, a physical threat and an outsider. He should immediately have become the first target and instead, Tandang has basically given him free reign over their camp. Pete told him that he has an idol (with Abi). RC is ready to try and align with him in an effort to save herself. I do not understand why he holds all the cards as the outsider? Have these people never watched Survivor before?
5. There is a sharp difference between Malcolm and Denise’s situations. While Malcolm should go home on Tandang because of how much of a threat he is, Denise walked into the perfect situation at Kalabaw. She was the swing vote in the middle of two separate alliances. While many pundits would suggest that she made the wrong choice and should have gone with the girls instead of the guys, I actually think she made a brilliant play. Even if the game got down to Jonathan, Carter, Jeff & Denise (which it won’t), the guys would still target each other first instead of her. Also, Dana leaving the game validated her move of going with the stronger side. All she needs to do is make it to the merge and then she can start to wheel and deal with Malcolm. By going with the guys, she has lined up another target in Katie (obviously the next to go) and she should sail easily to the merge.
6. Why aren’t we seeing more of Mike? Can anyone explain it? He has become the new Carter in terms of TV time.
7. With that being said, his move during the challenge was absolutely spectacular. That’s the Kucha Skupin that we all know and love.
8. I came to the realization in this episode, that I really miss Russell Swan. Anyone else?
9. I think merging Malcolm and Denise into the other two tribes was the wrong decision. I would have liked to see the other tribes have to sit 6 people out. That would have been hilarious. Also, remember that we saw this in Palau when Stephenie was the last woman standing.
10. This season needs something good to happen ASAP. I am kind of bored. Anyone else?
