Survivor: Pearl Islands – Questions Regarding Episode 4

As always, Survivor has left us with many questions. Some will be answered in the next episode, while others may never be answered.

Let's start with the evictee, Burton. Has there ever been a better example of the old axiom, "Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it?" Burton wanted to throw a challenge for strategic purposes, and it seems as though his tribe agreed. Apparently, however, they disagreed with him on just who should go. And not only did he go, he went by a pretty big margin, 5-2. He obviously didn't have as much control over the tribe as he thought. Even his alleged partner in crime, Shawn, turned on him.

Could the outcome have been any more shocking? Did anyone see this coming before the episode began, least of all Burton himself? The second and third ejections of the series were fairly predictable, but judging by the way things had been going, both for Drake in general and Burton in particular, the outcome of tribal council No. 4 was perhaps about as surprising as Jenna's lopsided Amazon victory. If you'd told me before the episode began that Burton would be gone at the end, I'd be inclined to say, "Yeah, and some bodybuilder turned actor with a European accent will become California's next governor."

Does anyone like being surprised as much as I do when it comes to tribal councils? This may be the most shocking ejection since Christy from the Amazon. Don't get me wrong: I liked Christy, and while I was sad to see her go, I liked the fact that Burnett and Co. managed to catch me by surprise. This season, I could take or leave Burton, so I didn't necessarily care if he stayed or went. But the fact that his departure was so unexpected made for a great ending. But yet another question comes to mind regarding Burton.

Did it ever occur to him that trying to align himself with someone he'd been making fun of might not be such a great idea? Both he and Shawn had been alienating themselves from the tribe since the game began and didn't seem to realize it, especially in Rupert's case. Either he didn't realize just how much he'd been getting on Rupert's nerves or he thought his position in the game so was secure it didn't matter. Yes, Rupert probably would've turned on him anyway, with or without the "skirt" jokes, but Burton certainly didn't help his case. Yes, Rupert wasn't around for the tribal council vote, but he probably had a major influence on it by telling one of the others about Burton's suggestion of throwing the challenge.

How on Earth did Jon go from "most likely to leave the Drake tribe first" to "Most likely to be pulling the strings?" Yes, he's an obnoxious, drunk, arrogant twit at times, but not only did he manage to survive tribal council, he received nary a vote. But is he as much of a "freakin' puppetmaster" as he thinks? Multiple deals are nothing new to Survivor. Brian Heidik had one with just about everyone in the final five but still won because none of the others put two and two together. But at least he waited until late in the game. Jon, however, seems to be over-plotting way too early. If his tribemates start talking, they'll soon enough realize just what he's up to, and then we'll see what kind of puppetmaster he really is. Then again, they may get tired of his act and boot him anyway. Just remember, Jon: Jerri's strategy in the Outback was to get a large number of people to vote the same way, and she did. They all voted for HER. Think it can't happen to you?

Has anyone pushed his luck this series the way Jon has? From annoying people with his jokes almost right off the bat, to fighting with Sandra, to complaining about others' work ethics, to showing up at tribal council plastered, to doing pro wrestling imitations (most of which, I'd be willing to bet, his tribemates didn't get), to running "naturally" across the beach, he's certainly given the Drake tribe a reason to want him gone. But for all his lack of likeability, he has managed to stick around past Drake's first tribal council. Usually, when someone goes naked on Survivor, it's a player who thinks he/she is in power and therefore can get away with it. This includes Rich from Palua Tiga (who was right), and Jon from Marquesas (who wasn't), and now Jon. If he'd been in the Morgan tribe, he might've started his striptease with the first immunity challenge of the game, along with some of the other men in his tribe. Eventually, however, his sneakiness will most likely be "exposed," and he'll be sent, stumbling drunk, to loser's lodge. He might be the first person in series history to pass out from drunkenness before completing his walk of shame.

Did he really need to inform us he'd been having wet dreams about the treasure, more than about any girl in Playhouse or Pentboy? Oops, see what I mean? He's so obnoxious, it's hard to even think straight while writing about him. And how many viewers did he further alienate by commenting that the treasure was a "Ghetto Christmas?" It's a good thing he made these comments to the camera. Of course, what did he have to complain about? It looked as though he found plenty of rum to indulge in. However, it WAS amusing when he said the treasure was like wanting an Incredible Hulk doll for Christmas, and instead getting your sister's Ken doll painted green. The irony is, when he went up against Osten in the immunity challenge, he stood about as much chance as a green Ken doll going up against an Incredible Hulk doll, whether or not he was throwing the challenge.