Anyway, the players that are going to survive this game are going to be the ones who are the most flexible and are able to play a different strategy than their previous ones, since basically everybody knows how everybody else played the first time around, except for Rupert. Case in point, Lex. In Survivor Africa, he stayed true to his original Boran Boys’ Club alliance with Ethan and Big Tom. This time around, he’s already mixing it up. The only way I can see this strategy working for him, though, is if they vote Ethan out before the merge, otherwise, Lex’s word will be no good to the Chapera tribe, once Ethan starts talking. And he will if he wants to save himself.
I don’t know, maudmac, I’m still not convinced that Kathy had nothing to do with Jerri approaching Lex last week. Just because Shii Ann may be in the dark doesn’t necessarily mean that Kathy is. However, Jerri is a much more skilled player than I initially gave her credit for, so it’s always possible.
We were also finally able to see the side of Rupert that I really admire. The way he encouraged his tribemates and told them that no matter what happens, to stay calm and focused. I honestly believe this is the main reason Chapera was able to win the immunity/luxury challenge, and make a comeback even though they were trailing throughout most of the challenge. Rupert’s a natural born leader even though he’s mostly hiding that side of himself to play the game.
Boston Rob is certainly becoming a phenomenon in the challenges. That could come back to bite him in the butt.
Did anyone else notice that it looked like Kathy was crying after the challenge? Maybe she was just spent, and there were high stakes riding on this challenge. Then again, maybe it was strategy on her part to make Chapera believe that she felt vulnerable to being voted out, and thus a good candidate to win over for their side once the merge takes place. With Kathy you never know. Of course once Chapera chose her to join them for the barbecue on the yacht, she was all smiles, regardless of what she later claimed.
The “Krazy Dreamer Humor Award” this week goes to Boston Rob when he said he was on a state championship golf team in high school, and then immediately lost his balance and slipped as he was swinging his golf club, and then again when he accidentally flung the club into the water. Is this the same guy who just a couple weeks ago showed such balance and grace on the flag/beam challenge? Must have been the alcohol in his system.
I’m not sure what game Kathy was playing when she was talking to the women of Chapera, but it should definitely prove interesting to see what’s going to happen in future episodes. I believe this conversation will prove pivotal later, though I’m not sure how. I love how Big Tom thinks she’s falling into some sort of Chapera trap. If Kathy can continue to keep everyone snowed the way it appears she has them now, she has a great chance of making it to the finals. Again, I’m still a little worried about Shii Ann, though. Hopefully, Kathy has picked up on this fact and will deal with it accordingly. We’ll see. I did really like how Shii Ann said that Kathy is her main ally, though.
I’m really starting to enjoy watching Lex this time around. He may be the new Rob C. Or not. I can’t wait to see how far his new strategy will take him. I have to admit I didn’t like him too much in Africa, but I think that may have had a lot to do with the fact that he jumped to conclusions and falsely accused Kelly of voting against him without knowing all the facts, as well as the fact that he was in an alliance with Big Tom, whom I really couldn’t stand and prayed every week that he’d be booted. But anyway, he, Shii Ann, and Jerri completely pulled the wool over Colby’s eyes. One thing I find really fascinating is that I don’t think it would have made any difference whether or not Kathy would have been present for tribal council; the outcome would have been the same. All the puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place.
I think it’s significant to note that every player who has been voted out thus far has been from the original Season 1: Borneo or Season 2: The Australian Outback versions of the Survivor game. (Jenna M. was from Season 6: The Amazon, but she pulled herself from the game and was not voted out.)
Oh, and by the way, Tiggrscorpio, it was Season 5: Thailand when the tribes came together, but didn’t actually merge. This is what cost Shii Ann the game that time, because she was trying to make an alliance with the opposing tribe.
Alrighty then, and with that, we close the chapter on the cowboy with great teeth from Texas, but have no fear, cheese lovers, um, excuse me, I mean Colby fans, Colby will continue to live on in those Quattro Razor commercials.
"Some men see things as they are and say,'why?' I dream things that never were and say, 'why not?'"
- Robert F. JFK
So please feel free to make whatever comments you’d like. I like to pride myself on my accuracy, but I am only human after all.
Keeps it interesting, for the players and the audience. 
. Well, to be fair, Alicia’s just hot in general. 
I was hoping that would shake things up more than it seemed to. Then again, any tiny alteration in the peoplescape can have a nice dramatic ripple effect. I'll wait and see.
Somebody throw cold water on me! 
Anyway, luckily Rupert is much smarter than Tom, and he recognized that Rob was behind Tom's anger and frustration, and used the opportunity to turn things around on him by calling him out on the plotting he and Tom had been doing earlier and making it seem as though it was Tom's idea. And luckily, Tom got so flustered he didn't even know how to defend himself. So Tom basically just played right into both Rob's and Rupert's hands without even realizing it.
