CBS

I think the overall theme of this episode is meant to be “Jean-Robert is stupid,” but some other stuff happens, too. When captains pick teams of four for the reward challenge, the picking follows Zhan Hu/Fei Long lines, except Denise is the odd woman out, making her feel like the big, fat kid that no one wants on their team in gym class. I know, someone had to be left out, but it wasn’t a very smart move for the other members of Fei Long to send Denise the message that she’s toward the bottom of the totem pole. The […]

If I were to make up awards to hand out for this episode, I’d present the following: Miss Uncongeniality: Courtney telling the camera, “I don’t feel like I really need to be anyone’s friend in this game. I dislike everyone else more than I dislike Todd and Amanda — I think they mistook that for friendship.” (She gets extra points for unnecessary use of air quotes while talking.) Miss Re-Congeniality: Courtney cuddling with Frosti — another thing that calls into question her loyalties with the Fei Long tribe. Most Important Discovery: James finding the immunity idol at the Zhan Hu […]

This episode had: Schemes! Thwarted schemes! Nudity! Product placement! Snarky quotes! Brutal honesty! The eating and spitting up of gross food! Even a commercial showing an animated bear getting scraps of toilet paper (Charmin Ultra Strong toilet paper — as used by the Survivors!) vacuumed off his butt! Behold — reality TV at its finest: * Todd tells Amanda that there’s a hidden immunity idol, and that he knows three clues as to its location. * The Fei Long tribe wins the reward challenge and kidnaps former tribemate James. On the reward (which takes place at the Charmin TeaHouse. This […]

In the beginning, Jaime and Erik enjoy paradise in what Erik calls the Garden of Eden. The two of them chat away in the water, engaging in the fun and flirty get-to-know-you phase of a relationship. Paraphrased: Erik: “I have a middle name. It’s Taylor.” Jaime: “Yeah, I have a middle name, too. It’s Nicole. Erik: “I like you.” Jaime: “Yeah, I like you, too.” Erik: “I’m a virgin.” Jaime: “… Neat.” Jaime feels that Erik’s disclosure makes him more trustworthy, and she tells him there’s a hidden immunity idol at camp. Game-wise, the two hope to stick together until […]

There was something unfulfilling about this episode, and I’m not sure what. Maybe watching people being annoyed with each other makes me crabby, and I just want about half a dozen people voted out at once. * Sherea’s annoyed with Dave for being too demanding. * Dave’s annoyed with Sherea for being lazy and for refusing to give back the shells he’d been saving. * Courtney’s annoyed with Jean-Robert for speaking to her too aggressively when he warns her that she might burn her hand. * James is annoyed with super-huggy Dave (whom Fei Long kidnapped after winning the reward […]