Survivor: Palau commentary

Gregg. Gregg. Gregg. So that was your "big plan" -- to get voted out? You were a good player, just not smart enough. I can't say you didn't deserved the boot, but you should have seen that one coming. Well, well, well, this season might actually live up to expectations after all, even with a total loser tribe and a few black sheep who almost ruined the game by refusing to play and quitting, because in the end it did come down to a few good players and a few others who late as it were, started to you know, play the game.

I don't see Jenn as very vulnerable with Gregg gone. We know Tom and Ian are pretty tight, so unless the three women ally to boot one of them (and we all know how successful it would be, given that particular history), they're rock solid in the final four. Jenn is not so much of a threat because of the other two people we come down to, Katie & Caryn. Katie, given her history of wavering alliances, and the blowout with Ian we see from the previews next week, should be on the hot seat, and unless she somehow manuevers herself into an all-women alliance or weasel her way back into the fold of Tom & Ian, she'll likely be gone. Caryn, on the other hand, should also be worried because she is a threat now to Ian, who made promises to Katie but not to her, and it would be in his interest to boot Caryn first before voting for Katie in order to win Katie's jury vote. While the other two women fight it out, Jenn's best move would be to sit on the side lines and vote with the men, unless an all-women alliance holds, which incidentally is in all the women's best interests because none of them can win against Tom or Ian in the final two.

Last week it was still not entirely clear, but now Ian has truly shown himself to be the best player, outshining even Tom. From the realisation that Katie is not firmly on his side and hatching of the plan to boot Gregg, to its perfect execution in getting Caryn to act like she's the next one to go (who would've thought Caryn'd be such a good actress?), to keeping mum when Gregg and Jenn returns, to winning immunity, to telling Katie about their plan at the last minute so she has no way of outplaying him without drawing attention to herself, shows how much of a tactician and master of the game Ian has become. Even tribal council was a well-planned affair leaving all the jurors jaw-droppingly surprised. Rarely has such a plan been executed with such brilliance and perfection, even the booting of Rupert on Pearl Islands and Leann on Vanuatu had potential glitches. Furthermore, Ian is still sitting in the game's best position, even in a final two spot with Tom. Not to mention that he is playing with some of the best strategic players in the history of the game.

Steph was totally gorgeous, especially that hair of hers. I never imagined how much more attractive she would become with a shower, a feast, and a good night's sleep. Incidentally, she's never won any of those rewards, or any immunity either, and yet she survived eleven consecutive tribal councils? Unbelievable. She must have set some sort of record. She continues to get my love even on the jury, and I wished there was some sort of twist that can bring her back in the game. You know, I think Gregg really made a mistake in not being flexible enough to account for Steph in his plan. If Steph has stayed instead of Caryn, she and Katie would easily come over to Gregg's side, given her distrust and view of Tom as a threat. (OK, I know this shouldn't be about Steph anymore, but couldn't you just spare some space for her, for me and posterity?)

Next week: Ian and Katie re-enact Kelly and Sue's argument way back in the first season. And Caryn gets approached by Jenn and Katie for another round of Bitchfest: Palau. Who will be voted out? You know, this season might just end up with a deserving winner.