In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Survivor: China
In Case you Missed it the First Time
Episode Recap: It’s Been Real and It’s Been Fun.
If you didn’t gobble down you Thanksgiving Day feast in time to catch Survivor: China then fear not because you did not miss much. Yes, folks it was the most beloved of episodes: The season recap. This year, however, included far more new footage making it much less of a rehash than it has been in years past and for that we are thankful.
While there were some moments worth seeing again like James giggling in the woods over the possibility of Jamie playing her fake immunity idol it was the added scenes that put some events into a chronological context that I really enjoyed. Remember Dave, that abrasive guy from Zhan Hu? Believe it or not I had actually forgotten about him. Perhaps I should say I had blocked him out. Regardless, his appearance on the show reminded me of just how ridiculous he was. I loved seeing how his no eating before challenges strategy to conserve energy played into that immunity challenge where his lack of energy caused his tribe to lose. Talk about having to eat crow afterwards.
I would, however, have preferred seeing that over the vivid footage of Erik “squeezing the poo” out of worms before eating them. Yes, hunger can make you do some strange things, but depooifying an invertebrate before ingesting it is just nasty.
I always wonder why those stuck in the wild on these shows (I’ll forgive those who are really SOL in the wilderness) don’t cook the food that enters their ever increasing palate? Honestly, how long does it take to roast a worm? I was so happy to see them cook that frog (unlike a certain adventurer on the Discovery Channel who prefers to bite the heads off the live suckers!) before eating it.
James has been a fan favorite this season and continues to be if only for his calling Aaron out on his poor leadership skills. Nevermind that the “stewardess” and the “older lady’ we’re also sunning on the boat with Aaron when they should have been working. For James the buck stopped only with Aaron and he made sure that Aaron knew how he felt about the situation.
I’m not sure if James’ tirade was the reason Aaron resigned as leader (only to then issue a ton of orders) but that sure was a lame move on his part. Yeah, nobody wants to be the leader on Survivor but stepping down will not help your game play once you’ve been thrust into that role. That’s just another reason why it was right to vote Aaron out.
I’d like to think that Todd, the man behind the curtains this season, would have found a way to abdicate without looking like a weenie had he been in Aaron’s shoes. But watching him wig out on Jean-Robert for an inconsequential comment, however, leads me to believe that Toddy is only just holding it together out there.
I realize it’s tough situation. I mean people are squeezing poo out of worms for crying out loud, but they need to hang in there. James sees himself as the glue that binds Fei Long. That could very well be the case though I’m not a hundred percent convinced. James could stand to lighten up on the verbal attacks but at least he has his head on straight and calls out the bull when he sees it. Maybe he could spend some time doing impressions of others in cast, which in my opinion was the funniest part of the show. Courtney and Todd impersonating Jaime and Denise was spot on. From the looks of it next week, we’ll get Amanda doing Peih-Gee when she makes a move to break up with her Fei Long alliance.
Until then, my guess is still as good as yours about the upcoming twist, but if you have a guess as to Jeff has in store for these guys please share.
For more Survivor: China check out our Online Video Guide.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Nov 23, 2007 10:30 AM
|
|
I didn't mind this, nor the weird, and slow, CSI episode, that followed as I was too busy loosening my belt to follow too closely. That having been said I have no idea what the twist will be next week, but the look on James' face made me think 2 things. First he forgot the frakking hidden immunity idols back at camp, and second, he's worried this will be an unannounced second vote.
|
|
Nov 23, 2007 11:42 AM
|
I didn't mind this either. It was great getting to see things we hadn't seen before. Helps to know what goes on that we don't see. Glad I watched it.
Wished I hadn't watched CSI.
|
|
Nov 23, 2007 5:54 PM
|
Boy, isn't that the truth Pinkie. I enjoyed last year's Lab Rats epi, but that one was just stupid. If nobody minds, I'll take a minute to talk about it since they seem to have dropped the blog.
The best part for me was seeing everybody laugh watching Hodges get shot. I cannot stand him. And what is his deal with the "gun guy"? Weird. I about freaked when Archie got blown up. Now there's a guy they could have more often! Alot more. He is absolutely gorgeous and adorable.
Do you think Wendy might take Sarah's place in the field? That would be cool with me. I've always liked her.
It was cute and sweet how worried everybody was about Gil and Sarah.
Now about Survivor: I actually thought the thing with James and Aaron made James look like more of a jerk. I can't quite put my finger on when it happened, but I've been liking him less and less.
And I especially thought that when he flat out refused to accept Peih-Gee's apology. I know she's a creep, but he could've been more gracious and just said okay. I don't know what the twist is going to be, but I can think of some possibilities:
1) Another elimination vote.
2) An announcement that the Hidden idol is no longer usable and must be turned in.
3) A letters from home segment.
4) A surprise challenge.
5) A return of previous eliminees.
6) A move to another camp.
There might be others, but that's all I can come up with for now.
|
|
Nov 23, 2007 9:49 PM
|
I know James is your favorite Rhoda and you say he's a fan favorite, but is he really? I personally really dislike him and his attitude. He's arrogant and I can't believe they didn't try to take him out earlier, because now he's almost going to be unbeatable.
James has been a fan favorite this season and continues to be if only for his calling Aaron out on his poor leadership skills.
And I don't agree with you there and I agree with prplrose5. That confrontation made James look even more like a jerk to me.
I'm rooting for Erik, even though he's totally outnumbered. Can't wait to see what the twist is!
|
|
Nov 23, 2007 10:53 PM
|
I was not happy that a "new" episode was advertised and we got a bunch of clips from old shows instead.
Also, I just started watching last year, so forgive me if I am off about this - it seems like they got a bunch of narrow minded idiots this year compared to last year's crew. Nobody this year has any vision or is thinking ahead. It's all about just surviving today. I am quite surprised by the contrast in the cast.
|
|
Nov 24, 2007 3:52 PM
|
I think it might be another elimination vote as it looks to me like there would be too many episodes to end this before Christmas, unless they get rid of someone now. That may mean the end for James.
I think James kind of flew under the radar for a while with viewers, but his rather abrasive personality was easily seen during this recap episode. I can now see why Todd thought of blindsiding him a couple episodes ago.
|
|
Nov 25, 2007 2:12 AM
|
|
I enjoyed the recap for once because they did include a great deal more new footage than usual. I love James, but even I have to admit that the scene with Aaron just made him look like a jerk. I can understand if the rest of them hadn't been working for quite awhile or they hadn't gotten all the basics taken care of yet [which may have been the case] but still he seemed to go a bit far. He can be mouthy but up until now it seemed justified, now I'm not so sure.
|
|
Nov 26, 2007 11:36 AM
|
|
|
