Survivor has changed. Just ask Colby, who shook his head at Tom last night and mused, “I don’t think I can play this game,” or Steph, who admitted in her exit interview the real players had zero chance thanks to pre-formed alliances.
The L.A. players, as last week’s victim called them, have taken this game by storm, perhaps jeopardizing the purity of the social experiment that once made this show so fascinating to watch. Beloved players like Tom and Boston Rob, or even villains like Jerri will be left mouths gaping once the likes of Parvati, James, JT and Russell bite.
That’s right, three weeks in and Russell is starting his game, and it’s going to result in Rob’s exit. But probably not before Russ makes good on his promise of sabotaging Rob and stealing his prime possession: The Hat.
For now the villains are playing the old-fashioned way, snuffing Randy for his age, despite Coach’s hypocritical promise to be honourable to the Gabon alum. Was anyone really fooled? Randy didn’t have nearly enough editing time for anyone to think he’d make it far, but I certainly missed his caustic remarks this time around. Where’s a plate of cookies when you need one?
Speaking of food, since when does bringing some into the game not constitute at least a high five? Randy’s giant clam was shunned by almost everyone, who just opted not to eat. Had they just had breakfast or something? Season 1 contestant Rudy Boesch was right on the money when he told TVGuide.ca the game has become about girls in bikinis getting fat.
The players and their attitudes aren’t the only things off. This season has featured one massive challenge per episode, rather than the traditional Reward and then Immunity. Instead, most of the focus has been on the players themselves, who is aligning with who, which potential romances are on the rise, and the mood of the group. In an all-star season perhaps the audience wants more of this, but eliminating a challenge every three days allows them more time to recuperate and takes less of a toll on their bodies, no? And isn’t that part of this game, how hard it is to brave the elements and still compete like a warrior?
Then there’s the shoddy editing that’s driving me up the wall. Please, for the love of the show, they need to stop having cheesy slow-motion close-ups, absurd music and so many shots of Coach. We get that the guy’s a character, but the poor man is just coming off as a buffoon.
What do you think of this Survivor evolution? amber@tvguide.ca or sound off below.
Have a TV question? Check out the latest edition of Ask Amber or follow Amber on Twitter
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global/CBS.
Check out what three other TV critics think about last night's episode of Survivor.
Follow TV Guide Canada on Facebook