Still Worth Watching!

Wow. That was an actual great episode! Politics. Scheming. Deception. Betrayal. Shock. Hobie's Jubilation. All elements that add up to a wonderful Survivor episode. So who got bamboozled this episode? Just take a peek at the picture of the himbo there on the left - that's right, Gregg is gone, and boy oh boy was it funny looking at his and Jenn's face this episode after the votes had been read.

My feelings flip-flop again, much like Katie

Remember how in my last write-up I didn't want Tom or Ian to win and I wanted Katie tow in. My feelings have changed. Tom and Ian SOOOO deserve to win this. They, along with Caryn (who knew?), pulled off the ultimate betrayal and were able to to completely hoodwink Gregg and Jenn into thinking that the plan was set for Caryn to be voted out. Caryn even did an outstanding job of acting all dejected and depressed, just awaiting the inevitable. She probably could have thrown in some last-ditch deal making just to make it even more convincing, because who, when they're certain they're going next, wouldn't at least try to make a deal to save their skin? I was impressed that these guys were willing to chance the Purple Rock of Death strategy. As it could have played out, if Katie hadn't flipped, the only person who needed to worry was Tom, as Ian won immunity and Caryn would have been exempt in the PRoD situation. But like the recap article below states, it's better to have a 50/50ish chance of staying in the game than zero chance once you're outnumbered. But the PRoD didn't show up after all, so that makes 6 seasons so far without it showing back up.

Gregg's Downfall

It's not like his downfall was a huge surprise. Making yourself a Rob-Amber pair is downright foolish. Everyone else knows that you are never going to turn against the other, and in the end game, you'll be a powerful voting bloc. So strike one. But the most recent nail in Gregg's coffin had to be his stupidity in his awarding of the reward challenge. Obviously, he's going to take Jenn. That, while strategically stupid, made his girlfriend happy. But when he got a third vote, he definitely should NOT have taken Katie. I love Katie to pieces (not as much as last episode, and I'm definitely not cheering for her to win the whole thing), but Gregg needed to use better strategy. He should have broken up the Tom-Ian bloc and taken one of them. That way no scheming could have occurred.... but oh yeah, it did. It was priceless at the reward challenge when Gregg told the losers "I'll pay you back, I promise", and Tom quickly retorted, "Don't worry, we'll pay you back". Awesome. Great foreshadowing.

Bitterness, thy name is Jenn

Hooooooo doggie, if Jenn had had a weapon this evening, there would have been four dead people at tribal council. Katie's betrayal definitely stung, but the fact that it was her snugglebunny getting voted off only highlights that Jenn is a next huge target. Her expression was venomous. Priceless. But the outcome of this season is still not a foregone conclusion. Once again, the women have a numerical advantage, and if Jenn can round up the ladies and vote off the huge threats of Tom and/or Ian, then the dynamics get polarized again.

Final Thoughts

Incredible episode. Even with my girl Stephenie gone, this episode showed that there is still quite a bit of life left in this season. The jury members' reactions in this episode were priceless, especially Coby. When the betrayal was fully revealed, they were almost all positively glowing. As was I.

Other's Thoughts:

C-Money speaks - Here Ya Go, Squirrel!:

So here we are, another Thursday another Survivor. I decided I am going to just give play-by-play so Squirrel has all the details.

First thing, we see Tom's true colors. We are reminded how last week he was all over Caryn and got her on his side, now he's just about flat out telling her she's history... I don't know if I'm liking him right now.

Very quickly into the reward challenge. Question and answer time. Caryn is out on the first question, hmmm, methinks this is how it's going to lay out. If Caryn does not win immunity, she's gone. Tom goes next thanks to Ian. Ian is out because of Katie. Gregg, being pussy whipped, knocks Katie out. You know whoever wins will be able to take someone with them. It's either Jenn or Gregg and he wins. Holy Crap!!! Jenn was all excited knowing she was going with him. I would have chosen someone else just for the way she was already jumping around like it was expected... He also gets to chose another and he chose Katie. Ian about fell out with that selection. Nice, that lets the others know that there is an alliance inside the alliance of 5.

Ian gets a little bent out of shape about being knocked out before Gregg and Jenn. So, he conspires with Caryn and Tom. Caryn is pretty happy about that. Again, shirt-tales... And a surprise visit from Gregg's best friend... and Jenn's sister and Katie's brother-in-law. But, still conspiring back at camp. Ian and Tom still think a tie will be broken by picking a rock. I don't think it will be that way anymore. Back to the winners, they are snorkeling with dolphins. Pretty cool and some nice underwater scenes. Katie is conniving. They get to the nitty-gritty and talk about strategy and they are all over getting rid of Tom. Tom finds out that they got to see family members and he's not happy. Looks like he's ready to show his true colors to the tribe. Ones that I have seen already.

Immunity challenge - past challenges all in one. Time to see who was working it and who was just skating along. Nothing real big, Caryn is out first after going through a confidence course. Then Katie doesn't get the puzzle. Gregg can't eat the bird embryos and Jenn cannot untie knots fast enough. Down to Ian and Tom and a shooting gallery, Ian was the better shot and proved it. Ian wins immunity again. So, now comes the question... Will the 3 (Jenn, Gregg and Katie) vote for Tom or Caryn? We know (according to the editors) that Gregg is on the block with the others. How will this play out?

Tom is so caught up in himself. He thinks he isn't on the block. While Tom and Gregg are talking Ian comes up and almost screws it up. Almost spills the beans. And then he does. He tells Katie that they are voting for Gregg. He is such an ass!! I think he just screwed up everything. He should have just gone with the tie. Oh well, time to listen to Jeff ramble. Blah, blah, blah. Yada, yada, yada... Good for Katie, she did the right thing and "jumped" back to Tom and Ian. Jenn is totally shocked and so was Gregg. Caryn is a great actress (just like she said). Best part was to see Coby's reaction. Covering his mouth and laughing. What's in store for next week? Well, as far as I see, Katie turns on the water works and goes after Ian for something he did (she's faking, I'm sure) and Katie and Jenn gang up on poor Caryn.

Squirrel, I'll hook a brotha up again next week. Let's just hope Hobie gets it up on his site for you (SO TO SPEAK, C-MONEY!). Love ya and stay SAFE!!!

(NICE PLAY-BY-PLAY, C-MONEY!)

Squirrel's Comments - Ep 12:

Squirrel probably won't be providing comments for the rest of the season.....he's having a desert holiday in Baghdad. Take care, Squirrel!

Counterpoint -> Linus:

Links:

CBS Official Site: Ep12 - Still have to say that CBS is providing some amazing supplemental stuff to watch online, if you have a broadband connection that is. Visit and enjoy!

Ep12: "Desperate Times call for Desperate Measures" (RNO) - Episode Recap

Why Gregg Lost (RNO)