Survivor – Going, going, gone

Okay, I really want to know why Tarzan keeps voting with the women! Why aren’t the Survivor producers letting us see those conversations that he’s obviously having with Kim or Chelsea? His votes now just seem completely random without the context, so it would be really interesting to see what kinds of promises have been made in order to secure his vote … especially after he came up in second place this week at Tribal to be voted out! Seeing a little of the wheeling and dealing between him and the women would certainly liven things up a bit.

That’s not to say that this week’s show was dull. The focus, of course, was on Troyzan (yes, I guess I have to call him that since that’s how he referred to himself all night), his attempt to question Christina on why she’s voting with a group that would have put her out long ago had it still been men vs women, his verbal sparring with Chelsea and Sabrina, and his general Alpha Male attitude now that he’s backed into a corner. Is it strategy to try to intimidate his opponents, or has he just become desperately out-of-control? I know he’s annoying the heck out of the women (and Tarzan), but I think he’s working more on intimidation than simple island madness.

He certainly put his plan into motion when the tribe learned they would be participating in the Island Auction. Everyone seemed focused on what kind of food they could buy, but Troyzan actually knows the game and knew that there would be something there to help him either locate another hidden immunity idol, or give him an advantage in the next immunity challenge. While the women were busy buying donuts and iced coffee, chips, guacamole and a margarita, a shower with shampoo and a toothbrush, a BLT with chips and iced tea (and Kat was surprised that her BLT had bacon on it!), and peanut butter and chocolate (which Kim ate in her shower), and a strawberry shortcake (for the whole tribe), Leif was the only man to buy anything – a protein shake and two bananas. Tarzan held on to his $500 so he could buy new shocks for his Jeep (they get to keep the money they don’t spend?), and Alicia spent her $500 on a letter from home … which moved Tarzan so much that he also bought his letter at the same price. Who didn’t spend any money? Christina and Troyzan.

But, Jeff pulled out the mysterious package that contained an advantage at the next immunity challenge. Troyzan started the bidding, and the women basically forced Christina to engage in a bidding war with him … but she opted to quit at $400, giving Troyzan the win with $420. Did Troyzan get through to Christina back at camp about her position within the tribe? Did she want him to get the advantage? We’ll never know, because those kinds of important pieces of information are always left on the editing room floor. Whatever her reason, Troyzan made a very good purchase at $420 (why he didn’t just bid $500 off the bat is also a mystery — was he also hoping to buy a slice of pizza afterwards?) because he got to advance to the second stage of the three-part immunity challenge, and ended up going head-to-head with Tarzan, of all people! It was close, but Troyzan was the victor. Could he reunite the Manono V2 tribe and score some votes to take out Kim?

This was the week for a huge move, and Troy worked Tarzan, Leif, Christina and Alicia to vote with him for Kim. Alicia pondered whether this was the right time to make that kind of a move (hint: IT IS!), and even with Troyzan playing the numbers game of their five against the other four women, they could take all the power players out and go much further in the game than they would have otherwise. Again, stupidity reigns supreme as the women (and Tarzan) split their vote between Leif and TARZAN (moron), while Leif and Troyzan are the only two two vote for Kim. I can’t say that Leif really deserved to stay much longer, but unless the women really start to fall apart next week, and unless Troyzan or Tarzan wins immunity till the end, we’re looking at an all-woman final three. Of course, it will get interesting once the women have to start turning on each other … and how long Kim can retain control once they get rid of the last men standing.

Clacked by Chuck Duncan
on Apr 18, 2012 @ 22:01 EST5EDT