Survivor Philippines (yes, there will be spoilers) (Page 13)

The idea that Abi could do the math (especially sleep/food deprived) to know what each player had, never going to happen.    I think she made the right choice and it worked out for her, she got some lamb shank and new rice & beans to share.   Her fake idol presentation was a total joke, if the tribe didn't see through that they are just as dumb as her.  She was very lucky.

I think they all went for the food just like they all quit immunity challenges if they feel safe - each person assumed they would be staying and therefore food was mission #1.   Usually only one or two will stick it out to try to beat the person they want out.  Only in a rare case, when a tribe really wanted someone out, did they pull together to take away an advantage.    Normally I find the auction really frustrating, but I liked this one because everyone got something.  I think it's my socialist side.

I wonder if Denise's approach will kick her in the end.   Malcolm is playing a much better social game.    How did Skupin end up in the top?   Weird.

Lisa is lame, it's true.  Although, she admits it.  It's kind of funny, actually, that she is outright saying she sucks but they still keep dragging her along. I find it hard to fault her.

But we are also only talking $80 here... and that was $80 she paid to not have to do math... that was probably a good move.

I know they say they pick the challenges ahead of time but that seemed like the perfect time for Abi to miss the first round and the perfect type of challenge for her to in the last round. There is no way she would have made it past the first round if she had to compete.

The only thing I thought was weird about that challenge is that TYPICALLY when they have a "go along the rope" challenge...they either carry that theme through all rounds or there is a puzzle at the end.  The end part did seem to be an odd addition to that challenge.  Just untie a bunch of knots and climb up and down?  Not exceptionally challenging actually.  In fact, until they started doing the third stage I didn't even REALIZE it wasn't another "go along the rope" challenge!

And another thing... the little conversation between Abi and Penner.

Who gets raked over the coals, told they basically are a mean idiot... then demands a apology? Who does that... I mean besides Abi? She really does have some ego/security issues.

Oh... and Carter... that was a no brainer decision to get the beans and rice. But then he hooks them up a second time. That was a great move by him, I just don't know how much favor it will get him. But I would have done the same to be a "team player".

Carter was pretty worthless in the beginning, but he has been real tough in all the challenges. He can definitely throw a wrench into the "alliance of 4". Heck, he could knock Malcolm out if it comes down to a decision and Malcolm does not have his idol.

Malcolm is in the driver seat, but he obviously has to have the biggest target on his back too. One slip and he is gone.

Now that we're down to 6, numbers get hard to come by.  Someone in the alliance of 4 is #4.  That person could gain by jumping onto the boat with Carter/Abi...except that 3 v 3 results in a tie at tribal and that's never good.  So I have to say that at this point you really need a PAIR to switch sides.  So you start arguing the "who do you want to go up against in the final 3" point.  Carter/Abi's only move is to try to get Lisa/Skupin to come over saying that no one could beat either Denise or Malcolm in the final 3.  This will prove difficult because Lisa has the "I gave my word" complex.  Skupin was ALMOST there last night, but he knew he had to get Penner out and might not have another chance.  So, he could be an easy target to pull over...whether he can convince Lisa is another story entirely.  And now  you don't gain much of a mathematical PLACEMENT advantage by switching.  A two person alliance in one group of four really gains nothing by switching to another group of four...EXCEPT advantage in the people they sit next to at the final.

It's getting down to where Malcolm would have to play the idol soon if he wants to since it's only good until day XX...can't remember the day but I'm pretty sure the latest you can use it is to get into the final 4 (speaking of which...nerves of steel not playing it last night...again...he's dangerous like that).  I'm not sure use of the idol at this point can do much of anything in the way of blindsiding UNLESS Skupin and Lisa flip...then Malcolm could play his idol to get whomever he and Denise want out if the other four vote for either Malcolm or Denise...but Malcolm would have to guess right or it would be disaster.

So, honestly...based on the pairs that are close to each other at this point...it can only go one of two ways....

Not much talk yet about the preview for next week...it's the family visit apparently!  Did anyone catch why Malcolm thinks his little bro will cost him the game?  I didn't hear exactly what his bro said.

They really didn't play what the guy said, more of the reactions. So we will see.

Bad thing about Carter is he does not know he is not in the "4". I'm sure he thinks he is tight with Denise and Malcolm. And he has beat Malcolm in challenges and probably thinks he has a good shot against him. So I don't know if you can get him to switch.

But Skupin already said what he wants... get Denise and take Malcolm's vote. I seriously doubt Malcolm would give Denise his idol. Not if votes were split and everyone knew... in secret Malcolm could use it for a blind side, but that is a tough sell right now.

As far as Malcolm and Denise, I'm not sure who you take out... Skupin or Lisa if you "had" to. Lisa is too "dangerous" because you do not know which way the wind is going to blow, you keep Skupin hoping the jury does not vote for a returning player?

Still, great season!

Hmmm...after last night, how can Carter NOT know he's not in the 4?  He, Penner, and Abi voted for Denise...everyone else voted for Penner.  If that doesn't make it obvious I don't know what does?????

Jeff can't spoil someones game BUT...  and maybe I have the luxery of knowing, but I don't think I would believe her.  She oversold it and her acting was pathetic/comical.

Malcom also called it earlier.  It was a challange advantage, or a clue to an idol.  It wouldn't be both.  The whole "there are two parts to the message, blah blah blah..."  then tear it up like someone could get to it?  Too theatrical.  That's contrary to what ANYONE does with a clue - they hide that they have it.

I wouldn't believe her for a second.

Oh, and the producers LOVE getting her!  I almost fell off the couch with her dramatic "slap" of the vote and statement about being the judge of Denise.  What a grand exit/performance!.. to just say "oh, I can fold this better" struggle with it.  So much for a powerful closing statement!

It was said, but Lisa's crying and wishy washy is getting old.  As in I'm done with it.  Penner's biggest mistake was not commiting to an aliance - even if it was just talk.  At least he realized it.

I don't blame her.  She wanted it BAD, and that's ALL she wanted.  Just scream out $500 and be done with it.

YES, I know if she thought it out.  But sometimes, why make the effort to save 40 bucks...  No reason.

My question is, IF someone else had 500 as well, what would they do for a tie?

I totally missed that.  I wasn't paying attention at the end with showing the votes. Well darn, good for him. He's trying.

At this point Abi won't win, and I can't see Lisa getting many votes. Malcolm, Denise, Carter, and Skupin are very very much alive.

There is no tie... who ever says it first buys it.

That's why I say, if you want it, buy it.

But in odd luck... Abi did get the advantage, AND she ate veal and has beans and rice thanks to Carter... so she is eating.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING!  Seriously!  The first two are strength and agility and she is too dumb to answer questions so would need to carry 10% more weight most likely...

But she get's to the final round and it's untieing KNOTS????  What?  It would be an anticlimatic final round no matter who was in it.

I really don't know about Carter...strategy/game wise he really hasn't done ANYTHING...

She got the question right...she wasn't carrying any extra weight!  So...she at least got her one question correct...

I never would have picked Denise as the one to get two questions wrong.  You just never know.

I still say it wouldn't have been very hard for her to at least realize she was the ONLY one with $500 still...at that point you KNOW you don't have to shout $500.  If you are the only one with $500 you can outbid them all.

She might have just been springloaded in her head to say $500 as soon as the word "advantage" was heard.  I mean, if the producers REALLY wanted drama they should have put the advantage earlier...you would have had several players shouting for it if it had come out early.

I don't think you needed to see the end of the show.  That was the theme.  Penner, Abi, Carter and they were trying to pull Lisa who said she was commited, and then Skupin...

Honestly, I think Penner gave up on Lisa too soon.  He should have promised her the world to get her vote.  She SAID she wanted him there, but only was voting with Skupin because of a promise to them.  People flip all the time, tell her it's part of the game and go with her heart.

Oh, the other mistake?  Penner telling Skupin that Lisa was not flipping.  That just gave Skupin more confidence to stick with voting out Penner if he knew Lisa was for sure with him (she seems to be the only wildcard in that group).

I sort of think Skupid should have flipped.  Now is the time you think about who goes on the jury.  I think Malcom and Denise AND Lisa are level headed enough to STILL give you the money even if you flip on them because they know it's a game.  So I would feel "safer" voting them out and still getting their vote rather than an Abi or Penner (even though Penner knows it's a game too).

Personally I think a knot-untying challenge favors women...smaller fingers/hands.

I have the same thought.

That is EXACTLY what it was.  I don't she paid any mind to food, money spent or anything.  Just was poised to hear "clue/advantage" when it was half way out of Jeff's mouth and scream $500.  Smart move.  It was her only chance to stay in the game, so I would probably do the same thing (well, I WOULD have kept track of money spent - I think. but an anytime if I felt I had doubt?  I would yell $500).

I agree...if she'd lost track then she would have no choice but to spring load to $500.

Well I saw Penner tell Carter and Abi it was Denise... but it was my take he was playing like that was the vote, not that they were all in an alliance and voting against the other one.

Penner was just trying to "play it honest" because that was all he had, so he was on the up and up about it all so they could trust him and they would vote who they vote. He has been playing that way all along with his neck on the line.