'Survivor: Redemption Island' Season 22, Episode 2

['Survivor: Redemption Island' Week 2]

The game is on, people, and Rob and Russell aren't the only players on this island.

When it was announced that those two legends would be returning for yet another chance at the title of sole 'Survivor,' some fans (including myself) worried that it would become "The Rob and Russell Show" and that the forces of their personalities would completely overshadow all the other players.

Well, two weeks in and this season is producing characters every bit as fascinating as R&R.

Phillip already proved how nutty he can be. As Rob observed, "Let that be a lesson to you -- government jobs are stressful." And Phillip's teary ode to serving his country (set to inspirational music) didn't make him seem any more stable than last week. Yet, his pledge that Rob "owned" his vote was a significant offer, not to be taken lightly. Whatever is a 'Survivor' strategy master to do?

Meanwhile, Rob's counterpart, Russell, was putting his plan into motion, recruiting Krista to join Stephanie in his usual "pretty dumb girls" alliance. But Russell's massive ego also led him to write off Ralph, who "might be the dumbest person on the face of the earth." Sure, Ralph doesn't look like much (except a furball), and he goes around camp crowing and collecting rocks. But there might be steel underneath all that hair: while rock-collecting, Ralph found the hidden immunity idol. So there, Russell! Two people this season have already beaten you in your own game! So ... there! (Nyah nyah nyah)

After Zapatera won the immunity/reward challenge again, Ralph even called out Russell for secretly finding and then hiding the idol clue. And as usual, when confronted over his actions, Russell fell back on his whole "either you're with me or you're against me" shtick. No doubt he'll go on a vendetta against Ralph -- but whether the farmer can use his idol, and the numbers on his side, wisely is a whole 'nother question.

Back in Ometepe, Rob decided to give Phillip a chance, telling him to a) not talk too much and b) pretend like he might be going home. And Phillip actually came through! In tribal council, he played his part, looking very zen and saying he was looking forward to matching up against his "nemesis" Francesca (Francisqua).

Of course, it didn't really matter this week, as Rob had already decided to start playing for the merge. He'd noted how close Matt and Andrea were getting -- and he knew better than anyone how far a couple can get in the game. And Matt shaking the Zapatera tribe's hands after losing the challenge was just the icing on the cake that helped Rob convince the rest of his alliance to pull off the season's first blindside.

Was Matt that much of a threat (even paired up with Andrea)? Was he really playing a social game in advance of the merge? Did Ometepe really need to lose another strong player after losing two challenges in a row? I'm not so sure. Perhaps there were some other moments I didn't get to see, but based on what he said, it seemed like he was Rob's man through and through. He talked about admiring him! As if Rob were his wise, all-knowing sensei!

Now, Rob has pissed off Matt (who could return if he wins his duel with Francesca on Redemption Island) and Andrea, and possibly fractured his alliance. Could this be Boston boy's downfall? We'll have to wait and find out.


'Survivor: Redemption Island' airs Wednesdays at 8PM ET on CBS


[Follow @kellyhwoo on Twitter]