They're baaaack!

Last night was the premiere of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, and it was awesome! I really enjoyed last season, and feel that overall, the last few batches of Survivor have been pretty good. But if last night's episode was indicative at all, HvV is going to go down in history as one of the greatest seasons of the show.

They brought back an interesting bunch of people. For the Villains: Coach, Courtney, Boston Rob, Tyson, Danielle, Sandra, Parvati, Jerri and Randy. The Heroes: Amanda, Cirie, Rupert, Stephenie, Colby, Sugar, JT, James, Candice and Tom. Both have their strengths (Boston Rob, Parvati and Sandra; Tom, Colby, James and JT); both have their weaknesses (Danielle and possibly Randy; Sugar). In sheer brute strength, the Heroes have the advantage - James could snap Courtney in half like a twig without any effort - but don't count the villains out at all.

Russell is back, much to my mostly dismay but part amusement. On the one hand, listening to his twangy voice going on and on about how he's the best player to play the game made me cringe. I got enough of that last season, thanks. But it was quick to see that Russel was up to his bag of tricks in no time flat. Interestingly, Russel went on to film HvV without finding out who won in Samoa. He has know idea that his strategy actually isn't the best. That his strategy actually cost him the title of Sole Survivor (which he tried to buy from Natalie at the reunion, if you'll recall) and the million dollars.

Russel not accounting for the social aspect of the game was his biggest downfall. Lying/making promises to people, only to turn around and stab them in the back will not make you friends. Especially when it comes to the jury. I pointed this out to my dad. He dismissed me, saying that the jury is stupid to take those things personally and that they shouldn't bring emotions into the final vote (I don't really need to point out that my dad is a Russel fan). Maybe he's right. Maybe emotions shouldn't play a role in the voting process, but when push comes to shove - they do. And you won't do well to forget that.

Think back to the All-Stars season, which for me was a big let-down. The reason why Boston Rob lost to Amber was because of - yep - emotion. The circumstances are a little different in this particular season, since as All-Stars, they'd played together and partied together before. But when Boston Rob stabbed Kathy and Lex in the back - that right there, that's why he lost. I defy you to watch the final tribal council of that season and watch Kathy's speech to Rob without getting a little emotional yourself. Maybe that's not the way the game should be played, but it is. It is.

If his tribemates are smart, Russel will be the first to go. They didn't get to see him in action on Samoa, so they don't know how strategic he is. But if I were on that tribe, he'd be my number one target for that very reason. Sure, he's surprisingly strong and useful in challenges (which, I have to admit, initially blew my mind in Samoa), but not knowing his strategy is a huge downfall, and a huge advantage he has over everyone else. My thinking would be: hey, this guy was clearly a great player, since he's fresh off the boat from Samoa, and he's obviously bad news, since they cast him as a villain. So boom, gone. 'Bye, 'bye, Russel.

Personally, I will do a little dance if Russel gets voted off. As early as possible would be ideal, but I cannot tell a lie - he would make for an intriguing jury member!

Moving on...

A Jerri/Coach "showmance" would pretty much be the greatest thing to ever come out of Survivor. That is all.

It's really hard to say what's going to happen next. Survivor has usally been unpredictable, but this season, it could go in any direction. I'm pulling for the Heroes, because with the possible exception of Cirie, I'd be happy with any of them winning. Among similar lines, I'd hate to see Randy, Russel, Courtney, Danielle and Tyson win. And because she'd be so obnoxious about it, I wouldn't want to see Jerri win, either. But I think Tyson and Randy really top my list, because they're such jackasses. Not in the cunning and clever and you have to begrudgingly admit entertaing way that Boston Rob is a jackass. Genuine, real, unpleasant jackasses.

On the flipside, I'd love for Colby or Tom to win. Tom is a wonderful player who showed everyone that you don't have to be a manipulative asshat to win this game. And Colby? I've never gotten over the fact that he didn't win in Australia.

If next week's episode is as anywhere near as entertaining as this week's, then a Survivor post will become a weekly thing around here!