Well, that was something new.

What an idea, what a twist, what a way to change the entire premise of Survivor. In last night's episode, 6 castaways who had already been cast away got a chance to undo the past and clutch at a second chance in the Game.

Does this mess with the concept of the Game, the idea that once you've voted someone out they get to come back? Yes. I don't know if it's really "fair," but it sure makes for some awesome drama, and it works in perfectly to counter someone like Osten, who has been whining to leave since Day 4. Believe it or not, some people really want to be out there, and it showed last night.

I kept thinking about my own band of outcasts: Peter, Patricia, Hunter, Sarah, Me, Gina. We would have been a pretty incredible force to be reckoned with; there really are no comparisons to the passion you feel for the Game once you've left it (Osten, were you feeling that the day after they let you quit?). Everyone who dreamed of going to AllStar (which is everyone, as far as I know) knows this burning desire.

Osten, you're going to take quite a beating from everyone's commentary and across the net and probably from your friends, so I'm just going to let you be.

The real effect of this week won't be felt until we see what happens next time, so just a short account of the tribes from me today.

Morgan: Andrew, you're losing it man. Major rule of Survivor is being adaptable. The person who comes back in has more drive than any of you, and that can be exploited if you know what you're doing. Again, I don't know how I feel about this twist, but you have to deal with what the Game throws at you. Just think, whoever shows up will have a lot more heart than Osten, and your tribe might really need that. I predict Lillian's return. Darrah, it doesn't look good for you.

Drake: Uhm, I guess you voted Shawn out because of his strength? Jon has become a wonderfully colorful character, but when are you going to free us of his inanity? Rupert, same advice as Andrew, you need to relax. You didn't get voted out, be thankful not insane. You're starting to make me a little nervous. I thought it was pretty mean to have the two guys try to defend themselves; arrogance is seldom rewarded in Survivor. Christa, you're my pick from this tribe, I hope you go far. Burton, maybe. He'd sure be a force to be reckoned with at this point. Jon, you're still out of there.

You can email Gabriel at gabriel@survivorskills.com

Give your feedback on this article Click Here

Have a question for Gabriel? Submit Question