Stephanie's capacity to shoot herself in the foot on Survivor is truly astounding. Maybe she was just completely unable to convince Lydia to vote her way, and so Cindy was doomed anyway. But after Judd, Cindy was Stephanie's strongest ally. Now Stephanie stands alone against Rafe, Danni, and Lydia who-- unbeknownst to Steph-- have been conspiring together for quite a while. Rafe's done a good job of hopping from one side to the other, and Danni and Lydia's survival this far is miraculous. If Danni were to make it to the end, she'd be a shoo-in. Outnumbered after the merge and the last remaining member of a doomed tribe, how could you not vote for her? Lydia's only there because nobody thinks she's a threat, which is precisely how Vescepia won in the Marquesas. Hopefully the jury won't reward her for being the worst-performing player.
Cindy's decision tonight-- whether to keep the car she won or give it up to give each of the other four players a car instead-- was a very interesting one. Like Rafe, I think I would have given up the car. If it'd been cash, no way. But a) I don't have a need to drive in a new car, b) you have to pay taxes on the car (although if you sold the car, you'd undoubtedly make a nice profit) c) giving up the car would have been tantamount to winning immunity that week, because nobody who's just been given a car could vote off their benefactor if there was any other viable alternative, d) giving four people new cars would feel really good, and e) at the live wrap-up, do you really think Pontiac would miss the opportunity for a little more great PR by giving Cindy her own car after she generously gave one up? She could well have had the best of both worlds. But if you really wanted a new car, I can't imagine deciding to give it up even under those circumstances.
We had a good talk about this last night. I think she was doomed either way.
1. Keep the car and gain the enmity of those left.
2. Give up the car and increase your threat factor in the eyes of the other four, yeah, they got a car, but they all are looking at the cash, not the car. If Cindy makes it to the final two, don't you think the person she goes with will feel threatened as the rest of the jury admires her generosity? Better to boot her before the jury.
I think Stephanie knows she has to win out on immunity challenges. I think Stephanie realized it was Cindy or her going home and chose to go with the group because there was no alternative for her.
Given how "nice" the remaining four are, don't you think Rafe, Steph, and Danni are all implicitly keeping Lydia around specifically to take her with them to the final two?
Posted by: Jonathan on December 9, 2005 08:47 PMI agree with Jonathan. Cindy was probably doomed either way. If she keeps the car she's the object of jealousy. If she gives away the car she's ultimately seen as a threat.
Oh, and here is my closing statement if I'm ever one of the final two in Survivor:
"Whining about being lied to in Survivor is alot like whining about being knocked down in a game of football. The fact that you don't *get* that is the reason you're sitting on the jury right now."
Posted by: Stephen Glenn on December 12, 2005 02:30 PM