(S20E05) In the image above, it looks like James is surrounded by a bunch of schoolyard bullies on 'Survivor.' Well, he is surrounded, but things aren't always as they appear to be. The same can be said for the strategies of some of these all-so-great returning players, too. While some strategies remain consistent (a snake oil salesman isn't going to turn into the Avon lady), others are baffling me this season.

Another dark night for the heroes
Oh, they're just playing this game so badly. Once again the villains won both reward and immunity. It's all because, not only do the heroes suck at puzzles and almost everything else, they're all into their little alliances rather than a team goal to the merge. I don't even recall what splintered the tribe which worked so well together setting up a shelter. Last week, they made a decent decision in voting out Cirie. She wasn't a powerhouse in challenges and she was indeed a sitting manipulator.

This week, I'm not so sure they made the right decision. With James going down in the reward challenge, messing his knee up bad enough to wear an immobilizer, it's uncertain how well he's going to do in challenges or whether he'll even make it through the game. Tom, on the other hand, is in good physical shape. Amanda, once a target, is decent in challenges. Rupert is only good as brute caveman roaring strength -- don't ask him to think. Colby is good at both physical and mental challenges (well, as good as the heroes get mentally). Candice is probably the weakest right now, other than James in his current condition.

An odd knight for the villains
The villains have their own little alliances. However, since they've won four out of the five immunity challenges, their in-fighting isn't having the same effect on their tribe. On the surface it looks like Boston Rob and everybody against Evil Russell. But that's not quite the case. Russell not only has Pavarti under his wing, but he also found the hidden immunity idol. We could have bet on that find, eh?

Pavarti and Russell are going to be a dangerous duo to reckon with down the line. Both are manipulators and schemers, plus they both tend to give challenges 100%. What do they need to add to their strength? Why, I believe they need a loyal doofus! And, then there's Coach! Russell first showed Pavarti the hidden idol, strengthening his alliance with her. Then he knighted Coach in his mission -- "the King and the Dragonslayer." Yes, I gagged. Doofus Coach was so beholden with the trust put in him that he would follow Russell if he had to fly into the sun. This should be interesting if they ever go to tribal council again!

What the heck is with JT?
JT was such an honored, honest, and dedicated player in his own season. It worked for him. He won a million dollars. This season, he's trying to play a schemer's game and the suit does not fit at all. He's already betrayed alliances. He's made alliances with just about everyone. No one can trust him. The only reason he hasn't got a target on him is that he's still a likable enough guy and he's the best they have in challenges. If he makes it anywhere near the end, he might lose the final vote due to all of his wishy-washy flip-flopping ways.

The challenge retreads
I'm enjoying the actual retreads of previous challenges this season. In each one, someone on each tribe has already done the challenge. It's much better than challenges which are almost the same but not quite which we've seen a lot of in recent seasons. Tonight's reward challenge was the fight for the football thrown into the basketball hoop which was even more brutal than when we last saw it. James wrecked his knee, but Jerri's got to be hurting too as Rupert rammed her face into a post. The immunity challenge had the blindfolded tribemates being shouted directions to gather heavy puzzle pieces. James, with his knee immobilized, did pretty well shouting until he got hoarse.

The tribe has spoken
I'm to the point where if the heroes lose it all, I have to say they deserve to lose. Tonight only Tom and Colby voted for James (because of the bad knee and possibly personal reasons). JT flipped again and voted with the rest to get rid of Tom, an asset to the tribe. They probably should have voted out Candice, I think.