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I am not sure that I would call it a complete failure (at least not in the same vein that the MEDALLION OF POWER was a complete failure) as it did provide the season long Matt drama which CBS was able to sell to viewers during a season that was otherwise short on game drama.  It also appears that it may have helps to lessen the Pondorosa Effect on FTC by keeping more players in the game and out of the losers lounge until the very end  (although it's quite possible that Rob bringing two goats with him lessened it even more).

And, while I do agree though that the RI concept didn't work as intended as both returnees ended up being non-factors in the game, Matt's return at the merge did provide the season with it's best and most compelling episode and could have been a total game changer if Matt hadn't proven himself to be one of the worst strategic players ever selected.

It was also interesting how players this season kept talking about making "Big Moves"; but no one, other than perhaps Rob blindsiding Matt twice, actually pulled off a single Big Move off. 
(I don't count the Zaps throwing the challenge as a big moves as it was completely unnecessary at that point and ended up blowing up in their faces.)   And I wonder how much this lack of big moves was due to the fact that people believed that they could play more conservatively and with less desperation as there was always the saftey net of RI to keep their back from really being against the wall.

So I dunno.  I am kind of mixed about RI and it's impact on the game.  They are going to give it another play next season and hopefully is with have more of a game impact.  And, if it doesn't, I hope that they have the good sense to say at 0-2 they should shelve it.