TVSquad

(S18E04) For eye candy this season on Survivor, we have Sydney representing the gals. But she's quick to say that she's not only pretty, she's sneaky. Can she be sneaky enough? Of course, if Timbira continues its losing streak, it won't really matter. Well, not yet anyway. Unfortunately for me, the male eye candy this season seems to be more along the lines of outdated cheap chocolates. I'm talking a skinny Tyson prancing about in a loincloth and whatever's going on with Coach's high ponytail-mullet mix. Sure, there are more attractive men there. But do they get the air time these two do? Nope! Spoilers ahead.

Coach is great. Just ask him.
He thinks he wears the big boy pants on his tribe, despite the fact that they decided Brendan is the leader. Who looks in better shape? I'm just not seeing where Coach can even think he's thriving. Maniacal, maybe. Thriving, not really. He's still gunning for Erinn, but I think he really should worry a bit more about his main man Tyson and the group at large. Erinn, as we discovered tonight, had personal issues going in, and she's not about to fit in with any crowd on the show. She'd just be easy pickings. I don't get why he's so focused on her.

Taj is indeed great. She is.
Now, here's a woman who's playing the game. She worked with Brendan last time on Exile Island for the four-way two-tribe alliance. She held up her part by getting Stephen in on it. Alas, Brendan didn't get a chance to talk to Sierra. So, when Sierra and Taj ended up on the island, Taj filled her in and the alliance is a go. She also figured out the idol is hidden by the tree mail, so she should have that soon.

She plays the others very well -- close, but not too close. The only one on her tribe that she's confided in at all has been Stephen about the alliance. In the interaction with others (with the exception of telling them about her ex-NFL husband), she tends to vocalize what many are thinking. I think it's a clever route.

I'm not quite sure why she voted for Joe to go tonight. Either she wanted to plant seeds of suspicion or perhaps she just didn't want to pick between Sandy and Sydney. I actually don't think she cares who goes home as long as it isn't her or Stephen. What do you think? Am I missing some reason she voted for Joe? I'll have to catch the voting video on the CBS website when they post it to see what she said.

The challenges
Both the Rewards and Immunity Challenges were retreads for the most part. More puzzles in the first and an all-but repeat event in the second. Those puzzles are getting tougher, but I'd still like them come up with more fresh and new ideas.

That said, I laughed when Tyson bowed out after only holding 140 pounds! I can do that much weight. Sure, he's skinny and Taj had a better base for holding the weight, but that wasn't impressive for Mr. Loincloth Man at all.

Sandy and Sydney -- meow
The meow is mainly coming from Sandy, but we knew that before it even happened. I do think Sandy is the tougher player on the physical level. But there's no way she could beat out Sydney in the long run. Sydney isn't the weakest link, definitely has caught the attention of all of the men, and she's pretty devious. You see, Sandy couldn't be devious if she tried -- she's too crazy. While it was a surprise that Timbira won Immunity, I totally expected them to send Sandy packing. If she had been physically tough and less loudly opinionated and crazy, she might have had a chance.