Survivor 20:Hero's vs Villians, live comentary

[Roger Wilco]

so is Russell. He even created a website called russellhantzgotscrewed.com because he was so bitter he lost to better player Natalie.

So what? I have no problem agreeing that Russell's behaviour after the season19 reunion was pathetic (although imo he was robbed).

Technically that was after season 20 though, so it has nothing to do with this season right now.

You kidding aside i was just joking about Tyson being paid off but you have understand why Dave and Laura found it suspicious that Russell found the 3th idol just in nick of time.

Ok, if you were kidding then I apologise. But the reason Laura and Dave believe that is that they are bitter losers. Russell pwned them and they still don't understand why. Both of them are horrible Survivor players. They had a 8:4 advantage and blew it, that a legendary achievement.

Besides, Russell didn't just take a walk in the jungle and "happen" upon the idol, he spent hours every day looking for it while everybody else was lying lazily on the beach. Same in season 20 btw.

Without the Russell idol. Laura, Kelly, Brett and Dave would have made it to the final 5. I am so sick of the idol being played like a Get Out of Jail Free card.

Who cares? The immunity idol is part of the game.
And it's not just finding the idol, it's playing it correctly. Russell has done that twice now to maximum effect, nobody did that before him.

Russell's game has weaknesses, but he's damn entertaining and I wouldn't be surprised if he beats Rob too.
Rob technically has the numbers at the moment, but his coalition is built on a very shaky foundation. Idol or no idol, my money's on Russell.

 

[Yoda]

Look, when it comes down to it, there's really not as much 'strategy' and 'game playing' in Survivor as some people like to think. Typically what happens is one tribe beats the other in challenges enough to where they have the numbers advantage, and starts picking em off. When the numbers advantage gets big enough, the large group tends to have members on the outs who at that point might get picked off to preemptively cull the herd so to speak, or the those guys will trade their bottom of the pecking order status in the large group to bottom of the pecking order status in the smaller group. It can all make for entertaining TV, but as actual strategy at this point it's all pretty boring.

Russell on the other hand has actually done some interesting things. He manipulates the outcomes through hard work (finding idols without clues, which reportedly takes him tens of hours to do). He understands all the basic strategy of the game as well as anyone. He introduces confusion and frustration to the group to change the status quo when it suits him.

Just look at last tribal council. I don't think ANYBODY actually knew what was going to happen. I think Russell's plan was to get them to vote for Parvati. I don't think his primary goal was to counter the split 3s vote, but in the end that's how it worked out because he confused his enemies into making a mistake. So even though nobody knew what would happen, Russell had the best idea, because even when he's at a disadvantage he retains controls and dictates to some extent how things will unfold.

As for Natalie and last season... the way I see it, Russell did about as much anyone can to win that game. He got to the end with hard work and good strategy, he brought people from his original tribe along so that the jury members couldn't just vote for their own tribemate. The people he did bring with really didn't do much of anything, and didn't deserve to win from a 'game' perspective. He misjudged the "I'll vote for the chick with the nice rack" instinct a bit... and he missed the Christian angle as well. And he didn't realize how bitter that bunch would be about being outplayed.

But little of that is his fault. Sadly, you can't beat religion, which is why it's still around screwing up the world. Based on previous seasons, he had every reason to expect he would win, because when it came down to it, most Survivor casts voted for the person who worked for it the most.

Bitch about the immunity idols all you want, but how many players have actually used them in a beneficial way instead of getting voted out with the idol still in pocket?

 

[AJBryant]

If the DVD's were uncensored they'd sell a helluva lot better. Sadly they are censored

Well, that puts the kaibosh on my potential purchase.

 

[Stardate]

Who cares? The immunity idol is part of the game.
And it's not just finding the idol, it's playing it correctly. Russell has done that twice now to maximum effect, nobody did that before him.

That is because the idol have never been so easy to find. Prior to Samoa season the idol were usually well hidden in Exile or it was buried around your champ and you need a least 2 or 3 clues to pinpoint it location. It was a lot harder to find. I will give Russell credit for his determination to look for it but really it all boils down to luck and not strategy.

But the reason Laura and Dave believe that is that they are bitter losers. Russell pwned them and they still don't understand why. Both of them are horrible Survivor players. They had a 8:4 advantage and blew it, that a legendary achievement.

Actually Laura was playing quite until Russell pulled the idol out of his ass and idoled Kelly. Before that Laura was pretty much pwning Russell or Foa Foa. Laura was secured final 4 spot. I dont understand how that makes her a horrible player. Just unlucky. Also they never really had 8-4 advantage but rather 7-5. Shambo was never part of the Galu tribe. She was a outsider because she didn't want to bond with the Galu girls.After Erik was voted out it was down to 6-5. So Galu really didn't have that great advantage. Hindsight 20/20 Galu core should have voted for Jaison first and then blindside Erik. If this would have happened. Laura would have been in the final 4.

 

[Immolatus]

[/QUOTE]

Are you retarded? Not only is it highly illegal for a contestant to be paid off to vote like you describe, placing the production company and it's producers under the secure possibility of legal acting and jail time, it would also be impossible to cover such a thing up in this day and age...

Please put the tin foil away and breath into a paper bag for a little while.[/QUOTE]


how is this illegal? it's only a T.V. show

 

[Data Holmes]

Are you retarded? Not only is it highly illegal for a contestant to be paid off to vote like you describe, placing the production company and it's producers under the secure possibility of legal acting and jail time, it would also be impossible to cover such a thing up in this day and age...

Please put the tin foil away and breath into a paper bag for a little while.[/QUOTE]


how is this illegal? it's only a T.V. show[/QUOTE]

Congress passed laws against such tampering with the results of game shows by producers following the whole quiz show scandals of the 1950's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiz_show_scandals


Here is the specific piece of US code: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/47/usc_sec_47_00000509----000-.html

 

[Roger Wilco]

Hindsight 20/20 Galu core should have voted for Jaison first and then blindside Erik. If this would have happened. Laura would have been in the final 4.

That's not "hindsight" 20/20, that was obvious even then. But Laura blinded by hatred and made a completely braindead decision.
The only lucky break Russell got in Samoa was Russell Swan's injury - he was the thing that kept Galu together, Laura was nothing.

She lost, and she lost badly and she can't get over that. She's a loser in more than one sense of the word and yes, she is a terrible Survivor player.

 

[Bloodwhiner]

The truth is we only get the version producers want us to see. Contestants on several Mark Burnett produced shows have said the editing is quite heavy handed and often skews the reality of the situation. They are not saying there is interference, just events are often taken out of context to improve the program.

So we can never really know how good or bad a player was without being there.

I just take it for what it is, a fun hour of TV with my kid.

 

[Stardate]

Re: Survivor 20:Hero's vs Villains, live comentary

Hindsight 20/20 Galu core should have voted for Jaison first and then blindside Erik. If this would have happened. Laura would have been in the final 4.

That's not "hindsight" 20/20, that was obvious even then. But Laura blinded by hatred and made a completely braindead decision.
The only lucky break Russell got in Samoa was Russell Swan's injury - he was the thing that kept Galu together, Laura was nothing.

She lost, and she lost badly and she can't get over that. She's a loser in more than one sense of the word and yes, she is a terrible Survivor player.

I really don't value your opinion what you thinks makes a terrible Survivor player especially you think Russell is a great player. If i remember correctly Russell=God comment. Which i found just ridiculous because Russell ad no clue how to play the social aspect to the game. He was despised in Samoa because he was a jerk and hide behind idols and from Tyson interviews. Russell isn't winning any friends on the villains tribe either. If Russell makes to the final he will probably lose badly just as in Samoa. He hasn't learn anything and he is very one dimensional player.
Also what are you talking about Laura hatred and brain dead decision?. Are you referring to the decision booting Erik because it was a group decision because they felt Erik was acting untrustworthy(he was). I am saying there was a reasoning why they voted out Erik. However they made a bad call. Erik was loyal to Galu and John was the rat.
Regarding Russell Swan injury. It is always unfortunate when player has to leave because of injury and if Russell hadn't gotten hurt and depending which tribe was going th win the challenge. Shambo would have been voted out if Galu had lost. However regarding Russell Swan glue comment and Laure is nothing. Well it has been stated by Russell Swan himself that he thought Laura was playing the best game in the Galu tribe before being pulled out of the game. He said Laura was the leader of the majority alliance. So it is obvious that Russell Swan disagrees with you that Laura is nothing. I value his view more then yours.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Laura didn't do a single remarkable thing at all in her entire season, except give Natalie the million because she agreed with her religious views. Which I guess is the reason you like her also.

I don't care whether or not Russell wins this season, he's entertaining tv, which in the end is why I watch Survivor and he's shown time and time that he has a stunning ability to overcome a numerical disadvantage. Did he cause the disvantage himself? So what, it's fun watching him turn it around. Laura was just a miserable old bitch who enjoyed mocking the "lesser" people and infidels in her tribe. Fuck her.

Really, Laura was an utterly unmemorable player, like hundreds before her, I don't even know why you're still going on about her. I mean, she finished 10th, she didn't even get close to the final, she barely made it into the jury.

 

[Stardate]

Re: Survivor 20:Hero's vs Villains, live comentary

Laura didn't do a single remarkable thing at all in her entire season, except give Natalie the million because she agreed with her religious views. Which I guess is the reason you like her also.

OMG are you kidding me. Natalie got Laura vote because according to her Russell threaten her but this was never shown because the producer didn't want the viewers to see Russell in a bad light. He was their favorite pet..There was also numerous other reason why Laura voted for Natalie over Russell. Natalie played a better social game. She didn't need a idol to save her butt. She never told her tribe mates that she was a multi millionaire. What a idiot. Survivor rule number one. Never tell anyone that yo are rich. Remember Carl from Survivor Africa.

I don't care whether or not Russell wins this season, he's entertaining tv, which in the end is why I watch Survivor and he's shown time and time that he has a stunning ability to overcome a numerical disadvantage. Did he cause the disvantage himself? So what, it's fun watching him turn it around. Laura was just a miserable old bitch who enjoyed mocking the "lesser" people and infidels in her tribe. Fuck her.

Really, Laura was an utterly unmemorable player, like hundreds before her, I don't even know why you're still going on about her. I mean, she finished 10th, she didn't even get close to the final, she barely made it into the jury.

There is a different being entertaining TV and being a good Survivor player. Was Russell entertaining Yes. Was he a smart player NO. Also when did Laura mocked the lesser people and the infidels as you call them. I an not quite sure what you are talking about except you are referring to Laura versus Shambo or the Galu girls versus Shambo.. If that is the case then clearly you believe everything what the editing will tell you. It has been stated by Erik, Shambo closet ally in the game that Shambo vs Laura rivalry was pretty much one sided. Shambo hated Laura because Laura was looked as the strong woman in their tribe and Shambo the ex marine wasn't. If you watch it clearly. It was Shambo that was trashing Laura and not other thing around. Laura however didn't like to be around Shambo because she made her uncomfortable but she was never mean to her. Also it has also bean stated by Erik and Dave in post game interviews that the Galu girls treated Shambo a lot better then the Galu boys. But i guessing you didn't know that. Biggest reason why Laura didn't get any air-time to be memorable and this could reply to any castaways other Russel or Shambo. Producer gave Russell ridiculous amount of air-time and confessional compare to them rest of the castaways. You are just buying into the editing nothing else. Had Russell been voted as he should, instead of Kelly. He would have gotten less air-time and Laura, Kelly and Brett more.
I can see you are passionate Russell fan and that fine by me and frankly i find him entertaining in Samoa but now not so much. Anyway this will be my final Russell discussion for now. Until next time if Russell of course finds another idol for the 5th time straight then i will go berserk.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Re: Survivor 20:Hero's vs Villains, live comentary

OMG are you kidding me. Natalie got Laura vote because according to her Russell threaten her but this was never shown because the producer didn't want the viewers to see Russell in a bad light. He was their favorite pet.

Mhm. Except that Russell was being shown in a negative light constantly. Burning socks etc.

There was also numerous other reason why Laura voted for Natalie over Russell.

Such as?

Natalie played a better social game. She didn't need a idol to save her butt.

Oh yes she did. Russell saved Natalie's ass just as much as his own by kicking out Kelly.

She never told her tribe mates that she was a multi millionaire. What a idiot. Survivor rule number one. Never tell anyone that yo are rich. Remember Carl from Survivor Africa.

No, I don't remember Carl.
But possibly that was one of Russell's mistakes, hard to tell though what effect it had in detail. I think Russell thought at the time that it would serve protecting Mick and Jaison's loyalty towards him. Whether or not it backfired - who knows?

There is a different being entertaining TV and being a good Survivor player. Was Russell entertaining Yes. Was he a smart player NO. ́

No offense but you're so wrong. Maybe you don't like Russell, maybe you think he's an asshole, maybe you think he's stupid, etc. that's all a matter of opinion. But he was extremely successful in a season where the cards were stacked against him tremendously. So denying he's a smart player is not opinion, it's just a fact that he is.

Also when did Laura mocked the lesser people and the infidels as you call them. I an not quite sure what you are talking about except you are referring to Laura versus Shambo or the Galu girls versus Shambo.

More times than I can count. She was the pretty, popular girl in highschool who's talking down all the nerds. That's how she played Survivor.

If that is the case then clearly you believe everything what the editing will tell you. It has been stated by Erik, Shambo closet ally in the game that Shambo vs Laura rivalry was pretty much one sided. Shambo hated Laura because Laura was looked as the strong woman in their tribe and Shambo the ex marine wasn't. If you watch it clearly. It was Shambo that was trashing Laura and not other thing around.

That's what Laura says

Laura however didn't like to be around Shambo because she made her uncomfortable but she was never mean to her. Also it has also bean stated by Erik and Dave in post game interviews that the Galu girls treated Shambo a lot better then the Galu boys. But i guessing you didn't know that. Biggest reason why Laura didn't get any air-time to be memorable and this could reply to any castaways other Russel or Shambo. Producer gave Russell ridiculous amount of air-time and confessional compare to them rest of the castaways. You are just buying into the editing nothing else.

Mhm.

Had Russell been voted as he should, instead of Kelly. He would have gotten less air-time and Laura, Kelly and Brett more.

As he should?
Hey, I appreciate you not even pretending to be unbiased.

I can see you are passionate Russell fan and that fine by me and frankly i find him entertaining in Samoa but now not so much. Anyway this will be my final Russell discussion for now. Until next time if Russell of course finds another idol for the 5th time straight then i will go berserk.

Alright. I'm a Russell fan. I think in real life I wouldn't like him, but on Survivor I love him, yes. So what?
Again, I don't even know why we're even talking so much about someone who finished 10th in some season so much?

What happens between Russell and Rob next we'll see, but I hope I never hear of that Fundigelical bitch ever again and I won't debate her success/failure here again. I've said everything I want to say about her and more.

 

[Yoda]

Oh coach, you and your little honor technicalities! The guy is such a joke, quote of the night to Rob for calling him a little man. I feel ripped off though, we didn't get to hear Rob call Russell a suicide bomber this week like they said in the preview!

Grow my precious little Russell Seeds, grow and become strong Russell Trees!

 

[Snaploud]

What a downer of an episode...

 

[tomalak301]

Does this vote give Russell a clear shot to the finals? He knows how to absolutely control the game and it really showed the last few weeks. I think it's safe to say after the last two weeks that Russell is the best player ever in Survivor history. Loved Rob at the end though and his comment to Coach.

 

[Skywalker]

Man, I hadn't been watching this season (I'd kind of lost interest in Survivor), but I saw last week's tribal council and it totally made me interested in following up. I think both Coach and Jerri really screwed themselves by going with Russell over Rob (well, okay, Coach voted Courtney, but if he'd voted for Russell instead, things would have been different).

I can understand Coach's thought process in wanting to get rid of 'the weakest link,' but this late in the game I'd be thinking about the merge, not in keeping my team strong. This is the point where you want to keep the weak ones and get rid of the biggest threats. I can definitely see him getting voted off next (by Russell and his coalition, and by Sandra and Courtney for turning against them).

I just might have to follow the rest of this season to the end.

 

[Snaploud]

Does this vote give Russell a clear shot to the finals? He knows how to absolutely control the game and it really showed the last few weeks. I think it's safe to say after the last two weeks that Russell is the best player ever in Survivor history. Loved Rob at the end though and his comment to Coach.

I think Parvati will get rid of him before the finals.

 

[Skywalker]

I never saw whichever season Coach was on. Why is he a member of the "Villains" tribe? He doesn't seem very villainous to me.

Does this vote give Russell a clear shot to the finals? He knows how to absolutely control the game and it really showed the last few weeks. I think it's safe to say after the last two weeks that Russell is the best player ever in Survivor history. Loved Rob at the end though and his comment to Coach.

I think Parvati will get rid of him before the finals.

I can totally see that happening. Russell using his immunity to save Parvati is probably going to bite him in the ass.

 

[Snaploud]

I never saw whichever season Coach was on. Why is he a member of the "Villains" tribe? He doesn't seem very villainous to me.

Coach is crazy. He has a tendency to lie and completely believe that he never lied. His sense of reality is seriously distorted.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Go Russell, buhbye Rob.

Oh coach, you and your little honor technicalities! The guy is such a joke, quote of the night to Rob for calling him a little man. I feel ripped off though, we didn't get to hear Rob call Russell a suicide bomber this week like they said in the preview!

Grow my precious little Russell Seeds, grow and become strong Russell Trees!

Yeah, the thing about Coach is, that the only reason he's always in these moral quandaries is, that he's not sticking to his word, but he's constantly promising different things to different people. It is possible to play Survivor and always stay loyal, no matter what - just look at Rupert (I don't like him, but but he is loyal). But Coach doesn't do that. The same thing happened to him in Tocantins. I really don't understand this guy.

eta: btw. respect for Rob, he's taking it like a man >> Rob's Last Words