Nothing beats watching Survivor and seeing a magnificent blindside take place, step by step, from the first seeds being sown until it grown into a huge beanstalk taking an unwitting castaway hostage.  But the one last week was better: seeing Erik's face as he virtually shot Foa Foa down, and then seeing it change when the votes started rolling in, one after another, Erik, Erik, Erik, "the seventh person voted out is Erik."

And that proved to be a huge shake-up, a far bigger one than I expected.  Suddenly our idea of who's the dominant player has flipped so many times, and the most unlikely contestants have shown considerable strength and influence.  Yes, I'm looking at you, Natalie.

So we'll see what happens tonight.  The promos have been hinting that Russell is a target for elimination, more than ever, especially now that he's lost his secret immunity necklace.  Of course, all that hype would amount to nothing, but I won't be surprised if some damage will be done.  On Survivor: Samoa tonight, someone hatches a plan that will rattle everyone, and promises to lead to one of the most memorable Tribal Councils in Survivor history.  Possible hyperbole, but I'll hold on to that.

But before that, the newly-merged Aiga tribe will have to deal with hunger.  So much for the tribewarming party last week, eh?  Anyway, one castaway, an unexpected one, will provide for the tribe by killing a rat and eating it.  Possibly it tastes like chicken.  Who knows?  Survivor: Samoa returns tonight from 8pm on CBS.


- Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of CBS)