Say what you will about Kenny, the skinny video game expert, and his strategic mastery of Survivor, but he's kind of an arrogant little dweeb.  (Channeling my inner elderly curmudgeon) - He gives the youth of America a bad name!  I'm referring, of course, to Ken's comments early in the episode that painted Bob as a clueless nincompoop, someone incapable of playing “the game” of Survivor, just an old sap who could make random crap.  CBS shrewdly aired Kenny's dickish comments right after he and Bob caught fish, an activity that Kenny would have never been able to participate in if it wasn't for Bob and his infinite craftiness.  My point is that I don't like Kenny much.  He's a smart player, I'll give him that, OK, but I don't want to play Halo with him.

Recap of Survivor: Gabon - Episode 11

Survivor: Gabon continued to bring the goods last night, with Bob and Corinne's attempted fake idol ruse.  My only complaint was that we spent far too much time with the families, and not enough with the pre-tribal council strategery.  For instance – what did Bob and Corinne tell Kenny and Crystal?  Did they say they were going to use the idol?  Kenny's back-up plan to sniff out the idol was excellent, though if he had followed that line of thought, he would have realized that even he didn't have to vote for Matty.  Now, he may have to answer to why there was a mysterious third vote for Survivor's surfer dude.  Nonetheless, Ken did a swell job of hedging his bets, though we can all agree that Bob and Corinne did the best they could do, given the dire situation. 

You know what sticks in my craw?  The family episodes, when everyone cries.  I don't mean to sound insensitive, and I don't want to belittle any of the close relationships that the Survivor contestants have, but come on – you've only been away from your loved ones for a month.  You're playing for a million dollars.  There is no guilt associated with their absence either – the quest for a million dollars obviously has the full support of family members.  Is the mere glimpse of a family member really cry-worthy?  Perhaps Survivor is just that emotionally taxing.  I don't know.  I do know that I've spent months and months away from home for various reasons, away from people I love, but the notion of crying like a tween girl in the presence of The Jonas Brothers is completely foreign to me.  And, for someone like Bob (whose relationship with his wife is adorable), to have that reaction after decades of marriage is baffling.  Are they playing it up for the camera?  That has to be part of it – you don't want to be the one person not crying.  You'd look like a jerk. 

For next episode to be interesting, Bob is going to have to win immunity once more or pull off one more coup.  Don't underestimate the man. 


Best in Show

Best Quote: "Will you marry me?" - Matty, to his girlfriend

Best Scene: The immunity challenge.  Very-well designed, cool challenge.  Great use of the natural terrain. 

Best User Comment:  “From a strategic standpoint, today's episode was sub-par. There was SO much more they could have done: told Matty and Sugar that they K/C were going to backstab them. They set the foundations for the crumbling of the underdog alliance, but they really should have given a hard kick to the structure if they wanted a chance at winning. I love this season because my favourites change every single episode.” - brannypoo, bringing up an interesting point.  I'm not sure much more could have been done, but who knows it wasn't?  The editors trimmed a lot of the strategic planning, I have to assume. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of CBS)