Survivor: Thailand - Things that Make You Go "Huh?" or Going Going Gone-dia!

Cassie, a regular reader of RealityNewsOnline, suggested the alternate spelling of the name of the latest evictee seen in the title, above (yes, I know, others have used it as well). Having met Cassie over a year ago in an Online Survivor game she ended up winning 7-0, I know she has a clue. That's a lot more than can be said for some of the contestants left in Survivor: Thailand.

You'd think some people would learn, but unfortunately, it never happens. Instead, they seem driven to demonstrate their cluelessness, both to the other players and the camera. While some have thought episode 4 of Survivor: Thailand was boring, there were telling tidbits that bear observation.

First, let's look at the Sick Jaw tribe. What exactly is Stephanie's strategy? Yes, she is doing her share of the work. Just ask her. But so far, she has demonstrated little, if any, understanding of the social and mental aspects of the game. Take her statement that, "As bad as it gets, you don't get rid of the people who are helping you," obviously a reference to the recently-evicted Jed. Helping you do exactly what, Stephanie? Yes, Jed was great at challenges, but that doesn't mean anything if people dislike you enough to lose a challenge just to get rid of you. The irony is that last week, Ken said that Jed was not only not helping the tribe, he was hurting it.

And now, Stephanie appears to be hurting - her own cause, at least. Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that Stephanie is right, and that she's the only one doing any work. And let's assume, for the sake of argument, that like Hunter, Stephanie is on a tribe with a bunch of knuckleheads (ironically, her biggest ally, Robb, certainly falls in that category.). It would still do her well to reserve her contempt for her tribemates for the camera, but no, she has to blast them to their faces. Yes, she pointed out the squid, but was it necessary to say, "You may as well not look," and appear like she's trying to make the rest feel stupid? The same goes for her comment about "all five of you," in reference to tending the fire. Whether or not she is right is beside the point. You don't make comments like that out loud, especially when you're in the minority.

Ironically, Shii Ann and Jake, being in the majority, are obviously in a position to blast her and get away with it. But as far as we've seen, they don't say anything in front of her. Jake comments that she hasn't wanted to be part of the group since the day it formed, and Shii Ann notes to the camera that Stephanie thinks she's the only one working, which is untrue. Stephanie, isolation is not the best way to survive the game. Yes, Kathy went far last year, but that was in SPITE of the isolation, as well as some brilliant strategy right after the merge. So far, you haven't shown the ability to strategize too well.

Then there is Robb. Either the bartender was relatively quiet this week, or Mark Burnett decided to give the viewers a week off. He states that he was so sure that Shii Ann was gone, but says it just goes to show you that you never know what will happen at tribal council. Maybe YOU didn't Robb, but I'd be willing to bet the core of five certainly did. There are, by the way, a couple of ironies to Robb being shown leading a prayer on camera. First, how many viewers were thanking the Almighty that he didn't get much airtime this week, and second, his own antics have cause numerous people, maybe even his own tribe, to say, "Good Lord."

And now it's on to the Chewing Gum tribe, and everyone's favorite tribe-splitter, Ghandia. Ironically, Ghandi tried to bring peace, while Ghandia seems bent on destroying it. Once again, let's make an assumption for the sake of argument: This time, that she was telling the 100% truth about the incident with Ted, and Ted is a liar who did everything on purpose. She has still caused a split in the tribe with her inability to let go, and even worse, just can't seem to shut up.

She claims that Ted is acting stupidly by ignoring her, and acting like she doesn't exist. She also blames the ex-footballer for creating an atmosphere of "Don't talk to Ghandia." First of all, I don't blame Ted for ignoring her. Even if he was guilty as charged, the whole thing has been humiliating for him, and the farther away he stays from her, the less he can be accused of. If I were in his position, I'd to the exact same thing. Now, if he still tried to even talk to her, I have the feeling she would say, "Yeah he tries to talk to me, but I can't forget what happened, even if he apologized." Basically, Ted can't win for losing here.