Survivor: Cook Islands

[John Crichton]

Wow, been a while since we've had a Survivor thread.

This season has been one of the better ones to date and appears to be picking up steam. We have some colorful characters, some interesting (some might say questionable) play and strategy and with the new twists, such as the mutiny, the game just keeps going.

Out of the remaining survivors, the least interesting are the too-cute Becky, Sundra and Ozzy. But they aren't non-factors. Becky sits at the right hand of one of the two guys at the center of all the change-ups to date (Yul), Sundra just isn't fleshed out enough and Ozzy is flying way under the radar. He is very lucky that all of his former tribe are gone so no one knows how cunning he can be. Plus, he is clearly the most dangerous physical threat.

I could write forever about the entertainment value of Jonathan. He is my favorite since Rob Cesternino (Amazon) as far as this overall social game. He's stabbed everyone in the back but is still around and if he gets to the finals should be applauded for how he played the game.

For as smart as Yul seems to be, he really seems to be overthinking things but he's still around with possession of the idol. His next move should be getting rid of Ozzy at the earliest chance and the rest of the Survivors should try and get that idol out of his possession.

That said, I think Adam is gone next but that just because he's the biggest perceived threat who will be a target without a big alliance behind him. Should be an interesting finish.

 

[JoeBlank]

I'm enjoying this season too, and agree with much of what you have to say.

One other suprise for this season is the expanded jury, and what it means for the endgame. Without some other surprise, there will be 10 on the jury when it gets to the final 2, which is unlikely because it could lead to a tie vote. Another possibility is a final 3, rather than final 2, but that would leave 9 on the jury and possible 3-3-3 or 4-4-2 ties. Wonder if someone is going to be booted and off the jury, or how this will work.

Many folks complain about reality shows, but Survivor remains good television. It is like a game show, a sport, and a drama/comedy all at once.

 

[Shalimar]

There are only 3 or 4 episodes left including the final from what I understand, don't they have a few too many people left?

 

[Cthulhudrew]

Out of the remaining survivors, the least interesting are the too-cute Becky, Sundra and Ozzy.

Ozzy the least interesting? No way!

I used to think Ozzy was kind of boring myself, but as you say, he's consistently demonstrated himself to be the single most dominating physical competitor (despite not being as buff and chiseled as, say, Nate or Adam). He's also probably the quickest to adapt and most at ease in adverse conditions. That, plus the fact that he managed to survive this long (he was clearly on the chopping block early on, and had Jonathan and Candice not mutinied, he would have likely gone before them.)

Guy's totally won me over. I'd really like to see him and Yul in the final two, but time will tell.

I could write forever about the entertainment value of Jonathan.

I kind of like Jonathan myself, but I do think he's quite a bit mouthier than he should be considering his position in the game. He has a tendency to get way too cocky, when he should probably just do his thing but keep quiet about it.

For as smart as Yul seems to be, he really seems to be overthinking things but he's still around with possession of the idol. His next move should be getting rid of Ozzy at the earliest chance and the rest of the Survivors should try and get that idol out of his possession.

If I were in his place, I'd keep Jonathan around one more week, pick off Adam or Parvati next, and then dump Jonathan. If he gets the opportunity, it would definitely be in his best interests to pick off Ozzy then (due to the threat he provides), even though I want Ozzy to stick around personally.

I'm really enjoying this season. The jury and number of competitors thing has me and my friend wondering, too, though. I'm wondering if there won't be a chance to eliminate one of the jurors (and thus help to "taint" the pool in ones' favor as a result).

 

[Shalimar]

I would want Jonathon to go with me to the final two regardless of who I was, he has pissed everyone that is on the jury off, and those that will be going onto the jury in future aren't hot on him either. He is a win 1 million dollar free for the other guy(girl).

 

[Mark CMG]

Ozzy has managed to slip back under the radar but I think Becky is the real sleeper. I think Yul will keep Becky around until the end if he can in hopes he'll be perceived along the way as a straight shooter, but also because he might believe he can manage to take her out in the final showdown.

If they are short on episodes left, they might just fast forward through the eliminations of Adam, Parvotti, and Jonathan (I think the fearsome foursome of Yul, Becky, Ozzy, and Sundra will stick it out until the final four phase of the game, unless an immunity messes things up for them). If there is one reason for Yul to keep Jonathan around it would be because it would swing the jury if they both wind up at the end.

When they edit these shows they definitely do so in a way to try and spring some surprises and, at this point, Becky winning it all might be just the thing.

 

[Silver Moon]

Without some other surprise, there will be 10 on the jury when it gets to the final 2, which is unlikely because it could lead to a tie vote. Another possibility is a final 3, rather than final 2, but that would leave 9 on the jury and possible 3-3-3 or 4-4-2 ties. Wonder if someone is going to be booted and off the jury, or how this will work.

That's what I love about the show, just when you think you understand all of the rules to the game they change them! Personally I'd love to see the final four wind up in a paired elimination challenge!

 

[Silver Moon]

I think Becky is the real sleeper.

I agree, I picked her from the very first episode as the potential winner.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

Ozzy has managed to slip back under the radar but I think Becky is the real sleeper.

Could be. We didn't see the rest of their discussion about Yul's concerns about not voting off Jonathan, but since the group ended up doing just that (and voting off Candice) it could be that Becky was able to talk him out of his worries. She did seem to have some sort of reaction to Yul's declaration about concerns about the Jury.

 

[The_lurkeR]

One other suprise for this season is the expanded jury, and what it means for the endgame. Without some other surprise, there will be 10 on the jury when it gets to the final 2, which is unlikely because it could lead to a tie vote. Another possibility is a final 3, rather than final 2, but that would leave 9 on the jury and possible 3-3-3 or 4-4-2 ties. Wonder if someone is going to be booted and off the jury, or how this will work.

I was thinking about this also, and wondered if they will give the audience a vote?

This season definitely has become more interesting with the mutiny and the flip of Jonathan. His flipping and the resulting shock of Adam, Parvati, and Candice was one of the best moments in years. (Closely followed by not sharing food with them! )