Grid Effect

Wow, that was chock full of Survivor goodness. If anyone took issues with the content of this episode, then you might as well quit watching the show. That was, without a doubt, one of the better Survivor episodes ever, and certainly the best we’ve seen from the past two seasons.

For one, we didn’t like seeing Ozzy go home. He brought an element to the game that I don’t think anyone else has brought. And I don’t necessarily think it’s just the fact he was so good at challenges, but how he was good at them. There was a certain amount of grace that Ozzy won with on a challenge course. Albeit that didn’t translate back to camp or tribal council, but when he was fully invested in winning a challenge, be it a group or individually, he was virtually unbeatable. Consider this paragraph and in memoriam, because from here on out we’re going to be fairly unmerciful.

For the most part, we can understand why he didn’t play the idol, and at this point in the series, when the idol can only be played before the names are read, it is a significant disadvantage to find the thing. Essentially it puts a giant target on your back. Sure, discretion is always an option, but either the one or two people you told eventually tell everyone or everyone deducts that it has come into your possession. Of course if you know exactly when to play it because you are definitively being voted out, then by all means it is a valued asset. But have we ever seen that? When the idol actually worked in the favor of it’s beholder when they must play it before the votes are read?

The only person who has no legitimate excuse is James. He actually had two idols and only three TC’s left in which they were playable, and admitted as much during the same episode that he had cause for concern, but stood PAT nonetheless and was sent home. Ozzy, who also should have realized something was afoot, and seemed to acknowledged as much, also inadvertently admitted to rarely (if ever) bringing the idol with him to TC. I’m sorry, but when you are that comfortable with the idol and have the reputation as a power player and a camp favorite, you are begging to be be ousted early.

At least he conceded as much in his exit speech, even if he was somewhat bitter about it. And really, who can blame him? There are times when bitterness is justifiable, and this is one of those times. I watched an interview on Entertainment Weekly’s website, and he certainly seemed to be in good spirits. So a short-term moment of petulance is definitely understandable.

And while we commend Cirie and Parvati (mostly Cirie) for hatching the plan to have Ozzy blindsided, we don’t particularly like either of them. Cirie has destroyed the good will she built up in her inaugural season and Parvati has always been a detestable bitch (for lack of a better term). Ozzy’s departure makes the game much more unpredictable, but it also cirtually guarantees that someone we don’t like is going to walk away from this experience $1,000,000 richer. And that is never a good feeling in reality television. I’m looking at you, Erik, Amanda and Alexis, to make the eventual memory of this season a fond one.

Speaking of Alexis, the Immunity Challenge was probably our favorite moment in the episode. Just back-to-back-to-back eliminations from Alexis, then Natalie and then James as they both mocked the person whose exit preceded there’s. And we have to confess, we were downright frightened by Alexis’ bitchface. It was like something out of Heathers, only a hundred times more blinding. I feel like this last sentence is a compliment, does it come off that way? Anyone who can do anything so intensely and so perfectly I feel like deserves recognition.

Congrats, Jason, you’re the first to earn the vaunted Grid Effect half-pity vote.

Notice how she has gone from virtual obscurity to round the clock coverage, that’s a good sign for an eventual winner.

And though there is much one can fault Jason for, giving him shit for being gullible enough to believe the rest of Dabu’s guarantee, especially while everyone was snickering during the decision process is somewhat unfair. He recognized he can’t win all the immunities, and and rationally asked everyone to give him their word, mistakenly believing that the majority of people on reality television are even remotely honorable.

As far as dirty moves go in Survivor, we never get self-righteous about it because everyone is just looking to prolong their stay, but for someone outside of all alliances and at the time was obviously next on the chopping block, find some other way to get him out of the game. Or maybe, don’t bow out of the challenge for donuts, or fucking candy. Idiots. Actually, scratch the above, we’re rooting for Jason from here on out.

Anyhow, if the previews are any indicator, it looks like we are heading towards and all girls alliance assuming there isn’t any ill-will towards Parvati for aligning with two different groups, or Amanda for being unaware about the decision to boot Ozzy, etc. But in situations like these, when the majority recognizes that they can stick around for a few more days simply by voting out the minority and the two are as easily discernible as gender lines, then usually everyone stays in tow. Especially in this circumstance, when the male brain trust remaining on the show leaves a lot to be desired.

Back tomorrow with Office recap.