In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites
Episode Recap: "It Hit Everyone Pretty Hard!"
It’s always a sad day on Survivor when a player gets taken out of the game due to circumstances beyond their control. Today was especially sad for this reviewer since Jonathan Penner was a particular favorite. Always interesting, always entertaining Jonathan played the game with such enthusiasm that he energized his whole team. He gave it his all yet never lost sight of the fact that in the end it was just game.
So, it just sucks that last week’s infernal game of prison-escapee tag – the same one that left others battered and bruised – resulted in this season losing one of its best players due to a potentially life-threatening infection. Jonathan’s teary farewell group hug, Kathy sobbing, “we need you! I need you!” – had me misty-eyed myself.
Now James is left on a tribe of women and one longhaired guy and he’s feeling a little vulnerable – as he should. Let’s face it James is not the most strategic player Survivor’s ever seen. He has one thing going for him and that is his strength. We saw it at the reward challenge where, supported by his tribe, he carried two players on a tiny platform across the water to victory against Malakal. There’s nothing wrong with being a physical player, but as the numbers get whittled down it’s the thinkers that make it to the end. Sure, in China James had two Hidden Immunity Idols, but one was given to him and he was told where to find the other. Nearly every strategic move James made in China was directed by Todd. I fear for him playing alone this time around.
Here in Micronesia James has not done much aside from hang with Parvati and even she was putting the moves on another man tonight. That woman will flirt with anyone who can help her get ahead in the game. Tonight it was the Micronesian man who taught them how to fish and catch coconut crab. Tomorrow it’s anybody’s guess.
But tomorrow is not promised to anyone in this game. When will people realize that? Ozzy that comment was meant for you. The cocky fall first and your days are numbered unless you come up with a better strategy than substituting the HII with a stick. Jason, who found the faux idol will figure it out soon enough, Ozzy. This guy is hungry for a win. He is almost as driven as Erik who (whining in that perfect pitch necessary to peel the paint off of walls) did his best to convince a weary Chet to use his vote to get rid of Ozzy.
A word about Chet. I cannot believe that this man, who after witnessing a limping, impaired Jonathan play as hard as he did before being medically evacuated from the island, would have the nerve to pull the health card as an excuse to bow out of the game. He had a what – a piece of coral in his foot?! It just pales in comparison. Frankly, I’m confused as to why he was cast. Is he even a fan? Could he have been that compelling in his audition video that he warranted a spot on the team as a fan – short for fanatic? His performance on the island just does not add up.
On the other hand, it is highly amusing how some of the fans hold the favorites in such awe. The faves weren’t necessarily chosen because they were the best players, but because they had audience appeal. Remember none of these favorites have taken home a million bucks yet. Here’s hoping that Erik will realize this now that Ami has defected to his side.
That’s so like Ami, isn’t it? I’m disappointed that she, Cirie and Tracy did not join up as an all-powerful trio. Even more surprising to me was the fan-bashing. I did not see that coming and if it continues I see the comfortably cocky Cirie, Ozzy and Amanda having their experience advantage pulled right out from under them. If anything they should recognize the signs from Tribal Council which was filled with much rumbling about the ‘blind-sided’ and those who ‘feel safe’.
As a viewer I was a lot less confident that the self-sacrificial Chet was going home over Ozzy, but in the end Chet’s torch was at last put out. How interesting that Jeff chose to read the votes so as not to reveal any other names. Even more interesting is the fact that it was Erik’s name and not Ozzy’s that rounded out the vote. Where does the game go from here? Your guess is as good as mine.
So what are your thoughts about tonight’s show? Can Malakal pull it together enough to win a challenge? Is James really on his own? Is Ami’s new alliance a good strategic move? Will Jason realize he has a faux Idol?
Find more Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites clips at our online video guide.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Mar 13, 2008 10:35 PM
|
Finally, Chet is gone. The funny part is that the only one to take Chet out is Chet. How ironic it is that probably the weakest player in Survivor history never got taken out against his will. Having acknowleged his feat, good riddance Chet.
We all were fairly certain Jonathan was a goner from previews. It stinks to go out that way though. If the previews are any indication this week, Kathy will leave voluntarily. The stress of the game and, more importantly, the environment can be too much to take.
Just tossing out an idea but it would be funny if Jason gave James the idol to save him and James finally plays an idol, only to play a fake one. Probst did indicate that the idol would play a much bigger role in the game than previously.
The tribes seem equal to me. I mean each has a dominant physical player in James and Ozzy. Each has a dominant mental player in Cirie and Eliza. Each team has a powerful couple with both couples being Favorites. Everyone else has a bit role on paper. Next week may tip the balance of power back to one side but they are equal for now.
James is in trouble this week, and maybe next. He is kind of standing alone. I will say one thing in his favor is experience. He is strong but his experience in watching the game from the inside has to be a plus. That factor is pointed out in the awe the fans seem to have for the favorites. They think the favorites can do no wrong and James knows better.
|
|
Mar 13, 2008 11:30 PM
|
First, I hate that Jon had to leave. He was always entertaining. He changed the game on Cook Islands, and he could have done the same here.
James has joined Ozzy has my favorite people to watch during challenges. Watching him single handedly help Airai win the immunity challenge was crazy. And I loved how Jeff acknowledged that Airai was using a strategy that was not originally envisioned by the creators.
The funny part is that the only one to take Chet out is Chet.
As much as I'm glad that he's gone (and that Ozzy is safe), I can't beleive Chet didn't help Tracy/Erik/Ami eliminate Ozzy. He could have quit after voting Ozzy out.
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 12:50 AM
|
I miss Jonathan already, damn!
I agree with Rhoda on her assessment of Chet. That sad-sack face of his was getting unbearable.
One general comment that I have on this season, especially as it relates to the fans and why they are doing so poorly in challenges (even though there are now fans on both teams) ... I think the presence of the favorites has psyched them out to the point that from moment one, the fans have been over-thinking their strategy, to the detriment of their actual performance! The favorites are a bit guilty of this also, as you can see from the moment-to-moment switching of alliances. There's a desperation, an over-thinking of everything, and it showed especially in the weird elimination choices of the first few tribals. Yeah, Joel and Mikey were obnoxious, but I think the fans were so pleased with themselves for pulling off two in a row (or three, if you count Mary) blindsides, that they forgot that they'd acutally have to keep competing in, and winning, challenges. Anyway, just my musings. An entertaining season, even if the fans seem like a blander bunch than usual.
Oh yeah, it was interesting to see Jeff present while Jonathan was being medically evaluated. I am always fascinated by anything that shows more Jeff interaction than we get to see on the final edit. (And please, I wish the guy would change up his script once in a while... "wanna know whatchyer playin' for?" Come on, Jeff, mix it up!)
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 12:53 AM
|
Jeff's lines are classic! If he changed it up those poor sleep, food, sunscreen deprived people wouldn't know what hit them!!
Jeff is perfect as Jeff!
I am glad Ozzy is still there, just for the beefcake! They vote off Joel, a hunk, in anyone's eyes and then go for Oz? Who next James? I don't want to watch a show of women in bikinis (and what is with the NIPPLES!!!)Tracy, what kind of botched boob job did you get?? It isn't COLD out there!! YUCK!!
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 2:15 AM
|
suzybaby, you are right! Jeff needs to say something new instead of the same thing for 16 seasons now. I was thinking that tonight when he said "i'll go tally the votes".
I'm bummed about Jonathan being gone too! He was so heartbroken. I've never seen that in someone who had to go home. usually they are like oh darn I have to leave.
And I want to know why on earth Tracy and Chet wrote Erik's name down? what was their logic behind that?
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 2:46 AM
|
I had a feeling that Chet was going to pull that stunt when he was on exhile island. There was nothing wrong with his foot.
James, I really hope he learned his lesson from China. I don't want to see a repeat performance of what happened last time.
I also felt sorry for Jon. Nobody wants to go out that way. But his health is waaayyy more important.
I still want Jason to use the HII, cause that would be way to funny if he does.
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 4:46 AM
|
|
I was keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that Ozzy would be safe.. Lo and behold, he was safe.. whew!... Tracy and Erik are so dumb, they don't realize that they need to fight like cats and dogs to win the challenges.. Not vote off the strong people.. hello, you wait until you have merged and are playing for themselves. But as one of the other posts have stated, these people just totally overthink waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. The fans are just dumb? have they not learned from watching past survivors? i guess not, because we all know that Tracy and Erik are not strong enough to carry the weight of the group when they go into challenges.. The main thing though is that my dream person, Ozzy is still in the game. I hope for goodness sakes though that the fans get picked off one by one... with the exception of Jason.. How dare he try to out Ozzy like that.. I hope kharma comes back to bite him in the butt... We'll see who has the last laugh.. LOL..
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 7:46 AM
|
As useless as Chet was in the game, I think it's unfair to say that nothing was wrong with his foot or that in comparison to Penner, it was nothing. First, when they showed the others looking at his foot, they all grimaced. It was hard to see in the camera view, but it looked solid red meaning full of infection, and that hurts. Next, Chet has been suffering since Day One as he just has no physical abilities at all. He was wasting away, his foot was in a lot of pain, and he had been physically in trouble since the start. Everyone has their own limits and he had reached his.
While it is somewhat annoying for Jeff to always use the same phrases, he says it's part of the ritual of the game. It's more than just the lexicon, it's part of the process of the game. While changing it up would maybe add some spice to the game, it is meant to be like a tribal ritual repeated time and again and passed down through history.
I would like to know why Erik's name was written down and why they shuffled the stack to only have Chet's name read. Very unusual.
I can't believe Jason thinks that he has the real idol. I guess he really is clueless. And am I the only one who can't stand the way Tracey struts around like she's Queen Bi***? Ugh!
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 8:39 AM
|
|
First of all I am sooooooo glad that Ozzy is still in the game. I was yelling use the idol Ozzy. I think that they wrote Erik's name and not Ozzy's name because they did't want to make Ozzy suspicious for down the rode. But who knows their logic. I agree voting off the strong members now is not smart. Yes you are afraid that they are going to win individual immunity down the road but if you go into the merge without the numbers you could get picked off one by one anyway.
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 8:48 AM
|
|
Another great episode and I like it that people are breaking rank and siding with the "enemy." Still, I'm pulling for a "favorite" to take it all. Ozzy or James would be fine with me. I can't think of a fan I'd want to see win at the moment and maybe it's because for the time being, the favorites still overshadow the fans in my opinion. Would anyone else like to see Ozzy and Amanda on Amazing Race? That would be a good casting move.
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 9:10 AM
|
Last night is the first time I actually cried while watching Survivor!! Jonathan broke my heart. I loved watching him play and his comments. We were talking a couple weeks ago about how Jeff and Jonathan seemed like actual friends and last night proved it. Not saying that Jeff wouldn't have been there for anyone else, because I think he has, but there was so much concern on his face. I am so mad at the producers (or whoever) who thought of that stupid reward challenge. It is so frustrating that so many people got hurt and Jonathan had to quit for a stupid reward challenge. I mean- it wasn't even for immunity!!
While I really like Jonathan I always thought that Ozzy should win just because I am so impressed with how well he does at all the challenges, how not obnoxious he is most of the time (although I didn't enjoy the fan bashing), and can be generally pretty smart (stupid sharing he had the idol- and he didn't exactly deny he had it when Jason called him out. If you really listen to what he said he basically said Jason was too stupid to follow the clues which meant that he, Ozzy, was not). So, I was really stressed out when I thought Ozzy was going home last night. I also want to know what happened to make Tracy and Chet write Erik's name. That really took me by surprise. I hope Ozzy heard the comments and starts really watching himself! I really hope he makes it to the merge so he can start winning individual immunity.
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 9:35 AM
|
|
Anyone else have last night's episode ruined by the TV Guide story in next week's issue? You know the one with no spoiler warnings and a picture of Johnathan stating he left the game(before it ever aired)? What a bush league move TV Guide and your refusal to respond to e-mails about it show how little you care about your customers. Thanks for ruining the episode!
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 9:41 AM
|
As for why Tracy wrote Erik's name- she said she promised she would never write Chet's name down. She probably chose Erik as to not alienate herself further from the rest of the tribe. Why did Chet do it? Probably because Tracy told him she was going to!
I for one like Jeff saying the same things- it gives me a sense of peace in a chaotic world (ha!)
I was so sad to see Jonathan go. He was a fun player to watch and you could tell he genuinely loved the game.
I agree with some of the other posts that people are really over thinking this season. But it's not just the fans who are doing it. So are the favs.
The conversation Ozzy, Amanda and Cirie had last night about the fans completely irritated me. You're not there to teach? You are while you're on the same tribe with these people unless you want to continue losing!!!
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 9:59 AM
|
|
I think Chet must have told his alliance right before tribal that he was not voting for Ozzy, so he & Tracy decided to vote for Erik. More as a throwaway vote cause Tracy had said she would not vote for Chet. Maybe at a later time they (Tracy, Erik & Ami) plan to vote for Ozzy and didn't want to show their hand at this time.
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 10:35 AM
|
|
|
