Grid Effect

Ugh, the above is a Parvati quote, and it pains me to give her credence in any way, even if it comes in the shape of a formality. Needless to say, this episode sparked some promise, then let us down, then got our hopes up even though we knew what was coming wouldn’t be pretty, then the curtain finally closed with one of the last two likable favorites leaving the island (the other being Ozzy).

In case you missed the episode, or haven’t been able (or cared) to ascertain who I am referring to from my previous posts, Eliza was last Thursday’s TC victim. And while we found ourselves with a vested interest in her outcome, we weren’t terribly surprised with the result. She is one of the better challenge performers, for some reason manages to regularly isolate herself from the group and any one she attempted to form an alliance with has either been voted off (Ami, Yau), sent home per medical emergency (Jonathan) or is a complete fucking dipshit (Jason). So yeah, considering all the variables her ouster is long overdue.

The dipshit in question for one reason and one reason only: the fake immunity idol. Now, we give him a little leeway because he is a newbie, has never had any physical contact with any type of non-challenge oriented immunity idol and plausible deniability (i.e. he desperately wanted to believe what he attained was legitimate). But Even though Eliza’s something of a veteran, her reaction to the pathetic smiley faced stick that Ozzy made kind of sold us on Jason’s ineptness. Mainly because it was so emphatic (”It’s a fucking stick…I hope some miracle happens with this Stick at tribal…what are you trying to pull here?)”.

Still what a horrible way to go out. I mean, there probably isn’t a whole helluva lot she could have done to have saved herself, but Jason constantly delaying actually giving her the idol negated any opportunity for her to talk her way out of her predicament. Maybe she could have gotten Jason to go along with Cirie and Amanda to vote out Alexis or aligned with Alexis and Natalie? The game feels so parsed at the moment that her options were vast if actually given a moments notice.

I know people say alcohol can lead to depression and everything, but honestly, what would the suicide rate be if it wasn’t for the liquid spirits?

Speaking of Amanda, the whole thing with Ozzy and Alexis kind of sprung from nowhere, and she seemed as shocked as we were. As in any typical lover’s quarrel, she blamed her competition rather than the reason for it. Still, Ozzy might be playing with one too many hands here. He knows not to trust Parvati, but having Erik, Jason, Amanda and Alexis in your pocket can being just as detrimental as it is beneficial. What if they start some sort of back door alliance and get to talking about whatever you may have said about your strategy, about them personally, etc. We do know one thing, Ozzy finds the scent of an unshowered motivational speaker intoxicating. That was some weird shit.

Kind of in the shadows this episode were the same culprits that have been the past two or three episodes sans Alexis: Natalie (seemingly Alexis’ lapdog), Cirie (low key works much better for her), James (it’s hard to be discrete when you have forty pounds on everyone there) and Erik (he came up with the tribe name and still managed to be virtually forgettable).

We do not know what to expect tonight other than for Jason to be voted out, as he seems to be playing the game independently now. He’s kind of like Omar Little, expect for the lack of confidence he inspires. And maybe a little verbal sparring. Honestly, if we were on this island our main goal would be to instigate scenes, that would take precedent over winning. Because right now, Amanda probably only needs someone talking in her ear to pick a fight with Alexis.

But all in all, a decent merge episode. We suspect now that Eliza is gone Ozzy and James will win the predominate amount of individual immunities. Or, in other words, whichever ones Ozzy doesn’t win because they involve brute strength, James will take home. Jason has proven he might be able to steal a few, but I think last week will prove to be an exception rather than the rule. As far as mental challenges are concerned….umm, maybe Amanda or Alexis can compete for a couple? I don’t know. The dismal competition in this regard probably speaks to why our interest is waning this season.

Back tomorrow with an Office review, maybe some links as well.