I am loving this season of Survivor. A season like Heroes vs Villains was great because we were watching experienced pros play the game. Regular seasons can be great because of new interesting characters. This season is a combo of both. And the addition of Redemption Island so far has been exciting.
The tension and emotion of the Redemption Island challenges is amazing. This week we watched Matt and Kristina battle to put together what was a really heavy puzzle. The both looked exhausted by the end (make that a few seconds into it). In the end, Matt won. I didn't really like Kristina so I was not sad to see her go, but even so it is remarkable to see the emotion in the players that have to leave. Much more emotion than getting their torch snuffed. They have to burn their buff instead. To me that would hurt. If I were playing, I think I would become attached to my buff or at the very least want it as a souvenir. I asked Jeff Probst about that. He said that it was a last minute decision when they shot the first Redemption Island challenge. They needed something that punctuated the departure like the torch did at Tribal Council. It certainly adds that emotional punch. Kristina didn't want to let hers go. Jeff added that what is good for the show comes before the contestants getting souvenirs. He is right of course.
A few other things of note during the Redemption Island challenge. Matt asked Rob why he voted him out. Rob answered, "It doesn't take one person to vote someone out, Jeff, you know that." This is why Rob is such a great player. Also we had Stephanie pipe up about the situation at Zapatera and how she and Krista would be great allies if they made it to the merge. I am liking Redemption Island.
Back to the rest of the show. Zapatera is fractured and not playing smart. Their first mistake was getting rid of Russell. This put Stephanie and Krista on the outs with the rest of the tribe. The tribe referred to getting rid of Russell as a "personnel" problem. How wrong they are. In my opinion you should never throw a challenge. Julie referred to Stephanie and Krista pawns. Pawns can cause a great deal of hurt if you are not watching what you are doing. Then came the arguing. Sarita and David went at it a little. The cracks are beginning to show.
The challenge was a good one. The tribe blindfolded to collect puzzle pieces, directed by one person and that same person doing the puzzle. It was Stephanie against Rob. Rob was brilliant again even after dropping a puzzle piece. Stephanie did a good job directing her tribe. The only problem I saw was Ralph not knowing his left from his right. Stephanie came up short in the end and Zapatera lost the challenge.
Here is where I am conflicted. I don't like Zapatera as a whole, so I am happy that they lost. I do, however, really like Stephanie and also Krista. That loss put them in a vulnerable position. The tribe complained about Stephanie doing the puzzle. It should have been David. Well, if it should have been David you all should have insisted he do it. Stephanie did a good job despite the loss. I don't think David would have done better.
Back to the victorious Ometepe. They got their reward of coffee and doughnuts which they greedily devoured. Grant noticed a clue in the jar of coffee. Rob noticed Grant noticing. So the two of them snuck off together with the jar. Now here we get another piece of brilliant playing by Rob. He is a master, the Van Gogh or Davinci of Survivor. He took out the clue, sent Grant back with the jar to avoid the group knowing it was missing, then ran off and replaced the second clue with the first really vague clue that he already had, and then met back up with Grant. Grant had know idea. Rob played it like a genius. Great Survivor.
At tribal council sadly it was Krista that was voted out. I really hope Stephanie can do something to keep herself in the game until the merge.
So next week we get to see if Krista can beat Matt at Redemption Island.
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