Survivor: The Brains Behind Everything

(S17E09) Nope, this Survivor episode's title isn't about Kenny. He's been the mastermind behind the last two blindsides -- Marcus and Ace. If anyone is the brains behind everything, it should be him. He definitely couldn't be the brawn behind everything, but brawn isn't always the key to getting to the final four of this show. So, to whom does the title refer? It's someone who's far from a mastermind in the game, but it's key to the episode. Read on.

Unlikely triumphs, unusual players

This season has been one for unlikely triumphs from unusual players. The first one who comes to mind is Kenny. He went from a meek geek to a major power player within the last three episodes. Yet he remains a bit under the radar of the crowd, as his ally Crystal is so much more blatant about things. He's a gamer and has definitely stepped up his game. He's sort of like a younger Yau-Man sans the charisma and personality. He has that real wimpy physique and seems to pose no serious threat. But threatening he is, and they should be noticing he holds the power of persuasion.

Sugar is another unusual player. She's the wild card of the show, albeit a teary one at times. They keep sending her off to Exile Island, so she really hasn't been able to interact with the others all that much. Kenny managed to get her to blindside her main ally in the game, Ace. She's going to keep on surviving as long as everyone wants her vote. They all think and/or know she has the idol. I don't see her going up for the vote soon.

Then there's Susie. Yikes, talk about a weak player! Ah, but she seemed to get a second life once she allied with Crystal and Kenny. All of a sudden, she's an important vote and can make fire and everything. Who woulda thunk it?

Reward and merge time

I enjoyed the slingshot golf they played for Reward. I can't see me doing it here in urban New Jersey. But given a large field, it could be a cool party game. What I didn't enjoy was Randy acting like such a jerk on the way easy shot which brought the Fang win. Matty was more hyper than needed about it, too.

As for the merge, it was the perfect timing to save Bob's butt in the game. I've grown to like the guy, and he would have been the next target of the Kenny Killer Machine had the new Kota gone to Tribal Council. At least they didn't just jumble the Kota and Fang tribes again. That was getting old.

Vendetta, who has a vendetta?

Kenny is bearing a grudge against Charlie because Charlie "stole" the clue to the immunity idol from him at the picnic. Thus, Kenny goes to work his mojo against Charlie. He spreads the idea that Charlie is "the brains behind everything." Um, actually, no. Charlie was a follower of Marcus. Nonetheless, Kenny plants the seed, and it grows.

Randy has a vendetta against Crystal which seems way overblown to me. He's like a pouty bully. Don't get me wrong -- I don't think Crystal has played the game well, and her personality grates on me almost as much as Randy's does. But Randy has a mean streak. I'm turned off by his bully ways, calling her Sasquatch and Big Foot. He just seems so schoolyard about it all.

Corinne wants Sugar's vote for their side to get Crystal out, yet goes on about her being a moron. I don't know. Perhaps Corinne and Randy should get their own show and call it The Name-calling Meanies or something. Both have a cruel streak which makes me want them booted sooner rather than later. Yeah, I understand manipulating others, but that's not what they're doing. They're just plain mean people.

Fire-starters or not

It's been a while since we've seen a fire Immunity Challenge. More recently, it's been used to break ties. The results of this one were super surprising. Susie and Sugar? I would think that Bob should have been up to the task. But, no. It was one of those unlikely triumphs from unusual players once again. Susie wins the first individual immunity past merge. Wow.

The tribe has spoken

With the way Corinne spoke about Sugar and the fact that Randy also wanted Sugar's vote to oust Crystal (and I don't like him), I was happy that Sugar went with Kenny's mojo-working ways. She's an emotional player, and I can't help but think if she knew what Corinne was saying about her, she'd cry. The Charlie blindside was purely a move because Kenny was angry at him about the idol clue. I'm not sure that I would have gone for him at this time in the game. I think I might have gone for Randy or Corinne because they're actually stronger players. But, at least Charlie can go goo-goo eyes over his buddy Marcus in the jury now.

A few parting notes: I think Bob's fake idol is the best yet. Anything beats the stick, but it even beats Yau-Man's turtle idol! Also, Matty seemed overly happy to see Kenny once again after the Ace blindside. What's up with that?