Survivor China - Episode 8 Discussion Thread

[dr.strangelove]

I'll try to keep posting, but it seems no one is interested this season. I love this season. I thought last night's tribal was one of the best ever. I was on the edge of my seat and was SHOCKED, but happy, at the outcome. I thought Jean-Robert had managed to oust James. James is getting too sure of himeself and needs to start playing idols each week. He is in trouble now. I am still pulling for him, but am turning more toward Amanda beng the best player int eh game. I think her and Todd are in control, but she clearly ahs a better head than Todd does.

On the Water Challange, Courtney is useless. she can do nothing right. That said, she is the best person to take to the finals because no one would ever vote for her. I think Todd and Amanda know that and will drag her along until the end and one of them will take her into the final two. Also, todd and Amanda better improve the relationship with Denise or their block will fall apart. It held last night, but it almost fell. They need to build up and get her back on board.

[MaineDem]

1. Well, my guy's out...

...and I'm happy! He was playing like a real jerk!

I love Amanda. She's pretty sharp. As much as I like James, he has to smarten up.

Great tribal! I, too, was on the edge of my seat. I had no idea which way they would go.

I wonder why they have to stay at Tribal next week? The preview hinted at a discussion or something.

[dr.strangelove]

5. I wonder if its a double and James goes

because he did not bring both idols to tribal.

I see Frosti or Eric going next. But if its a double eviction, imagine James brings one idol to tribal and uses it in teh first vote, then Probst springs another and he does not have it on him, so he gets ousted. That would be freaking great TV.

[qanda]

2. I'm loving this season too

I was too lazy to start a thread last week-- sorry! James is definitely in trouble and even though he's in the best position to go a long way with his physical strength and two immunity idols, he really has to learn how to pay attention to the way the game is played. I truly welcomed Jean-Robert's departure-- I just couldn't take another week of looking at his butt crack. LOL

Now, I am looking forward to seeing Courtney just go away. You are right that she is useless, and the only reason she succeeded at last night's challenge is because it was a test in what she does best-- NOTHING!!!!

Thanks for starting these threads. Even when I don't respond, I'm always reading and usually nodding my head in agreement with whatever you say.

[dr.strangelove]

6. Its great

No worries about the thread. The one two weeks ago got no replies, and then last week no one posted one, so I thought no one was interested. It seems like I was wrong, so I will keep it up.

On Courtney, she has gotten to the point where her greatest value is taht she is worth nothing. She is only a threat to win immunity if the challange requires sitting on your ass or blowing in the wind. Otherwise, she won;t win any more. I think Todd and Amanda and gonna drop Eric and then James to get rid of the bigger boys, then its pretty even on the ICs. Also, Denise may not be in a better position with Eric's group. She would be fifth or fourth there, and is clearly third or fourth with Todd and Amanda, so I bet she stays with them.

[Suich]

3. Your threads might not get many replies, but the get a lot of views!

Please continue doing the outstanding job that you do!

I saw Jean Robert (they call him Bobby) on the World Poker Tour last weekend on TV, so that part of him is legit. For someone who supposedly knows how to "read" people, he didn't do a very good job. Denise is playing smart in not committing to either alliance; I thought she and James were pals but it doesn't seem like it anymore. James needs to play smarter. Amanda thinks "long-term" and Todd thinks "tomorrow." As much as she drives me up the wall, you're probably right about Courtney!

Jamie's gone...instant karma! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[dr.strangelove]

7. Thanks

I'll keep it up and post one per week.
I think you nailed it on Amanda v. Todd. she has the end game in mind, while Todd is a little more short sighted. Amanda is becoming my favorite survivor of the season.

[Demit]

4. Oh no, please don't stop posting!

I'm enjoying this season, too. I wanted to warm up to Courtney, and truly when she drops her hard edge and smiles that dazzling smile she looks like she could be genuinely charming, but then she does that half-hearted thing in challenges, like she's too cool for school or it's all too much trouble or something. In the boat challenge, instead of bailing the water she was stopping to wipe it from her face!

I agree about James. He's too cocky all of a sudden, and if he doesn't realize that and start making some overtures to people, I won't mind if he goes. I thought it was pretty reckless of him not to use an idol last night. It worked out, lucky for him, but he's not making any allies and general feeling could harden against him. Although I thought Todd turning against him was a bit of sour grapes. You help somebody get the idol, you have to be prepared for the result that they'll bogart the power. Todd should already have had some thoughts on how to handle that instead of moaning about it.

Yes, I can see the scenario where Amanda outwits Todd. I'm still not getting a sense of what she does groupwise, around camp or in the challenges, but you're right, she's always thinking ahead. JR thought he was the cool customer, Mr. Brilliant (hah!) but I think Amanda might be the real deal.

[dr.strangelove]

8. I so love/hate courtney

Courtney is like so many of my college friends. She is this girl who can be a tough as nails hard ass, or a sweet girl. I love to hate her. She is not good enough to win this game, but she will go to the end unless Denise and James are smart enough to join forces and get rid of Amanda and Todd. James is too cocky all of a sudden. He is gonna go soon.

[Duer 157099]

9. Haven't lost interest at all

I just don't get the James/Todd thing.

First thing I don't understand is why they did not vote James out last night! It seems like it might have been their last opportunity, I just don't understand why they did that.

Second, I really don't get why Todd did not ask James for the idol back, especially since 1) he didn't need to use it during the round that Todd gave it to him for and 2) he got a 2nd one and everyone knows it! Maybe Todd did approach him about it, but they edited it out. Just makes no sense to me.

As far as who to take to the end, I would have thought Jean Robert would have been the ideal opposition candidate, because NOBODY would give him the money.

[dr.strangelove]

13. It may have been a mistake

Todd and Amanda need to show James that they had his back and got rid of JR because he was going after James. That should shore up his truct in them enough for them to backstab him again, but he needs to go soon b/c he has too many Immunity Idols and will probably win at least one Imm challenge.

I think Courtney is more valuable to brign to the finals that JR.

[Qanisqineq]

10. I laughed so hard at Jaime last week

and I was so glad to see J-R go last night.

I knew right away when they picked Courtney for the reward challenge that it was a mistake. Doesn't matter if she's light, she's just not going to do anything in the boat! I was disappointed to see her win immunity, too (and she's my choice of player this season!). She doesn't scheme, she doesn't do well at challenges, she doesn't do much of anything except complain.

As far as posting each week, don't stop! I've been traveling a lot lately and either don't see the episode until a week or so later, or I am just too tired to respond. This next episode I will be gone again, this time to Japan!

[Goblinmonger]

11. I'm feeling damn happy about my Survivor pick

Amanda seems to me to be the front runner because nobody is going to vote for Todd in the finals. My assumption at this point for the final 3 (the jury starting when it did indicates that there will be 3 in the finals and not 2, right, since if it went to 2 we would have an even number in the jury?) is Todd, Amanda, Courtney. Todd and Amanda unless somebody grows a clue and kicks them out which doesn't seem likely, and Courtney because she's the asshole you want to bring with you to not take votes away.

Courtney won the immunity challenge because it was basically like putting a stack of dimes on top fo that barrell. I don't see her winning anything else from this point on. I would like to see what her family is like, though.

James is too stupid to make it very far in this game. I bet he plays the immunity idol next episode, but they sucker one out of him so that he goes two episodes from now.

[dr.strangelove]

12. I think you have the finals well thought out

I forgot about the 3 person finals again. You are probably right that it will be a 3 person final again. I think it will Amanda and Todd going to the final three with Courtney, because she is the easiest to beat. I think it will be close between Amanda and Todd, btu right now, I am leanign toward Amanda. she seems smarter and is far more of a player in challanges. I think she has the total package, beauty, brains, athletic ability and just the right mix of people skills and ambition to win this game. She is a great player.

I think James is going to go soon.

[Goblinmonger]

14. I am thinking James gets tricked out of an Idol this week

and then is tricked into playing the other one. Won't take much as he doesn't seem like the brightest bulb on the island.