TVSquad

(S17E12) Tonight was product placement night on Survivor. Er, I mean it was the episode in which the castaways are reunited with their loved ones. Or maybe it's a tie between the two. Back when they used to give a car away, it was major product placement. At least this time it was just a phone, although hyped by manufacturer's name as well as the phone network. I always wonder how much more it costs the advertiser compared to having a commercial slot on the show. The car winner faced the Curse of the Car Winner and never once did the car winner win the season. How about the video calls? Is there a jinx? Read on!

It was Bob-o-Matic night!
I seriously think that if Bob could make it to the final three, he just might be voted for the win. Why? Because, gosh-darn-it, he's a likable kind of dude. Sure, he's smart and does okay with challenges. I'm not quite getting why Matty and the others think he's such a powerhouse. He's more like an elongated skinny Kenny. I think his determination carries him through the more physical challenges than any sort of brawn.

But tonight was his night for the wins. I'm still smiling. Have I mentioned I like this guy? I would have been a bit surprised had the team of three with the physics teacher not solved the sprocket puzzle. Although I think Kenny was a contender in the slide puzzle, Crystal was no competition at all. So, he won the longer video visit (which turned into a real visit) with his wife, plus pizza, beer, and brownies. Ah, nothing like washing down brownies with beer, eh?

Then, up until the Tribal Council, he ruled the game. Even though Sugar had the most balls -- for getting Gabon questions right, not that other kind of balls -- Bob won his first Immunity Challenge. Thinking about how it all ended, I can only hope he can do it again next week. If not, I can't see him making it any further along.

It was all lovey-dovey
Instead of just one castaway and perhaps another of his choice spending time with a loved one, they all had a visit. Yep, tear-jerker time indeed. They have been gone for just over 30 days. With the reactions they all have, it may as well be years.

Corinne's brother was her guest. After all, he's the only one who gets her, knows she's mean and loves it. Hey, that's according to her. Bob's wife seemed to be a real sweetie and Crystal's husband (what we saw of him) was pleasant enough. Kenny immediately bragged to his sister how he's ruling the game and has personally taken out five powerhouses. Remember, pride goeth before the fall, Kenny.

Matty proposed to his girlfriend Jamie something like three times not letting it sink in that she was saying yes all along. I don't think Matty is going to win, but he seems to have really grown a lot. I don't think he's devious enough to win it all. But that's good husband material.

Sugar's sister brought some of her father's ashes with her so Sugar could spread them in Africa. In a way, it creeped me out a bit, but I understand the sentiment. I know her father's death was recent. If memory serves, she mentioned something about seven months early in the season. I'm a bit surprised the ashes were still sitting around the house. But now some are in Africa. So, cool ... I guess.

Operation Fake Idol Two
Well, it was a decent plan. Bob needs Corinne for himself to stay alive in the game. He's safe at this Tribal Council because he won immunity, but he has no more allies in the game. It's down to two Kotas and five Fangs. Who would have thought it would turn out like that?

The plan was to convince at least two of the others that Bob had the idol that Marcus supposedly threw out to sea. He made a great fake idol, even better than his first one. But both Bob and Corinne know it can't be played. It's not real. They convinced Kenny and Crystal to jump ship with them. Good move ... except Kenny wanted to flush the idol. The four were supposed to vote out Matty, but Kenny told Crystal she still had to vote Corinne. Now, if the idol was real and Corinne used it, Matty would have been voted out as the second-highest vote getter. But it was fake, not used, and it was buh-bye Corinne. I'm not sorry to see her go. I don't particularly like mean people.

She is mean!
Corinne is mean and proud of it. In interviews, Jeff Probst seemed to be taken with her and her meanness, but I'm not. Here are a few quotes of hers from tonight's show:

• "I'm in a camp of mutants, none of whom I like."
• Her comment to her brother about "he knows I'm mean and loves it."
• Her exit speech -- "I only like Kenny and Bob. I hope the rest have miserable lives."

Huh? What's up with that? I'm a bit shocked that she likes Kenny. But who goes around hoping others have miserable lives over a game? Yes, it's for a million dollars. Going into it people know they have to be devious, but need they be sore losers? Bitter much, Corinne? I'm sure I just don't "get her" like her brother does.

And, one last thought on the show
Why is Susie still there? Is she going to remain under the radar to the final three? It's like she's the Invisible Lady.