Survivor Psyche, Episode 3: Chinese Take-Out

Snipe Hunt

The search for a worthy victim for the night's Tribal Council ensues. The machinations and back-stabbing kick into high gear as Rob feels out the other players, Alex realizes his pivotal position, and Dave, once again, is brought back to earth by the gravity of his tribe's situation. "What am I missing?" our Star Man wonders. Even though he's been in the Amazon for several days, Dave is surprised by all the scheming so "relatively early in the game."

Rob and Alex have been jockeying for position, neither one wanting to admit to playing the game or the alliances he has formed. Rob sucks up to Alex, telling him he's "the bestest player, ever!" and Alex acknowledges his swing position, since both Rob and Roger have approached him for votes. But Daniel is the sacrificial lamb tonight. When Probst pointedly asks Daniel how he feels about his standing, Daniel admits that he feels "different" and an "outcast." The same feelings, in fact, that Christy admitted to last week. And like Christy's feelings were denied by Jenna, Daniel's are dismissed by Rob, who says that they are "completely false." Whether or not the other players agree with Christy and Daniel, their feelings are their feelings and to deny them is to insult their owners. If Daniel and Christy feel they are different and outcasts, that's the way it is. Perception is everything.

Next week, the women play Hot Potato with the piranhas, and Shawna goes into Jessie/Ramona/Tanya mode.

Let's look at the players.

Tambaqui

Alex: Still fabulous this week. You had us cracking up with your "Chick-A-Bow-Bow" routine. You're the suave and cool Dean Martin to butt-kisser Rob's nerdlinger Jerry Lewis schtick.

Butch: You did your best to keep a sense of humor during the students' locker room boastings.

Daniel: Mr. "I'm so buff I-can't-put-my-arms down," was Shanghaied by Roger's superior tactics.

Dave: Dreamy - in more ways than one. Get your head out of the clouds, stupid! This is Survivor!

Matthew: We got a good sampling of your cooking techniques this week. Anyone who tries to make a court bouillon out of three nasty sardines and some brackish pond water deserves all the credit. And it was refreshing to hear an American say something besides "yo, dawg" and "what's the dilly-O."

Rob: The others are catching on to you. This Puppet Master will be the next one to go, since you don't seem to have one solid ally in the tribe.

Roger: You've bulldozed the others into submission once again. Can you keep your Fortress of Solitude intact, when so many of your teammates resent you? Your closest ally is Butch, but only by virtue of his age and work ethic. ("To vain men, other people are admirers.")

Jaburu

Christy: Your droll personality is coming out more and more. We thought your mockery of the cheerleaders at the swimming hole was hilarious.

Deena: The highest kudos to you for stepping up to the challenge of leadership without antagonizing the all-important cheerleader contingent. You judiciously organized Jaburu, at least physically.

Heidi: In contrast to Deena and Christy, we're liking you less and less. You manifest the worst aspects of women who use their looks to get what they want, without ever questioning your motives or if the ugly people deserve your abuse. ("You are beautiful, but you are empty," he went on. "One could not die for you.")

Jeanne: You're not smelling like a rose, either. Your calculated targeting of Deena is bad enough, but allying yourself with JoAnna is a thorn in our sides.

Jenna: Your womanly wiles have been bottled up for too long. When you had a chance to strut you stuff in front of the football players, you ran with it.

JoAnna: You continue to win friends and influence people with your unique brand of speechifying. Even the guys on the other end of the Amazon have gotten your number.

Shawna: You're getting a little shaky, there girl. You've started to wilt, and we don't mean your hair. Hanging out with the old and not-as-cute people a little more would be to your advantage.

Melinda Smith is a technical illustrator and writer with a background in graphic arts. She and her family live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her sister, Suzanne Tromblay, is a licensed social worker with the State of Ohio. Melinda can be reached at tremme@eudoramail.com.

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