S30.E08: Keep It Real

[pennben]

 

I do have to acknowledge Rodney may not be such a dumb sack of bricks after all.

 

Hee!  Right?!  Sort of a lord, god in heaven, if no one else gets their shit together, I can't argue against him winning.  Can I?

 

It's a very weird place to be......

[Drogo]

I'm all for playing a character out there and/or downplaying your smarts. But the only reason why Rodney's misogyny is even *remotely* excusable is that I believe he's an idiot that doesn't know any better. And it's still not excusable.  I hate Rodney and Dan equally. 

 

Khaleesi believed that Dan was 'breaking the law' by talking to Shirin the way he did.  Paraphrasing:

"Can't a man go to jail if he says he wants to hit a girl?" 

Edited April 13, 2015 by Drogo

[NutMeg]

Khaleesi

 

Who is this Khaleese who has such great insights? I initially thought it was your daughter, now I'm leaning towards a fictional character - which is it? (If it's both, I'm fine with it too...).

[ProfCrash]

A quote from Hali's interview with josh Wiggler

 

"I don’t think we can publish that story. [Laughs] Interview Rodney, please ask him. He’ll love to tell you. But it’s not just that. He’s smarter than he comes across. Different people have different opinions on Rodney, but his chauvinism is almost endearing because it’s so simple. I guess I respect his gameplay. Rodney’s just Rodney.

 

Dan, on the other hand? I think the difference between him and Rodney is that Dan has a hypocritical side to him. He presents himself, from his own mouth, as a family guy who loves his wife. And then you hear him with these scathing, disgusting comments about women. I think hypocrisy can taint… it’s just worse than being straight-up bad. When you’re trying to put yourself up as a saint, it’s just really gross"

 

I get the impression that Rodney was the same person with Hali as he was with Lindsey and there are simply different reactions to him. I would take the Lindsey approach, Rodney's attitude and behavior is offensive and I wouldn't be able to blow it off. Hali seems to see it as chauvinistic but accepts that is simply who Rodney is and there is not much she can do about it. Dan on the other hand, is a hypocrite asshole.

[NutMeg]

Glad to see thar Hali, who spent much more time with them than I would ever want to, shares my opinion (or I share hers).

 

I knew I loved her!

[needschocolate]

While I will admit that Rodney's plan sounds better than any we have seen from the others, the only way he can win is if his plans actually happen.  So far, Rodney makes plans and Mike ruins them.  If that keeps happening, and Rodney makes it to the end, then he would have made it to the end as a goat. And goats don't deserve to win (unless they can own their goatness and explain it as well as Sandra did).  

[riley702]

Who is this Khaleesi who has such great insights? I initially thought it was your daughter, now I'm leaning towards a fictional character - which is it? (If it's both, I'm fine with it too...).

I was just getting ready to ask this, too. So a character on Game of Thrones is commenting on Survivor? Is there some other Khaleesi? I'm so confused.

[ProfCrash]

The problem is that Mike is likely seen as a bigger threat then Rodney. Mike is the leader of the alliance of seven, making him a target. Mike seems to have a pretty good social game. He managed to reel Sierra and Rodney in as well as convince Tyler and Carolyn that they should be with the majority Blue Collar. Granted, all of those individuals made decisions that they thought that were in their best interest but part of that decision was made based on what Mike had to say. So Mike is a huge target. He knows that and watches for betrayal. He saw the Rodney/Joaquin alliance for exactly what it was. He stressed over the immunity idol because he knows he has a target. We know he was keeping an eye on Tyler after the reward challenge.

 

That said, Mike has one idol and as large a target as Joe does. I am not sure that Mike has anyone who is wholly loyal to him. Dan is a super fan and has made it clear that he is a super fan, which means that Dan will happily blindside Mike. Heck, Dan might even look for the opportunity because it makes good TV. Sierra has already said she does not like the BC alliance, mainly Dan and Rodney, but I am not sold that Sierra might not be willing to take Mike out pretty fast. We know Rodney is not loyal to Mike. Tyler, Carolyn and Will have no reason to be loyal to Mike.

 

So while Mike is playing a good game, he doesn't have a Trish or a Woo to protect him.

 

Tyler, Carolyn, and Will are better off with Rodney who has already said he is not loyal to Mike and Sierra. That said, I want to see what Mike has planned when they get to seven. Or what Tyler, Carolyn, and Will have planned? We don't see any of the three of them talking. The lack of information is more then challenging.

[Drogo]

 

Who is this Khaleese who has such great insights? I initially thought it was your daughter, now I'm leaning towards a fictional character - which is it? (If it's both, I'm fine with it too...).

 

Oops!  I watch most of my shows (GoT excluded) with my 8 year-old daughter and I like to share her gems, but I keep her name private-

 

So she's known around these parts as my "Khaleesi." ;)

[Zuleikha]

Mike seeming to be aware of the danger of suballiances is my main hope for Joe/Jenn/Shirin. To give credit where credit is deserved, Rodney is playing smart by trying to position himself to flip the BC hierarchy. My hope is that Mike will also play smart by taking out one of Will/Carolyn/Tyler to cut off Rodney's ability to leave and between the two of them playing smart, Joe/Jenn/Shirin (or at least some part of that) will take advantage of the chaos and sneak into position to make it to the end. 

[LadyChatts]

While I will admit that Rodney's plan sounds better than any we have seen from the others, the only way he can win is if his plans actually happen.  So far, Rodney makes plans and Mike ruins them.  If that keeps happening, and Rodney makes it to the end, then he would have made it to the end as a goat. And goats don't deserve to win (unless they can own their goatness and explain it as well as Sandra did).  

 

I never thought I'd say this about a Rodney plan not working, but I have to agree, unfortunately.  I believe they are setting Rodney up for a fail.  He was the one talking about being in control, having the numbers, waiting until it got down to the 7 to take out Mike, and believing that looking for the idol was a waste of time.  Whether it is Mike's idol that keeps him in, this twist that hasn't come yet, or someone in his own alliance flipping, I don't see Rodney's final 4 of his misfits working out.  I would give Rodney credit for trying, but Mike seems to be networking with everyone out there.  And everyone else is getting their hands dirty while Mike sits on top.  Probably wouldn't rank anywhere near a good winner, but he's doing something right.  I posted an interview with Hali in his thread, but she was even ready to jump ship over to that side.  They really wanted Joe out, and she was trying to convince Jenn to join her.  Yet another reason I'm calling him as the winner.  And why I wish they'd just have the finale this week and call it a season, because it is taking a lot to keep my interest.  At least last season, the TC were more unpredictable.  

Edited April 13, 2015 by LadyChatts

[hyukx3]

Is it that an Individual Immunity challenge beast is more qualified to win than a social strategic one? Like Yu, Yoo, Yun, whatever. If all he does is outplay, but not outwit, I wouldn't be so inclined to give him the million.

[marys1000]

Refresh my memory:  Wasn't it MIKE who SPECIFICALLY wanted to go after HALI?  Wasn't everyone else throwing out Jenn as the obvious choice and Mike was no no Hali?  If I have that right.....

 

So why in Hali's exit interviews was she saying that she was working with Mike since the merge and hoping he would save her again like he did the first time?  Of course she is trying to point out that she had more strategy and game than seems apparent in her interviews, but this just is another nail in her not knowing where anyone really stood coffin. According to her comment,  it seems like maybe Mike told her he would try to save her and then purposefully targeted her.  When other bootees get to Ponderosa won't they tell her that?  She's not mentioning that she knows in her interviews which is sort of weird.  But it would be a reason not to vote for Mike FTC, unless of course you are the forgiving type and vote for overall good game play. 

 

Sierra - I am beginning to suspect that she is being incredibly disingenuous and sly (or very much protrayed so by editing so who knows what is really going on).  I don't think if she is  not getting along with her BC's other than the shown dustups.  They must blow over.   I think everything is mostly just fine and her flipping has never been a possibility.  I think she is just telling everyone that to find out stuff and further her game.  Basically using the fact that these guys are jerks to portray something that isn't happening and helping to pick them off.

 

Villian edits.  Haven't a lot of villain's been a little like ' hey that's not really me' afterward.  More to the point, when brought back for a second time don't we see a softer side?  I don't like Dan as shown.   The slapping comment is reprehensible. However  most of us say stupid shit like that in real life all the time.  Bad drivers, people who don't pick up after their dogs...whatever will often elicit a private curse and wish for something bad to happen to said jerks. I mean, how would the lambasting comments on these boards make the posters look?   That said,  before this last got aired there was a Probst interview comment about Dan where I got the impression that he wasn't, and wasn't going to be apologizing for Dan in anyway.  Guess he knew what was coming.

 

Shirin.  I like and respect her from her bio and think I would in real life.  However I also think she would drive me nuts if she really indeed never shuts up. In a thread somewhere someone reported that her coworkers basically said something similar - we respect her but she really does act that way, i.e. a bit crazy (was it So that called her psychotic?)  I doubt we would be close friends because a much as I could like her I couldn't deal with that energy and talking.  And I think in the pressure cooker of Survivor I'd be going out of my mind.  Its put you in a place of leaving camp for some peace and quiet - which is bad because then people talk about you and "loners" are booted first. So you have to stick around and go nuts, increasing your probability of doing something stupid.  The whole Shirin discussion brings up the whole question of personality disorders/mental health.  She has to know she's driving people crazy.  Hali even told her.  If, as it seems, she hasn't stopped (her editing has changed some so who knows really but it seems like maybe she slowed down a bit but not stopped totally, or has ramped back up)  then (1) she doesn't care to alter her behavior, or (2) she can't alter her behavior.  Like.....she's got a problem like OCD or ADHD or something.  If you think its the latter you can cope with it far better than if you assume its the first.  But it would be hard for me and a lot of people either way, and apparently has been for a good number of the contestants, not just Dan.  I'm not trying to apologize for Dan.  I'm just saying there is a lot of context and editing here. 

 

I would love to see a BC/NC voted off this TC.  Just to keep it interesting. 

[ProfCrash]

I think Hali's comments point to how well Mike is playing. Mike took her out, she saw Mike take her out on the show, and she still is saying that Mike tried to save her and couldn't.

[Hera]

@marys1000, I agree with you about Shirin. She seems like she'd be fun in real life, but I doubt I could take her 24/7. From personal experience, I can tell you that there are people in this world who really can't stop talking—at least not for a meaningful amount of time to the people around them. I think Shirin is probably one of these people, based on some of the clips shown. There's nothing wrong inherently wrong with being talkative and I can even see how someone who is could be a blessing during the parts of the game we don't see, when players just need to pass the time. Unfortunately for her, Shirin isn't forming the necessary personal bonds to make this personality trait work for her.

 

I think Mike is playing well, generally. I agree with whoever said he seems to be sliding into paranoia, though. He may ride his paranoia to a win, the way Tony in Cagayan did, or it may trip him up.

 

Speaking of Tony, I don't think he's a very good counterexample to the claim that "flippers never win". First of all, Tony always got Woo to vote with him, so that spread the resentment around. Furthermore, Tony was at the top of his alliance, even after he started to vote members out of it. He also had idols to protect himself with. Basically, his position in the game was completely different from that of someone like Sierra, who doesn't have a Woo to follow her and who doesn't have a Trish to smooth things over for her. His circumstances were exceptional and are unlikely ever to be repeated. I don't blame Shirin for making the argument, but I don't think it's one that would persuade many people who had actually watched Cagayan.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Hera

[fishcakes]

I didn't think Tony was a good example either. Flipping is leaving one alliance to join another. Tony voted people out of his alliance, but he never left it and continued to run it because he kept promising he'd stop voting out his allies and they kept believing him, the dopes. Better examples of flippers who have won are Tina Wesson, Vecepia, and Parvati, although it wouldn't surprise me to learn that Dan doesn't acknowledge any of those three as winners.

[Rockfish]

Maybe he means that Rodney makes it to FTC and during his speech he suddenly starts quoting Shakespeare and Nietzsche. Now THAT would be an awesome during this episode.

I'm emerging from lurkdom to say this is one of the best things written, ever! Thanks for the laugh, I really needed it.

I wish Joe would have invited his alliance on the reward (Jenn, Hali, Shirin) and then picked Rodney. He and his alliance would have had a better shot at finding the idle and would have possibly thrown some suspicion on Rodney with the others. Oh well, his picks were good until he had to pick the last player--Shirin was never going to close the deal with that bunch.

Hate Dan. Like many others here, I've had to interact with too many guys like that throughout my life. I usually reacted the way Lyndsey did with Rodney and Mike, and that never made things better.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Rockfish

[Lamb18]

If this season is Shakespearean, then Rodney is Bottom and Dan is Malvolio.  I can see Mike being set up for a Julius Caesar role.

 

ETA: I'm sure Dan would like to think he is Benedick or Petruchio.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Lamb18

[marys1000]

Wait - so has the twist already happened? This is from an interview pre-premier

 

Gordon Holmes: What can we expect twist-wise for this season?
Jeff Probst: Twists this season…I think are going to surprise the players because of how simple it is. We don’t have a lot of twists planned. Our big twist out of the gate hinges on one change in the game. We’ve often done something where we say, “Pick one person to make a decision on behalf of your tribe.” That’s worked well. The nice thing about having one person is that no one knows your lie. So, what we’re saying is you have to share your lie. Two people have to decide whether or not to deceive the tribe. And now you’re linked with them. If you lie, they know your lie and you know theirs. What do you do? Do you get rid of them because they know or are you linked with them to the end? And part of the lie is a clue to an idol. Who gets it?
Holmes: In “Survivor: Cagayan” the chosen players had to decide between a bag of rice and a clue. To differentiate this twist; if you take the clue, you still get a smaller bag of rice to throw the rest of the tribe off of your scent.

(EDIT: To clarify, the way the twist works is two people from each tribe will have to make a choice between a big bag of BEANS and no immunity idol clue or a small bag of beans and an immunity idol clue.)

Probst: We’re hoping at least one tribe takes the bait. Cause when we have our switch, which we always do, people start comparing stories.  In a perfect world, the White Collar tribe lies. They live up to their name and they deceive.

Holmes: Are we going to see the return of the Tyler Perry idol?
Probst: The Tyler Perry idol is not coming back this season. But, you say that with a little bit of a…did I sense something there?
Holmes: I wasn’t a fan because it reminded me of “Cook Islands” where Yul had the super powered idol.
Probst: I still submit; look at history. Look at the live show. When I said, “Would you have liked it if Spencer had found it?” And it was a standing ovation. It just fell into the wrong guy’s hands.

 

But it can't be can it?  He says in the Entertainment interview

And we do a new twist that’s taking the game to another level. It is jumping the shark, as we’ve done so may times, and pushing the envelope. And it’s interesting how it plays out. It’s very Shakespearean in how it plays out and I imagine that we’ll do it again.

 

I wouldn't call the opening lie/tell the truth about the clue vs. bag of beans either.  Unless he thinks its Shakespearean that So got voted out based on the lie.  That'd be a let down. 

 

Still hoping for a better twist.  Dalton or Cochran or someone needs to ask Probst if this is still happening. 

[LadyChatts]

I had to go back and re-read those interviews numerous times to make sure the twist was not the whole 3-tribe collar dymanic, or picking the leaders and having them choose honest/deceive.  Which has all been done in some way before.  We're going into episode 9 this week and still nothing on the horizon.  Will episode 10 be where it happens?  If Joe or Jenn is voted off this week (especially Joe), I can maybe see the big game changer move that's been hinted at by Probst.  I don't think it will be much, but I guess he needs to something.  30 seasons in, how original can people really be?  I've seen various theories as to what the twist is, and I even went looking into international versions to see what they've done that we haven't.  There's one twist that I could believe would qualify as 'Shakespearean', and another one that more people are betting on that I don't know would qualify as that.  But Jeff is full of a lot of hot air when it comes to hype anyway.  At this point, something needed to be done earlier because this season is tanking fast.  After this week there will be 4 episodes until we reach the finale.  I wonder if the season got so predictable, they needed to throw something in there just to keep it interesting.  I'm still betting on it helping someone that Probst & co thought the audience would want to see stick around and root for.  

 

I said before that this season has me to the point of rooting for Rodney of all people to win once Joe/Jenn/Shirin are gone (if they are picked off), but I also realize that is has me thinking Will is the only other smart person out there playing.  Maybe they didn't leave as much on the editing room floor as we thought.  Maybe the castaways really are just making up different scenarios in their heads that they think really happened.  Given the hostility to Shirin out there, I almost hope the poor girl doesn't make the final 3, just so they can't eat her alive.  If they do, I hope she gives them the bird and stands up for herself.  But there seems to be no real game play being shown with anyone else.  I question if Sierra really is a little puppy following Mike around, and thinking her blues are so unpopular she can ride coattails to the final 3 and win.  Dan is a minion of Mike.  Where exactly are Tyler and Carolyn, besides just being in an alliance and following orders?  I think I'm more disappointed in Carolyn, as I thought she would really be a much stronger player, strategically.

Edited April 14, 2015 by LadyChatts

[Alapaki]

I love that Probst interview about their expectations for the "twist" of sending two people for the beans/HII-clue.  

 

Because it exemplifies how Burnett & Co. treat stereotypes with sledgehammers instead of scalpels.  Of course the White Collars will lie, because DERP.

 

Of course, as it played out, a much better predictor of how each player would respond was their knowledge of how the game works.

[Ms Blue Jay]

Aghhhhhhhhh!  I know that this is 10 Seasons ago, but it's so frustrating watching people make mistakes!

1.  When Joe saw Carolyn (unknowingly) with the idol clue, he's so smart to figure out a way to get the clue from her.  But DAMMIT!  If he just put the bottle behind his back, instead of trying to DRINK THE CLUE FROM THE BOTTLE, then Tyler wouldn't have noticed and attempted to COMPLETELY BLOW UP HIS GAME.

I liked Tyler sooooo much at first, but it was based on NOTHING!  He is the worst!

2.  When somebody calls Jeff to come look at their completed puzzle, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE IDIOTS FROZE IN PLACE to watch what was happening.  Dan called Jeff over two times and was COMPLETELY WRONG!  Just keep working on your fucking puzzle even if somebody else thinks they're finished!

God, Sierra is also the worst!!!!! 

I feel bad for the poster that said right after merge that nobody could call Joe an "immunity threat" after one episode.  😄

 

Edited June 26, 2020 by Ms Blue Jay

[Ms Blue Jay]

On 4/8/2015 at 9:32 PM, escatefromny said:

What the fuck is wrong with Dan?!?!?! Seriously.

Quote of the thread

Edited June 26, 2020 by Ms Blue Jay

[SVNBob]

On 6/26/2020 at 4:13 PM, Ms Blue Jay said:

When somebody calls Jeff to come look at their completed puzzle, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE IDIOTS FROZE IN PLACE to watch what was happening. 

That could have been a rule.  As in: "when solving the final puzzle, if someone calls for me (Peachy) to check their solution, everyone else must stop working on the puzzle until I say if they are right and won, or are wrong and need to start again."

It's a dumb rule, but it could have been one.

[Ms Blue Jay]

I'm watching Season 22 and nobody is following that rule in a challenge with two back to back puzzles, so I don't know.  It could have also not been a rule.

Edited July 6, 2020 by Ms Blue Jay

[ozziemom]

Seems like sometimes Peachy yells for everyone to stop when one player says they are finished, but it’s not consistent.