Survivor: Cook Islands, Episode 11’s Missing Intelligence Award – Karma Karma Karma Chameleon

Let me scream at the editors who made me think Aitu might be stupid enough to oust Jonathan now and not break up the Adam/Candice dyad. I almost died while waiting for the final voting to go down. Seriously.

Now, is it possible to give someone an MIA for actions after getting voted off? Well, it’s my award, so I suppose I could. I won’t, but I will mention that Nate’s antics during Tribal Council were childish and idiotic. I don’t mind the occasional entertaining look of shock or disgust, but Nate was constant. Dude, if you’re going to be annoying, take your shirt off. It helps.

I seem to remember reading in post-show interviews that Nate claimed to be pretty sure he knew Yul had the idol, but I can’t find where I read that. If I remember correctly (which I doubt), then Nate’s lying like a madman because his look of shock and his jumping around in his jury seat indicated Tribal Council was the first time he knew that Yul had the idol. So if I’m right, then Nate gets his own post-show MIA for trying to make himself look a lot smarter. If I’m wrong, then he just gets honorable mention for all his squirming around like a kindergartner without a bathroom pass.

I said last week that Parvati appeared to be calculating what Jonathan’s flip meant to her rather than the utterly dumbfounded look of the rest. Apparently she thought about it for 30 seconds, then decided to try to “cute” her way in, which failed. Kudos for hearing the divisiveness about Jonathan and trying to drive the wedge.

Boos for spending time snuggling with Adam and Candice and thus further segregating the two alliances. It really may have worked (sadly) if you and Adam and Candice would have made more efforts to work around camp, befriend and suck up to the Aitu foursome. Oh, and Parvati? Total and utter contempt for considering yourself “twice as mature” as Jonathan. He’s playing the game. You’re pouting. Who’s mature? Uh, not you.

Nothing’s to be said about Ozzy right now, as he was virtually a non-entity in the last episode. I was beginning to question whether or not I’d slept through a whole week, like a Rip Van Winkle lite, and missed where they booted Ozzy, he was that edited out! I don’t think he’s long for the game once Raro is gone, unless he goes through a spate of winning immunity. I do wish the editors wouldn’t try so hard to mess with us and fool us, and do a bit more of showing everyone. The drama will play itself out, and I don’t mind being messed with some, but I really mind not seeing something from everyone!

Adam continues to grate. I must give him proper recognition for somehow solving mathematical equations and getting the keys. The immunity challenge required memory skills especially, then some basic math skills and then physical skills, so I was impressed he managed to get through the challenge, much less win it. Perhaps there is intelligence lurking beneath that overbearing, over-entitled, immature façade!

Sundra was again a bit of a non-entity. I found it interesting that Candice thought she would mutiny with her. Good thinking on Sundra’s part for not doing it. I do wonder what led Candice down that road, because I never saw huge ties between them. That, obviously, could be editing. Anyway, not much to say about Sundra right now.

Jonathan impressed me with how he quickly picked up on the mood around camp. However, he disimpressed me with his classic Error of the Fed: talking too much about it. Should he have been less aggressive at the reward challenge? Yes, I think so. He got some good food, and since you can’t share with your alliance, you should consider allowing them to get some. Matter of fact, be obvious about it. When one of them outbids you, say something like, “Hey, Yul, I had mine; this is all yours.” If they don’t bid, then go for it and try to keep stuff from Raro, by all means, but don’t trounce all over your alliance-mates, especially when you’re a known flip-flopper and game player.

Speaking of the immunity challenge, nice job, Becky, on bidding for the “item that will change the game.” Stupid comment by Parvati (again) during it. Alliances want to hold onto these things so that they STAY the upper alliance. Duh. Nice move as well for sending Candice. First off, it demoralizes her more and more. Secondly, it weakens her. And thirdly, she had a lot of money still left, so you could still bid.

Yul, despite impressive idol maneuvering, came dangerously close to winning this award this week. He ran at the mouth too much, and in my opinion, almost jeopardized his alliance. Never give that much information out to your opposition! Jonathan is a known flipper, so why give him pause to contemplate flipping on you because you told everyone you can read him and predict him?!

Also, when talking with your double-secret final two partner, namely Becky, talk in terms of “we” and not “I.” She is not here to win YOU a million dollars. She is here to win herself a million dollars. Your entire conversation with her was populated with how you can get the jury votes to win. Yes, you should be thinking like that. No, you should not be sharing that with anyone. Talk in terms of getting to the final two and use “we,” and you run less risk of someone flipping on you as the light bulb dawns that you’re a HUGE threat, mentally and physically and even socially. Your masterful manipulation of the idol keeps you from receiving the MIA this week, but if later on down the road this bites you on the ass, I’ll be there! [With a camera]

The winner this week of our Missing Intelligence Award is none other than “poor me” Candice. As a guest writer mentioned, Candice’s mutiny had long-term consequences not just for her, but for the Raro tribe. Without the “underdog” tag, who knows if Aitu would have so decisively won all those challenges and thus caused the breakdown of Raro to almost even numbers again? Her decision was a bad one, and it reverberates throughout her alliance, and not just on her. Therefore, this week, our most recently ousted competitor, Candice, receives the lovely virtual trophy that exists solely in my mind (along with all the voices). Enjoy it!

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

Heathyr Fields Ford resides in Washington state with her exceedingly patient boyfriend, four awesome kids, two large macaws, and a harassed cat. She can be reached at heathyranne@hotmail.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!