(S20E10) This season of 'Survivor' isn't going quite how I expected. Of course, that could be a good thing. Although I'm basically a force for good (yes, really), on my reality shows I have to admire evil strategies and schemes when they're executed well. In my own reality, I don't care for mean people. But when you consider the types of folks going on competition reality shows, the nice people can get downright boring to watch. The schemers other than Evil Russell are just getting started. Hang on, folks. We may be in for a wild ride!

(S20E08) This season should have been a slam-dunk for some of the more savvy castaways on 'Survivor.' Instead, we're seeing convoluted alliances and bad decisions. Some folks only thinking about their own end game without realizing they actually have to remain standing into the merge. First it was the heroes tribe in a losing streak, then a few challenges back, it all flipped and the villains did the very same thing, voting out Boston Rob and Tyson.

Why? Because they're getting rid of the strong players when they should be thinking about keeping their original tribes strong at this point. Will they continue the pattern until skeletal Courtney remains the sole 'Survivor'? Oh my. That would be such a waste of a season.

(S20E07) Colby Donaldson survived last week's tribal council on 'Survivor' only because James hurt his knee beyond hope for healing within the game's timeframe. Surrounded by those who want him out due to his lackadaisical efforts in challenges this season and being on the minor alliance, it's time for Colby to get playing the game. Heck, it's time for the entire heroes tribe to start playing.

JT isn't Mr. "I Broke My Tooth, Yet Kept Fighting" this season. Rupert has some sort of enhanced caveman rush into things, but has a broken toe and isn't really athletic. No one seems to be good with puzzles. What is going on here? The villains have been trouncing them at every turn. It's not just Colby who needs to step his game up. But he's the one on the hot seat due to the alliances. Can he do it?

(S20E06) I always hear the folks who don't watch 'Survivor' going on about how the castaways have it easy as far as real survival skills. Sure, being able to physically survive the elements and challenges is part of the show. But my own interest has always been more in the strategic angle. From the start with Richard Hatch, it's been shown time and time again that people manipulation skills can rule the game. Tonight was pure joy for me. It put me in my Happy Place. Why? Read on.

(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.

(S20E04) No, no, no. Coach, you have it all wrong! It's not a conspiracy against you, trust me. It's you. I made a mistake last week when I commented how much less a wuss Coach was being this season on 'Survivor.' I spoke too soon. Tonight we (and Boston Rob and Tyson) had to witness his latest "I'm sensitive, the world is against me, woe is me" escapade. The man makes a mockery of himself, then goes all emotional when he gets mocked. He's a legend in his own mind, a special snowflake to the rest of us.

(S20E03) How's that for a look of determination on Colby? Last week we saw the 'Survivor' heroes down two challenges. We also have seen some non-heroic behavior in their camp while Boston Rob has been quite heroic in the villains' camp. This season, although it's definitely grabbing my attention, has gone beyond the realm of heroes and villains. It's more like a bunch of power-players, wheeler dealers, schemers, lunatics, and a few decent folks gone a tad off their rockers thrown into the mix. It's All-Stars on energy drinks. It's brutal. But it's entertaining. That's all I need.

(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.

(S20E01) We've already had epic hype for an epic season of 'Survivor.' More intense than a typical 'All-Stars' version, this season pits the (supposedly) best of good and evil in a battle to be the sole survivor. It's kind of like the Stephen King novel, 'The Stand.' Forces for good and evil, perhaps with a few shades of gray in-between, ready to duke it out for the win. Well, I could see Evil Russell being Randall Flagg, can't you? The casting is right for both sides. I would have liked to see Richard Hatch and Yau-Man Chan in there, but it wasn't my decision to make. I'm just a witness to the chaos.

(S19E09) If you haven't watched this episode of Survivor, stop right now. Watch it. Oh, don't go by the expression on John's face. That's the face I had when the show started. Yet now I'm downright perky and alert. For me, this started off being a real iffy season. But, as folks really play the game, I'm all excited about it all over again. Some play it poorly, but there are a few movers and shakers this season.

(S19E07) Even though we're down a Russell this week on Survivor, I'll continue to refer to the remaining Russell as "Evil Russell." It just somehow fits even without a confusion of Russells. However, there is just one Shambo. Although she's a good worker in camp and works hard on the challenges, that might be a good thing. One Shambo is quite enough. Perhaps she's just too nice to be on the show. Perhaps she is a bit dim. I just don't know.

(S19E06) Well, this was the most unusual episode of Survivor I've ever seen. Mind you, I've seen all of them since the first season. I won't get into why it was so unusual until after the jump just in case you've missed all of the hype over the injured castaway in commercials all this week. But it wasn't just the injury which made it unusual. It was all discombobulated.

(S19E05) We're into the fifth episode of Survivor and I'm still getting some of the cast mixed up. True, they're mostly on the larger Galu tribe -- the ones who keep winning, yet we only see a focus on a select few. We all know "Good" Russell and Shambo. Did you know that someone named Brett is on the Galu tribe? No. Really, I'm not kidding. He got some airtime tonight. At this point, they could stick in stunt doubles and we wouldn't know the difference!

(S19E01) CBS just came off the highest-rated season ever of Big Brother. Will they be able to repeat the deed with Survivor: Samoa? You know, it's very possible that they just might do it. That is, if the season premiere is any indication.

Right off the bat, they gave me a reason to watch (other than I write about the show). I want to see Evil Russell knocked down by a woman. He's not to be confused with Good Russell, nor Russell on Big Brother. Nor even my brother, Russ. He's nasty, I tell you!

(S18E13) We're getting down to the wire for this season of Survivor. The big three-hour finale and reunion show airs this coming Sunday. Of the five going into tonight's show, I think I would have only predicted JT be there at the beginning of the season. Stephen, the intellectual kind of nerdy guy? No way did I think he'd make it this far. Erinn was targeted early on. Taj, the best eye-roller since Eliza, is playing a delightfully sneaky game. Then there's the loon -- Coach. Sigh.