Survivor China - Episode 4 Discussion Thread - NO SPOILERS

[dr.strangelove]

Thank the gods that Dave is gone. I'd like to see the wrestler girl's face when he joins her in the loser's hotel, or where ever they go. Sherea has to watch out, or she is the next to go. ITs about a balance, work at camp and work at challenges.

Jean-Robert is going to go soon. He is pushign to hard on Courtney going because she is weak. He needs to gather votes based on loyalty and gameplay, not just based on value. People always forget the games has the outwit part, not just the putplay part. He is worth more than her, but she clearly is in Todd's pocket. Todd is playing great. Knowing the clue is on the way, he was smart to get close with Dave, but in a way not to piss of his core group. Todd is gonna win this game if he keeps this smart play up. But then again, they always seem to make a stupid mistake and get burned when you least expect it.

The fisherman and his family were great. Jean Robert could have used his language skills better. Instead of endearign himself to his tribe, he pisses them off a little. James is his biggest supporter, and he burned that bridge. I bet he is the next to go. Plus I think the loss of Dave makes him expendible. Sicne the other side lost stronger guy, now Todd can push Jean Robert forward as logical instead of courtney.

The warrior fight was great. I loved the armor. Overall, this was a good episode and I am glad Dave got his just deserts.

[Demit]

1. I was surprised by the vote, after the stress on how the tribe was used to Dave doing all the work

And Sherea didn't help herself at Council by claiming to have started to do more work around camp... LOL! I guess the tribe had a chance to experience a Dave-less few days and decided they liked how it felt. And for sure Sherea has been more effective in challenges than the supposedly strong Dave. He was insufferable & clueless right to the end. I think he knew deep down he wasn't a leader—and I loved when Frosti tried to coach him that leaders have to find a way to get along with the people they're leading, GREAT advice—but he is the kind of person who thinks he's right and the world's wrong, stubborn & testy & condescending, and he'll never change (*cough*cough*, George Bush). He's a pissant. He probably lectures customers at his bar why what they've ordered is wrong.

I think now we'll get to see the women come into their own more, they've been under the radar a bit b/c of the big personalities of the men. That's the part of this game that bothers me, that in a personality conflict between a man and a woman it's the woman who gets the disfavor. Like in the beginning, when Dave and Phai-Gee were both taking initiative: his bossiness was accepted, hers was frowned on. Well, I hope the phenomenon that was Dave taught a little lesson there. Not that I'm convinced Phai-Gee qualifies as a natural leader, but automatically assuming that any man will be one is to invite disaster (*cough*cough*)...

[Suich]

2. I'm out and I couldn't be more thrilled!

Dave has got to be the biggest __________________(fill in the blank) in Survivor history! He was like a Richard Hatch wannabe, but without the charm. I loved the fisherman and his family. It's pretty cool when they can work some of the local culture into an episode. Sherea has a novel approach in saving herself for the challenges. After running around in her underwear, I wonder what it will be like when she re-enters the classroom. I hope a merge happens soon...the competition is too one-sided.

[Goblinmonger]

4. Sherea and her approach

Too bad she sucks at the challenges. I mean, the approach would work if she was a stud come challenge time, but she isn't. I'm calling it right now: she's the next one to go.

[dr.strangelove]

5. Is it a merge this week? No, probably a tribe switch.

Dave is not as smart as Hatch, though Hatch is the one in prison, so what do I know.
It looked like something is up, but its way too early for a merge. Probably a tribe switch.

[dr.strangelove]

6. Yep, its a switch

I saw a commercial last night and it looks like the teams trade a few players. Thats always fun.

[Duer 157099]

3. Since Dave seemed to be the most disliked

I had thought they would be smart enough to try to keep him around for the final 2.

What happened to that strategy?

Or was it a "turnaround is fair play" issue since the prior week's kidnap victim also got sent packing?