Survivor: South Pacific (Season 23)

[Ian]

I think it'll be Ozzy. I can see him really welcoming that level of austerity, looking after only himself, and having the ego large enough to figure he can beat anyone else at the challenges and come back into the game later.

[SBETigg]

I think volunteering to go to Redemption Island was a pretty bold but stupid move-- and still, it was the first time all season that I've liked and started pulling for Ozzy. Still, ego-motivated, I'm sure. Cochran, will he stick with his team or become a legendary villain by keeping the idol and turning on them all?

Coach, on the other hand, is starting to put me off a bit. A few weeks ago, we saw the return of his misogynistic attitude, and then last night he started milking the spirituality a little hard. Why? To keep Brandon roped in? To build team spirit? Let Brandon go, for goodness sake! He is a liability. Perfect for Coach to bring to the end, perhaps, but so unreliable. I still like Coach, but he just got to me a bit last night. My favorite to win has become Sophie. I like Sophie and Albert, though not sure Albert can get far after merge. His strength will make him an obvious target.

[Ian]

Man, was I the only one last night who watched that and came away thinking, "They need to fire their editor!"?

Seriously ... there were just so many odd segments to that episode. First off, it was really jarring how they just jumped right into the RI duel. No set-up, no lead-ins showing tribes deciding who was going to watch, etc. It just started! It really contributed to my feeling that these shows are getting very rushed with all the new "stuff" they're jamming in there.

Then they showed the Savaii tribe coming back from the challenge (which occurred in broad daylight) and it was pitch black?

Exactly how much time passed between that challenge and them returning to camp? Or was that scene staged?

But the worst was Tribal Council ... I don't know if I just didn't get it or what, but played it up like it was a big mystery if it was Ozzy or Cochran going home. But when Ozzy gave Cochran the idol he didn't play it? So essentially he just knew he was safe? Am I reading that right?

And really, what the heck is going on with these CBS shows and the overt displays of religion lately? First we get the snowboarders on TAR and now this entire episode basically devoted to the Upolu tribe praying? I'm sorry, but it was just WAY over the top for me. And again, maybe it's just me but I don't really remember Coach being overly religious in any of the past episodes? Quite the contrary actually with all the Zen/Buddhist kinda stuff he seemed to be into. Even his Wikipedia page makes no mention at all of his being devoutly religious. The whole thing feels really forced ....

Very strange ... good ep overall, but a lot of oddities for me.

[SBETigg]

I know exactly what you mean, Ian, and I completely agree. The show was all over the place last night, and when they cut to Cochran talking to the camera, it felt (it was) all past tense, as if it had already gone down. Usually, you get the sense that it's all happening in the middle of the game, but some of those Ozzy-Cochran (esp the Cochran) segments felt like dramatic reenactments or after-the-fact narration. I hated that.

And yes, with the religion. For me, it's a stretch to think that God bothers with Survivor let alone choosing a team to favor. Brandon's kind of lost in his belief, I get that. But Coach has never been that way before, with the heavy-handed prayer and forcing them all to kneel? That's what bothered me about him this show, too. It did not feel genuine and came off a little creepy and irksome.

At TC, I think they had it all settled what was happening with the Idol and they were only trying to keep us with some sense of suspense over it.

[Ian]

But Coach has never been that way before, with the heavy-handed prayer and forcing them all to kneel?

That part was just plain odd. I guess everyone else in the tribe is going along to get along, but I'm kind of surprised no one has been like, "Dude ... enough ... "

[Melanie]

I TOTALLY agree with you guys on the religious stuff. ENOUGH! You're exactly right Sherri - God really cares about Survivor?

Ozzy's ego is through the roof! I hope he loses at Redemption and that they are all wrong about the merge coming.

[KarenP]

What bothered me most about the religion thing was Coach having his whole team praying to find the idol, when in fact he already had it. To me that is not a genuine prayer.

I think Ozzy was stupid going to Redemption Island. I find myself kind of hoping he loses the challenge.

[A Big Kid]

I dont even know what happened at TC last night. I was in a hotel in Las Cruces NM. When Ozzy said, "I guess I am gonna change my mind....." the cable went out! It didnt come back on for about 3 minutes,

[QTPie68]

God might just be as bored with the show this season as we are .

I think the only exciting thing that will happen next week is to see if Ozzy beats Christina...and at this point, I am not sure I care who does

[missymouseworld]

Ozzy didn't think it out too well. He has been to RI and seen Christina's hatred of her tribe....if she wins at RI over Ozzy, and there is a merge, she will most likely turn on her original tribe and join forces with the other. Which means, Ozzy's old tribe will have the numbers either way.

[SBETigg]

Ozzy didn't think it out too well. He has been to RI and seen Christina's hatred of her tribe....if she wins at RI over Ozzy, and there is a merge, she will most likely turn on her original tribe and join forces with the other. Which means, Ozzy's old tribe will have the numbers either way.

I think you're right. And in fact, Savaii might have better odds with Christine. If Ozzy comes back, it will be with a huge target on his back once merge happens. Christine might have one, too, but there are bigger threats for the individual immunity after merge than Christine, even if she does win all the RI challenges. As they all should know by now, the RI challenges are more about skill and luck than strength.

[missymouseworld]

Cochran.....why did you confess at tribal council? Jumped ship and then told your tribe you did it. I hope it doesn't hurt him next week. Was really pulling for him.

[Ian]

So I've been waffling back and forth a bit on Cochran all season. I've wanted to like him, but something just turns me off about him. I think it's because he's just so whiny and inept and that really became evident to me last night.

First when he pulled up so completely lame in the challenge. I mean really dude? You can't balance on a log for more than like 10 seconds? Sheesh.

But then it really hit home for me when he started whining about how his tribe was "mean to him." Bro ... seriously. YOU'RE STILL IN THE GAME! They didn't vote you out. They didn't send you to Redemption where you certainly would have once again fallen flat on your face in the duel and gone packing. They kept you around! So mean or not, you only have them to thank for you still being in the game, because you certainly didn't do anything yourself to stick around! Seriously, that really annoyed me.

But what really sealed it for me was, "I flipped. I'll explain." Really????? You're supposed to be a "student of the game" and you're not even bright enough to A. realize you need to keep your mouth shut and let the mystery linger or B. that once you have admitted it (like a dummy) no one is going want to hear you "explain!!"

I'm totally over whatever modest rooting interest I had for Cochran. I now actively dislike him and I hope he goes next. He deserves it.

[laprana]

Yep, Cochran really bungled that whole thing. I wasn't sad to see Keith go...wasn't a fan of his from the beginning. And Cochran's flip could have been a really big and good move for him, I think, if he hadn't handled it so badly after it happened. Once you flip on your tribe, you've flipped, and there really isn't any going back. By him saying "I'll explain later," I think he thinks he can talk his way back into the good graces of Savaii. But there's no way that's going to happen. He was hanging by a thread there anyway. Either way, I don't think he has a good chance of sticking around much longer. He's on the bottom of the totem pole with either half of the merged tribe.

I was really starting to like Dawn, but man she got on my last nerve last night with her flip-flopping. First she was crying that Cochran should flip because he was treated so badly. The next minute, she's crying because she doesn't want Cochran to flip and go against the Savaii tribe. Good lord, lady! Which is it??

I have to say, I was glad that Coach and Albert and the rest of their tribe figured out really quickly that Ozzy was putting on a (bad) show at RI. He definitely needs some acting lessons if he's going to try and pull that kind of thing off. It was just way too over the top. I give Ozzy credit for making a huge move in the game and then winning individual immunity, but I still wish he was the next to go. His giant ego is even more inflated now that he beat Christine and got back in the game. He might float right off the island soon.

I was sooooo hoping that RI would be done now that the tribes have merged. I hated last season how they dragged it out and kept adding more and more people. I hope they aren't going to do that again this season, but it sure looks like that's where it's headed.

[Melanie]

I have to say, I was glad that Coach and Albert and the rest of their tribe figured out really quickly that Ozzy was putting on a (bad) show at RI. He definitely needs some acting lessons if he's going to try and pull that kind of thing off. It was just way too over the top. I give Ozzy credit for making a huge move in the game and then winning individual immunity, but I still wish he was the next to go. His giant ego is even more inflated now that he beat Christine and got back in the game. He might float right off the island soon.

I thought that was brilliant how quickly they figured it out. HA! Think how big Ozzy's ego would be if they hadn't figured it out. Gosh I hope he goes soon.

I was sooooo hoping that RI would be done now that the tribes have merged. I hated last season how they dragged it out and kept adding more and more people. I hope they aren't going to do that again this season, but it sure looks like that's where it's headed.

Couldn't agree more. Enough with RI!

[KarenP]

I hope Cochran goes next too! Seriously, what an idiot! He does zero in physical challenges, and he just does not know when to keep his mouth shut. He tries making a strategic move by flipping and voting with the other side and then immediately opens up his big trap to confess....really?? I felt moderately sorry for him up until last night's episode. Now I feel he deserves what he gets.

[Scar]

Couldn't agree more. Enough with RI!

It doesn't even make sense anymore. Unless something bizzar happens, whoever returns is getting voted out again.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

First comment: Ozzy, quity replaying the Micronesia Fan vs Fav season, it's over, you can't win it. Every decision he seems to make in this game seems to go back to his blindside with an idol in his back pocket in FvF. I mean, last night it was like the idol was burning a whole in his pocket, he couldn't wait to play it. He should have held onto it, wasn't worth the risk (Coach didn't take the risk).

Second comment: And then there is Cochran. I have to say, I have no love for the momma's boy. I think he let his emotions get the better of him in his decision to flip. Strategically, once he made the merge, he had smooth sailing for a long time (regardless of which tribe controlled the numbers) and his "power play" last night was a short term move that did little to enhance his long term prospect. Basically he panicked over a 14% chance of going home if the purple rock situation played out, but he had an 86% chance of being in the majority group. His big speech was that he wanted to control his own fate, do it on his terms, well he did, for one tribal. Now that the numbers are 7-5, he really is back to being nothing more than a bystander doing whatever the group tells him to do. How is that any different than being with Savaii. Had he survived the purple rock he would have shown loyalty by sticking with his tribe (not to mention giving Ozzy the idol back) and really could have coasted for quite a while. On top of that, I think he had Dawn right there for the picking. They could easily have joined up down the road to make a power play. While Coach's Upulo tribe seems solid (for now) Savaii has already shown a certain independance (Elyse vote) that should have told Cochran that he had options there. Had he made a power play later in the game, I think he runs less of a risk of upsetting the jury. But in this instance, other than maybe Dawn, hard to imagine Whitney, Ozzy, Jim or Keith casting a vote to give Cochran a million, especially after they coddled and carried him to the merge, and they will all be on the jury. Anything can happen in Survivor, so maybe it will end well for Cochran, but if its against a final 3, I just have a hard time imagining him beating anyone, much less two when he's got at least 4 votes against him.

3rd comment: Redemption Island, I think at least this season that they no longer will be having 3 people at RI, I think it will continue with only two competing and one going to the jury, unlike last year where they had 3 competing and only one going to the jury.

The big question now is (and this will determine if the season gets/stays interesting) is how long before Coach's tribe implodes. If they simply pick off Savaii over the next 4 tribals it will get pretty boring. I wouldn't expect a move yet next week, despite the previews teasing us with Albert contemplating a move.

[Joeybun]

UGH...this is the first time in the history of Survivor that I am not enjoying it!

Can't stand Cochran. He is a coward. Doesn't he know that traitors never win? So much for his great "intelligence." He's making bold moves? He's a pawn and nothing more.

Dawn should have told the tribe what was going on and then Ozzy could have given the idol to Keith (the obvious target) instead of the girl and that would have potentially blindsided the other tribe. But, NO, just sit back and watch your chances of winning the million bucks go straight out the window.

I love Hantz telling them to stop picking on Cochran because that's why he flipped in the first place and then offering to protect him.

Doesn't anyone watch the prior seasons of this show? Boston Rob kept his tribe separated from the others after the merge...and walked away with the money...don't send people over with false stories. STUPID MOVE.

Frankly at this point I have no favorites and don't want anyone to win the money. UGH. This used to be my favorite show.

[Ian]

I was sooooo hoping that RI would be done now that the tribes have merged. I hated last season how they dragged it out and kept adding more and more people. I hope they aren't going to do that again this season, but it sure looks like that's where it's headed.

Agreed. I think RI should be done once it's done. Going back to it a second time just seems silly to me. Why end it in the first place then???

Second comment: And then there is Cochran. I have to say, I have no love for the momma's boy. I think he let his emotions get the better of him in his decision to flip. Strategically, once he made the merge, he had smooth sailing for a long time (regardless of which tribe controlled the numbers) and his "power play" last night was a short term move that did little to enhance his long term prospect. Basically he panicked over a 14% chance of going home if the purple rock situation played out, but he had an 86% chance of being in the majority group. His big speech was that he wanted to control his own fate, do it on his terms, well he did, for one tribal. Now that the numbers are 7-5, he really is back to being nothing more than a bystander doing whatever the group tells him to do. How is that any different than being with Savaii. Had he survived the purple rock he would have shown loyalty by sticking with his tribe (not to mention giving Ozzy the idol back) and really could have coasted for quite a while. On top of that, I think he had Dawn right there for the picking. They could easily have joined up down the road to make a power play. While Coach's Upulo tribe seems solid (for now) Savaii has already shown a certain independance (Elyse vote) that should have told Cochran that he had options there. Had he made a power play later in the game, I think he runs less of a risk of upsetting the jury. But in this instance, other than maybe Dawn, hard to imagine Whitney, Ozzy, Jim or Keith casting a vote to give Cochran a million, especially after they coddled and carried him to the merge, and they will all be on the jury. Anything can happen in Survivor, so maybe it will end well for Cochran, but if its against a final 3, I just have a hard time imagining him beating anyone, much less two when he's got at least 4 votes against him.

This is an awesome summary of the situation. I totally agree with everything you said here.