Survivor Through the Eyes of the Mole Winner, Episode 9: No Russell, You’re Not That Damn Good

Okie Doke. So, on the surface last Thursday’s episode of Survivor: Samoa may have looked like a fairly exciting, action-packed, tension-filled event. Indeed, I have read several posts and blog entries over the past week stating just that. However, I disagree.

I equate last week’s episode to the gas prices two summers ago. That summer, the gas prices across this country shot up to over four dollars per gallon and oh, the rightful hue and cry. Then, when the prices dropped to just below three dollars per gallon there was a collective and joyful sigh of relief across the land. Forget that this price was still way higher than they were to begin with, we were just glad it was no longer over four dollars.

This season of Survivor has been so devoid of any innovative, clear, clever, intelligent strategy and also lacking in any great characters that just really make you want to root for them until the end (unless you’re a friend or family member) that when an episode like last week’s comes along, suddenly it’s one of the best episodes ever. Again, I disagree.

Russell asked, to the camera and in his typical mugging fashion, “Am I just that damn good?” The answer is, “That depends Russell.” If you are referring to the ability to find, hidden in plain sight immunity idols, then yes, you are amazing.

The first idol was hidden in a hollow tree right in the middle of camp and the second was directly under the bridge that Russell and Shambo had been fishing on every day. Other than the producers hiding the damned thing in his canteen, I’m not exactly sure how they could have been any easier to find.

And I’m not terribly impressed with the whole “without a clue” argument. Everyone knows there are going to be idols hidden, so the fact that Russell was even looking does not warrant a badge of honor.

Now, if you are referring to the ability to play the game of Survivor, no you are not that damn good. If it weren’t for the idol, Russell would be out of the game. Both he and his team have been awful at winning challenges.

In fact, it was his smug attitude and mugging for the camera that cost him the last immunity challenge after he snagged his bag. He has alienated everyone in the game except for Shambo, which fact speaks for itself, and as soon as he doesn’t have immunity, he is probably going home.

Russell is an open threat to everyone and an even more open schemer. He had to play his first idol because he had no idea how to use it. The only comment that any ousted players have made about Russell is how shocked they are about the horrible, nasty things he said behind their backs, not his amazing game play.

So, if the ability to find an immunity idol and mug for the cameras is now the standard by which Survivor is to be held, then yes, Russell is a Hall of Famer.

The reason Russell appears to be playing such a good game is that everyone else is so weak at the game that is Survivor. Mick, Brett, and Jaison are just floating by. Monica and Laura have no clue as to the importance of the social aspect of the game. Dave showed his utter cluelessness last week in poo-pooing Monica’s fears of Russell having the idol.

John axed his closest and most trusted ally and Shambo has made an art of playing the completely unaware, vindictive victim who will follow anyone who will let her be mean to the mean girls. Fight mean with mean…that’s the way it’s done, right?

In my estimation, if you want to find someone in this game who is actually playing Survivor, look to Natalie. She has alienated nobody, is sublimely playing both sides of the fence in regards to old Foa Foa and Galu, completely understands the social, strategic and numbers side of the game and isn’t a big threat to win individual immunity.

However, will we see much more of her game? Not as long as Russell and Shambo are around or she (Natalie) is getting ready to go home and they peak her story arc. Can she win the game? Right now I feel, from what we’ve been shown, she’s the only player who really deserves to. All the best.

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Mark Lambrecht is a gameaholic World History teacher and soccer coach from Wisconsin who has appeared on five game/reality shows and has won three – including the most recent season of The Mole. Feel free to e-mail with any comments or questions at Mlamby1965@yahoo.com.

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