(S20E02) Well, well, well. It seems that Black Widow Jerri Manthey actually does have a tender side on tonight's 'Survivor.' No, she isn't coming on to Boston Rob. Nor has she murdered him, if that might be your concern. As seen on the promos all week, Rob had a bit of a rough time, thus giving the episode its title for the week. And, might I add, so dramatically said that one might think he'll be up for an acting Emmy. Was it an act? Is he still there or gone? Read on.

Okay, if you haven't seen the show and you need to know right this minute -- Boston Rob was okay and remained on the show, even though the medics had to be called. He did too much and passed out. He said the medics told him he had the flu and a case of "crybabyism." Perhaps the latter is his own opinion. It was a bit scary when he went down. I'm actually liking Rob this time around more than either of his previous seasons.

Super egos are doing both tribes in so far. On the Villains, Rob was running around trying to run and do everything while the others had no oomph at all. But, if you noticed, when Rob got a giant clam, Russell couldn't stand to be outdone by him. Russell had to go like a crazy man after some of the loose chickens and spear one for dinner. Coach is still in his own world making eyes at Jerri. Courtney considers them all fools except for Rob. They can't work together to get a decent shelter up for their lives.

It's even worse over on the Heroes. Sure, their camp is spiffy-keen with a secure shelter. At camp, they're working together for the common good. Belying the very idea behind the concept of heroism, they're all plotting against each other. JT fell off the honesty bandwagon and I don't actually blame him for that. However, they've got more mini-alliances and schemes going than the sneaky villainous types! But the really worst thing of all is ... they're not working together on the challenges while the Villains have managed to come together twice in a row now.

Yep, in tonight's combined immunity/reward challenge (I really hate them -- I want my challenges separate), the Heroes blew it once again. The challenge was a retread from Tocantins, so three castaways have done it before. They had to "roll" huge heavy cubes, then build stairs with the tribe name. Both tribes appointed a shouter to give direction on the stair puzzle. Rob shouted for the Villains, JT for the Heroes. One team listened, one team didn't. Heroes now down two immunity challenges in a row.

The problem with Heroes
I so wanted this tribe to do well. As individual players, I enjoy most of them. Three of them went a bit wacky tonight for me. First, Stephenie -- James was right that she should have just let JT direct them and be quiet. Then, James -- oh.my.gosh, could he have gone on any more about Stephenie being on a losing team in her season? I'm sure some of it was editing, but he was constantly harping on her. The last wacky one, Tom. Now, Tom isn't a good schemer. He's gone and laid his cards on the table and I fear he has done himself in with the power players.

The best of the Villains
Boston Rob has gone above and beyond. I'm glad he realized that it isn't up to him to do everything and be the only one to worry about food and shelter. Then there's Parvati. I don't really like her so much, but she is one of the best strategic players ever on the show. She took a hit to her face tonight with the cube rolling that made Stephenie's shoulder and Rupert's toe look like child's play. Did she whine? Nope, she just carried on with her busted lip. Tough and a strategic player all in one.

Tribal Council
Oh, I like a good brouhaha. But even I was a bit uncomfortable witnessing James lash into Stephenie about her losing tribe (again) and the bickering and snipe which followed. What did you think of their behavior? The vote was pretty much what I expected. Cirie might not be the same level a strategist as Parvati, but she thinks of herself. Even though Amanda "cost her a million," Amanda is a quasi-ally now. When Cirie told Candice, "It doesn't matter who they vote out, as long as it isn't me." -- that's a sound strategy. It got her a long way before. Goodbye Stephenie, only Tom, Colby, and Stephenie voted for Amanda to go. The line has been drawn. Heroes are falling.



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