Survivor: The Amazon, Episode 7 MVP: I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar!

We finally made it! It is time for the merge, which means only one MVP. I have to say some things first to clear the air as to what my thoughts were this episode. First off, I’m glad they didn’t lead us on to think that someone else was getting the boot (although, something in me was saying it was going to be Rob). Next, why the heck did Butch, Roger, and Dave vote for Christy? She was the only woman who I think even had HALF the potential to turn on the other women if persuaded! Does anyone else think that Matt is fond of the skeleton look that Jenna has going on, so now he is trying to match it? I swear, each week that guy is deteriorating more and more! Lastly, do you know who the MVP is? I do, and I decided to share it with you.

First, I would like to recognize my honorable mention for this week and that would be Rob. Once again, Rob came through when it came time to strategize. He stuck with his guns and got rid of Roger instead of turning on the women. That was a smart choice because at this point I think he has a great ally in Deena. It was definitely in his best interest to stick with the women, but he has to make sure that he continues to do so. Butch and Dave are probably pissed at him, not to mention Alex and Matt, so it’s critical at this point that they stick with the alliance they have. Like I said last week, it seemed that Rob had too many allies, and now it is time for him to start cutting them off. Rob has to start stabbing in the back way sooner than Brian from last season did. That is why Brian won. He knew when it was time to start getting rid of the excess. Rob has apparently started right from the merge. Even though it was a little early, I will say that Rob played a good game this week. It is so clear that he has seen every season of Survivor because he looks like a pro out there. I’m just worried he is gonna go against one of David’s rules of Survivor, scheming and plotting too much. If he doesn’t, then I think he is a lock for the final six and an outside shot at the final four! Two cheers for Rob… only two because he is not the MVP, but just the honorable mention.

Where do I even begin when it comes to Deena? I have to admit, she is growing on me. Even though she has those moments that make me want to reach through the TV screen and shake her, you have to admit that she knows what she is doing. When tribes merged, she was smart to just sit back and let the men take care of everything. She offered to help and Roger shut her down. That is pretty much all she can do. Then, she knew how to make sure that everyone was voting for Roger, accepting and using a pretty damn good explanation as to why he should not make the jury. Yeah, it came from Heidi and Jenna, but Deena was smart enough to see a good reason and to change plans accordingly. Deena is assertive, and that is what is going to advance her in this game. I definitely see her making the final four at this point. She is strong too, and the others are starting to take that for granted. She proved that in the immunity challenge. Heck, she got a meal and still won immunity. Deena was definitely an MVP this episode and I would love to debate this with others that feel differently. I can’t think of one wrong move that she made this week. She has all the women on her side, Rob and Matt are in an alliance with her, Alex is along for the ride as well, while Dave and Butch are just waiting to be voted out at this point. Deena is a poster child for what the MVP should be. Like Brian from last season, I think she is going to run away with MVP status as the show comes to an end, just like Brian did. I thought it was going to be Dave, but he messed up royally this time. I guess it is all because of the team that he picked. Not a good idea to stick with all of your allies when doing the draft. Mixing it up a little would have kept communication lines down with, say, Rob and Matt or even Rob and Alex. Oh well, I’m sure Dave didn’t realize it at the time, and even I gave him MVP status for episode 5 when he picked his team. Deena took it this time and it won’t be the last.

I sit here and I think about this week’s immunity and I am left with more questions. Why did Jenna and Heidi take off their clothes for food? Jeff would have offered them the food anyway; they had no reason to take it off. Besides the fact that neither of these women is all that attractive, it just goes to show you how low they will stoop. Jeanne was absolutely right in her interview when she said they were shallow, or something to that degree. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt when they were mean to my girl, Christy, and I eventually forgave them. However, now I think they are dumb, ugly, rude, AND smutty. Poor Jenna, I’m sure it takes forever to throw up peanut butter because you have to make sure you get all the oil and stuff out and you know how that stuff sticks to your ribs. I guess it’s a good thing she can see her ribs and just poke the peanut butter right off. Ok, I’m getting mean, let me stop.

Anyway, Deena and Rob did a good job this week and deserve some recognition. I don’t want to say it, but I’m sure Dave is probably next to go. I don’t want it to happen though because not only was he my pick to win when we had the roundtable, but I have come to like him. I think he’s smart and tries to play as fairly as possible. However, in this game, that is not always the right approach to take because being conniving is very important. I think Deena and Rob are both safe for awhile and both will be in one of my MVP articles in the future. Let’s see who is on top of their game next week.

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

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