Survivor: Redemption Island, As I See It – “ Fool Me Once…”

Episode 3 was one of those Survivor episodes in which people think they are fooling others when they are just fooling themselves and us. How can someone be so naïve and have they actually studied past Survivor episodes? Do Boston Rob and Russell have hypnotic powers that we don’t know about? It would seem so.

Just when I thought that Phillip (aka Mr. FSA) was going to be the focus of the latest Survivor episode again, the producers turned it around on me. Darn it all. I was looking forward to seeing Mr. FSA romping about in his pink underwear and throwing spears at defenseless crabs. Not. Luckily, the powers that be fooled me.

If you ever wonder what makes Boston Rob an awesome Survivor player, rerun his talk with Andrea. Although Rob has an Italian surname, I believe that someone in his heritage has kissed the Blarney Stone. Rob is one of the biggest B.S.’ers ever, not to be confused with a fool. A fool he is not.

I wonder what Rob was like when he was an eligible bachelor. I would wager he was one of those charming men who could talk any young lady into enjoying his company – and one who could say “goodbye, it was fun” with the lass thinking she dumped him.

His talk with Andrea was an example of that. He tried (and maybe succeeded) to convince her that sending Matt away was for the good of the tribe, all the while noting that it wasn’t just him that voted Matt off. I bought it and I saw how it happened, so Rob fooled me.

Andrea may have appeased Rob with her seeming acceptance of his explanation; but, should Matt return, Rob is going to have to talk even faster. I know he can do it.

Rob, believe it or not, has Mr. FSA under semi-control. Again, Blarney Stone. Mr. FSA is a Rob-worshipper for now and probably will be until he makes that trip to Redemption Island. Another fool in the making. Rob, though I love him, is not to be trusted – ever.

Although Russell and his “concubines” (Steve’s words, not mine) were unsuccessful in finding an idol, that didn’t keep Stephanie from trying to fool the rest of the tribe into thinking they had one. Steve didn’t buy it – and I’m not sure I would have had I been there. She was just a bit (way) too obvious about her bag and its precious contents.

I am not sure why Steve felt it necessary to fool Russell about the Redemption Island duel winner. Russell feels he can beat anyone, anytime, so for him to think Francesca was the opponent was just wasted effort on Steve’s part.

Russell – what can I say about Russell that isn’t already being said around water coolers by Survivor fans? I would like to think he has replaced Charlie Sheen as the topic of the day today. Okay, not likely, I know, but one can hope.

Russell believes everyone to be a fool but him. I am amazed at his talent for ferreting out the weaker, easily-manipulated players to be his lackeys. Stephanie fought all his battles for him at Tribal Council and is the one who is worshipping at his feet this season. Is she headed for Redemption Island soon? I believe so. She didn’t endear herself to anyone in her tribe and her thoughts about numbers and the merge are going to be moot, since she now has one of those big round circles on her back.

Russell didn’t have to participate at Tribal Council other than to cock his head in acknowledgement of her adoration. As adroit as Boston Rob is at charming people into doing his bidding, Russell, too, has a knack for finding the most gullible women on his tribe. I was nervous that Julie (Julie?!) was not going to throw the challenge and was not going to vote with Steve, David, and the rest of the Zapatera tribe. I bet Julie will love it when she sees this episode and she is referred to as the “old” woman of the tribe. We older women always like that acknowledgement.

I can understand how someone like Julie is anxious to play on Survivor – heck, I know people who would give a lot to even make the cast – and wouldn’t want to throw a challenge. How many times have we heard at Tribal Council that someone was weak in the challenge or didn’t contribute? That has to weigh heavily on castaways’ minds if they have ever seen Survivor before. I think Julie was wise to go along with her tribemates; she knows which side of the fence to be on right now.

I have to say once again that water wheel challenge makes me extremely nervous. I have visions of the person turning the wheel pausing to watch the puzzle progress while a person is still underwater. Sorry, just being a mom.

If the Zapatera tribe members thought they were fooling Russell while throwing that challenge, then they didn’t look at his face. If looks could have killed, I know a couple people who would be gone today. He wasn’t fooled at all. Perhaps the ones who were fooled were those who thought they could pull a fast one on him. Much as I am not a Russell fan, you know I give him his due – he is a savvy player.

I admit I laughed out loud at the look on Russell’s face as Jeff snuffed out his torch. The unthinkable, unbelievable had just happened – the leader of the pack, the king of the jungle, the master of Survivor was being sent to Redemption Island. Well, he told us in the opening episode to “bring it on” regarding Redemption Island; let’s see if he can worm his way out of this one.

I was glad to see some of the other tribe members during this episode – I know that my colleague Kari Kennedy was happy to see Steve (he is handsome, isn’t he?), but I must admit that I didn’t really even know who David or Julie was until this past episode. The producers successfully kept them in the background until they had something useful to contribute – like Russell’s ouster.

I got fooled into thinking there was going to be a standoff between Ralph and Russell (or “Ressell,” as Ralph would print), but perhaps that is yet to come. Somehow I think those two have more in common than they realize. What I want to see is them chest bumping, trying to shove each other off a cliff on Redemption Island. No fooling around with this petty stuff like who’s got the idol; those two need to get down and dirty and be done with it.

We’ve seen Russell in action twice before. We know he is a vindictive, nasty, sock-burning little troll and sometimes a downright evil, evil man. What we haven’t seen is Russell voted out. I think there is going to be hell to pay should he beat Matt (and whomever else is necessary) and return to the game.

Stay tuned.

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Eileen works in Cincinnati, OH but lives in Smalltown U.S.A. She is an admitted reality show junkie. She can be reached at ohiograndma2003@hotmail.com for comments.

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