Survivor: Philippines...Unlikable Dead Weight

Pete was a casualty of his own arrogance and his allegiance's mistreatment of its fringe members, who predictably grew sick and tired of being bullied and created a majority against the Evil Three, which is now down to its last member.

Abi owes RC, and her clue to the location of the hidden immunity idol that she later found, to her continued presence in the game. She sucks at challenges, so her only hope now that her idol has been played is that the Survivors aligned against her change their current stance regarding the kind of game they want to play.

Denise announced at Tribal Council that the prevailing strategy is to not allow the dead weight (those that contribute and/or accomplish nothing) and the unlikable (those who behave without consideration for the feelings of others) to make it to the end. No one disputed this, or even looked like they were in disagreement.

After calling Abi out on her shameless sucking up to the jury, Jeff attempted to help her shift some of the blame for her behavior to the cultural differences between her and her tribe mates. She was nasty to anyone that did not say and do exactly as she demanded, she bragged incessantly about the reward that her team won without any help from her, and she behaved like a princess after the reward, refusing to help with the work at camp because she wanted to enjoy whatever time she had left. Selfishness and entitlement are not behaviors that result from cultural confusion. They are character flaws that put Abi squarely into the dead weight and unlikable categories that Denise spoke of.

Jonathan was right. Abi will not win this time. No matter how long she lasts.

Note: Once again...Thank you to the artistic geniuses over at survivorsucks.yuku.com for the excellent gif of Denise.

Survivor: Philippines...The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Part Two

Lisa is way too nice to play a cutthroat game like Survivor. Her decisions, which I originally attributed to strategy, are actually driven by an excessive need for approval, and kept the Evil Three in power long past the time that they should have been packed off to the Ponderosa. She was not in a mutually beneficial alliance; she was a plus one being used for her vote, which she was willing to trade for acceptance that she never got. She deserved better, but she really should have known better. Good people often make the worst Survivors.

Michael and his many injuries were a liability to the Tandang gang from the moment he was foisted on them. He is a returning player who has done next to nothing with his second chance except perpetuate the Evil Three alliance. The only good thing I can think of to say about him is that he was the vote that sent Artis to the jury. Too little. Way too late.

Carter looks very lost without his counterpart Butthead. Hopefully, he'll survive until the friends and family Reward Challenge so we can see the reunion.

Abi is not a Survivor. She is a certifiably crazy mean girl who employs emotional blackmail as a means to getting what she wants. Perceived slights result in threats, which often escalate to emotional bullying. She sat out most of the early challenges and wasn't picked to play the last one, which suggests that she hasn't gotten as far as she has by contributing anything and isn't well liked. If she makes it to the final Tribal Council, it will be due to the strategy of those wise enough to know that someone as loathsome as she is will not garner any votes.
I wonder if the nut house will issue her a weekend pass for the finale, or if her presence there will be courtesy of Skype.

Survivor: Philippines...The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Part One

Malcolm boldly challenged the opposing alliance and risked his Survivor life by running a bluff that kept his idol in the game and the Tandang alliance off balance. He also wisely showed Lisa the grace and mercy that she desperately needed after betraying him. Very good. And my new favorite.

Denise orchestrated the termination of the Evil Three's most valuable, yet least protected, player, Artis. She is a triple threat; smart, strong, and likable. Definitely good. And I wouldn't mind seeing her make it to the end with her ally, Malcolm.

Jonathan blew the vote that could have saved his ally, Jeff Kent. Very, very bad. It was his strategy during the Reward Challenge that gave his team a clear advantage, which led to their victory and a new alliance for him. Very good. He then began a one man crusade to manipulate Lisa into switching alliances by playing on her need to be viewed in a positive light. Morally ambiguous, but strategically necessary and good. He successfully lured Michael away from the Tandang alliance, giving his new alliance the numbers they needed to take Artis out of the game. Also very good. It galls me that I keep finding myself rooting for him when I loathe his presence in the game on principle.

Pete blew the blindside of Malcolm, which proved to be detrimental to his Evil Three alliance. Definitely bad. He is also a troublemaker with no motivation other than a compulsion to disrupt the order of the universe, like the retired jackass in my neighborhood that drives ten miles under the speed limit every weekday morning, making everybody stuck behind him late for work. Bad and ugly. He can get kicked off the island next.

Artis arrogantly believed that bullies are untouchable. Very bad. He mistakenly thought that treating people badly is not only acceptable, but the best way to keep them loyal. Very ugly. He got what he deserved.

Note:  Part Two will be posted on Wednesday.