Survivor: He's a Snake, But He's My Snake

(S17E06) "Don't you mistake my tears for weakness!" - Crystal

This is a weird season of Survivor, isn't it? Sure, we've had lopsided tribes and constantly losing tribes in previous seasons. Yes, we've had tribes who don't work well as a team before or ones which were divided. We've definitely had alliances before. But if I were on the show and had that hidden idol, I wouldn't be telling anyone. I'd hide it for my own use if needed. This is just crazy. Just when I think things can't get much more bizarre and disjointed, they do. Read on!

What the heck is going on here?
Kota, still on their winning streak, will apparently have a target if they ever make it to Tribal Council again. It's someone who should be a valuable asset to their team. What is going on with Dan that he's making such a blatant hog out of himself? I mean, yes ... he has gorgeous blue eyes. But he should keep them off the food. Can't he see that he's alienating himself from the others? Right now Susie, probably the least valuable in challenges, is more popular than he is.

Then there's Fang. Crystal should be a strong player. She carried the snake longer than any of the other girls, but she's also as big as most of the guys. Well, bigger than Kenny, but I'm not sure that counts. Are those real tears? I think so, but I also don't see her giving her all in most of the challenges. And, if she had said "Don't mistake my tears for weakness" one more time, I would have screamed at the television. Ace is another case. He messed up last week on the challenges and then decided he was Boy Wonder in this week's Immunity Challenge ... thus causing the Fang loss. Again, mind you.

However, he sweet-talked Sugar and has the hidden immunity idol. I wouldn't trust it to anyone for "safekeeping." He was already calling it "our idol" last week! Plus, he seems to be calling the shots somehow even though they all know he's a snake (even Sugar). While I really can't dispute that Kelly needed to go tonight, I sure hope they hit him with a wildly unexpected blindside down the road. Actually, the only one I think has any real game as far as challenges is Matty. Now he's made a promise to Ace and I get the feeling that Matty isn't the type to go back on his word. But I know Ace will. Word? What word?

As much as I couldn't believe that Sugar gave Ace the idol, I also sat in shock when she told Kenny about it. I actually kind of like her, but I can't figure her out at all. At least Kenny hopefully opened her eyes a bit. Now, if Kenny's smart, he knows he can bamboozle Sugar. Not that I want to see her bamboozled, per se. I'd rather just see Ace knocked off his pedestal and losing his "position of supremacy."

Quite challenging, eh?
The Rewards Challenge tonight reminded me of the one some seasons back that had them trudging through water tied together. For me, this one was almost a given that the tribe with the women and/or smaller men would have troubles. Kota won. Ho-hum.

Fang almost had the tied-in-pairs obstacle course flag puzzle Immunity Challenge. They were behind but Matty and Kenny did an amazing job of catching up in the last heat. Sigh, but then Ace totally blew it during the flagpole building. Kota worked like finely-oiled machinery while the Fang Follies once again made aces out of themselves. No, "aces" isn't quite the word, but it's surely fitting here. Why do they just sit back when he takes over? Why? Stupid is as stupid does, I guess. Kota wins again.

Nearly blindsided
Or was it just editing? I really think that Crystal wanted the Ace blindside. But if she went into Tribal Council thinking she was going to vote for him, Kelly's big mouth did her in. With the vote being unanimous (except for Kelly's vote) to boot Kelly, the blindside talks didn't work. Ace looked smug and full of his "position of supremacy" as Jeff questioned the tribe. No one trusts him, yet no one votes for him. I'm not sure why they think he's so strong in challenges when his obvious errors have been the blame for a few of their losses.

The promos shown at the end of the show for next week look mighty interesting, don't you think?