laurakaye

I agree...get ready to cringe extra-hard and extra-often during this one. You know Dan has been practicing his reunion sound-bites for weeks now. My eternal hope is that Probst doesn't let him speak at all. There's always one or two jurors who don't get to do anything but "sit there and look pretty." PLEASE let it be Dan this time! And maybe Tyler.

During the immunity challenge, I was LOL-ing every time Rodney chucked his grappling hook straight into the ground at his feet. I guess those magic melons didn't sharpen his brain as much as he thought. I seriously cannot remember the last time I didn't give a rat's ass who won this game. There have been boring seasons for sure, but not one where I wished that the entire jury would write down "NO ONE" on their final votes for the million. I am, however, greatly looking forward to Dan's condescending, heavily punctuated question to the Final 3. I hope I'm smart enough to understand him....'cause I'm a woman and all.

Now it all makes sense. Rodney meant to get in the "Big Brother" casting line, but got in the "Survivor" line by mistake.

I guess it depends on what your definition of "like" is. The "dislike" of most of the remaining survivors is so intense, I guess one could deduce that Carolyn is "liked." I need to know if the head of Survivor Casting has been fired yet, because this group is just ridiculous. Does Probst & Company truly think that this is a compelling cast? Have they been on the air so long that they think they can just coast now? Because I for one want to see this show get better and better. I understand the challenge here, in that most people who make it on the show have seen it and want to become memorable, but there has to be a better way than to throw this island of misfit toys together for our viewing pleasure.

Since I'm sure Rodney's birthday usually consists of his mommy taking care of him (BoilerGal's post above was perfect) followed by his "bros" taking him out to get sh!t-faced while making derogatory remarks about every woman that passes within 50 feet of him, I can see why spending a birthday doing something as once-in-a-lifetime as washing dishes in the crystal-clear waters of a beautiful island would be somewhat disappointing. Especially given that his adopted "Mama C" did not drop everything to wait on him hand and foot on his special day like he expected, and Mike had the audacity to not fall for for Rodney's well-executed "I'm-crazy-vote-me-out" plan. And his beard itches. Poor baby Rodney. Just keepin' it real.

I find it inconceivable that he hasn't been shown strutting around camp bloviating and pontificating on what his special powers might be to everyone. We know he loves to talk about himself. But yes, I don't get why not one person (that we know of) has sidled up to him and asked him about the advantage...especially since it hasn't been used yet. If it were an advantage in a challenge, it's likely he would've had to use it already. Is there no one guessing that it has to have something to do with voting?

I hope Probst doesn't waste any time during the reunion wandering into the audience and asking Will's wife, Dan's wife and Rodney's mommy to school us fans on what truly remarkable and compassionate men those three are "away from the game." Just don't even. Announce the winner, hand out the check, give Joe his $100,000 for being the only normal player this season, and get us revved up for next season.

RODNEY. You are spending your birthday playing "Survivor!" Yes, you're starving and dirty but there are probably about 497,923 fans who would take your place in a heartbeat so STFU already, you big whiny baby. I had to rewind when Sierra actually spoke up and said "If I hear the word 'birthday' one more time!" Good for her. Not that it would stop Rodney's epic hissy fit, but nice try. Also, Dan and Will's intimate moment by the fire...maybe after 30 days they don't even smell each other, but all I could think was, BLECHHHHHHH.

This is what I struggle with, because while I am disgusted by many of this season's players, I will continue to watch because I love this show. I can't remember a worse season of Survivor in terms of actively hating some of the players. Just clicking around the Survivor forums, I'm seeing things like Joaquin calling Shirin "fat." Tyler telling the women to sit quiet and look pretty. Will's viciousness. Dan's condescending attitude towards women. Who in casting allowed all these morons to be on the same season? It's an awful group of men (save one or two), and a fairly passive group of women (still upset that Jenn bailed). There's usually one or two boneheads in every season, but other than Russell and Colton, none jump to mind as being as collectively disgusting as this group. Will the powers that be consider this season a huge success because, after all, people are talking about it, even if we're all talking about it for the wrong reasons? Or will they see the error of their ways? I don't have small children anymore, but if I did, I'm pretty sure I would not be comfortable letting them watch this season, and I can't really remember ever feeling that way before. I am all for stealth and conflict on Survivor in terms of outplaying, but this season is a whole new and uncomfortable level. Maybe that's what Survivor is becoming? I hope not.

There was a talking head where Dan said something along the lines of realizing that others see him as being on the bottom of his alliance, but he doesn't necessarily think that's true. I can't remember how he justified this, but I do remember him saying it...I think it was after the cheeseburger boat ride.

I would hope that if the powers that be ever decide to bring Dan back on any upcoming season, the backlash from the fans would be quick and severe. Bringing back a cast member like that really ticks me off as a Survivor fan. I hated when they brought back Colton. Do NOT bring back Dan.

Which Shirin possibly didn't see, but Jenn, Joe and Hali clearly did, and reacted to.

True story. The scene where Mike asks Dan how he's feeling about tribal council was pretty funny upon second watching. Mike is staring at Dan, and while Mike is in voice-over discussing how Dan wasn't the person he thought he was, the camera kept cutting to Dan running his mouth and counting something on his fingers, but we couldn't hear what Dan was saying. Mike's glazed-over eyes said it all, though. And WHY on earth would you applaud the exit of the NEXT JURY MEMBER who is going to play a huge part in whether you win A MILLION DOLLARS? These people.....

The idea of Tyler, Carolyn, Rodney and Mike all slobbering over Dan in order to bring him to the end is just so ICKY. Would Dan even realize that he is being brought to the end because of his goat-ness? Because I can see him believing that it's his amazing strategic gameplay that has the other survivors fighting over him. It's sad that dragging two of the most despicable survivors I can remember (Dan and Will) to the end to guarantee a win is the best strategy, but I guess they've got to play the cards they're dealt. It will be interesting to see if Carolyn and Tyler can get in Dan's head to sway his votes, knowing he has the extra vote but not being able to coach him on how to use it.

I can't wait to hear Dan's douche-splaining when he finally reveals that he has that extra vote. Since he is in love with the sound of his own voice, and prefers the dramatic, oddly-punctuated monologue instead of regular conversation, it's sure to be a good time.

Excellent point! For that matter, both Tyler and Mike have the clues to this as yet undiscovered idol - why on earth would they both not be looking for it? We know Mike doesn't sleep anyway, I'd think he would've found it by now. And then Tyler would simply take it out of Mike's bag. Also, the fact that Tattletale Tyler hasn't yet told anyone that Carolyn has an idol fascinates me. Such restraint on his part. Next week's preview of him cowering like a big baby in front of Dan's wrath had me LOL-ing. As much as I hate the players this season, I cannot look away and breathlessly await every new episode.

If I missed this, forgive me - but has ANYONE in the BC tribe ever questioned who has the WC's immunity idol? Or do they all assume it went away when Joaquin was voted out? I mean, it's kind of a big deal, yes? All it would take is one look at Carolyn's perpetual smug expression to figure it out. And does anyone else think that Dan spent weeks practicing his sound-bites and facial expressions in the mirror before he went off to Survivorland?

Her eyebrows are becoming Joker-esque.

Dan had so many fine moments in this episode! It's impossible to choose my favorite! 1. Hawking up great gobs of spit while insisting to Shirin that "I'm listening!" 2. Devouring 3/4 of a hamburger - I'm sorry, a CHEEEESEburger, in one rapturous, ecstatic, revolting bite 3. Whispering to Rodney during the IC: "You want it, baby! You know you want it!" 4. Adoption > domestic violence 5. Telling Shirin that he was sorry about what happened while desperately trying to arrange his facial features into something resembling compassion (that must've hurt) Who do I want to win this season of Survivor? 1. Ozzy (Cook Islands)...still bitter 2. Mike, but only if he promises not to talk during the entire reunion 3. Sierra's left eyebrow

Special K - I love this theory.

I'm a newbie here, and have tried to read every post in this thread. I have watched this episode four times, and forgive me if this has already been covered, but I have to ask: what was Tyler doing during the auction? I was watching him carefully, and I am 99% sure he did not bid on any food. Why did he not go after the advantage with Mike, Carolyn and Dan? I understand that the players might get to keep the money if they choose not to spend it, but this makes zero sense - hold onto $500 in order to forfeit a 1 in 4 chance at an advantage for a possible $1,000,000? If anyone can explain his non-moves to me, I would appreciate it. I have been a Survivor fan since Episode One, Season One, and I don't think any episode has captured me, for good and bad, like this one did. EDIT: I have also been wondering - if you want to win the million, you bring Will the Villain to the end with you. If you're on the jury, do you vote for the person who brought the villain to the end to guarantee a win, or do you vote for the villain because the other final Survivor took the easiest route possible? (This is assuming a Final Two, I can't wrap my mind around a Final Three with this group of morons).

I have just discovered this haunting gem, and I have to disagree with the siblings not resembling each other. In Part 1, the four are standing close and talking, and I could see where John and Meg could be brother-sister, where Danny and Kevin both have that disheveled look, like their father (Sam Shepard). I also thought that Kevin and John could be brothers, but in that Dennis/Randy Quaid sort of way, where one brother clearly gets the better genetic hand dealt to him. The only thing that bothered me just a little is that none of them remotely resemble Sissy Spacek. But, no matter, just an observation. I had a feeling that once I pressed "Play" for Part 1, I'd be hooked, and I am. But I would follow Kyle Chandler anywhere. Looking forward to a rainy day binge watch in the near future.

I cannot abide Mike and his nails-on-a-chalkboard voice. His speech to Dan about how they built their tree fort with blood and sweat...I found myself saying out loud, "Please STOP. TALKING. JUST SHUT UP." And what was up with saying he is not the kind of person to dupe everyone into not taking his letter from home, when 5 seconds before, that is exactly what he was planning to do? It was only the reactions from the rest of the tribe, and possibly Probst, that made him change his mind. I have watched Survivor, every single episode, since season 1. I will continue to watch this season until the end, even though I could not give less of a crap who wins. Between Tyler the Shady, Carolyn the Smug, Mike the Patrick-From-Spongebob, Rodney the Psycho, Dan the Misogynistic Creep....the players that are currently left are collectively disgusting.

I've been lurking here awhile, so please forgive me if these topics have already been covered: 1. Mike's voice seems to change from Bobcat Goldthwaite-esque to normal, so much so that when he does speak normally, I always have to do a double-take to figure out who is actually talking. 2. Why does Jeff now call the bench at challenges the "sit-out" bench? I don't remember him ever doing that before. By definition, those who sit out and take a seat on the bench are sitting on the "sit-out" bench. Silly Jeff. 3. If Joe and Hali had children, those children would possess the most magnificent manes of hair on the planet.

Kudos for titling each section of your review with the names of NKOTB songs!