Survivor Thurs Night = Girl Power.

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From Reality News Online:

Alas, poor Rupert. We knew him well. But so did his fellow tribemates, and they decided it was time for him to go. How could this happen? Why did Rupert lose?

Tis a sad, sad day for Rupert fans. Well, not that sad, since it looks like we will get to see him again in January on Survivor: All-Stars. But still. In any case, Rupert went from being King of the Tribe – as evidenced by last week’s immunity challenge – to being just another jury member. What happened? Why did Rupert lose?

As always, we will begin with the first rule: scheme and plot. This Rupert did well – I would go so far as to say extremely well. Early on, he had people so loyal to him that they went out of their way to warn him when he was in danger – even though the people involved were not personally in danger themselves. In other cases, he managed to turn the tables on Burton when Burton wanted to throw the immunity challenge and he managed to turn the tables on Trish when Trish had the idea to join forces with Jon and Shawn to throw Rupert off. He welcomed Burton back into the tribe and secured his vote – at least in the beginning – to make sure Drake stayed superior in the merge. He made contact with Lill to help bring her over to Drake at the merge, again making sure his alliance stayed superior. He had alliances, he made promises, he was good to go. The problem is that others were plotting against him with even more fervor, and he trusted at least one of them – Lill – when he shouldn’t have. So instead of going all the way, he went to the jury.

Did that happen because he plotted and schemed too much, in violation of the second rule? No. That was not a factor. Nor did he backstab anybody too soon. However, he could be considered in violation of the part that says you need to keep your scheming secret. Everybody knew that he was in tight with Sandra and Christa. That much was unavoidable since they had helped turn around Trish’s overthrow attempt. But everybody pretty much also knew that he had agreements with Burton, Jon, and Lill as well. To some extent, this could have helped him – and likely did the previous week – because nobody wanted to make a move on him unless they were certain the others in other alliances were going to make the same move. But one he was vulnerable, everybody knew exactly where he stood.

More importantly, everybody knew exactly where they stood. Burton and Jon knew they would be in fourth and fifth place. Lill knew she would be the last ex-Morgan to go, but would only get farther if she won immunity. Maybe Rupert thought he was being nice by letting people know where they stood – I dunno. But it wasn’t smart. People don’t generally come on Survivor in order to say, “I came in fifth! Whoopee!” They want to win, or at least have a shot at it. With the others knowing that under the current regime they didn’t have a chance, they knew it was time to overthrow the king.

The third rule is to pretend to be nice. Everybody knows that Rupert had some problems with this one occasionally, but I’m not sure if he did those things intentionally or not. For example, when Shawn lost the tip of the spear, Rupert was angry. He made it quite obvious that he was angry. Nobody had any doubts. Similarly, when Jon voted against him, he screamed at Jon for a while. Both of these – especially the screaming at Jon – could have been planned out to get to a certain result. And Rupert was pretty much a big loveable lug the rest of the time. So I doubt this really had anything to do with his ticket to the jury box.

The fifth rule is where Rupert had his biggest problems: Don’t be too much of a threat. Rupert was not only too much of a threat, he was the threat. When you can overshadow somebody like Burton, you know there’s trouble. Rupert was a key in numerous wins when the game was still in the tribal challenge segment. In case it wasn’t obvious to one and all beforehand, when he was “taken” by Morgan and participated in the reward challenge on their team, he almost single-handedly gave them the win while simultaneously showing how lost (literally) Drake was without him.

In individual challenges, Rupert was similarly dangerous. He came within fractions of a second of winning the first immunity challenge, won the first reward challenge, won the second immunity challenge, almost won the reward challenge this episode, and then had a good chance at winning immunity as well if the game had been based solely on skill rather than a combination of skill and people being able to gang up on others. Whew. If the factions didn’t band together to get rid of him now, when they had the chance, who knows when they would have had another opportunity? He was simply too dangerous to keep around.

Furthermore, because Rupert was so well-liked, if he had made it to the jury against pretty much anybody, he was a definite danger to win it all. He could not be allowed to get that far.

Rupert was the epitome of success when it came to the sixth rule – providing food wins allies. Rupert was the fisherman. He made sure Drake had full stomachs, and then also fed the ex-Morgans when they came to join in forming the Balboa tribe. People were significantly worried about what they would do without him to bring in the food. Last episode, for example, even Sandra and Christa began to try to figure out what they would do in case there came a time when Rupert wasn’t around anymore.

But the time had to come when providing food would not carry the day. As the rule notes, “overall, [food providing] still ranks at the bottom of the list as compared to the more ‘political’ issues discussed earlier.” Even earlier, Trish and Jon had decided that the opportunity to win a million dollars was worth a little starvation. And now that Burton had come back and could also provide food, Rupert’s overall worth was outweighed by the risk of keeping him around.

The final rule is to be flexible. This one doesn’t really apply to Rupert since he pretty well had good reason to follow all the rules except the one about being a threat.

So, did the Balboa tribe do the right thing in voting off Rupert? Absolutely. As much as I am one of his fans, I have to put that aside to say that they were 100% correct in getting rid of him when they had the chance. He was a threat to every single one of them. Sure, he might have carried Sandra or Christa – or maybe even Lill – to the end, but even then, whoever was there against him would have lost in the jury vote, as the jury would known full-well that they rode Rupert’s coattails. And everybody else knew that at some point, Rupert had a plan for them to go. It was not a matter of if, but when. Similarly, it had to be a matter of when, not if, they joined together to get rid of Rupert. And “when” became “right now” when he didn’t win immunity.

Rupert did just about everything we could expect out of a Survivor player. He worked, fed the tribe, schemed, overthrew backstabbers, kept people in line, etc. But he did one thing too well: He was a huge threat. In fact, he was a double-threat. He not only was a threat to win almost every possible challenge, but he was also a threat to win it all should he make it to the final two. Combining these two features into one person meant the other tribe members had to get rid of him. They simply had no choice if they wanted to have a chance at continuing on in the game. And that is why Rupert lost.

Member

I fear you have far too much time on your hands.

Member

good review

Additionally I would think that the placing of Rupert on the bottom of the wheel hurt him.....considering most people couldn't hit the wheel with their lung capacity if they were to hit if on a "lob" it would dive right into the bottom as evidenced by when people were trying to even obtain Killer status--Rupert took about 5 hits
Anyhow--Lil is now Persona Non Grata as she stabbed Rupert in the back and the jury will now be influenced on a daily basis by the big guy that she will not get his vote, unless Jackass Jon is her final competitor...
It is Burtons to lose, save for the the fact the some might resent his "return" status...

Member

My view:

After watching it again at 3 AM while on the bike I notice some things missed from last night.

1. The look T gives just before the votes were read was in 'Rupert's direction.

2. Darrah was never in danger due to "SPOILER ALERT" her winning a challenge and *************************************
**************************in a future eposide.

3. The look that Sandra gave after Ruper got his third and forth vote was priceless. After telling Jeff Rupert was the main reason they were all there.

4. Jon is the one person you need to make it to the final.

I did some checking and never has the final "7" had the dynamics of "5" women vs "2" men.

The women need to circle the wagons and let Jon and Burton know its us vs you and if Burton wins the IC its Jon who's out the door or make a deal with John (being the slimeball ) to broker a deal to stay in the game.

The strongest wome are:

Sandra
T
Christa
Lil & Darrah are flip flops.

I like the the image of the snake eating the frog whole as a homage to the tribe name and what the tribe did to Rupert.

While that's the smart move I don't think that will happen.

T and D should realize that they are on the short side of five, so their best move going to a four to kill the three."

All Female alliances have never worked in Survivor just like All Male alliances have never lasted. Christy & Sandra can only hope for the 4 females to form a voting block. It's very unlikely to happen.

D&T will side with Burten (Food Provider) & John to ditch Krista. Krista & Sandra are just as likely to use Llian to pagong D&T just like John & Burten can use Llian to pagong D&T.

From the CBS Promo site

One of the most heated Survivor arguments ever ends with one castaway declaring the other a sworn enemy.

Christa is accused of sabotaging the food supply. But is it a false accusation?

Despite the tension of competition, a touching gesture of compassion marks the Reward Challenge.

No one is safe as conspiracies and overheard conversations fuel the insecurities of every castaway prior to Tribal Council. Who will be next to go?

Oh one more thing.

Here's the casting of Survivor All-stars on Feb 1:

•Survivor: Pulau Tiga (4): Richard Hatch (winner), Rudy Boesch (3rd), Sue Hawk (4th), Jenna Lewis (8th).

•Survivor: The Australian Outback (5): Tina Wesson (winner), Colby Donaldson (2nd), Amber Brkich (6th), Jerri Manthey (8th), Alicia Calaway (9th).

•Survivor: Africa (3): Ethan Zohn (winner), Lex van den Berghe (3rd), Tom Buchanan (4th).

•Survivor: Marquesas (2): Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien (3rd), Rob Mariano (10th).

•Survivor: Thailand (1): Shii-Ann Huang (10th).

•Survivor: The Amazon (2): Jenna Morasca (winner), Rob Cesternino (3rd).

•Survivor: Pearl Islands (1): Rupert Boneham (unknown).
Sandra as a possible alternate.

S99

Member

Gone Fishin

Whoa.. Coach lost his lock on 1st in the Fantasy game.
1 Dancer 1257
2 coachs survivors 1214
3 jrjo-Riff Raff 1098
4 Happy2tri 1035
5 elkid-Outwit_RR 574
6 chair-uhls castaways 295
7 rtpd113 92

I think T gained the most ground in this episode. She looked great in the challenges and her attitude has swung 180. She'll be tough the next few episodes.

Member

Somebody do the math with me...

Rupert and team felt that they were 4 strong coming in...Lili, Sandra, Christa y Rupert against the other four.

THEN, Sandra and John get into a tussle right before voting and Sandra, stupidly votes for Jon instead of the agreed Dara.

SO, in a sense, she sabotaged Rupert TWO times (hitting his 'pie' in the immunity challenge, and then going against the team decision).

As for the girls getting together? Not going to happen. Like Scorch said, girls have never successfully joined to ride out the boys in Survivor...

RIP Rupert. You were a good one, buddy!

Member

Poor Rupert. cry

Sad to think given his "nobody likes me" speech at the end that he counsels teenage boys. The look on Sandra's face when she knew she'd cost Rupert victory was PRICELESS.

Johnny Fairplay was less annoying last night. Still annoying, but you could see glimpses of how hard he's been scheming to this point. Interesting.

I love, Love, LOVE the allstar lineup! I think it'll be great to see Richard v. Rob C. Particuarly because Richard created the Survivor game we watch today, and Rob C mastered it.

Member

What's this all-star line-up talk about?

crazy cat lady

Couldn't. Resist. Had. To. Read. What. Happened.

I haven't watched last night's episode yet but couldn't keep myself from reading this, mostly because i suspected Rupert was gone. I'm already COMPLETELY bummed that its really true. Do I even care anymore? Should I just watch friends from here on out? Mad

Gone Fishin

Member

Coach-you're going down!!!!
Last night was no suprise (except Sandra's actions). I knew Rupert would be gone the first chance they had. I agree his speech at the end was so sad. And poor Lil, she felt so bad that she went on the reward challenge that she legitimately won! I felt so bad for her too. Next week looks really good. And don't forget-it's on Wed next week.

Member

Member

One more thing....again:

Hint about next Wed

ONE TRIBE MEMBER TELLS THE GRANDMOTHER OF ALL LIES, ON A SPECIAL WEDNESDAY BROADCAST OF "SURVIVOR: PEARL ISLANDS,"
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26

"The Great Lie" -- One tribe member dupes his fellow castaways with one of the most shocking lies ever told on SURVIVOR, on a special original broadcast of SURVIVOR: PEARL ISLANDS, Wednesday, Nov. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

A heated argument among tribe members ends with one castaway claiming another to be their sworn enemy for life. Meanwhile, another castaway is accused of sabotaging the tribe’s food supply, but is it a false accusation? Despite the tension of competition, a touching gesture of compassion marks the Reward Challenge. Despite the gesture, no one is safe as conspiracies and overheard conversations fuel the insecurities of every castaway left on the island.

crazy cat lady

By 'grandmother' of all lies, are you trying to imply its a woman lying? I was going to suspect Johnny Fairplay (only because I don't like him).

C'mon Scorch, give me something to make me finish out the season, Rupert was the only one I liked.

Survivor Thurs Night = Girl Power.

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