Survivor: Caramoan (Fans v. Favorites)

[SBETigg]

I'm rooting for Cochran at the moment, unless he does something really dumb and blows his chance at the final 3.

Yes, Cochran has been all adorable Cochran this time and no obnoxious Cochran. I think he learned something from his first time out. His scene from next week comment made me smile. It was also funny when he scoffed at joining the all-guy alliance. I could see him making it.

[Melanie]

Cochran is my choice as well. I did appreciate his chuckling last night and his realizing how good it would be for us viewers at home. The only other person I'd really be fine with at this point is Brenda. She really does rock the challenges and is getting a good edit (or in reality, no edit) this season. I don't remember disliking her last time.

Dawn, well, even though she found her way back last night, I'm just not feeling all her angst. My goodness, that was something with the teeth, right?

[Melanie]

Not surprised, or even sorry, Malcolm got the boot last night. He just wasn't likable Malcolm for me this season, and his sticking with the pretty boy alliance ultimately did him in. I still think it was a mistake for him to give his other idol to Eddie.

Things seem a bit tougher this season than in other recent seasons with the hunger issue. That was disgusting with the peanut butter though.

[SBETigg]

Not surprised, or even sorry, Malcolm got the boot last night. He just wasn't likable Malcolm for me this season, and his sticking with the pretty boy alliance ultimately did him in. I still think it was a mistake for him to give his other idol to Eddie.

Things seem a bit tougher this season than in other recent seasons with the hunger issue. That was disgusting with the peanut butter though.

I liked him, still, but he did get what was coming to him. He made mistakes, siding with Corinne early on, sticking with the Bro-lliance. It all spelled doom. Plus, that cocky attitude. Tsk, tsk Malcolm. But I'm still pleased that he got in one big move, or attempt, before he left. It was more satisfying to get him out now than if he'd managed to hold on a few more weeks. His days were numbered either way, I think.Though if he had that idol, who knows.

That peanut butter activity was disgusting. I don't think I would want to wear it on my face all day for later, but I guess I've never been deprived to that extent.

I like Cochran for the win at this point. He has been entertaining and playing well. I dislike Brenda from her last appearance, where I disliked her enough to still dislike her now even though she has barely shown up. She was truly awful in her first appearance. She is playing a different game this time. But I'm not loving Dawn. She's playing, not loving her anyway. And what was up with Sherri thinking she controlled the game. Maybe all Sherris suffer from some bit of delusion?

[Melanie]

While I think Sherri's delusion that she's running the game is just that, I do hope Cochrane was kidding with all his "I'm the challenge beast now, hear me roar!" Surely he was kidding, right? He's a smart enough guy and super student of Survivor to know that's not necessarily the case.

[SBETigg]

While I think Sherri's delusion that she's running the game is just that, I do hope Cochrane was kidding with all his "I'm the challenge beast now, hear me roar!" Surely he was kidding, right? He's a smart enough guy and super student of Survivor to know that's not necessarily the case.

I think he's kidding. Riding high on the win maybe. But I think he knows he wouldn't have won that one without the advantage, and the other one was an eating challenge. But okay, Cochran, we'll see.

[Granny Jill A]

Why didn't Malcolm continue to dig for the idol? He would have had a better chance at it than Andrea or Cochran.

Dawn freaks me out with her stressed-out facial expressions. I don't know if she's going to blow up or pass out.

I felt bad for Brenda at the auction. She was REALLY hungry and she ended up with pig brains. Yuck.....

I'm sort of still rooting for Cochran as long as he plays smart and doesn't get overly confident.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

Yay - I can finally comment We had so many shows on our dvr that we could never get caught up on Survivor. Always afraid if I came on here or any other message board, I'd get to many spoilers. But now we are finally caught up.

Its been a unique season, I'll say that much. I wasn't overly disappointed in Malcom's boot. I thought he came in with kind of a "golden boy" persona and had a certain "entitlement" vibe going on. He made poor choices going after Dawn, not being able to read her, and breaking from SRU way too early. I was more disappointed that neither Eric or Sherri saw the opportunity for making a move at last tribal. Had they sided with the three amigos they could have picked of the remainder of SRU, then Eric/Sherri pick on of the amigos (probably Eddie) to form a 3 person alliance within the 5 person alliance to control the endgame. However, neither of them come off as remotely intelligent, so I guess no surprise that they just sat back and let things happen.

I'm not really certain who's running the 6 person alliance. I think Andrea might actually be calling more of the shots. Cochrane has a full grasp of what's going on, and he's getting one heck of an edit, but I don't think he's the deciding factor. He's been very fortunate this season that his physical weaknesses have not been exposed like they were his first go round. Its allowed him to play a strategic game rather than a panicky reactionary game that he did the first time. He certainly could win it all, I think without doubt he would give the best FTC performance. Just a question if anyone else will let him get that far. As far as his self proclaimed being a "challenge beast" I take that as simple tongue-in-cheek self deprecation. He's just having fun with it, and Probst, who has a bromance smoldering with him is eating it up.

Dawn can go at any time. She's a mental train wreck. Eric is as clueless now as he was when he gave the immunity necklace away back in Micronesia. Sherri is apparently taking over The Specialist's role in the self delusional department, no way she can win. Brenda, I know people like her, and I did to going into it, but man is she boring as all get out, and from what I can tell hasn't done a single thing. I had no sympathy for her at the Survivor auction, was actually glad to see her get pig brains.

For me, it should be Andrea a/o Cochrane from SRU in the final 3. I think if somehow Reynold can keep alive, he'd make for an interesting final 3.

Pretty soon, someone or some sub group from that group of 6 has to break out and make a move, just not sure who it will be.

[SBETigg]

My impression is more that Andrea is doomed out there. I think she's one of the next to go. They all seemed ready to get rid of her first when it came down to arguing amongst themselves when Malcolm's Merry Men were safe. Andrea and Erik might have been smart to make the move and change alliances, but they didn't. Once Reynold and Eddie are gone, Andrea looks like she's next and Erik will be the strong man left, so targeted after her. Or maybe before, considering he made that Philip vote. That's the way I'm seeing it. Plus, Erik and Brenda haven't had enough screen time to be final three.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I'm going to call it, long-shot prediction, but I'm predicting final 3 will be Erik-Eddie-Sherri with Erik winning hands down.

I've pretty much been in the camp that Erik is worthless and not coming even close to being able to win this game. That said, I did realize that he has a very definitive path to winning this game.

Now that they are down to 6, it appears Dawn/Cochrane are sticking together, with an expendable Brenda on the side. Eddie is just floating and scratching that beard wondering why he's still there. I think Erik and Sherri might be somewhat together, maybe not an alliance, but since both have been potential swing votes, I think their stars kind of align together.

If Erik is truly playing both sides and strategizing, his next move should be to lock in Eddie, which I think will be easy and then Sherri to form a 3 person voting block. Then depending on the immunity challenge and who wins, he takes out the biggest immunity threat left (Brenda) and if that's not possible he takes out the biggest strategic threat (Cochran). Either way its win-win and when the dust settles, he's got a 3 person majority in a tribe of 5. The next week he takes out whoever is left between Brenda/Cochrane then take Dawn out at final 4. If he gets Brenda out, Erik is probably the biggest immunity threat out there, or if not him, Eddie, so I think he can control the end-game via immunity challenges.

The question is, is this a new-improved Erik or is it FvF Ice Cream Scooper Erik?

As for the actual episode last night, very disappointed in the immunity challenges. The second I saw the float/balance challenge, I turned to DW and said Andrea or Brenda, maybe Erik. I knew immediately it was designed for a woman and that Reynold, despite a great effort had no chance and was doomed.

The second challenge was no better. I've lost track of how many times they done that ladder assembly challenge. Not sure why they think we find it entertaining to watch them push a buoy or ring through a rope obstacle and then untie knots. They truly must be out of new ideas.

I was disappointed to see Andrea go. Cochran and Dawn must really be playing a subtle game because add Andrea to a long list of people that thought they had Cochran and Dawn figured out, only to be on the receiving end of a blind-side.

I find Cochran the only one left to be deserving of the win, but I've been reading that if you look on youtube that "Brenda who?" if you find her unaired confessionals that she is apparently playing much more of a strategic game than her edit (or lack there of) is giving her credit for.

I guess I can live with Cochran, Brenda or Erik winning, would be disappointed to see Eddie, Sherri or Dawn win.

Finale will be a week from Sunday, on May 12.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

Oh yea forgot to add:

Jeff: "Previously on Survivor...and Dawn cried"

Jeff: "Next week on Survivor...and Dawn cried"

She'll be blubbering all episode with the loved ones there.

[SBETigg]

If Erik makes it to the end, he wins without a doubt. He hasn't betrayed an alliance, but he hasn't been solidly with one, either. He's a likable guy playing his own game, though it is sometimes hard to tell what game that is. Which is why he will never make it to the end.

I can see the Cochran-Dawn alliance making it to the end, with one more. Who would they take? Eddie? No, he's got the bro vote. But he could win immunities and stick around. Brenda? She's looking sweet and under the radar, but is she too nice? Plus, Erik and Brenda, as I said earlier, have not had enough screen time to make it all the way. I just don't see it happening. But then, Sherri hasn't had much screen time since the merge. I don't know. I just don't see Cochran or Dawn going anywhere, despite the scenes from next week that makes a Cochran departure seem imminent (they always play with us like that). Cochran and Philip have been on camera the most, and Philip is already gone, so it is just because of the personalities involved? We'll see.

Andrea really lost her head in this week's show, though. I kept thinking she would get a clue and shut her mouth, but she obviously had no idea of the goings-on behind her back.

[Granny Jill A]

My impression is more that Andrea is doomed out there. I think she's one of the next to go.

Wow! You called it and it happened.

I rolled on the floor laughing when Andrea yipped "what?" after her name was written down. And she went out with an immunity idol in her possession!!!!

Another great tribal council.

[SBETigg]

Wow! You called it and it happened.

I rolled on the floor laughing when Andrea yipped "what?" after her name was written down. And she went out with an immunity idol in her possession!!!!

Another great tribal council.

They all said her name when Philip went and they had to discuss amongst themselves, so it seemed obvious at the time. But then even more so when she targeted Brenda and kept missing all the cues that she was in trouble. She was so lucky that Erik handed her the idol, and then she didn't use it. It must be a lot harder when you're out there then it looks to us on the couch.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

They all said her name when Philip went and they had to discuss amongst themselves, so it seemed obvious at the time. But then even more so when she targeted Brenda and kept missing all the cues that she was in trouble. She was so lucky that Erik handed her the idol, and then she didn't use it. It must be a lot harder when you're out there then it looks to us on the couch.

I think sometimes having an idol is more a curse then it is glory. I think sometimes it gives them a false sense of security, like I've got the idol, I'm safe now, I've got the power, and then you get over confident and miss the signs of what's happening around you. That certainly seemed to be the case with Andrea, she was a lot more paranoid before she had the idol. Same with Malcolm, I think his approach changed quite a bit once he had an idol(s) in his possession and I think he kind of thought he could bully people with them, but it didn't work.

But yes, its always easier sitting on a couch with a bowl of popcorn than it would be out there.

[Ian]

The final word to me on Malcolm is that he's a good physical player but really just very, very weak at the strategic aspect of the game. I like him a lot, but he's just not that good.

Not shocked to see Andrea go. She was actually a good choice, because Eddie's no threat to anyone anymore. At least not unless he sticks around long enough to start winning individual immunities.

[SBETigg]

The final word to me on Malcolm is that he's a good physical player but really just very, very weak at the strategic aspect of the game. I like him a lot, but he's just not that good.

I think he was feeling the effects of playing two games in a row. Or maybe he's really not that good strategically. But he seemed to have more potential in his first time around than he demonstrated this time.

In exit interviews, he mentioned that he had a hard time fitting in with the returning players because no one knew him and they treated him like the fan among them, except for Corrine. He was playing from the bottom the whole time, so I guess it's surprising that he held on as long as he did or he makes a lot of excuses. But I wouldn't be surprised to see him back again in future games because he is apparently very popular with fans. He lost some appeal with our group, though, I think.

[Carol]

Not a Dawn fan. Not sure why, but something bugs me.

It was a good move for them to vote out Brenda. She would have won the entire game if given the opportunity. (I'd vote for her.)

[Melanie]

Not a Dawn fan.

It was a good move to vote out Brenda. She would have won the entire game if given the opportunity. (I'd vote for her.)

I'm so over Dawn and her hysterical crying. Sherri was a bit over the top too. I know we've talked about this before, and it's easy for me to comment from my couch, but I just don't get the waterworks and desperation that come with the family visits. I get it - they're hungry, tired, dirty, emotionally drained, etc., but in the grand scheme of things, they volunteered to go out there for the chance to win $1 million and 30 days away from home just isn't that long.

It was a smart move to vote out Brenda. I felt for her though. Looking forward to seeing her Ponderosa video.

[SBETigg]

Dawn and Sherri are probably my least favorite out there now. I'm not really upset with any of them winning at this point, but Dawn and Sherri are annoying to me, too. And I agree on Brenda, smart move to vote her out but I felt bad for her. She made the right choice and it still bit her. I don't know why anyone ever wants to win those last few rewards. Jeff always puts the winner on the spot and fatal choices are presented. Not good, not worth the reward or sacrifice.