Editor's note: As the action heats up on the CBS series "Survivor: Samoa," we thought it would be interesting to ask former contestant Erinn Lobdell, the third-place finisher on last season's "Survivor: Tocantins," for her insights on the competition. Erinn, who grew up in Waukesha and now lives and works Downtown, will provide analysis following each episode through the end of the series.
And then, there were six....
In the game of "Survivor," you must plan on a twist. This week's twist was a double-elimination. No reward challenge, just the chance to compete for safety in back-to-back immunity challenges. That should shake things up, right?
This entire season has been the Russell show. Love him or hate him, one must agree that he has truly been running the game since Day 1 in Samoa. He has mastered the fine art of planting seeds of doubt, playing on emotions and even on people's good faith. Russell has become a master manipulator, maybe the best ever, but here is my question to you: is it getting old?
It is fascinating to watch Russell in action, they way he can bob and weave though this rough terrain. It's almost as though the very second he makes a decision to take another player out, votes fall from the sky, the same way that idols seem to fall into his pocket. Every week, the show's producers do a decent job of keeping us guessing, but when it comes right down to it, I think we all know that by the end of each episode, things will go Russell's way. Its sort of boring now.
Last night, I was ready for a change. Mick and Jaison, two great players, both seemed to be ready to jump ship, each for different reasons. Mick is very concerned, with good reason, that Russell will take him out before Day 39. Jaison seems certain Russell will take him to the finals, though he is concerned, with good reason, that the jury will vote based on gameplay rather than likability or need and he won't have a case on which to stand.
Was I the only one at home last night screaming at my television for these two to have this conversation with EACH OTHER, as opposed to anyone else who would listen? How is it even possible that the other players aren't using this to drive a wedge between the Foa Foa alliance? The castaways have six days left to make something happen. The world has loved watching Russell, but do we want to watch him win?
