Static Zombie

I wanted Rupert to win as much as anyone, but I was a little disappointed in his parting words. Apparently he has fallen into the trap of thinking that how people play a game absolutely defines their character outside the game. They voted him off because he was strong and likeable, but he sulks and pouts about being one of the unpopular kids. Wah, nobody likes me.

And what about the "there go my dreams" comment? Did Rupert feel that the $1,000,000 was his birthright and that no one else could possibly need or want it as bad as him?

I'm sad to see Rupert go, but his final words had me shaking my head.

I agree 100% about the final comments. I was really disappointed when I saw them at first. But, I have some friends who are prone to speak out based on their current emotions and often step back and realize they don't entirely mean what they said. And, I can practically here that sort of commentary coming from them in the situation.

I do think he was personally hurt by the feeling that he had a small group he could closely trust and that turned out to be wrong. I can't even imagine the emotions involved in dealing with such a small group of people over an extended period of time, and I hope that subsequent interviews will show a somewhat more upbeat assessment of what he got out of the game.

I can practically see the t.v. commercials with him now, so I expect that his hard work and genuine character will still net him some reward.

Brian L

Stephen, you echo my thoughts exactly. I was with the guy for weeks - months - and then... how quickly a few ill-chosen words can turn things around.

Of course, I'm probably knee-jerk reacting the same way Rupert did. His parting confessional leaves a bad taste in my mouth *now*, but I'm sure I'll be back to lovin' the guy by the weekend.

As for the gang-up immunity challenges, Peter, I once again agree with you. They're definitely a "mistake" game-wise, and certainly not as interesting to watch, TV-wise. Though the blow darts, this time, at least made it a bit unpredictable, so it was a little better TV, but, alas, an even worse game.

The problem, of course, is that it's hard to see you're doing something that sucks when your show was a groundbreaking phenomenon that still kicks ass in the ratings.

The writing was on the wall as soon as Rupert decided that he trusted people in the game. Heck, the writing was on the wall anyway. Everyone knows they couldn't beat Rupert in the final 2, so he was going to have to go before the end of the game.

Rupert made the same mistake that so many other Survivor players have made - treating the game like reality. In reality, none of those people would have ever betrayed him. In a game worth a million dollars, they all would.

For the same reason, I predict Burton is a goner. He actually has been sowing the seeds of his own demise, by making it easier for Jon to convince the others that he's too big a threat. As soon as he loses an immunity, he's outta here.

If I had to pick a final 2, it would be Jon and Sandra. They both are schemers, and they both probably figure they've got a shot at winning agaist the other one. Alternately one of them may keep one of the lazy Morgans around figuring they'd be good to be next to at the end.

I hope there's a chance that, by the end of all this, Rupert *will* understand that millions of people think he's pretty super. If it's money he wants or needs, I'm sure there'll be plenty of opportunities after Survivor.

There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow for Rupert (that's for you, Peter!)