I agree with Sushipup on all points (except I'm not loving this season so far). I also like that the returnees were voted in, instead of being cast by the producers. There are far fewer "types", and while there are some favorites from the past, many of the ones selected are there more because they're interesting and memorable, I think, than because they're beloved. I think it's interesting that a loose cannon like Abi-Maria might do better than a textbook American hero like Terry Dietz, but she might! Yes, she's annoying, and classic Survivor strategy is to keep the annoying ones around. I'm glad they've given time to what she has to say, because although she's a loose cannon, she has a very strong backbone and is pretty honest about herself. She won't work with Woo because he voted for her twice. Period. Won't consider it. It's frustrating to the people who need her for numbers because she won't work with them, and will only do what she wants. And why not? She knows that they're going to dump her first chance they get. And someone else will take her up for her warm little hand on the pen, but then she's going to vote her own way then too, unless she feels like she has to bend to survive, and maybe not even then... Raven, they were pleading with Abi because in that one moment she was the god of their survival in the game. She's so blunt about everything else, I believe her when she says her mind isn't made up at Tribal Council. At that point, if you're on the bottom, you're pleading to your survivor god to let you survive. There's a huge amount of history that shows that the nice guy, who just lets the chips fall where they may without pleading his case, usually goes home for not showing that he wanted it enough. I like Kass. I think I liked her the first time. I think she's a good person, bright and interesting. I get bored by the cookie cutter hero types. People like Dietz, but he doesn't reveal anything about himself. He's all buttoned up military man who uses charisma more than social skill. Kass is so socially unaware, however, that she had to read a book. And then had to plot a scenario to demonstrate her new socialiness, making that birthday present--see! it's not a fake idol! Actual sociability involves being interested in people, asking them about themselves, caring about their answers, and finding connections. I wonder if she learned any of that from Carnegie's book. I haven't read the whole book, but he took great stock in learning about the doormen's families, asking after them, etc. In other words, treat everybody you meet like someone you're interested in knowing, and someone you care about. I, too, miss the camp life survival stuff. I think they handed out the goodies early just to make it that much tougher when they took them away from the third tribe. Which is also cruel. One of the all time best challenges was that digging in the sand for treasure chests in Season One, but the ones they run nowadays are much more visual and more dramatic, horserace style. That's to keep people tuned in. The only thing that changes season to season nowadays, given that there isn't even anything really twisty about the twists anymore, is the "characters" and their social game. And new or old players, they all know it's the social that will get them to the win. From year one, however, I've been hooked because it plays out like a Zimbardo experiment, where people voluntarily put themselves into distressing situation. Instead of being psychologically harassed and abused by the "guards" (production staff), they're physically abused in the challenges, and make their own psychological challenges. Many many "reality" game shows, everything from Project Runway to Top Shot to Hell's Kitchen to Project Runway, make the contestants live together as roommates with limited access to communication with the outside world, so that tensions will be heightened, and they won't have their love and support systems to help them through, forcing them to rely on their inner strength. They get comfy beds, though, and good, pentilful food. On Survivor, they have deprivation, exposure, vermin and physically brutal challenges, with no outside communication at all until near the end. It strips down their personalities to the core to be so physically deprived. The result is fascinating. But if it were done at as university research, rather than a game show, it would never pass Human Subject regulations.

Finally watched the 2nd half last night. I was glad to see the Godfather get blind sided... always like a good blindside! lol I think the remaining casts are a lot better physically matched now that the big guys are all out. Gabby bugs me - always crying over something stupid. Carl didn't talk to me wah wah wah. There's Christian comforting her and making sure she is ok. And the previews showing she wants to get him out? OMG! That made me so mad! What a traitor. I always like when a STRONG player wins - the ones who ride coattails and get to the end make me so mad. Gabby would be one of those. I hope her plan gets back to Christian and backfires on her!

Ok, this is the only loved ones visit I actually liked! I was so happy that they let all of them stay - and that they included the other island players as well. Cute at the end when Boston Rob thanked Jeff and they all group hugged him. I agree about the whispering at tribal - the first time it happened was odd - now it's almost expected and it's annoying. It's much more interesting if something comes up and people start to look panicky at trying to figure out what to do - without whispering to everyone else. Survivor needs to stop allowing that to happen.

*****************spolier alert********************* JD - NNNNNNOOOOOOO you broke the golden rule! not loving the new format... brad? goes home with 2 advantages and the other tribe did not find the 3rd one yet?? (blue tribe)... dont mess with a good thing!! go back to the first 5-7 seasons with no B.S. they were the best! i want them to eat "delicacies"!!