Thursday, April 19, 2007

'Survivor 14: Fiji' - Ep. 10 -or- "Dreamz Plays Both Teams... Not Very Well"

I've come to the conclusion that they should all band together to vote out Dreamz next. He plays both sides which, if done well and with sneakiness, works. But when no one trusts you, you're the lone wolf. And you're a dangerous wild card often a step out of step in the game.

Nine are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

The show opened on Night 24 at the Bula Bula camp. Mookie's mad about the vote. He thinks that Dreamz gave the power right back to Alex. Dreamz rationale for voting for Michelle last week, given to us in a confessional segment, still makes no sense. "I voted for her because she said she didn't know me. If she hadn't said that, she'd still be here." Um... okay.

Making it obvious that there is no real trust, Alex told Mookie that a different member of the Four Horsemen (Alex, Mookie, Edgardo, Dreamz) should hold the found hidden Idol each day. Well, he may have left Dreamz out of that equation. He did. I guess it's the Three Horseman and the Guy They Don't Trust.

In a confessional, Earl told us he was upset about Michelle being voted out. It "flipped the script" for him. He likened it to a chess game when you're down a few important pieces and have to rethink your strategy. The man is playing a thinking man's game. He doesn't think he can trust Dreamz, but thinks they may need him.

The Rewards Challenge was the Big Reveal one for the season. The castaways had to answer questions about their fellow tribemates in private, then guess the answers of the majority. Those who were right then got a chance to smash a tower of another tribemate. Each person had three towers. So, tribemates got to find out what others think of them, plus who wants whom out of the game. In the end, it was Stacy taking the personal blow, but she reacted better than a few in the past.

Here are the questions and majority answers:
1. Who do you trust with your life? Earl
2. Who is least likely to be invited to a family dinner? Boo
3. Who has the largest sense of entitlement? Alex
4. Who would you want to be stranded on a desert island with? Yau-Man
5. Who don't you want to see after the show ends? Stacy
6. Who smells the worst? Dreamz
7. Who mistakenly thinks he/she controls the game? Alex
8. Who wasted the greatest opportunity? Stacy
9. Who has shown the most athletic surprise? Yau-Man
Cassandra
Stacy was the first one knocked out with Boo, Cassandra, and Yau-Man taking her down immediately. The rest of the tower-smashing went along alliance lines or revenge until only Cassandra remained. She won Reward and sent Mookie off to Exile Island.

Reward was a luxury yacht trip with food and beverages. She got to choose three other to go with her. She first chose Dreamz, then Boo. She told us she chose them to work on them for the alliance. She chose Yau-Man last because she thought he deserved it.

Over on Exile Island, Mookie was steaming. He's mad at Cassandra and makes a personal vow to get her voted out, then her alliance one by one. He thinks Earl has the hidden Idol from their camp. But on the yacht, Cassandra and Yau-Man are doing their best to brainwash Boo and Dreamz. It looks like Boo's better for them than Dreamz. Neither Cassandra or Yau-Man feel they can trust Dreamz. They're both good people-readers. Heck, I don't know if Dreamz can even trust himself!
Dreamz and Earl
Then it all goes awry. Dreamz told Alex he's in danger as per what he's heard. Earl just happens upon them catching Dreamz spilling beans. Cassandra and Earl confront Dreamz away from Alex. Dreamz played the same "you don't trust me" card he played with the Four Horseman alliance. No, Dreamz. No one trusts you because you're playing both sides and proving you can't be trusted!

Then he did it. Dreamz betrayed the Four Horsemen to Cassandra and Earl. He told them Mookie had the hidden Idol from their camp. What is this guy thinking? Yau-Man told us in confessional that everything will now have to be rethinked.
Immunity Challenge
No time for thinking when there's an Immunity Challenge to be endured! Yes, it was endurance this time around. It's the first individual Immunity Challenge of the season. The castaways had to stand in a frame using only their arms and feet.

The hitch was that each half-hour, they'd take a step down. The foot-holds grew increasingly smaller with each step down with the lowest being less than a quarter-inch wide. Cassandra fell almost right out of the competition. Edgardo gone, Earl out, Mookie, Alex, Dreamz... leaving it contest between Yau-Man, Boo, and Stacy.
Mookie Feet in Immunity Challenge
I personally think that this challenge was actually better for those who weighed the least and may have the smallest feet. And, I'm sure those two would be Yau-Man and Stacy. Boo had to be hanging in with sheer determination.

In the end, Yau-Man won and looked like he could last another hour or two.

Day 27 at the camp found Dreamz doing more double-dogging backstabbing on both sides. Mookie is still determined to get rid of Cassandra and thinks Earl has the Idol. Yau-Man talked to Stacy and won her over. He told her she wouldn't be alone voting for Alex, but please don't vote for Earl. Stacy, thinking smarter than Dreamz, thinks she'd do better with the Cassandra, Earl, Boo, and Yau-Man alliance and decides she'll vote out Alex.

Dreamz went to Mookie and told him that he thought Earl and company knew he had the idol and they were planning to vote out Alex. So, Alex convinced Mookie to give him the Idol so he could save himself with it although Mookie was reluctant to give it up.

Then Dreamz saw Mookie pass Alex the Idol and ran to Earl and company to tell them. So, they switched their plan. Without telling Dreamz (because he can't be trusted!), they decided they would all vote for Edgardo and get him out by surprise. It was actually Stacy's suggestion. It looks like she is going to be valuable to her new alliance. She thinks.

At the Tribal Council, that's pretty much how it all went down. After the votes were cast, but before they were read, Alex used the Idol to save himself. So any votes for him wouldn't count. But there were no votes for him. Alex, Edgardo, and Mookie voted for Cassandra. Dreamz was a whack-vote again -- he voted Mookie. (I just can't get his thought process or lack thereof.) The other five all voted for Edgardo.

"Edgardo, the tribe has spoken."

Well, I'm glad that a hidden Immunity Idol has finally been used. And, I like the thinking game of the Earl, Yau-Man, Cassandra, Stacy alliance. Yeah, I know Boo's in there, but I see him as more of a follower. It's too bad that Edgardo paid the ultimate game sacrifice when the target was originally Alex or Mookie, but it was a good move. Another interesting development is that the Idol will be re-hidden and new clues will be set.

Your thoughts?

26 comments:

Sydney said...

WOW -- Survivor is BACK! This is the way I remeber this show feeling... I was captivated every minute and in fact, I don't know that there's been an ep in all the seasons that had me scrambling to grok what just happened as I took in what was happening next... I wish I'd have recorded it so I could have watched it again.

I liked Eduardo and was rooting for him through these weeks, but he was gone tonight. After what went on these last 2 eps, the jury is going to have plenty of fodder for that final tribal council!

Yau Man needs to watch out, looks like. I want him to WIN!

Anonymous said...

Cassandra rocked that reward challenge, not missing one. She reads people pretty well! And tribal council was the BOMB! I loved it!!! The looks on their faces was classic. They were all patting themselves on the backs at how smart they were giving Alex the idol. Best tribal I've seen in a long time. And I love how they stacked the reading of the votes, revealing them all (namely Dreamz's vote) and saving edgardo's name for last!!

Anonymous said...

Tonight had to be one of the best episodes of Survivor ever! Now THIS is the way the game is played! I loved every minute of it.This was definitely an OUTWIT tutorial for all Survivor players. Finally they are playing the game the way it should be played. And,I'm sorry,but once it's every man for himself,then you can't rely on your alliance to save your butt. Mookie was so stupid to be hounded into giving up that Idol,how do they expect to share something three or four ways??

The look on Edguardo's face was priceless! As more and more votes were read,his big old smile just "poof" disppeared! As did Alex and Mookie's! Mookie really has gotten too big for his britches and both Alex and Ed were way over confident in their abilities to control the game. Now maybe Earl and Yau are feeling a little invincible as well,but I think they play a smarter game.AND if they can keep their alliance from tonight together,they can vote off whoever,whenever and I agree,if I was on that island,it would be Dreamz next for the sake of BOTH teams!!

Yau was soooo impressive in the immunity challenge....again. I hope he can go all the way,if not,then I like Earl and even Cassandra at this point.Also,didn't much care for them snooping and rooting through Yau's things in the previews for next week! THAT was low!

Anonymous said...

Dremz has voted against what was agreed upon two tribal councils in a row. I think they should all wise up and get rid of him next. The 5 member alliance has it wrapped up for now and can just vote out the rest of the 4 horsemen...then start taking out their own until there was one!

This was a good episode. Eduardo couldn't believe what was going down and Alex wasted the Idol. I can't believe if they were doing the exact same thing by going after Cassandra that they couldn't figure out maybe the other group had the same idea. Perfect justice.

Anonymous said...

I'm confused as to why Mookie is so angry with Cassendra, several people have sent him to Exile before.

Purrbal said...

I have to say this was the BEST ever tribal council! woohoo yeehoo ... cannot believe how awesome that was. I do feel bad for what is coming but this game is full of twists and turns in a great way!

Purrbal said...

You know Dreamz only voted the way he thought the other five were going to vote...therefore proving his allegience to those five IF he is smart he will stick with them and they just have to say we were not for sure if you were with us so now we know you voted as you said you would and we are all together.

dla said...

Of all the episodes for me to miss... aarrgghh!!

Worked late, and didn't make it home in time. I will watch online, and can't wait to see it after reading everyone's comments!!

Sydney, you can catch it again at cbs.com if you want to rewatch. ;)

Jackie, amazing recap, as always!! Thanks for keeping me in the loop!

Anonymous said...

I am really troubled by the previews because it looks like Yau Man will be the target. He's a pretty smart guy, we can only hope he figures it out and parries any thrusts against him. I'd like to see either Yau, Earl or Cassandra win with a preference for Yau or Earl. It was fitting that Yau won the first immunity challenge. He's been a real player.

Deanna said...

It may have been low that they sneaked into Yau-Mans things and I don't agree with that kinda playing, but it was Yau-Man in the beginning who was sneaking a peek over (Sylvia?'s) shoulder to look in her bag for the II... I dont know how they can work it to their advantage, but you never know in this game. I just really hope that Yau-Mans group wises up to the fact that they know he has it and does some manuvering to get rid of them again... :)

Great episode though...I was riveted by the entire thing. Way to go Cassandra, it just goes to show that she pays close attention to what is going on around her. I think Cassandra,Earl and Yau-Man play a strong mental game and would love to see them as the final three w/ either of them winning it. They all deserve it...:)

Anonymous said...

Jackie - Your recap was great, except that it didn't come down to Stacy and Yau Man at the immunity challenge. It was Boo and Yau Man. Remember, Boo kept slipping off and managed three or four times to save himself before he finally fell?

I have to say it again, "It was great! I loved it!"

Gen

Anonymous said...

I agree that this was one of the best Survivor episodes EVER!

Gen -- You're right...it was Boo and Yau-Man (not Stacy) at the end. As soon as they announced the challenge, I knew Yau would win it. That thing had his name written all over it.

Dreams voted for Mookie because the 5 told him they were voting for him. After Mookie gave the idol to Alex and Dreams spilled the beans, the plan was to vote Mookie and show them who was in control. Then Stacy came up with the brilliant plan of voting Edgardo to throw them off and they purposly didn't tell Dreams because they didn't need his vote and they can't trust him. I just loved it! This is Survivor the way it was meant to be played. As much as we might not like the way Dreams is playing, the game can't be like this without a player like him to swing both ways.

Sydney said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sydney said...

PS: With the amazing bashing that Stacey took across the board in the immunity challenge -- all the questions and answers (and she looked pretty sheepish sitting on the bench as she took one hit to her character after another), I'm wondering why they showed nothing of her moping around at camp, or asking anyone why they don't like her, or confronting anyone, complaining to the camera, etc...

What did I miss that she was so demonized? All I can rememebr of her having a not-nice side was that she was in cahoots with Lisi over that coffee making snub of the others, is that right?

She carried on and consulted with everyone as if she was a strong player, equal, and LIKED, had total confidence with putting the vote together... and it was HER idea to do that final twist to vote Eduardo not Mookie in the end. What's up with that?

Was anyone else surprised that there was no evidence of the concequences of those judegements on her once back at camp?

Sydney said...

Delee - -intersting that you bring up the Gobi Desert in China... a few comments back someone mentioned they heard the next Survivor has begun filming in CHINA... they did do central Africa, and I forgot where in Australia, but they do have islands in China as well, so we'll see which they pick -- inland or island. The desert would be really intense. It was really hard ot watch everyone starve in Australia, but now with all the food challenges Survivor has, maybe a desert thing would work.

Anonymous said...

Wow man is so good! I love the alliance of Cassandra,Earl adn Wow. They are thinkers and no re-acters.
I was thrilled to see them pull it off...and I hate teh fact Mookie spied on Wow's bag...that is low....but leaving it unattended was a bad move. I still think they can pull it off though...I want to see Earl and Wow in the final two...good guys..thinkers....
Getting by on Mind power instead of brawn

Anonymous said...

Here is a paragraph from Penn State's insert in our local paper...I know does not fit under Survivor, but know most will get a kick out of it:

Unsurprisingly, Sanjaya gave a lackluster performance. Although with his tight jeans and bandanna, Sanjaya looked like a prison bride. Add a coat of lipstick and he’d make some lifer a very nice wife. In fact, Sanjaya looked so cute Maxim made him “Girl of the Day” on Wednesday. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t a beauty contest. America voted and it was sayonara, Sanjaya.

Sydney said...

That's funny Delee -

Following you I'll put this here: I came across Chris Sligh's blog and it's worth a gander for an insider look... a few days ago he wrote a big article on it about AI... interesting inside look.

http://frommymindtoyoureyes.blogspot.com

Brent McKee said...

There's a difference between Yau Man taking a surreptitious look in Sylvia's bag and Mookie and whoever ransacking Yau's bag looking for the Idol. As soon as I saw it I was reminded of Survivor Australia and Jerri The Witch organizing the search of Kel Gleason's bag for the "hidden" beef jerky. Privacy needs to be respected.

Deanna said...

I really don't think there is a difference between what Yau-man did and what the others do to Yau-Mans belongings. A look into someones personal belongings, whether it be a peek or rifling around, is just plain wrong. But alas, it is a part of the game. Yau-Man had intentions of seeing if Sylvia had the II as did the ones who searched his bag. Tit for tat... What goes around comes around, I can only hope he can think of a way to come out on top.
GO YAU-MAN!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

To Purrbal and Orkmommy: You're right... I forgot that the 6 of them originally agreed to vote for Mookie... so I take it all back.. now that they know he's trustworthy (some), they can take him back into the fold. I would still be careful not to tell him too much tho.. he has loose lips.

Again..it was a terrific episode!

Anonymous said...

meb,I disagree,I don't think he's the least bit trustworthy! He seems to march to his own drummer when it comes to the reasons he votes people off. AND I think he'll do whatever is good for him,which is how the game is played. As long as they can keep their five alliance strong,they can go all the way to the end and then,of course,will have to start voting each other off. The only hitch in the plan will be if one of the others get immunity and then you just go to choice number 2.If it was me in the 5,I'd want to get rid of Dreamz,he's too much of a loose cannon.

I,too,was kind of surprised there was no follow up w/Stacy as to her being on everybody's list of "most disagreeable". She was very nasty to Dreamz and Cassandra when Lisi was still around at the other camp. That's why I was so surprised Dreamz didn't jump at the chance to vote her off and chose Micheele instead. His excuse made no sense at all and just enforces my theory of loose cannon.He needs to go and he's going to be tough in the physical challenges down the road.

Anonymous said...

I agree totally with Sharon. It was Dreamz changing his vote to Michell for such a dumb reason that put Earl, Yau-man and Cassandra in jeopardy. If not for Boo and Stacy going to the "other side", they would have been screwed. He had a legitimate gripe against Michelle. Stacy only said she didn't "know" Dreamz very well. WHY would that make him nervous? Loose cannon is right! I think the five will use him as they can, but they should get him out quickly. They saw him play both sides this time. Why would they trust him for any reason?

dla said...

Hi everyone!

I finally had the opportunity to watch the episode online, and WOW!!
That was reminiscent of days gone by when things moved quickly, and things stayed interesting!

I was riveted to my laptop, and may need to rewatch, especially the second half of the show!

Dreamz is just a mess, has always been a mess, and I am not even sure how he made it this far. I had him pegged as one of the first 3 or 4 to go, and he is still there!

Watching the faces of Alex, Mookie, and Edgardo as they realized they had been totally played was priceless. And I have to give Stacy credit for coming up with the idea. I have not liked her a bit, but maybe there is more to her than meets the eye.

Excited to see next Thursday...

Should be really, really interesting!!

Anonymous said...

For me this was hands down the best tribal council ever! The way the grins of Alex, Mookie and Edgardo were turned upside down was priceless. They were completely outwitted and never saw it coming. What can I say about Dreamz. The boy is clueless. I think his real problem is that he genuinely likes everyone there (with Stacy being the exception) and just can't commit to a side. He definitely feels loyalty to Cassandra and Alex, the problem is they are on opposite sides. I think either Alex or Mookie needs to go before they get rid of Dreamz, because I think I either of them could swing Stacy or Boo back to their side. It was great to feel the excitement for Survivor again that I felt in the past. I hope the rest of the season keeps up this pace.

Rbennie

Anonymous said...

Mookie proved himself to be an idiot for giving Alex the idol.

Who cares about alliances? Mookie found the idol and shouldn't share it, period.