That whole exchange between Brandon and Probst came across FAKE to me. The reactions from the two tribes seemed genuine/unforced, but I really didn't get the same vibe from the shoulder-rubbing, and Brandon's seeming lack of rage. It was more like awkward blustering.

The only time I laughed was when Reynold(?) asked Jeff to throw up his arms and declare his tribe the challenge winner.

Jeff's constant massaging was majorly creepy and distracting.

I didn't think it was fake; I'm pretty sure Brandon really is that stupid and emotionally reactive.

The idiot is blathering on about being in control of his own fate...which means getting himself kicked off the show, when he ordinarily wouldn't have been.

I workee with juvenile delinquints and his behavior was eerily similar.

http://www.uproxx.com/tv/2013/03/why-survivors-jeff-probst-is-the-best-reality-competition-host-on-television/

So...

Corinne has her very own Gay?

I guess Matt's friendship with Micheal cost him and ultimately Julia was deemed easier to manipulate? They are gonna be weaker in challenges from here on out.

Good to see Corinne is back to being sub-human slime.

That idiol had them freaked. Matt played his cards wrong by being too open.

I liked Matt, shame to see him go

There could not have been a more diverse divide in the tribes

I hope Malcolm isnt setting himself up for disaster...

Physically, i dont see how the purple tribe can compete, and they gave up muscle.

I'm not sure that they could have stacked one tribe for challenges any better if they would have just given them the first 7 picks in a draft. There could always be an upset along the way, but they'll be the favorites in every challenge until the merge.

It's pretty funny when even Phil is beaten down.

I'm sure Jeff and his team see that and the next few challenges might be less physical and more mental.

The problem is that the challenges have already been built.

That last one looked like the one they were going to use for the previous challenge that was forfeited.

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I'm not sure that they could have stacked one tribe for challenges any better if they would have just given them the first 7 picks in a draft. There could always be an upset along the way, but they'll be the favorites in every challenge until the merge.

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Unless there is a big puzzle challenge, the orange tribe will tear through things to the merge.

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I'm sure Jeff and his team see that and the next few challenges might be less physical and more mental.

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They've got some good puzzle solvers on that team as well. And did you see how the purple team struggled just to find the order to stack the blocks? Granted, they were beaten already, but even in a puzzle challenge, I'd give the orange team a slight nod.

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but even in a puzzle challenge, I'd give the orange team a slight nod.

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This.

Malcolm has shown he is good with puzzles.

At least one of the challenges next week is where they "chase' each other in the tide while weighed down with weights. Orange will slaughter purple in this.

Matt was an interesting guy, kinda reminded me of the dude Chris that won it that one year it was men vs. women and he was the last man with about 6 women and worked his magic to get to the end.

None of the fans seem much like super fans, unlike the other time they did this format. Speaking of fans of the game - both Erik and Cochran seem to be way under the radar. If Erik makes the merge and there are more swimming challenges, he could go on a run.

Doubt Erik will have that opportunity. Generally most individual challenges don't take place in the water.

Was anyone else really distracted that whole time Phil was talking to that boring girl in the shelter? Instead of using the flint he was just scraping away like he was trying to file it down? For some reason that really bugged me.

Phil makes the FBI look like a bunch of morons. I bet they hate his ass more than Brandon.

I looked at his linkedin page, and he worked for the government for 3 years from 1986-1989 (incidentally, this is when he developed his basketball game). I'm pretty sure it didn't say he worked for the FBI. Since, he's mostly been in sales/marketing. He's clearly used the "federal agent" stuff to create some type of alter ego. shocking, i know.

From this point in the game, if you had to guess who the final two are going to be, who would you guess?

I'll say I'm guessing it will be Malcolm and Andrea, with Andrea winning.

[This message has been edited by Teacher_Ag (edited 3/22/2013 12:21p).]

I usually have a good sense of who I think will go far, but this season has me pretty flummoxed.

malcolm has to be the obvious favorite because we know he's a smart player, good in challenges, good at finding idols and would have won the game had they not voted him out at 4 (or 5?) in last season. Add to that that they don't know any of this about him (besides what he's shown this season) and I think he should go far.

phillip's stuck his neck out way too far that he'll be gone as soon as the numbers allow (same with corrine, unless she can make it to the point where people WANT to go to the end with her).

as mentioned, cochran and eric are floating under the radar nicely, but unless they start making some moves to get the numbers in their favor, I don't see either having much of a compelling reason to vote for them.

none of the fans impress me much...reynold is obviously good in challenges, but everyone seems to see him as a used car salesman and will want to get him out asap at the merge.

normally, i'd say dawn, but it seems like people don't really trust her or like playing with her, because she talks a little too much out of both sides of her mouth. I can see her being targeted around 7 or 8 because they don't want to go against her in the f3 (assuming it's 3).

again, I really don't know. if i had to guess, malcolm and andrea seem like pretty good guesses. wish i had a better one, but this has been a weird season.

Reynold has an idol and I think he goes far. May start winning some individual immunity and take control of the game. I'll stick my next out and say he's getting the edit of a winner so far. Phil is getting the edit also, and I think we know they are dragging him to the end. Maybe the hot old lady as the last of the final 3? Two fans and one favorite?

Reynold Sherri and Phillip are my final 3 right now.

I am pulling for Malcome but I think he's setting up for another fall at the end like he had on last season....

[This message has been edited by Ronnie (edited 3/22/2013 1:25p).]

That was way too many words when you could have just said "you're right". Kidding! I do agree with your analysis of the other players though, for sure.

I don't think Phil is getting the winner's edit, I think he's getting the crazy dude who gets us better ratings edit. He'll be gone soon, though, IMO.

Phillip will go to the finals because no one likes him or takes him seriously. No one likes Reynolds but Eddie.

I really have no idea at this point.

philip is an ass, but he's playing very well

I don't think annoying the crap out of everybody is playing particularly well.

Welp...disagree then. He's the oldest and, despite being annoying, is in line to be top 3 right now.

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Phil makes the FBI look like a bunch of morons. I bet they hate his ass more than Brandon.

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from people I know in the business, the FBI is basically full of IRS type personalities and are laughed at by other enforcement departments

so yeah Phil is the FBI recruiting tool

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Welp...disagree then. He's the oldest and, despite being annoying, is in line to be top 3 right now.

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Is the goal to win or to be top 3? Are we back to the old Russell debates?