Ok who is going to watch Survivor with me?

I don't think what I am about to say is a spoiler, but it appears that the tribes are made up of sane people although one of them is surprisingly clumsy.

I said I wasn't going to watch this time, but I'm so weak. 

LOL, pip! He really did outsmart himself, didn't he? He was overthinking and over strategizing too early, with his alliances with everyone that he promptly revealed and with his unnecessary fake-out "I really should go home (vote out Russell)." Umm, you really should have just said "Vote out Russell, but we'll let him think it's really me."

And Mike Skupin was on a self-destructive roll last night, wasn't he? You could almost say he was on fire! OK, that was really bad, but funny. Loved his tribemate's assessment, "Mike's a complete mess. It's not funny that he gets hurt, but it's funny that it happens over and over again. And we really haven't gotten into a situation where he can get seriously injured, but we'll see what happens when we have a fire." I gasped, like "Did he really just go there?" and then started laughing because it was true.

I think I'm starting to remember I didn't like Russell the first time around, before his medivac from the game made me feel sorry for him. He's a bit bossy and bad at interpersonal skills. Speaking of which, so was Penner last night. I really liked Johnny Blue-Eyes his previous outings, but he did himself no favors by not fraternizing with his tribe, and making it really obvious he was looking for the idol. And what was Russell thinking, opening the clue to the idol on the beach in view of Zane? Idiot.

Speaking of the idols, someone on a different board was speculating last night that the idols are really those decorative pieces on the top of the rice supply. The clue did say it was right under your nose... Remember China, where the idols were the decorative wooden plaques on the pagoda/gate thingy standing in each camp?

Good point about the idol.  That would be a great 'hiding' place.  And how do you remove it without the tribe noticing?

Here is a pregame summary of Zane by a blogger.  They were right on! 

http://www.realitytvcalendar.com/shows/survivor25/bios/zane.html

I haven't watched it yet, have been too busy to, but recorded it. Or I may just watch on cbs.com as that's quite easy. I will report back on my opinion before the next airing. I did find it interesting that it was 90 minutes this time. Anyone else?

My son lives in Wash. DC and is friends with Sarah Dawson on the Kalabaw tribe.  Sorry, I don't have any spoilers.

My dh was right.  He said that the idol was the handle on the lid.  But didn't anyone on the tribe wonder where it went?

That's probably right - it wasn't an issue since the red tribe didn't go to TC this episode. Prediction - when they DO talk about it, the red tribe is going to TC!

This season is actually interesting.  There are no crazy or stupid people.  Now that it's down to two teams, the personalities of the players should start to come out. 

Does anyone else think that slack-jawed, mouth-breathing Carter must have had a secret lobotomy? Just me?

Why is Jeff Kent so keen on getting out Penner instead of Skupin, if he doesn't want a returnee to win? He already doesn't get along with Skupin, so why target the returnee he has an alliance with? Also, if no one wants a returnee to win, wouldn't it make sense to take them to the final with you, so YOU get the votes?

I HATE Abi with the heat of 1,000 burning suns. What a smug little bitch, who is also dead wrong about RC. I can only hope Pete back-stabs her, too, just for the fun of it (can't think of any other reason he set up RC except for causing trouble just because he thinks it's fun). I can only hope Abi's behavior bites her in the ass hard, and I want the day-after interviewers to rub it in her face that she imploded a loyal alliance for no good reason. 

Really rooting for Denise. I like Malcolm, too, but I'm unsure about that forced alliance with Lisa because she found his idol. I'm not sure she won't go running back to Skupin, et al.

I'm rooting for Denise.

If she makes it to the final three, she will end up in the final two by winning the stamina challenge.  She is one strong and determined woman.

I am rooting for Malcolm.  He is trying hard and seems smart.

What about those votes.  Skupin and Jonathan?

I'm very disappointed with Skupin. He seems to be clueless and drifting. He frequently looks surprised by the vote, which should have clued him in that he's outside the loop. He doesn't really seem to care, though; happy to be a hanger-on instead of making moves and playing the game.

I think Denise is playing a great game, better than Malcolm. Wasn't impressed with Lisa at first, but she's "awake" now and playing hard. I can't believe no one outed Jeff Kent.

Was he serious, though, or just attempting to cause chaos? How many people actually change their vote based on what happens at TC? I'd bet darned few. It can blow up in your face too easily.