It's Been A While

Greetings all -- it's been a while since my last update. Truth be told, before the end of the season last fall I was too fed up with hanging out on the sidelines. Then I took off for a two month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia. Now that I'm back, it's time to drum up some more enthusiasm for the cause. Let me know if you have any ideas!

Thanks,
Ian

Judd, Judd, Judd

If there's one thing that irks me the most, its hypocrisy. Judd reeks of it. It drips from his brow like sweat. Here's a guy who has consistely lied throughout the entire season: about who he's going to vote off, about the location of the immunity idol, about pretty much everything. And yet he somehow doesn't see it. He lives in his own little world where he is the only stalwart, honest Survivor competitor, and everyone else is mired in their own chase for the "cheese" or "nut" or whatever Judd calls the million dollar prize.

Then on Thursday's tribal council, Judd cast vote for Lydia, and even delivers a memorable quip while hholding up the paper: "You danced and sang your way right outta the jungle," he says. (Remember this is after he asked Lydia not to vote for him). And then when its his number that up he has the audacity to call the other tribe members "scumbags" and still claim he never told a lie. At the final council he will likely vent his hypocritical rage again. I can't wait.

Missed Out

Sorry haven't updated in a while. Missed commenting on Bobby Jon and Jamie getting the boot. Bobby Jon was certainly fun to have around, but Jamie was definitely losing it and had to go. I wrote on my own Survivor case that I wouldn't be one of those Survivors to slowly lose their sanity, and Jamie was a perfect example of what I was talking about. Ah well. I suppose it could've been worse. (Remember whats-his-name from Marquesas I think...that guy with the machete who everyone thought was going to try and hack them up?) Anyway, enough for now.

Episode 8 - Putting the "Ass" in Class

Wow, what a great episode. I think it was probably one of my favourite in a while. They appeared to let the scenes really run their course as the Survivors waged a moral battle against themselves: to vote off good-guy Brandon, or remain loyal to big-mouth Jamie.

The food challenge was absolute genious. Leave it to the Survivor producers to come up with something so obviously geared to stir the pot and reveal just how comfortable some contestants feel they are in the game. Jamie obvously fell into this trap (though the chicken wings and wine probably loosened his tongue somewhat). Anyway, at the vote I was disheartened to see Brandon go -- obviously the better man -- but it makes sense for the other Suvivors to keep Jamie around, even take him to the final two because everyone else would never give him the million.

Episode 7 - Bobby Jon, That's Just Nasty

Once again, I lament the fact my VCR failed last time and I didn't get to see Judd's ranting at Margaret. Of the short clips they played before this week's episode, it looked like he was the height of petty maliciousness (including that leering smile he gave after Margaret recieved the verdict). I'm sure Judd is probably a big "teddy bear" when he's not bitter and half-starved in the jungle, as in this case.

Anyway this episode showed once again the toll this Survivor is taking on the Surviviors. Those were some nasty looking bruises and scabs from last week's challenge. I don't think any of the previous contestants have looked that beaten up and raw before. Starved, sure, but not festering masses of sweaty, human limbs? The best part was when Bobby Jon was floating in the pool and little fish were eating the white, floaty parts of his shoulder scabs. Bobby Jon, in return, would try to catch one of them in his house. Darwinism baby, survival of the fittest.

The vote was pretty straight forward. Amy didn't have the alliance numbers to keep her in the game, plus her ankle was hurt and she was starting to give idle threats to Gary. I bet she's sitting at home cursing Gary for lying to her as we speak. Better change your name and your address Gary, lest she eventually finds you out and puts you on the FBI's 'most wanted' list for fun.

Episode 6 - Why VCR's Are Extinct

Well unfortunately for some inexplicable reason, the VCR I was using to tape the show (yes, I still have a VCR) suddenly cut out halfway through the episode. And I didn't realize it until I sat down to watch it last night.

Anyway the tape did go as far as Jamie and Bobby Jon screaming at each other like crazed gorillas in the jungle. That wasn't as big an event as the preview clips led the audience to believe -- as if it was about to come to blows. I can't help but wonder what the actual monkeys are thinking as they lounge up in the trees while the 'higher evolved' humans push a giant ball around below.

And it's too bad I missed the trible council because I hear Judd really let loose on Margaret. I still can't understand why Judd called out the immunity puzzle 'ANCIENT RUIN' like 4 times (just in case Rafe didn't hear him). Either way, Brian and Margaret said goodbye.

Episode 5 - The Big Rope Embarassment

I love how Judd defends his treachery at the beginning of the episode. He talks about how the game is "cutthroat" and how each contestant has to do whatever they can to get ahead. Then he says the only thing that matters is the "love of his family." Now that's all fine and good, but what does that have to do with Survivor? I think Judd is just trying hard to justify his actions to himself.

Oh, the challenge! The reward challenge had to be one of the best the show has ever come up with (mostly for the go cart ride at the end). Too bad one tribe didn't make it past the first step. Jamie, as much as I feel bad for him, that was an embarassment. Yet I wonder why no one on his team told him to stop sawing the rope when it became obvious it was about as effective as using a butterknife.

And then afterwards by the dock, Judd is suddenly all about the team, and how they can't place blame because a team "doesn't work like that." Make up your mind Judd. Stephanie is really coming out as a bitter person these days. Attacking Bobby John for his "feminine" qualities will not win her popularity points.

The immunity challenge was pretty good, though I'm surprised the tribes weren't more aggresive in pushing each other out of the way. At the vote, "frat-boy" Blake was booted off, much to his surprise, considering BJ and Danni went against their alliance. Guess it's not much of a penalty when Blake can head back to his self-professed "DD girlfriend." If that's all you need in life Blake, then go gettem.