Survivor: Cook Islands – Not Feeling the Hate

What about the new Raro tribe? Let’s start with Parvati. Some may see her evil for using her sexuality to attempt to charm the guys, but if the guys fall for it (and it’s not clear they will), they’re getting what they deserve. By the way, how ironic is it that in next week’s previews, she complains about the men not working, when that’s what she, Candice, and Adam were guilty of when Jonathon and Flica were building the floor?

Jenny? I still have no feelings about her, good or bad. That tells me she may get more camera time as the series continues, and hence stick around awhile.

As far as Cristina goes, the way she stomped off when Ozzy came up with an idea that worked didn’t do much for her in the PR department. However, she did vote with Ozzy at the last Tribal Council, albeit unsuccessfully. Hopefully she won’t behave in the new tribe the way she did in episode two. Nevertheless, her behavior can be filed under “annoying,” but not necessarily villainous.

Then there’s Rebecca. Her exclusion of Stephannie in episode one was questionable, as was the decision to oust Sekou. But it’s hard to classify someone as a villain after she’s the last female left in an immunity challenge as physical as the last one. If she and her former tribemates do feel pressure to carry the mantle of the African-American community, she should feel proud of the way she “represented.”

What about Stephannie? So far, she helped vote out Sekou, and was on the bubble when the game started, but she did help get fire in episode two, and so far, there’s not much to mark her as a villainess.

Brad proved his mettle during the immunity challenge, and so far has yet to rock the boat, so there’s really no reason to root against him. Nathan probably benefited most from the tribal switch, as he was most likely out if his old tribe lost another challenge. His battle against the octopus doesn’t mark him as a bad guy because he was simply trying to obey the rule about providing food.

It does, however, remind me of an All in the Family episode where a friend offers Meathead some octopus, and he declines, making the excuse that he had some for breakfast. When his friend asks him where, he stammers and says, “Uh, uh, McDonalds… yeah, Octopus McMuffin.” Although he wasn’t about to eat the eight-armed creature, something tells me Nate’s tribemates will dig right in.

Has J.P. engaged in villainous behavior? He did help throw the challenge and lead the charge against Billy, but while that may have not been the smartest move strategically, it doesn’t make him a villain. And let’s not forget he was the one who pulled down Cao Boi to secure the challenge win for his new tribe.

Finally, there’s Adam. So far, he’s been very obviously close to Candice, and was lazy when Jonathon was working on the floor. Indeed, Adam even made a spectacle of complaining about the floor, not understanding its necessity. But this week, he was rather quiet, so any “villain” labels will have to wait another week, at least.

Before we wrap things up, I’d like to present the Line of the Week. That comes from longtime RNO reader Scott, who made the following observation about the Candice/Billy non-affair: “Poor Billy. Candice’s ‘we love you’ had all the emotional intensity of a diner waitress calling you ‘Hun.’” Whenever a reader comes up with a line I wish I’d thought of, I just have to acknowledge it.

Speaking of which, did anyone else notice that Cao Boi said to new tribemate Flica, “You’re not Asian. I love you. I think you’re awesome”? First of all, how does he know she’s awesome when he’s known her all of, what, two, three days? Second, if and when she gets the boot, will she talk about “love at first sight” between her and Cao Boi, and how he told her she was awesome? Remember, he said “I,” not “we,” unlike Candice. No, I don’t think he meant THAT kind of love, but it would be rather ironic, and even humorous.

Okay, see you all Thursday!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent Survivor: Cook Islands articles here on RealityNewsOnline:

Ken can be reached with any comments, criticisms, or money orders at YourNextOfKen@aol.com.

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 recaps and other info on this show at the Survivor: Cook Islands page, and take a look at our The Amazing Race 8 page and our Apprentice: Martha Stewart page. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For more news about Survivor, be sure to check out SirLinksALot: Survivor: Cook Islands and Survivor Fever!