Friday, April 22, 2005

Honor vs. Strategy

Today’s topic is Survivor. Uh-oh. Did I hear a collective sigh out there? Quit your bitching…despite what most people think, this reality show is a real thought-provoker. Okay, well maybe it doesn’t take much to kick-start my feeble brain. (Huh? What was that I heard you say?)

Anyway, let me recap for those who don’t watch the show. On the surface: Strangers from all walks of life strive to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other to become the Sole Survivor and win a million bucks. Below the surface: this is a show about honor, dignity, strategy, values, convictions, loyalty, and yes--manipulation and greed.

Sure, to some extent, the producers probably influence the way this scenario plays out, but still, I find it a fascinating sociological phenomenon. It’s good vs. evil…except on Survivor, the guy in the white hat doesn’t always win. Hmmm…sorta like real life?

On last night’s episode, Stephanie, who embodies the quintessential qualities of a true survivor (athletic, smart, courageous and a passion for winning) looked like her days were numbered. She had a commitment from several allies who were supposed to keep her safe, but (and here’s where humans get interesting) they ditched that commitment because they feared her strength. One guy said that whether a person DESERVED to be in the game didn’t matter; he’d vote out anyone who could beat him. His cohort (another man) WANTED to support Stephanie because she DESERVED to stay, but he followed the crowd so as not to alienate his own supporters. Sad to see people go against their principles to win a million dollars…but then, that’s the society we live in.

So, what happened to Stephanie you ask? (See, you’re getting hooked). Here’s where the game took an interesting turn. At the immunity challenge, the host announced that the first person to give up would be abandoned for a night on a separate island. Well, about five minutes into it, Janu (a woman who’s been BEGGING to get voted off because she’s so miserable) threw in the towel. But, a funny thing happened during her night of exile. Solitary, forced to rely on herself, and away from a group she didn’t feel a part of anyway, Janu found happiness. Janu found glee. She made fire! She danced in the moonlight!

Flash forward to “tribal council” where the majority was set to oust Stephanie. As always, before voting, the host initiated a discussion. Based on some of the comments, Stephanie saw the writing on the wall and realized she’d been burned. She made a heartfelt statement about how much she wanted to be there. In turn, Janu admitted to how much she wanted to leave. That, in fact, she’d gotten everything she’d needed to get out of the game from that one night alone on the island. How cool is that? Janu had already won something worth way more than a million dollars, which liberated her to go home. Here’s where I think the producers manipulated the outcome. The host wangled it so that all of a sudden, there was Janu, offering to quit in Stephanie’s place. Stephanie, to her credit, insisted Janu leave only for herself, not on Stephanie’s behalf. Janu then restated the offer to “lay down her torch.”

And just like that. ONE PERSON had the power to thwart the will of the majority, and Stephanie survived to see another day.

But now that she knows her previous alliance was poised to send her home, what new strategy will she pursue?

Until next week…stay tuned.







1 comment:

John said...

So, Janu is trying to get back at the guys by keeping Stephaine? Can Stephanie make alliances sufficient to get anyone else out? Will Tom come around fast enough to help before he finally loses an immunity and gets voted out? Can them women really band together and vote out the guys? Will Jeff propose to Jenn? All these questions.

Go Carrie.