Survivor: Micronesia

[Miss Mary]

Side Survivor note - did you all know what Survivor: Australian Outback's winner Tina was an alternate? And that she got the call to play right before it started? I thought that was an interesting Survivor trivia moment. She mentioned it either at the reunion or in commentary. Yes we've been renting past Survivor seasons from the library, we especially enjoy the commentaries, and the ones with Jeff are quite funny, in particular season 2 when everything was so new. He's so embarrassed at how unpolished he was

LOL, yeah I know. Ironically enough I just watched the Australian finale the other day on YouTube and saw that fact.

I also have been watching Borneo again and it is so much... different. Jeff had to explain everything on every episode, he himself seemed so nervous, and there was no exile island, or hidden immunity idols, or even tribe shakeups(and the merge date was known ahead of time, which was totally weird).

Brent - we're watching the first two discs from Borneo right now! You're right, Jeff explains everything, from tribal counsel to tree mail. To me he seems almost apologetic too. When he's on camera for another explanation, he seems very close to their camps too. When we first saw him on the island we sat up and too notice. We just finished the second episode when a severe storm broke loose. He told them they could spend the night there or wait to leave for their camp, after the rain stopped. He doesn't seem this understanding now! You need to listen to Jeff's commentary, he cringes at his acting back then. You probably know this too, but he was the last one cast before Borneo. I can't imagine another host, can you? He's perfect for Survivor.

My favorite season remains - Palau. I loved all the commentaries, especially the ones with Tom, Ian, Caryn, Stephenie, Coby, Bobby Jon. Just like on the episodes, Tom and Ian have this rapport that is comical, but with respect. And Caryn launches into - oh Tom, oh Tom - when a scene comes when most of Tom's tribe let him call the shots. LOL If I remember correctly Caryn even jokingly bowed to Tom in an episode or two. If you haven't watched Palau recently, see if your local library has it available.

[JonathanBelles]

Why Joel!!! Chet NEEDS to go. sack of potatoes. Cirie started the whole thing about Joel, and now she needs to go. Poor ozzy for being on that team.

[Miss Mary]

3 important words....


So long "Troy"!!!


TV Guide has the review/blog up already.......
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry ... /800035067

[Brent]

Why Joel!!! Chet NEEDS to go. sack of potatoes. Cirie started the whole thing about Joel, and now she needs to go. Poor ozzy for being on that team.

Ugh... I know. I hate Cirie but you have to hand it her, she is the mastermind of her tribe. Stupid stupid people.

[Miss Mary]

You know as much as many of us admire and really are pulling for Ozzy, as soon as Cirie shook her head at voting off Chet, Ozzy seemed to cave to her pressure. I watched it, his face changed! Yes Cirie is cunning and manipulative and I didn't pick up on that in her season. It didn't quite make sense to vote off Joel and keep Chet (have we ever seen such a pathetic player?). But this is the direction they went.

I had to laugh at Jeff telling Jonathan's new tribe to stop biotching and start throwing!

Speaking of Jonathan, I sure hope his leg heals and he doesn't have to leave the game.

[Pburgh]

Is Cirie the one at the end of her show that they gave money to because they felt sorry for her and it ended up that she was lying????

Personally I don't like her at all.

[Chacor]

No, Cirie was from a season a couple of years ago.

Chet is absolutely useless and needs to go. I do hope Penner doesn't have to be evacuated.

[Brent]

Is Cirie the one at the end of her show that they gave money to because they felt sorry for her and it ended up that she was lying????

Personally I don't like her at all.

She was the one in Panama who was scared of leaves during the first episode. She wound up making it to the Final 4 and was eliminated during a fire-making tie-breaker challenge.

I've never liked her either.

[Miss Mary]

From TV Guide - SPOILERS ahead, don't read if you want to be surprised......

http://www.tvguide.com/news/survivor-mi ... /080313-02

*Note* next week's usual Thursday episode will air Wednesday, March 19th, b/c of basketball games.....but tonight's episode is at 8 p.m., in its regular timeslot.

[Brent]

Chet is GONE! WOOHOO!

Poor poor Jonathan. I knew it was coming, but... He really didn't want to leave and he was an amazing player.

[Miss Mary]

I am so disappointed for Jonathan and for all devoted Survivor fans out there, that he had to leave the game that way. When he cried, I cried.

That makes twice tonight I cried over a TV show (one real, one fictional character).

Glad Ozzy didn't go though......

So, are we going to throw a bon vonage party for Chet? See ya buddy.....guess he wanted everyone to feel sorry for him the way they did for Jonathan? Is so, Jonathan was fighting to stay in the game and Chet was figuring out a way to make this injury work in his favor. Sorry, but I just couldn't get impressed by Chet's strategy.

[Brent]

I am so disappointed for Jonathan and for all devoted Survivor fans out there, that he had to leave the game that way. When he cried, I cried.

That makes twice tonight I cried over a TV show (one real, one fictional character).

Glad Ozzy didn't go though......

So, are we going to throw a bon vonage party for Chet? See ya buddy.....guess he wanted everyone to feel sorry for him the way they did for Jonathan? Is so, Jonathan was fighting to stay in the game and Chet was figuring out a way to make this injury work in his favor. Sorry, but I just couldn't get impressed by Chet's strategy.

Oh yeah, and him complaining about his foot. I wanted to scream especially considering we had just seen someone forced from the game over an injury. If it was that bad, medical would be there. Blah. I'm tired of people on this show and excuses and where in the world did they find these "fans"?, they are idiots! I want to know WHY Chet was cast. The token old guy?

Oh and Kathy acting all dramatic when she's known Jonathan for all of 3 days. Shut up.

(Spoiler below)

She apparently goes over the edge and goes a little nuts next week with a machete I believe. That's right... Jonathan won't be the only evacuation from the game.

Right after Jonathan's evacuation was one of the best moments ever, when Jason thought he had found the idol.

[Miss Mary]

TV Guide's reviewer agrees with you Brent. I don't understand how Chet could qualify as a fan. He didn't seem to understand how to play the game!

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry ... /800035513

Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites
Episode Recap: "It Hit Everyone Pretty Hard!"

It’s always a sad day on Survivor when a player gets taken out of the game due to circumstances beyond their control. Today was especially sad for this reviewer since Jonathan Penner was a particular favorite. Always interesting, always entertaining Jonathan played the game with such enthusiasm that he energized his whole team. He gave it his all yet never lost sight of the fact that in the end it was just game.

So, it just sucks that last week’s infernal game of prison-escapee tag – the same one that left others battered and bruised – resulted in this season losing one of its best players due to a potentially life-threatening infection. Jonathan’s teary farewell group hug, Kathy sobbing, “we need you! I need you!” – had me misty-eyed myself.

Now James is left on a tribe of women and one longhaired guy and he’s feeling a little vulnerable – as he should. Let’s face it James is not the most strategic player Survivor’s ever seen. He has one thing going for him and that is his strength. We saw it at the reward challenge where, supported by his tribe, he carried two players on a tiny platform across the water to victory against Malakal. There’s nothing wrong with being a physical player, but as the numbers get whittled down it’s the thinkers that make it to the end. Sure, in China James had two Hidden Immunity Idols, but one was given to him and he was told where to find the other. Nearly every strategic move James made in China was directed by Todd. I fear for him playing alone this time around.

Here in Micronesia James has not done much aside from hang with Parvati and even she was putting the moves on another man tonight. That woman will flirt with anyone who can help her get ahead in the game. Tonight it was the Micronesian man who taught them how to fish and catch coconut crab. Tomorrow it’s anybody’s guess.

But tomorrow is not promised to anyone in this game. When will people realize that? Ozzy that comment was meant for you. The cocky fall first and your days are numbered unless you come up with a better strategy than substituting the HII with a stick. Jason, who found the faux idol will figure it out soon enough, Ozzy. This guy is hungry for a win. He is almost as driven as Erik who (whining in that perfect pitch necessary to peel the paint off of walls) did his best to convince a weary Chet to use his vote to get rid of Ozzy.

A word about Chet. I cannot believe that this man, who after witnessing a limping, impaired Jonathan play as hard as he did before being medically evacuated from the island, would have the nerve to pull the health card as an excuse to bow out of the game. He had a what – a piece of coral in his foot?! It just pales in comparison. Frankly, I’m confused as to why he was cast. Is he even a fan? Could he have been that compelling in his audition video that he warranted a spot on the team as a fan – short for fanatic? His performance on the island just does not add up.

On the other hand, it is highly amusing how some of the fans hold the favorites in such awe. The faves weren’t necessarily chosen because they were the best players, but because they had audience appeal. Remember none of these favorites have taken home a million bucks yet. Here’s hoping that Erik will realize this now that Ami has defected to his side.

That’s so like Ami, isn’t it? I’m disappointed that she, Cirie and Tracy did not join up as an all-powerful trio. Even more surprising to me was the fan-bashing. I did not see that coming and if it continues I see the comfortably cocky Cirie, Ozzy and Amanda having their experience advantage pulled right out from under them. If anything they should recognize the signs from Tribal Council which was filled with much rumbling about the ‘blind-sided’ and those who ‘feel safe’.

As a viewer I was a lot less confident that the self-sacrificial Chet was going home over Ozzy, but in the end Chet’s torch was at last put out. How interesting that Jeff chose to read the votes so as not to reveal any other names. Even more interesting is the fact that it was Erik’s name and not Ozzy’s that rounded out the vote. Where does the game go from here? Your guess is as good as mine.

So what are your thoughts about tonight’s show? Can Malakal pull it together enough to win a challenge? Is James really on his own? Is Ami’s new alliance a good strategic move? Will Jason realize he has a faux Idol?

[tropicana]

good riddance to Chet! that coral crap didnt fly with me, hes such a loser!
Im glad i dont have to see his face on the show again.

i think jason is a good player, and i wish he didnt find that (false) immunity idol, what a terrible shock it will be when he finds out its just a carved piece of stick. haa But as a player, great player, as is erik.
it was heart-breaking to see Jonathan go. (why oh why couldnt it have been cirie) haha stop that justin, thats evil! haha
but yeah, this season is sure turning interesting.


Just for info for everyone:
SURVIVOR next week is on a special day... WED Mar 19 8pm (followed with Big Brother 9 at 9pm.)
this is due to March Madness Basketball starting on thursday.
So everyone DONT FORGET!

-justin-

[Miss Mary]

Hi Justin - thanks for the reminder. Thought I'd bump up this topic to remind viewers that Survivor is on tonight, instead of its usual Thursday timeslot.

I will miss Jonathan most tonight. Definitely not Chet!

Mary

[Miss Mary]

Chet and Jonathan's interviews, regarding their exits last week. I just wish they weren't connected like this - both going out on the same episode (I've seen video interviews of the two, side by side, ugh). The two players couldn't be more different - one had great strategy, was a team player, etc. The other - did nothing! LOL

http://www.tvguide.com/news/survivor-ch ... /080319-02

[Brent]

Ugh... ANOTHER fan who is a stupid quitter. When I used to love Survivor people never quit. This is part of the reason I have lost some interest.

[Miss Mary]

Brent - I agree! We've been watching old seasons of Survivor and players in the early seasons had such a determination to remain in the game! They could could days w/o food other than rice and not grumble too much about it.

Kathy will go down as one of the most annoying players - ever. She couldn't "feel" her family any longer! If I were her family, I'd be so embarrassed, for her!

I already know I'd be a terrible player out there and would never, in a million years, try out. But my family knows of several people that would be excellent players. Don't you just wish you could swap the people you know that would love to be in this game for people like Chet and Kathy? Ugh.....

What about Erik's idol worship for Ozzy? I thought I heard music from the Lion King as Cirie compared those two to father and son on Lion King? Was I wrong? LOL

And oh, BTW - another blindside at Tribal, of a sorts. The looks on smug Tracy's face.....she couldn't even SPELL Ozzy's name right! Has she not watched his season? I rest my case.....he he

Mary

*Edit* TV Guide's Survivor blog......the reviewer does a very good job! Saying things I thought of as I watched (aside from feeling sorry for Kathy). LOL

TV Guide

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry ... /800035854

Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites
Episode Recap: Like a Wide-Eyed Kid in the Candy Store!

What is going on here? I’m crying watching Survivor. Last week we had Jonathan’s heartbreaking leave from the game and this week Kathy had me ready to bawl with her total breakdown. It was so sad to watch, but for the first time ever I think viewers got a true taste of what the Survivor experience is like. I know if I had to sleep in that cave with the rats and the bats and the creepy crawlies in order to avoid the hours-long downpour outside I would have found myself in much the same condition as Kathy. Poor thing.

It is well documented how Jeff feels about quitters on this show, but when he sat on that log next to Kathy and said that he just wanted to understand you realize again why he’s the best host on TV. Kathy replied, “I don’t want anybody to think that I’m quitting,” and I completely teared up. And so another player leaves the game without benefit of a vote or a torch snuffing. I’ll miss the wackiness that Kathy brought to the show and I hope that she’s reading this in a warm dry place.

Over at Malakal Ozzy’s dominance became a problem for his tribe though he somehow seemed unaware of this. Perhaps that is because he was basking in the glow of Erik’s admiration. Cirie described that relationship best by likening the pair to Mufasa and Simba from Disney’s The Lion King. Up at the top of a coconut tree the view was great for Ozzy. From a tiny boat in the middle of the ocean, or from Exile Island things looked very different to Cirie and Tracy, each of whom had been forced into a situation not to their liking by His Ozness. Even Amanda admitted to being turned off by Ozzy’s attitude. And yet with all of those bad feelings wafting around camp Ozzy did not even consider using his idol at tribal council. An interesting choice considering all the double-crossing that was going on.

I admit I couldn’t keep up. After the phenomenally fun-looking immunity challenge (which I’m not convinced Cirie and Amanda didn’t throw) Amanda, Cirie and Ami were going to vote out Erik. But Ami plotted with Tracy and Erik to vote out Ozzy all the while letting Ozzy believe that he, Ami, Cirie and Amanda were voting out Tracy. After all that Tracy got voted out 5-1. I was like, what? As Jeff said earlier, “I just want to understand.”

What is clear to me is that, on Malakal at least, the Favorites are picking off the Fans. I feel bad for the fans because I think they are suffering from the season’s concept. It is 19 days into the show and there are still fans that we barely know. Who is the girl with the eyebrows? Anybody know? Previews for next week hint at some airtime for the nameless faceless few who have yet to make an impression with viewers, but tick-tock, time is running out for viewers to get attached to these players enough to root for them in the end.

Speaking of…I can’t end this recap without mentioning one of the most head-scratching cultural nuggets I’ve ever seen on Survivor: the Micronesian Moneystone. Just how big are these people’s wallets?

Granite currency aside, the show is gearing up for its second half where team play is eschewed and it becomes all about individual immunity. Did Malakal miss its chance to eliminate the island’s biggest threat? Will Amanda turn on Ozzy or is she (still) all talk and no action? And is Kathy right when she says, “Never in a million years would I ever do this again!” If you were a Survivor alum would you go back for a second tour?

[mf_dolphin]

I'd go in a heartbeat I've been trying to convince the wife to let me apply for years now.

[Chacor]

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor16 ... true&cc=10

During Reward the contestants received letters from home. This was edited out of the TV episode.