1) Three in a Row for Matt: Playing SURVIVOR is about consistency. Although you are forced to stay in a place far away from your home and with strangers you just met, you consistently need to stay calm and play at your best. Although you dislike and despise your tribemate, you consistently must remind yourself that you still need them to go farther. Matt Elrod was just one of the unlucky contestants who got blindsided after sealing a solid alliance but a stay in an island, not the exile but the redemption saved him. He still got another chance to prove himself.
While in Redemption Island with no enough food and no comfortable shelter, Matt showed us what consistency truly means by winning three back-to-back-to-back duels (Who would forget the duel in the photo on the right?). He’s unstoppable and he’s the beast no matter what type of challenge is thrown at him. Either it’s physical, mental or physical-mental challenge, he could still win.
Hands down, Matt has redeemed himself but for how long? Consistency is about fitness and good fitness means consistency.
- Is Matt still fit enough to keep winning?
- Should he return in the game, how will he play against everyone in the camp now that he used to live all by himself and just competing with only one person?
2) Stephanie & her “fuzzy” strategy: By becoming Russel’s sidekick, Stephanie already put herself in an alliance of three versus six. Now that Russel’s gone, she’s putting herself in a more vulnerable position by making a zigzag-alliance with Boston Rob even when the two tribes are not yet merged. Even if Krista lose to Matt in Redemption Island, this strategy could benefit Stephanie a lot, if and only if it will happen the next day. However, that’s not the case at all.
#1 Problem: What if Zapatera lose the next challenge?
#2 Problem: Why seal a deal with somebody who’s not in your tribe when when it’s still a game of Tribe vs Tribe?
3) Phillip, A Star?: It’s clear that Phillip is a star of this season (according to Jeff Probst). From episode one up until now, the editing never gets tired of his fuchsia underwear, his Coach-like insights during confessionals and his crab-hunting routines. Although he already pissed a number of his tribemates (Francesca, Boston Rob, Natalie and Ashley in particular), he’s still not voted out. He’s still at the camp, playing the game while making some grounds with Andrea.
4) One Wrong Decision, Everything Falls: Sarita failed to recognize David’s strengths before the challenge, therefore, the entire tribe fell short. Zapatera lose and not on a purpose! If only Sarita chose David to be the tribe’s caller and puzzle-solver, it could be a tense showdown between him and Boston Rob, right? I have not seen David bring his game into the next level and this was supposed to be the right time.
5) An Update with Boston Rob: What’s new with him? During the challenge, he lead the Ometepe in a convincing victory and at camp, there were no traces of exhaustion in his face playing SURVIVOR. In Jeff Probst’s own words, “…Rob is double-crossing Grant.”
Episode Rating: 7 of 10 stars
Photos courtesy of: CBS
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