Several of this season's Survivor contenders appear not to have ever watched this game before. How else do you explain the fact that last week's episode was dedicated entirely to three players whining that another player had the audacity to swap alliances and reverse his strategy, as if Jonathan were the most duplicitous Survivor player in history.

Can we expect more moaning and complaining this week?

Pre-Credit sequence. Jonathan returns to camp still smarting from some of the low blows delivered by the dwindling Greek Row alliance at Tribal Council. Although he doesn't take kindly to being called a "rat" and a "cancer" by Adam, Parvati and the departed Candice, he refuses to let those spoiled kids harsh his back-stabbing buzz.

Thumb's down. Parvati, sensing she may be on the verge of elimination, decides to do a little bit of work around the camp. Bad idea, Parvati. A mis-wielded machete leaves her with a cleft-thumb, a deep gash through her nail. The Survivor medical scene rushes to the scene for the first time since they were called upon to unclog Bruce's bowels last season. They give the shell-shocked Parvati some stitching and some local anesthetic and, in the process, gross Adam out. "There's something about finger nails falling off that really bothers me," he admits.

Reward challenge. Parvati is instructed not to get her thumb too wet, which isn't good, given that the Reward Challenge requires some measure of dousing. But the prize is worth it -- the winner goes to a nearby island for a picnic with the locals and gets to send somebody to Exile Island. In addition, the contestants are joined by loved ones. Hugs and tears are exchanged before the castaways have to actively partner with their special guests. The players are blindfolded and toss buckets of water at their visitors. I don't have a clue how it happens, but Parvati and her dad Mike top Jonathan and his wife. Who needs two good thumbs? She also doesn't hesitate to send Jonathan to Exile Island. Parvati's pops gets to invite two other survivors and their kin to join them. He goes first with Sundra and her mom. Then, perhaps sensing his daughter's natural attraction to pretty-boys, he taps Adam and his doppelganger dad.

Family = Happiness, Solitude = Bitterness. Parvati's giddy to have won a challenge, figuring this proves she still has a chance in the game. Adam's giddy to have his dad George around, because George is his best friend. Sundra's mom instantly begins backseat wood collecting, but Sundra doesn't mind. She's giddy too. Meanwhile, Ozzie's bitter that he's fed Parvati and Adam for weeks, letting them get strong enough to win the challenge. The winners head off to collect their prize, which comes with a native escort to a lovely cave, where they take part in a religious ceremony that involves splashing around in a fresh pool. Then they visit the island's Kentucky Fried Chicken and devour poultry, corn and biscuits and revel in gluttony.

Let them not eat cake. Ozzie was serious about not wanting to feed Greek Row. There's a plan afoot to keep catching food, but to hide it from Adam and Parvati. This feels like another Survivor first, a provider actually attempting to starve out his rivals.

Fine. Let them eat whatever they want. Ozzie's deprivation plan lasts around five minutes until the winners bring leftover corn and biscuits and meatloaf back to the camp. This makes Becky and Ozzie feel bad. The only thing nobody feels bad about is Jonathan's absence.

Immunity. There's an obstacle course over the water and as we've discovered so many times this season, anything that requires swimming and balance automatically gives Ozzie a huge advantage. Only Yul is vaguely in his league, but Ozzie's margin of victory is still massive. Adam and Parvati express concern at their chances of survival. Jonathan seems confident. Fool.

Everybody hates Jonathan. The King Rat's presence at the campfire kills conversation and Jonathan recognizes that something may have shifted around camp. Although Sundra and Becky insist -- without looking him in the eye -- that everything is still cool, Jonathan knows it's desperation time. "I feel like I'm kind of like the Godfather arranging a hit on somebody," Yul says before swearing to Jonathan that he'll do whatever he can do keep him around, but if he can't, he won't. Jonathan insists that he isn't a threat to immunity and he saved Yul's hide, but the Godfather and Ozzie agree that it's either Jonathan or Adam going home.

Tribal council. Candice, who cleans up well, shows up with the jury, prompting Adam to lick his lips and grin like a lunatic. Then, everybody spends a while talking about how much they enjoyed their Jonathan-free days. Adam goes on a rant about how Jonathan doesn't deserve to be in the game anymore because he lacks sufficient integrity. Adam is a moron. Jonathan argues that he earned the right to be there. But apparently decisions were made that the editors didn't want to show us for the sake of drama. As the third vote against Jonathan is read, Adam gets a smug look and leers at Candice. She smiles widely, obviously forgetting that she'll be stuck with Jonathan for the next week-plus.

Was voting Jonathan off the right move? What did you think of Ozzie's starvation plan?

Comments

I think voting off Jonathan was a bad move. He was one more man in Yul's alliance and that's always a good thing. He also obviously couldn't switch back because Adam and Parvati didn't trust him. As Yul noted earlier he was a good person to bring to the final two because people didn't like him. Not that it's deserved, he only did what any other smart player would do to save his skin. He deserved to stay longer than Adam and Parvati.

andream | Dec 8, 2006 2:39:42 AM | #

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I second the bad move vote. It is in Yul and Becky's best interests to bring Jonathan along as long as possible. Even to the final 2, against whoever (Becky or Yul, IMO) gets in.
No one will vote for Jonathan. The vote would automatically go to whoever he is up against.
Silly Survivors, Tricks are for Kids.

Mavourneen | Dec 8, 2006 7:59:16 AM | #

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fools, they are all fools, why haven't these people learned survivor rule #1- do not change a well thought out well working plan-there is no reason that parvati or adam should return to camp-jonathan is not a threat-he may be annoying-but not a threat-if yul's allience breaks down it's his own fault...

lurch0773 | Dec 8, 2006 8:16:39 AM | #

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I totally agree that it is a bad move. They should have voted Adam off. Next should be Parvati. Then get rid of Jonathan if he is bothering you so much. He couldn't flip, so why not keep him around. He'd do whatever they told him to. The last thing the boys want is for Parvati to play the girls card and try to convince Becky and Sandra to vote off one of the boys.

Kat | Dec 8, 2006 8:19:27 AM | #

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I agree, Jonathan should not have been voted off this week. Adam is a much bigger threat both in challanges and he could get someone to flip. They are so dumb, why didn' they stick to the plan. At the same time though, Yul has little to worry about since he does have the secret amunity idol. My guess is he'll win.

mvtower55 | Dec 8, 2006 9:02:07 AM | #

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Getting rid of Jonathan was just to preserve votes for Yul (if he makes final 2). Last night, Yul won Adam's vote & Parvati's and thus through association Candace's.

Adam / Candace / Parvati are very emotional, high-strung players - so Yul catered to them to get their votes.

Jonathan (the most rational of the Raro members) already respects Yul's game so he won't sway - he'll vote in favour of Yul.

It seems that Yul is playing the game, Ozzie is just playing the challenges (and winning) and Becky / Sundra are waiting ready to scheme when necessary.

Amam and Parvati are just clueless. This game would've been a lot different if the Raro-5 stuck together and eliminated Candace / Jonathan.

Rick | Dec 8, 2006 9:46:37 AM | #

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Is this not the most likable group left... ever?!? None are jerks and now with Jonathan gone, there is not a villan left.

Yul and Becky are now targets. Sundra had me in near tears last night. I really like her. Ozzie is not the snake he is made out to be in the commercials. He will work his way into the finals by winning all the challenges.

I still think Becky is running Yul and will not get the credit she deserves.

Anthony | Dec 8, 2006 9:55:44 AM | #

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This is the last straw for me. I am no longer going to watch this series...It was rigged this year to insure the PC minority win. What Jonathans being voted off only proves is that all racial stereotypes are based in fact...He shouldn't have trusted the Asians...Pearl Harbor taught us that...

Kevin | Dec 8, 2006 10:01:22 AM | #

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So wrong, Yul! You should have voted out Adam who is capable and have shown he can win immunity. Jonathan may be annoying but he's unloved and won't win votes even if he lasted till the end. Not so street smart, Yul & Becky. Besides, Jonathan hates Greek row like venom, you kids should have kept stoking that flame.
And Ozzie, how could you drop Plan Starvation because of some leftovers? We want to watch Greek row starve!

Izz | Dec 8, 2006 10:05:15 AM | #

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Bad move. Why vote off Jonathan when Adam and Pavatti still around. Why don't these people learn how to play the game? It is not about not liking the person because of his big personality, it is knowing how to play the game. They fooled them with their small gesture and made them break their strong alliance. I hope they don't turn their backs on Yul and Ozzi because one of the two deserves to win. Free advice!! Adam has to go next to make it fair followed by Pavatti and from there the best men will win.

Fiona | Dec 8, 2006 10:08:07 AM | #

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Adam and Parvarti do not have a clue. They are lazy sloths. Jonathan was just playing the game....and I think he was playing it well. I was surprised that "godfather" Yul allowed this to happen.

Mark | Dec 8, 2006 10:08:37 AM | #

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All I can say is that I felt sorry for Jonathan. He was only trying to protect himself from being voted off like any other contestant. They called him a cancer, a rat and so on. I think they are the cancers to have showed him all the hatred. But judgement is coming soon on the jury if Adam and Pavatti survive to the end he will kick their butts.

Rose | Dec 8, 2006 10:17:39 AM | #

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I just love this show. It is the best reality show ever. You can see all the different personalities come out and thats what makes fun to watch. Keep it up Mark Bunnert!

Martin | Dec 8, 2006 10:27:42 AM | #

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I agree. This show just keeps getting better. It makes us stay home on Thursdays. I would love to know who won a million bucks but I can't stand the fact that we'll not be watching it until the next season. I wish the creators could make it a little longer with more episodes.

Jimmy | Dec 8, 2006 10:37:04 AM | #

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While Jonathan does not seem like the most likeable guy, his actions have come nowhere near deserving the venom directed at him by his tribemates. He may have made mistakes, which he thought at the time were good strategic moves, he is far from being a rat or a cancer. Maybe there's something he does or says at camp that we don't see, but so far, nothing to merit this level of vindictiveness. Considering that the Raro members were looking forward to turning on Jonathan as soon as they had the numbers to beat the Aitu members, it is quite disingenuous of them to act outraged that he turned on them first. Treating him as a villain is a bit rich, it's not like he lied and told people his grandmother died.

Neil | Dec 8, 2006 11:07:08 AM | #

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I don't think it was as bad as amove as people seem to think. Yul saved himself some votes from Candice, Adam, Parvati - they can just knock those 2 out next week since their alliance is still up 4-2, Jonathon was not necessary to get rid of Adam and Parvati, he was just extra and useless. Adam is stronger but if he wins, get rid of Parvarti that time and vote Adam off next. Adam winning 2 weeks in a row is slim considering the strnetgh of Yul and Ozzie! What is smarter is to target each other b/c Ozzie and Yul's biggest competition is themselves, which it seems they've clued into for next week!

Courtney | Dec 8, 2006 11:49:32 AM | #

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Yul dropped a few points on my scale last night by voting Jonathan off. They realized last week that it wasn't the right move ... what happened between then and now to change anything? Does Yul really think he would have the jury votes locked up if he goes against any of the others who are left just by getting rid of Jonathon? I hope I'm wrong, but I fear that keeping Adam and Parvati around can come back to bite them.

Beth | Dec 8, 2006 12:00:56 PM | #

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They made a bad move. They went the emotional vote to remove Jonathon from the game. I can see Adam and Parvati doing all they can to stir things up and flip Ozzie. I would really like the four of them - Yul, Ozzie, Sundra and Becky - stick together. I worry that Yul's mind is constantly trying to see how he can change the game.

Randy | Dec 8, 2006 12:56:16 PM | #

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Why didn't they let Adam go join his so called girlfriend? They already showed that they only cared about themselves by making Jonathan a look like bad guy. P'se Raro tribe vote off Adam next.

Joy | Dec 8, 2006 1:10:04 PM | #

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Yul and Ozzy were my favorites but I can't believe that they were convinced with leftovers to vote off Jonathan. If they don't wake up, I'll be rootings for Becky and Sandra even though they have not done much physically.

Micheal | Dec 8, 2006 1:15:59 PM | #

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Yul, you think that you won jurors by saving Adam and Pavatti. Don't be suprised if they go against you and ally with with your alliance especially Ozzy. He's not only physically strong but even smart. Wake up!!

Betty | Dec 8, 2006 1:26:49 PM | #

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Are you kidding,Yul! You have to be smarter than that. You're the mastermind and remember that your name was written down before by the people you saved. I hope History does not repeat itself.

Jack | Dec 8, 2006 1:37:21 PM | #

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More Survivor!!!!! Can't help but to keep watching. Kudos!!!!

Joan | Dec 8, 2006 1:41:52 PM | #

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Ozzy, for next President!

Ben | Dec 8, 2006 1:43:32 PM | #

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Yul is even more sexier in the jungle. You Go boy!

Ann | Dec 8, 2006 1:45:23 PM | #

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