Survivor 26: Caramoan Pool & Discussion (Fans VS Favorites)

[CaptainCrunch]

Marry me!

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by $ven27

Disagree with Dawn, all she's done is rat out Malcolm's master plan and cry. She's done 0 strategizing and nothing in the the challenges.
I think Reynold's a player though, he was the only reason his tribe had a chance at the beginning and he's been active with making alliances and trying to make big moves.

She's secured herself a position in a majority sub-alliance in a majority alliance. How well she played to get that position could be argued as we don't really know exactly how it formed. But once she got into it all she should be focusing on is making sure nothing major occurs. Twice now someone has tried to make a big move, twice Dawn has been the biggest reason it didn't work.

Corrine was an idiot telling Dawn, but she did exactly what she had to do - inform the others. The second time she played Malcolm and his alliance. Up until Phillip said anything in Tribal Council they thought she was on her side, despite screwing them over a mere couple days earlier.

Forming social bonds, making alliances, gaining trust, gathering information, making the right moves, pretty much the blueprint of being a good survivor. Dawn's done all that without making too many enemies or making herself a huge threat - she might be playing the best game right now.

Reynolds formed a very obvious 4 person alliance in a 10 person tribe, anyone who doesn't understand why that's a bad idea doesn't deserve to be called a survivor. Waste a couple immunity idols along the way, and he challenges Shamar for worst player this season. Only way he redeems himself, in my opinion, is making final 3.

[Cheese]

Brilliant tribal tonite...don't miss it. One of the best ever.

[trackercowe]

Yep great episode, even if I'm not exactly thrilled that Phillip was voted out. I love how quickly Erik was willing to switch sides at tribal. The guy is just so damn wishywashy and untrustworthy, I hope he goes soon.

At least Phillip was willing to fall on his own sword though, it was an honorable exit for him.

[Rhettzky]

Wow. That was awesome! Could be a game changer if the guys can pull some people out of that alliance now that Phillip is gone.

[Oling_Roachinen]

I think their idea was wasted. Big move by Malcolm to give up his idol, but accomplished what? Got out an obvious goat on that alliance and it's still 6-3. Hell, the other alliance can still split their vote. Seemed far too personal of a vote than a strategic one.

Lot of game to be played, and maybe they're confident they can draw in Erik and Brenda now to make it 5-4, despite failing that already. I don't know.

I feel like a simple "Hey Cochran, we have 3 idols, you're going home" before tribal would have actually flipped the game upside down. Unlike Phillip, Cochran's not an idiot and would have scurried to save himself. That actually has the potential of breaking up that alliance as everyone scrambles to figure out who to throw under the bus. Andrea and Dawn have already shown paranoia so leak it that they could actually be the target and let them react. And as much Sherri hates the other guys she can't think she has a comfortable position in her new alliance while Erik showed he was willing to write down "Fillup."

Get enough people riled up to protect themselves and they're not going to be happy following through a plan that likely means throwing their vote away. That would give them the real potential of keeping their idols. Or at least some true fallout after the votes have been read, now what? There's a single mystery vote for Phillip that likely gets outed quickly and doesn't mean too much really.

Also would have liked to see Reynold's face when Malcolm told him he had an idol last tribal.

[SilverGS]

Great move by the trio but if anyone actually flips to them they would have to be crazy. They have already proven to be a super tight triumvirate bromance and anyone who joins them will only guarantee themselves 4th and 5th. You can't possibly think you can join them and hope you win the immunity challenge will those 3 in the running.

The 6 definitely has fractures that say Sherry could exploit by staying with them once the three amigos are gone but I couldn't say the same if she joined them to go against the current majority alliance. Andrea seems to have quite the target on her and Eric flips flops all the time. If the 6 don't stick together I think those 3 are te final 3.

[3 Justin 3]

What an episode. Once again my boy pulls out a big move.

It seems that Brenda wanted Andrea out, or maybe it was just her asking for Andrea's opinion on who to vote out.

Either way, unless the 3 Amigos can get 2 people to flip they will still be picked off unless they can win challenges until the end which would really only leave 1 left anyway. I will say that if the 3 Amigos were to be the final 3, then some amazing episodes of survivor are coming up in the next 5/6 weeks.

Sherri and Erik are totally useless, but they can't be stupid enough to join Malcolm et al. Brenda won't flip and Dawn is inching closer and closer to a mental house so I don't think she flips. No way in hell Cochrane flips as he thinks "guy power" and even protein are silly.

I could actually see Andrea flipping since she seems to be the only one who actually likes hanging out with the Amigos. Plus she has to figure that her tribe will try and target her first and like I said above, if Brenda was asking Dawn to vote for Andrea rather than her opinion, Reynold was right behind Brenda and Dawn and would have heard it and he'll use that to bring Andrea to them. If Andrea does flip then Sherri and Erik will follow within seconds.

[CaptainCrunch]

It was a fun tribal council, though it showed how much power that Phillip had over that alliance that they still voted his way for the most part.

It was the only move available to them, playing the two idols, but you can bet that there will be a mad race to find the idols again as they became a game changer last night.

The person to bring out of the alliance is really Andrea, she's always feeling targeted so play that up, Cochrane might might might admire that big move enough to make a big move of his own, he is going to need to control his alliance.

The biggest problem now is that Reynolds, Eddie and Malcolm are the biggest challenge threat in the game.

[D to the iddy]

That was an extremely entertaining tribal council! It almost felt like the 3 Amigos did it like that just to be entertaining, not for a solid game move. If you really didn't care who went home (and why would you? Whoever it is, you're in the same spot) then I think Malcolm should have said "I'm voting for Philip, Eddie's voting for Cochran, Reynold's voting for Erik. You guys can all vote according to that" but then have all 3 would still vote for Philip. That way you see some massive scrambling and get to see what people truly think. Clearly Andrea is on the outs, and Brenda is in more of a power position than previously thought.

I think Andrea should be an easy flip, and then Erik might be the second best bet but I don't think he's the smartest cat out there so who knows if he actually will. Everyone else will be tougher to flip. The easiest way to flip them might be have all 3 Amigos go up individually and promise them a Final 3 saying "I can't beat the other two boys in the finals". That way they Andrea/Erik think they have 3 separate Final 3 deals.

Lastly, I am very weary of that scene with Brenda rescuing Dawn's retainer. It seemed way too emotional for me and makes me think that one of those two are going to pull a massive blindside on the other. Brenda's "This makes me trust Dawn whole-heartedly now" was a little too much of a set-up in my opinion.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by D to the iddy

That was an extremely entertaining tribal council! It almost felt like the 3 Amigos did it like that just to be entertaining, not for a solid game move. If you really didn't care who went home (and why would you? Whoever it is, you're in the same spot) then I think Malcolm should have said "I'm voting for Philip, Eddie's voting for Cochran, Reynold's voting for Erik. You guys can all vote according to that" but then have all 3 would still vote for Philip. That way you see some massive scrambling and get to see what people truly think. Clearly Andrea is on the outs, and Brenda is in more of a power position than previously thought.

I think Andrea should be an easy flip, and then Erik might be the second best bet but I don't think he's the smartest cat out there so who knows if he actually will. Everyone else will be tougher to flip. The easiest way to flip them might be have all 3 Amigos go up individually and promise them a Final 3 saying "I can't beat the other two boys in the finals". That way they Andrea/Erik think they have 3 separate Final 3 deals.

Lastly, I am very weary of that scene with Brenda rescuing Dawn's retainer. It seemed way too emotional for me and makes me think that one of those two are going to pull a massive blindside on the other. Brenda's "This makes me trust Dawn whole-heartedly now" was a little too much of a set-up in my opinion.

Pretty much think that Malcom alluded to playing all three idols not making a difference in the game, but if he can wreck that powergroup on the way out he was all for it.

[GreenLantern]

Well they took out Phillip, the problem is Phillip was just a figure head, and Malcolm should have known this. It seems like way too personal of a vote for the game of Survivor. On the flip side I don't see the other strategic vote, outside of maybe Cochrane as he is the most strategic player left. But it seems like everyone loves him, maybe that is more reason to vote him out?

Either way one of the best tribals I have seen in a while, very entertaining. The writing is on the wall for those 3, I would start making the case to the remaining 6 that hey, you can get 1 of us out a week, but odds are one of us 3 is going to win immunity and/or find the hidden immunity idol. When it's down to that situation again be it 1 or 2 or 3 of us immune from the vote, who do you think they will target this time? Will anyone take the bullet like Phillip did?

Then approach the ones who are on the alliance bottom and say, vote with us because you know that if it comes to this situation you are the next out. Pretty much their only chance.

But it is a long shot..

[Cheese]

Im surprised that Malcolm let the group know so early in tribal. If it was me I would have played the surprise card and handed the idol over after the votes were completed. Much greater shock value.
Andrea and Erik will move alliances now for sure...should be interesting next week.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Im surprised that Malcolm let the group know so early in tribal. If it was me I would have played the surprise card and handed the idol over after the votes were completed. Much greater shock value.
Andrea and Erik will move alliances now for sure...should be interesting next week.

Maybe so, but the whole point of playing it early was to cause panic and possibly split up the alliance.

If he waits until the vote is over then he can't plant the seed of doubt in the alliance. Fear and paranoia is what you need to split up a tight alliance, so he had to play it early.

[Stay Golden]

Phillip was his own demise such a wack job. Odd how yet another immunity gets thrown into the game by the producers and the idol just found its way into Malcolm's hands.
The girls appeared to be looking right at it, almost hinting

Dawn drove me nuts, enough blubbing to last the rest of the season. I get that she was upset about losing her denture though but beyond that enough already.
I sped through most of it after we got home from game last night so i missed most of the game conversation.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Well they took out Phillip, the problem is Phillip was just a figure head, and Malcolm should have known this. It seems like way too personal of a vote for the game of Survivor. On the flip side I don't see the other strategic vote, outside of maybe Cochrane as he is the most strategic player left. But it seems like everyone loves him, maybe that is more reason to vote him out?

Either way one of the best tribals I have seen in a while, very entertaining. The writing is on the wall for those 3, I would start making the case to the remaining 6 that hey, you can get 1 of us out a week, but odds are one of us 3 is going to win immunity and/or find the hidden immunity idol. When it's down to that situation again be it 1 or 2 or 3 of us immune from the vote, who do you think they will target this time? Will anyone take the bullet like Phillip did?

Then approach the ones who are on the alliance bottom and say, vote with us because you know that if it comes to this situation you are the next out. Pretty much their only chance.

But it is a long shot..

With Phillip gone even though his alliance tolerated his ego and strange nature. Strangely i think he kept them together. I bet 1/2 of them scatter and there will be possibly 3 separate groups formed or at least 2 others jump ship to Malcolm etc.
Cochrane could be the one that forms a new alliance he has the brains and experience to pull it off.

[CaptainCrunch]

Cochrane has been really efficient at sitting in the weeds and occassionally throwing in some pretty sage advice.

He's pulling the strings of that alliance from the shadows, something he didn't do well in the last game.

He's positioned himself really well for a final 3 vote if he gets there, but to get there he's going to have to split someones throat and decide who to drag there that's unlikable.

right now, the jury is evenly split between the spys are us or whatever they are versus the outcasts. But the jury is going to be loaded with the Phillip alliance which does make any more tough.

[SilverGS]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Im surprised that Malcolm let the group know so early in tribal. If it was me I would have played the surprise card and handed the idol over after the votes were completed. Much greater shock value.
Andrea and Erik will move alliances now for sure...should be interesting next week.

Maybe Erik mights since he doesn't seem to think things through but I would imagine Andrew is smart enough to realize she is on the bottom for sure with those 3 versus having at least some hope with the current 6. Unless you become the new Phillip and cause everyone to really dislike you and want to bring you to the final 3 just for that reason.

First person to flip will probably alienate the others quite a bit and they would ultimately be the ones on the jury. I think Andrea's best bet is to keep the 6 together to get the 3 amigos out since if she can get to the final 3 she probably has a vote or 2 with those guys having hung out with them more than the others in her current alliance. If she gets to the final 3 with a couple of the 3 amigos her current alliance would probably roast her.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Cochrane has been really efficient at sitting in the weeds and occassionally throwing in some pretty sage advice.

He's pulling the strings of that alliance from the shadows, something he didn't do well in the last game.

He's positioned himself really well for a final 3 vote if he gets there, but to get there he's going to have to split someones throat and decide who to drag there that's unlikable.

right now, the jury is evenly split between the spys are us or whatever they are versus the outcasts. But the jury is going to be loaded with the Phillip alliance which does make any more tough.

Honestly if I am anyone on that alliance the one person I want with me at the end is Sherri. She has done absolutely nothing all game and is also a bitch. I could see her spazzing out like she did on Eddie earlier in the season when people start attacking her lack of game play. Essentially ruining any chances of actually receiving votes.. unless the jury is very bitter. The other person I would want with me is either Brenda, Erik or Dawn. Erik and Brenda because it can be argued their strategic play was in the negative, and Dawn because she is one more break down short of the loony bin. Self destruct final tribal from Sherri and Dawn and Cochrane or Andrea run away with this.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Honestly if I am anyone on that alliance the one person I want with me at the end is Sherri. She has done absolutely nothing all game and is also a bitch. I could see her spazzing out like she did on Eddie earlier in the season when people start attacking her lack of game play. Essentially ruining any chances of actually receiving votes.. unless the jury is very bitter. The other person I would want with me is either Brenda, Erik or Dawn. Erik and Brenda because it can be argued their strategic play was in the negative, and Dawn because she is one more break down short of the loony bin. Self destruct final tribal from Sherri and Dawn and Cochrane or Andrea run away with this.

Cochrane, Andrea, Malcolm and Reynold are the real threats to win the game. Dawn could be classed that way sort of because she's played the game.

The rest Erick, Sherri, Dawn, Eddie, Brenda really aren't.

Watching last night Sherri was so completely worthless and effortless in the reward challenge that my jaw dropped. She had a strong relationship with Phillip but not with anyone else, she's the weak spot that Malcolm,Eddie and Reynold should target. If you can get Dawn to switch sides then Brenda or whatever her name is comes with the package.

I think that everyone knows that Cochrane is the biggest threat strategically, Malcolm is the biggest threat challenges wise.

Those two have to be wearing a bullseye going forward.