Survivor: China, Episode 12 As I See It – Survivor Paranoia

Survivor, in my estimation, is always the most interesting when there are less than six finalists left. The “Survivor paranoia” that Courtney and Todd referred to during the program sets in and contestants start theorizing and assuming each other’s least little remarks as personal affronts. We saw a little of it tonight, and I’m waiting for more on Sunday.

This week’s reward challenge was most interesting to me in that Courtney received the most arrows. Now, how did that happen? There must be a side of Courtney we’re not seeing, because I certainly wouldn’t have given her a Miss Congeniality award. Peih-Gee was not surprised to have only received one arrow – and that one from Courtney, of all people – and I think Todd was not at all amused that he didn’t receive more. So much for being the most popular, eh, Todd?

Denise winning the reward challenge was a surprise, but her choice of tribemates to accompany her was even more of one. I fully expected her to take Todd and Amanda, since the three of them have been in a supposed alliance since the beginning. I think Amanda thought so also.

I felt Peih-Gee’s obvious disappointment and anger were justified, but I think I would have kept those thoughts to myself had I been her. Amanda was disappointed to the point of being near tears, but at least she didn’t voice her displeasure within hearing distance of the three going on reward. Denise also needed to lower her voice – it had to be a new low for Peih-Gee to hear that they wanted to keep her weak.

OK, now, how many of us would give up a lot for a trip to the Great Wall? What an amazing reward! That’s two extraordinary reward trips that Denise has participated in and I envy her both trips.

What I did not envy was her having to sit and listen to Todd and Courtney whine about not knowing what to do with the food. For heaven’s sake, if one doesn’t know what to do with the food, ask. Todd could have asked the “Chinese waiter guy,” as he called him, for instructions on what to do. I guess neither Todd nor Courtney has ever had fondue before.

The shrimp, vegetables, and sliced meat looked good to me and I would think if one has been on a diet of rice and whatever greenery one can find in the woods, that even eating some of the food raw would have been scrumptious. Courtney’s description of herself at Tribal Council as “Negative Nancy” certainly seemed apt. It has seemed appropriate all season.

Todd and Courtney’s assumption that Amanda understood about not being selected for the reward was wrong, wrong, wrong. They further wrongly assumed that Amanda was less likely to stir things up. While they were doing all this assuming, Amanda and Peih-Gee were bonding and making some plans of their own. Amanda stated she is mad and not trusting Todd right now, and I am assuming she is right about that. And we all know what they say about assuming anything.

I liked that Amanda was straightforward with Peih-Gee regarding their lack of friendship. Sometimes the best way to fix things with someone you suspect doesn’t like you is to just come out and ask. Sometimes, though, you might not like the answer, but this didn’t happen. Unfortunately for Peih-Gee, this female bonding was too little too late. Amanda raised herself up another step in my estimation for her addressing the issue and for trying to change the game the way she wants it. Amanda is quietly and nicely working her way to the final three… perhaps even farther.

When Todd, Courtney, and Denise returned from the reward and started complaining about the food, the looks on Amanda’s and Peih-Gee’s faces were priceless. I had to agree with them. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth!

Am I the only one who went, “Oh no!” when the immunity challenge revealed that those darned chicken fetuses were the entrée du jour? Am I the only one who knew that Denise wouldn’t be able to eat it again? I didn’t think so. I wonder why, with all the delectable delights that comprised that particular food challenge, the producers chose them. I’m sorry, but I’m with Denise. I’m not sure that I could eat one even for a million dollars. OK, well, maybe.

Once again, I thought Todd was gone. Denise is obviously sticking with the Todd/Amanda/Courtney alliance and I’m afraid it’s going to be her downfall. Todd, before Tribal Council, said he would be livid if the women had bonded and he were voted off. But he also said he would give them props for being smart enough to do it. One of them wasn’t smart enough and, unfortunately, she has hurt herself in this game twice now and she will be a target shortly. I don’t have to name names. You know who I’m talking about.

Todd could barely contain himself at Tribal Council when Peih-Gee was voted off. I thought he was going to jump out of his seat and do a happy dance. I hope he remembers that saying about pride going before a fall. I have liked Todd from the beginning, but tonight I wanted to smack that smirk right off his face.

Peih-Gee, although I didn’t care for her from the beginning, did fight a hard battle and I have to give credit where credit is due. She won immunities, she tried to sway votes, she begged, she pleaded. Now she’ll have a chance to get even when it’s time to vote again.

Peace!

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

Eileen is an intake operator for a legal referral service in Cincinnati, Ohio by day and spends her free time with the little ones that call her the “Queen of the Grandmas” and their parents and practicing Yoga which she thought was going to be the “lazy woman’s exercise”. She got fooled. She welcomes comments and constructive criticism at ohiograndma2003@hotmail.com.

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