Survivor: 17.1 Gabon premeire

I've decided to start posting some reactions to Survivor again. Nothing near as in depth as I've done in the past--I didn't even take notes so I've got no quote :)

It's great that they've returned to Africa for the first time since season three. That was a brutal season and this year proves to be as well--hence the semi-built shelters and giving the losers flint anyway--you just know the CBS legal department was like, "If you don't give these people water and shelter, someone will die."

So far, we have a winning tribe, and a losing tribe. Kota has mildly smug but hella useful Bob and the unbelievably vain Ace, who's accent and attitude (and bald head) makes me wanna sing "I'm too sexy my buff" everytime he starts singing his own praises. It's fun to watch him boast about his awesomeness while a strong alliance forms under his nose---and Charlie's constant gushing about how awesome Marcus is adorable, but troublesome. Charlie seems a little naive for the game.

The Fang tribe is one of those tribes that comes along every once in awhile, that seems more like a rehab group therapy session than a bunch of people playing a game. You've got GC the angry young man getting into it with the chatty know-it-all Gillian, with cynical Randy giving hilarious running commentary throughout. Randy is my favorite player right now. Makes me laugh every time he opens his mouth. But Fang is factionalizing in non-strategic ways. I mean, they're just dumb. I couldn't believe how close those idiots came to voing out strong Dan because he might have the idol and thus "be in control of the game." What?? It isn't magic, folks. Worse was the idea Matty and Crystal (the unathletic athlete) had that Dan must be smart--because he's a lawyer. Remeber Dr. Sean the brain doctor? How are they missing the perpetual look of confusion on Dan's face, be he happy or concerned? You know those soup to go commercial with that guy who always has the soup mustache? The um yummy guy? That's Dan.

Oh, and I almost forgot Ken, the gamer, who was so devoted to possible hook-up Michelle, except Survivor isn't actually an alternate universe. It had "Beauty and the Geek" potential, except what made the first couple seasons of that show work was the girls were actually nice. My favorite scene of the premeire was when Ken told Michelle the others were thinking about voting her out because she was bitchy and never talked to any of them and she was all "Ug, those guys are so lame! That's why I never talk to them." Classic. Gillian's departure only surprised me in that she survived one elimination after suggesting the group should look in the elephant dung for something to eat. On the FIRST DAY.

And again with the fear of being the leader. Yet many winners--Rich, Ethan, Porn Star Brian, Jenna, Tom, Aras, Yul, Earl, Todd...have all played some sort of leadership roll in their tribes. It's not leadership that gets you voted out, it's arrogance--and some of the above survived that too! The problem with Fang is they are too dumb to know the difference between being bossy and being inspiring. And they could sure use some inspiration.

Michelle was voted out in 18th place, joining a guy named Brook in Vanuatu, Jolanda from the doomed tribe of Palau that never won, ol' Jim from Guatemala, Cecelia from the Cook Islands and Erica from Fiji.

Gillian was voted out in 17th place like sweet Dolly in Vanuatu, Ashlee in Palau, Morgan the magician's asst. in Guatelmala, hot but arrogant JP in a stunning early Cook Islands twist, and Sylvia in Fiji who used big words that threatened her tribe. It's ok if you don't remember most of these people, as they are losers.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Christine :D