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Mixing It Up Survivor-Style!
Erik was torn between the women and the men tonight/ Erik Huffman by Monty Brinton/CBS
Episode Recap: "Love is in the Air"
This was perhaps the best episode of the season so far. It was filled with backstabbing and betrayal, yet it still had some humorous moments and great strategy. By the end, you weren’t quite sure who was going home.
It all started with a reshuffling of the tribes. The two strongest from each side, as chosen by the individual tribes, were swapped. How funny was it that Fei Long immediately caught on to what was happening while Zhan Hu just assumed that they were going to get two extra members? That’s called wishful thinking. In the end, Sherea and Frosti traded places with James and Aaron.
What is it with Aaron and his fixation on the merge? Every stinking move he makes is based on what the landscape will be once there is only one tribe. The thing is, Aaron, you have to make the merge. As soon as he got to Zhan Hu, the guy was in the water with Erik, Jaimie and Peih Gee throwing James under the bus. If I were Zhan Hu, I wouldn’t trust Aaron at all no matter how good looking he is – according to Peih Gee, it’s the attractive ones who go far.
Even with that philosophy, Peih Gee was all too eager to get rid of the new arrivals. Clearly: while Dave was bossing people around, she was in the woods reading The Art of War. Peih Gee devised a plan to throw the immunity challenge and vote out the two strongest players in the entire game, so that come the merge nobody would be at the mercy of these guys. I have to admit that was rather clever. It reminded me of Nakomis’ original back-dooring strategy in Big Brother, which got Jase out of the house. I’m not sure a move like that has been played on Survivor before.
The only problem was with the execution. Peih Gee and Jaimie so blatantly threw the puzzle part of the challenge that Jeff had to call them out on it at tribal council. (You know how Jeff hates it when people don’t put their all into the game, even if it’s a planned maneuver.) I’m so glad he did, though, because James’ reaction was hilarious. First off, the man cannot conceive of purposefully losing, so of course it would never occur to him that the women had done so. His ranting about their giggling and about Peih Gee discussing Soduku during the challenge was priceless. As was his face at tribal council when Jaimie admitted their crime.
Was it fair that Jeff interfered that much in the game? Should he be allowed to interfere with a player’s strategy like that? It’s a moot point now, and honestly I don’t mind it that much. Jeff’s as much a part of the game as the hidden immunity idol. A part of me was almost hoping that the guys would turn it around and vote Peih Gee off the island. The funniest aspect of this whole scenario was that Aaron — who was so confident that he’d made a place for himself and secured his future — was the one voted out. Let that be a lesson to Peih Gee, who by now should realize that she needs to watch her closest ally Jaimie, because Jaimie’s closest ally is Erik — and their voting block is what got Aaron kicked out instead of James, as Peih Gee had planned.
Over at Fei Long, Sherea and Frosti soon discovered that Jean-Robert was the odd-man-out. Despite his trying to be proactive by rising early, cooking breakfast and issuing orders, the rest of his original tribe set that situation straight. Fingers crossed that Frosti can manage to avoid the curse of the switched tribe member.
Now who here among the viewers was surprised that Fei Long viewed Sherea as a strong player? Enough to swipe her from Zhan Hu? That woman has dodged a bullet. We’ll have to see if she actually does make more of an effort at this new camp, as she mentioned. And when she gets a moment, I’d like her to explain where she got that brand spanking new bikini. I mean – thank God!, because that dress was looking pretty stinky — but still, the bikini appeared out of nowhere in all of its day-glo blueness.
Denise was also sporting some new togs in the form of a rather grandmotherly floral swimsuit. Hey, it was better than that I-escaped-from-prison looking oversized T-shirt and matching unflattering shorts. I need to say though that I really like Denise. This woman has some backbone to her, and she’s using it against Jean-Robert in many a tossed-off comment.
So there you have it. James, Frosti and Sherea are still in the game. Peih Gee is making waves. Jean-Robert continues to be a solo act, and the rest are all working the angles. Here’s looking forward to next week!
For more Survivor: China check out our Online Video Guide.
To get all the latest dish on Survivor, tune into TV Guide Network's Watercooler; October 19 at 8pm/ET.
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Oct 18, 2007 10:29 PM
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Personally I think that the producers of survivor should be ashamed for throwing 4 players to the wolves. Of course the opposing tribe is going to bring over the other tribes strongest players and then vote them out..Duh! It really doesn't give the people that were brought over a fighting chance to get anywhere in the game. I think they should have to bring them back later in the game and give them another chance. And how stupid are Jamie and PG? No one ever said there is a guaranteed merge. Stupid stratagy because now their own tribe knows that the two can't be trusted. They didn't even go to their own team to stratagize, they made the decision to throw the challenge alone. I think and I hope they just sealed their own fate because now both tribes will know how cut throat the two of them are and how childish they can be at a challenge. Grow up ladies.
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Oct 18, 2007 11:43 PM
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I'm not sure when an episode has ever irritated me more than tonight! (And I have never missed one.) I wanted to slap Jamie and Peih Gee. How immature, rude and callous to be so glib and silly about ruining someone elses' chances. Especially someone who had worked hard to be there as both Aaron and James have done. There was so sympathy or remorse. I don't care who wins this now as long as it's neither of them. Erik better man-up too or I'll be pulling against him!
My (hopeful) theory based on what Jeff alluded to at tribal council is that next week they'll send Frosti and Sherea back to Zhan Hu and James back to Fei Long. Now, that would be great television. That big ole' pissed off man with a supportive tribe behind him would be impossible to stop!!
Jeff is a lover of the game and you could tell he didn't respect or appreciate Jamie and Peih Gee's behavior in the least!
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Oct 19, 2007 12:28 AM
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First off, thank you Survivor for the bathing suits provided to several of the women. Especially Sherea. I don't get some of these people this season. They seem to be just angling for the merge every week. I just don't like the strategy of looking too far ahead. I also hate teams tanking it in challenges. Didn't like it when Ozzy did it 2 seasons ago and I didn't like it now. I would have tried to win every group challenge with James leading the way. Maybe the merge won't happen for 3 or 4 eps, so you can make a new bond with your new teammates. But they didn't think that way.
And if they were going to tank it, couldn't they done a better job of hiding that fact? This ep just made me mad. I am with James all the way on this one. He should be mad about losing on purpose. So once again, he would be a great person to have on your side. Even after the merge.
Glad Denise has been getting more air time the last 2 eps. She seems like someone you can trust.
Erik Erik Erik. You tell someone that you just met 2 weeks ago about being a virgin? That seems like an awfully personal thing to share with someone this early in the show. Hopefully he can trust Jaimie.
I also think that Jeff had every right to bring up if they were tanking or not. Especially with that piece way away from the board. Jeff has two eyes, so he can figure it out quickly. And he also noticed how PG and Jaimie weren't in any hurry at all. I guess they didn't trust Erik enough to clue him in. The guy was busting his butt out there and then it was all for nothing. I think if I was Erik, I would have been a little annoyed.
So I am still rooting for James for his competitive spirit a la Ozzy and the older guy who won it all a few seasons ago. Still like Todd as well for his strategic play. Denise is also a favorite. And I will hand it to Erik for making that ballsy confession.
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Oct 19, 2007 12:34 AM
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This was one of the worst Survivor episodes ever as far as I'm concerned.
I want to see fair competition. For two people to decide to throw challenges in order to eliminate better competitors is ridiculous. If you can't conspire to share the million, why can you conspire to lose just to eliminate those who are bigger, more athletic, and smarter?
Survivor rewards the weak by allowing them to pick off those who are willing to put themselves front & center, those who try their hardest at challenges and do the most work around camp. I have always hated this "voting off at tribal council" crap anyway, but this episode was the worst. One of the reasons I prefer The Amazing Race is because teams sink or swim based upon how well they perform and how good their decisions are, not whether somebody likes them or a group gangs up on them.
I can't believe that disgusting anorexic girl (I want to puke when I look at her) is going to be on the show weeks longer than better competitors like Aaron & James. She has done virtually nothing, yet the show as it is set up this season rewards people like her.
I will no longer watch Survivor. The integrity and the format of this show need to be greatly improved before I will watch another episode.
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Oct 19, 2007 12:38 AM
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OUTRAGEOUS! Best episode so far?? I think NOT! When production gets involved and changes the game in such a way where the 4 strongest players (as determined by the Survivors themselves) are going to be picked off one by one by no fault of their own, it really destroys the entire purpose and spirit of the game. When a players fate is no longer in their hands, this no longer is a competition, but an outcome that is manipulated by the producers and I for one, haven't been this irritated since the older/unfit guys picked of all of the younger/hot/athletic guys on Survivor Vanuatu!  Poor James... I don't blame him for saying he wanted to leave. I feel sorry for him, having to be stuck with the incredibly smug and immature be-yotches Peih Gee and Jaimie. I really wanted to reach inside the tv and slap them. Don't even get me started on Erik... Dude, grow a pair already! You've been on the show for 2 weeks and you're already in love and telling Jaimie you're a virgin??!! There was ZERO chance he'd vote against either of the women.
Rhoda, I don't know what show you were watching but there was absolutely no suspense going into tribal council. It was going to be James or Aaron and by the editing alluding to James, I knew it would be Aaron. No suspense next week either...bye bye James, through no fault of your own. I'm absolutely disgusted at this season and do not know if it's worth watching any more.
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Oct 19, 2007 1:36 AM
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jen71 and k4lakers -
Get over yourselves and your self-righteous attitudes. "I will no longer watch Survivor." Good. Buh-bye. And while you're at it, please have some integrity of your own and follow through by also not participating in any message boards associated with Survivor either. Sheesh.
But since you will probably NOT quit watching or reading...
The object of Survivor is threefold - and all are equally important. Outwit. Outplay. Outlast. James is phenominal at one. Possibly the best ever at "outplaying" the others. He may also possibly be the worst ever at the "outwit" part, and as such, he will not be in the game much longer. Like it or not, Jaimie and Peih Gee's plan was VERY well thought out, and took lots of guts. They excelled at OUTWITTING their opponents and improving their chances to both "Outplay" and "Outlast" the others. Lots of people in previous seasons have used NOT winning things as a way of affecting the game. Where was your outrage then? The only thing they did wrong was be terrible actors and not be able to hide their tactics.
Where is your outrage about the producers "interfering" by casting someone so physically superior to all of the others? (James) How is it fair to Courtney to be expected to take on James in a physical challenge? Is that not "manipulation?" Was James not a target of every single player from Day One because of his ominous physical prowess? Of course he was.
And every season in the past has had twists, tribal shake-ups and merges that were obvious attempts to influence the game. Dealing with that and getting through it is part of the "outlast" that winning requires.
If you want to complain about this game being EXACTLY what it is supoosed to be - that is your right. Hopefully you will make good on your threats, go away for ever, and leave the rest of us to enjoy what is surely to be the most strategic and suspenseful season ever.
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Oct 19, 2007 2:24 AM
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I laughed my butt off right from the get-go when Zhan Hu was so miserably stupid they thought they were getting two people and wouldn't be giving up two of their own. What? How does one team have all the idiots?
I guess I can understand the throwing of the challenge, but I didn't like it at all. I'm glad James didn't go home, but it does seem just a matter of time. His role is to win challenges. He would have never made it to the end because someone would (will) vote him off shortly, since he's such a physical threat.
I'm usually not a Jeff Probst fan, but I was with him in his disgust at throwing the challenge.
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Oct 19, 2007 3:49 AM
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OUCH! Keefer, tell us how you really feel! Or better yet, go find your glasses and re-read my post and show me where I said that "I will no longer watch Survivor" or read the Survivor blogs ever again. Why would I allow your opinion stop me from voicing mine?
I did say that I was not sure if the show was worth watching any more, as the players are not being given the opportunity to Outplay, Outwit and Outlast when thrown into a situation like this. I'd really hate to see someone like Courtney or another weak, under the radar player sitting in the finals. Ultimately, that would be a major let down. I am irritated that the game has, in my opinion (which I am entitled to have, just as YOU are) been altered in a way whereas these 4 players are being robbed of their chance to do the two of the three basics of Survivor (the Outwitting and Outlasting part). James and Aaron's fates were sealed the second they stepped foot onto the Zhan Hu beach.
Finally, where do you get off telling people not to post on a blog just because they don't agree with you? And you have the nerve to talk about self-righteous? If anyone needs to get over themselves, it's you.
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Oct 19, 2007 4:03 AM
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Did anyone else notice a huge bruise on the shoulder blade of the "skeleton"?
I'm assuming it's a bruise. Don't know how this girl can still be walking around, and it's shameful that CBS puts her on display like that. It's painful to look at her.
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Oct 19, 2007 5:10 AM
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As much as Courtney's skeletal body upsets me, I mistook Jaime for Courtney several times tonight. She is also looking unhealthily thin. (Don't know if that's a word but it's the best I could come up with.)
My favorite moment was after James and Denise checked the nets and James said "These fish is stupid. They'll eat anything." lol. I was glad James didn't get voted off last night but I was disappointed that Erik didn't go against the girls and get one of them off.
The strategy of the girls was just plain stupid. Let's see, we'll get rid of two strong guys and be a tribe of 3 IF the merge happens at 10. HUH!!
Four versus Seven isn't good and three versus seven is even worse if the merge doesn't happen at ten. Good luck with that one!
I did like the twist of picking two tribe members and taking them for your team and I liked that the one team figured out right away that that meant they were losing 2. I don't know why they thought Sherea was strong but if it gets her kicked off so much the better. Thank you, producers, for giving her something besides her underwear to wear but I'm guessing as soon as she gets more comfortable with the new team, she'll bring the bra and panties back out! I will have to watch the show with my eyes closed when she is on screen if that happens.
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Oct 19, 2007 7:57 AM
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I thought it was interesting that James said he was attracted to Denise because of her strong work ethic. You would think a guy built like that would be attracted to "hotbody" girls. The age difference was his only problem with her. Interesting.
Jaime and PG were so annoying when they couldn't stop smiling and giggling. They could have at least pretended they were trying. And I don't know why they kept James. He is royally pissed off at them. I wonder if he will tell his old teammates what happened, and suggest that they throw the next challenge to get rid of Sherea or Frosti. It could be a battle to see who could finish the challenge last. Sheesh!
It looked like all of the ladies got new swimsuits for the challenge. Maybe they came from their luggage. Denise definitely got a more matronly style than the others. And Courtney...OMG what a skeleton.
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Oct 19, 2007 8:37 AM
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I think it's awful that P.G. & Jamie threw that, especially as they let the guys work their butts off. I've lost a lot of my respect for Jamie. She seemed like such a sweetheart at first. Wouldn't it be a hoot if there wasn't a merge? That was BAD strategy.
I wonder if Erik really is a virgin, or if he just said he was to pull a "Tea & Sympathy" on Jamie?
It's just not right when someone who could easily win is voted off so early. At least Boston Rob was able to come back on All-Stars & show what he really could do. I nominate Aaron for All-Stars 2.
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Oct 19, 2007 8:52 AM
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Yea for new swimsuits! I'm sure that they really appreciated them!
Poor James! To be stuck on that team knowing that they will probably throw the competition again to get rid of him. There will be no way he can win it on his own. I hope he gives them heck the next few days! It would be great if the merge didn't happen at 10 and their little plan fails. Ha! Maybe James can talk Eric into voting with him. There is no way those two girls will keep Eric around if the merge doesn't happen at 10. Hope he realizes that!
I was glad to see Denise get a bit more air time. The fact that she is a school lunch room lady just makes me like her for some reason! I hope she goes far!
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Oct 19, 2007 9:08 AM
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I'm glad you thought last night's episode was the best of the season. You are clearly in the minority. I've been to several different sites, and most people agree that last night's episode was terrible. In fact, the consensus I got was that most fans are not going to watch the show anymore, myself included.
I don't think this season's Survivor can be saved after night. Clearly, Aaron and James were the viewers favorites, and PG and Jaime did not gain any fans with their performances last night.
CBS screwed themselves this time.
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Oct 19, 2007 9:16 AM
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