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Good Job, Natalie!

roxbury123 wrote:

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After 19 Seasons you people dont get it. You need a social game to win. The Strategy gets you to the finals, the social game gets you the win. Russell didnt have a social game and he lost. I CRIED at Erik's jury speech i was so moved. Natalie 100% deserved this.

On paper Russell did do a lot to get him where he is. He got people to trust him, he made moves and took the brunt of the storm when the opposition came.

But there is a flaw in Russell's perception of his gameplay and it harkens back to the very first episode of the very first season where Jeff, during the introduction to the show makes this observation: "This is more than a test of survival skills, it's also a test of social skills...here it's the impression you make on the other castaways that determine your fate."

Russell seemed to have missed out on this particular aspect or he perhaps he thought about it but was so arrogant that it didn't matter to him. He boasted about how he could control people, well he could not control that nine member jury and that eats at him. You notice how nervous and fidgety he got at the reunion show? How desperate he was to prove his case? He even interrupted Mick or Natalie saying, "I voted you out, I outwitted you, I should win this game!" The problem is Russell played too much on the strategic side and never stopped to think, "Gee, maybe I should ease up a little bit on the lying thing or the rubbing it in their faces thing."

He claims Natalie's strategy was her key moment, and it was. It was perfect. Align with someone who was so sure to get the heat that you come out smelling like roses. That IS a strategy. Is it popular? Not really. But it works.

What gets Russell the most is that he did not win. Point blank. And as Jeff said, "One of those dumbass girls just beat your ass!" Russell got beat at his own game at the end of the day. Juries from many seasons rewarded the more likeable (Danni and Sandra) over the more strategic (Stephen and Boston Rob). And that is part of the game too.

Good on ya, Nat. I kept quiet because I wasn't sure, but I'm glad to see you win it.

Regardless azcandiene it happened the way it did. I didn't compare Nat's play to Danni or Sandra. I said juries have awarded the more likeable person before. No one is told how to vote or what to base their vote on. Hell, some jury members have even based their votes on picking a number. Greg from Borneo and Kelly G from Africa did this.

Bottom line, Natalie won. Russell didn't. Get over it.