Survivor Heroes Vs. Villains - Love Notes and Idol Business

Where do I start with this week's episode of Survivor Heroes vs. Villains? Do I start with Tribal Council and tell you how I loved watching Courtney put Jerri in check? Or do I start with the verbal sparring between Sandra and Danielle? Maybe I should do a rewind and talk about Parvati's sly move to hide the idol clue as everyone scarfed down their steak reward. Or maybe, just maybe, I should write about the actual thing foremost on everyone's mind: Coach's kimono.

Nah. I think I'll start with J.T. I know everyone will want to slam him after tonight's episode, calling it THE most boneheaded move in Survivor. And before I get on the bandwagon, I will come to his defense and remind everyone that the game of Survivor requires making big and bold moves - just like Russell did a few weeks back when he gave Parvati his idol, ultimately saving her and cementing his power in the tribe. Had it not worked, we would have been comparing Russell's brain to a sun-baked jellyfish. Alas, I'm afraid this is the point where I turn on J.T. and call his move to secretly give the tribe's only individual idol to Russell as probably the biggest bungle in Survivor history. Before Russell could drawl to the camera that he doesn't need to find idols anymore, we all just knew J.T.'s move would backfire big time. What's more, this play was executed on the misguided assumption that an all female alliance was in full swing at the Villains tribe. What could be worse? Well, how about wrapping the idol in a love letter to Russell? Passing love notes is so third grade. Last night's episode was aptly titled "Survivor History". And Colby, J.T. and Rupert gleefully thought this gambit was going to be hailed as the biggest move in the game's history. Yes, it will make the Survivor History books, but not for the reasons they think. I can almost picture them sinking into their couch as they watch this episode.

Cunning, thy name is Parvati. Jeff Probst's blog last week intimated that Parvati took a backseat to no one. True enough, the editing suggested Russell was the alpha dog with Parvati and Danielle portrayed no more than his minions. As the episodes evolve, I'm not so sure that's the case anymore. Parvati's asset is her ability to let people think they're in control. In a world where everyone's got an ego, she's inherently aware that the way to get far and make it all about you is to make it all about the other person first. Watch how she finds the clue to the immunity idol and uses it to gather Danielle closer to her, shutting out Russell from ever knowing she even found it. As the days close in and the numbers dwindle, this girl is already thinking ahead to the final two.

Reward and immunity challenges are always entertaining to watch, but it's far more fun to discuss the chess moves being contemplated. While this episode was still about maintaining numbers over another tribe, the storytelling begins to shift at this midpoint mark in the game. Everyone's thinking ahead to the merge and all the possible permutations of a new group dynamic are getting fleshed out. J.T. wants Russell in his pocket, Parvati seeks to solidify her bond with Danielle, Amanda and Candice are not shining to J.T., and Jerri searches for reassurance that her game isn't threatened by Coach's leaving. It's all great stuff to watch even when Courtney's eviction was a foregone conclusion. Speaking of Courtney's ouster, what I still don't get after 20 seasons of Survivor is how certain decisions come to be made. I don't understand why the tribe would pick to vote out Courtney over Sandra. Sandra is a previous million dollar winner. One would think that given a choice between two people outside your alliance, you vote out the one who already won the game. Sandra is either being grossly underestimated or there's more to the story that was edited out. I hope further interviews can afford some insight into this vote. As for Courtney, who wouldn't like the skinny chick? She was great with the fireside chats at the last two Tribal Councils, but other than her tight alliance with Sandra and Boston Rob, we never got to see much of her strategy or approach to the game. Still, I plan to see fireworks when she asks her questions at the final Tribal Council.

Oh, and before I forget, Parvati mercilessly mocking J.T.'s letter to Russell even after his strict instructions to read in private - priceless stuff.

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Episode 1 - Recap - Sugar Boobs

Episode 2 - Recap - Another Hero Bites the Dust

Episode 3 - Recap - Randy gets Rooted Out

Episode 4 - Recap - I'll Have One BlindSide to Go

Episode 5 - Recap - Are You Seriously Keeping the Gimp?

Episode 7 - Recap - Robbed!

Episode 8 - The Dragonslayer is Slain