Comments on: Three return to Survivor, but have they learned from the past?

By: Chuck Duncan

Chuck Duncan — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:25:33 +0000

Now that Russell is gone first, and Penner’s personality (and immunity idol) have won him some new friends, I guess I’m more surprised at how quickly Skupin’s tribe has turned against him. Telling Lisa she had to vote him out for her to stay was a surprise, considering how isolated she’d made herself. Maybe the edit is making Skupin come off as a bit more low-key than he really is around the camp.

By: Chuck Duncan

Chuck Duncan — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 07:16:15 +0000

I think Penner will last longer only because (1) from the first minute they set eyes on him, Russell’s tribe was planning to vote him out, and (2) if Zane hadn’t been such an idiot, Russell would have been the first one voted out this season. Granted, if Penner’s tribe loses a challenge now before Russell’s team does, he could go first, and like I said, if they quiver in fear because Penner might have the immunity idol, they could let him slide (a strategy I’ve never been able to understand). We know Russell’s tribe already has animosity towards him, so unless he does step back and stops being the leader, he will still have a target on his back bigger than Penner. Penner’s tribe knows he’s shady, but I think his personality will keep him a little longer than Russell. But it all comes down to winning immunity.

By: Adam S.

Adam S. — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 06:10:41 +0000

I’m surprised you think Penner will last longer than Swan. His whole tribe seems to be antagonistic toward him, and the preview makes it look as though that’s going to get worse. I agree with you on Skupin, though – the man was sort of the first big positive Survivor celebrity who wanted it (Colleen Haskell really didn’t), and he does have sort of a legend that the fans (a.k.a. anybody who plays the game these days) can’t help but respect. The reason for that is that he’s a genuine person and a strong leader, which ought to take him far, though it’ll make him a big target after the merge if his tribe doesn’t have the majority.
I’m glad Skupin is on this season, and I hope he takes it down. The rest of the castaways have so far ranged from unlikable to unremarkable. Hopefully somebody distinguishes themselves a little bit better than the losers of last season.