Stephen’s Survivor Strategy Blog: Russell Charms Jerri
April 2, 2010
http://tvwatch.people.com/2010/04/02/stephens-survivor-strategy-blog-russell-charms-jerri/
“As soon as a strong invader attacks a country, all the less powerful men rally to him, because they are enviously hostile to the ruler who has held sway over them.” –Machiavelli, The Prince
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While the Puppetmaster whispers sweet nothings in Jerri’s ear, the Robfather relies on his code of omertà in the battle for Jerri’s soul. “Don’t sweat it, Jerri. It’s a hard decision. You gotta do what’s best for you,” he tells her. It’s an honorable strategy — but not one designed to win a crucial vote. While Coach abstains and, like a scoundrel, votes for the innocent Courtney, Jerri casts her deciding vote against Rob.
Boston Rob played an incredible game. He led the dominant alliance on the dominant tribe! He owned the immunity challenges! He started fire with his mind! If Tyson hadn’t self-destructed last episode, he might have waltzed into the finals. In the end, though, Rob was simply out-talked.
Russell’s fatal flaw is that, as great as he is seducing people into his alliance, he’s equally horrible at socializing with the people outside of it. The way he treats Sandra and Courtney after the challenge, as though they were trash that washed up on the beach, showed a lack of even basic human consideration. And the way they roll their eyes and laugh at him show that that’s exactly the kind of behavior they expect from him. It’s that tone deafness that lost him Samoa, no matter how often he claims he was “robbed.” –Stephen Fishbach
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