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Survivor Micronesia: FUNNIEST…EPISODE…EVER!!!!!!!
Who would have thought:
Out of all the big, egotistical, type-A guys cast in Survivor Fans vs. Favorites that it would be sweet little ice cream scooper, Erik, who survived?
He got on every nerve I had early in the show with his wide eyed wonder and worship of his Idol, Ozzy. But in retrospect, this was what the show had intended. It had been meant to be a study of what would happen when people met up with people they idolized and wanted to emulate.
The problem: The group of favorites was either determined to show that they were BETTER than their faves or they were mentally and/or emotionally unwell. Only little Erik responded as intended.
And if that meant throwing his teammates under a bus to keep Ozzy alive, then that’s what it meant. He even admitted, when the stunning expulsion of Ozzy was pulled off, that he would have told his hero had he known what was being planned.
And then, after another injury and shockingly stupid move, two men left in quick succession leaving tender, sweet, cute little Erik all alone on the Island of the Females.
Personally, I was scared for the kid. I AM a female. I KNOW how we get when we’re in groups!
***
Cirie is pure evil and I LOVE HER!!! I stand by my assertion that she is running this game while allowing other people to do her dirty work.
Last night, all she had to do was sit back and watch young Erik twist in the wind.
The Favorites seemed to be hanging together. No way were they going to let Natalie rain on their parade. First Erik had to go. Then it would be Natalie. And for this to work, they needed the kid to NOT win immunity. They also needed to keep him off Exile Island (and Natalie as well) during the reward challenge.
Making a deal to try and talk Erik into taking Amanda with him on reward if he won and to send Parvati to Exile, Amanda went to work her magic on poor Erik. She had reamed him out at the last Tribal and now she suddenly wanted him to prove himself so she could trust him. She promised to take Erik on reward if she won and wanted his assurance that he would take her if HE won. And MAYBE he would win back her trust.
He agreed. He also listened to her when she suggested sending Parvati to Exile. Afterall, she argued, Parvati was weak and she’d never find the new Immunity Idol.
So when the reward challenge came up, a Question and Answer quiz about past seasons, the Favorites tried to win so that the choices would stay in their hands, but Erik took the prize. He also infuriated Natalie by taking Amanda on reward and sending Parvati to Exile (who spent her time sunning on the sand).
Natalie was stunned and Cirie had a blast egging on her anger. What a stupid stunt! How could Erik have dissed her like that? Why didn’t he take HER after he’d promised? Cirie reinforced the feeling in Natalie that Erik couldn’t be trusted.
His return to the island cemented that fact. He knew he might have made a mistake, especially since Natalie wouldn't even look at him, so he started twisting faster in the wind, trying to be everyone to everyone. He told all the girls different stories then watched as they got together to discuss what he’d said. Amanda even said something to him at one point. Did he not realize that WOMEN TALK?
Then came the Immunity Challenge. The women desperately needed to win but they didn’t even come close. Erik easily won the “figure out coordinates, dig for puzzle, assemble puzzle” challenge. He won and we were left wondering if the Favorites would take out Natalie or realize that Amanda is too popular to take to the end and pull off another blindside.
And then…this went from being an amusing episode to being hysterical…and it started with Cirie.
Seemingly beaten, the women were sitting together talking. But it only took one suggestion from Cirie to turn things around. What if they could get sweet, naïve Erik to give up his immunity necklace to Natalie? He needed her forgiveness. What if Cirie said she’d vote for Amanda but ONLY if Erik earned her trust by handing the necklace over to Natalie at Tribal?
Surely that wouldn’t work! Surely the kid isn’t that stupid!
***
There is no way to describe what happened and do it justice. I HIGHLY recommend that if you didn’t see this episode, head over to Youtube or cbs.com and see if you can catch the last fifteen minutes of the show.
Erik wanted to trust. Erik wanted everyone to love him. Erik wanted to make the final four.
And so, at Tribal, with Jeff “Dimples” Probst managing…SOMEHOW…to keep a straight face, the kid handed his immunity necklace over to Natalie. Amanda and Cirie started laughing immediately. But it was Ozzy’s grin, Eliza’s wide eyed gasp and James’ hysterical breakdown that made the council.
As each lady marched up to vote, the camera lingered to allow them to say their piece. Amanda couldn’t even do it. She just said, “Erik…” and stared at the camera. Cirie told him that he’d just taken the mantle of stupidest Survivor ever!
James echoed this later, mumbling that he was no longer the stupidest Survivor.
What sealed the deal was watching the surprise and disappointment on Erik’s face when it all went wrong.
Hilarious and unexpected, this was a great episode. I can’t wait for the end…
Predictions? I think that Amanda has a great shot to win but honestly, I think Cirie has played the best game.
Debate my friends!
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May 9, 2008 8:30 AM
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I didn't think anything could top the previous three episodes of Survivor but last night's episode trumped them all. That was absolutely the greatest thing I have ever seen on Survivor. I loved it.
I have to say, when the episode started I didn't want Eric to win immunity because I was really rooting for an all-female Final Four and I was totally bummed when he did win. Then those girls came up w/ that plan and I also thought to myself, "there is no way he will fall for that! will he?" And when it was looking like their plan really was going to work I felt soooooooo bad for Eric. Man, did he get dupped. I'm still stunned that it actually happened.
AWESOME EPISODE in an AWESOME SEASON!
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May 9, 2008 9:14 AM
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Excellent recap, Miss Vickie.
Wow. I actually felt bad for Erik last night. He was living his dream and seemed to really enjoy being in the game and then to make such a fundamental error. He didn't get outplayed - he got played. Those women chewed him up and spit him out. AARRGGHH I felt bad for him because he seemed to have a really difficult time separating personal relationship from gameplay. He wanted to be liked and trusted and was willing to take a risk to demonstrate his "honor". Nice sentiment - stupid move. I thought there was hope for Erik when he initially rejected any thought of giving up the necklace but then he lost his mind and thought it would be a good idea. For such a fan of the show, he should have known better.
I know Erik has grated on some people's nerve but I always liked his open wonder and joy at being in the game. It was a nice change from those who have seen the show, sign up and selected for the show, and then constantly complain about how miserable it is. It's almost as though they are angry because they were tricked into being on the show.
It would have been neat to see if Parvati and Cirie would have turned on Amanda to improve their odds of advancing and winning.
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May 9, 2008 9:24 AM
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Great recap, Vickie. I was rofl the last 15 minutes or so. The only comforting thing we can say to Erik is that he will be reunited with Ozzy. I can hardly wait for next week! I'm afraid that the only chance for Amanda to go to final 3 is by winning immunity next week, the other women have all said they don't want to go up against her. On the other hand, if she's not in the final, who wins will be anybody's guess. Makes better television I guess. If she doesn't win, she has my vote for favorite player. If she does win, I guess it has to be Cirie, who I really don't like (have been hating on her since she got Yau voted off so early on). But she really has been hard at work behind the scenes. Just dropping a little hint here and there, you know? Anyway, that's my take on it. Thoughts?
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May 9, 2008 10:12 AM
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Hi xandraskye! It just keeps getting better doesn't it? GREAT season and a great episode.
Hi karrosfan, Thanks! I felt a bit sorry for the kid too. He does seem to be a very sweet young man and he just wanted people to like him. We all want that. I hope he's up to getting teased mercilessly at the reunion show. You're right though. The smart money would have been to take out Amanda probably.
Hi jamminjan, Thanks! We were laughing so hard. Poor Erik. I think Amanda will have to win immunity too or she'll be gone. I didn't like Cirie after she pulled that Yau thing too but I've really come to respect her game and in retrospect, that might have been a smart move. I think if Amanda isn't there, Cirie's game is a bit too intellectual to get credit with the others. She appears not to do anything which is why she keeps getting away with stuff. I'd say that, and I can't believe this, Parvati might have a shot if Amanda isn't there.
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May 9, 2008 10:48 AM
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For a season that started out so slow and boring, this season has to be one of the best ever now. Starting with the elimination of Eliza with the fake idol the show has picked up steam and become more entertaining each week. It's just too bad that we lost 2 player's early to injuries and one to a nervous breakdown.
I think if Amanda makes it to the final 3, she wins. If not, then I think it comes down to the question and answer session to decide the winner.
I am looking forward to going on CBS.com later today to watch the Ponderosa episodes with Erik. I'm sure the other jury members will be razzing him alot. While I'm there, I will probably vote for James for Viewer's Choice since he had to leave the tribe without being voted off.
Have a great time at your son's wedding this weekend, Vickie Jean, but remember to take it easy. I would also like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers on this blog. I had a great early Mother's Day with my son on Wednesday.
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May 9, 2008 10:49 AM
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What a GREAT show that was last night, and how GREAT to have YOU back blogging Vickie Jean. Enjoy your blogs as much as I enjoy the shows you blog on!!
This one was AMAZING indeed. How DUMB. Poor Eric. Made some stupid moves, but he's young, and a BOY, surrounded by smart, coniving women, and having them band together like that makes everyone else a victim! Talk about outsmarting. Think the past few shows have showed more of that than any other Survivor, to my memory!
I THINK they'll vote out Natalie, but MAYBE they'll have Natalie AND Cirie vote off Amanda, who is great, and a threat, and a surer person to win. But my thinking is Amanda and Parv are in this together - or am I wrong? - and they both will vote out someone else UNLESS our bright little behind the scenes and almost under the radar there (not to us viewers)Cirie thinks of something else to get them going in a different direction.
You know, now I don't even care much, except I want Natalie out - never took to her - Parvati annoys me and doesn't win anything (was way off on the last immunity contest but then she probably never watched any of the shows other than her own!) BUT I think she still deserves to be in the top 3. Amanda I already said I LOVE, and Cirie, her gamesmanship has gotten me to think she earns a shot, and indeed should probably be the winner, and that when everyone sees the shows and SEES her comments and how much in control she really was, will they ever be surprised.
Anything can happen, as Mr. sexy dimples says, and probably will, and whatever it is if the past few shows are any indication, I'll LOVE IT.
Vickiejean have a glorious weekend - much luck and love to your son on his wedding - and see you back here next week, feeling, I hope, better than ever!!
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May 9, 2008 11:35 AM
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Morning Vickie!
OH MY DEAR GOD. I thought I laughed hard last week! You wrote exactly what I thought last night when Cirie first voiced her idea- NO! C'mon, this kid can't be that stupid. Not even this sweet, naive, gullible young man can possibly be that big of an idiot, that trusting in a game where everyone lies to further themselves, where everyone manipulates to get to the end- of course he'll see, after watching the women sit on the beach and talk, that they came up with this plan to oust him, because of course, no one is that stupid.
And then came Laughfest '08, as we watched tribal unfold. I'm with you- how in the world did Probst keep even a semblance of a straight face during that??? When Erik began his sincere speech about redeeming himself with a big gesture, I almost peed myself (okay, a little graphic, but it's what almost happened). Kudos to Cirie for actually keeping a straight face as it was going down; I thought the others were being so obvious that Erik would retract his hand and put the necklace back around his own neck- but no, he actually handed it to Natalie!
It will be interesting to see what happens on Sunday. Even if Amanda makes it to the finals, she can still screw it up no matter what kind of game she's played- remember her horrible speech and passive conduct at the finals last season? She gave away the win then, and she could do it again. Let's hope she's been practicing and has learned from her mistakes, because Cirie has proved that she is a great talker and manipulator and she could have that jury eating out of the palm of her hand. Ditto Parvati. I don't think Natalie's an issue, but we will have to wait to find out.
This has been, hands down, maybe the best season of Survivor ever. I wish they could replicate the magic next time; we're probably in for a pretty tame season after this. Thanks in advance for all of your inspired blogging this season, Vickie- you've been a trooper in more ways than one!
See you Monday for the big wrap-up; here's hoping it's as entertaining as last night (the reunion show is bound to be)!
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May 9, 2008 11:50 AM
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Poor naive Erik.
I have to disagree with you. Cirie has NOT played the best game. I'm sorry, but I feel that you HAVE to something ON YOUR OWN at least once in order to be worthy of winning. I HATE it when people who played the mental/social game win but never won anything. Cirie has manipulated people all over the place, but it was Parv who caused Ozzy's ouster, Natalie who caused Jason's, Amanda's who caused Alexis to go, and Cirie who led to Erik's departure.
Cirie CAN'T win a challenge to save her life, so while she MAYBE played a better mental game, that is NOT a FULL game.
But, that's just MY opinion.
I hope you're doing ok!
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May 9, 2008 12:47 PM
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Vickie - it is so great to have you back. Survivor wasn't the same without your blog to come to. YOU WERE MISSED!
This was one of the best Survivor episodes ever - and I think that this season will go down as my favorite so far, and I have seen every episode of every season.
There was no way possible that I thought that those four women could talk Eric out of his immunity necklace. It just seemed ludicrous, stupid and unimagineable. I would have bet my home, my car and my savings that it would not happen. Even throughout the episode, I thought that the show editors were just stringing the viewers along, trying to create drama where there was none. Even during Tribal Council, I thought that it would never happen.
Cirie played that whole scenario out like a strategist. From the initial suggestion, clear through the whole Amanda/Parvoti ribbing of Eric during Tribal about loyalty, and then Cirie during Tribal telling Jeff that "Redemption was important" it all played out like a David Mamet script - damn near word for word!
I gained a huge amount of respect for Cirie and I have to disagree with Darclyte about her not deserving to win it all because she has won nothing so far. I originally thought that too - but after last night, and seeing her display of mental prowess - she deserves to win it all. I'm not sure that she will but in my book she deserves it just as much as anyone else!
I loved it when after Tribal Council, James said that he could no longer be referred to as the STUPIDEST SURVIVOR!
I am so looking forward to Sunday!
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May 9, 2008 1:57 PM
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Vickie!
I was just telling a co-worker how this season has had the most entertaining tribal councils EVER!
Surely that wouldn’t work! Surely the kid isn’t that stupid!
My husband said those exact words as we were watching. I could not believe even Erik could be that naive!! I loved James's reaction that he wasn't the dumbest Survivor anymore!
How did Dimples keep a straight face when he sent Erik off???
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May 9, 2008 2:02 PM
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Hi Vickie Jean:
I hope you're feeling better today. Congratulations on receiving multiple Red Stars. They are well-deserved.
I won't go over the obvious, but it bears repeating. Erik is the sweetest, but stupidest, Survivor. Ever!!!
I applaud Cirie for making her strategic moves, without showing her hand. I admire those that can use their brains to outwit others. The ladies definitely pulled off the best Survivor move. Ever!!!
Vickie Jean, enjoy your son's wedding. May Jeremy and his bride have a happy, long, blessed marriage. Happy Mother's Day to you and all of the other mothers in our Community. Love to you Vickie Jean. So glad you are here and that you survived your surgery. May you get plenty of rest and suffer the least amount of pain possible.
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May 9, 2008 2:05 PM
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A lot of good comments about the episode and the potential winner. But there's one person that has not received a lot of discussion - Natalie.
It would stand to reason that Parv and Cirie recognize that they can't win against Amanda and vote her out. They might also realize that Natalie would be the one to take to the end to win based on the reasoning that she doesn't have many friends on the jury.
However, I think that Natalie could actually win this thing with a good question and answer session at final tribal. She has played a good game here at the end. She was (or at least appeared to be) the driving force behind the emergence of the Black Widows (or was it Black Widow Brigade, I can't remember for sure). She talked Jason into giving up the Hidden Immunity Idol by getting him not to play it. She survived being the next obvious target and when Amanda played her Hidden Immunity Idol. And she talked Erik into giving up the Immunity Necklace to her. And that was AFTER Erik saw what happened when Natalie talked Jason into trusting her. Cirie has played a good strategic game. But NOBODY in the history of Survivor has done what Natalie has done the past few weeks.
I still think they made a HUGE mistake by voting out Alexis (was that her name? The one voted out last week) when they could have taken out Natalie. Alexis had a hurt knee which would have impeded her in a physical competition and never showed (at least none that made it to the TV screen) much strategic initiative.
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May 9, 2008 3:45 PM
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very sterio typical of eric,I was really amused at the woman on the show!the way they set up eric because of his mentality or his IQ,they a prime example of how woman behave when they want something,useing there sexuality to achieve there goals.
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May 9, 2008 4:54 PM
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You gotta be kidding me????
I missed the episode last night, but now I will definitely have to go to cbs and watch it, and watch the gullible little moron show up at Ponderosa.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the blogger Mom's and Mom's of bloggers.
Have a great time at the wedding Vickie! Congrats to your son!
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May 9, 2008 5:45 PM
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