Russell Episode 10

[dr.strangelove]

Well, I'm convinced he is either paying off a camera man, or he really is a freaking idol magnet. In reality, he is just that good at this game. I truly hate his cocky attitude, but he is goign to win this thing, unless the others wise up and oust him. I think he is blessed with the good fortune of having tribemates who are both lazy and loyal. I doubt Jaison will do anything to oust him and Natalie is his pocket ace, so she won't go after him. Its really up to John and Mick to realize any chance they have is to blindside Russell now, but that won;t happen.

I love the start of teh show. While Laura, Monica and Dave are shocked by Russell's idol move, AGAIN, Russell is stretching out on a hammock. In that ghoulish light he looks like a demon. Russell, this really is like your Picasso. Also, I think the only person I have ever hated in survivor history more that Laura is that guy who quit. She is such a bitch. Why is it that she is brilliant for winnign two immunity idols and using them to stay safe but Russell is not brilliant for finding two and using them to stay in teh game. Its such sour grapes.

Also, lets be clear, its not just idols. Russell has minipulated his tribe from day one into keeping him and then moved onto Shambo. the best example of Russell's great gameplay was Shambo saying she was glad that Laura said Russell had ruined everything. Shambo says she is gonna find the idol and give it to Russell. He is amazing.

For a little bit, I thought Shambo was going to kill Russell's plan when she told John she had flipped, but it worked out in Russell's favor. I think that was the first seed in John's mind to flip. He made his first good move when he decided to use that info to protect himself. I think he will stick around at least two more weeks because of that move.

The reward challenge was amazing. Natalie rocked. While the Palm Pre placement was annoying, the challenge was fun to watch.
Russell gets the clue he wanted with the location of the idol.

Back at camp, Jaison and Mick try to flip Monica. Monica made a good move for herself in throwing John in front of the bus, but that ultimately became her undoing, as it scared John to Russell's manipulation.

How funny was the idol rush. Dave actually finds the wall with the idol in it, but Russell knows he is right and distracts him with that chase around the jungle. Russell then doubles back and gets the idol again. Russell is right, it is getting way too easy. He is insanely good at this game.

The IC was kind of boring. Once Laura was out, I know longer cared, but good for Mick. I like him and want him to step up his game. I love that Shambo let out a cry of joy when Laura missed. Not too clear how she is voting. So much for secredy. Nto that Russell needed it. He played John like a flute.

I'm not sure where Dave adn Monica were going with their plan to get votes for John. It had no chance. Did they really think the Foa 4 would not vote with Shambo as a fivesome. Are tehy that conceited that they think only their team is united. Of course Russell saw through it and did the best thing he could, use it to get John on his side. with Shambo's talk before and this clear message that he is not on the inside of the Monica, Dave, Laura threesome, he had all he needed to flip. John hears it from Brent first, and flips out. John then makes his deal with teh devil, I mean Russell, that if there is a tie, he will flip to Laura. Of course he does so with teh understadning that the next eviction will be a Foa Foa member. Like Russell is going to do that.

Tribal was not as exciting this week. Dave is an idiot. He says that he is willing to risk leaving the game due to a rock draw in order to stay true to his tribe. What stupidity. You have to secore a place each week. I think all he did was put himself at the top of the list to go next. I was glad to see Laura go. I did not like her much. she played a good game, but was really mean.

[romana]

1. Russell

Russell is going down in history as one of the greats at this game. He is just playing it so hard every single second of the day, it's great fun to watch, even when he's being smug. IMO he's kind of earned that right now. The others need to take him out now, but I have a feeling they won't.

I can't stand Dave. I think he's an arrogant asshole and he's stupid on top of it. That's twice now he's been left with his mouth hanging open at tribal from a blindside he should've seen coming a mile away. If I were Russell, I'd keep Dave around just because he's so dumb he can easily be played. John, however, is a real threat, and needs to go soon. It wouldn't surprise me if he tried to move against Russell now.

Eric has been hilarious to watch during tribal. He was a jerk to Jaison, but Jaison has been such a sheep in this game. I have little sympathy for either of them.

[Vinca]

2. That was so funny when Russell ran through the woods

and lost the others, then backtracked and found yet another idol. The guy deserves to win. This is the biggest turnaround in my opinion of any player in the history of "Survivor."

[murielm99]

3. I'm beginning to think the fix is in.

They are keeping Russell for the ratings. Two idols maybe, but three???

I am not so sure his strategizing tactics are all that brilliant. I think his only good game play is finding idols, and I am beginning to question the legitimacy of that.

[lpbk2713]

4. Another thing about Russell ...

He doesn't really need the money that he would get if he won. He candidly said at the beginning that he was a millionaire but the wouldn't let the other players know that. He just likes to antagonize other people, something that makes me think he is a hard core rethuglican. I would have preferred that he would have been voted out weeks ago. Now when he is voted out he'll have a seat on the jury.

[dr.strangelove]

5. I don't buy it

Mark Brunet was sued by a contestant on the first season for cheating. He has really no reason to cheat for one person. Every person there can be made to look like russell, meaning they can be made to look like the ratings grabber. Its all about the editing. He plays the cards he is dealt. But to cheat and risk losing his ability to make money. Not worth it.

I remember my high school history teacher once made a joke about being offered a bribe by a student. He said sure, he would take a bribe, but if would have to be more than the present value of what he would make the rest of his life, plus some more added on for the risk. He figured it at $1.5 million at the time. Not too many kids would pay 1.5 million for a B on their history test. Brunet would have to feel teh same way. He figures to make hundreds of millions of dollars over the rest of his life producing tv shows. The benefit of cheating is a couple of tenths of a point in ratings. I don;t buy it. In the longrun he'd never risk it.

[murielm99]

7. I hope you are right.

[Demit]

6. I can't think of anybody who's a better survivor this season than Russell.

That's the flaw in this game, that the weak can band together & oust a strong player. Then you're left with having to choose who's the best of the weak. Bleeh. The only one I think comes close is Natalie. What a trouper she was, killing the rat! And she was awesome in the swing/flag challenge.

I suspect Russell's trash talk to the camera is a pose. He NEVER talks like that to anybody in conversation, and if he actually was a jerk it would've come out by now. Like with Laura. A petty Mean Girl. I pity the workers in that office she's the manager of. But except for the maneuvering with the idols, which is perfectly acceptable as a game tactic, Russell's been honorable with the others. I especially liked how he let the guys (notably Eric) do their trash talk about competing, and he didn't engage. Some people really make fools of themselves at tribal council. They can't help themselves & they end up revealing too much. Russell keeps his own counsel, which is wise generally in life, but esp. smart in this game.

I also have my doubts that he is a millionaire. I suppose he could be (and could afford to get his teeth fixed but just doesn't care), but I think that might be more bluster. He likes to be outrageous, because that puts people off balance & gives him a kind of control. But I don't think he is a mean man. He's got that great merry little grin. He's a short guy who's not, shall we say, conventionally handsome, and instead of having a chip on his shoulder about the dreamboat-type guys he's had to compete with his whole life, he's just gone on & developed his own strengths.

LOL! I like Russell and I hope he wins.

[murielm99]

8. I don't think he will win.

He has a role to play. He is the survivor we love to hate. I think he will be around long enough to keep the ratings high. Then, someone we have not noticed much until the end will win.

I like Natalie. She is smarter and stronger than people realize. I just hope the other survivors do not start to resent her for it and get rid of her. Russell would be the first to advocate that.

Despite everything, there is an element of luck to the game. It will be interesting to see how luck figures in this season.

[dr.strangelove]

10. I think its Natalie, Russell and Mick at the end

The stage is set for them to run the table. I figure they are closer with each other than any one of them is with Jaison. I think Jaison will be there until the end, unless whomever is the last Galu to go wins that last IC. If russell gets to teh end, its hard not to see him win it all. Most jurors have not seen the value in the ride the other's coatails strategy that Nata lie openly admits to playing. Unless they get Russell out next week, I can;t see him going. Its got to be a blindside, but Foa foa does not yet have the numbers for that.

I think this week is John or Dave Ball. One of them has to ge. they are both IC threats. I'd get rid of John next, then go for John, Dave or Brendan next.

If it is NAtalie, Mick and Russell at the end, I think russel wins it. I like NAtalie too. She is great at Challanges, but is not aggressive at camp with strategy and instead lets Russell do it all.

[OKNancy]

12. Don't forget they talk at the Ponderosa

I think it will be Natalie.

Do you all want to know about Survivor 20? I've got tons of spoilers.

[dr.strangelove]

13. I'll start a spoiler thread.

[Qanisqineq]

9. Howdy all!

Holy crap! I cannot believe I am on DU! Seriously, I have not been able to access this site for maybe 6 months, maybe much longer. Nothing but error messages every time I typed in the URL. I thought maybe it had to do with a bunch of hackers from Korea that were attacking sites, and since I currently live in Korea... I guess I'll never know what the reason was. Ha! This seems so surreal! Like a dream or something.

Anyway, I can't wait to catch up on all the stuff you guys have been discussing about Survivor!!


Holy crap... am I really here?

[dr.strangelove]

11. Old DU Friends - we missed you!

HEY Qanisqineq!
Welcome back. We've missed you. Hope all is well in Korea. Surviror has been great this season. Russell is an animal at this game. Its like he was made for it. I am still cheering against him and hopin gMick or NAtalie can pull it off, but I'm not too sure they can beat him. Anyway, hope you are able to get back on. Happy Holidays in case we don;t hear from you again soon.