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« Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites
Episode Recap: I'm Gonna Fix Her!
I know what I’m about to say will not make sense, but I am confident that Survivor fans will understand the sentiment: I wish this show could start at the merge because, right now, I can barely remember the first half of the season. And yes, now I’m going to contradict myself by saying that the first half of the season was pretty good too with all of its drama. Still, since the merge we’ve had blindside after blindside, fake idols, unused idols and finally, thanks to Amanda, a hidden immunity idol used the way it was meant to. Well done, Amanda!
I am sad to see that Alexis was doomed by Amanda and Parvati’s ricochet votes, but these things happen. This is the problem when you ally based solely on gender – loyalty is thin. If you notice, Parvati refused to vote against Amanda because they go way back (all of 30 days). Cirie confessed that it was only circumstances that were making her vote against original her tribemate Amanda. Natalie, Alexis and that Benedict Arnold, Erik, had no problem writing Amanda’s name down. Erik, understandably voted with the fans, but Nat and Alexis were looking out for themselves. Amanda was only useful to them in the numbers game.
Besides, we all knew that Alexis, who had injured her knee in a nighttime stumble, was on her way out. Not because of her injury, but because Parvati had decided that her time had come. If you have seen Atonement, you’ll know what I mean when I say that Parvati’s delivery, when she asked if Alexis wanted them to vote her out, was nearly as sinister and cold as Briony Talis’ was when accused her sister’s lover of committing a dastardly deed.
Wow, I just likened Survivor to an Oscar winning movie. See how much I love this show?
Anyway, we’ve had idol usage, betrayal…what am I forgetting? Oh yes, James and his infected finger. Yet again, another favorite is removed from the game for medical reasons. What kind of infectious microorganisms are they growing over there? Do we need to quarantine Micronesia? As much as James did not want to admit it, you know it was bad when he wasn’t dropping any one-liners. Although his father was quick with the sotto voce comment after Alexis removed James from the reward challenge with a swipe of her hatchet. Clearly, the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.
This reward challenge where the survivors answer questions and then guess at the consensus answer is always an interesting one. It clearly establishes the remaining pecking order (by my calculations it was Erik, Amanda and then James) and it exposes some players’ strategy. This time it did so in front of the family members who were part of the reward. The most revealing question being, “who mistakenly thinks they are in control of the game?” Answer: Parvati, although both Parvati and Alexis answered Cirie. Further proof that Cirie and Parvati are in control, however Cirie has the edge because most of them still do not realize that Cirie is in control. Kudos to Parvati for paying attention. If it comes down to these two in the end (the third finalist won’t matter), who wins?
Yet, at this point there is still no clear prediction. The women wanted an all-female finale, but if Erik, who with his keen sense of observation (“I’m the only man left!” he stated moments after James decamped) keeps winning immunity, that plan is scrapped. As it stands now, Erik will be the swing vote, but as Amanda convincingly pointed out at Tribal Council, he can’t be trusted because he takes aid, but does not give it. Ouch.
Since I already brought it up, I’ll continue with the academy award reference as Amanda was most deserving of some kind of award tonight for her eye-rolling, I’m-so-defeated, woe-is-me performance at tribal council. She immediately switched it up when she whipped out her idol and presented it to Probst and had the jury, including an IV-toting James, demonstrably excited. This was a victory for those had gone before. As Jeff said they, “have perfected the art of the blindside.” If that’s so, leaders Parvati and Cirie had better watch out.
So what did you think? Did Amanda deserve the respect she earned tonight or did she luck into it by getting sent to Exile Island? Who is actually in control of this game, Parvati or Cirie? And, if your split knuckle had swollen to the size of a lime and you had lost feeling in the sides of your finger, would you have waited for medical to pull you out of the game or would you have stepped out on your own?
Until next week, keep up with Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites using our Online Video Guide.
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May 1, 2008 10:56 PM
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Finally! The idol gets used, and at a perfect time. Amanda made my week with it. It was good to see the shocked faces of the chosen ones when she played it. Sure beats the heck out of the smug grins of the past week. They may have lit a fire under Amanda and they may long for the days they only thought she was a threat.
Erik, you're an idiot. Go home. Nah, with your abilities in challenges you can go a long way. He is just an idiot for not trying to make some kind of move against the women. He is a sitting duck if he fails to win immunity and he is too dumb to know it. Winning immunity means you can use it to make moves, not just die slower. And, he needed to give since he already recieved. Bad move kid.
I think getting Alexis out at this time was the wrong move. It should have been Natalie or Cirie. I can see keeping Natalie just because she is an easy pick later.
I like James' dad. He is like James and James is one cool charactor. I hated to see James go over an infection. But, it reminds us of how tough all parts of this game are to overcome and win the money. This season is definately the most brutal so far. It kind of kills the drama when they leave like that but it is a good reminder of why Survivor is called Survivor.
I think Amada does deserve some respect for her move tonight. Remember, she asked to be sent to Exile. She knew she was toast and took it upon herself to fight by going to Exile.
I don't think anyone is really in charge at the moment. I might give the nod to Parvoti for making moves while Cirie just goes along with the best plan. Parvoti was the one to defy the group and say she would not vote out Amanda and then gave Amanda the heads-up she needed. That normally gets one targetted, but not Parvoti. Everyone left is really making moves at different times.
I would have done just what James did on the finger issue. If the medical staff didn't think it was too risky, as they have obviously been doing up until now, then I wouldn't be worried either. I noticed one thing about his injury though. James seemed to already know it was getting to the point they would make him go. Every time Probst told him to see the medical staff he got a look on his face that he just knew this might be the time they send him packing.
I am rooting for either Amanda or Parvoti to win this game.
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May 1, 2008 11:52 PM
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Wow, what a great show. Finally, the HII get used. And I'm so glad it was Amanda. I also think they should have gotten rid of Knat or Cirie.
Poor James. I hope they give him and Jonathan a chance to come back and try to win the mil on a future Survivor.
Loved James' dad, too.
Erik better wise up and realize he is next. He should know he can trust Amanda. But maybe not. She ousted James before.
Did you see the look on Ozzie's face when they said Amanda went to Exile Island. He is rooting for her. You know Oz and James will vote for her if she makes it to final 2. Probably Eliza too.
Go Amanda. I also like Erik but if he doesn't side with Amanda then Bye Bye. Can't wait til next week...
Everyone have a great week...!!
Oh, love your name Joe-Cool. I get Joe-Cool t-shirts for my oldest son when I can find them. Have since he was little. His name is Joey....
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May 2, 2008 12:39 AM
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I LOVED it when Amanda whipped out the HII!!! She's a very good actress, I was scared she hadn't found it. I do think they messed up voting for Alexis. The way she was limping, she probably wouldn't have lasted another 3 days, medically. They should have gone for Natalie or Cirie. Oh well.
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May 2, 2008 1:32 AM
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Okay Amanda playing up that she didn't have the HII more than made up for the fact that James was forced to leave. I was soooooo heartbroken when he left. lol I threw socks at the TV!
Amanda's brilliance in tonight's ep should gone down in the history of Survivor as one of the best ever. I was cussing her out for telling Parv. Parv redeemed herself a little bit in my eyes by actually working with Amanda and not stabbing her in the back too.
I would have wanted to see Nat go too. Have any of you seen the Ponderosa videos since Alexis's arrival? Looks like she isn't well liked there.
I think the guilt she laid on Erik might work in her favor. But we will have to see.
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May 2, 2008 1:57 AM
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Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy???!! Not my James!!! I had read the spoiler about someone else leaving the game due to injury and judging by the previews had assumed it was James. When Alexis injured her knee I had some false hope that she would be the one leaving but in the end, James had to go. What is it with this season anyway? I don’t think there have been this many medical evacuations in all of the other seasons combined! It sucks because since we’ve lost 2 people 3 times (injury + tribal council), we’re getting cheated out of 3 episodes, right? Anyway, love James and love his dad too! At least we still get to see him in the jury and at the Ponderosa!
The jellyfish expedition was so awesome. I would love to do that!! I hated that such a cool trip was wasted on Cat Lady (Natalie). Since her evil true colors came out, I really can’t stand even the sight of her.
Amanda scored major points with me and since I’m taking applications for a new favorite, she and Erik are at the top of my list. Erik because he’s the underdog and Amanda because she was brilliant this entire episode. And Cirie is actually growing on me too. As far as the vote, I think Amanda and Parv made a mistake. Why not vote out Natalie who is the stronger of the two? Alexis was already on her last leg (no pun intended) and they could more easily get her out next week. I was really hoping that it would be Amanda getting to “floss her teeth with Natalie’s jugular” and sending her on the walk of shame.
It’s interesting how this season no one thinks they can beat Amanda who has no enemies on the jury. What a contrast to last season when she lost by a landslide to Todd because she lied to everyone on the jury and was very un-popular. It looks like Amanda learned from her season what NOT to do and is playing a great game this time around.
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May 2, 2008 3:01 AM
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At first I thought that voting Alexis was the smarter move because she would get enough jury votes to make it interesting the further she went. But the Ponderosa reveal has me thinking they made a mistake.
Amanda's best play was giving Cirie and Erik the rope she did to see if either would hang themselves. Cirie did a better job of keeping an option open with Amanda. Erik? Not so smart. At least Ozzie liked him a little. Throwing Amanda to the jury at this point loses him at least 4 of the 1st 5 jury votes. Then Amanda calls him out at tribal and seals the boy's fate. He'd better keep winning.
Looking at all the matchups, if the favorites get back to playing together to the point that one of them makes the final 2 or 3, game over. If both Amanda and Cirie make the final 3, it could be interesting. The only favorite I don't think has a chance is Parv.
I don't believe any remaining fan has a chance with this jury.
Started out as a big Yauman fan. With him gone it was Oscar and James. But Ozzie's arrogance wore on me. Still, this has got to be the best season so far. And the producers to their credit haven't messed with the formula too much, either.
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May 2, 2008 5:51 AM
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BEST 3 WEEKS of Survivor EVER!
THe fact that the Editing didn't show if Amanda had found the HII had me glued to my seat. Did you see the Jury when she busted out with the HII. It was priceless. I ahd to rewind and watch the whole thing a few times. Eliza and Jason reaction was awesome as well as the look of sheer happiness on Ozzy and James. If Amanda makes it to the final 3...I know who is winning.
Too bad about James. I was rooting for him and it is sad that he got taken out like this but if he hadn't...we would have never gotten this drama.
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May 2, 2008 8:14 AM
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I have so many emotions about last night. It was riveting. I was on the edge of the bed.
I knew James was gone all week. I am so sad. I love James. When Amanda wasn't shown finding the idol, I knew she had it and could not wait for the surprise looks on everyone's face. Too Cool! Made my night.
Erik should not be burning bridges. Amanada has him pegged totally correctly. Always a taker and never one to reciprocate. Will probably bite him in the butt.
Amanda was the Actress of the Year. Someone described her mood to the tee earlier. I loved her sorrow and then Kapow! I have the hidden immunity Jeff. Loved the way also she displayed everything in her bag to the teammates making it clear she had no idol. She didn't then but certainly when it counted most--there it was. I am creating my own award for Amanda. Survivor continues to march to its own tune. Great shows the last three weeks.
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May 2, 2008 8:53 AM
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I have to say, the funniest part of the episode for me was when Amanda was on Exile Island digging for the HII. I momentarily flashed back to last week's immunity challenge when she was the only one of the four who never found the keys buried in the sand. I was hoping she'd have more luck with the HII than she did during that challenge! Regardless, it was a great episode... I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. She was so over the top during tribal I knew she'd pull it out at the end!
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May 2, 2008 8:55 AM
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Excellent episode! It would have been beyond excellent if Natalie was voted out instead of Alexis. Alexis was clearly the weakest of the two female fans remaining and it would have prevented us from seeing evil Natalie in next weeks previews spewing sadistic lines. Oh well.
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May 2, 2008 9:03 AM
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jokarwicks - BEST 3 WEEKS of Survivor EVER!
I second that!
PeachiePie - Amanda was the Actress of the Year.
Exactly. Her "performance" during TC was amazing. She let everyone know that only Parve was voting with her. She looked so defeated the whole time. Even calling out Erik was smart and priceless. A very strategic move! Didn't like her in China, love her this season!
Sad to see James get pulled from the game, but last night would have never happened the way it did, had he stayed.
Didn't think this show could get any better than when Ozzy was blindsided, but Amanda's move was a clap worthy event!
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May 2, 2008 9:17 AM
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Amanda rules. She has no boys around anymore to distract with her beauty so the true gamer came out. How did she luck into anything? She had to get the idol from the shared camp and yet no one thought to keep an eye on her. I loved her plugging that smug Alexis. Who, lets face it, would have had all of the jury votes. Natalie would only have a few.
Pahr is going to make it to the end now because the jury is almost unanimous in their dislike of her. She could steal this from them all. Cirie has to be gone soon because this season, sliding by just isn't going to work. A real player is going to win this year - the jury, with the exception of Alex, is full of PLAYERS. Cirie wins nothing and falsely believes she is in control of the game. (When you vote for someone that doesn't go home, you are not in control.) That will bite her.
Great season.
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May 2, 2008 9:19 AM
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Super Sad that James had to leave. How gross was that finger!
I loved loved loved Amanda pulling out that Idol. My girls and I were screaming with glee. Although I really think they picked off the wrong girl. They should have picked off Natalie. I think Cirie can be swayed back to their side but that Natalie is just evil.
The best part was watching the Jury when Amanda pulled out the idols. I loved how they were jumping in their seats with joy! Ha!!
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May 2, 2008 9:24 AM
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I also kept thinking of how Amanda couldn't find the item during the immunity challenge when she had to dig for the HII at both Exile Island and back at camp. She must have done a great job at filling in the hole and making it look undisturbed. Nice cover from Parv that she sent Amanda to wash because she stunk!
Three weeks in a row, the HII came into play. Twice by NOT being played, and this time BY being played. Amanda did a PERFECT job hiding the HII.
I still think Amanda and Parv should have ousted Natalie. Nat is more likely to win immunity than Alexis, and Alexis's knee could have continued to worsen and get her medically removed. I haven't seen the Ponderosa jury house footage, so I don't know if Alexis was the right choice or not, but I don't believe that it was.
I'm still rooting for my local guy, Erik, but I think he messed up. Amanda should have been able to convince Cirie and Erik that the 2 of them, along with Amanda and Parv had the votes to snuff anyone they wanted. I wonder why it didn't work
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May 2, 2008 9:35 AM
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