Survivor: Redemption Island...Boston Rob vs. Russell (possible spoilers)

Yeah, yeah, I know...nobody else is going to admit to watching this show (yet amazingly, it's in the top ten each week)...but it's an interesting season so far.

Two of the biggest personalities in the show's history serve as tribe captains. Rob has cemented an alliance and pulls the strings on his tribe...while Russell somehow quickly alienated himself and ended up being voted off.

But, in this season's twist...those voted off still have a shot at re-entering the game, and I've got no doubt Russell will be back (and ticked)... Of course, will his gals alliance survive long enough for him to do so? Probably not.

The thing is, it was stupid. Russell has been to the very end of Survivor TWICE, and never got the votes for the million. Why? Because the tribe hates him! He's the PERFECT person to take to the end, because it GUARANTEES you will get the vote for the million! (idiots...). Even at 6 to 3 odds, he almost survived the vote (would have been a great coup if he did).

Guess we'll see.

(And yes, I know the haters will show up here, and simply say the show is stupid, etc., and believe that only rednecks watch NASCAR or only PhD's watch Nova, etc....but can't change simple thinking).

Cowards...

reply to post by Gazrok


I was intending on watching this season; however, it conflicts with American Idol. I suppose some day I will finally break down and get a DVR.

I watch Survivor, always have.

Russell cracks me up...I have no idea how he gets the little hot chicks to do whatever he wants them too. It baffles my mind.

I can't stand Boston Rob...he needs to be taken down a notch.

So far, this has been a fun season to watch...I don't know about the "Redemption Island" part...seems like a crap shoot. At some point I guess they will let someone back into the game...and the person that gets voted off right before that has a 50/50 shot at getting back into the game...anyone before that has much poorer odds.

We will see...always a good dose of drama on Survivor.

When you first posted this thread, I grabbed a piece of paper and covered my screen, so that I would only subscribe and not see any information, since I had not yet watched this weeks episode yet. I am glad I did that since you mentioned Russell getting voted off, early in the OP.

In my opinion, this season is definitely much better than the last. I was glad Fabio won last season over the other 2, but overall (and especially in the beginning), last season just sucked.

I don't like Russell, his arrogance, or is armpits ( lol ). Rob's arrogance isn't much different from Russell's, but Rob is just more like-able. Rob is in control, and obviously doing much better at playing the game, in this season, than Russell is.

But, in this season's twist...those voted off still have a shot at re-entering the game, and I've got no doubt Russell will be back (and ticked)... Of course, will his gals alliance survive long enough for him to do so? Probably not.

I would like to know at what stage of the game the person, on redemption island, will get the chance to come back in. Probably the merge, but as far as I know, they haven't actually stated that yet have they? It could possibly even be more than 1 person that gets to come back in.

I don't think that his 'gals' will last. I think his main gal (forget her name) will be the next one voted off of that tribe, and will have to compete against Russell (if he is still there).

My personal vote, for now, goes to Ralph the Redneck. But yeah, if the plan had worked this week, and the older woman would have flipped sides, it would have been a great upset. Especially since if Ralph had spoke up and told them he had the idol, they wouldn't of even needed to split the votes.

On a side note- Matt is an idiot. They tell everyone to always take all of their personal belongings to tribal council. This new twist, gives much more of a reason to do so. I hope that they didn't give him any clothes, or other items after he got there. It is his own fault that he is there with nothing.

reply to post by BrokenCircles


All depends on which tribe wins the next challenge (as to who he'll face in the duel).

Stephanie, is I think, his main gal. As for how he gets them, I think it's simply that he taps into their daddy complex, and to be honest, it's brilliant strategy (on the part of the gals). As we've seen before, anyone who can ride his coattails to the end, is guaranteed the win! Thing is though, Russell ended up on the wrong end of the numbers. If his tribe loses the next challenges, his girls will be gone.

As for when to reenter the game, the logical conclusion is the merge. I think they left it open though, to allow for better television, such as reinserting Russell the moment they can, etc.

I'm no big fan of Rob either, but he's playing a hell of a game so far.

reply to post by Gazrok

I think they left it open though, to allow for better television,

That statement there can be said about a couple things every season. (dividing/rearranging the tribes). I have always liked the show, and have only missed a couple seasons, but there are times I can't help but think it is slightly rigged. I try to ignore and look past it, but it's kinda hard sometimes. Those little changes do make it better usually, it just doesn't always feel completely fair.

I really don't talk to many other people that watch it. For some reason, I have an urge to oppose your picks. I wanna root for the other team.

Rob is playing a good game, as he always does, but if he makes it into the final four, then I would say that everyone in it this season is an idiot. Then there's always that angle you mention with Russell -'player X' vs. Rob in final 2 = most likely 'player X' will win. I just think if it was me, I would do whatever I could to not let him get that far.

I'm definitely more into it this season, than the last.

reply to post by BrokenCircles


I was almost going to say it, but yeah, I think there is some degree of "stacking the deck", but I don't think they "rig" it... It's been kind of a Survivor thing for the past few seasons, that the boring ones win because they don't upset anyone. At least last season's winner had a personality though... I can see where the producers will certainly try to influence things from time to time, to avoid losing fan favorites, if they can help it.

Another odd thing...the sexier eye-candy folks are often the first ones to go...at least historically. Probably something else they want to turn around.

Im enjoying this season so far. It was nice to see Russel work his magic again. i loathe Rob.

just when people start predicting the show, it changes. I thought that russel had some help from the staff last year. All it would take is a comment to let him know what was up. If his instincts were just that good? amazing.

reply to post by Gazrok


Yeah, you're right. 'Rigged' was just the 1st word that came to mind, but I didn't really mean it as completely rigged.

Slightly influencing the direction or course of the game, would probably be a better way to say it. Give it a lil nudge every now and then.

Sometimes it just seems, like the twists and changes occur at the exact right time to spoil someone's plans. If they didn't keep it interesting, it wouldn't have made it to the 22nd season, so I'm not complaining

That's just it. Would be boring for the audience if you knew who the vote was going to be every night. So, they have to shake things up sometimes.

(Spoiler...if not caught up)


NO!!! Russell went home....that sucks.

Besides that though, it seems we're left with some of the dumbest contestants to ever play the game...

On Rob's tribe, he's got a bunch of blind followers. While I see the wisdom of voting off Kristina (?), would have made camp easier to get rid of the windbag former agent Saggy Bottoms. Where did the producers find this nutjob?

On Russell's tribe, they won immunity, so Russell's girls are still safe...and from next week's preview, looks like they are shaking up the loose alliance of idiots on their tribe. Hope they survive until the merge.

I was sickened that Russell's team threw the competition, just to gang up on Russell and send him home. This show is different than before, they hyped up Russell as the bad guy, and it only made most of his team against him. At least his goddesses are still there, that dark haired one is super hot. But after what Russell's tribe did, I hope the other tribe starts winning. I think they will gang up on Rob too.

I'm glad Russell got voted out. Didn't like him at all.

He goes on and on about how he's the best ever, but he just can't seem to understand that you have to play a social game. He played the same game each time (got lucky the second time because it was back-to-back so the other contestants hadn't seen his game), so of course his team wanted him off because they knew what he was like. He's like a bull in a china shop and doesn't adjust his game based on what's gong on around him. Out of 21 seasons, a total jerk has only won twice so it doesn't seem to be a winning strategy.

Rob, on the other hand, plays the social game better than most and changes it up when it needs to be. He's a jerk, but he's a charming jerk.

reply to post by Duzey

He goes on and on about how he's the best ever, but he just can't seem to understand that you have to play a social game. He played the same game each time (got lucky the second time because it was back-to-back so the other contestants hadn't seen his game), so of course his team wanted him off because they knew what he was like. He's like a bull in a china shop and doesn't adjust his game based on what's gong on around him. Out of 21 seasons, a total jerk has only won twice so it doesn't seem to be a winning strategy.

True, but it's entertaining. They are idiots though. BECAUSE he hasn't changed his strategy, he's the PERFECT person to take to the end. He'll NEVER get the million, so you are GUARANTEED to win if he makes it there. Coattail riders are the ones who win these days. Those who stay under the radar and let others make the bold moves (that then bite them later).

Rob, on the other hand, plays the social game better than most and changes it up when it needs to be. He's a jerk, but he's a charming jerk.

True, and he's definitely running the show like a master player (which he is). Once Phil goes though, things are going to be WAY different, but again, Rob is kind of the same animal. Chances are, most aren't going to award him the prize due to his past success, so if you're in the final with him, and didn't tick too many off, you're going to win the million. Chances are though, the knuckleheads are going to purge him as soon as they have to start picking off their own. (assuming they do, before the merge).

The merge will be the big game-changer here...

They'll have to merge soon. Both tribes have strong alliances, with just one member on the outside... Rob still appears to be the master of the game, while Matt continues to survive on Redemption Island, seemingly unstoppable.

Couldn't open this thread last week. I sometimes wait and watch 2 or 3 episodes at once.

I figured you might of been sad after Russell lost. I kind of saw it coming. In the beginning of that episode, they were showing his arrogant comments basically already proclaiming his victory. Something like, "My tribe is gonna start comin here and I'm gonna send em packing. 'sleep in the mud fools.'"

Rob is, without a doubt, playing a top-notch game. Especially concerning the idol. His little stunt last week, to lure everyone away, then he went and found it. Then his dirty little switch he pulled on Grant. Dirty, but well played.

Something that Phillip said in this weeks episode cracked me up.
He said, "I cant make an impression on these ladies, and its frustrating for me."
lmao, I'm pretty sure his 'pink panties' have made an enormous impression on everyone in that tribe. Not the type of impression he was referring to, but an impression nonetheless.

Seeing Matt continue to win, makes me think of several past seasons. I can't think of any names at the moment, but there have been a few different physically strong/athletic guys, who were voted off early simply because people were intimidated and didn't want to take a chance of them making it deep in the game. It's just an entirely different game now really.

reply to post by BrokenCircles


Remember Stephanie, a gal whose tribe kept losing, but she kept doing great in all of the challenges and outlasted her whole tribe? (and she was hot)

He said, "I cant make an impression on these ladies, and its frustrating for me."
lmao, I'm pretty sure his 'pink panties' have made an enormous impression on everyone in that tribe. Not the type of impression he was referring to, but an impression nonetheless.

He made an impression...of a creepy old man. That "donut for a massage" remark pushed it even further...and he wonders why he's not making any inroads with them? Really? Dude, you're a nutjob!

I also dug into his background. He was a Special Agent for the DIS (Defense Intelligence Service) which is now the DSS...but he was pretty much just a background check specialist. A far cry from how he tries to paint himself in the show.

Originally posted by Gazrok
Remember Stephanie, a gal whose tribe kept losing, but she kept doing great in all of the challenges and outlasted her whole tribe? (and she was hot)

About a year ago (maybe a couple years), i started from season 1, watching each season again. I think I made it up to season 8 last, and haven't watched 9 yet.
I mention that because- No, I'm not sure who you're talking about. I'm sure I know, but just can't picture her at the moment. Was she in one of those earlier seasons or maybe one that I haven't made it back around to yet on my 2nd-run?

Originally posted by Gazrok
I also dug into his background. He was a Special Agent for the DIS (Defense Intelligence Service) which is now the DSS...but he was pretty much just a background check specialist. A far cry from how he tries to paint himself in the show.

lmao. Leave it to an ATS'er to check the credentials of Survivor contestant.
I have no trouble believing your findings though. That makes complete sense.

reply to post by BrokenCircles


You can see his LinkedIn site for one such source, but there are others related to the DIS that confirm he was there and what he did. He was basically a clerk.

Stephanie was one of the later seasons, but not the past few years, prior to that. I think she came back on one of the All Stars ones too. She was a real fighter.