SURVIVOR 35 • Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers - "Come on in, guys!"

[Pacolovestacos]

Based on the edit, I would have bet big money that Desi was going to vote for Chrissy.

 

[RedSox68]

I think the only reason they kept mentioning kids watching is because some of the players this year have been watching since they were kids and it was their dream to play. I think they were just sending a message to kids if you want to play on Surivor when you grow up, it's possible.

I don't think they ever gave anyone, including Ben, help. Many many players before him (remember Russell) were good at finding idols -- sometimes all of them. I think Ben's determination and calmness is what kept him steady and focused. if you noticed, when he screwed up the last challenge, his focus was gone and he couldn't keep his calm and just blew it.

I'm not sure about the theme of the next show, but I agree with a PP that they should have had the actual players who screwed up have a chance to fix their errors.

As for the twist at the end, we loved it and thought it was awesome that the final player didn't hold all the cards about picking who goes forward. I think leaving it to chance is great and gives those who were stronger players a chance to step up.

 

[RedSox68]

Totally disagree with you.

I was hoping Ben or Dr. Mike would win, so I was disappointed when Dr. Mike got voted out, and super bummed when Ben made that awful mistake with the upside down "U" in the challenge. I just knew he was gone after that. And Crissy going up to him pretending to want to be friends again. Ben saw right through her. I did like her at the beginning of the season, but she just got too cocky and annoying. I wanted her out weeks ago. Then when they announced the making fire twist, I thought "oh my gosh! Ben can win this and go to final 3!!" And he did!! I was thrilled!

He so deserved to win, and I'm so glad he did!!

The look on Chrissy's face when she knew he was going to win the fire challenge was priceless. What a great kick in the gut for all her smarminess and fake friendship!

 

[JaxDad]

I think the only reason they kept mentioning kids watching is because some of the players this year have been watching since they were kids and it was their dream to play. I think they were just sending a message to kids if you want to play on Surivor when you grow up, it's possible.

I don't think they ever gave anyone, including Ben, help. Many many players before him (remember Russell) were good at finding idols -- sometimes all of them. I think Ben's determination and calmness is what kept him steady and focused. if you noticed, when he screwed up the last challenge, his focus was gone and he couldn't keep his calm and just blew it.

I'm not sure about the theme of the next show, but I agree with a PP that they should have had the actual players who screwed up have a chance to fix their errors.

As for the twist at the end, we loved it and thought it was awesome that the final player didn't hold all the cards about picking who goes forward. I think leaving it to chance is great and gives those who were stronger players a chance to step up.

I watch Survivor fairly regularly. I tend to miss a lot of episodes and even passed on entire seasons, so I am no super fan, but I do remember Russell talking about his idol-finding prowess in some interview. He would do whatever he could to spy on the production crew to determine where they may be hiding idols or clues, plus he said the crews would race to him when he got close to finding them (basically saying "getting warmer..."). Maybe Ben figured some of this out as well.

 

[RedSox68]

Yep, and he said he took it as a sign that he needed to just trust himself and have confidence that he could do it. I was bummed that he didn't even get a fire going. I really liked him, though I didn't think he should be the overall winner.

I liked him in the beginning, but the last few shows he got really cocky and nasty and throwing his sidekick Ashley under the bus was the last straw for me! That's why we so enjoyed the panic on his face when he realized he couldn't get the fire started and was going to lose!

 

[RedSox68]

Not liking the new format of free for all questioning. It gets dominated by a few people. I like the old way of each juror having a crack. And what's with the shortened reunion show? All we really hear from are the ones who lasted the longest and we saw the most of anyway. It would have been fun to catch up on some of the earlier contestants. At least I thought an update on Cole and Jessica was in order, unless that relationship went nowhere.

Wonder who would have won if Devon won the fire challenge.

Did Jeff ever get back to the girl who he had site down who she thought would win? If not what was the point.

I didn't mind the way the jury talk went, but must admit I didn't like the new format of showing all the players at the start of the show and coming back to the audience and having them come out as they got voted out. I liked when they came back to the results show and went from there.

Plus, why didn't they edit that finale better so it didn't run 20 minutes over. The "reunion" show was nothing but an ad for the upcoming show and Jeff never talked to any of the other Survivors. Bummer show.

 

[RedSox68]

I wanted Ben to win, but i think the producers did, too. There were just too many planets lining up for him that made me smell a bit of BS. All those idols that seemed to appear after everyone else stopped looking (Mike swore up and down he looked everywhere), the twist at the end that seemed like a feeble attempt to keep someone in the game.

Plus, I don't understand all of those people who had run ins with Ben voting for him. Perhaps they were persuaded behind the scenes.

Regardless, Ben needs the money more than the others, plus he fought for our country so I'm glad he won. If I'm honest with myself, I think Chrissy outplayed everyone.

Jeff had said a couple of weeks ago that the last two episodes were going to be nuts with twists. I think they plan those twists way ahead in order to make them work.

 

[rajak73]

Ben was the only one smart enough to not run around camp yelling, "I got a idol, I got a idol" LOL. If some of the others would have kept their mouth shut, they may have made it longer in the game, think Lauren. I still think Ben played the best game, every time his back was to the wall, he came through, I laughed and laughed when Chrissy took out that fake necklace and put it on and told Ben "Well, no use even looking because I have it, ha, ha" And Ben already had the idol in his boot, so he knew it was BS. Devon made fire almost every morning but couldn't when he really needed too.

 

[RedSox68]

Not sure if I missed this somewhere but who voted for Chrissy to win besides Lauren?

Lauren voted for Ben -- she gave that speech to the camera about him helping other soldiers.

 

[RedSox68]

Ben was the only one smart enough to not run around camp yelling, "I got a idol, I got a idol" LOL. If some of the others would have kept their mouth shut, they may have made it longer in the game, think Lauren. I still think Ben played the best game, every time his back was to the wall, he came through, I laughed and laughed when Chrissy took out that fake necklace and put it on and told Ben "Well, no use even looking because I have it, ha, ha" And Ben already had the idol in his boot, so he knew it was BS. Devon made fire almost every morning but couldn't when he really needed too.

OMG -- it was ridiculous how no one in that camp (but Ben) could keep a dang secret! And Jeff even mentioned that during the show -- that this was the season of secrets and no one could keep their mouths shut (especially Ryan and Cole). Another plus for Ben, he blindsided them three times with surprise idols that he managed to keep to himself!

 

[mefordis]

Ben was the only one smart enough to not run around camp yelling, "I got a idol, I got a idol" LOL. If some of the others would have kept their mouth shut, they may have made it longer in the game, think Lauren. I still think Ben played the best game, every time his back was to the wall, he came through, I laughed and laughed when Chrissy took out that fake necklace and put it on and told Ben "Well, no use even looking because I have it, ha, ha" And Ben already had the idol in his boot, so he knew it was BS. Devon made fire almost every morning but couldn't when he really needed too.

Good point about the fire. The more I think about it the more I feel that the outcome is rigged.

 

[MIGrandma]

I've followed this forum, but this is my first time posting on it. I found it disturbing that Chrissy kept her hand on Ben's knee the whole time they where seated next to each other.

I thought it was odd too and yelled at the TV, “get your hand off his knee!” when she left it there so long.

 

[EMom]

I did not believe Chrissy had a genuine bone in her body. So what if she "got to know" everyone? I do not believe for a second she actually gave a flip about any of them. No, she was simply gathering data to use at a later date. She was convinced she was infinitely more intelligent than any of the other contestants and didn't do the best job of hiding it.

Near the end, when she asked Ben if he would work with her if he won immunity, I was almost yelling, " Ask HER if SHE will work with YOU if SHE wins immunity and watch her reaction." I prayed Ben would be the ONE person with nerve enough to confront her and turn the tables and I loved it when he did just that. And then Chrissy seemed stunned, as if it had NEVER occurred to her that a person (let alone Ben) might expect quid pro quo. So let me get this straight...she actually expected him to consider throwing her a lifeline, but she didn't even expect him to ASK about a lifeline in return, let alone throw him one? That is arrogance in the extreme.

I believe she TRIED to portray herself as a nurturing, caring, empathetic mom figure, but I don't think anything could be further from the truth. She was condescending, arrogant, and either incapable or unwilling to form true connections. And the other contestants eventually saw through her facade.

 

[EMom]

Good point about the fire. The more I think about it the more I feel that the outcome is rigged.

If Devon made fire at camp on a regular basis, why wouldn't he be able to make fire against Ben? How is that rigged?

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Good point about the fire. The more I think about it the more I feel that the outcome is rigged.

There is a difference making fire chilling on the beach and having to do it with all eyes on you to save your Survivor life. Just like you could probably make a basketball shot in your driveway over and over and over. I drive you to the stadium, put 30,000 people in the stands, and you will airball that same shot.

 

[declansdad]

Add me to the "I don't believe the show is rigged" camp.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

OMG -- it was ridiculous how no one in that camp (but Ben) could keep a dang secret! And Jeff even mentioned that during the show -- that this was the season of secrets and no one could keep their mouths shut (especially Ryan and Cole). Another plus for Ben, he blindsided them three times with surprise idols that he managed to keep to himself!

You'd think after watching past seasons, people would know better.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

You'd think after watching past seasons, people would know better.

Some people just can't help themselves. They have to talk. Ben, having served in the military, is probably better than most at being able to keep secrets.

 

[EMom]

There is a difference making fire chilling on the beach and having to do it with all eyes on you to save your Survivor life. Just like you could probably make a basketball shot in your driveway over and over and over. I drive you to the stadium, put 30,000 people in the stands, and you will airball that same shot.

Wasn't Ben under the exact same pressure as Devon?

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Wasn't Ben under the exact same pressure as Devon?

That's my point. Some people crack under the pressure, Devon cracked. My response was to the person who thought it was rigged because Devon was able to make fire on a beach vs. the jury setting with all the pressure of the world on their shoulders.