Survivor: Palau - And Then There Were Nine [Spoilers]

[John Crichton]

I can't help it. Steph is great. Just about all of my "emotional" investment with the show is now officially with her if it wasn't already. Her little outpour upon learning about the merge (cheesy but it worked for me), the little tears and finally her masterful playing of the game when arriving at Koror. Low profile was certainly the way to go.

I nearly screamed at the TV when she threw the immunity challenge (which Tom probably would have won anyway, but still). I thought she was stronger than that but I guess the lack of eating anything decent for 22 days finally cracked her. No big. Coby sunk himself with his big mouth. I was routing for him, too. And he certainly was a threat both physically and mentally. Probably one of the best problem solvers left. I'm not surprised that he went.

But enough of that. I was just happy that Steph gets to play for 3 more days.

I wasn't surprised that they didn't bother having the traditional new team name cerimony. It would have been lame. Good call on the producers part.

This is the best season of the show in years because we are actually seeing things that haven't happened before that don't seem forced or contrived. And it's fun to watch, again. Time will tell if this keeps up, of course.

 

[Silver Moon]

The family was out and I had set the VCR but had neglected to notice that the older VCR didn't automatically update the time back at Daylight Savings Time, so wound up missing it due to the hour time difference (taped CSI instead).

And to add to my frustration I logged onto the CBS Survivor webstite but the video clips from the episode don't seem to be working there - each clip plays the commercial at the beginning and then sends an error message.

 

[Shallown]

I think Steph throwing the challenge was an effort to remain low key. People who win too many challenges get picked off unless they win all of them. Let Tom make a target of himself. Steph is trying to run under the radar as much as she can which isn't much.

Coby Had to go he was asking for it. Janu seemed surprised she didn't go though. My wife thinks Janu is being held out as the obvious vote since she probably won't win immunity. She seems like a weak player who is kept on becuase she is an easy vote off but may end up being the swing vote later on. I think that has happened before.

I hadn't wantched survivor for a while until all star and amd really enjoying this season though.

Later

 

[JoeBlank]

I was glad to see Steph get to make it to the "merge", I just wish Angie could have made it this far too.

Shallown, good point about Janu. Many are thinking why vote her out now when she will be easy to vote out later.

Coby seemed to be doing well with strategy and pre-merge alliances, but he let his mouth get the better of him. Especially in showing his frustration with the Tom-Ian group. Of course, I thought he was doing well but everyone except he and Janu voted for him, so his alliance must not have been very strong. It does not say much for Janu that she had no idea which way the group had decided to go.

Edit Request - Although it is minor, the title of this thread is still a spoiler. I was uncertain that they were going to merge at all, although I was not too surprised when it finally happened. John, can you edit the title?

 

[John Crichton]

Edit Request - Although it is minor, the title of this thread is still a spoiler. I was uncertain that they were going to merge at all, although I was not too surprised when it finally happened. John, can you edit the title?

Hadn't really thought about the title being a spoiler. Terribly sorry about that. I thought that it was fairly obvious that they were going to merge this ep (based on history they had to). But, you are right - it is a spoiler. This title should work better.

 

[JoeBlank]

You are quick, thanks.

I have to admit, I was starting to wonder if they were going to have Steph compete in one-on-one challenges until she was eliminated, but that seemed pretty harsh.

Also, I did not really buy the stress of her being "all alone" since we all know there is a camera crew present, but she still would have had to do all of the work around camp and compete in all the challenges.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Steph knew the way the wind was blowing right after Coby talked to her, she was willing to go for a while on the challenge but knew she did not want to win, it would have made her a target too soon, now, she has some time to make ties. I don't think she want them to know just how strong she is!

Cody was blow out of the water, all but two (?) votes went against him, he had no friends in the tribe.

I see a Tom, Ian, Steph triangle already.

 

[John Crichton]

You are quick, thanks.

I aim to please. I hate spoilers and feel bad for possibly detracting from someone's enjoyment.

I have to admit, I was starting to wonder if they were going to have Steph compete in one-on-one challenges until she was eliminated, but that seemed pretty harsh.

The thought briefly crossed my mind but that wouldn't have made much sense. I understand that the "story" is more interesting if it is 8 against 1 but it's not in the spirit of the game. Once BJ was eliminated in a non-vote situation Ulong was dead. One person does not a tribe make. Having one-on-one challenges while 7 people watch is just piling it on for no reason.

Also, I did not really buy the stress of her being "all alone" since we all know there is a camera crew present, but she still would have had to do all of the work around camp and compete in all the challenges.

I could buy that it was a little stressful, even though she wasn't truly by herself. She can't talk and get a response from the camera guys and from what I understand they aren't terribly intrusive and the players get used to them quickly. Did CBS milk it? Oh yeah, but it's not as bad as the "Letters from Home" eps that always make me a little ill.

And a minor spoiler for next week (which you will already know about if you watched the previews which I know some don't):[sblock]Looks like someone is gonna get solitary next week if they punk out on the challenge. Interesting. If someone like Janu is put in that situation we may get our first actual casualty on the show. [/sblock]

 

[Hand of Evil]

The thought briefly crossed my mind but that wouldn't have made much sense. I understand that the "story" is more interesting if it is 8 against 1 but it's not in the spirit of the game. Once BJ was eliminated in a non-vote situation Ulong was dead. One person does not a tribe make. Having one-on-one challenges while 7 people watch is just piling it on for no reason.

I did wonder if they would have had one more challenge, winner is tribe people would merge into.

 

[John Crichton]

I did wonder if they would have had one more challenge, winner is tribe people would merge into.

Then Steph is damned if she do, damned if she don't. heheh

Ulong's "camp" was terrible. By the end they had to become cave people.