Survivor: Heroes vs Villains Discussion Thread - Spoilers

[The Wook]

Holy Cow!
Bold, bold move by Russell.
That man is a high stakes gambler.
He never ceases to surprise me.

Russell might've acted prematurely. But I don't think so.
Because no doubt he needed to break up those 2 girls.
Had Rupert gone, I bet Parvati would've made her move to blindside Russell next week (preferring him gone instead of the hapless Colby).
I think Russell sniffed it out correctly.
For better or for worse, he beat Parvati to the punch.

And so once again this week Russell dominated the game.
I'm amazed by his ability to manipulate people and situations.
Had anyone else made tonight's move, I'd have called them crazy.
But Russell is crazy like a fox.
He's proven it over and over and over again.

Russell Hantz is the greatest to ever play this game.
Regardless of what happens the rest of this season.

The Wook

 

[Guri]

Sandra rocked last night. One thing she's got going for her is she knows when to keep quiet.

After tonight, I really don't think Russel will win, for the same reason he lost last time, he's not going to get the votes on the jury. (unless maybe he goes against Sandra) He's forgetting once more that it's not all about out tricking people and turning on people you don't need, it's a social game and people on the jury have feelings.

If you disagree, who do you think will vote for him? I can't think of one person right now who would want him to win...except maybe JT because he didn't seem to hold a grudge.

 

[Eopie Herder]

I don't disagree at all, and if I was Parvati, or anyone else for that matter, Russell is who I want sitting with me at the end.

 

[Art Andrews]

After tonight, I really don't think Russel will win, for the same reason he lost last time, he's not going to get the votes on the jury.

Sadly, I don't think we will ever know because I don't think he will get to the end. I have enjoyed this season better than last but I feel that Russell is beginning to fall apart a bit and to take risks that are TOO big and starting to take a few things too personally.

 

[Guri]

Not unless Rupert and Colby can be had. Again.

But I don't think so either. Rupert was on to him from the beginning and with Danielle talking like she did at council, it would take something huge to get Rupert not to vote for Russel.

I also tend to think the heroes can EASILY pull Sandra in to vote him out. If he wins immunity again, it'll be Parvati.

It'll be interesting to see Parvati scramble now probably to get Jerri and Sandra on her side. Russel was right, without Danielle, she's alone.

And poor Jerri - she's just so confused. :lol But she's still in it and the strategy players need to keep her to manipulate her vote.

What's interesting about Russel is that he's only cool when everyone is doing what he wants. As soon as Parvati didn't play along with him, he freaked and started showing his troll side to her. That kind of intimidation can scare some people into compliance, but with someone as confident as Parvati, it pushes her to go do exactly what he doesn't want her to.

 

[Minder Thr33]

Re: Sandra/Parvati scramble

Spoiler from the preview shown last night

Spoiler

Parvati already has Sandra (at least for next week). The camps look divided into camp Russell and camp Parvati and Sandra chose the camp against Russell.

If any of them strongly believe Russell will not win the votes, then he'll make it to the end again.

Parvati is too strong and hasn't really stepped on anyone's toes as badly as Russell, so she'll get votes. Colby/Rupert will get all the Heroes votes. Not sure who will vote for Sandra/Jerri.

 

[Art Andrews]

What's interesting about Russel is that he's only cool when everyone is doing what he wants. As soon as Parvati didn't play along with him, he freaked and started showing his troll side to her. That kind of intimidation can scare some people into compliance, but with someone as confident as Parvati, it pushes her to go do exactly what he doesn't want her to.

It is odd to me to see this because I don't remember seeing him do this last season. It seems like he is not in as secure a position and because of it, he takes bigger risks and those risks have dire consequences if they don't work out, so when he sees them crumbling, he really begins to freak out. Like I said, he is definitely showing cracks where I haven't seen them before, but I think this is largely due to him taking too many things personally and looking at the short term instead of the longterm. very disappointing but then again, the stress and pressure must be tremendous.

Art

 

[The Wook]

[Russel is] looking at the short term instead of the longterm.

Art

On the contrary, Russell's pre-emptive strike against the Parvati/Danielle airtight mini-alliance last night was thinking longterm. I'll reiterate what I wrote in my previous post. Had Russell gotten rid of Rupert last night instead of Danielle, I am certain Parvati would've moved to blindside Russell next week--preferring to keep the hapless Colby around as an easy opponent in challenges.

Russell may not win, but he will outlast Parvati. And it will be her own fault, as she drew first blood by concealing the hidden immunity idol from him but showing it to Danielle.

The Wook

 

[DoubleD]

I don't know if Russel will outlast Parvati. Given Sandra can't stand Russel, and that nobody knows she has the idol, she very well may give it to Parvati knowing that next week's vote will probably mean one of the two (Parvati or Russel)will go. By giving the idol to Parvati, the person with the next amount of votes will most likely be Russel, so out he goes. By doing so, Sandra can position herself to be in the final 2.

 

[Guri]

the hapless Colby ...

:lol

You said it. What is up with him? It's like he's just standing around with an expression of "I can't believe I'm still here" stamped on his face.

 

[TallDarkandDisfigured]

I for one was pretty impressed by last nights show. I thought it was funny that Rupert's most devious act in 3 seasons of Survivor was hiding a rock in his pocket.. :lol

As for Russell, he is seriously the best player to ever play the game. I'd put money on the fact that he will be sitting in the finale. You can tell his next move is to get a final 3 pact with the heroes, he lost a million dollars last time by taking a woman to the final (his words, not mine) and he won't make that mistake again..

 

[knightdriver2001]

Rupert, Is that a rock in your pocket or are you just happy to vote for me. :lol

Russell saying, he has the idol, I know the shape of one when it is wrapped up
and what it look slike in ones pocket was funny.............but I guess he found out
otherwise.

 

[WebChief]

Rupert's trick with the rock was brilliant! It definitely worked to boot off Candice. She got what was coming to her. Not at all sad to see her go. Call me sick but I enjoyed watching Danielle get it too. I couldn't stand her cocky attitude and never understood why she had one in the first place.

In my opinion it's Pavarti or Russel all the way. No one else can outwit like them.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

That was nuts! I figured Russell was a goner after that play. I think the only reason people bought it was because Danielle freaked out when they asked her about it. Otherwise I figured Russell was going to go. Any guy who has ever tried to juggle two girls (only once... :lol) knows they ALWAYS get together and talk eventually.

 

[The Wook]

the hapless Colby ...

:lol

You said it. What is up with him? It's like he's just standing around with an expression of "I can't believe I'm still here" stamped on his face.

Guri, I haven't a clue what happened to him. It's depressing, and perplexing. I actually paused after writing "the hapless Colby", in disbelief that I was using such an adjective to describe my erstwhile favorite player. (Russell became my favorite about a third of the way into last season.)

Colby is a shell of the man who dominated Season 2.

The Wook

 

[dbuck]

As for Russell, he is seriously the best player to ever play the game. I'd put money on the fact that he will be sitting in the finale. You can tell his next move is to get a final 3 pact with the heroes, he lost a million dollars last time by taking a woman to the final (his words, not mine) and he won't make that mistake again..

I'd agree with you except that Russell ticks people off so badly they are going to have a huge problem giving him votes for the million. Best manipulator ever, sure. Best hidden immunity idol finder, yup. But you still have to convince people to vote for you after you eliminate them, and calling Rupert a dumb.... is a typical Russell move that will probably come back to bite him later.
Whenever he feels he's no longer completely in charge he throws extreme tantrums. What's funny is that it works. Had Danielle not broken down during tribal council, Jerry would never have written down her name. Now Colby and/or Rupert might actually have a chance to get to the finals while the villains start picking each other off.

 

[Guri]

Guri, I haven't a clue what happened to him. It's depressing, and perplexing....Colby is a shell of the man who dominated Season 2.

My husband just pointed out to me that there is a huge difference both between being late 20's and late 30's AND in how the game is played now.

His game was physical, but he's older now and the game is more mental.

Though he did come up with a way to get Candice off, so that was something! It could be in the editing.

 

[The Wook]

My husband just pointed out to me that there is a huge difference both between being late 20's and late 30's AND in how the game is played now.

His game was physical, but he's older now and the game is more mental.

A perspicacious commentary by your hubby. And yet, I didn't expect any significant dropoff in Colby's physical game, because Colby looks all buffed out. In fact he's more ripped than he was in Season 2. Maybe it's also the drop in testosterone a man experiences over that ten year period. Colby had such an "edge" to him a decade ago, and had real impact on the game. Today he's mostly invisible, a non-factor, a pathetic appeaser.

The Wook

 

[dbuck]

Colby played when Survivor was different. Now it's all about alliances, even within your own team. The first thing the players do now, before finding water and building shelter, is finding three or four people to be 'solid' with. Colby played when players still voted out the weak and kept those who fed them. I don't consider Colby weaker, just befuddled by the new survivor. He's not good at standing on a pole for four hours to win a challenge, and he's not a puzzle guy, which are most of the challenges now.
Now that Russell has done what he's done for the past two seasons, now we get to look forward to people attempting the same sort of heavy handed manipulation in future survivors, with potentially hilarious results.

 

[The Wook]

Goin to watch the ep right now.

I'm nervous!

I'm fine with anyone leaving, as long as it ain't Russell.
(But I hope it's Sandra that gets the boot. Unlikely, however, with that hidden idol in her possession. :angry)

The Wook