Survivor: The Amazon, Episode 2 MVPs: Hello, I’m a Hypocrite

Let me just start out by saying that usually this is a very positive article that I write. I try to find someone doing a good job and give them some praise for it. However, after watching Survivor this week, it is very hard for me to find any kind of positive attitude in the Jaburu tribe. At first, it was hard for me to even think about finding an MVP in this tribe during this episode because every one of them had something negative to say except for Janet, but she was in no condition to be an MVP this week, and Shawna, who received hardly any air time. I highly doubt that granola bar was “smuggled” in by Janet. Despite all the drama, there were MVPs this week, and let’s take a look at who they were.

It would be easier for me to find an MVP on the men’s tribe first because at least they know how to act civil to one another (well, usually) and know how to play the game. Instead of breaking apart the way the women are, the men keep a positive attitude and understand that unity is critical at this point in the game. Even though the men did win immunity this week, it was still a challenge to seek out an MVP in their tribe. I’m going to give Alex an honorable mention just because I’m glad he had the guts to stand up to Roger and speak his mind. In the long run I think it will benefit Alex because he is opening himself up to a new alliance that may be forming. I give him credit for this. Not only that, but it looks like Roger is very closed-minded and I’m glad that Alex explained his view on why homosexuality isn’t the horrible thing that Roger makes it out to be. I’m sensing there could be a generation gap in this tribe very soon.

MVP? Yeah, I guess. It was pretty hard but my pick this week for the Tambaqui tribe is Rob. I’m stretching a little her, but I think Rob may be in the best position right now within the whole tribe. Not only was he in the leading faction that voted out Ryan, but he also has the smarts to realize that he could also be making deals with others, like Alex, who may make his alliance even stronger. Now might not be the time to get rid of Roger because they are in some kind of informal alliance right now, but when the time is right, Rob realizes that Roger can be cut first because he has may have the aid of Alex. Rob also did well during the immunity challenge. He got one question right, which is more than some of the others on his team had done. This is not something that really elevates him so much above the rest this week to make him an MVP, but I will say that his game play this week was very well thought out. That is why Rob is my pick for Tambaqui to be the MVP this week.

Now, back over to the women. First off, I would love to state what each woman did this week to really piss me off. Actually, to be fair, Heidi didn’t do anything. It was more last week that Heidi started to get on my nerves, and after further observation I decided she is very impatient. Her comment that she was not going to be able to bond with Christy because she is deaf was completely insensitive. As stated by a fellow RNO writer, Heidi teaches gym at a school. This means she deals with many children. What kind of example is she trying to set?

JoAnna, our MVP last week, took a nice dive this week. Her whole treatment of Christy was out of control. Her situation and position on the immunity idol was also pretty stupid. That’s right, I said it. It’s STUPID. Flood me with emails, but that is just ridiculous. I have nothing against those who feel that idols are evil, but then why would you go on the show to begin with? I liked JoAnna, but right now she really looks like a hypocrite.

Jeanne had no right to accuse Janet of smuggling the granola bar in camp. If anything, we don’t need another Jerri this season calling someone out for having food when they have absolutely no proof. I liked Janet, and think she got a bad name after Jeanne decided to go around and say she once saw the granola bar in Janet’s bag.

Deena is another hypocrite. She cries and complains that shelter needs to be built, but when Christy was working on the shelter, Deena did not want to help her. Then, when Deena was ready, Christy wasn’t. To tell you the truth, Christy was absolutely correct when she said that people do not include her. On that note, I don’t blame Christy for not helping Deena either.

I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to Jenna. Six days. Jenna had six days now to speak to Christy, and has yet to say anything to her. I’m not saying that Christy is absolutely correct in not saying anything to Jenna, but I can understand that she is probably a bit intimidated at this point, not to mention that she said she already feels excluded. This is just rude on Jenna’s part. I’m sorry, but she needs to get over herself. She sat there at tribal council with a smirk on her face that just desperately needed to be wiped off. Does she even realize that she is very ignorant to Christy? Sadly, I don’t think so. Now that I have had my time to vent, let’s find an MVP.

If it isn’t obvious by now, I chose Christy as the MVP for the Jaburu tribe. She may be at a disadvantage but at least she is not going out of her way to start drama, become a hypocrite, or make anyone feel uncomfortable deliberately. Definitely a smart idea for her to sit out the reward challenge because if she didn’t then everyone would have known she was deaf. I’m not saying that is bad, but the men have no reason to know as of now so it is smart to keep them in the dark about Christy. Just like she stated in the episode, she is one of the hardest workers even though half the time she does not know what to do because the others isolate her so much. Christy is an MVP this week for so many reasons. My level of respect for her has risen so much this week. She is an inspiration to many deaf people that grit and determination are two key factors in order to succeed. I would love to see her make it further in the game, but I think the ignorant and rude will take over this tribe very shortly.

Just like I said above, it was very hard for me to pick MVPs this week because there was negativity all around the women and the men weren’t really doing anything all the special either. Alas, Christy and Rob did emerge from the rest of the pack and they deserve some recognition for this. Frankly, I don’t think Rob will be seeing this status again for a good while so he better relish it while he can; and sadly, I don’t think Christy will last much longer unless Jaburu goes on an immunity winning streak. Anything is possible, though, and we will see. I look forward to hunting down the MVPs next week.

Phil Kural is a junior at Temple University, and can be reached at pkural@astro.temple.edu with any MVP suggestions.

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site! And take a look at the rest of the site. You can find all of our recent Survivor articles at the Survivor: The Amazon page and take a look at our sections on Joe Millionaire and The Osbournes. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For more news about reality TV, be sure to check out RealityTVFans.com and SirLinksALot!