Debbie

[Mr. E of Yonago, Japan]

I agree with rose, I think Coach will buy anything coming from Team Bromance, as long as it plays up Coach's own belief in himself.

No one would get any votes against JT, but perhaps Tyson would join with Debbie voting for Coach over Taj, and against Erinn, it would be a toss-up, wouldn't it? Coach might even be favored in that scenario....



Edited to add: Oops! just noticed the tongue out smiley, indicative of tongue in cheek!

[Cestriano]

An all Timbira F2 at this point would be one of the weirdest things ever.

[Cestriano]

An all Timbira F2 at this point would be one of the weirdest things ever.

[Mr. E of Yonago, Japan]

It sure would, Cestriano!

But when one team gets the numerical majority, they often seem to target the biggest threats within their own tribe, don't they? We saw it destroy Timbira, and now perhaps it will work on the Jalapao.

It's exactly when everything looks clearest and the path to the finals is within your grasp that you have to be the wariest.

If Coach wins IIC, then you have to think, well, Erinn will go, obviously.... but that sets up the biggest game threat to all of them, JT, for the blindside. You wouldn't even need Coach's vote to accomplish it, but even he might swing, if you play up the 'dragonslayer' aspect of it. "Killing not one, but two dragons, coach, wouldn't that cement your legend/win?" After that, an Erinn or Coach victory at F4 would seal Stephen's fate, and then, the only thing that could prevent an all Timbira final would be a Final IIC win by Taj. Possible, but somehow not likely (although we saw how Susie came through last season, in a challenge that was based more on a steady hand and nerves than pure endurance/stength).

If Stephen passes the idol back to Taj for F5, then a JT blindside is almost automatic. If Stephen keeps it for himself, then he almost guarantees that Taj will want to take him out at F4/F3. If Stephen passes the idol to JT, it would put the target on himself, because even if Stephen pretended that he was going to use the idol, and passed it to JT, then JT could turn around and show the idol to Taj, guaranteeing that she would turn on Stephen, who would then be out before F4.

Of course, if Team Bromance is the real deal, another Colby/Tina dyad, then they could still mess with the other players with a fancy HII double-secret-fake-blindside-sellout. Such whiz-kid strategizing would take some of the sting out of an inevitable JT victory against Stephen. I have a feeling the Jalapao triad will 'keep the faith' until the end. JT already knows that he has to win the final IIC in order to get to F2, so it doesn't matter whether it's Erinn or Taj with Bromance at F3. (Hey, do you think JT might want Coach in the F3 in that case?)

[Mr. E of Yonago, Japan]

It sure would, Cestriano!

But when one team gets the numerical majority, they often seem to target the biggest threats within their own tribe, don't they? We saw it destroy Timbira, and now perhaps it will work on the Jalapao.

It's exactly when everything looks clearest and the path to the finals is within your grasp that you have to be the wariest.

If Coach wins IIC, then you have to think, well, Erinn will go, obviously.... but that sets up the biggest game threat to all of them, JT, for the blindside. You wouldn't even need Coach's vote to accomplish it, but even he might swing, if you play up the 'dragonslayer' aspect of it. "Killing not one, but two dragons, coach, wouldn't that cement your legend/win?" After that, an Erinn or Coach victory at F4 would seal Stephen's fate, and then, the only thing that could prevent an all Timbira final would be a Final IIC win by Taj. Possible, but somehow not likely (although we saw how Susie came through last season, in a challenge that was based more on a steady hand and nerves than pure endurance/stength).

If Stephen passes the idol back to Taj for F5, then a JT blindside is almost automatic. If Stephen keeps it for himself, then he almost guarantees that Taj will want to take him out at F4/F3. If Stephen passes the idol to JT, it would put the target on himself, because even if Stephen pretended that he was going to use the idol, and passed it to JT, then JT could turn around and show the idol to Taj, guaranteeing that she would turn on Stephen, who would then be out before F4.

Of course, if Team Bromance is the real deal, another Colby/Tina dyad, then they could still mess with the other players with a fancy HII double-secret-fake-blindside-sellout. Such whiz-kid strategizing would take some of the sting out of an inevitable JT victory against Stephen. I have a feeling the Jalapao triad will 'keep the faith' until the end. JT already knows that he has to win the final IIC in order to get to F2, so it doesn't matter whether it's Erinn or Taj with Bromance at F3. (Hey, do you think JT might want Coach in the F3 in that case?)

[Cestriano]

I don't see why Stephen keeping the Idol for himself would put the target on his back. Like, this Thursday is the last chance to use it, and technically it's HIS idol and not hers at the moment so to not use it, when it's your last chance to do so, and if he doesn't have Immunity...would be pretty stupid. If he wins Immunity...then it's a toss-up as to whether he gives it to Taj or JT.

[Cestriano]

I don't see why Stephen keeping the Idol for himself would put the target on his back. Like, this Thursday is the last chance to use it, and technically it's HIS idol and not hers at the moment so to not use it, when it's your last chance to do so, and if he doesn't have Immunity...would be pretty stupid. If he wins Immunity...then it's a toss-up as to whether he gives it to Taj or JT.

[Mr. E of Yonago, Japan]

You might be right about that, Cestriano.

Logically, Taj needn't worry about being voted out....

unless.... Coach somehow gets it in his head that Taj is less worthy than Erinn, and pushes for the Warriors to 'Come out and play-ay-ay' without her! Even then, it wouldn't amount to much, as JT and Stephen could control the vote anyway, and turn it against Coach. Still, there'd be that uncomfortable feeling of vulnerability in the air, justified or not, and it could call into question the closeness of Taj and Stephen's bond.

Of course, at this point, Taj should be teaming up with Erinn, and try and bring in Coach for a blindside against Team Bromance, provided neither of them have the IIC necklace. If either of them win it, it's over, as it is obvious that whichever one doesn't hold the necklace must hold and play the Idol. To suggest otherwise screams betrayal.

Perhaps that is why Erinn is shown trying to apologize. Perhaps she was caught 'telling tales out of school,' pointing out to Taj and Coach that they should really be working against Team Bromance, and not with them.....

It wouldn't be the first time that a player was booted for simply pointing out the truth of the situation.

[Mr. E of Yonago, Japan]

You might be right about that, Cestriano.

Logically, Taj needn't worry about being voted out....

unless.... Coach somehow gets it in his head that Taj is less worthy than Erinn, and pushes for the Warriors to 'Come out and play-ay-ay' without her! Even then, it wouldn't amount to much, as JT and Stephen could control the vote anyway, and turn it against Coach. Still, there'd be that uncomfortable feeling of vulnerability in the air, justified or not, and it could call into question the closeness of Taj and Stephen's bond.

Of course, at this point, Taj should be teaming up with Erinn, and try and bring in Coach for a blindside against Team Bromance, provided neither of them have the IIC necklace. If either of them win it, it's over, as it is obvious that whichever one doesn't hold the necklace must hold and play the Idol. To suggest otherwise screams betrayal.

Perhaps that is why Erinn is shown trying to apologize. Perhaps she was caught 'telling tales out of school,' pointing out to Taj and Coach that they should really be working against Team Bromance, and not with them.....

It wouldn't be the first time that a player was booted for simply pointing out the truth of the situation.