I think Im a freakin weasel.
Ryan
This week ofSurvivorwas all about cause and effect for Ryan.
The episode began with Ali asking Ryan why he blindsided her with the Roark vote.
Credit: Robert Voets/CBS
(Dean of Admissions: Hannah Shapiro.)
It was the first real social blunder weve seen from my episode 1 pick to win it all.
And that just raised Alis apprehension.
I cant have enemies in this game, he told us.
So she may have to go.
And go she did.
Losing Ali changes the math for Ryans decision last week.
And then theres this: Ryan may have shown his cards too early.
Ryan knows hes a weasel, and now others may know it as well.
Ask yourself this question: Would you trust Ryan 100 percent after that?
None of this means Ryan cant still win this game.
He remains in a decent position heading into the merge.
Im still fine with him as my pick to win.
But Im surprised he didnt handle the Ali fallout better.
Having a great social game is not just making people laugh while they split open coconuts for you.
It is handling damage control in a way to prevent strategic fallout.
Ryan was unable to do that this week.
Well see if that was merely a blip on the radar, or a sign of things to come.
That certainly did not impress Ben.
Coles showing his true colors, and theyre not good.
This leads into some squabbling about how much food to eat and when to eat it.
Coles philosophy: I think you should eat big when you have it.
This attitude is not winning Cole many friends.
Lauren argues that Cole is digging his own grave, but I dont agree with that assessment.
After all, digging takeswaaaaaytoo much energy for Cole.
Either that or you are still daydreaming aboutThreeway Island.
Its actually the skinny people like Ryan who are best equipped to handle the dramatic decrease in calorie intake.
See, I always knew there were advantages to being a skinny dork!
Maybe I should go on this show after all.
More words than are necessary, in fact.
For one thing, its too much power in the hands of one person for finding one clue.
We saw it last season with Tai as well.
For the viewer, that takes away some of the fun of discovering where the idols are hidden.
Anyway, yes, Joe found his second idol.
This is why you playSurvivor, he announced, and hes right.
Will those seeds that Ashley planted with Desi about flipping sprout?
Its worth keeping an eye on.
You have to figure that Joe becomes a target next week at the merge.
At least he should be.
A Swell ChallengeUltimately what Ill remember most about this episode was two awesome challenges.
Not because Soko forgot to untie their knots before pulling their rope although that was incredible.
There have been challenges that had to be completely scrapped because currents were too strong.
Or they have to reorder when those challenges will take place until the seas calm down.
And now, watching this challenge, you have a pretty big understanding of why that is.
Hell, I almost got seasick from my couch watching this one as the platforms bobbed up and down.
Its as if the entire challenge was filmed by John Waters in Barforama.
And yet I loved it.
You Cant Spell Immunity Without UnityNowthiswas cool.
Because it required more strategy, more personal interaction and integration, and, yes, more finger pointing.
Now, if you messed up, you risked pissing off tribemates as well.
but you could still see the new dynamics at play.
And everything happened that producers and viewers could want to happen.
Yet then they came back to win it anyway!
It was crazy and wonderful.
Go watch it again and see what you think.
So I guess Iamasking for an instant replay after all.
(Recap continues on next page)
Alis Last StandIll admit it.
I thought JP was a goner.
And I wrote it in all caps.
So when Soko lost the immunity challenge, my suspicions were confirmed.
Im far too seasoned a viewer to fall for that.
By the way, I love those quotes so never, ever stop using them.
I knew what was up.
We all knew what was up.
Ali wasnt helping matters either.
with I work too hard!
But still, that unfounded fear pointed to JPs ouster.
I dont see anyone else playing as laid back as JP, said Probst.
Lets put that through theSurvivorTranslate-O-Meter 3000 and see what Jeff really means.
Lets also put that one through the ol Translate-O-Meter.
You got your game.
Well see who wins.
Well see how theSurvivorTranslate-O-Meter 3000 handles this one.
BING!I got no game.
You got some game.
Well see who makes it to Ponderosa first.
But then…WHAT?!?
It was Ali after all!
Not JP, but Ali!
A lot of us were really high on her game.
Not that we ever saw her make any moves, per se.
She appeared to be carrying on the most conversations.
When youre talking to everyone, you are usually in pretty good shape, and Ali was.
So Ali is gone, but I have little doubt that we will see her again.
Lets hope we get more on our second helping when she is inevitably brought back as a returning player.
So that may be it for Ali, but not for you.
Thats because we have a bevy of goodies for ya.
And for moreSurvivorscoop, you’re able to follow me on Twitter@DaltonRoss.
Okay, now itsyourturn.
Did Ryan make the right move in ousting Ali instead of JP?
Should idols be hidden in the same location on different beaches?
And who is looking the best heading into the merge?
Hit the message boards to weigh in and Ill be back next week with another scoop of the crispy!
