Great strategising already. Tom and Stephanie, then James Amanda Cirie, although it was interesting that Cirie was fine with getting rid of Amanda when Sugar suggested it around the campfire. Bit strange too - I mean, Cirie knows that that isn't her best strategic move, to go against people she has trusted implicitly in the past. Russell is playing the same strategy as he did in Survivor Samoa mainly because it worked then, it may work now (this was filmed before Survivor Samoa aired on TV, so these Survivors H vs V haven't seen Survivor Samoa at the time of filming). Of course, Parvati was onto him, straight away, but she's pretty smart (and a good flirt). She knows that going against Russell is never a good idea.
Sugar annoyed me the most, I'm happy she was voted off. However, I do agree with you, that from a strategic point of view, it was not a good call. That being said, I'm sure Randy would've agreed with you, given his intense dislike of Sugar on Survivor Gabon. It would have been nice to see some of the alliances broken up early, particularly Tom and Stephanie. To be honest, I see Stephanie making it a long way in this game, however, getting to the Final 5 of so? Nah. Too big of a strategic threat - and she doesn't seem to have -that- many allies in this game already, and we all know how she went when she had no allies in Survivor Palau. Cirie is definitely strategic in her own way, but I'd like to see how she tries in establishes her alliances. This is her third time, and the first two times she's established alliances, she's been on the 'bottom rung' of the alliance. In particular, Survivor Micronesia, Cirie, Amanda and Parvati's alliance had Cirie at the bottom (as was seen when Amanda took Parvati to the final two).
I find it quite amazing that Russell was starstruck. After all, he's quite possibly the best player to have ever played Survivor - which he later says during the episode, however in the helicopter ride, he was all like: "OMG, it's Boston Rob and Parvati" (side note, how could you be starstruck with Parvati, she's like so diminutive, not as much as Courtney, but still....). Although sure, she may be the most masterful flirt that has ever played Survivor, and Boston Rob, one of the more devious ones. It's pretty hilarious that Russell keeps referring to the 'dummies he's used to playing with', which I guess he's referring to his Foa Foa and Aiga tribemates from Survivor Samoa. I think this was filmed before Russell knew that he had lost Survivor Samoa to one of his 'gang of blonde idiots' (or something rather, I remember he said he had an alliance with dumb blondes). Yeah, go Natalie!
Funny/Memorable moments from this episode:
- Russell going: "Google it"
- When Parvati/Courtney/Sandra go: "What did we do that was so bad to deserve being put on the Villains tribe?" So cute. Then Parvati saying she wasn't afraid to take on James. <3
- Parvati getting ripped by Jeff: "Great player, yes. Hero? No" And the look on her face afterwards. <3 Parvati
- Courtney going: "Break her arm", then Stephanie's shoulder got dislocated (omfg, the popping back in was disgusting)
- Coach <3 Jerri. Dragonslayer and Black Widow. Hahhhahahahaha
- Villians being able to start a fire without matches and flint, whilst Heroes failed (initially) to start a fire with flint.
- Total bullshit how Heroes got chickens. I mean...wtf....how lucky are they to just 'happen' to have 4 chickens floating around their camp'
- Colby going: "Losing Sugar.....our tribe would've lost....um...er....nothing".
- TRIBAL COUNCIL AREA - OMG, it's like 40 feet in up the air above the jungle. Sitting up there would've been crazy, especially walking along that plank of bamboo/wood to the voting area. That's way too crazy. And it started raining half way through Tribal Council.
Anyways, my favourites thus far this season?
Noone, really, based on this season. However, from past seasons, I'm rooting for Amanda and Parvati. Especially Parvati.
<3 Parvati.